Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc S-3, filed Jun 16, 2025
Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc. (KAVL)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 16, 2025
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
| KAIVAL BRANDS INNOVATIONS GROUP, INC. |
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
| Delaware | 5960 | 83-3492907 | ||
|
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
460 Old Dixie Highway
Grant-Valkaria, Florida 32949
(833) 452-4825
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Mark Thoenes
Chief Executive Officer
460 Old Dixie Highway
Grant-Valkaria, Florida 32949
(833) 452-4825
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
| Ross D. Carmel, Esq. |
| Jeffrey P. Wofford, Esq. |
| Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP |
| 1185 Avenue of the Americas, 31st Floor |
| New York, New York 10036 |
| Telephone: (212) 930-9700 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, please check the following box. ☐
If this form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ |
| Emerging growth company | ☒ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
EXPLANATION OF THE FILING
This shelf registration statement will provide our company with the flexibility to issue and sell securities if and when deemed appropriate and in the best interest of our stockholders. We may or may not issue and sell any securities under this registration statement. Filing this registration statement merely gives us flexibility to issue registered securities if and when we deem doing so is appropriate and in the best interest of our stockholders, without any unnecessary delays. This registration statement helps us maintain an optimal state of readiness at all times.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion, dated June 16, 2025
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
$100,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Debt Securities
Rights
Units
This prospectus will allow us to issue, from time to time at prices and on terms to be determined at or prior to the time of the offering, up to $100,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, either individually or in units. We may also offer common stock or preferred stock upon conversion of or exchange for the debt securities; common stock upon conversion of or exchange for the preferred stock; common stock, preferred stock or debt securities upon the exercise of warrants, rights or performance of purchase contracts; or any combination of these securities upon the performance of purchase contracts.
This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide you with the specific terms of any offering in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this document. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as well as any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, carefully before you invest.
Our securities may be sold directly by us to you, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any underwriters or agents are involved in the sale of our securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters or agents and any applicable fees, commissions or discounts and over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds that we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell our securities in public primary offerings with a value exceeding more than one-third of our public float in any 12-month period so long as our public float remains below $75.0 million. As of June 16, 2025, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates, or public float, was approximately $3,573,807 based on 5,616,544 shares of our outstanding common stock that were held by non-affiliates on such date and a price of $0.6363 per share, which was the price at which our common stock was last sold on the Nasdaq Capital Market on May 20, 2025 calculated in accordance with General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3. We have not offered any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the twelve-month period that ends on and includes the date hereof. Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “KAVL.”
On June 13, 2025, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $0.55 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing, if any, on The Nasdaq Capital Market or any securities market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the prospectus supplement. Prospective purchasers of our securities are urged to obtain current information as to the market prices of our securities, where applicable.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks that we have described on page 12 of this prospectus under the caption “Risk Factors” and the risk factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein, as well as in any other recently filed quarterly or current reports. We may include specific risk factors in supplements to this prospectus under the caption “Risk Factors.” This prospectus may not be used to sell our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Currently, we are an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. Please read “Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company.”
You should read carefully and consider the “Risk Factors” referenced on page 12 of this prospectus, as well as those contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents that are incorporated by reference herein or the applicable prospectus supplement.
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 June 16, 2025.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), using a “shelf” registration process for the delayed offering and sale of securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Under the shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell any of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, along with the information contained in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any additional information. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in the accompanying 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 prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.”
As used in this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and “our company” mean, collectively, Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries.
CAUTIONARY NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, and other written and oral statements we make from time to time contain certain “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). You can identify these forward-looking statements by the fact they use words such as “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “target,” “may,” “project,” “guidance,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “future,” and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. You can also identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert, or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from current expectations. These statements are likely to relate to, among other things, our business strategy, our efforts to attract and retain new customers, our future financial projections and competitive position, our ability to keep pace with changing consumer preferences, the activities of our licensors, our prospects for initiating partnerships or collaborations, the timing of the introduction of products, the effect of new accounting pronouncements, uncertainty regarding our future operating results and our profitability, anticipated sources of funds as well as our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions.
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We have included more detailed descriptions of these risks and uncertainties and other risks and uncertainties applicable to our business that we believe could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement in the “Risk Factors” sections of this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein including, but not limited to, the risk factors incorporated by reference from our filings with the SEC. We encourage you to read those descriptions carefully. Although we believe we have been prudent in our plans and assumptions, no assurance can be given that any goal or plan set forth in forward-looking statements can be achieved. We caution investors not to place significant reliance on forward-looking statements; such statements need to be evaluated in light of all the information contained and incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Furthermore, the statements speak only as of the date of each document, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise these statements.
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 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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.
On September 23, 2024, we 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. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the outside date for the closing the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement of the Merger Agreement is February 15, 2025 and therefore under the Merger Agreement, the parties thereto have specified rights to terminate the Merger Agreement. No assurances can be made that the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will ever close. The transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are described in further detail in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 27, 2024 , which is incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 10, 2025, which is incorporated by reference in to this prospectus.
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Business Strategy
If and when the business combination contemplated by the Merger Agreement is consummated, 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; |
| ● | 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.
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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.
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:
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(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.
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.
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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, June 10, 2022, and 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.
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.
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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.
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%.
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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:
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.
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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; |
| ● | 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).
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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:
| ● | the levying of substantial and increasing tax and duty charges; |
| ● | 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.
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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.
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.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (i) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1.235 billion or more; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under applicable SEC rules. We expect that we will remain an emerging growth company for the foreseeable future but cannot retain our emerging growth company status indefinitely and will no longer qualify as an emerging growth company on or before the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we are permitted and intend to rely on exemptions from specified disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.
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These exemptions include:
| ● | being permitted to provide only two years of audited financial statements, in addition to any required unaudited interim financial statements, with correspondingly reduced “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” disclosure; |
| ● | not being required to comply with the requirement of auditor attestation of our internal controls over financial reporting; |
| ● | not being required to comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements; |
| ● | reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation; and |
| ● | not being required to hold a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. |
We have taken advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements in this prospectus. Accordingly, the information contained herein may be different than the information you receive from other public companies in which you hold stock.
An emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This allows an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected to avail ourselves of this extended transition period and, as a result, we will not be required to adopt new or revised accounting standards on the dates on which adoption of such standards is required for other public reporting companies.
We are also a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and have elected to take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosure available for smaller reporting companies.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by the materialization of any of these risks. The trading price of our securities could decline due to the materialization of any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
This prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks described in the documents incorporated herein by reference, including the risks described in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, together with the other information set forth in this prospectus, and in the other documents that we include or incorporate by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings we make with the SEC, the risk factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement and any risk factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, before making a decision about investing in our common stock. 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. If any risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. In such an event, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment.
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For more information about our SEC filings, please see “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
Additional risks not presently known or that we presently consider to be immaterial could subsequently materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, business, and prospects.
Risks Associated with Our Capital Stock
We may not be able to maintain the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq, which could adversely affect our liquidity and the trading volume and market price of our common stock and decrease or eliminate your investment.
Nasdaq requires listing issuers to comply with certain standards in order to remain listed on its exchange. If, for any reason, Nasdaq should delist our securities from trading on its exchange and we are unable to obtain listing on another reputable national securities exchange, a reduction in some or all of the following may occur, each of which could materially adversely affect our stockholders.
On April 3, 2025, we received a letter from Nasdaq notifying us that we were no longer in compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on Nasdaq under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Bid Price Rule”). Although Nasdaq has granted us 180 calendar days, or until September 30, 2025, to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule, there can be no assurance that we will regain such compliance and Nasdaq could make a determination to delist our common stock.
Any delisting determination by Nasdaq could seriously decrease or eliminate the value of an investment in our common stock and other securities linked to our common stock. While a listing on an over-the-counter exchange could maintain some degree of a market in our common stock, we could face substantial material adverse consequences, including, but not limited to, the following: limited availability for market quotations for our common stock; reduced liquidity with respect to and decreased trading prices of our common stock; a determination that shares of our common stock are “penny stock” under the SEC rules, subjecting brokers trading our common stock to more stringent rules on disclosure and the class of investors to which the broker may sell the common stock; limited news and analyst coverage for our Company, in part due to the “penny stock” rules; decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future; and potential breaches under or terminations of our agreements with current or prospective large stockholders, strategic investors and banks. The perception among investors that we are at heightened risk of delisting could also negatively affect the market price of our securities and trading volume of our common stock.
As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to us from this offering. However, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities from offerings under this prospectus for capital expenditures, acquisitions of additional companies or brands, investments and general corporate purposes, including working capital unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise. General corporate purposes may include working capital.
As a result, we will retain broad discretion in the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering and could utilize the proceeds in ways that may not necessarily improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common stock. We would not receive proceeds from sales by our security holders.
The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements, summarize the material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that we may offer. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any securities the particular terms of the securities offered by that prospectus supplement. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the securities may differ from the terms we have summarized below. We will also include in the prospectus supplement information, where applicable, about material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the securities will be listed.
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We may sell from time to time common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants to purchase any such securities or any combination of the foregoing.
In this prospectus, we refer to the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants to be sold by us collectively as “securities.”
If we issue debt securities at a discount from their original stated principal amount, then we will use the issue price, and not the principal amount, of such debt securities for purposes of calculating the total dollar amount of all securities issued under this prospectus.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
General
We are authorized to issue up to 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, with 11,542,302 shares issued and outstanding as of June 16, 2025.
Each share of our common stock has the same relative rights and is identical in all respects with each other share of common stock.
The holders of our common stock are entitled to the following rights:
Voting Rights
Each share of our common stock entitles its holder to one vote per share on all matters to be voted or consented upon by the stockholders. Holders of our common stock are not entitled to cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of directors.
Election of Directors
The holders of our common stock, voting as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect one member of our Board of Directors.
Dividend Rights
Subject to limitations under Delaware law and preferences that may apply to any shares of preferred stock that we may decide to issue in the future, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends or other distributions, if any, as may be declared by our Board out of funds legally available therefor.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our business, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in the assets available for distribution after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities, subject to the prior rights of the holders of our preferred stock.
Other Rights
The holders of our common stock have no subscription, redemption or conversion privileges. Our common stock does not entitle its holders to preemptive rights. All of the outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock are subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock which we may issue in the future.
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Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL regulating corporate takeovers. This statute prevents certain Delaware corporations, under certain circumstances, from engaging in a “business combination” with:
| ● | a stockholder who owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock (otherwise known as an “interested stockholder”); |
| ● | an affiliate of an interested stockholder; or |
| ● | an associate of an interested stockholder, for three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder. |
A “business combination” includes a merger or sale of more than 10% of our assets. However, the above provisions of Section 203 do not apply if:
| ● | our board of directors approves the transaction that made the stockholder an “interested stockholder,” prior to the date of the transaction; or |
| ● | after the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than statutorily excluded shares of common stock. |
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is vStock LLC. The warrant agent for the common warrants and the pre-funded warrants will be vStock Transfer, LLC.
Listing
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “KAVL”.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
This section describes the general terms and provisions of the preferred stock that we may offer by this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the series of the preferred stock offered through that prospectus supplement. Those terms may differ from the terms discussed below. Any series of preferred stock that we issue will be governed by our certificate of incorporation, as amended, including the certificate of designations relating to such series of preferred stock, and our by-laws.
As of June 16, 2025, we had 5,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock out of which 3,000,000 are Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and 900,000 are Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. We currently do not have any shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding.
We issued 900,000 shares of the Series B Preferred Stock as consideration for the acquisition of intellectual property assets from GoFire in May 2023. The Series B Preferred Stock carries no voting rights except: (i) with respect to the ability of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding Series B Preferred Stock (the “Majority Holders”), to nominate a director to our board of directors, and (ii) that the vote of the Majority Holders is necessary for effecting any amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Designation that affects the Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Preferred Stock is redeemable at our option at a redemption price of $15 per share, subject to potential downward adjustments based on the trading price of the Common Stock. Subject to additional limitations in the GoFire APA, the Series B Preferred Stock holds seniority over the Common Stock and each other class of series of securities now existing or hereafter authorized with respect to dividend rights, the distribution of assets upon liquidation, and dissolution and redemption rights. Upon a liquidation and winding up of our company, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to a liquidation preference of $15 per share (the “Liquidation Preference”),
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though the redemption may be adjusted downward based on the trading price of the Common
Stock at the time of liquidation. The holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive a dividend equal to 2% of the Liquidation
Preference, accruing from May 30, 2023 and payable on the eighteen-month anniversary of May 30, 2023. Dividends compound on each six month
anniversary of the original issuance date. No preemptive rights are granted to the holders of Series B Preferred Stock. The Majority Holders
have the ability to cause a voluntary conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock into Common Stock at a conversion rate of 0.3968 shares
of Common Stock per share of Series B Preferred Stock which may only occur on or after the following dates 18 month, 24 month, 36, month,
48 month, and 60 month anniversary of the original issuance date; and only up to 180,000 number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock
on each of the these dates. All shares of Series B Preferred Stock will automatically convert to Common Stock upon the occurrence of a
Change of Control (as defined in the GoFire APA).
Our Board of Directors without the approval of the stockholders may issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series; and with respect to each series of preferred stock, the Board of Directors will fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any class or series, without further vote or action by the stockholders. We will incorporate by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus the form of any certificate of designations 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 the following, to the extent applicable:
| ● | 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, if any; |
| ● | whether any dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate; |
| ● | 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; |
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| ● | a discussion of any material or special U.S. 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. |
When we issue shares of preferred stock under this prospectus, the shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreement, will be validity issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.
Section 242 of DGCL provides that the holders of each class or series of stock will have the right to vote separately as a class on certain amendments to our certificate of incorporation, as amended, that would affect the class or series of preferred stock, as applicable. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of designation.
General
As of June 16, 2025, we have issued and outstanding warrants to purchase approximately 5,754,686 shares of our common stock with a weighted average exercise price per share of $3.45 were outstanding.
We may offer by means of this prospectus warrants for the purchase of our common stock or preferred stock. We may issue warrants separately or together with any other securities offered by means of this prospectus, and the warrants 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 warrant agent specified therein. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
When we refer to a series of securities in this section, we mean all securities issued as part of the same series under any applicable indenture, agreement, or other instrument. When we refer to the prospectus supplement, we mean the applicable prospectus supplement describing the specific terms of the security you purchase. The terms used in the prospectus supplement will have the meanings described in this prospectus, unless otherwise specified.
The following description of warrants does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the description of a particular series of warrants contained in an applicable prospectus supplement. For information relating to our capital stock, see “Description of Common Stock,” and “Description of Preferred Stock.”
Agreements
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to any warrants we issue pursuant to this prospectus. Each series of warrants may be evidenced by certificates and may be issued under a separate indenture, agreement or other instrument to be entered into between us and a bank that we select as agent with respect to such series. The agent, if any, will have its principal office in the United States and have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. Warrants in book-entry form will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary, which will be the holder of all the securities represented by the global security. Those who own beneficial interests in a global security will do so through participants in the depositary’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its participants.
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General Terms of Warrants
The prospectus supplement relating to a series of warrants will identify the name and address of the warrant agent, if any. The prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, where applicable, of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
| ● | the title and issuer of the warrants; |
| ● | the aggregate number of warrants; |
| ● | the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued; |
| ● | the currencies in which the price or prices of the warrants may be payable; |
| ● | the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
| ● | the designation and terms of the other securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of security; |
| ● | if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and any related securities will be separately transferable; |
| ● | any securities exchange or quotation system on which the warrants or any securities deliverable upon exercise of such securities may be listed; |
| ● | the price or prices at which and currency or currencies in which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased; |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; |
| ● | the minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| ● | whether the warrants will be issued in fully registered for or bearer form, in global or non-global form, or in any combination of these forms; |
| ● | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| ● | a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and |
| ● | any other material terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants. |
Exercise of Warrants
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to any warrants we issue pursuant to this prospectus. If any warrant is exercisable for other securities or other property, the following provisions will apply. Each such warrant may be exercised at any time up to any expiration date and time mentioned in the prospectus supplement relating to those warrants. After the close of business on any applicable expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Warrants may be exercised by delivery of the certificate representing the securities to be exercised, or in the case of global securities by delivery of an exercise notice for those warrants, together with certain information, and payment to any agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the prospectus supplement, of the required purchase amount, if any. Upon receipt of payment and the certificate or exercise notice properly executed at the office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, in the time period the relevant agreement provides, issue and deliver the securities or other property purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by such certificates are exercised, a new certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of warrants.
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If mentioned in the prospectus supplement, securities may be surrendered as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.
Antidilution Provisions
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to any warrants we issue pursuant to this prospectus. In the case of warrants to purchase common stock, the exercise price payable and the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon warrant exercise may be adjusted in certain events, including:
| ● | the issuance of a stock dividend to common stockholders or a combination, subdivision or reclassification of common stock; |
| ● | the issuance of rights, warrants or options to all common and preferred stockholders entitling them to purchase common stock for an aggregate consideration per share less than the current market price per share of common stock; |
| ● | any distribution to our common stockholders of evidences of our indebtedness of assets, excluding cash dividends or distributions referred to above; and |
| ● | any other events mentioned in the prospectus supplement. |
The prospectus supplement will describe which, if any, of these provisions shall apply to a particular series of warrants.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, no adjustment in the number of shares purchasable upon warrant exercise will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% of such number and no fractional shares will be issued upon warrant exercise, but we will pay the cash value of any fractional shares otherwise issuable.
Modification
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to any warrants we issue pursuant to this prospectus. We and any agent for any series of warrants may amend any warrant or rights agreement and the terms of the related warrants by executing a supplemental agreement, without any such warrant holders’ consent, for the purpose of:
| ● | curing any ambiguity, any defective or inconsistent provision contained in the agreement, or making any other corrections to the agreement that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrant certificates; |
| ● | evidencing the succession of another corporation to us and its assumption of our covenants contained in the agreement and the securities; |
| ● | appointing a successor depository if the securities are issued in the form of global securities; |
| ● | evidencing a successor agent’s acceptance of appointment with respect to any securities; |
| ● | adding to our covenants for the benefit of securityholders or surrendering any right or power we have under the agreement; |
| ● | issuing warrants in definitive form, if such securities are initially issued in the form of global securities; or |
| ● | amending the agreement and the warrants as we deem necessary or desirable and that will not adversely affect the interests of the applicable warrant holders in any material respect. |
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We and any agent for any series of warrants may also amend any agreement and the related warrants by a supplemental agreement with the consent of the holders of a majority of the warrants of any series affected by such amendment, for the purpose of adding, modifying, or eliminating any of the agreement’s provisions or of modifying the rights of the holders of warrants. However, no such amendment that:
| ● | reduces the number or amount of securities receivable upon any exercise of any such security; |
| ● | shortens the time period during which any such security may be exercised; |
| ● | otherwise adversely affects the exercise rights of warrant holders in any material respect; or |
| ● | reduces the number of securities the consent of holders of which is required for amending the agreement or the related warrants; |
may be made without the consent of each holder affected by that amendment.
Consolidation, Merger, and Sale of Assets
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to any warrants we issue pursuant to this prospectus. Any agreement with respect to warrants will provide that we are generally permitted to merge or consolidate with another corporation or other entity. Any such agreement will also provide that we are permitted to sell our assets substantially as an entirety to another corporation or other entity or to have another entity sell its assets substantially as an entirety to us. With regard to any series of warrants, however, we may not take any of these actions unless all of the following conditions are met:
| ● | if we are not the successor entity, the person formed by the consolidation or into or with which we merge or the person to which our properties and assets are conveyed, transferred or leased must be an entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state, or the District of Columbia and must expressly assume the performance of our covenants under any relevant indenture, agreement, or other instrument; and |
| ● | we or that successor corporation must not immediately be in default under that agreement. |
Enforcement by Holders of Warrants
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to any warrants we issue pursuant to this prospectus. Any agent for any series of warrants will act solely as our agent under the relevant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for any securityholder. A single bank or trust company may act as agent for more than one issue of securities. Any such agent will have no duty or responsibility in case we default in performing our obligations under the relevant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any legal proceedings or to make any demand upon us. Any securityholder may, without the agent’s consent or consent of any other securityholder, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise any warrant exercisable for any property.
Replacement of Certificates
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to any warrants we issue pursuant to this prospectus. We will replace any destroyed, lost, stolen, or mutilated warrant or rights certificate upon delivery to us and any applicable agent of satisfactory evidence of the ownership of that certificate and of its destruction, loss, theft or mutilation, and (in the case of mutilation) surrender of that certificate to us or any applicable agent, unless we have, or the agent has, received notice that the certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser. That securityholder will also be required to provide indemnity satisfactory to us and the relevant agent before a replacement certificate will be issued.
Title
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to any warrants we issue pursuant to this prospectus. We, any agents for any series of warrants, and any of their agents may treat the registered holder of any certificate as the absolute owner of the securities evidenced by that certificate for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights attaching to the warrants so requested, despite any notice to the contrary.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Any debt securities we may issue, offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, will be issued under an indenture to be entered into between our company and the trustee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of the debt securities will include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the date of the indenture. We have filed a copy of the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement in which this prospectus is included. The indenture will be subject to and governed by the terms of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will represent direct, unsecured obligations of our company and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured indebtedness.
The following statements relating to the debt securities and the indenture are summaries, qualified in their entirety to the detailed provisions of the indenture.
General
We may issue the debt securities in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We will describe the particular terms of each series of debt securities in a prospectus supplement relating to that series, which we will file with the SEC.
The prospectus supplement will set forth, to the extent required, the following terms of the debt securities in respect of which the prospectus supplement is delivered:
| ● | the title of the series; |
| ● | the aggregate principal amount; |
| ● | the issue price or prices, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
| ● | any limit on the aggregate principal amount; |
| ● | the date or dates on which principal is payable; |
| ● | the interest rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates; |
| ● | the date or dates from which interest, if any, will be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable; |
| ● | the place or places where principal and, if applicable, premium and interest, is payable; |
| ● | the terms and conditions upon which we may, or the holders may require us to, redeem or repurchase the debt securities; |
| ● | the denominations in which such debt securities may be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000, or any integral multiple of that number; |
| ● | whether the debt securities are to be issuable in the form of certificated debt securities (as described below) or global debt securities (as described below); |
| ● | the portion of principal amount that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date if other than the principal amount of the debt securities; |
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| ● | the currency of denomination; |
| ● | the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal and, if applicable, premium and interest, will be made; |
| ● | if payments of principal and, if applicable, premium or interest, on the debt securities are to be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than the currency of denomination, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined; |
| ● | if amounts of principal and, if applicable, premium and interest may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies, or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index, then the manner in which such amounts will be determined; |
| ● | the provisions, if any, relating to any collateral provided for such debt securities; |
| ● | any addition to or change in the covenants and/or the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture; |
| ● | any events of default, if not otherwise described below under “Events of Default”; |
| ● | the terms and conditions, if any, for conversion into or exchange for shares of common stock or preferred stock; |
| ● | any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents, or other agents; and |
| ● | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to other indebtedness of our company. |
We may issue discount debt securities that provide for an amount less than the stated principal amount to be due and payable upon acceleration of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of the indenture. We may also issue debt securities in bearer form, with or without coupons. If we issue discount debt securities or debt securities in bearer form, we will describe material U.S. federal income tax considerations and other material special considerations which apply to these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may issue debt securities denominated in or payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units. If we do, we will describe the restrictions, elections, and general tax considerations relating to the debt securities and the foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Exchange and/or Conversion Rights
We may issue debt securities that can be exchanged for or converted into shares of common stock or preferred stock. If we do, we will describe the terms of exchange or conversion in the prospectus supplement relating to these debt securities.
Transfer and Exchange
We may issue debt securities that will be represented by either:
| ● | “book-entry securities,” which means that there will be one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary or a nominee of a depositary; or |
| ● | “certificated securities,” which means that they will be represented by a certificate issued in definitive registered form. |
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We will specify in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular offering whether the debt securities offered will be book-entry or certificated securities.
Certificated Debt Securities
Those who hold certificated debt securities may transfer or exchange such debt securities at the trustee’s office or at the paying agent’s office or agency in accordance with the terms of the indenture. There will be no service charge for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but there may be a requirement to pay an amount sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with such transfer or exchange.
Those who hold certificated debt securities may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and of the right to receive the principal of, premium, and/or interest, if any, on the certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing the certificated debt securities and having us or the trustee issue a new certificate to the new holder.
Global Securities
If we decide to issue debt securities in the form of one or more global securities, then we will register the global securities in the name of the depositary for the global securities or the nominee of the depositary and the global securities will be delivered by the trustee to the depositary for credit to the accounts of the holders of beneficial interests in the debt securities.
The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement for debt securities of a series that are issued in global form. None of us, the trustee, any payment agent, or the security registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to these beneficial ownership interests.
No Protection in the Event of Change of Control
The indenture does not have any covenants or other provisions providing for a put or increased interest or otherwise that would afford holders of debt securities additional protection in the event of a recapitalization transaction, a change of control of our company or a highly leveraged transaction. If we offer any covenants or provisions of this type with respect to any debt securities covered by this prospectus, we will describe them in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Covenants
Unless otherwise indicated in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not have the benefit of any covenants that limit or restrict our business or operations, the pledging of our assets, or the incurrence by us of indebtedness. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any material covenants in respect of a series of debt securities.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
We will agree in the indenture that we will not consolidate with or merge into any other person, or convey, transfer, sell or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, unless:
| ● | the person formed by the consolidation or into or with which we are merged or the person to which our properties and assets are conveyed, transferred, sold, or leased, is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state, or the District of Columbia, or a corporation or comparable legal entity organized under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction and, if we are not the surviving person, the surviving person has expressly assumed all of our obligations, including the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities and the performance of the other covenants under the indenture; and |
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| ● | immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, has occurred and is continuing under the indenture. |
Events of Default
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following events will be events of default under the indenture with respect to debt securities of any series:
| ● | we fail to pay any principal or premium, if any, when it becomes due and such default is not cured within 5 business days; |
| ● | we fail to pay any interest within 30 days after it becomes due; |
| ● | we fail to comply with any other covenant in the debt securities or the indenture for 60 days after written notice specifying the failure from the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series; and |
| ● | certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of our company or any of our significant subsidiaries. |
The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the debt securities of any series of any default, except in payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities of a series, if the trustee considers it to be in the best interest of the holders of the debt securities of that series to do so.
If an event of default (other than an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) occurs, and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may accelerate the maturity of the debt securities. If this happens, the entire principal amount, plus the premium, if any, of all the outstanding debt securities of the affected series plus accrued interest to the date of acceleration will be immediately due and payable. At any time after the acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on such acceleration is obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series may rescind and annul such acceleration if:
| ● | all events of default (other than nonpayment of accelerated principal, premium or interest) have been cured or waived; |
| ● | all lawful interest on overdue interest and overdue principal has been paid; and |
| ● | the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree. |
In addition, if the acceleration occurs at any time when we have outstanding indebtedness which is senior to the debt securities, the payment of the principal amount of outstanding debt securities may be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment of any amounts due under the senior indebtedness, in which case the holders of debt securities will be entitled to payment under the terms prescribed in the instruments evidencing the senior indebtedness and the indenture.
If an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs, the principal, premium and interest amount with respect to all of the debt securities of any series will be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or the holders of the debt securities of that series.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series will have the right to waive any existing default or compliance with any provision of the indenture or the debt securities of that series and to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, subject to certain limitations specified in the indenture.
No holder of any debt security of a series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:
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| ● | the holder gives to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default; |
| ● | the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series make a written request and offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee to institute a proceeding as trustee; |
| ● | the trustee fails to institute a proceeding within 60 days after such request; and |
| ● | the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series do not give the trustee a direction inconsistent with such request during such 60-day period. |
These limitations do not, however, apply to a suit instituted for payment on debt securities of any series on or after the due dates expressed in the debt securities.
Modification and Waiver
From time to time, we and the trustee may, without the consent of holders of the debt securities of one or more series, amend the indenture or the debt securities of one or more series, or supplement the indenture, for certain specified purposes, including:
| ● | to provide that the surviving entity following a change of control of our company permitted under the indenture will assume all of our obligations under the indenture and debt securities; |
| ● | to provide for certificated debt securities in addition to uncertificated debt securities; |
| ● | to comply with any requirements of the SEC under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939; |
| ● | to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or make any other change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any holder; and |
| ● | to appoint a successor trustee under the indenture with respect to one or more series. |
From time to time, we and the trustee may, with the consent of holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities, amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities, or waive compliance in a particular instance by us with any provision of the indenture or the debt securities. We may not, however, without the consent of each holder affected by such action, modify or supplement the indenture or the debt securities, or waive compliance with any provision of the indenture or the debt securities in order to:
| ● | reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver to the indenture or such debt security; |
| ● | reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest; |
| ● | reduce the principal of or change the stated maturity of the debt securities; |
| ● | make any debt security payable in money other than that stated in the debt security; |
| ● | change the amount or time of any payment required, or reduce the premium payable upon any redemption, or change the time before which no such redemption may be made; |
| ● | waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities or a redemption payment; or |
| ● | take any other action otherwise prohibited by the indenture to be taken without the consent of each holder affected by the action. |
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Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances
The indenture will permit us, at any time, to elect to discharge our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities by following certain procedures described in the indenture. These procedures will allow us either to defease and be discharged from any and all of our obligations with respect to any debt securities except for the following obligations (which discharge is referred to as “legal defeasance”):
| (1) | to register the transfer or exchange of such debt securities; | |
| (2) | to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost, or stolen debt securities; | |
| (3) | to compensate and indemnify the trustee; | |
| (4) | to maintain an office or agency in respect of the debt securities and to hold monies for payment in trust; or |
| (5) | to be released from our obligations with respect to the debt securities under certain covenants contained in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be contained in the applicable supplemental indenture (which release is referred to as “covenant defeasance”). |
In order to exercise either defeasance option, we must deposit with the trustee or other qualifying trustee, in trust for that purpose:
| ● | money; |
| ● | U.S. Government Obligations (as described below) or Foreign Government Obligations (as described below), which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money; or |
| ● | a combination of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Obligations sufficient in the written opinion of a nationally-recognized firm of independent accountants to provide money; |
which in each case specified above, provides a sufficient amount to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series, on the scheduled due dates, or on a selected date of redemption in accordance with the terms of the indenture.
In addition, defeasance may be effected only if, among other things:
| ● | in the case of either legal or covenant defeasance, we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel, as specified in the indenture, stating that as a result of the defeasance neither the trust nor the trustee will be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940; |
| ● | in the case of legal defeasance, we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that, or there has been a change in any applicable federal income tax law with the effect that (and the opinion shall confirm that), the holders of outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain, or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes solely as a result of such legal defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner, including as a result of prepayment, and at the same times as would have been the case if legal defeasance had not occurred; |
| ● | in the case of covenant defeasance, we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain, or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner, and at the same times as would have been the case if covenant defeasance had not occurred; and |
| ● | certain other conditions described in the indenture are satisfied. |
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If we fail to comply with our remaining obligations under the indenture and applicable supplemental indenture after a covenant defeasance of the indenture and applicable supplemental indenture, and the debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any undefeased event of default, the amount of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Obligations on deposit with the trustee could be insufficient to pay amounts due under the debt securities of the affected series at the time of acceleration. We will, however, remain liable in respect of these payments.
The term “U.S. Government Obligations” as used in the above discussion means securities that are direct obligations of or non-callable obligations guaranteed by the United States of America for the payment of which obligation or guarantee the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.
The term “Foreign Government Obligations” as used in the above discussion means, with respect to debt securities of any series that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars (1) direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agent or instrumentality of such government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by that government, which in either case under clauses (1) or (2), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer.
Regarding the Trustee
We will identify the trustee with respect to any series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the applicable debt securities. You should note that if the trustee becomes a creditor of our company, the indenture and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 limit the rights of the trustee to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee and its affiliates may engage in, and will be permitted to continue to engage in, other transactions with us and our affiliates. If, however, the trustee acquires any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee, in the exercise of its rights and powers, must use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to that provision, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities, unless they have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity or security.
General
We may issue rights to our stockholders to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or the other securities described in this prospectus. We may offer rights separately or together with one or more additional rights, debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or warrants, or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights of the series of certificates and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the rights to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the rights to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions may apply to the rights so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent that any particular terms of the rights, rights agreement or rights certificates described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described below, then the terms described below will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement. We encourage you to read the applicable rights agreement and rights certificate for additional information before you decide whether to purchase any of our rights. We will provide in a prospectus supplement the following terms of the rights being issued:
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| ● | the date of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution; |
| ● | the aggregate number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights; |
| ● | the exercise price; |
| ● | the aggregate number of rights issued; |
| ● | whether the rights are transferrable and the date, if any, on and after which the rights may be separately transferred; |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence, and the date on which the right to exercise the rights will expire; |
| ● | the method by which holders of rights will be entitled to exercise; |
| ● | the conditions to the completion of the offering, if any; |
| ● | the withdrawal, termination and cancellation rights, if any; |
| ● | whether there are any backstop or standby purchaser or purchasers and the terms of their commitment, if any; |
| ● | whether stockholders are entitled to oversubscription rights, if any; |
| ● | any applicable material United States federal income tax considerations; and |
| ● | any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of the rights, as applicable. |
Each right will entitle the holder of rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities at the exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities, as applicable, purchasable upon exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Rights Agent
The rights agent for any rights we offer will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
This section outlines some of the provisions of the units and the unit agreements that we may enter into. This information may not be complete in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to the unit agreement with respect to the units of any particular series. The specific terms of any series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If so described in a particular supplement, the specific terms of any series of units may differ from the general description of terms presented below.
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We may issue units comprised of one or more debt securities, shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock and warrants 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. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued 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 of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described below; and |
| ● | any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units. |
The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Common Stock,” “Description of Preferred Stock,” “Description of Warrants,” and “Description of Debt Securities” will apply to the securities included in each unit, to the extent relevant.
Issuance in Series
We may issue units in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we wish. This section summarizes terms of the units that apply generally to all series. Most of the financial and other specific terms of your series will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unit Agreements
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to any units we issue pursuant to this prospectus. We will issue the units under one or more unit agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or other financial institution, as unit agent. We may add, replace or terminate unit agents from time to time. We will identify the unit agreement under which each series of units will be issued and the unit agent under that agreement in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The following provisions will generally apply to all unit agreements unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Enforcement of Rights
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to any units we issue pursuant to this prospectus. The unit agent under a unit agreement will act solely as our agent in connection with the units issued under that agreement. The unit agent will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of those units or of the securities comprising those units. The unit agent will not be obligated to take any action on behalf of those holders to enforce or protect their rights under the units or the included securities.
Except as indicated in the next paragraph, a holder of a unit may, without the consent of the unit agent or any other holder, enforce its rights as holder under any security included in the unit, in accordance with the terms of that security and the indenture, warrant agreement, rights agreement or other instrument under which that security is issued. Those terms are described elsewhere in this prospectus under the sections relating to debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, or warrants, as relevant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a unit agreement may limit or otherwise affect the ability of a holder of units issued under that agreement to enforce its rights, including any right to bring a legal action, with respect to those units or any securities, other than debt securities, that are included in those units. Limitations of this kind will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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Modification without Consent of Holders. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to any units we issue pursuant to this prospectus. We and the applicable unit agent may amend any unit or unit agreement without the consent of any holder:
| ● | to cure any ambiguity; |
| ● | to correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision; or |
| ● | to make any other change that we believe is necessary or desirable and will not adversely affect the interests of the affected holders in any material respect. |
We do not need any approval to make changes that affect only units to be issued after the changes take effect. We may also make changes that do not adversely affect a particular unit in any material respect, even if they adversely affect other units in a material respect. In those cases, we do not need to obtain the approval of the holder of the unaffected unit; we need only obtain any required approvals from the holders of the affected units.
Modification with Consent of Holders. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to any units we issue pursuant to this prospectus. We may not amend any particular unit or a unit agreement with respect to any particular unit unless we obtain the consent of the holder of that unit, if the amendment would:
| ● | impair any right of the holder to exercise or enforce any right under a security included in the unit if the terms of that security require the consent of the holder to any changes that would impair the exercise or enforcement of that right; or |
| ● | reduce the percentage of outstanding units or any series or class the consent of whose holders is required to amend that series or class, or the applicable unit agreement with respect to that series or class, as described below. |
Any other change to a particular unit agreement and the units issued under that agreement would require the following approval:
| ● | if the change affects only the units of a particular series issued under that agreement, the change must be approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding units of that series; or |
| ● | if the change affects the units of more than one series issued under that agreement, it must be approved by the holders of a majority of all outstanding units of all series affected by the change, with the units of all the affected series voting together as one class for this purpose. |
These provisions regarding changes with majority approval also apply to changes affecting any securities issued under a unit agreement, as the governing document.
In each case, the required approval must be given by written consent.
Unit Agreements Will Not Be Qualified Under Trust Indenture Act. No unit agreement will be qualified as an indenture, and no unit agent will be required to qualify as a trustee, under the Trust Indenture Act. Therefore, holders of units issued under unit agreements will not have the protections of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to their units.
Mergers and Similar Transactions Permitted; No Restrictive Covenants or Events of Default
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to any units we issue pursuant to this prospectus. The unit agreements will not restrict our ability to merge or consolidate with, or sell our assets to, another corporation or other entity or to engage in any other transactions. If at any time we merge or consolidate with, or sell our assets substantially as an entirety to, another corporation or other entity, the successor entity will succeed to and assume our obligations under the unit agreements. We will then be relieved of any further obligation under these agreements.
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The unit agreements will not include any restrictions on our ability to put liens on our assets, including our interests in our subsidiaries, nor will they restrict our ability to sell our assets. The unit agreements also will not provide for any events of default or remedies upon the occurrence of any events of default.
Governing Law
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to any units we issue pursuant to this prospectus. The unit agreements and the units will be governed by Delaware or New York law as decided by the Company at the time of issuance.
Form, Exchange, and Transfer
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to any units we issue pursuant to this prospectus. We will issue each unit in global-that is, book-entry-form only. Units in book-entry form will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary, which will be the holder of all the units represented by the global security. Those who own beneficial interests in a unit will do so through participants in the depositary’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its participants.
In addition, we will issue each unit in registered form, unless we say otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Bearer securities would be subject to special provisions, as we describe below under “Securities Issued in Bearer Form.”
Each unit and all securities comprising the unit will be issued in the same form.
If we issue any units in registered, non-global form, the following will apply to them.
The units will be issued in the denominations stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Holders may exchange their units for units of smaller denominations or combined into fewer units of larger denominations, as long as the total amount is not changed.
| ● | Holders may exchange or transfer their units at the office of the unit agent. Holders may also replace lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated units at that office. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves. |
| ● | Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their units, but they may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange, and any replacement, will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership. The transfer agent may also require an indemnity before replacing any units. |
| ● | If we have the right to redeem, accelerate or settle any units before their maturity, and we exercise our right as to less than all those units or other securities, we may block the exchange or transfer of those units during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of exercise and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers of or exchange any unit selected for early settlement, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unsettled portion of any unit being partially settled. We may also block the transfer or exchange of any unit in this manner if the unit includes securities that are or may be selected for early settlement. |
Only the depositary will be entitled to transfer or exchange a unit in global form, since it will be the sole holder of the unit.
Payments and Notices
In making payments and giving notices with respect to our units, we will follow the procedures we plan to use with respect to our debt securities, where applicable.
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We may sell the securities covered by this prospectus directly to purchasers or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, who may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us. These discounts, concessions or commissions as to any particular underwriter, broker-dealer or agent may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved. In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders.
The securities may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions which may involve crosses or block transactions.
If underwriters are used in an offering of securities, such offered securities may be resold in one or more transactions:
| ● | on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the common stock or the preferred stock may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, including, as of the date of this prospectus, the Nasdaq Capital Market in the case of the common stock; |
| ● | in the over-the-counter market; |
| ● | in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market; or |
| ● | through the writing of options, whether the options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise. |
Each prospectus supplement will state the terms of the offering, including, but not limited to:
| ● | the names of any underwriters, dealers, or agents; |
| ● | the public offering or purchase price of the securities and the net proceeds that we will receive from the sale; |
| ● | any underwriting discounts and commissions or other items constituting underwriters’ compensation; |
| ● | any discounts, commissions, or fees allowed or paid to dealers or agents; and |
| ● | any securities exchange on which the offered securities may be listed. |
If we sell securities to underwriters, we will execute an underwriting agreement with them at the time of the sale and will name them in the applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with these sales, the underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation in the form of underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters also may receive commissions from purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agent. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the underwriters will not be obligated to purchase the securities unless the conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement are satisfied, and if the underwriters purchase any of the securities offered by such prospectus supplement, they will be required to purchase all of such offered securities. The underwriters may acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or varying prices determined at the time of sale. The underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive discounts, concessions, or commissions from the underwriters as well as from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.
We may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchasers for the period of their appointment or to sell securities on a continuing basis. We may also sell securities directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.
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Under agreements entered into with us, underwriters and agents may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution for payments the underwriters or agents may be required to make. The underwriters, agents and their affiliates may engage in financial or other business transactions with us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
The aggregate proceeds to us from the sale of the securities will be the purchase price of the securities less discounts and commissions, if any.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, any securities covered by this prospectus must be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states 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.
In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions, or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than three 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 third 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 three scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any of the securities.
In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus must be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the shares of common stock 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.
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is vStock Transfer, LLC.
The validity of the securities that may be offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP, New York, New York. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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The financial statements of Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc., incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2024, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern) of MaloneBailey, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to you on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference much of the information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below (other than any portions of such documents that are not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act in accordance with the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules):
| ● | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 10, 2025 ; |
| ● | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended January 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on March 17, 2025; | |
| ● | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on June 10, 2025; |
| ● | our Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the SEC on April 4, 2025; |
| ● | the description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8A12B (File No. 001-40641) relating thereto, filed on July 20, 2021, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and Schedule 14C filed with the SEC on March 3, 2025; and | |
| ● | any future filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. |
Certain statements in and portions of this prospectus update and replace information in the above listed documents incorporated by reference. Likewise, statements in or portions of a future document incorporated by reference in this prospectus may update and replace statements in and portions of this prospectus or the above listed documents.
We will provide you without charge, upon your written or oral request, a copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents which are not specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. Please direct your written or telephone requests to:
KAIVAL BRANDS INNOVATIONS GROUP, INC
4460 Old Dixie Highway
Grant-Valkaria, Florida 32949
Attention: Interim Chief Financial Officer, Eric Morris
Telephone: (833) 452-4825
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KAIVAL BRANDS INNOVATIONS GROUP, INC
$100,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Debt Securities
Rights
Units
PROSPECTUS
June 16, 2025
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the various expenses in connection with the registration of the securities offered hereby. We will bear all of these expenses. All amounts are estimated except for the SEC registration fee:
| Item | Amount | |||
| SEC registration fee | $ | 15,310 | ||
| FINRA filing fee | $ | 15,500 | ||
| Legal fees and expenses | $ | 100,000 | ||
| Accounting fees and expenses | $ | 20,000 | ||
| Printing and related expenses | $ | 5,000 | ||
| Miscellaneous | $ | 10,000 | ||
| Total | $ | 165,810 | ||
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 102 of the General Company Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”) permits a Company to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a Company to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. Our charter, as amended provides that no director of the Company shall be personally liable to it or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, notwithstanding any provision of law imposing such liability, except to the extent that the DGCL prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for breaches of fiduciary duty.
Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a Company has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company, or a person serving at the request of the Company for another Company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in related capacities against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding to which he was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, ending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of such position, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, in any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, except that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the Company, no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Our charter and bylaws provide for the indemnification, to the fullest extent permitted from time to time by the DGCL or any other applicable laws as presently or hereafter in effect, any person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Company or, while a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and reasonably incurred by such person.
Our bylaws provide that if an indemnification claim made by an officer or director of the Company is not paid in full by the Company within thirty (30) days after a written claim has been received by the Company, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Company to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where any required undertaking has been tendered to the Company) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the DGCL for the Company to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Company. Neither the failure of the Company (including its board of directors (“Board”), legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board, legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
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The right of our directors and officers to indemnification under our charter and bylaws is not exclusive of any other right which they may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, our charter, our bylaws, any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
The Company may also maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL or under the provisions of our bylaws.
In any underwriting agreement we enter into in connection with the sale of common stock being registered hereby, the underwriters will agree to indemnify, under certain conditions, us, our directors, our officers and persons who control us within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, against certain liabilities.
These indemnification provisions may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of our directors and officers for liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act.
Item 16. Exhibits
The following Exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference:
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EXHIBIT INDEX
| ** | To be filed, if necessary, by post-effective amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a current report of the registrant on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. |
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Item 17. Undertakings
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement;
Provided, however, that Paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415 (a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-4
Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in an offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
The undersigned registrant hereby further undertakes that, for the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
II-5
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in City of Grant, State of Florida, on June 16, 2025.
| Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc.. | ||
| By: | /s/Mark Thoenes | |
| Mark Thoenes | ||
|
Interim Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
||
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Mark Thoenes, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the registration statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Name | Position | Date | ||
| /s/ Mark Thoenes | Interim Chief Executive Officer and Director | June 16, 2025 | ||
| Mark Thoenes | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
| /s/ Eric Morris | Interim Chief Financial Officer | June 16, 2025 | ||
| Eric Morris | (Principal Accounting Officer) | |||
| /s/ David Worner | Director | June 16, 2025 | ||
| David Worner | ||||
| /s/ Ketankumar Patel | Director | June 16, 2025 | ||
| Ketankumar Patel | ||||
| /s/ Ashesh Modi | Director | June 16, 2025 | ||
| Ashesh Modi |
II-6
Exhibit 5.1
June 16, 2025
Kaival Brands Innovations Group Inc.
460 Old Dixie Highway
Grant-Valkaria, Florida 32949
| Re: | Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
Dear Board of Directors:
We have acted as counsel to Kaival Brands Innovations Group., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (such Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, is herein referred to as the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), on the date hereof, pertaining to the proposed offer and sale pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act from time to time, in one or more offerings, of up to $100,000,000 in the aggregate of the following securities of the Company:
| (1) | Common Stock, which are to be issued under the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”); |
| (2) | preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), which are to be issued under the Certificate of Incorporation and a certificate of designation (a “Certificate of Designation”) to be approved by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) or a committee thereof and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Secretary of State”); |
| (3) | senior debt securities, in one or more series (the “Senior Debt Securities”), which may be issued pursuant to an indenture to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Senior Debt Securities thereunder, by and between the Company and a trustee to be selected by the Company, in the form attached as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement, as such indenture may be amended or supplemented from time to time (the “Senior Indenture”); |
| (4) | subordinated debt securities, in one or more series (the “Subordinated Debt Securities” and, together with the Senior Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”), which may be issued pursuant to an indenture to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Subordinated Debt Securities thereunder, by and between the Company and a trustee to be selected by the Company, in the form attached as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement, as such indenture may be amended or supplemented from time to time (the “Subordinated Indenture”); |
| (5) | warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, and/or Debt Securities (the “Warrants”), which may be issued under warrant agreements, to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of the applicable Warrants thereunder, by and between the Company and a warrant agent to be selected by the Company (each, a “Warrant Agreement”); |
| (6) | units comprised of one or more Debt Securities, shares of Common Stock, shares of Preferred Stock, Rights (as hereafter defined) or Warrants, in any combination (the “Units”), which may be issued under unit agreements, to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of the applicable Units thereunder, by and between the Company and a unit agent to be selected by the Company (each, a “Unit Agreement”); or |
| (7) | rights to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, or Units (the “Rights”, and together with the Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities, the Warrants and the Units collectively referred to herein as the “Securities”), which may be issued pursuant to a rights agreement and certificates issued thereunder, to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of the applicable Rights thereunder, by and between the Company and a rights agent to be selected by the Company (each, a “Rights Agreement”, and together with the Certificate of Incorporation, each Certificate of Designation, each Warrant Agreement, each Unit Agreement, each Senior Indenture, and each Subordinated Indenture are referred to herein individually as a “Governing Document” and collectively as the “Governing Documents.”). |
As part of the corporate actions taken and to be taken in connection with issuance of any Securities to be issued and sold from time to time under the Registration Statement, the Board of Directors, a committee thereof or certain authorized officers of the Company as authorized by the Board of Directors will, before such Securities are issued under the Registration Statement, duly authorize the issuance and approve the terms of such Securities (the “Corporate Proceedings”).
You have provided us with a draft prospectus (the “Prospectus”) that is a part of the Registration Statement. The Prospectus provides that it will be supplemented in the future by one or more supplements thereto (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”) in connection with each offering of Securities. This opinion is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or any Prospectus Supplement, other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issue of the Securities. It is understood that the opinions set forth below are to be used only in connection with the offer while the Registration Statement is in effect.
In our capacity as your counsel in connection with such registration, we have reviewed and are familiar with such documents, certificates, Corporate Proceedings and other materials, including an examination of originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, Governing Documents and the Registration Statement (collectively, the “Constituent Documents”), and have reviewed such questions of law, as we have considered relevant or necessary as a basis for this opinion.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies. For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed that proper proceedings in connection with the authorization and issuance or sale of the Securities will be timely and properly completed, in accordance with all requirements of applicable federal laws and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and, in the manner presently proposed. We have assumed and have not verified the accuracy of the factual matters of each document we have reviewed.
As to facts material to the opinions, statements and assumptions expressed herein, we have, with your consent, relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others. We have specifically relied upon the certification of an officer of the Company signed on even date herewith. In addition, we have obtained and relied upon such certificates and assurances from public officials as we have deemed necessary.
With respect to the Securities to be offered and sold by the Company, we have also assumed that (a) the Registration Statement shall have become and remain effective under the Securities Act, a Prospectus Supplement shall have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities, and such Securities shall have been issued and sold in accordance with the terms set forth in such Prospectus Supplement; (b) such Securities, as issued and delivered, comply with any requirements and restrictions imposed by any court or governmental or regulatory body applicable to the Company; (c) at the time of any offering or sale of any Securities, there shall be a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, authorized and unissued under the Certificate, and not otherwise reserved for issuance, except in connection with the issuance of the Securities; (d) at the time of issuance or sale of the Securities, the Company shall validly exist and shall be in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and, in the case of Securities, the Company shall have the necessary corporate power for such issuance; (e) any definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities, if applicable, shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto and shall constitute legally valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto, enforceable against each of them in accordance with their respective terms, at the time of issuance of the applicable Securities; (f) certificates representing the Securities, if any, shall have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered, or if uncertificated, valid book-entry notations shall have been made in the share or other register of the Company, in each case in accordance with the, and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement, against payment therefor in an amount not less than the par value thereof, or such other consideration determined by the Board of Directors, or an authorized committee thereof, as permitted under the DGCL, in accordance with the provisions of any applicable definitive purchase agreement, underwriting agreement, or similar agreement approved by the Company; and (g) the Constituent Documents shall be in full force and effect and shall not have been amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise altered, and there shall be no authorization of any such amendment, restatement, supplement or alteration, in each case since the date hereof.
Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that as of the date hereof:
| 1. | With respect to the Common Stock, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Company’s Board of Directors or an authorized committee thereof (the “Authorizing Resolutions”), (ii) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act, (iii) an appropriate Prospectus Supplement with respect to the applicable shares of Common Stock has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, (iv) if the applicable shares of Common Stock are to be sold pursuant to a purchase, underwriting or similar agreement (an “Underwriting Agreement”), such Underwriting Agreement with respect to the applicable shares of Common Stock in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or to a Current Report on Form 8-K, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, (v) the terms of the sale of the Common Stock have been duly established in conformity with the Company’s then operative Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended (the “Bylaws”) and do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding on the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, (vi) the Common Stock has been issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, and (vii) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and, if applicable, the Underwriting Agreement, the Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. |
| 2. | With respect to the Preferred Stock, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Authorizing Resolutions, (ii) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act, (iii) an appropriate Prospectus Supplement with respect to the applicable shares of Preferred Stock has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, (iv) if the applicable shares of Preferred Stock are to be sold pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, such Underwriting Agreement with respect to the applicable shares of Preferred Stock in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or to a Current Report on Form 8-K, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, (v) an appropriate Certificate or Certificates of Amendment or Designation relating to a class or series of the Preferred Stock to be sold under the Registration Statement has been duly authorized and adopted and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware prior to the issuance of the Preferred Stock, (vi) the terms of issuance and sale of shares of such class or series of Preferred Stock have been duly established in conformity with the Company’s then operative Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, (vii) shares of such class or series of Preferred Stock have been duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, and (viii) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and, if applicable, the Underwriting Agreement, the Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. |
| 3. | With respect to the Debt Securities, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Authorizing Resolutions, (ii) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act, (iii) the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture, whichever the case may be, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, (iv) an appropriate Prospectus Supplement with respect to the applicable Debt Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, (v) if the applicable Debt Securities are to be sold pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, such Underwriting Agreement with respect to the applicable Debt Securities in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or to a Current Report on Form 8-K, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, (vi) the terms of the Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture, whichever the case may be, and do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, (vii) such Debt Securities have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture, whichever the case may be, and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, (viii) the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture, whichever the case may be, relating to the Debt Securities has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and (ix) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and, if applicable, the Underwriting Agreement, the Debt Securities will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company. |
| 4. | With respect to the Warrants, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Authorizing Resolutions, (ii) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act, (iii) the Warrant Agreement relating to the Warrants has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company, (iv) an appropriate Prospectus Supplement with respect to the applicable Warrants has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, (v) if the applicable Warrants are to be sold pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, such Underwriting Agreement with respect to the applicable Warrants in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or to a Current Report on Form 8-K, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, (vi) the terms of the Warrants and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Warrant Agreement and do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, (vii) the Warrants have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, and (viii) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and, if applicable, the Underwriting Agreement, the Warrants will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company. |
| 5. | With respect to the Units, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Authorizing Resolutions, (ii) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act, (iii) the Unit Agreement relating to the Units has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company, (iv) an appropriate Prospectus Supplement with respect to the applicable Units has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, (v) if the applicable Units are to be sold pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, such Underwriting Agreement with respect to the applicable Units in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or to a Current Report on Form 8-K, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, (vi) the terms of the Units and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Unit Agreement and do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, (vii) the Units have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the Unit Agreement and issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, and (viii) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and, if applicable, the Underwriting Agreement, the Units will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company. |
| 6. | With respect to the Rights, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Authorizing Resolutions, (ii) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act, (iii) the Rights Agreement and any certificates relating to the Rights have been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company, (iv) an appropriate Prospectus Supplement with respect to the applicable Rights has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, (v) if the applicable Rights are to be sold pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, such Underwriting Agreement with respect to the applicable Rights in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or to a Current Report on Form 8-K, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, (vi) the terms of the Rights and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Rights Agreement and any rights certificates and do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, (vii) the Rights have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the Rights Agreement and issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, and (viii) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and, if applicable, the Underwriting Agreement, the Rights will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company. |
The opinions set forth above are subject to the following exceptions, limitations and qualifications: (i) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors; (ii) the effect of general principles of equity, including without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith, and fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief, regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought; (iii) the unenforceability under certain circumstances under law or court decisions of provision providing for the indemnification of, or contribution to, a party with respect to liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy. We express no opinion concerning the enforceability of any waiver of rights or defenses with respect to stay, extension, or usury laws. Our opinion expressed herein is also subject to the qualification that no term or provision hereof shall be included in: (a) the Certificate of Designation relating to any series of the Preferred Stock, (b) the Warrant Agreement, (c) the Unit Agreement, (d) the Rights Agreement, (e) the Senior Indenture, (f) the Subordinated Indenture, or (g) any other agreement or instrument pursuant to which any of the Securities are to be issued that would affect the validity of such opinion.
Our opinion is limited to the federal laws of the United States and the DGCL. We express no opinion as to the effect of the law of any other jurisdiction. Our opinion is rendered as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you of changes in law or fact (or the effect thereof on the opinions expressed herein) that hereafter may come to our attention.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In so doing, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
| Very truly yours, | |
| /s/ Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP | |
| Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP |
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 7, 2025 with respect to the audited consolidated financial statements of Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc. appearing in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2024.
We also consent to the references to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ MaloneBailey, LLP
www.malonebailey.com
Houston, Texas
June 16, 2025