SEC Form 424B5 filed by Blue Star Foods Corp.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated December 6, 2022)
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-268564
Up to $2,199,769
BLUE STAR FOODS CORP.
Common Stock
We have entered into an At The Market Offering Agreement, or the Sales Agreement, with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, or Wainwright, relating to shares of our common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the Sales Agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $2,199,769 from time to time through or to Wainwright, acting as agent or principal.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “BSFC.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq on April 29, 2024, was $0.0590 per share.
Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement may be made in sales deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, including sales made directly on or through Nasdaq, the existing trading market for our common stock, sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange or otherwise, directly to Wainwright as principal, in negotiated transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices, and/or in any other method permitted by law. Wainwright is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of securities but will act as a sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreed terms between Wainwright and us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
The compensation to Wainwright for sales of common stock sold pursuant to the Sales Agreement will be at a fixed commission rate of 3.0% of the gross proceeds of any shares of common stock sold under the Sales Agreement. In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, Wainwright will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of Wainwright will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to Wainwright with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
The aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates is approximately $6.6 million, based on 47,659,795 shares of outstanding common stock, of which 45,228,317 shares are held by non-affiliates, and a per share price of $0.1468 based on the closing sale price of our common stock on March 4, 2024, which is the highest closing sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq within the prior 60 days of this prospectus supplement. As a result, we are currently eligible to offer and sell up to an aggregate of $2,199,769 of our securities which may be sold under the Sales Agreement. In no event will the aggregate market value of securities sold by us or on our behalf under this prospectus supplement pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the twelve-month period immediately prior to, and including, the date of any such sale, exceed one-third of the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates in any twelve-month period, so long as the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $75.0 million. During the twelve-month period that ends on and includes the date hereof, we have not sold any of our securities in reliance on General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3.
Investing in our common stock involves significant risk. You should review carefully the risk factors described in, and incorporated by reference under, “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement and page 3 of the accompanying prospectus before investing in our common stock.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
H.C. Wainwright & Co.
The date of this prospectus is May 3, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSEPCTUS SUPPPLEMENT
PAGE | |
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | S-1 |
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT | S-1 |
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY | S-2 |
THE OFFERING | S-6 |
RISK FACTORS | S-7 |
USE OF PROCEEDS | S-10 |
DILUTION | S-11 |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION | S-12 |
LEGAL MATTERS | S-12 |
EXPERTS | S-12 |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | S-13 |
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE | S-13 |
PROSPECTUS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to the offer by us of shares of our common stock. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $2,199,769 from time to time under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus at prices to be determined by market conditions at the time of the offering.
We provide information to you about this offering of shares of our common stock in in two separate documents that are bound together: (1) this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific details regarding this offering, and (2) the accompanying prospectus, which provides general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer to this “prospectus,” we are referring to both documents combined. If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on this prospectus supplement. In addition, to the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in any document incorporated by reference that was filed with the SEC before the date of this prospectus supplement, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date - for example, a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement - the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from or inconsistent with the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents, regardless of the time of delivery of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement in their entirety before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the sections of this prospectus supplement entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.” These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision.
We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of our common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the offering of our common stock in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus supplement must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of our common stock and the distribution of this prospectus supplement outside the United States. This prospectus supplement does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities offered by this prospectus supplement by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and any documents incorporated by reference herein and therein may contain forward looking statements that involve significant risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, including statements regarding future events, our future financial performance, business strategy, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should,” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we do not make forward looking statements unless we believe we have a reasonable basis for doing so, we cannot guarantee their accuracy. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks outlined under “Risk Factors” or elsewhere in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, which may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Moreover, we operate in a highly regulated, very competitive, and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all risk factors, nor can we address the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
S-1 |
We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short term and long term business operations, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this prospectus, and in particular, the risks discussed below and under the heading “Risk Factors” and those discussed in other documents we file with the SEC which are incorporated by reference herein.
We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. In light of the significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions that accompany forward-looking statements, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statement.
You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, each of which applies only as of the date of this prospectus. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus to conform our statements to actual results or changed expectations.
Any forward-looking statement you read in this prospectus, or any document incorporated by reference reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, operating results, growth strategy and liquidity. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as to the date when made. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future, except as otherwise required by applicable law. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our reports on Forms 10-Q, 8-K, and 10-K filed with the SEC. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all risk factors. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.
We are an international sustainable marine protein company that owns and operates several portfolio companies with an emphasis on environmental, social and governance values. We seek to create a vertically integrated seafood company that offers customers high quality products while maintaining a focus on our core values of delivering food safety, traceability and certified resource sustainability. Our companies include:
John Keeler & Co., Inc. (“Keeler & Co.”) doing business as Blue Star Foods, which imports, packages and sells refrigerated pasteurized crab meat sourced primarily from Southeast Asia and other premium seafood products; | |
Coastal Pride Seafood, LLC (“Coastal Pride”) which imports pasteurized and fresh crab meat sourced primarily from Mexico and Latin America and sells premium branded label crab meat throughout North America; and | |
Taste of BC Aquafarms, Inc. (“TOBC”), a land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (“RAS”) salmon farming operation, which sells its steelhead salmon to distributors in Canada. |
We distribute our imported blue and red swimming crabmeat in the United States under the brand names Blue Star, Pacifika, Oceanica, Crab & Go Premium Seafood, First Choice, Good Stuff and Coastal Pride Fresh and steelhead salmon and rainbow trout fingerlings produced by TOBC under the brand name Little Cedar Falls.
Blue Star is packed with only high quality Portunus Pelagicus species crab and is produced under exacting specifications and quality control requirements.
S-2 |
Pacifika is a quality brand for the price conscious end user. The Portunus Haanii crab meat is packed in China and is ideal for upscale plate presentations.
Oceanica is made from the Portunus Haanii crab, which is caught and processed in Vietnam. It is an affordable choice to help reduce food cost without sacrificing the look/taste of dishes.
Crab + Go Premium Seafood is geared towards millennials as part of the trend toward pre-packaged, grab-and-go items. The product is packaged in flexible foil pouches.
Lubkin Brand is packed with quality Portunus Pelagicus species crab in the Philippines and Indonesia.
First Choice is a quality brand packed with Portunus Haanii crab meat from Malaysia.
Good Stuff is a premium brand packed with high quality Callinectes species crab from Mexico.
Coastal Pride Fresh is packed with Callinectes Sapidus from Venezuela and the United States.
Steelhead salmon and rainbow trout fingerlings are produced by TOBC under the Little Cedar Falls brand. The fish are sashimi grade and only sold as a fresh item, usually reaching end users within days of harvest.
Competitive Strengths
Sustainable and Traceable Product Sourcing. We believe that our greatest point of differentiation from other seafood companies is our efforts to ensure that our seafood products are ethically sourced in a method that is consistent with our core values and those of our customers.
Proprietary Brands. We have created several brands of crab meat that are well regarded amongst our customers and are differentiated by product quality and price point.
Eco-Friendly Packaging. Another major point of differentiation from our competitors is our use of sustainable and ethical packaging. Our green pouches for Eco-Fresh crab meat are patented in the United States, Europe, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia under patent Nos.1526091 B1 and US Patents 8,337,922 and 8,445,046. We believe since their introduction in 2003, these pouches have saved in excess of a million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions versus metal can packaging material.
We intend to grow our business in several ways, including:
Our long-term strategy is to create a vertically integrated seafood company that offers customers high quality products while maintaining a focus on our core values of delivering food safety, traceability and certified resource sustainability. We plan to grow the Company organically by continuing to increase our customer base and by introducing new high-value product lines and categories, as well as strategically acquiring companies that focus on additional species and proprietary technologies that we believe we can integrate into a larger, diversified company.
Growing our existing businesses. The three current existing businesses each have different pathways to organic growth, including by increasing their reliable access to sustainably sourced marine product and supplying to a larger and more diversified customer base. Our key objective is to optimize the management of the companies across all companies, specifically in the marketing, sourcing and financing departments.
Strategic Acquisitions. We will continue to seek opportunities to acquire companies that allow us to expand into new territories, diversify our species product categories, and where operational synergies with our existing companies may exist. We believe that we may have the ability to layer on a sustainability model to certain companies that operate in a more traditional way, with an opportunity to increase margins by selling a more premium product.
S-3 |
Scaling the RAS Business. We have an internal goal to reach production of 21,000 metric tons of steelhead salmon by 2028. If we can successfully access the necessary funding through the equity capital markets and through certain debt facilities, we hope to build a series of 1,500 metric ton and 3,000 metric ton facilities throughout strategic locations in British Columbia, Canada, where TOBC is currently based.
We purchase crab meat directly from six processors with which we have long-standing relationships, that have agreed to source their product in a sustainable manner. All crab meat is sourced under the Company’s FDA approved HACCP Plan. Additionally, all suppliers are certified grade A by the BRC and are audited annually to ensure safety and quality.
The Company had four major suppliers located in the United States, Canada and China which accounted for approximately 82% of the Company’s total purchases during the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company’s largest supplier is located in Miami and accounted for 35% of the Company’s total purchases for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The Company’s products are sold in the United States and Canada. Its primary current source of revenue is importing blue and red swimming crab meat primarily from Indonesia, the Philippines and China and distributing it in the United States and Canada under several brand names such as Blue Star, Oceanica, Pacifika, Crab & Go, Lubkin’s Coastal Pride, First Choice, Good Stuff, Coastal Pride Fresh and TOBC steelhead salmon and rainbow trout fingerlings produced under the brand name Little Cedar Falls.
The Company stores its crab meat inventory at a third-party facility in Miami, Florida and distribution takes place from this facility.
The Company has a sales team based throughout the United States who sell directly to customers, most of whom are in the food service and retail industry and also manage a network of regional and national brokers, that cover both the retail and wholesale segments. The sales team and brokers help to pull the products through the system by creating demand at the end user level and pulling the demand through our distributor customers. The Company sells to retail customers either directly or via distributors that specialize in the retail segment.
The Company does not own its own fleet of trucks and utilizes less than truckload freight shipping (“LTL”) national freight carriers to deliver its products to its customers. LTL is used for the transportation of small freight or when freight does not require the use of an entire trailer. When shipping LTL, the Company pays for a portion of a standard truck trailer, and other shippers and their shipments fill the unoccupied space.
Recent Developments
NASDAQ Compliance
On September 26, 2023, we received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) notifying the Company that, based upon the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days, the Company was not in compliance with the requirement to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share for continued listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market, as set forth in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Requirement”).
We were provided a compliance period of 180 calendar days, or until March 25, 2024, to regain compliance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). If at any time before March 25, 2024, the closing bid price of our common stock closed at or above $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive business days, NASDAQ would provide written notification that the Company has achieved compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement and the matter would be resolved. On March 26, 2024, we received a letter from NASDAQ stating the Company had not regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement and is not eligible for a second 180-day period because it is not in compliance with NASDAQ’s $5,000,000 minimum stockholders’ equity initial listing requirement.
The Company appealed this determination to the Nasdaq Hearings Panel (the “Panel”) in writing on April 1, 2024.
S-4 |
On April 10, 2024, the Panel notified the Company that it had granted the request of the Company to continue its listing on NASDAQ until May 30, 2024, subject to on or before April 1, 2024, the Company filing its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filing its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 by May 15, 2024, and on or before May 30, 2024, the Company shall have demonstrated compliance with Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) by evidencing a closing bid price of $1.00 or more per share for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive trading sessions, and evidence compliance with all applicable criteria for continued listing.
Minimum Stockholder’s Equity
The Company was notified on May 23, 2023 by NASDAQ that it no longer complied with the minimum $2,500,000 stockholders’ equity required for continued listing on NASDAQ. At a hearing with NASDAQ on June 29, 2023, the Company’s request for continued listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market was granted, subject to filing a registration statement with the SEC for a $5 million public offering by July 28, 2023 and demonstrating compliance with the minimum stockholders’ equity requirement by August 18, 2025, which date was extended to September 15, 2023. On September 11, 2023, the Company closed its $5 million public offering. On October 16, 2023, NASDAQ notified the Company that it had regained compliance with the minimum $2,500,000 stockholders’ equity requirement. However, the Company will be subject to a mandatory panel monitor until October 16, 2024. If, within that one-year monitoring period, NASDAQ finds the Company out of compliance, the Company will have an opportunity to request a new hearing on the matter.
The Company was notified on November 27, 2023 by NASDAQ that it no longer complied with the minimum $2,500,000 stockholders’ equity required for continued listing on NASDAQ. As the Company is subject to a mandatory panel monitor for a period of one year, we are not eligible for a compliance period. On December 4, 2023, the Company requested a hearing with the Panel, which was scheduled for March 5, 2024. On March 22, 2024, the Panel notified the Company that it had granted the request of the Company to continue its listing on NASDAQ until May 15, 2024, subject to on or before April 1, 2024, the Company filing its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and filing its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 by May 15, 2024.
Agile Lending, LLC loan
On June 14, 2023, the Company, and Keeler & Co. (the “Borrowers”) entered into a subordinated business loan and security agreement with Agile Lending, LLC as lead lender (“Agile”) and Agile Capital Funding, LLC as collateral agent (“Agile Capital”), which provides for a term loan to the Company in the amount of $525,000 which principal and interest (of $231,000) is due on December 15, 2023. Commencing June 23, 2023, the Company is required to make weekly payments of $29,077 until the due date. The loan may be prepaid subject to a prepayment fee. An administrative agent fee of $25,000 was paid on the loan which was recognized as a debt discount and amortized over the term of the loan. In connection with the loan, Agile was issued a subordinated secured promissory note, dated June 14, 2023, in the principal amount of $525,000 which note is secured by all of the Borrowers’ assets, including receivables. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company made principal and interest payments on the loan totaling $525,000 and $114,692, respectively, and the outstanding interest balance was refinanced in the January 2024 loan.
On October 19, 2023, the Borrowers entered into a subordinated business loan and security agreement with Agile and Agile Capital as collateral agent, which provides for a term loan to the Company in the amount of $210,000 which principal and interest (of $84,000) is due on April 1, 2024. Commencing October 19, 2023, the Company is required to make weekly payments of $12,250 until the due date. The loan may be prepaid subject to a prepayment fee. An administrative agent fee of $10,000 was paid on the loan which was recognized as a debt discount and amortized over the term of the loan. In connection with the loan, Agile was issued a subordinated secured promissory note, dated October 19, 2023, in the principal amount of $210,000 which note is secured by all of the Borrowers’ assets, including receivables. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company made principal payments on the loan totaling $98,000 and no interest payments were made.
On January 2, 2024, the Company, and Keeler & Co. entered into a subordinated business loan and security agreement with Agile and Agile Capital as collateral agent, which provides for a term loan to the Company in the amount of $122,491 which principal and interest (of $48,996) is due on May 31, 2024. Commencing January 5, 2024, the Company is required to make weekly payments of $7,795 until the due date. The loan may be prepaid subject to a prepayment fee. An administrative agent fee of $5,833 was paid on the loan. A default interest rate of 5% will become effective upon the occurrence of an event of default. In connection with the loan, Agile was issued a subordinated secured promissory note, dated January 2, 2024, in the principal amount of $122,491 which note is secured by all of the Borrower’s assets, including receivables. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company made principal payments on the loan totaling $72,381 and interest payments of $28,952.
On March 1, 2024, the Borrowers entered into a subordinated business loan and security agreement with Agile and Agile Capital as collateral agent, which provides for a term loan to the Company in the amount of $210.000 which principal and interest (of $79,800) is due on August 29, 2024. Commencing March 7, 2024, the Company is required to make weekly payments of $11,146 until the due date. The loan may be prepaid subject to a prepayment fee. An administrative agent fee of $10,000 was paid on the loan which was recognized as a debt discount and amortized over the term of the loan. In connection with the loan, Agile was issued a subordinated secured promissory note, dated March 1, 2024, in the principal amount of $210,000 which note is secured by all of the Borrowers’ assets, including receivables. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company made principal payments on the loan totaling $33,438 and no interest payments were made.
ClearThink Term Loan
On January 18, 2024, the Company entered into the Revenue-Based Factoring MCA Plus Agreement with ClearThink which provides, among other things, for a 33-week term loan in the principal amount of $200,000 (with an additional one-time commitment fee of $50,000). Interest accrues at the rate of 25% per annum with an additional 5% default interest rate in the event of circumstances described in the agreement or $50,000 will be added to the principal amount and accrue after principal is paid. The Company is required to make biweekly payments of $14,706, commencing February 1, 2024 for the term of the Agreement. On January 25, 2024, the Company issued 354,610 shares of common stock to ClearThink as a commitment fee.
Afritex Agreements
On February 1, 2024, the Company entered into a ninety-day Master Services Agreement (the “Services Agreement”) with Afritex Ventures, Inc. a Texas corporation (“Afritex”), pursuant to which the Company will be responsible for all of Afritex’s operations and finance functions. The Company will provide Afritex with working capital in order to sustain operations and will purchase certain inventory listed in the Services Agreement. In consideration for its services, during the term of the Services Agreement, the Company will be entitled to all of the revenue and profits earned by Afritex. Under the Services Agreement, Afritex may not sell or otherwise use as consideration any of its intellectual property without the Company’s consent. The Company must maintain certain commercial liability insurance during the term of the Services Agreement. The Services Agreement also provides that the Company may not solicit Afritex employees for 24 months nor circumvent existing business relationships of Afritex for three years, after the term of the Services Agreement. The term of the Services Agreement will automatically extend for three thirty-day periods, if Afritex’s outstanding debt is no greater than $325,000.
S-5 |
In connection with the Services Agreement, on February 12, 2024, the Company entered into an Intangibles Assets and Machinery Option To Purchase Agreement with Afritex (the “Option Agreement”). Pursuant to the Option Agreement, the Company has the option to purchase Afritex’s intangible assets, machinery and equipment set forth in the Option Agreement for a purchase price of $554,714 for machinery and equipment and 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued on February 12, 2024 to be held in escrow, for intangible assets. In addition, for one year from the date of the Option Agreement, Afritex has an option to purchase up to $1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a 10% discount to the lowest volume-weighted average price in the immediately prior five days. The sale of any shares acquired by Afritex under the Option Agreement are subject to a “leak-out” provision as set forth in the Option Agreement. The closing of the Option Agreement is subject to, among other things, the successful restructuring of Afritex’s accounts payable debts so that no individual debt of $85,000 or aggregate debt of more than $325,000 is outstanding. The Option Agreement may be terminated if, among others, the closing has not occurred within 90 days, unless extended for two additional 30-day periods at the Company’s sole discretion. To date, the Company has not exercised its option to purchase such intangibles assets, machinery and equipment.
Eagle Rising Agreement
On April 4, 2024, the Company entered into a two-year contract manufacturing agreement with Afritex Ventures, Inc., a Texas corporation and a commercial manufacturer of food products (the “Supplier), and Eagle Rising Food Solutions LLC, a Florida corporation and a national seafood distributor (the “Buyer”), effective March 21, 2024. The agreement automatically renews for successive one year terms if not terminated by either party at least sixty days prior to the end of the then current term. Pursuant to the agreement, the Supplier will manufacture certain food products and provide consulting services to Buyer based on Buyer’s purchase orders. The Buyer granted the Supplier a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use its trademarks for such products. Under the agreement, the Supplier is responsible for product production and certain storage and the Buyer is responsible for the cost of freight and delivery of the products and is required to pay invoices within 35 days of receipt of the products. Late payments are subject to interest of 1% of the outstanding amount per month. The agreement may be terminated in the event of certain defaults which are not cured as set forth in the agreement. Either party may terminate the agreement in the event of the other party’s insolvency or inability to meet obligations, (ii) filing of voluntary or involuntary petition of bankruptcy, (iii) institution of legal proceedings against the other party by creditors or stockholders, or (iv) appointment of a receiver.
The Hart Note
On April 16, 2024 the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Hart Associates, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Hart”), pursuant to which the Company issued to Hart a promissory note in the principal amount of $300,000 (the “Hart Note”). In connection with the issuance of the Hart Note the Company will issue 500,000 shares of its restricted common stock to Hart. The Hart Note will have a one-time interest payment of $50,000 payable on the maturity date of May 15, 2024, which can be extended up to 90 days. The proceeds from the sale of the Hart Note are for general working capital.
The Company may prepay the Hart Note at any time without penalty. Any failure on the Company’s part to comply with the material terms of the Hart Note will be considered an event of default and the principal sum of the Hart Note will increase by 20% of the outstanding owed balance for each subsequent 30 days it remains in default.
The Diagonal Note
On April 16, 2024 the Company issued to 1800 Diagonal Lending LLC, a Virginia limited liability company, a convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $138,000 which had an original issue discount of $23,000 (the “Diagonal Note”). The Diagonal Note has a one-time interest payment of $26,220 paid upon issuance and a maturity date of January 15, 2025. The proceeds from the sale of the Diagonal Note are for general working capital.
Upon the occurrence of an event of default as described in the Diagonal Note, the Diagonal Note will become immediately due and payable at a default interest rate of 150% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Diagonal Note. Additionally Diagonal will have the right to convert all or any part of the outstanding and unpaid amount of the Diagonal Note into fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of 61% of the Market Price as described in the Diagonal Note.
So long as the Company has any obligation under the Diagonal Note, the Company shall not, without Diagonal’s written consent, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any significant portion of its assets outside the ordinary course of business. The Company will reserve from its authorized and issued common stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of shares upon the full conversion of the Diagonal Note.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated on October 17, 2017 in the State of Delaware as a blank check company to be used as a vehicle to pursue a business combination. Prior to the Merger, we engaged in organizational efforts. Following the Merger, we discontinued our prior activities of seeking a business for a merger or acquisition and acquired the business of John Keeler & Co. Inc., d/b/a Blue Star Foods, a Florida corporation formed on May 5, 1995. Our executive offices are located at 3000 NW 109th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33172 and our telephone number is (305) 836-6858. Our website address is https://bluestarfoods.com/. Except for any documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus that may be accessed from our website, the information available on or through our website is not part of this prospectus.
Common Stock offered by us | Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $2,199,769, or up to 37,284,220 shares, assuming sales at a price of $0.0590 per share, which was the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq on April 29, 2024. The actual number of shares issued will vary depending on the sales price under this offering. | |
Common Stock to be outstanding immediately after the offering | 84,944,015 shares, assuming issuance of 37,284,220 shares, assuming sales at a price of $0.0590 per share, which was the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq on April 29, 2024. | |
Nasdaq Capital Market Symbol | BSFC |
S-6 |
Use of proceeds |
We intend to use the net proceeds, if any, from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes and to repay certain indebtedness. | |
Plan of Distribution | “At the market offering” that may be made from time to time through or to Wainwright, as sales agent or principal. See “Plan of Distribution” on page 18. | |
Risk factors | You should carefully read “Risk Factors” in this prospectus for a discussion of factors that you should consider before deciding to invest in our Common Stock. |
The number of shares of our common stock that will be outstanding immediately after this offering is based on 47,659,795 shares of common stock outstanding as of May 3, 2024 and excludes an aggregate of 26,112,090 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants as follows:
● | 291,540 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options; |
● | 730,944 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants; |
● | 19,115,890 shares of our common stock that may be issued upon conversion of a secured, two-year, interest-free convertible promissory note and 435,035 shares of our common stock that may be issued upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant that we issued to Lind Global Fund II LP on May 30, 2023, each of which is subject to potential anti-dilution adjustment as a result of this offering; and |
● | 5,973,716 shares of our common stock that may be issued upon conversion of a secured, two-year, interest-free convertible promissory note and 175,234 shares of our common stock that may be issued upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant that we issued to Lind Global Fund II LP on July 27, 2023, each of which is subject to potential anti-dilution adjustment as a result of this offering. |
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before investing in our common stock, you should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes. In addition, we may face additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us, or which as of the date of this registration statement we might not consider significant, which may adversely affect our business. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks or uncertainties, and you may lose part or all of your investment.
Risks Related to this Offering
If we fail to comply with the NASDAQ Capital Market listing requirements, we will be subject to potential delisting from the NASDAQ Capital Market.
Our common stock is currently traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “BSFC.” However, if we fail to comply with NASDAQ’s rules for continued listing, including, minimum market capitalization, bid price and other requirements, NASDAQ may take steps to delist our shares. Failure to maintain our listing, or de-listing from NASDAQ, would make it more difficult for shareholders to sell our common stock and more difficult to obtain accurate price quotations on our common stock. This could have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock. Our ability to issue additional securities for financing or other purposes, or otherwise to arrange for any financing we may need in the future, may also be materially and adversely affected if our common stock is not traded on a national securities exchange. Additionally, loan or other agreements, may contain covenants to maintain the listing of our common stock on NASDAQ. Accordingly, failure to maintain such listing may constitute a default under such agreements.
S-7 |
We are not in compliance with the NASDAQ Capital Market $1.00 minimum bid price requirement and the $2,500,000 stockholder’s equity minimum requirement which could result in delisting and adversely affect the market price and liquidity of our common stock.
On September 26, 2023, we received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) notifying the Company that, based upon the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days, the Company was not in compliance with the requirement to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share for continued listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market, as set forth in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Requirement”).
We were provided a compliance period of 180 calendar days, or until March 25, 2024, to regain compliance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). If at any time before March 25, 2024, the closing bid price of our common stock closed at or above $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive business days, NASDAQ would provide written notification that the Company had achieved compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement and the matter would be resolved. On March 26, 2024, we received a letter from NASDAQ stating the Company had not regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement and is not eligible for a second 180-day period because it is not in compliance with NASDAQ’s $5,000,000 minimum stockholders’ equity initial listing requirement.
The Company appealed this determination to the Panel in writing on April 1, 2024. On April 10, 2024, the Panel notified the Company that it had granted the request of the Company to continue its listing on NASDAQ until May 15, 2024, subject to on or before April 1, 2024, the Company filing its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filing its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 by May 15, 2024, and on or before May 30, 2024, the Company shall have demonstrated compliance with Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) by evidencing a closing bid price of $1.00 or more per share for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive trading sessions, and evidence compliance with all applicable criteria for continued listing.
The Company was notified on November 27, 2023 by NASDAQ that it no longer complied with the minimum $2,500,000 stockholders’ equity required for continued listing on NASDAQ. The Company is subject to a Mandatory Panel Monitor for a period of one year, or until October 16, 2024. On December 4, 2023, the Company was granted a hearing with NASDAQ’s hearings panel, which was scheduled for March 5, 2024. On March 22, 2024, the Panel notified the Company that it had granted the request of the Company to continue its listing on NASDAQ until May 15, 2024, subject to on or before April 1, 2024, the Company filing its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and filing its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 by May 15, 2024.
If our common stock were to be delisted from The NASDAQ Capital Market, trading of our common stock most likely will be conducted in the over-the-counter market on an electronic bulletin board established for unlisted securities such as the OTC Markets or in the “pink sheets.” Such a downgrading in our listing market may limit our ability to make a market in our common stock and may impact purchases or sales of our securities.
Purchasers in this offering may experience immediate and substantial dilution in the book value of their investment.
The offering price per share in this offering may exceed the net tangible book value per share of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering. Assuming that an aggregate 37,284,220 shares of our common stock are sold at a price of $0.0590 per share pursuant to this prospectus supplement, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq on April 29, 2024, for aggregate gross proceeds of $2,199,769, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us, you would experience immediate increase of $0.02 per share, representing the difference between our as adjusted net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2023 after giving effect to this offering and the assumed offering price. See “Dilution” for a more detailed description of the dilution to new investors in the offering.
S-8 |
We will have broad discretion in how we use the net proceeds of this offering. We may not use these proceeds effectively, which could affect our results of operations and cause our stock price to decline.
Although we currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering in the manner described in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement, we will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds of this offering. We may use the net proceeds for purposes that do not yield a significant return or any return at all for our stockholders. In addition, pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value. If we do not invest or apply the net proceeds from this offering in ways that enhance stockholder value, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause our stock price to decline.
If we raise additional capital through the sale of shares of our common stock, convertible securities or debt in the future, your ownership in us could be diluted and restrictions could be imposed on our business.
In addition to this offering, we may issue shares of our common stock or securities convertible into our common stock to raise additional capital in the future. To the extent we issue such securities, our stockholders may experience substantial dilution and the trading price of our common stock could decline. If we obtain funds through a credit facility or through the issuance of debt or preferred securities, such debt or preferred securities could have rights senior to your rights as a common shareholder, which could impair the value of our common stock.
We have not paid dividends in the past and do not expect to pay dividends in the future, and, as a result, any return on investment may be limited to the value of our stock.
We have never paid dividends and do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends will depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, prospects and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant. If we do not pay dividends, our stock may be less valuable because a return on your investment will only occur if our stock price appreciates and you sell our common stock thereafter.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market or raising additional funds through debt or equity financing could cause our stock price to fall.
To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, your ownership interest may be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a stockholder. Debt financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take certain actions, such as incurring debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we raise additional funds through collaborations, strategic collaborations or partnerships, or marketing, distribution or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may be required to limit valuable rights to our intellectual property, technologies, therapeutic candidates or future revenue streams, or grant licenses or other rights on terms that are not favorable to us. Furthermore, any additional fundraising efforts may divert our management from their day-to-day activities, which may adversely affect our ability to develop and commercialize our therapeutic candidates.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market or the perception that these sales might occur, could depress the market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We are unable to predict the effect that sales may have on the prevailing market price of our common stock. A substantial number of shares of common stock are being offered by this prospectus supplement. We cannot predict the number of these shares that might be sold nor the effect that future sales of the shares of our common stock would have on the market price of our common stock.
We could face significant penalties for our failure to comply with the terms of our outstanding convertible notes.
Our convertible notes contain positive and negative covenants and customary events of default including requiring us in many cases to timely file SEC reports. In the event we fail to timely file our SEC reports in the future, or any other events of defaults occur under the notes, we could face significant penalties and/or liquidated damages and/or the conversion price of such notes could be adjusted downward significantly, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition, or cause any investment in the Company to decline in value or become worthless.
S-9 |
Certain of our outstanding convertible promissory notes include most favored nations rights.
Certain of our outstanding convertible promissory notes include provisions which provide that, so long as such notes are outstanding, the Company shall not enter into any public or private offering of its securities (including securities convertible into shares of our Common Stock) with any individual or entity that has the effect of establishing rights or otherwise benefiting such other investor in a manner more favorable in any material respect to such other investor than the rights and benefits established in favor of the holder of our convertible notes unless, in any such case, the holder has been provided with such rights and benefits pursuant to a definitive written agreement or agreements between the Company and the holder. Such favored nations provisions could be triggered in the future and could materially change the terms of the notes. In the event any favored nations provisions of the notes are triggered, it may cause the terms of such notes to be materially amended in favor of the holders thereof, cause significant dilution to existing shareholders, and otherwise have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The actual number of shares we will issue under the Sales Agreement, at any one time or in total, is uncertain.
Subject to certain limitations in the Sales Agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver a placement notice to a Wainwright at any time throughout the term of the Sales Agreement. The number of shares that are sold by Wainwright after delivering a placement notice will fluctuate based on the market price of our common stock during the sales period and limits we set with Wainwright. Because the price per share of each share sold will fluctuate based on the market price of our common stock during the sales period, it is not possible at this stage to predict the number of shares that will be ultimately issued.
The common stock offered hereby will be sold in “at the market offerings,” and investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.
Investors who purchase shares in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and accordingly may experience different levels of dilution and different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand and the terms of the Sales Agreement, to vary the timing, prices and number of shares sold in this offering. In addition, subject to the final determination by our board of directors or any restrictions we may place in any applicable placement notice, there is no minimum or maximum sales price for shares to be sold in this offering. Investors may experience a decline in the value of the shares they purchase in this offering as a result of sales made at prices lower than the prices they paid.
We may issue and sell shares of our common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $2,199,769 from time to time. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition of this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. There can be no assurance that we will sell any shares under or fully utilize the Sales Agreement with Wainwright as a source of financing.
We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds to us from the sale of our securities under this prospectus. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we currently expect to use the net proceeds that we receive from this offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes, which include, but are not limited to, repayment of certain indebtedness, advancing our investigational biotherapeutic candidates and our biotherapeutic delivery partnering business. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire, license or invest in complementary products, technologies or businesses; however, we currently have no agreements or commitments to complete any such transaction.
The expected use of net proceeds of this offering represents our current intentions based on our present plans and business conditions. We cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the closing of this offering. Pending these uses, we plan to invest the net proceeds of this offering in short- and intermediate-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.
S-10 |
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never declared or paid any cash dividend on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain any future earnings and do not expect to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. Any determination to declare or pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.
If you invest in our common stock, your interest will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our common stock and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering.
The net tangible book value of our common stock as of December 31, 2023 was approximately $2,594,922 or approximately $0.11 per share. Net tangible book value per share represents the quotient calculated by dividing (i) our total tangible assets less total liabilities by (ii) the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding.
After giving further effect to the sale of 37,284,220 shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $0.0590 per share, and after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2023 would have been approximately $4,658,698, or approximately $0.08 per share. This represents an immediate decrease in net tangible book value of approximately $0.03 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate increase in as adjusted net tangible book value of approximately $0.02 per share to investors participating in this offering, as illustrated by the following table:
Assumed public offering price per share | $ | 0.06 | ||||||
Net tangible book value per share of common stock at December 31, 2023. | 0.11 | |||||||
Decrease in net tangible book value per share of common stock attributable to this offering | (0.03 | ) | ||||||
As adjusted net tangible book value per share of common stock at December 31, 2023 after giving effect to this offering | 0.08 | |||||||
Increase per share of common stock to new investors in this offering | $ | 0.02 |
To the extent that outstanding options or warrants are exercised, or our convertible notes are converted into common stock, you will experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to offer securities in other offerings due to market conditions or strategic considerations. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of common stock or securities exercisable for or convertible into common stock, the issuance of such securities may result in further dilution of our stockholders.
The as adjusted information is illustrative only and will adjust based on the actual price to the public, the actual number of shares sold and other terms of the offering determined at the time common stock is sold pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The as adjusted information assumes that all of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $2,199,769 is sold at the assumed offering price of $0.0590 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on April 29, 2024. The shares sold in this offering, if any, will be sold from time to time at various prices.
The discussion and table above are based on 23,086,077 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2023, and excludes, as of that date, the following:
● | 316,540 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options; |
● | 730,944 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants; |
● | 9,557,945 shares of our common stock that may be issued upon conversion of a secured, two-year, interest-free convertible promissory note and 435,035 shares of our common stock that may be issued upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant that we issued to Lind Global Fund II LP on May 30, 2023, each of which is subject to potential anti-dilution adjustment as a result of this offering; and |
● | 2,150,538 shares of our common stock that may be issued upon conversion of a secured, two-year, interest-free convertible promissory note and 175,234 shares of our common stock that may be issued upon exercise of a common stock purchase warrant that we issued to Lind Global Fund II LP on July 27, 2023, each of which is subject to potential anti-dilution adjustment as a result of this offering. |
S-11 |
We have entered into an At The Market Offering Agreement, or the Sales Agreement, with Wainwright under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $2,199,769 from time to time through or to Wainwright acting as agent or principal. The Sales Agreement will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K on even date herewith.
Upon delivery of a placement notice and subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, Wainwright may sell our common stock by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on or through Nasdaq, the existing trading market for our common stock, sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange or otherwise, directly to Wainwright as principal, in negotiated transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices, and/or in any other method permitted by law. We may instruct Wainwright not to sell common stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us from time to time. We or Wainwright may suspend the offering of common stock upon notice and subject to other conditions.
We will pay Wainwright commissions, in cash, for its services in acting as agent in the sale of our common stock. Wainwright will be entitled to compensation at a fixed commission rate of 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition of this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. We have also agreed to reimburse Wainwright for fees and disbursements of its legal counsel, in an amount not to exceed $50,000 and up to $2,500 per calendar quarter. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation and reimbursement payable to Wainwright under the terms of the Sales Agreement, will be approximately $200,000.
Settlement for sales of common stock will occur on the second business day, or such shorter settlement cycle as may be in effect under Exchange Act Rule 15c6-1 from time to time, following the date on which any sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and Wainwright in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. Sales of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and Wainwright may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
Wainwright will use its commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its sales and trading practices, to solicit offers to purchase the common stock shares under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Sales Agreement. In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, Wainwright will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of Wainwright will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to Wainwright against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The offering of our common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of the sale of all of the shares of our common stock provided for in this prospectus supplement or the termination of the Sales Agreement as permitted therein.
To the extent required by Regulation M, Wainwright will not engage in any market making activities involving our common stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus in violation of Regulation M.
Wainwright and its affiliates may provide various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees.
The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by The Crone Law Group, P.C., New York, New York. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, New York, is counsel for Wainwright in connection with this offering.
Our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, have been audited by MaloneBailey, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm and have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm (which report includes an explanatory paragraph relating to going concern) given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
S-12 |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at https://bluestarfoods.com/. We may use our investor relations website to post important information for investors, including news releases, analyst presentations, and supplemental financial information, and as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.
Accordingly, investors should monitor our investor relations website, in addition to following press releases, filings with the SEC and public conference calls and webcasts. The contents on our website are not part of this prospectus, and the reference to our website does not constitute incorporation by reference into this prospectus of the information contained at that site.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus omit some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information about us and our securities. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC’s website.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act. The accompanying prospectus is part of the registration statement but the registration statement includes and incorporates by reference additional information and exhibits. The SEC permits us to “incorporate by reference” the information contained in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents rather than by including them in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Information that is incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and you should read it with the same care that you read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information that is either contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and will be considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from the date those documents are filed. We have filed with the SEC, and incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus:
● | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024; |
● | our preliminary proxy statement filed on March 8, 2024 and our definitive proxy statement filed on March 18, 2024: |
● | our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024, April 1, 2024, April 12, 2024, April 15, 2024 and April 18, 2024; and |
● | the description of our common stock set forth in 4.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement any future filings (excluding any information furnished and not filed) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the offering and sale of the shares of common stock contemplated by this prospectus supplement are complete. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus supplement.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus supplement is delivered, upon written or oral request, at no cost to the requester, a copy of any and all of the information that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.
Requests for such documents should be directed to:
Blue Star Foods Corp., Inc.
3000 NW 109th Avenue
Miam, Florida 33172
(305) 836-6858
You may also access the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement through our website at www.bluestarfoods.com. Except for the specific incorporated documents listed above, no information available on or through our website shall be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus supplement or the registration statement of which it forms a part.
S-13 |
BLUE STAR FOODS CORP.
$25,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Units
We may issue securities from time to time in one or more offerings, in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus, which will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement before you invest. The aggregate offering price of the securities we sell pursuant to this prospectus will not exceed $25,000,000.
The securities may be sold directly to you, through agents or through underwriters and dealers. If agents, underwriters or dealers are used to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of those securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from that sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “BSFC.” Each prospectus supplement will indicate whether the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange. As of March 4, 2024, the aggregate market value of our common stock held by our non-affiliates, as calculated pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, was approximately $6.6 million, based upon 45,228,317 shares of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates at the per share price of $0.1468, the closing sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on March 4, 2024. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell securities in a public offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of our “public float” (the market value of our common stock held by our non-affiliates) in any 12-month period so long as our public float remains below $75.0 million. We have not sold any of our securities in reliance on General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the 12 calendar months prior to and including the date of this prospectus.
Investing in our common stock involves significant risk. You should review carefully the risk factors described in, and incorporated by reference under, “Risk Factors” beginning on page 3 of this prospectus and “Item 1A—Risk Factors” of our most recent report on Form 10-K or 10-Q that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus before you invest in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is May 3 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i |
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings for an aggregate offering price up to $25,000,000.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered. Each time we sell securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before you invest in our securities, you should read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described in the sections titled “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.
This summary highlights selected information that is presented in greater detail elsewhere, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus. It does not contain all of the information that may be important to you and your investment decision. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully read this entire prospectus, including the matters set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” and the financial statements and related notes and other information that we incorporate by reference herein, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Unless the context indicates otherwise, references in this prospectus to “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”, are to Blue Star Foods Corp., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, John Keeler & Co., Inc., d/b/a Blue Star Foods, a Florida corporation (“Keeler & Co.”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Coastal Pride Seafood, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Coastal Pride”) and Taste of BC Aquafarms, Inc., a corporation formed under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada (“TOBC”).
Company Overview
We are an international sustainable marine protein company that owns and operates several portfolio companies with an emphasis on environmental, social and governance values. We seek to create a vertically integrated seafood company that offers customers high quality products while maintaining a focus on our core values of delivering food safety, traceability and certified resource sustainability. Our companies include:
John Keeler & Co., Inc. (“Keeler & Co.”) doing business as Blue Star Foods, which imports, packages and sells refrigerated pasteurized crab meat sourced primarily from Southeast Asia and other premium seafood products; | |
Coastal Pride Seafood, LLC (“Coastal Pride”) which imports pasteurized and fresh crab meat sourced primarily from Mexico and Latin America and sells premium branded label crab meat throughout North America; and | |
Taste of BC Aquafarms, Inc. (“TOBC”), a land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (“RAS”) salmon farming operation, which sells its steelhead salmon to distributors in Canada. |
Corporate Information
Our executive offices are located at 3000 NW 109th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33172 and our telephone number is (305) 836-6858. Our website address is https://bluestarfoods.com/. Except for any documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus that may be accessed from our website, the information available on or through our website is not part of this prospectus. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available free of charge on our investor relations website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to the SEC. The SEC also maintains a website that contains these reports and our other electronic SEC filings. The information contained in or accessible from our website is not incorporated into this prospectus, and you should not consider it part of this prospectus.
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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
We may offer or sell common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights and units in one or more offerings and in any combination. The aggregate offering price of the securities we sell pursuant to this prospectus will not exceed $25,000,000, subject to any applicable limits prescribed by General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3. Each time securities are offered with this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered and the net proceeds we expect to receive from that sale.
The securities may be sold to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers or as otherwise set forth in the section titled “Plan of Distribution.” Each prospectus supplement will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers, agents or other entities involved in the sale of securities described in that prospectus supplement and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them.
Common Stock
We may offer shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, either alone or underlying other registered securities convertible into our common stock. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, subject to rights, if any, of preferred stockholders. We have not paid dividends in the past and have no current plans to pay dividends. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share. The holders of common stock have no preemptive rights.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors has the authority, subject to limitations prescribed by Delaware law, to issue preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each series and any of its qualifications, limitations or restrictions, in each case without further vote or action by our stockholders. Each series of preferred stock offered by us will be more fully described in the particular prospectus supplement that will accompany this prospectus, including redemption provisions, rights in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voting rights and rights to convert into common stock.
Debt Securities
We may offer secured or unsecured obligations in the form of one or more series of senior or subordinated debt. The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities are together referred to in this prospectus as the “debt securities.” The subordinated debt securities generally will be entitled to payment only after payment of our senior debt. Senior debt generally includes all debt for money borrowed by us, except debt that is stated in the instrument governing the terms of that debt to be not senior to, or to have the same rank in right of payment as, or to be expressly junior to, the subordinated debt securities. We may offer debt securities that are convertible into shares of our common stock or other securities.
The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and a trustee to be identified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. We have summarized the general features of the debt securities to be governed by the indenture in this prospectus and the form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We encourage you to read the indenture.
Warrants
We may offer warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. We may offer warrants independently or together with other securities.
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Subscription Rights
We may offer subscription rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants or units consisting of some or all of these securities. These subscription rights may be offered independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering.
Units
We may offer units comprised of one or more of the other classes of securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit.
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. The prospectus supplement applicable to each offering of our securities will contain a discussion of the risks applicable to an investment in our securities. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific risk factors discussed in the section of the applicable prospectus supplement titled “Risk Factors,” together with all of the other information contained or incorporated by reference in the prospectus supplement or appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K that are incorporated herein by reference, as may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, each prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement contain certain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “potentially,” “likely,” and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Those statements appear in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference, particularly in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of our management that are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.
Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein after we distribute this prospectus, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.
In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus, and although we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted a thorough inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
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This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus may contain market data that we obtain from industry sources. These sources do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information. Although we believe that our industry sources are reliable, we do not independently verify the information. The market data may include projections that are based on a number of other projections. While we believe these assumptions to be reasonable and sound as of the date of this prospectus, actual results may differ from the projections.
We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds to us from the sale of our securities under this prospectus. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we currently expect to use the net proceeds that we receive from this offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes and to repay certain indebtedness. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire, license or invest in complementary products, technologies or businesses. The expected use of net proceeds of this offering represents our current intentions based on our present plans and business conditions. We cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the closing of this offering. Pending these uses, we may invest the net proceeds of this offering in short- and intermediate-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.
General
The following description summarizes important terms of our capital stock, the rights of such stock, certain provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Amended and Restated Bylaws, certain provisions of Delaware General Corporation Law, and the pre-funded warrants. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Amended and Restated Bylaws, and applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Authorized Capital
We have authorized capital stock consisting of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
Reverse Stock Split
On June 9, 2023, we filed a certificate of amendment to our amended and restated articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effect the 1-for-20 Reverse Stock Split, which became effective as of June 21, 2023. As of May 3, 2024, we had 47,659,795 shares of Common Stock and no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.
Common Stock
The holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets or funds legally available for the payment of dividends of such times and in such amounts as the board from time to time may determine. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. There is no cumulative voting of the election of directors then standing for election. The Common Stock is not entitled to pre-emptive rights and is not subject to conversion or redemption. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, the assets legally available for distribution to stockholders are distributable ratably among the holders of the Common Stock after payment of liquidation preferences, if any, on any outstanding payment of other claims of creditors.
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Market, Symbol and Transfer Agent
Our Common Stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “BSFC”. The transfer agent and registrar for our Common Stock is VStock Transfer, LLC, at 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, New York 11598, and its telephone number is (212) 828-8436.
Preferred Stock
Our Board of Directors may issue preferred stock in one or more series without stockholder approval. Our Board of Directors may determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock.
Our Board of Directors has designated 10,000 shares of preferred stock as “8% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series A Stock”).
The Series A Stock has no maturity and is not subject to any sinking fund or redemption and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless and until converted by the holder or the Company redeems or otherwise repurchases the Series A Stock.
Ranking. The Series A Stock ranks, with respect to the payment of dividends and/or the distribution of assets in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, (i) senior to all classes or series of Common Stock, and to all other equity securities issued by the Company; (ii) on parity with all equity securities issued by the Company with terms specifically providing that those equity securities rank on parity with the Series A Stock; (iii) junior to all equity securities issued by the Company with terms specifically providing that those equity securities rank senior to the Series A Stock; and (iv) effectively junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible into our Common Stock or preferred stock) of the Company.
Dividends. Cumulative dividends shall accrue on each share of Series A Stock at the rate of 8% (the “Dividend Rate”) of the purchase price of $1,000.00 per share, commencing on the date of issuance. Dividends are payable quarterly, when and if declared by the Board, beginning on September 30, 2018 (each a “Dividend Payment Date”) and are payable in shares of Common Stock (a “PIK Dividend”) with such shares being valued at the daily volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Common Stock for the thirty trading days immediately prior to each Dividend Payment Date or if not traded or quoted as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Company. Any fractional shares of a PIK Dividend will be rounded to the nearest one-hundredth of a share. All shares of Common Stock issued in payment of a PIK Dividend will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Dividends will accumulate whether or not the Company has earnings, there are funds legally available for the payment of those dividends and whether or not those dividends are declared by the Board. No dividends on shares of Series A Stock shall be authorized, paid or set apart for payment at any time when the terms and provisions of any agreement of the Company prohibit the authorization, payment or setting apart for payment thereof or provide that the authorization, payment or setting apart for payment thereof would constitute a breach of the agreement or a default under the agreement, or if the authorization, payment or setting apart for payment is restricted or prohibited by law. No dividends will be declared or paid or set aside for payment and no other distribution will be declared or made upon shares of Common Stock or preferred stock that rank junior to the Series A Stock as to the payment of dividends, or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, and (iii) any shares of Common Stock and preferred stock that the Company may issue ranking junior to the Series A Stock as to the payment of dividends, or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, shall not be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such shares) by the Company (except by conversion into or exchange for other capital stock of the Company that it may issue ranking junior to the Series A Stock as to the payment of dividends, or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up).
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of shares of Series A Stock will be entitled to be paid out of the assets the Company has legally available for distribution to its shareholders, subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Company it may issue ranking senior to the Series A Stock with respect to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, a liquidation preference of the Purchase Price, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Common Stock or any other class or series of capital stock of the Company that it may issue that ranks junior to the Series A Stock as to liquidation rights. The liquidation preference shall be proportionately adjusted in the event of a stock split, stock combination or similar event so that the aggregate liquidation preference allocable to all outstanding shares of Series A Stock immediately prior to such event is the same immediately after giving effect to such event.
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Liquidation Preference. In the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the available assets of the Company are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding shares of the Series A Stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of capital stock of the Company that it may issue ranking on a parity with the Series A Stock in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the Series A Stock and all other such classes or series of capital stock shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled. The consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other entity or the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the property or business the Company, will not be deemed a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.
Conversion. Each share of Series A Stock is convertible at any time and in the sole discretion of the holder thereof, into shares of Common Stock at a conversion rate of 25 shares of Common Stock per each share of Series A Stock (the “Conversion Rate”), subject to adjustment from time to time as follows: if the Company declares or pays any dividend or makes any distribution on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effects a subdivision or split or a combination, consolidation or reverse split of the outstanding shares of Common Stock then in each such case the Conversion Ratio will be adjusted, so that the holder of any shares of Series A Stock will be entitled to receive upon conversion thereof the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities or property that such holder would have owned or have been entitled to receive upon the happening of such event had such Series A Stock been converted immediately prior to the relevant record date or the effective date of such event.
Upon a merger, share exchange or consolidation of the Company, the sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition or encumbrance, of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, or any agreement providing for any of the foregoing, each share of Series A Stock will remain outstanding and will thereafter be convertible into, or will be converted into a security which shall be convertible into, the kind and amount of securities or other property to which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company deliverable upon conversion of such share of Series A Stock immediately prior to such business combination would have been entitled upon such business combination.
Share Reservation. The Company is obligated to at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, a sufficient number of its shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of the Series A Stock.
Voting. Holders of Series A Stock have no voting rights, except (i) the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the Series A Stock outstanding will be required to authorize or create, or increase the authorized or issued amount of capital stock ranking senior to the Series A Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up or reclassify any of the authorized capital stock of the Company into such shares, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares, or amend the Certificate of Incorporation which would have a material adverse effect on the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series A Stock or (ii) as otherwise required by law. On each matter on which holders of Series A Stock are entitled to vote, each share of Series A Stock will be entitled to one vote.
While we do not currently have any plans for the issuance of additional preferred stock, the issuance of such preferred stock could adversely affect the rights of the holders of Common Stock and, therefore, reduce the value of the Common Stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock on the rights of holders of the Common Stock until the board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of the preferred stock; however, these effects may include:
● | Restricting dividends on the Common Stock; | |
● | Diluting the voting power of the Common Stock; | |
● | Impairing the liquidation rights of the Common Stock; or | |
● | Delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company without further action by the stockholders. |
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On June 30, 2021, all of the 1,413 shares of Series A Stock then issued and outstanding were converted into an aggregate of 35,325 shares of Common Stock of the Company.
We will fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock. This description will include any or all of the following, as required:
● | the title and stated value; | |
● | the number of shares we are offering; | |
● | the liquidation preference per share; | |
● | the purchase price; | |
● | the dividend rate, period and payment date and method of calculation for dividends; | |
● | whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate; | |
● | any contractual limitations on our ability to declare, set aside or pay any dividends; | |
● | the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any; | |
● | the provisions for a sinking fund, if any; | |
● | the provisions for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights; | |
● | any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market; | |
● | whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our Common Stock, and, if applicable, the conversion price or how it will be calculated, and the conversion period; | |
● | whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price or how it will be calculated, and the exchange period; | |
● | voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock; | |
● | preemptive rights, if any; | |
● | restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any; | |
● | whether interests in the preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares; | |
● | a discussion of any material or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock; | |
● | the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate dissolve or wind up our affairs; | |
● | any limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs; and | |
● | any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the preferred stock. |
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The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class on any proposal involving fundamental changes in the rights of holders of that preferred stock. This right is in addition to any voting rights provided for in the applicable certificate of designation.
Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our Common Stock. Preferred stock could be issued quickly with terms designed to delay or prevent a change in control of our Company or make removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our Common Stock.
Stock Options
As of December 31, 2023, the following options are outstanding: (i) a 10-year option to purchase 156,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $40.00 per share granted to Christopher Constable, our former chief financial officer and director, (ii) 10-year options to purchase an aggregate of 30,062 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $40.00 per share to certain employees, (iii) 10-year options to purchase an aggregate of 1,250 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $40.00 per share to certain contractors under the 2018 Plan; (iv) 3-year options to purchase an aggregate of 25,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $40.00 per share to the Company’s directors; (v) 3-year options to purchase an aggregate of 1,378 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $17.20 per share to an employee; (vi) 3-year options to purchase an aggregate of 285 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $15.80 per share to an employee; (vii) 3-year options to purchase an aggregate of 43,200 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.80 per share to Silvia Alana, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer; (viii) 3-year options to purchase an aggregate of 351 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $120.00 per share to Silvia Alana, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer; (viii) 5-year options to purchase an aggregate of 7,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $40.00 per share to the Company’s directors’ and (ix) 3-year options to purchase an aggregate of 51,514 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.355 per share to an employee.
If at any time the Company subdivides its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares of Common Stock or combines its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, then the number of shares of Common Stock for which the options are exercisable into immediately after the occurrence of any such event shall be adjusted to equal the number of shares of Common Stock which a record holder of the same number of shares of Common Stock for which the options are exercisable into immediately prior to the occurrence of such event would own or be entitled to receive after the happening of such event.
Prior Warrants
We issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 75,000 shares of Common Stock to investors in an offering from June 17, 2021 through July 14, 2021, in which the Company entered into subscription agreements with certain “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act). As of August 24, 2023, warrants to purchase 7,125 shares of Common Stock have been exercised, and warrants to purchase 67,875 shares of Common Stock remain outstanding. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $40.00 per share and will expire three years from the date of issuance. Prior to exercise, the warrants do not confer upon holders any voting or any other rights as a stockholder. The warrants contain provisions that protect the holders against dilution by adjustment of the purchase price in certain events such as stock dividends, stock splits and other similar events.
On November 5, 2021, the Company issued a warrant to purchase an aggregate of 2,800 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $100 per share to Newbridge. Such warrant is exercisable on a date which is 180 days from the closing of the offering November 5, 2021 and expires on November 5, 2024.
On January 24, 2022, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Lind Global Fund II LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Lind”), pursuant to which the Company issued Lind a five-year warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $90 per share, subject to customary adjustments.
On February 10, 2023, we entered into an underwriting agreement with Aegis Capital Corp. (“Aegis”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to Aegis, in a firm commitment public offering, (i) 410,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock for a public offering price of $0.20 per share and (ii) pre-funded warrants (the “Pre-funded Warrants”) to purchase 40,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Warrant Shares”), for a public offering price of $0.199 per Pre-funded Warrant to those purchasers whose purchase of Common Stock in this offering would otherwise result in the purchaser, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock immediately following the consummation of this offering. The Pre-funded Warrants have an exercise price of $0.001 per share. The Pre-funded Warrants were issued in registered form under a Warrant Agent Agreement between the Company and Vstock Transfer, LLC as the warrant agent.
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On May 30, 2023, in connection with the issuance of the $1,200,000 promissory note to Lind pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, the Company issued Lind a five-year warrant exercisable six months from the date of issuance to purchase 435,035 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.45 per share. The warrant provides for cashless exercise and full ratchet anti-dilution provisions.
On July 27, 2023, in connection with the issuance of the $300,000 promissory note to Lind pursuant to the Purchase Agreement Amendment, the Company issued Lind a five-year warrant exercisable six months from the date of issuance to purchase 175,234 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.34 per share. The warrant provides for cashless exercise and full ratchet anti-dilution provisions.
On September 11, 2023, in connection with the underwritten public offering pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, the Company issued pre-funded warrants with the public offering price of $0.4555 immediately exercisable to purchase up to 10,051,139 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share for gross proceeds of $4,578,294.
On September 11, 2023, in connection with the underwritten public offering, the Company issued five-year Series A-1 warrants to purchase up to 10,741,139 shares of common stock which warrants are exercisable upon stockholder approval at an exercise price of $0.4655 per share. Since the exercise of these warrants is contingent upon stockholder approval, which stockholder approval has not been obtained, such warrants were not considered as outstanding as of December 31, 2023.
On September 11, 2023, in connection with the underwritten public offering, the Company issued eighteen-month Series A-2 warrants to purchase up to 10,741,139 shares of common stock which warrants are exercisable upon stockholder approval at an exercise price of $0.4655 per share. Since the exercise of these warrants is contingent upon stockholder approval, which stockholder approval has not been obtained, such warrants were not considered as outstanding as of December 31, 2023.
If at any time the Company subdivides its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares of common stock or combines its outstanding shares of common stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, then the number of shares of Common Stock for which the warrants are exercisable into immediately after the occurrence of any such event shall be adjusted to equal the number of shares of Common Stock which a record holder of the same number of shares of Common Stock for which the warrants are exercisable into immediately prior to the occurrence of such event would own or be entitled to receive after the happening of such event. Further, the exercise price for each warrant will be adjusted to equal (x) the current exercise price immediately prior to the adjustment multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock for which the warrants are exercisable into immediately prior to the adjustment divided by (y) the number of shares of Common Stock for which the warrants are exercisable into immediately after such adjustment.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute
We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits a person deemed an “interested stockholder” from engaging in a “business combination” with a publicly held Delaware corporation for three years following the date such person becomes an interested stockholder unless the business combination is, or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder was, approved in a prescribed manner or another prescribed exception applies. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the board of directors, such as discouraging takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the price of our Common Stock.
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Undesignated Preferred Stock
The ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of the company. These and other provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of the company.
Special Stockholder Meetings
Our certificate of incorporation bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by a majority of our board of directors.
Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors.
The provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the price of our Common Stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of debt securities that we may offer. The debt securities may be issued pursuant to, in the case of senior debt securities, a senior indenture, and in the case of subordinated debt securities, a subordinated indenture, in each case in the forms filed as exhibits to this registration statement, which we refer to as the “indentures.” The indentures will be entered into between us and a trustee to be named prior to the issuance of any debt securities, which we refer to as the “trustee.” The indentures will not limit the amount of debt securities that can be issued thereunder and will provide that the debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series pursuant to the terms of one or more securities resolutions or supplemental indentures creating such series.
We have summarized below the material provisions of the indentures and the debt securities or indicated which material provisions will be described in the related prospectus supplement for any offering of debt securities. These descriptions are only summaries, and you should refer to the relevant indenture for the particular offering of debt securities itself which will describe completely the terms and definitions of the offered debt securities and contain additional information about the debt securities.
Terms
When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the securities in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will set forth the following terms, as applicable, of the debt securities offered thereby:
● | the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency or composite currency and denominations; | |
● | the price at which such debt securities will be issued and, if an index formula or other method is used, the method for determining amounts of principal or interest; | |
● | the maturity date and other dates, if any, on which principal will be payable; | |
● | whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt; |
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● | whether the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination; | |
● | the interest rate (which may be fixed or variable), if any; | |
● | the date or dates from which interest will accrue and on which interest will be payable, and the record dates for the payment of interest; | |
● | the manner of paying principal and interest; | |
● | the place or places where principal and interest will be payable; | |
● | the terms of any mandatory or optional redemption by us or any third party including any sinking fund; | |
● | the terms of any conversion or exchange; | |
● | the terms of any redemption at the option of holders or put by the holders; | |
● | any tax indemnity provisions; | |
● | if the debt securities provide that payments of principal or interest may be made in a currency other than that in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner for determining such payments; | |
● | the portion of principal payable upon acceleration of a Discounted Debt Security (as defined below); |
● | whether and upon what terms debt securities may be defeased; | |
● | any events of default or covenants in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in the indentures; | |
● | provisions for electronic issuance of debt securities or for the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form; and | |
● | any additional provisions or other special terms not inconsistent with the provisions of the indentures, including any terms that may be required or advisable under United States or other applicable laws or regulations, or advisable in connection with the marketing of the debt securities. |
Debt securities of any series may be issued as registered debt securities or uncertificated debt securities, in such denominations as specified in the terms of the series.
Securities may be issued under the indentures as Discounted Debt Securities to be offered and sold at a substantial discount from the principal amount thereof. Special United States federal income tax and other considerations applicable thereto will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such Discounted Debt Securities. “Discounted Debt Security” means a security where the amount of principal due upon acceleration is less than the stated principal amount.
We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of that series, for the issuance of additional debt securities of that series. Additional debt securities of a particular series will have the same terms and conditions as outstanding debt securities of such series, except for the date of original issuance and the offering price, and will be consolidated with, and form a single series with, such outstanding debt securities.
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Ranking
The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. Our secured debt, if any, will be effectively senior to the senior debt securities to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our present and future senior indebtedness to the extent and in the manner described in the prospectus supplement and as set forth in the board resolution, officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture relating to such offering.
We have only a stockholder’s claim on the assets of our subsidiaries. This stockholder’s claim is junior to the claims that creditors of our subsidiaries have against our subsidiaries. Holders of our debt securities will be our creditors and not creditors of any of our subsidiaries. As a result, all the existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries, including any claims of their creditors, will effectively be senior to the debt securities with respect to the assets of our subsidiaries. In addition, to the extent that we issue any secured debt, the debt securities will be effectively subordinated to such secured debt to the extent of the value of the assets securing such secured debt.
The debt securities will be obligations exclusively of Cingulate Inc. To the extent that our ability to service our debt, including the debt securities, may be dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries, our ability to do so will be dependent on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute those earnings to us as dividends, loans or other payments.
Certain Covenants
Any covenants that may apply to a particular series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.
Successor Obligor
The indentures provide that, unless otherwise specified in the securities resolution or supplemental indenture establishing a series of debt securities, we shall not consolidate with or merge into, or transfer all or substantially all of our assets to, any person in any transaction in which we are not the survivor, unless:
● | the person is organized under the laws of the United States or a jurisdiction within the United States; |
● | the person assumes by supplemental indenture all of our obligations under the relevant indenture, the debt securities and any coupons; |
● | immediately after the transaction no Default (as defined below) exists; and |
● | we deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate and opinion of counsel stating that the transaction complies with the foregoing requirements and that all conditions precedent provided for in the indenture relating to the transaction have been complied with. |
In such event, the successor will be substituted for us, and thereafter all of our obligations under the relevant indenture, the debt securities and any coupons will terminate.
The indentures provide that these limitations shall not apply if our board of directors makes a good faith determination that the principal purpose of the transaction is to change our state of incorporation.
Exchange of Debt Securities
Registered debt securities may be exchanged for an equal aggregate principal amount of registered debt securities of the same series and date of maturity in such authorized denominations as may be requested upon surrender of the registered debt securities at an agency of the Company maintained for such purpose and upon fulfillment of all other requirements of such agent.
Default and Remedies
Unless the securities resolution or supplemental indenture establishing the series otherwise provides (in which event the prospectus supplement will so state), an “Event of Default” with respect to a series of debt securities will occur if:
(1) | we default in any payment of interest on any debt securities of such series when the same becomes due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days; |
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(2) | we default in the payment of all or any part of the principal and premium, if any, of any debt securities of such series when the same becomes due and payable at maturity or upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise and such default shall continue for five or more days; |
(3) | we default in the performance of any of our other agreements applicable to the series and the default continues for 30 days after the notice specified below; |
(4) | a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law (as defined below) that: |
(A) | is for relief against us in an involuntary case, | |
(B) | appoints a Custodian (as defined below) for us or for any substantial part of our property, or | |
(C) | orders the winding up or liquidation of us, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 consecutive days; |
(5) | we, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law: |
(A) | commence a voluntary case, | |
(B) | consent to the entry of an order for relief against us in an involuntary case, | |
(C) | consent to the appointment of a Custodian for us or for any substantial part of our property, or | |
(D) | make a general assignment for the benefit of our creditors; or |
(6) | there occurs any other Event of Default provided for in such series. |
The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or a similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time would be, an Event of Default. A Default under subparagraph (3) above is not an Event of Default until the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the series notify us of the Default and we do not cure the Default within the time specified after receipt of the notice.
The trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the indentures or the debt securities of the series. Subject to certain limitations, holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the series may direct the trustee in its exercise of any trust or power with respect to such series. Except in the case of Default in payment on a series, the trustee may withhold from securityholders of such series notice of any continuing Default if the trustee determines that withholding notice is in the interest of such securityholders. We are required to furnish the trustee annually a brief certificate as to our compliance with all conditions and covenants under the indentures.
The indentures do not have cross-default provisions. Thus, a default by us on any other debt, including any other series of debt securities, would not constitute an Event of Default.
Amendments and Waivers
The indentures and the debt securities or any coupons of the series may be amended, and any Default may be waived as follows:
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Unless the securities resolution or supplemental indenture otherwise provides (in which event the applicable prospectus supplement will so state), the debt securities and the indentures may be amended with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of all series affected voting as one class. Unless the securities resolution or supplemental indenture otherwise provides (in which event the applicable prospectus supplement will so state), a Default other than a Default in payment on a particular series may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the series. However, without the consent of each securityholder affected, no amendment or waiver may:
● | change the fixed maturity of or the time for payment of interest on any debt security; |
● | reduce the principal, premium or interest payable with respect to any debt security; |
● | change the place of payment of a debt security or the currency in which the principal or interest on a debt security is payable; |
● | change the provisions for calculating any redemption or repurchase price with respect to any debt security; |
● | adversely affect any holder’s right to receive payment of principal and interest or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment; |
● | reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment or waiver; |
● | make any change that materially adversely affects the right to convert any debt security; |
● | waive any Default in payment of principal of or interest on a debt security; or |
● | adversely affect any holder’s rights with respect to redemption or repurchase of a debt security. |
Without the consent of any securityholder, the indentures or the debt securities may be amended to:
● | provide for assumption of our obligations to securityholders in the event of a merger or consolidation requiring such assumption; |
● | cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; |
● | conform the terms of the debt securities to the description thereof in the prospectus and prospectus supplement offering such debt securities; |
● | create a series and establish its terms; |
● | provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee or to facilitate the administration of the trusts by more than one trustee; |
● | provide for uncertificated or unregistered securities; |
● | make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any securityholder; |
● | add to our covenants; or |
● | make any other change to the indentures so long as no debt securities are outstanding. |
Conversion Rights
Any securities resolution or supplemental indenture establishing a series of debt securities may provide that the debt securities of such series will be convertible at the option of the holders thereof into or for our common stock or other equity or debt instruments. The securities resolution or supplemental indenture may establish, among other things, (1) the number or amount of shares of common stock or other equity or debt instruments for which $1,000 aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series is convertible, as may be adjusted pursuant to the terms of the relevant indenture and the securities resolution; and (2) provisions for adjustments to the conversion rate and limitations upon exercise of the conversion right. The indentures provide that we will not be required to make an adjustment in the conversion rate unless the adjustment would require a cumulative change of at least 1% in the conversion rate. However, we will carry forward any adjustments that are less than 1% of the conversion rate and take them into account in any subsequent adjustment of the conversion rate.
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Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Debt securities of a series may be defeased in accordance with their terms and, unless the securities resolution or supplemental indenture establishing the terms of the series otherwise provides, as set forth below. We at any time may terminate as to a series all of our obligations (except for certain obligations, including obligations with respect to the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of a debt security, to replace destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities and coupons and to maintain paying agencies in respect of the debt securities) with respect to the debt securities of the series and any related coupons and the relevant indenture, which we refer to as legal defeasance. We at any time may terminate as to a series our obligations with respect to any restrictive covenants which may be applicable to a particular series, which we refer to as covenant defeasance.
We may exercise our legal defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option. If we exercise our legal defeasance option, a series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option, a series may not be accelerated by reference to any covenant which may be applicable to a series.
To exercise either defeasance option as to a series, we must (1) irrevocably deposit in trust with the trustee (or another trustee) money or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined below), deliver a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations, without reinvestment, plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal and interest when due on all debt securities of such series to maturity or redemption, as the case may be; and (2) comply with certain other conditions. In particular, we must obtain an opinion of tax counsel that the defeasance will not result in recognition of any gain or loss to holders for federal income tax purposes.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of the United States or any agency or instrumentality of the United States, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by the United States, which, in either case, have the full faith and credit of the United States pledged for payment and which are not callable at the issuer’s option, or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations.
Regarding the Trustee
Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the trustee will also act as depository of funds, transfer agent, paying agent and conversion agent, as applicable, with respect to the debt securities. In certain circumstances, we or the securityholders may remove the trustee as the trustee under a given indenture. The indenture trustee may also provide additional unrelated services to us as a depository of funds, registrar, trustee and similar services.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by New York law, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is applicable.
We summarize below some of the provisions that will apply to the warrants unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise. This summary may not contain all information that is important to you. The complete terms of the warrants will be contained in the applicable warrant certificate and warrant agreement. These documents have been or will be included or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should read the warrant certificate and the warrant agreement. You should also read the prospectus supplement, which will contain additional information and which may update or change some of the information below.
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General
We may issue warrants to purchase our debt or equity securities or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank, trust company or other financial institution, as warrant agent, or we may issue warrants directly to investors. A description of the terms and material provisions of any warrants we may issue will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
● | the title of such warrants; |
● | the aggregate number of such warrants; |
● | the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued; |
● | the currency or currencies in which the price of such warrants will be payable; |
● | the securities or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, purchasable upon exercise of such warrants; |
● | the price at which and the currency or currencies in which the securities or other rights purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased; |
● | the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; |
● | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time; |
● | provision for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price of such warrants, if any; |
● | if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security; |
● | if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; |
● | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
● | if applicable, a discussion of any material United States Federal income tax or foreign income tax considerations; and |
● | any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants. |
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar, if any, for any warrants will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
We may issue subscription rights to purchase our equity or debt securities. These subscription rights may be offered independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
The prospectus supplement relating to any subscription rights we offer, if any, will, to the extent applicable, include specific terms relating to the offering, including some or all of the following:
● | the price, if any, for the subscription rights; |
● | the exercise price payable for our equity or debt securities upon the exercise of the subscription rights; |
● | the number of subscription rights to be issued to each stockholder; |
● | the number and terms of our equity or debt securities which may be purchased per each subscription right; |
● | the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable; |
● | any other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights; |
● | the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire; |
● | the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities or an over-allotment privilege to the extent the securities are fully subscribed; and |
● | if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement which may be entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights. |
We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security (but, to the extent convertible securities are included in the units, the holder of the units will be deemed the holder of the convertible securities and not the holder of the underlying securities). The unit agreement under which a unit is issued, if any, may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date. The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:
● | the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
● | any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; |
● | the terms of the unit agreement governing the units; |
● | United States federal income tax considerations relevant to the units; and |
● | whether the units will be issued in fully registered global form. |
This summary of certain general terms of units and any summary description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to all provisions of the applicable unit agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units. The forms of the unit agreements and other documents relating to a particular issue of units will be filed with the SEC each time we issue units, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you.
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Initial Offering and Sale of Securities
Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we may sell the securities being offered hereby, from time to time, by one or more of the following methods:
● | to or through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters; | |
● | through one or more underwriters without a syndicate for them to offer and sell to the public; | |
● | through dealers or agents; and | |
● | to investors directly in negotiated sales or in competitively bid transactions. |
Offerings of securities covered by this prospectus also may be made into an existing trading market for those securities in transactions at other than a fixed price, either:
● | on or through the facilities of the Nasdaq Capital Market or any other securities exchange or quotation or trading service on which those securities may be listed, quoted, or traded at the time of sale; and/or | |
● | to or through a market maker other than on the securities exchanges or quotation or trading services set forth above. |
Those at-the-market offerings, if any, will be conducted by underwriters acting as principal or agent of the Company, who may also be third-party sellers of securities as described above. The prospectus supplement with respect to the offered securities will set forth the terms of the offering of the offered securities, including:
● | the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; | |
● | the purchase price of the offered securities and the proceeds to us from such sale; | |
● | any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation; | |
● | any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; | |
● | any securities exchange on which such offered securities may be listed; and | |
● | any underwriter, agent or dealer involved in the offer and sale of any series of the securities. |
The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:
● | at fixed prices, which may be changed; | |
● | at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale; | |
● | at varying prices determined at the time of sale; or | |
● | at negotiated prices. |
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Each prospectus supplement will set forth the manner and terms of an offering of securities including:
● | whether that offering is being made to underwriters, through agents or directly to the public; | |
● | the rules and procedures for any auction or bidding process, if used; |
● | the securities’ purchase price or initial public offering price; and | |
● | the proceeds we anticipate from the sale of the securities, if any. |
In addition, we may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. The applicable prospectus supplement may indicate, in connection with such a transaction, that the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.
Sales Through Underwriters
If underwriters are used in the sale of some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities, either directly to the public or to securities dealers, at various times in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. Unless indicated otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased.
Any public offering price and any concessions allowed or reallowed to dealers may be changed intermittently.
Sales Through Agents
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, when securities are sold through an agent, the designated agent will agree, for the period of its appointment as agent, to use specified efforts to sell the securities for our account and will receive commissions from us as will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Securities bought in accordance with a redemption or repayment under their terms also may be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing by one or more firms acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities remarketed by them.
If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain specified institutions to purchase securities at a price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date specified in the prospectus supplement. These contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commissions payable for solicitation of these contracts.
Direct Sales
We may also sell offered securities directly to institutional investors or others. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. The terms of such sales will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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General Information
Broker-dealers, agents or underwriters may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us and/or the purchasers of securities for whom such broker-dealers, agents or underwriters may act as agents or to whom they sell as principal, or both. This compensation to a particular broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in any distribution of the offered securities may be deemed “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act so any discounts or commissions they receive in connection with the distribution may be deemed to be underwriting compensation. Those underwriters and agents may be entitled, under their agreements with us, to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments that they may be required to make in respect of those civil liabilities. Certain of those underwriters or agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business. We will identify any underwriters or agents, and describe their compensation, in a prospectus supplement. Any institutional investors or others that purchase offered securities directly, and then resell the securities, may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit on the resale of the securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
We will file a supplement to this prospectus, if required, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, if we enter into any material arrangement with a broker, dealer, agent or underwriter for the sale of securities through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer. Such prospectus supplement will disclose:
● | the name of any participating broker, dealer, agent or underwriter; | |
● | the number and type of securities involved; | |
● | the price at which such securities were sold; | |
● | any securities exchanges on which such securities may be listed; | |
● | the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to any such broker, dealer, agent or underwriter, where applicable; and | |
● | other facts material to the transaction. |
In order to facilitate the offering of certain securities under this prospectus or an applicable prospectus supplement, certain persons participating in the offering of those securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of those securities during and after the offering of those securities. Specifically, if the applicable prospectus supplement permits, the underwriters of those securities may over-allot or otherwise create a short position in those securities for their own account by selling more of those securities than have been sold to them by us and may elect to cover any such short position by purchasing those securities in the open market.
In addition, the underwriters may stabilize or maintain the price of those securities by bidding for or purchasing those securities in the open market and may impose penalty bids, under which selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers participating in the offering are reclaimed if securities previously distributed in the offering are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions or otherwise. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. The imposition of a penalty bid may also affect the price of securities to the extent that it discourages resales of the securities. No representation is made as to the magnitude or effect of any such stabilization or other transactions. Such transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities must be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
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Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act generally requires that trades in the secondary market settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Your prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade securities on any date prior to the second business day before the original issue date for your securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that your securities initially are expected to settle in more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
This prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable pricing supplement in electronic format may be made available on the Internet sites of, or through other online services maintained by, us and/or one or more of the agents and/or dealers participating in an offering of securities, or by their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may be able to view offering terms online and, depending upon the particular agent or dealer, prospective investors may be allowed to place orders online.
Other than this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable pricing supplement in electronic format, the information on our website or the website of any agent or dealer, and any information contained in any other website maintained by any agent or dealer:
● | is not part of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any applicable pricing supplement or the registration statement of which they form a part; | |
● | has not been approved or endorsed by us or by any agent or dealer in its capacity as an agent or dealer, except, in each case, with respect to the respective website maintained by such entity; and | |
● | should not be relied upon by investors. |
There can be no assurance that we will sell all or any of the securities offered by this prospectus.
This prospectus may also be used in connection with any issuance of common stock or preferred stock upon exercise of a warrant if such issuance is not exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing securityholders. In some cases, we or dealers acting with us or on our behalf may also purchase securities and reoffer them to the public by one or more of the methods described above. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by The Crone Law Group, P.C., New York, New York. If the validity of the securities offered hereby in connection with offerings made pursuant to this prospectus are passed upon by counsel for the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, such counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering.
Our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, have been audited by MaloneBailey, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm and have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm (which report includes an explanatory paragraph relating to going concern) given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at https://bluestarfoods.com/. We may use our investor relations website to post important information for investors, including news releases, analyst presentations, and supplemental financial information, and as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.
Accordingly, investors should monitor our investor relations website, in addition to following press releases, filings with the SEC and public conference calls and webcasts. The contents on our website are not part of this prospectus, and the reference to our website does not constitute incorporation by reference into this prospectus of the information contained at that site.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus omit some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information about us and our securities. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC’s website.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act. The accompanying prospectus is part of the registration statement but the registration statement includes and incorporates by reference additional information and exhibits. The SEC permits us to “incorporate by reference” the information contained in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents rather than by including them in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Information that is incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and you should read it with the same care that you read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information that is either contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and will be considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from the date those documents are filed. We have filed with the SEC, and incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus:
● | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024; |
● | our preliminary proxy statement filed on March 8, 2024 and our definitive proxy statement filed on March 18, 2024: |
● | our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024, April 1, 2024, April 12, 2024, April 15, 2024 and April 18, 2024; and |
● | the description of our common stock set forth in 4.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement any future filings (excluding any information furnished and not filed) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the offering and sale of the shares of common stock contemplated by this prospectus supplement are complete. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus supplement.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus supplement is delivered, upon written or oral request, at no cost to the requester, a copy of any and all of the information that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.
Requests for such documents should be directed to:
Blue Star Foods Corp., Inc.
3000 NW 109th Avenue
Miam, Florida 33172
(305) 836-6858
You may also access the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement through our website at www.biocardia.com. Except for the specific incorporated documents listed above, no information available on or through our website shall be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus supplement or the registration statement of which it forms a part.
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BLUE STAR FOODS CORP.
Up to $2,199,769
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
H.C. Wainwright & Co.
May 3, 2024