Item 1. Business
Item 1. Business.
As used in this Report, the
terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” and “Kaival” refer to Kaival Brands
Innovations Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, unless otherwise indicated. The term “Common Stock” means our common stock,
par value $0.001 per share.
Unless the context specifically
requires otherwise, all historical share and per-share amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements and other financial
information contained in this Report are presented to reflect a 1-for-21 reverse stock split of our Common Stock which became effective
for legal and accounting purposes on January 22, 2024 as if such split occurred as of the earliest period presented.
Overview
We are engaged in the sale, marketing and distribution of electronic nicotine
delivery system (“ENDS”) products, also known as “e-cigarettes”, in a variety of favors. Until October of 2024,
our primary source of revenue has been the Bidi Stick as we sold our inventory on hand. However, on June 11, 2024, RAI Strategic Holdings,
Inc., R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, and RAI Services Company (collectively, the “RJ Reynolds Entities”)
filed a patent infringement complaint with the International Trade Commission (the “ITC”) against Bidi, us, and forty (40)
other respondents (the “ITC Complaint”) pursuant to Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended. Specifically, the ITC
Complaint alleges that one or more components or elements of the Bidi Stick infringe U.S. Patent No. 11,925,202, which is owned by one
of the RJ Reynolds Entities. The ITC Complaint requests the ITC grant: (a) temporary and permanent limited exclusion orders pursuant to
Section 337(e) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, which would prohibit the importation of the Bidi Stick in the United States; and
(b) issue temporary and permanent cease and desist orders pursuant to 337(f) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, which would prohibit
the sale and distribution of the Bidi Stick in the United States. No damages are recoverable in the proceedings before the ITC.
Since the initiation of the ITC Complaint, we have not imported any Bidi Sticks and currently do not generate any revenue from the sale
of Bidi Sticks. Our current primary source of revenue is through an international licensing agreement with Philip Morris Products S.A.
(“PMPSA”), a wholly owned affiliate of Philip Morris International Inc. (“PMI”). See “Philip Morris Deed
of Licensing Agreement” below.
We have also entered into a Merger
and Share Exchange Agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) with Delta Corp Holdings Limited, a company incorporated in England
and Wales (together with its successors and assigns, “Delta”), Delta Corp Holdings Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company
(“Pubco”), KAVL Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Pubco (“Merger Sub”)
and Delta Corp Cayman Limited (the “Sellers”). If the Merger Agreement is consummated, Pubco will become our parent and all
new officers and directors will be appointed by Pubco, except that pursuant to the Merger Agreement we have the right to appoint one director
to the Pubco board of directors and we have agreed to appoint any family member of Ankitaben Patel (the widow of our former CEO, Nirajkumar
Patel) and/or Nirajkumar Patel who is qualified and identified by Bidi for this role prior to the closing of the Merger Agreement. While
we expect the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement to close (the “Closing”) in March or April of this year, no
assurances can be made that such transactions will close by then or ever. The transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are described
in further detail below under “The Merger and Share Exchange Agreement.”
Merger and Share Exchange Agreement
On September 23, 2024, we entered into a definitive
Merger and Share Exchange Agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) with Delta Corp Holdings Limited, a company incorporated in England
and Wales (together with its successors and assigns, “Delta”), Delta Corp Holdings Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company
(“Pubco”), KAVL Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Pubco (“Merger Sub”),
and Delta Corp Cayman Limited (the “Seller”).
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Merger and Share Exchange
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Parties will
effect a merger and share exchange involving the following transactions:
(a)
Pubco shall acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Delta from each holder of Delta shares in exchange for the issuance by Pubco of ordinary shares in the capital of Pubco (the “Share Exchange”); and
(b)
immediately following to the completion of the Share Exchange, Merger Sub shall merge with and into us (the “Merger”), with us continuing as the surviving entity in the Merger.;
Upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Share Exchange and the Merger, each of us and Delta will become wholly owned subsidiaries of Pubco. The Share Exchange, the Merger and the transactions related thereto are referred to herein as, the “Business Combination.”
In connection with the Merger:
(i)
All of our issued and outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall convert into shares of our common stock at a conversion rate of approximately 0.4 shares of our common stock for every share of our Series B Preferred Stock and be included as outstanding shares of our common stock immediately prior to the Merger;
(ii)
Each of our outstanding stock options, if it has not been exercised prior to the Merger, shall be cancelled, retired and/or terminated and cease to represent a right to acquire, be exchanged for or convert into our common stock;
(iii)
Each issued and outstanding share of our common stock immediately prior to the Merger shall automatically be converted into the right to receive one Pubco Ordinary Share (the “Merger Consideration”), following which all such shares of our common stock shall cease to be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist; and
(iv)
Each of our common warrants issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger shall be converted into one (1) Pubco ordinary warrant, and each of our pre-funded warrants issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger shall be converted into one (1) Pubco pre-funded warrant. Each of the Pubco ordinary warrants shall have, and be subject to, substantially the same terms and conditions set forth in our common warrants, and each of the Pubco pre-funded warrants shall have, and be subject to, substantially the same terms and conditions set forth in our pre-funded warrants, except that they shall represent the right to acquire Pubco ordinary shares in lieu of shares of our common stock.
The Business Combination transactions value Pubco
as of the closing of the Business Combination as having an equity valuation of $301 million. KAVL expects that the holders of our Common
Stock and the holders of Delta Shares will hold approximately 10% and 90% (inclusive of shares to be distributed to advisors), respectively,
of the Pubco Ordinary Shares immediately after the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”).
In addition, after the Closing, the holders of Delta
Shares (inclusive of shares to be distributed to financial advisors) will be entitled to receive an earnout of an additional $30,000,000
in Pubco Ordinary Shares (based on a share price equal to $31 million divided the number of our outstanding shares immediately prior to
the Closing) based on Pubco’s consolidated revenue, net income and EBITDA for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
Representations and Warranties;
Covenants
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the parties (other
than Merger Sub) made customary representations and warranties for transactions of this type. All of the representations and warranties
of the parties will not survive Closing. The covenants and agreements of the Parties Sellers that by their terms are to be performed at
or after the Closing shall, in each case, survive until fully performed. In addition, the parties to the Merger Agreement agreed to be
bound by certain covenants that are customary for transactions of this type, including obligations of the parties during the period (the
“Interim Period”) between the date of the execution of the Merger Agreement and the Closing to use commercially reasonable
efforts to operate their respective businesses in the ordinary course, and to refrain from taking certain specified actions without the
prior written consent of the other party, in each case, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications. The covenants and agreements
of the parties that are by their terms to be performed prior to the Closing will not survive the Closing. The covenants and agreements
of the parties that by their terms are to be performed at or after the Closing shall, in each case, survive until fully performed.
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Closing Conditions
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the obligations
of the parties to consummate the Business Combination are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain customary closing conditions
of the respective parties, including, without limitation: (i) the representations and warranties of the Company, Delta, Pubco and Sellers
being true and correct subject to the materiality standards contained in the Merger Agreement; (ii) material compliance by the Parties
of their respective pre-closing covenants and agreements, subject to the standards contained in the Merger Agreement; (iii) the approval
by the Company’s stockholders of the Business Combination and certain other matters; (iv) the absence of any Material Adverse Effect
(as defined in the Merger Agreement) with respect to Delta, Pubco or us since the effective date of the Merger Agreement that is continuing
and uncured; (v) the consummation of the Share Exchange; (vi) the expiration or termination, as applicable, of any waiting period (and
any extension thereof) applicable to the consummation of the Merger Agreement under any antitrust laws; (vi) the receipt of certain specified
regulatory or third party consents; (vii) no governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted any law or order in effect
at the time of Closing which has the effect of making the Merger or other ancillary transactions illegal or otherwise prohibiting consummation
of the Merger or ancillary transactions (a “Legal Restraint”); (viii) the Registration Statement (as defined below) being
declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); (ix) the memorandum and articles of incorporation
of Pubco have been amended and restated as mutually agreed upon by Pubco, Delta and us; (x) the entry into certain ancillary agreements
as of the Closing, including a new registration rights agreement with Pubco in form and substance reasonably acceptable to us and Delta;
(xi) the approval of the listing of the Pubco Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq (or such other national securities exchange); (xii) the Company
having no indebtedness, no outstanding convertible securities other than our warrants and sufficient cash and cash equivalents to pay
its unpaid transaction expenses, (xiii) the amendment of certain engagement agreements with a financial advisor being in full force and
effect; and (xiv) the receipt of certain closing deliverables.
The Conduct
of Business During the Interim Period
During the period between the execution of the Merger
Agreement and the Closing (“Interim Period”), the conduct of the Company’s and Delta’s respective businesses will
be subject to the restrictions contained in the Merger Agreement, which include, without limitation, restrictions on: (i) amending, waiving
or otherwise changing its organizational documents; (ii) issuing, granting selling, pledging or disposing its equity securities or any
options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions or rights of any kind to acquire or sell any of its equity securities, or other securities,
including any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any of its equity securities or other security interests of any class and
any other equity-based awards; (iii) taking corporate actions such as stock splits, combinations, recapitalizations, subdivisions or pay
any dividends or make any other distributions on its equity or redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any of its securities; (iv) incurring
or guaranteeing any indebtedness not made in the ordinary course of business in excess of specified thresholds; (v) terminating, waiving
or assigning any material right under any material agreement to which the Company is a party or entering into any material contract (other
than certain exceptions set forth in the Merger Agreement); (vi) establishing a new subsidiary or new line of business; (vii) failing
to keep in force insurance policies or coverage; (viii) waiving, releasing, assigning, settling or compromising litigation in excess of
specified thresholds; (ix) mergers and acquisitions activity; (x) adopting a plan of liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation,
restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization; (xi) entering into any agreement, understanding or arrangement with respect to
the voting or transfer of its equity; (xii) hiring employees and adopting benefit plans; entering into, amending waiving or terminating
(other than terminations in accordance with their terms) any transaction with any related party to the Company (other than compensation
and benefits and advancement of expenses, in each case, provided in the ordinary course of business; and (xiii) authorizing or agreeing
to taking any of the foregoing actions.
The Parties covenants during the Interim Period also
contain a customary no shop, subject to a customary fiduciary out, requirements regarding the registration statement to be filed by Pubco
with the SEC with respect to the Business Combination, and the related stockholder meeting to be held by us to approve the Merger Agreement
and the Business Combination, and certain provisions regarding any financing that may be sought by the parties in connection with the
Transactions.
Indemnification
of Directors and Officers
The parties agreed in the Merger Agreement to customary
exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses existing in favor of our specified current or former directors and officers as
provided therein.
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Post-Closing Board of Directors
and Officers of Pubco
The board of directors of Pubco upon the Closing shall be comprised of one
individual designated by us as described above and up to six (6) individuals that are designated by Delta prior to Closing. The chief
executive officer and chief financial officer of Pubco upon Closing shall be the same individuals serving in those capacities at Delta
prior to Closing.
Termination
The Merger Agreement may be terminated time prior
to the Closing, including, among others, (i) by the mutual written consent of the Company and Delta, (ii) by written notice by the Company
or Delta to the other if any of the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived by February 15, 2025; (iii) by written
notice by either the Company or Delta to the other if a Legal Restraint has become final and non-appealable; (iv) by written notice by
Delta to the Company if there has been a breach by the Company of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained
in the Merger Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of the Company becomes untrue or inaccurate, such that the related condition
to Closing will not be satisfied; (v) by written notice by the Company to Delta if there has been a breach by Delta of any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements contained in the Merger Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of Delta becomes untrue or
inaccurate such that the related condition to Closing will not be satisfied; (vi) by written notice by us to Delta, if there shall have
been a Material Adverse Effect on the Delta or Pubco following the date of the Merger Agreement which is uncured and continuing; (vii)
by written notice by Delta to us, if there shall have been a Material Adverse Effect on us following the date of the Merger Agreement
which is uncured and continuing; (viii) by written notice by either the Company or Delta to the other if a special stockholder meeting
is held for the purpose of approving the Merger Agreement and Transactions and such approval is not obtained at such meeting; (ix) by
written notice by us to Delta or Delta to us, if we accept a takeover proposal or our board of directors changes its recommendation with
respect to the Merger Agreement and Transactions, in either case, pursuant to its fiduciary out rights as set forth in the Merger Agreement;
or (x) by written notice by Delta to us, if we have not delivered to Delta and Pubco duly executed copies of Voting Agreements by us and
the holders of our securities obligated thereunder representing at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Kaival common stock on
or prior to October 31, 2024.
If the Merger Agreement is terminated by us or Delta
as a result of a willful breach of a representation, warranty or covenant by the other party, then the breaching party will pay the non-breaching
party a termination fee in the amount of $750,000 plus disbursements of all documented, out-of-pocket expenses up to $250,000. In addition,
if we or Delta terminate the Merger Agreement, as a result of our accepting a superior offer to the transactions contemplated by Business
Combination from a third party, then a termination fee of $1.3 million plus reasonable expenses up to $1 million shall be payable by us
to Delta.
The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement filed as Exhibit
2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. The Merger Agreement provides investors with information
regarding its terms and is not intended to provide any other factual information about the parties. Any terms not defined herein shall
have the same meaning attributed to them in the Merger Agreement.
Voting Agreements
Concurrently with the entry into the Merger Agreement,
the Company, Delta and Pubco entered into voting and support agreements (“Voting Agreements”) with certain of our executive
officers and directors (the “Voting Support Parties”). Pursuant the Voting Agreements, the Voting Support Parties have agreed
to vote (in person or by proxy), or consent to any action by written consent or resolution with respect to, as applicable, their shares
of our Common Stock (i) in favor of, and adopt, Business Combination and the Merger Agreement, (ii) in opposition to: (A) any takeover
proposal as described in the Merger Agreement and any and all other proposals (x) for the acquisition of us, (y) that could reasonably
be expected to delay or impair our ability to consummate the Business Combination, or (z) which are in competition with or materially
inconsistent with the Merger Agreement or any related agreements; (B) other than as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, any material
change in (x) our capitalization or any amendment of our organizational documents or (y) our corporate structure or business; or (C) any
other action or proposal involving any company affiliated with us that is intended, or would reasonably be expected, to prevent, impede,
interfere with, delay, postpone or adversely affect in any material respect the Business Combination or would reasonably be expected to
result in any of the conditions to the Closing under the Merger Agreement not being fulfilled.
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Each Voting Support Party has also granted Delta (or
any designee of Delta) until the termination of the Voting Agreements, an irrevocable proxy and has appointed Delta (or any designee of
Delta) as their attorney-in-fact in respect of matters related to the Merger as specified in the Merger Agreement.
Each Voting Support Party has also agreed that until
the termination of the Voting Agreement, subject to certain exceptions, the Voting Support Party will not, nor will it cause its Affiliates
to without the prior written consent of Pubco and Delta, (i) offer for sale, sell (including short sales), transfer, tender, pledge, encumber,
assign or otherwise dispose of (including by gift), or enter into any contract, option, derivative, hedging or other agreement or arrangement
or understanding (including any profit-sharing arrangement) with respect to, or consent to, a transfer of, any or all of our securities,
(ii) grant any proxies or powers of attorney with respect to any or all of the securities; (iii) permit to exist any lien of any nature
whatsoever (subject to certain exceptions) with respect to any or all of our securities; or (iv) take any action that would have the effect
of preventing, impeding, interfering with or adversely affecting the Voting Support Party’s ability to perform its obligations under
the Voting Agreement.
The Voting Agreements will automatically terminate
upon the earlier of (i) the mutual written consent of each of Pubco, Delta, the Company, and the Voting Support Party, (ii) the effective
time of the Merger, and (iii) the date of termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms.
A majority of the holders of our common stock have
entered into Voting Agreements or agreements that are the same as the Voting Agreements.
Business Strategy
Our current business strategy is
to consummate the Business Combination. If and when this occurs, we will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Pubco and we do not know and
have not discussed what Delta’s business strategy for the Company will be in the future. If the Business Combination is not consummated,
then we will focus our revenue through PMI and by executing key internal strategic initiatives. Because of the ITC Complaint and FDA PMTA
Determinations, we do not foresee receiving any significant revenue from the sales of Bidi Sticks. If the Business Combination is not
consummated, accomplishing these financial goals will depend on a number of factors including our ability to execute these strategies.
Representative key initiatives include:
●
Maximizing the core
business:
●
Continuing the growth and
management of strategic alliances with market leaders within dense, established e-cigarette markets;
●
Development of internal national account sales team to drive new revenue opportunities
and manage key strategic third-party vendors and broker alliances to maximize targeted market penetration;
●
Search for high-caliber, experienced talent that creates impact and add value
to our organization quickly;
●
Effective financial
management and capital planning:
●
Establishing an efficient,
scalable organizational infrastructure to support our expected growth and diversification;
●
Improving overall business
processes to deliver greater value to our customers;
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●
Data-driven product
innovation and strategic expansion:
●
Investing in our core organizational
capabilities to provide diversified, revenue generative opportunities both through our existing distribution network and beyond;
●
Further development of
internal data processes to drive growth and diversification efforts;
●
Pursuing third-party licensing
opportunities through our vaporization and inhalation-related intellectual property portfolio which we acquired from GoFire Inc.
in May 2023;
●
During 2025 and beyond, we plan on exploring strategic acquisition and collaboration
arrangements that generate revenue, positive cash flows and profitable operations in order to expand the scale of our company by capitalizing
on our traditional retail outlet and other distribution
relationships.
If the Business Combination
is not consummated, we will continue to align ourselves with progressive, proven, performance-based partners, which may include the development
and expansion of key financial services relationships as we seek to diversify through data-driven decisions.
Description of Business Segments & Key Agreements
Kaival Labs, Inc. & Kaival Brands International,
LLC.
On August 31, 2020,
we formed Kaival Labs, Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein referred to as “Kaival Labs”), as a wholly owned subsidiary for
the purpose of developing our own branded and white-label products and services, of which none has commenced as of the date of this Report.
We have not launched any Kaival-branded products, nor have
we begun to provide white label wholesale solutions for other product manufacturers.
On
May 30, 2023, through Kaival Labs, we acquired certain vaporization and inhalation-related intellectual property from GoFire, Inc. (“GoFire”)
in exchange for equity securities for our company and contingent cash consideration. The goal of this acquisition is to diversify our
product offerings and create near and longer-term revenue opportunities in the form of potential licenses for the acquired technology
and our development of new products based on the purchased assets. In the near term, we expect to seek third-party licensing opportunities
in the cannabis, hemp/CBD, nicotine and nutraceutical markets. Longer term, we believe we can utilize the purchased assets to create
innovative and market-disruptive products, including patent protected vaporizer devices and related hardware and software applications.
No assurance can be given, however, that the GoFire assets will generate revenue for us in the future or otherwise create the value for
our company that we anticipate.
On March 11, 2022, we formed Kaival Brands International,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (herein referred to as “KBI”), as a wholly owned subsidiary for the purpose of entering
into an international licensing agreement with Philip Morris Products S.A. (“PMPSA”), a wholly owned affiliate of Philip Morris
International Inc. (“PMI”), as described further below.
Philip Morris Deed of Licensing Agreement
On June 13, 2022, KBI entered into the PMI License
Agreement with PMPSA, effective as of May 13, 2022 (the “PMI Commencement Date”). Pursuant to the PMI License Agreement, KBI
granted PMPSA an exclusive irrevocable license to use its technology, documentation, and intellectual property to make, distribute, and
sell disposable nicotine e-cigarette products based on the intellectual property in certain international markets set forth in the PMI
License Agreement (or the PMI Markets). We have the exclusive international distribution rights to products and, in order to allow KBI
to fulfill its obligations set forth in the PMI License Agreement, has contributed the international distribution rights for the PMI Markets
to KBI as set forth in a Capital Contribution Agreement, dated June 10, 2022. The sublicense granted to PMPSA is exclusive in the PMI
Markets and neither KBI nor any of its affiliates can sell, promote, use, or distribute any competing products in the PMI Markets for
the duration of the term of the PMI License Agreement and any Sell-Out Period (as defined in the PMI License Agreement). PMSPA will be
responsible for any regulatory filings necessary to sell products in the PMI Markets. Both KBI and PMPSA agree to work together in the
registration and maintenance of the Intellectual Property, but KBI will bear all costs and expenses to implement the registration strategy.
Finally, PMPSA has agreed to potential future development services with KBI in the PMI Markets and has been granted certain rights with
respect to potential future products.
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The initial term of the PMI License Agreement is five
(5) years and automatically renews for an additional five-year period unless PMPSA has failed to meet the agreed upon minimum key performance
indicators set forth in the PMI License Agreement, in which case the PMI License Agreement will automatically terminate at the end of
the initial license term.
In consideration for the grant of the licensed rights,
PMPSA agreed to pay to KBI a royalty payment for the sale of each unit of product manufactured and sold. In addition, before the launch
of the first product in a market and each anniversary of such launch, PMPSA agrees to pre-pay to KBI a guaranteed minimum royalty, equal
to a percentage of the estimated royalties payable by PMPSA to KBI in relation to all markets in the twelve (12)-month period following
the first launch or each successive anniversary of the first launch, subject to an aggregate maximum guaranteed royalty payment for all
markets for each applicable twelve (12)-month period. PMPSA may require modification of certain products to be sold under the PMI Licensing
Agreement to be modified for a PMI Market. Pursuant to the PMI Licensing Agreement, PMPSA has absolute discretion over sales, marketing,
product branding and packaging pertaining to sales in the PMI Markets, as well as the right to select the specific PMI Markets in which
to launch commercialization and determine what product types are to be promoted in each market, subject to sales and marketing plans and
annual business plans set by PMPSA and certain expansion criteria agreed between PMPSA and KBI.
The PMI License Agreement contains customary representations,
warranties, covenants, and indemnification provisions; however, KBI’s liability under the PMI License Agreement is capped at the
greater of: (i) Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000); or (ii) an amount equal to the total of the royalties due to KBI (but not yet paid)
plus the royalties (including the guaranteed royalty payment) paid to KBI pursuant to the PMI License Agreement during the immediately
preceding twelve (12) consecutive months, provided that such amount shall not exceed Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000). These royalties
may be initially offset on a limited basis by jointly agreed upon costs such as development costs incurred for entry to specific international
markets.
On August 12, 2023, we executed and entered into a
Deed of Amendment No. 1 (the “PMI License Amendment”) with PMPSA, Bidi and KBI. Pursuant to the PMI License Amendment (which
has an effective date of June 30, 2023), the following material changes have been made to the PMI License Agreement:
(i) Royalty Rate . The royalty
paid by PMPSA to KBI will no longer be based on sales price of the product being sold, but rather on the volume of liquid contained within
product being sold. The royalty will be on a sliding scale of between $0.08 to $0.16 per sale based on the volume of liquid contained
in the product, increasing to between $0.10 to $0.20 per sale upon meeting certain sales milestones. For purposes of determining aggregate
sales threshold, all sales undertaken since commencement of the PMI Licensing Agreement will be counted.
(ii) Elimination of Certain
Potential Royalty Adjustments . Certain potential adjustments to the royalties receivable by KBI as provided for in the PMI License
Agreement have been eliminated.
(iii) Guaranteed Royalty .
The guaranteed royalty payment owed to KBI under the PMI License Agreement has been eliminated. Instead, royalties will be paid on a quarterly
basis going forward based on actual sales. Any unpaid guaranteed royalty has been cancelled.
(iv) Insurance Tail Requirements .
KBI’s requirement to keep certain tail insurance after the expiration or termination of the PMI Licensing Agreement was reduced
from 6 years to 2 years.
(v) Markets . The identification
of the PMI Markets that PMI may enter has been expanded to cover certain additional territories.
(vi) Net Reconciliation Payment
to KBI . As a result of the changes to the PMI License Agreement described in paragraphs (i) thought (iii) above, the value of such
changes was calculated and reconciled as of the date of commencement of the PMI Licensing Agreement through June 30, 2023. On September
8, 2023, the Company received the Net Reconciliation Payment from PMPSA of $134,981 pursuant to this provision. The KBI License Agreement
provides that KBI shall pay Bidi license fees equivalent to 50% of the adjusted earned royalty payments, after any offsets due to jointly
agreed costs such development costs incurred for entry to specific international markets. In March 2023, PMPSA announced the launch of
a product (now called VEEV NOW) under the PMI License Agreement.
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In connection with the PMI License Agreement, we,
Bidi, and PMPSA also entered into a deed of letter to require specific performance of the duties and obligations set forth in the PMI
License Agreement if KBI is unable or fails to sublicense the intellectual property to PMPSA pursuant to the PMI License Agreement and/or
is unable or fails to perform certain of its obligations or grant the rights pursuant to the PMI License Agreement. In addition, we, Bidi,
and PMPSA entered into a guarantee, whereby we and Bidi guarantee to PMPSA up to 50% of all of KBI’s monetary obligations set forth
in the PMI License Agreement if KBI fails to perform or discharge certain of its obligations in the PMI License Agreement.
In November 2023, KBI,
Bidi and PMPSA agreed to initiate a pilot project, pursuant to which PMPSA would manufacture up to an agreed upon number of Bidi Sticks
with PMI’s own e-liquid for commercialization in Canada. Based on the results of the pilot, we and PMPSA may consider appropriate
changes or amendments to the PMI License Agreement to accommodate the manufacturing and sales of Bidi Sticks containing PMI e-liquids
in Canada. As of the date of this Report, we do not believe this pilot program is, overall, material to our business or results of operations
and have yet to determine the longer-term plan.
On December 16, 2024, KBI and Bidi received a letter
from PMPSA that notified us of their intention to discontinue the licensing agreement of their 2ml products due to the lack of profitability
and the analysis that it would likely not turn profitable. They confirmed that this decision would not affect the commercialization activities
under the licensing agreement of the 5ml and 18ml vaping products.
KBI License Agreements
On June 10, 2022, Bidi entered into a License Agreement
(the “License Agreement:) with KBI, pursuant to which KBI has the exclusive irrevocable license to use Bidi’s licensed intellectual
property to the extent necessary for KBI to fulfill its obligations set forth in the PMI License Agreement. Such irrevocable license includes:
(i) the right of KBI to grant sub-licenses to PMPSA under the PMI License Agreement for the express purposes set forth in the PMI License
Agreement, but for no other purpose; (ii) the right of KBI to grant to PMPSA the right to grant sub-sub-licenses in the manner set forth
in the PMI License Agreement, but for no other purpose; and (iii) certain branding rights to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary
to permit KBI to perform its obligations to PMPSA as set forth in the PMI License Agreement.
Pursuant to the License Agreement, if at any time,
KBI receives any license of PMPSA intellectual property from PMPSA or any of its affiliates in the manner contemplated by the PMI License
Agreement, KBI will grant Bidi an irrevocable sub-license of all right, title, and interest of KBI in and to that PMPSA intellectual property.
In addition, Bidi and KBI agree that any amount payable and all net royalties payable to KBI under the PMI License Agreement will be apportioned
equally between Bidi and KBI in a manner such that each will ultimately receive fifty percent (50%) thereof.
The License Agreement contains customary representations,
warranties, covenants, and indemnification provisions.
Bidi Vapor, LLC Distribution Agreement
On
March 9, 2020, we entered into an exclusive distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”)
with our affiliate Bidi, which Distribution Agreement was amended and restated on May 21, 2020, April 20, 2021, on June 10, 2022, and
on November 17, 2022 (collectively, the “A&R
Distribution Agreement”). Pursuant to the A&R Distribution Agreement, Bidi granted us an exclusive worldwide right to distribute
Bidi’s ENDS (as more particularly set forth in the A&R Distribution Agreement) for sale and resale to both retail level customers
and non-retail level customers. Currently, the products consist solely of the “ BIDI® Stick, ” Bidi’s disposable,
tamper resistant ENDS product made with medical-grade components, a UL-certified battery and technology designed to deliver a consistent
vaping experience for adult smokers 21 and over. We had distributed products to wholesalers and retailers of ENDS products, having ceased
all direct-to-consumer sales in February 2021.
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BIDI® Stick comes in a variety of flavor options
for adult cigarette smokers. We do not manufacture any of the products we resell. The BIDI® Stick is manufactured by Bidi through
its contract manufacturer in China. Pursuant to the terms of the A&R Distribution Agreement, Bidi provides us with all branding, logos,
and marketing materials to use with our commercial partners in connection with our marketing and promotion of Bidi products.
The A&R Distribution Agreement extends the previous
one-year, annual renewable term to an initial term of ten years, which automatically renews for another ten-year term if we satisfy certain
minimum purchase thresholds. The A&R Distribution Agreement also provides us with a right of first refusal in the event Bidi receives
an offer that would constitute a “change of control transaction,” as well as a right of first refusal to act as the exclusive
distributor of any and all future products of Bidi that arise out of or related to ENDS and components related to ENDS, or arise out of
or related to the tobacco-derived nicotine industry.
In connection with the
A&R Distribution Agreement, we entered into non-exclusive sub-distribution agreements, some of which were subsequently amended and
restated by the parties in order to clarify certain provisions (all such sub-distribution agreements, as amended and restated, are collectively
referred to as the “Sub-Distribution Agreements”), whereby we appointed the counterparties as non-exclusive sub-distributors.
Pursuant to the Sub-Distribution Agreements, the sub-distributors agreed to purchase for resale products in such quantities as they should
need to properly service non-retail customers within the continental United States (the “Territory”). These agreements were
terminated in the current year.
On October 25, 2024, we entered into a letter agreement
with Bidi, pursuant to which we (i) agreed with Bidi that “Products” as defined in the A&R Distribution Agreement means
and includes (and has always meant and included) only the following items, to the exclusion of all other items and products (including,
without limitation, the Excluded Products): (a) the “Bidi Stick”, which is an electronic nicotine delivery system, or “e-cigarette”,
at 6% nicotine (including all available flavors) in the versions previously sold by Manufacturer to Distributor; and (b) acrylic displays
preloaded with one hundred (100) such “Bidi Sticks;” (ii) waived and fully relinquished: (a) our Right of First Offer, Right
of First Refusal, and all other rights (if any) with respect to all Future Products (whether previously introduced, or introduced hereafter,
by Manufacturer) pursuant to the Distribution Agreement; and (b) all of its rights with respect to a Bona Fide Offer pursuant to Section
4.F of the A&R Distribution Agreement; (iii) released Bidi from all claims arising out of events that occurred prior to the Effective
Date of the A&R Distribution Agreement and (iv) acknowledged the existence of that certain matter styled In the Matter of Certain
Disposable Vaporizer Devices and Components Thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-1410 before the United States International Trade Commission, and
agreed that neither said matter not any outcome thereof or resolution resulting therefrom that affects Bidi shall constitute a breach
or other default by Bidi under the A&R Distribution Agreement
A key third party collaborator of ours was QuikfillRx, a Florida limited
liability company which did business as “Kaival Marketing Services” to reflect its contributions to our company. QuikfillRx
provided us with certain services and support relating to sales management, website development and design, graphics, content, social
media, management and analytics, and market and other research. QuikfillRx provided these services to us pursuant to a Services Agreement,
most recently amended on November 9, 2022, which had a term ending on October 31, 2025 (subject to potential one-year extensions) and
pursuant to which QuikfillRx received monthly cash compensation and was granted certain equity compensation in the form of options. This
Agreement was terminated in February 2024.
Other Potential Product Offerings & Opportunities
In May 2023 we acquired 19 existing and 47 pending
patents with novel technologies related to vaporization and inhalation technologies from GoFire. The GoFire patent portfolio includes
novel technologies across extrusion dose control, product preservation, tracking and tracing usage, multiple modalities (i.e., different
methods of vaporizing) and child safety. The patents and patent applications cover territories including the United States, Australia,
Canada, China, the EPO (European Patent Organization), Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and South Korea. The portfolio also includes
a proprietary mobile device software application that is used in conjunction with certain patents in the portfolio.
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We expect to continue seeking third-party licensing opportunities in the cannabis,
hemp/CBD, nicotine, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical markets, as a means of monetizing our patents. Longer term, we believe we can utilize
the acquired patents to create innovative and market-disruptive products for its growing base of adult consumers, including patent protected
vaporizer devices and related hardware and software applications.
As described above, we hope to generate revenue from
this acquired intellectual property via licensing and product development activities. However, there can be no assurance that we will
be able to implement this strategy.
Concentrations
Concentration of Purchases and Other Receivable -
Related Party:
For the year ended
October 31, 2024, 100% of the inventories of Products, consisting solely of the BIDI® Stick, were purchased from Bidi, a related
party company that is owned by KMDD Trust, in the amount of approximately $0.3 million, as compared to $12.8 million for
the year ended October 31, 2023.
On October 31, 2024, we had a related party receivable
balance of zero. As of October 31, 2024, the related party accounts payable balance was $131,683.
On October 31, 2023, a credit of $2,954,470 was applied
from the related-party receivable balance to the related party accounts payable balance. After this was applied, we had no related party
receivable balance. As of October 31, 2023, the related party accounts payable balance was $1,521,491. In fiscal year 2023, such inventories
accounted for 100% of the total related party accounts payable.
Concentration of Revenues and Accounts Receivable:
For the year ended October 31, 2024, a substantial portion of our revenues
from the sale of Products, solely consisting of the BIDI® Stick, were derived from the following customers: (i) QuikTrip Corporation
generated approximately 21%, (ii) GPM Investments generated approximately 12%, and (iii) FAVS Business, LLC generated approximately 11% .
For the year ended October 31, 2023, a substantial portion of our revenues
from the sale of Products, solely consisting of the BIDI® Stick, were derived from the following customers: (i) GPM Investments generated
approximately 16%, (ii) H.T. Hackney Co generated approximately 15%, (iii) FAVS Business, LLC generated approximately 15%, (iv) C Store
Master generated approximately 14%, and (v) QuikTrip Corporation generated approximately 12%.
Environment and Government Regulation Related
to our Operations
Because we are only a wholesale distributor of products,
namely the BIDI® Stick, we are only subject to Federal, state, and international laws pertaining to a distributor, not a manufacturer,
of ENDS products.
Our business is dependent entirely on the resale of
products provided by Bidi; thus, there is a significant risk that our business could be materially adversely affected if Bidi, as the
manufacturer, does not properly abide by any Federal, state, or international laws that regulate ENDS products. Any lapse in production
or availability of products from Bidi would hamper our ability to operate as we would be limited in our ability to supply our customers
if our inventory ran low or ceased to exist entirely.
As a manufacturer of ENDS products, Bidi is responsible
for abiding by and following various rules and regulations pertaining to the manufacturing of the ENDS products we sell and any lapse
in abiding by any pertinent rules and regulations may negatively impact our ability to operate. As a distributor, we are also subject
to various rules and regulations. Some of the below may not directly apply to us at this time due to the nature of our present operations.
These rules and regulations include, but are not limited to, the following:
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FDA and Related Regulations Relating to ENDS Products
Effective August 8, 2016, the FDA’s regulatory
authority under The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act was extended to all remaining tobacco products, including: (i) certain
“new generation” products (such as electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, and e-liquids) and their components or parts (such as
tanks, coils, and batteries); (ii) cigars and their components or parts (such as cigar tobacco); (iii) pipe tobacco; (iv) hookah products;
or (v) any other tobacco product “newly deemed” by the FDA (the “Deeming Rule”). The Deeming Rule applies to all
products made or derived from tobacco intended for human consumption but excluding accessories of tobacco products (such as lighters).
Furthermore, starting in April 2022, FDA was also granted authority to regulate products containing synthetic (non-tobacco) nicotine as
tobacco products. Specifically, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 amended the definition of a “tobacco product”
in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and gave the FDA authority to regulate products containing nicotine from any source, including synthetic
nicotine.
The Deeming Rule requires (i) United States manufactured
products be registered with the FDA and that products include ingredient listings; (ii) newly deemed products be marketed only after FDA
review and authorization, subject to FDA’s compliance enforcement policy; (iii) products only make direct and implied claims of
reduced risk if the FDA authorizes after finding that scientific evidence supports the claim and that marketing the product will benefit
public health as a whole; (iv) sellers of such products refrain from distributing free samples; (v) sellers of such products implement
minimum age and identification restrictions to prevent sales to individuals under age 18 (later extended to 21); (vi) packaging of and
advertisements for products include prescribed health warnings; and (vii) sellers refrain from selling Bidi products in vending machines,
unless the machine is located in a facility that never admits youth. We, along with Bidi, must comply with these regulations. Any lapse
in compliance by us, or Bidi, could hamper our ability to operate, which would adversely affect the results of operations.
Newly deemed tobacco products are also subject to
the other requirements of the Tobacco Control Act, such as Bidi products cannot be adulterated or misbranded. The FDA could in the future
promulgate good manufacturing practice regulations for these and our other products, which could have a material adverse impact on Bidi’s
ability to, and the cost to, manufacture our products, which would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Failure to comply with the Tobacco Control Act and
or with any FDA regulatory requirements could result in litigation, criminal convictions or significant financial penalties and could
impair our ability to market and sell our electronic and vaporizer products. At present, we are unable to predict whether the Tobacco
Control Act will impact our products to a greater degree than competitors in the industry, thus affecting our competitive position.
As part of the “Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2021,” signed into law on December 27, 2020, Congress amended the PACT Act to apply to ENDS, which includes the BIDI® Stick.
The PACT Act regulates the sale, transfer, or shipment of cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and now ENDS, for both
business-to-business transactions as well as online sales. The PACT Act imposes substantial restrictions on sellers and shippers of ENDS
products, including, but not limited to registration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (or ATF), registration
with state Tobacco Tax Administrators, and monthly reporting requirements to state and local Tobacco Tax Administrators. Delivery sellers
are subject to substantial additional restrictions, including, but not limited to, compliance with state excise tax collection requirements,
licensing requirements, shipping, and packaging requirements. Companies were required to comply with PACT Act requirements beginning on
or about March 28, 2021.
We have adopted the following compliance measures:
●
We have retained a team
of legal, tax and accounting experts to advise on state and local tax, licensing, and regulatory matters associated with the distribution
of the BIDI ® Stick;
●
We are appropriately licensed
or registered in every state which requires it;
●
We calculate and remit
excise taxes where required;
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●
We have made a substantial
investment in excise tax reporting and compliance software to ensure that all applicable taxes are properly calculated and remitted
to the appropriate taxing authorities. The software is now completely integrated with our systems;
●
We have registered with
the ATF and the states into which we ship the products;
●
We have implemented processes
to ensure timely filing of all required reporting; and
●
In February 2021, we ceased
all direct-to-consumer sales.
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) routinely requests
various industry sectors to provide information on marketing and advertising practices, and typically summarizes the aggregate information
provided by all respondents in a public report. The FTC issued what is known as an “Order to File Special Report” to a number
of vaping industry members, including Bidi, on June 2, 2022. Upon being advised of the exclusive distribution arrangement between Bidi
and our company, the FTC withdrew the request directed to Bidi on August 22, 2022, and issued a request to us on August 29, 2022. We responded
timely to the FTC request on November 30, 2022. No further requests were received from the FTC to date.
State and Local Regulations
As a retail seller and/or wholesale distributor of
ENDS and related products, we must follow numerous state and local regulations. Individual U.S. state laws and regulations concerning
e-cigarette and related products are also relatively new and developing. Currently, certain state laws about e-cigarette and related products
serve to define and/or tax tobacco products or e-cigarette and related products, restrict access to youth and/or retail sale, require
a license to sell such products, ban e-cigarette use in certain public spaces, and require child resistant packaging on products containing
e-liquids. In addition, a number of states and localities have banned the sale of non-tobacco flavored tobacco products. Recently, for
example, California passed Proposition 31, which prohibits the sale of non-tobacco flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes,
in retail locations. Thus, the non-tobacco flavored BIDI® Sticks are not permitted to be sold in California retail locations. We anticipate
more states and localities will take this approach. As a distributor, we hold all required state licenses and permits, and pay all applicable
state e-cigarette and related products excise taxes. We work closely with Bidi to ensure that it is compliant with applicable manufacturer
specific state requirements, such as any warning requirements (e.g., California Proposition 65).
Excise Taxes on Vapor Products
Vapor products are currently subject to excise taxes
at the state and local level. Currently, approximately 31 states, plus various localities and jurisdictions, impose a tax on vapor products.
We anticipate that state and localities will likely continue to impose new excise taxes on these products and / or increase existing excise
taxes for the purpose of funding various legislative initiatives, filling revenue shortfalls, and / or to reduce consumption. In addition,
while ENDS products are not currently subject to excise tax at the federal level, legislation to impose excise taxes at the federal level
has been introduced in the past and could potentially be adopted in the future. Any future enactment of excise tax increases at the federal,
state, or local level could potentially result in lower consumption, a shift in sales to discount brands, illicit trade channels or alternatives
as consumers seek lower priced products, any of which could result in a decline of our shipment volume, revenue, and profit. We ceased
all direct-to-consumer sales in February 2021.
International Regulations and Pertinent Information
The World Health Organization’s Framework Convention
on Tobacco Control (the “FCTC”) is the first international public health treaty that establishes a global agenda to reduce
initiation of tobacco use and regulate tobacco to encourage tobacco cessation. Over 170 governments worldwide have ratified the FCTC.
The FCTC has led to increased efforts to reduce the supply and demand of tobacco products and to encourage governments to further regulate
the tobacco industry. The tobacco industry expects significant regulatory developments to take place over the next few years, driven principally
by the FCTC. Regulatory initiatives that have been proposed, introduced, or enacted include:
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●
the levying of substantial
and increasing tax and duty charges;
●
restrictions or bans on
advertising, marketing, and sponsorship;
●
restrictions or bans on
advertising, marketing, and sponsorship;
●
the display of larger health
warnings, graphic health warnings, and other labeling requirements;
●
restrictions on packaging
design, including the use of colors and generic packaging;
●
restrictions or bans on
the display of tobacco product packaging at the point of sale, and restrictions or bans on cigarette vending machines;
●
requirements regarding
testing, disclosure, and performance standards for tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other smoke constituents’ levels;
●
requirements regarding
testing, disclosure, and use of tobacco product ingredients;
●
increased restrictions
on smoking in public and workplaces and, in some instances, in private places and outdoors;
●
elimination of duty-free
allowances for travelers; and
●
encouraging litigation
against tobacco companies.
If the United States becomes a signatory to the FCTC
and/or national laws are enacted in the United States that reflect the major elements of the FCTC, our business, results of operations
and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
Environmental Laws
We may be subject to federal, state, and local environmental
laws and regulations. Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor do we expect such compliance will have any, material adverse effect
upon our capital expenditures, financial condition, or competitive position. We believe that we are not subject to any material costs
for compliance with any environmental laws.
Intellectual Property
As of the date of this Report, we own the trademarks
KAIVAL BRANDS and KAIVAL LABS. In addition, we purchased certain intellectual property assets of GoFire consisting of various patents,
patent applications and trademarks in exchange for equity securities of our company and certain contingent cash consideration. The purchased
assets consist of 19 existing patents and 47 pending patents with novel technologies related to vaporization and inhalation technologies.
The patents and patent applications cover the U.S. and several international territories. The purchased assets also include four registered
and two pending trademarks.
We rely on certain intellectual property rights, including
logos, trademarks, and trade names, of Bidi that were granted to us pursuant to the A&R Distribution Agreement to be used in connection
with the marketing, advertisement, and sale of products. We also indirectly rely on Bidi’s intellectual property rights related
to products, such as patents. If a third-party challenged Bidi’s patents, or infringed upon such rights, our business would be materially
adversely affected.
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Employees
As of the date of this Report we have three employees,
all of whom are full-time, including our officers. In addition to our officers, we have employees who fulfill the roles of sales staff,
information technology, and financial accounting and reporting management. All our employees are eligible to enroll, or have already enrolled,
in our medical plan.
Emerging Growth Company
We are an emerging growth company (“EGC”),
that is exempt from certain financial disclosure and governance requirements for up to five years as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business
Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). The JOBS Act eases restrictions on the sale of securities and increases the number
of stockholders a company must have before becoming subject to the reporting and disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”). We have not elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards
under Section 102(b)(2) of the JOBS Act, which allows us to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards that have different
effective dates for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies.
Corporate History
We were incorporated on September 4, 2018, in the
State of Delaware. Effective July 12, 2019, we changed our corporate name from Quick Start Holdings, Inc. to Kaival Brands Innovations
Group, Inc. The name change was affected through a parent-subsidiary short-form merger of Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc., our wholly-owned
Delaware subsidiary formed solely for the purpose of the name change, with and into us. We were the surviving entity.
2018 Holding Company Reorganization
On September 4, 2018, USSE Delaware, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (“USSE Delaware”) acquired all of our then-outstanding shares of common stock, resulting in us becoming its wholly
owned subsidiary. On September 19, 2018, our wholly owned subsidiary, USSE Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“USSE Merger
Sub”), merged with and into USSE Delaware, our then parent, effected a reorganization (the “Holding Company Reorganization”)
in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 251(g) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). USSE Delaware
was the surviving corporation and our wholly owned subsidiary. USSE Delaware also changed its name to USSE Corp. following the Holding
Company Reorganization.
Upon completion of the Holding Company Reorganization,
by virtue of the merger, and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, each share of USSE Delaware’s common stock issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Holding Company Reorganization was automatically converted into one validly
issued, fully paid, and non-assessable share of our Common Stock. Additionally, each share of USSE Delaware’s preferred stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time was converted into one validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable share
of our preferred stock, having the same designations, rights, powers, and preferences, and the qualifications, limitation, and restrictions
thereof, as the corresponding share of USSE Delaware’s preferred stock. Each share of our Common Stock issued and outstanding
and held by USSE Delaware immediately prior to the effective time was canceled.
2018 Change of Control
On October 19, 2018, we issued 500,000,000 shares
of restricted Common Stock and 400,000 shares of Convertible Series B preferred stock to GMRZ Holdings LLC, a Nevada limited liability
company (“GMRZ”), for services rendered to us. GMRZ became our controlling stockholder as a result of such issuances.
On February 6, 2019, we entered into a non-binding Share Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) by and among GMRZ, Kaival Holdings,
LLC (formerly known as Kaival Brands Innovations Group, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (“Kaival Holdings”), and
us, pursuant to which, on February 20, 2019, GMRZ sold 504,000,000 shares of our restricted Common Stock, representing approximately 88.06
percent of our then-issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, to Kaival Holdings, and Kaival Holdings paid GMRZ consideration in
the amount set forth in the Agreement (the “Purchase Price”). The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement
resulted in a change in control of us, with Kaival Holdings becoming our largest controlling stockholder. The sole voting members of Kaival
Holdings were Nirajkumar Patel and Eric Mosser (former executives and directors of our company), with Mr. Patel holding voting control.
The Purchase Price was paid with personal funds of the members of Kaival Holdings.
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2020 Share Cancellation and Exchange Agreement
On August 19, 2020, we entered into a Share Cancellation
and Exchange Agreement (the “Share Cancellation and Exchange Agreement”) with our controlling stockholder, Kaival Holdings.
Pursuant to the Share Cancellation and Exchange Agreement,
Kaival Holdings returned to us 300,000,000 shares of our Common Stock (the “Cancellation Shares”), which Cancellation Shares
were canceled and retired by us. Following such cancellation, Kaival Holdings owns 204,000,000 shares of our Common Stock.
On August 19, 2020, we filed a Certificate of Designation
of Preferences, Rights, and Limitations of the Series A Preferred Stock (the “Series A Certificate of Designation”) with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, which authorized a total of 3,000,000 shares, par value $0.01 per share, of Series A Preferred
Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”).
In exchange for the Cancellation Shares, we issued
3,000,000 shares (the “Preferred Shares”) of our newly designated Series A Preferred Stock to Kaival Holdings. The exchange
of the Cancellation Shares and the issuance of the Preferred Shares was intended to comply with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act,
in that the issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Act because the exchange of the Cancellation Shares for the
Preferred Shares was an exchange between us, as issuer, with an existing stockholder, and no commission or other remuneration was paid
or given directly for the exchange.
2021 Reverse Stock Split
On July 16, 2021, we filed a Certificate of Amendment
to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to affect a 1-for-12 reverse
stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of the shares of our Common Stock. The Reverse Stock Split was effective as of 12:01
a.m. Eastern Time on July 20, 2021. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Any fractional shares
of our Common Stock that would have otherwise resulted from the Reverse Stock Split were rounded up to the nearest whole number. In connection
with the Reverse Stock Split, our Board approved appropriate and proportional adjustments to all outstanding securities or other rights
convertible or exercisable into shares of our Common Stock, including, without limitation, all preferred stock, warrants, options, and
other equity compensation rights. All historical share and per-share amounts reflected throughout our consolidated financial statements
and other financial information in this Report have been adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split as if the split occurred as of the
earliest period presented. The par value per share of our Common Stock was not affected by the Reverse Stock Split.
2022 Series A Preferred Shares Converted
The authorized preferred stock of the Company consists
of 5,000,000 shares with a par value of $ 0.001 per share, of which 3,000,000 shares were designated as Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). Each share of the Series A Preferred Stock was initially convertible into 100 shares
of Common Stock; however, as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, the conversion rate was adjusted such that each share of the Series
A Preferred Stock was convertible into approximately 0.3968 shares of Common Stock. On June 24, 2022, all 3,000,000 shares of Series A
Preferred Stock were converted into shares of Common Stock by Kaival Holdings, our majority stockholder. The conversion of 3,000,000 shares
of Series A Preferred Stock, at a conversion rate of 0.3968, equaled 1,190,477 shares of Common Stock. As a result, the authorized, preferred
stock of the Company consists of 5,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.001 per share, with 0 shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding
as of October 31, 2022.
May 2023 GoFire Asset Purchase Agreement
On May 30, 2023, we and Kaival Labs entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement
(the “GoFire APA”) with GoFire. Pursuant to the terms of the GoFire APA, we, through Kaival Labs, purchased certain intellectual
property assets of GoFire consisting of various patents, patent applications and trademarks in exchange for equity securities of our company
and certain contingent cash consideration. The purchased assets consist of 19 existing patents and 47 pending patents with novel technologies
related to vaporization and inhalation technologies. The patents and patent applications cover the U.S. and several international territories.
The purchased assets also include four registered and two pending trademarks. We have determined that the acquisition of the purchased
assets does not constitute the acquisition of a “business” (as defined in Rule 11-01(d) of Regulation S-X).
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Pursuant to the terms of the GoFire APA, we paid to
GoFire, in addition to certain contingent cash consideration described below, consideration in the form of equity securities of our company
consisting of (i) an aggregate of 95,239 shares of Common Stock (the “2023 APA Shares”); (ii) 900,000 shares of newly-designated
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, (the “Series B Preferred Stock” and the shares of Common
Stock underlying the Series B Preferred, the “Series B Conversion Shares”), the rights, preferences and terms of which are
set forth in a Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of the Series B Preferred Stock, and (iii) a Common Stock purchase
warrant to purchase 95,239 shares of Common Stock (the “Warrant” and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrant, the
“Warrant Shares”). As additional consideration for the purchased assets, any cannabis-specific (meaning cannabis, hemp or
cannabinoid) royalties that are generated by Kaival Labs from or due to the purchased assets, from May 30, 2023, until January 1, 2027,
will be subject to a contingent cash payment as described in the GoFire APA and subject to the terms of the GoFire APA. 9,524 2023 APA
Shares and a Warrant for 9,524 Warrant Shares were issued to an advisor to GoFire at the closing of the GoFire APA.
Pursuant to the GoFire APA, we are required to use
commercially reasonable efforts to register the 85,715 2023 APA Shares and 85,715 Warrants and Warrant Shares with the SEC for distribution
to GoFire’s stockholders and/or public resale by such stockholders within 180 days of May 30, 2023. Such registration was declared
effective by the SEC on January 12, 2024. To our knowledge, portions of the 85,715 2023 APA Shares and 85,715 Warrants have been distributed
to the GoFire stockholders pursuant to such registration statement.
In addition, if any
Series B Preferred Stock remains outstanding nineteen (19) months after May 30, 2023, we shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
file with the SEC subsequent registration statement registering the distribution to GoFire’s stockholders and/or public resale
Series B Conversion Shares by such stockholders. If such subsequent registration statement is required, we will use our commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain effectiveness of such subsequent registration statement within nineteen (19) months of May 30, 2023, and
if we do not so register the Series B Conversion Shares within nineteen (19) months of May 30, 2023, we will issue to GoFire or its designee
an additional ten percent (10%) of all of the Series B Conversion Shares underlying the then-outstanding shares of Series B Preferred
Stock. To satisfy this obligation we will provide GoFire with an additional 10% of our shares of common stock issued to them upon
the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock at the closing of the Business Combination.
All of the securities issued as consideration for
the GoFire purchased assets were subject to a lock-up agreement that terminated on November 26, 2023.
2024 Reverse Stock Split
On
January 22, 2024 , the
Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware to affect a 1-for-21 reverse stock split (the “2024 Reverse Stock Split”) of the shares
of the Common Stock. The 2024 Reverse Stock Split was effective on January 25, 2024, on the Nasdaq Stock Market. No fractional shares
were issued in connection with the 2024 Reverse Stock Split. Any fractional shares of the Company’s Common Stock that would have
otherwise resulted from the 2024 Reverse Stock Split were rounded up to the nearest whole number. In connection with the 2024 Reverse
Stock Split, the Board approved appropriate and proportional adjustments to all outstanding securities or other rights convertible or
exercisable into shares of the Common Stock, including, without limitation, all preferred stock, warrants, options, and other equity
compensation rights. All historical share and per-share amounts reflected throughout the accompanying consolidated financial statements
in this Report have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the 2024 Reverse Stock Split as if the split occurred as of the earliest period
presented. The par value per share of the Common
Stock was not affected by the 2024 Reverse Stock Split.
Bidi Debt Exchange Agreement
On October 25, 2024 we entered the Debt Exchange Agreement
with Bidi pursuant to which we satisfied an outstanding debt of $1,275,000 we owed to Bidi under the A&R Distribution Agreement by
the issuance of 1,400,144 shares of our common stock to Bidi.