Invictus announces strategic merger with GTEC Holdings forming Western Canada’s largest indoor vertically integrated cannabis company
VANCOUVER, Nov. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ – INVICTUS MD STRATEGIES CORP. (“Invictus” or the “Company”) (TSXV: GENE; OTCQX: IVITF; FRA: 8IS1) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent (the “Agreement”) with GTEC Holdings Ltd. (TSXV:GTEC) (OTC: GGTTF) (“GTEC”) for the acquisition by Invictus of all of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of GTEC in an all-share transaction valued at approximately $100 million (the “Transaction”), forming Western Canada’s largest indoor vertically integrated cannabis companies.
Under the terms of the proposed Transaction, which will be completed by way of a Plan of Arrangement, holders of GTEC common shares will receive approximately 40% of the issued and outstanding shares of Invictus post-closing. Concurrently with the closing of the Transaction, the holders of options and warrants in the capital of GTEC will receive a proportionate number of options and warrants of Invictus.
Assuming completion of the Transaction, the issuance of Invictus shares to the current GTEC shareholders represents an approximate 25% premium to the 30-day volume weighted average trading price of the common shares of both GTEC and Invictus on the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) as of November 15, 2018.
The combined entities would provide a robust vertically integrated cannabis company, focused on producing premium flower and complementary product portfolio, cultivated in purpose-built indoor facilities complemented with superior genetics. The Transaction would produce the following assets:
- 400,000 square feet of funded purpose-built indoor cultivation which spans across British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario;
- a robust and diverse range of products and brands, complemented with a genetic portfolio of over 80 strains;
- an EU-GMP certified facility to meet the rigorous requirements of the European Union markets;
- 30+ retail stores located across British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan;
- an e-commerce website to service the non-medical market in Saskatchewan;
- two purpose-built state of the art extraction labs;
- an analytical testing lab; and
- a combined senior management team with pedigree from some of the world’s largest food & beverage, wine & spirits and tobacco companies, including Phillip Morris International, Diageo Plc and Saputo Inc.
For the six months ended July 31, 2018, Invictus generated unaudited revenue and EBITDA of $1.8 million and $9.3 million, respectively. Invictus had $10.7 million in cash as at July 31, 2018. For the nine months ended August 31, 2018, GTEC had no revenue and unaudited EBITDA of $7.2 million. GTEC had $4.4 million in cash as at August 31, 2018.
“As we now see the cannabis industry shift into non-medical use in Canada, and further medical markets expanding globally, this merger is synergistic and complementary. Combined, we offer a much stronger team with aligned visions on executing a pathway to become a global leader within the cannabis industry” said Norton Singhavon, Chairman and CEO of GTEC.
We have been pleased with the continued execution of the team and business strategy at GTEC. The dedication to producing a premium product medical and adult-use recreational portfolio for the industry has always been our relentless pursuit.
George E. Kveton, CEO of Invictus
This merger allows for both companies to leverage the combined core competencies to further execute our vision to be at the forefront of the Canadian cannabis industry and beyond.
The Transaction will require approval by at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by shareholders of GTEC at a special meeting of the shareholders of GTEC. It is anticipated that the Directors, Officers and insiders of GTEC and Invictus will enter into support agreements pursuant to which they will agree to vote their shares in favour of the Transaction.
The Transaction will be effected by way of a Plan of Arrangement completed under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The Transaction remains subject to board approval of both parties, shareholder approval, regulatory approval from the TSXV and court approval, as applicable. The Agreement remains subject to approval of the board of Invictus.
Subject to TSXV approval, Invictus will advance an amount equal to $500,000 of a non-revolving unsecured convertible loan at an interest rate of prime plus 8% (the “Convertible Debenture”). The Convertible Debenture is part of an up to $6,000,000 loan facility provided by Invictus to GTEC as previously disclosed on August 30, 2018, October 19, 2018 and October 23, 2018.
It is anticipated that Invictus and/or GTEC will hire financial advisors in connection with the Transaction. The appointment of such advisors will be disclosed at such time.
None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Transaction have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “US Securities Act”), or any state securities laws, and any securities issued in the Transaction are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon the exemption from such registration requirements provided by Section 3(a)(10) of the US Securities Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.
About Invictus
Invictus is a global cannabis company offering a selection of products under a wide range of brands. Our integrated sales approach is defined by five pillars of distribution including medical, adult-use, international, Licensed Producer to Licensed Producer and retail stores.
Invictus has partnered with business leaders to convey our corporate vision, including KISS music legend and business mogul Gene Simmons as our Chief Evangelist Officer. To meet growing demand, Invictus is expanding its cultivation footprint, with three cannabis production facilities licensed under the Cannabis Act and Cannabis Regulations in Canada. To accommodate international sales, Invictus’ wholly-owned subsidiary, Acreage Pharms Ltd. (“Acreage Pharms”), has designed and is currently building its Phase 3 purpose-built cultivation facility to be European Union Good Manufacturing Practices (“EU-GMP”) compliant. The Company is targeting up to 50 per cent of production to medical cannabis. To ensure consistency in quality and supply, Invictus maintains all aspects of the growing process through its subsidiary, Future Harvest Development Ltd., a high-quality Fertilizer and Nutrients manufacturer. Invictus drives sustainable long-term shareholder value through a diversified product portfolio with over 69 Health Canada approved strains and a multifaceted distribution strategy including medical, adult-use, international, Licensed Producer to Licensed Producer and retail stores. For more information visit www.invictus-md.com.
About GTEC
GTEC was founded in 2017 to capitalize on opportunities in the nascent and rapidly growing legal cannabis industry. GTEC is a public corporation listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and based in Kelowna, British Columbia. GTEC is focused on growing premium quality craft cannabis in purpose-built indoor facilities. GTEC currently holds a 100% interest in GreenTec Bio-Pharmaceuticals Corp., Alberta Craft Cannabis Inc. Grey Bruce Farms Inc., Tumbleweed Farms Corp., Zenalytic Laboratories Ltd., and Spectre Labs Inc. To view more about the company or to request our most recent corporate presentation, please visit our website at www.gtec.co.
