Clever Leaves Closes $25 Million Financing from SunStream
- Financing Strengthens the Company’s Liquidity Position and Provides Greater Flexibility to Pursue Growth Opportunities
- Repayment of 2022 Convertible Notes Generates Over $3 Million of Savings
NEW YORK, July 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Clever Leaves Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: CLVR) (“Clever Leaves” or the “Company”), a multinational operator and licensed producer of pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids, today announces the closing of a $25.0 million financing from Catalina LP (“SunStream”), an affiliate of SunStream Bancorp Inc., a joint venture initiative sponsored by Sundial Growers Inc. (Nasdaq: SNDL), and the repayment of the outstanding principal amount of the secured convertible notes due March 30, 2022 (the “2022 Convertible Notes”).
SunStream’s $25 Million Infusion of Capital
Clever Leaves issued a secured convertible note (the “Convertible Note”) to SunStream with an interest rate of 5.0% per annum (subject to increase in the event of certain events of default) and a three-year maturity. Interest on the Convertible Note is payable on a quarterly basis, either in cash or by increasing the principal amount on the Convertible Note, at the Company’s election.
Subject to certain limitations, SunStream may convert the principal and accrued interest on the Convertible Note into Clever Leaves’ common shares, without par value, at a price of $13.50 per share. Under this conversion feature, up to $12.5 million in aggregate principal on the Convertible Note may be converted within one year of issuance, subject to certain additional limitations.
Each of Clever Leaves and SunStream may elect to convert, subject to certain limitations, and in increments the outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Convertible Note into common shares, at a price per share equal to the greater of an 8.0% discount to the closing price per share on the applicable redemption date or a floor conversion price. Subject to certain additional limitations, no more than $12.5 million in aggregate principal on the Convertible Note may be converted within one year of issuance. Subject to certain limitations, the holder of the note may elect to receive cash repayment of principal and accrued interest on the Convertible Note. The obligations of the Company under the Convertible Note are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Company also agreed to register with the SEC for resale all common shares issued or issuable with respect to the Convertible Note.
Repayment of 2022 Convertible Notes: Over $3 Million in Principal Reduction and Interest Savings
On July 19, 2021, Clever Leaves fully repaid its 2022 Convertible Notes, and the 2022 Convertible Notes were discharged. The aggregate amount paid represented the sum of 90.0% of the aggregate $27.8 million outstanding principal amount owing under the 2022 Convertible Notes, accrued interest through July 19, 2021, and legal fees.
We are always looking at ways to optimize our financing arrangements, and we are grateful to receive this support from SunStream, which is a testament to the strength of our industry relationships and value proposition. Further, this financing meaningfully strengthens our balance sheet and reflects our commitment to opportunistically pursue value creation opportunities for our shareholders.
Kyle Detwiler, CEO of Clever Leaves
This financing immediately adds value to our shareholders by reducing existing indebtedness, reducing pro forma cash interest expense, and improving our liquidity with which to finance our growth.
Detwiler added, “The combination of the SunStream Convertible Note and the repayment of the 2022 Convertible Notes created approximately $2.8 million of value through the discounted repayment, as well as cash interest savings of approximately $0.6 million through the previous maturity of the 2022 Convertible Notes or approximately $1.0 million per year when comparing the pro forma annual run rate cash interest costs. With this financing, we expect to have greater flexibility to pursue new strategic growth opportunities, including new partnerships and acquisitions. We remain dedicated to being disciplined stewards of capital, and we look forward to further developing our partnership with SunStream over time.”
Further detail on the terms, limitations, and features of the Convertible Note and the transactions described in the press release can be found in the accompanying Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed in conjunction with this release.
About Clever Leaves Holdings Inc.
Clever Leaves is a multinational cannabis company with an emphasis on ecologically sustainable, large-scale cultivation and pharmaceutical-grade processing as the cornerstones of its global cannabis business. With operations and investments in the United States, Canada, Colombia, Germany and Portugal, Clever Leaves has created an effective distribution network and global footprint, with a foundation built upon capital efficiency and rapid growth. Clever Leaves aims to be one of the industry’s leading global cannabis companies recognized for its principles, people, and performance while fostering a healthier global community. Clever Leaves has received multiple international certifications that have enabled it to increase its export and sales capacity from its Colombian operations, including European Union Good Manufacturing Practices (EU GMP) Certification, a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Certification by Colombia National Food and Drug Surveillance Institute – Invima, and Good Agricultural and Collecting Practices (GACP) Certification. Clever Leaves was granted a license in Portugal from Infarmed – the Portuguese health authority – which allows Clever Leaves to cultivate, import and export dry flower for medicinal and research purposes. In addition, the Portuguese operation was granted certification of compliance with GACP and IMC-GAP.
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