HEALTHIER CHOICES MANAGEMENT CORP.
10-Ks and 10-Qs
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by Registrant ☒
Filed by Party other than Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☐ Preliminary Proxy Statement
☐ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
☒ Definitive Proxy Statement
☐ Definitive Additional Materials
☐ Soliciting Materials Pursuant to §240.14a-12
Filed by Party other than Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☐ Preliminary Proxy Statement
☐ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
☒ Definitive Proxy Statement
☐ Definitive Additional Materials
☐ Soliciting Materials Pursuant to §240.14a-12
VAPOR CORP.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
☒
No fee required.
☐
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1)
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2)
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3)
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
$_____ per share as determined under Rule 0-11 under the Exchange Act.
(4)
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5)
Total fee paid:
☐
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
☐
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1)
Amount previously paid:
(2)
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3)
Filing Party:
(4)
Date Filed:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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i
Vapor Corp.
3001 Griffin Road
Dania Beach, Florida 33312
(888) 482-7671
3001 Griffin Road
Dania Beach, Florida 33312
(888) 482-7671
To The Stockholders of Vapor Corp.:
We are pleased to invite you to attend a Special Meeting of the stockholders of Vapor Corp. (the “
Company
,” “
we
,” “
us
,” or “
our
”), which will be held at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at our corporate headquarters in Dania Beach, Florida, at the above address, for the following purposes:
(1)
to approve an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “
Certificate of Incorporation
”) to effect a reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock at a ratio and effective upon a date to be determined by the Company’s board of directors (the “
Board
”) and effect a change in the par value of shares of our Common Stock from $0.001 to $0.0001 (the “
Reverse Stock Split
”);
(2)
to approve an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s Common Stock from 500,000,000 shares, par value $0.001, to 5,000,000,000, par value $0.0001 (the “
Authorized Share Increase
”);
(3)
to authorize an adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary, if a quorum is present, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes in favor of the Reverse Stock Split and the Authorized Share Increase (the “
Adjournment Proposal
”); and
(4)
to transact other such business as may properly come before the Special Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock will be required to approve an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split and the Authorized Share Increase. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present in person or by proxy at the Special Meeting will be required to approve the Adjournment Proposal. The Board has unanimously determined that the Reverse Stock Split, the Authorized Share Increase, and the Adjournment Proposal are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and has approved and authorized the Authorized Share Increase, the Reverse Stock Split and the Adjournment Proposal.
The Board unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote
FOR
the Reverse Stock Split, the Authorized Share Increase and the Adjournment Proposal.
The Company’s Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on January 7, 2016 as the record date (the “
Record Date
”) for a determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this Special Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on Thursday, January 28, 2016:
We are mailing to many of our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (which we refer to as a “
Notice
”), rather than mailing a full paper set of the materials. The Notice contains instructions on how to access our proxy materials on the Internet, as well as instructions on obtaining a paper copy of the proxy materials. This process is more environmentally friendly and reduces our costs to print and distribute these materials. All stockholders who do not receive such a Notice, including stockholders who have previously requested to receive a paper copy of the materials, will receive a full set of paper proxy materials by U.S. mail. An electronic version of the Proxy Statement is available at: https://www.proxyvote.com.
If You Plan to Attend
Please note that space limitations make it necessary to limit attendance to stockholders. Registration and seating will begin at 9:30 A.M. Shares can be voted at the meeting only if the holder is present in person or by valid proxy.
For admission to the meeting, each stockholder may be asked to present valid picture identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, and proof of stock ownership as of the Record Date, such as the enclosed proxy card or a brokerage statement reflecting stock ownership. Cameras, recording devices and other electronic devices will not be permitted at the meeting.
If you do not plan on attending the meeting, please vote your shares via the Internet, by phone or by signing and dating the enclosed proxy and return it in the business envelope provided. Your vote is very important.
| | | | | By the Order of the Board of Directors: | | |||
| | | | | /s/ Jeffrey Holman | | |||
| | | | |
Jeffrey Holman,
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
| |||
Dated: January 11, 2016
Whether or not you expect to attend in person, we urge you to vote your shares at your earliest convenience. This will ensure the presence of a quorum at the meeting. Promptly voting your shares via the Internet, by phone or by signing, dating, and returning the enclosed proxy card will save us the expenses and extra work of additional solicitation. An addressed envelope for which no postage is required if mailed in the United States is enclosed if you wish to vote by mail. Submitting your proxy now will not prevent you from voting your shares at the meeting if you desire to do so, as your proxy is revocable at your option. Your vote is important, so please act today!
Vapor Corp.
3001 Griffin Road
Dania Beach, Florida 33312
(888) 482-7671
3001 Griffin Road
Dania Beach, Florida 33312
(888) 482-7671
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
PROXY STATEMENT
PROXY STATEMENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING THE SPECIAL MEETING
Why am I receiving these materials?
These proxy materials are being sent to the holders of shares of the voting stock of Vapor Corp., a Delaware corporation, which we refer to as “
Vapor
,” the “
Company
,” “
we
,” “
us
,” or “
our
” in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Directors, which we refer to as the “
Board
,” for use at the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at our corporate headquarters at the above address in Dania Beach, Florida. The proxy materials relating to the Special Meeting are first being mailed to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting on or about January 13, 2016.
Why is the Company doing a reverse stock split?
The quantitative listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market, or NASDAQ, require, among other things, that listed companies maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share and maintain a minimum value of listed securities of $35 million. The Company believes that the reverse stock split will increase the stock price of shares of its common stock and increase the likelihood that the Company will meet the required NASDAQ requirements.
Why did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of the proxy materials instead of a paper copy of the full set of proxy materials?
We are pleased to be using the SEC rule that allows companies to furnish their proxy materials over the Internet. As a result, we are mailing to many of our stockholders a notice of the Internet availability of the proxy materials instead of a paper copy of the proxy materials. All stockholders receiving the notice will have the ability to access the proxy materials over the Internet and request to receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet or to request a paper copy may be found in the notice of the Internet availability of the proxy materials. In addition, the notice contains instructions on how you may request to access proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically on an ongoing basis.
Why didn’t I receive a notice in the mail about the Internet availability of the proxy materials?
We are providing some of our stockholders, including stockholders who have previously requested to receive paper copies of the proxy materials, with paper copies of the proxy materials instead of a notice of the Internet availability of the proxy materials.
In addition, we are providing notice of the Internet availability of the proxy materials by e-mail to those stockholders who have previously elected delivery of the proxy materials electronically. Those stockholders should have received an e-mail containing a link to the website where those materials are available and a link to the proxy voting website.
How can I access the proxy materials over the Internet?
Your notice of the Internet availability of the proxy materials, proxy card or voting instruction card will contain instructions on how to:
•
View our proxy materials for the Special Meeting on the Internet; and
•
Instruct us to send our future proxy materials to you electronically by e-mail.
Our proxy materials are also available at www.proxyvote.com.
1
Your notice of the Internet availability of the proxy materials, proxy card or voting instruction card will contain instructions on how you may request to access proxy materials electronically on an ongoing basis. Choosing to access your future proxy materials electronically will help us conserve natural resources and reduce the costs of distributing our proxy materials. If you choose to access future proxy materials electronically, you will receive an e-mail with instructions containing a link to the website where those materials are available and a link to the proxy voting website. Your election to access proxy materials by e-mail will remain in effect until you terminate it.
How may I obtain a paper copy of the proxy materials?
Stockholders receiving a notice of the Internet availability of the proxy materials will find instructions about how to obtain a paper copy of the proxy materials on their notice. Stockholders receiving notice of the Internet availability of the proxy materials by e-mail will find instructions about how to obtain a paper copy of the proxy materials as part of that e-mail. All stockholders who do not receive a notice or an e-mail will receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail.
Who is entitled to vote?
Our Board has fixed the close of business on January 7, 2016 as the Record Date for a determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this Special Meeting or any adjournment thereof. On the Record Date, there were 10,373,935 shares of common stock outstanding. Each share of Vapor common stock represents one vote that may be voted on each matter that may come before the Special Meeting. As of the Record Date, Vapor had no other outstanding securities with voting rights.
What is the difference between holding shares as a record holder and as a beneficial owner?
If your shares are registered in your name with our transfer agent, Equity Stock Transfer, you are the “record holder” of those shares. If you are a record holder, these proxy materials have been provided directly to you by Vapor.
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account, a bank or other holder of record, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of those shares held in “street name.” If your shares are held in street name, these proxy materials have been forwarded to you by that organization. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to instruct this organization on how to vote your shares.
Who may attend the Special Meeting?
Record holders and beneficial owners may attend the Special Meeting. If your shares are held in street name, you will need to bring a copy of a brokerage statement or other documentation reflecting your stock ownership as of the Record Date. Please see below for instructions on how to vote at the Special Meeting if your shares are held in street name.
How do I vote?
Whether you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record or through a broker, trustee or other nominee as the beneficial owner, you may direct how your shares are voted without attending the Special Meeting. There are three ways to vote by proxy:
(1)
Vote by Internet
. By following the instructions on the notice, proxy card or voting instruction card.
(2)
Vote by phone
. Stockholders of record may vote by phone by calling 1 (800) 690-6903. Stockholders who are beneficial owners of their shares may vote by phone by calling the number specified on the voting instruction card provided by their broker, trustee or nominee.
(3)
Vote by mail
. Stockholders of record may vote by mail by completing, signing and dating their proxy card or voting instruction card and mailing it in the accompanying pre-addressed envelope.
If you vote by Internet or phone, please DO NOT mail your proxy card.
2
Shares held in your name as the stockholder of record may be voted by you in person at the Special Meeting. Shares held beneficially in street name may be voted by you in person at the Special Meeting only if you obtain a legal proxy from the broker, bank, trustee, or nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares. Even if you plan to attend the Special Meeting, we recommend that you also submit your proxy or voting instructions as described below so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the meeting.
What constitutes a quorum?
To carry on the business of the Special Meeting, we must have a quorum. A quorum is present when a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote, as of the Record Date, are represented in person or by proxy. Shares owned by Vapor are not considered outstanding or considered to be present at the Special Meeting. Broker non-votes (because there are routine matters presented at the Special Meeting) and abstentions are counted as present for the purpose of determining the existence of a quorum.
What happens if Vapor is unable to obtain a quorum?
If a quorum is not present to transact business at the Special Meeting or if we do not receive sufficient votes in favor of the proposals by the date of the Special Meeting, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Special Meeting to permit solicitation of proxies.
What is a broker non-vote?
If your shares are held in street name, you must instruct the organization who holds your shares how to vote your shares. If you do not provide voting instructions, your shares will not be voted on any non-routine proposal. This vote is called a “broker non-vote.” Broker non-votes do not count as a vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” any of the proposals. Because Proposals 1 and 2 require a majority of our outstanding shares to vote “FOR” approval, a broker non-vote will adversely affect these proposals.
If you are the stockholder of record, and you sign and return a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions, then the proxy holders will vote your shares in the manner recommended by our Board on all matters presented in this Proxy Statement and as the proxy holders may determine in their discretion with respect to any other matters properly presented for a vote at the meeting. If your shares are held in street name and you do not provide specific voting instructions to the organization that holds your shares, the organization may generally vote at its discretion on routine matters, but not on non-routine matters. If you sign your vote instruction form but do not provide instructions on how your broker should vote, your broker will vote your shares as recommended by our Board on any non-routine matter. See the note below and the following question and answer.
What if I abstain from voting?
Abstentions with respect to a proposal are counted for the purposes of establishing a quorum. Since the Reverse Stock Split and the Authorized Share Increase each require the affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding shares of Common Stock and since, pursuant to the Company’s bylaws, the Adjournment Proposal must be approved by the majority of the shares of Common Stock present at the meeting, a properly executed proxy card marked
ABSTAIN
with respect to any proposal at the Special Meeting will have the same effect as voting
AGAINST
that proposal.
What effect does a broker non-vote have?
Brokers and other intermediaries, holding shares of Common Stock in street name for their customers, are generally required to vote such shares in the manner directed by their customers. If their customers do not give any direction, brokers may vote such shares on routine matters but not on non-routine matters. Our management believes that the Reverse Stock Split, the Authorized Share Increase and the Adjournment Proposal are routine matters. Consequently, if customers do not give any direction, brokers will be permitted to vote shares of Common Stock at the Special Meeting in relation to these matters. However, we encourage you to submit your voting instructions to your broker to ensure your shares of Common Stock are voted at the Special Meeting.
3
Any shares of Common Stock represented at the Special Meeting but not voted (whether by abstention, broker non-vote or otherwise) with respect to the proposals to approve the Reverse Stock Split, the Authorized Share Increase, or the Adjournment Proposal will have the same effect as a vote
AGAINST
such proposal.
How many votes are needed for each proposal to pass, is broker discretionary voting allowed and what is the effect of an abstention?
|
Proposals
|
| |
Vote Required
|
| |
Broker
Discretionary Vote Allowed |
| |
Effect of
Abstentions on the Proposal |
|
|
(1)
To approve an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock at a ratio and effective upon a date to be determined by Board and effect a corresponding change in the par value of shares of our Common Stock from $0.001 to $0.0001
|
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Majority of the outstanding voting shares
|
| |
Yes
|
| |
Vote against
|
|
|
(2)
To approve an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s Common Stock from 500,000,000 shares, par value $0.001, to 5,000,000,000, par value $0.0001
|
| |
Majority of the outstanding voting shares
|
| |
Yes
|
| |
Vote against
|
|
|
(3)
To authorize an adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary, if a quorum is present, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes in favor of the Reverse Stock Split and the Authorized Share Increase
|
| |
Majority of the votes cast
|
| |
Yes
|
| |
No effect
|
|
What are the voting procedures?
In voting by proxy with regard to the proposals, you may vote in favor of each proposal or against each proposal, or in favor of some proposals and against others, or you may abstain from voting on any of these proposals. You should specify your respective choices on the accompanying proxy card or your vote instruction form.
Is my proxy revocable?
You may revoke your proxy and reclaim your right to vote up to and including the day of the Special Meeting by giving written notice to the Corporate Secretary of Vapor, by delivering a proxy card dated after the date of the proxy or by voting in person at the Special Meeting. All written notices of revocation and other communications with respect to revocations of proxies should be addressed to: Vapor Corp., 3001 Griffin Road, Dania Beach, Florida 33312, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
Who is paying for the expenses involved in preparing and mailing this proxy statement?
All of the expenses involved in preparing, assembling and mailing these proxy materials and all costs of soliciting proxies will be paid by Vapor. In addition to the solicitation by mail, proxies may be solicited by our officers and regular employees by telephone or in person. Such persons will receive no compensation for their services other than their regular salaries. Arrangements will also be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of the shares held of record by such persons, and we may reimburse such persons for reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by them in so doing. We have engaged Okapi Partners, LLC as proxy solicitor at an estimated expense of $8,000.
4
What happens if additional matters are presented at the Special Meeting?
Other than the items of business described in this Proxy Statement, we are not aware of any other business to be acted upon at the Special Meeting. If you submit a signed proxy card, the persons named as proxy holders, Messrs. Jeffrey Holman and Greg Brauser, will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the Special Meeting.
What is “householding” and how does it affect me?
Record holders who have the same address and last name will receive only one copy of their proxy materials, unless we are notified that one or more of these record holders wishes to continue receiving individual copies. This procedure will reduce our printing costs and postage fees. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to receive separate proxy cards.
If you are eligible for householding, but you and other record holders with whom you share an address, receive multiple copies of these proxy materials, or if you hold Vapor stock in more than one account, and in either case you wish to receive only a single copy of each of these documents for your household, please contact our Corporate Secretary at: Vapor Corp., 3001 Griffin Road, Dania Beach, Florida 33312, (888) 482-7671.
If you participate in householding and wish to receive a separate copy of these proxy materials, or if you do not wish to continue to participate in householding and prefer to receive separate copies of these documents in the future, please contact our Corporate Secretary as indicated above. Beneficial owners can request information about householding from their brokers, banks or other holders of record.
Do I Have Dissenters’ (Appraisal) Rights?
Appraisal rights are not available to Vapor stockholders with any of the proposals brought before the Special Meeting.
Interest of Officers and Directors in Matters to Be Acted Upon
If any of the proposals described in this proxy statement are approved, none of our officers and directors will receive any extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the Company’s securities.
The Board Recommends that Stockholders Vote “
For
” Proposals 1, 2 and 3.
5
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of January 7, 2016 for:
•
our Named Executive Officers, which include all Chief Executive Officers serving during fiscal year 2014 and our two other most highly compensated executive officers, as determined by reference to total compensation for fiscal year 2014, who were serving as executive officers at the end of fiscal year 2014;
•
all of our current directors and executive officers as a group; and
•
each stockholder known by us to own beneficially more than five percent of our common stock.
Except as indicated in footnotes to this table, we believe that the stockholders named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown to be beneficially owned by them, based on information provided to us by such stockholders. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each director and executive officer listed is: c/o Vapor Corp., 3001 Griffin Road, Dania Beach, Florida 33312.
|
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
| |
Number of
Common Share Equivalents Beneficially Owned (1) |
| |
Percentage of
Common Share Equivalents Beneficially Owned |
| ||||||
| Named Executive Officers and Directors: | | | | ||||||||||
|
Jeffrey Holman
(2)
|
| | | | 232,221 | | | | | | 2.23 % | | |
|
Kevin Frija
(3)
|
| | | | 10,875 | | | | | | * | | |
|
Harlan Press
(4)
|
| | | | 27,399 | | | | | | * | | |
|
Christopher Santi
(5)
|
| | | | 23,000 | | | | | | * | | |
|
Gregory Brauser
(6)
|
| | | | 207,719 | | | | | | 2.00 % | | |
|
James Martin
(7)
|
| | | | 41,543 | | | | | | * | | |
|
Gina Hicks
(8)
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 % | | |
|
William Conway III
(9)
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 % | | |
|
Daniel MacLachlan
(10)
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 % | | |
|
Nikhil Raman
(11)
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 % | | |
|
All Executive Officers and
Directors as a Group
(10 Persons)
(12)
|
| | | | 542,757 | | | | | | 5.22 % | | |
| Other Five Percent Stockholder: | | | | ||||||||||
|
Sabby Healthcare Master Fund, Ltd
|
| | | | 893,114 | | | | | | 8.61 % | | |
*
Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock
(1)
Applicable percentages are based on 10,373,935 shares outstanding as of January 7, 2016, adjusted as required by rules of the SEC. Beneficial ownership is determined under the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of common stock underlying options, warrants and convertible notes currently exercisable or convertible, or exercisable or convertible within 60 days are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such securities but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.
(2)
Jeffrey Holman:
A director and executive officer.
(3)
Kevin Frija:
Former chief executive officer. Because Mr. Frija served as a Chief Executive Officer during fiscal 2014, he is a Named Executive Officer under the SEC’s rules and regulations. Includes 895 shares underlying warrants.
6
(4)
Harlan Press:
A former executive officer. Includes 8,000 vested options and 620 shares of common stock underlying warrants.
(5)
Christopher Santi:
An executive officer. Includes 8,000 vested options.
(6)
Gregory Brauser:
A director and executive officer. Includes 6,924 shares of common stock underlying restricted stock units which are deliverable within 30 days.
(7)
James Martin:
A former executive officer.
(8)
Gina Hicks:
The chief financial officer.
(9)
William Conway III:
A director.
(10)
Daniel MacLachlan:
A director.
(11)
Nikhil Raman:
A director.
(12)
Total D&O:
Includes securities beneficially owned by executives who are not a Named Executive Officer.
7
PROPOSAL 1—REVERSE STOCK SPLIT AND PAR VALUE CHANGE
Introduction
Our Board has unanimously determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders to amend Section 4 of the Certificate of Incorporation (such amendment as shown in Appendix B) to effect a reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock at a ratio and effective upon a date to be determined by the Board and effect a change in the par value of our of shares of Common Stock from $0.001 to $0.0001 (the “
Reverse Stock Split
”).
Why did the Board approve the Reverse Stock Split?
Reverse Stock Split
We have received a delisting notice from The NASDAQ Stock Market. Our Common Stock may be involuntarily delisted from trading on The NASDAQ Capital Market if we fail to regain compliance with (i) the minimum closing bid price requirement of $1.00 per share of Common Stock and (ii) the market value of listed securities requirement of $35 million. A delisting of our Common Stock is likely to reduce the liquidity of our Common Stock and may inhibit or preclude our ability to raise additional financing and may also materially and adversely impact our credit terms with our vendors.
The quantitative listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market, or NASDAQ, require, among other things, that listed companies maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share and maintain a minimum value of listed securities of $35 million. We failed to satisfy the minimum bid price threshold and the minimum value of listed securities threshold for 30 consecutive trading days and on September 14, 2015, we received a letter from NASDAQ indicating our deficiency and that we have been provided an initial period of 180 calendar days, or until March 14, 2016, in which to regain compliance.
If the Company does not regain compliance within the 180-day grace period, it may be eligible to receive an additional 180-day grace period; provided that the Company meets the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for The Nasdaq Capital Market including the minimum market value of listed securities of $35 million, with the exception of the bid price requirements, and provides written notice of its intention to cure the bid price deficiency during the second 180-day grace period, by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary. This additional 180-day grace period does not apply to the Company’s deficiency regarding the minimum value of listed securities.
Par Value Change
Our Board believes that the change to $0.0001 par value Common Stock will provide the Company with additional flexibility in utilizing its shares of common stock for various corporate purposes. Par value is used to designate the lowest value for which a company can legally sell its shares. Historically, the concept of par value was to protect creditors and senior security holders by ensuring that when issuing its own shares a company received at least par value as consideration for the shares. As markets have become more liquid, with stock prices responding more rapidly to market developments, par value has become a generally outdated concept. Instead, for public companies like us, the market sets the price at which stock may be issued or otherwise sold. The reduction in par value will have no impact on the value of the Company’s stock or the rights of its stockholders. The change in par value to $0.0001 per share will give the Company greater flexibility for structuring future transactions and making future financial decisions.
What is the purpose of the Reverse Stock Split?
Reverse Stock Split
If we do not regain compliance by March 14, 2016, and we do not qualify or are not granted an additional 180-day grace period in which to regain compliance, the NASDAQ staff will provide written notice that our Common Stock is subject to delisting.
8
Given the increased market volatility of our Common Stock, the challenging environment in our industry and our potential lack of liquidity, we may be unable to regain compliance with the closing bid price requirement within our 180-day grace period. A delisting of our Common Stock is likely to reduce the liquidity of our Common Stock and may inhibit or preclude our ability to raise additional financing and may make it difficult for our stockholders to sell any securities if they desire or need to sell them.
The Board has considered the potential harm to the Company and our stockholders should NASDAQ delist our Common Stock. Delisting from NASDAQ would adversely affect our ability to raise additional financing through the public or private sale of equity securities and would significantly affect the ability of investors to trade our securities. Delisting would also likely negatively affect the value and liquidity of our Common Stock because alternatives, such as the OTC Bulletin Board and the pink sheets, are generally considered to be less efficient markets.
We believe that the Company’s best option to meet NASDAQ’s $1.00 minimum bid price requirement before the end of our initial 180-day grace period is to effect the Reverse Stock Split to increase the per-share trading price of our Common Stock. Given the volatility and fluctuations in the capital markets, the Board believes that the likelihood of our stock price increasing to meet the NASDAQ listing requirements within the 180-day grace period without the Reverse Stock Split is remote and that the Company likely will have to take additional actions to comply with NASDAQ requirements.
If our stockholders do not approve the Reverse Stock Split, the Company may be delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market due to our failure to maintain a minimum bid price for our Common Stock of $1.00 per share as required by the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules.
Even if the Company effects the Reverse Stock Split, the Company may still be subject to delisting if the Company fails to meet the minimum value of listed securities requirement by March 14, 2016.
Par Value Change
Our board of directors believes that the decrease in par value of our Common Stock is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders because it will bring the par value in line with the par value of other similar companies and will provide our Board and our management with more flexibility in setting the consideration that may be received for shares of Common Stock in purchases and sales and other corporate transactions, although no such transactions are currently contemplated.
In addition, under the Delaware General Corporation Law (“
DGCL
”), the aggregate par value must be deducted from the amount available for dividends (the result being “surplus,” out of which dividends can be paid). While we have no current plans to pay dividends on our Common Stock, we could in the future decide to pay cash dividends. Accordingly, the reduction in par value contemplated by this proposal would increase our surplus for DGCL purposes, and therefore our potential dividend paying ability.
What amendments are being made to the Certificate of Incorporation?
Section 4 of the Certificate of Incorporation which currently reads as follows:
“4. The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 501,000,000. 500,000,000 shares shall be common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“
Common Stock
”), and 1,000,000 shall be preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“
Preferred Stock
”). Except as otherwise provided in this Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, authority is hereby vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation from time to time to provide for the issuance of shares of one or more series of Preferred Stock and in connection therewith to fix by resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of any such series, the number of shares to be included therein, the voting powers thereof, and such of the designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions of each such series, including, without limitation, dividend rights, voting rights, rights of redemption, or conversion into Common Stock rights, and liquidation preferences, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law and any other provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Board of Directors is further authorized to increase or decrease (but not below the number of such shares of such class or series then outstanding) the number of shares of any such class or series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that class or series.”
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shall be amended to read as follows:
“4. The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 5,001,000,000. 5,000,000,000 shares shall be common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“
Common Stock
”), and 1,000,000 shall be preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“
Preferred Stock
”). Except as otherwise provided in this Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, authority is hereby vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation from time to time to provide for the issuance of shares of one or more series of Preferred Stock and in connection therewith to fix by resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of any such series, the number of shares to be included therein, the voting powers thereof, and such of the designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions of each such series, including, without limitation, dividend rights, voting rights, rights of redemption, or conversion into Common Stock rights, and liquidation preferences, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law and any other provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Board of Directors is further authorized to increase or decrease (but not below the number of such shares of such class or series then outstanding) the number of shares of any such class or series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that class or series.”
Note that if the Authorized Share Increase under Proposal 2 is approved and implemented, the number of authorized shares of Common Stock will also be amended.
The following paragraph will be added to Section 4 of the Certificate of Incorporation:
“Upon the effectiveness of this Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, every [number of shares] shares of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to [date] shall, automatically and without any further action on the part of the Corporation or the holder thereof, be combined into one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of the Corporation’s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, provided that in the event a stockholder would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of this Article, such stockholder shall receive one whole share of Common Stock in lieu of such fractional share and no fractional shares shall be issued.”
Does the Board recommend approval of the Reverse Stock Split?
Yes. After considering the entirety of the circumstances, the Board has unanimously concluded that the Reverse Stock Split is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and the Board unanimously recommends that the Company’s stockholders vote in favor of the Reverse Stock Split.
What vote is required to approve the Reverse Stock Split?
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock is required to amend the Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split. Failures to vote and abstentions will be the equivalent of a vote against this proposal.
Material Effects of the Proposed Reverse Stock Split
Upon the effectiveness of the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation effecting the Reverse Stock Split, the outstanding shares of our Common Stock will be combined into a lesser number of shares such that one share of our Common Stock will be issued for a specified number of shares, which number shall be equal to or greater than 10 and equal to or less than 70, of outstanding shares of our Common Stock, with the exact number within such range to be determined by the Board prior to the effective time of such amendment. In connection with the Reverse Stock Split, any fractional shares that would otherwise be issued as a result of the Reverse Stock Split will be rounded up to the nearest whole share. Even if stockholder approval of the Reverse Stock Split is obtained, the Board may abandon the Reverse Stock Split in its sole discretion if it determines that the Reverse Stock Split is no longer in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
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The Reverse Stock Split will not change the number of authorized shares of our Common Stock (see Proposal 2 regarding the Authorized Share Increase). The Reverse Stock Split will change the par value of our Common Stock from $0.001 to $0.0001.
The Reverse Stock Split will affect all holders of our Common Stock uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in the Company (subject to the treatment of fractional shares). In addition, the Reverse Stock Split will not affect any holder of Common Stock’s proportionate voting power (subject to the treatment of fractional shares).
Based on our shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date, the principal effects of the Reverse Stock Split will be that the number of shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding will be reduced from 10,373,935 shares as of the Record Date to a range of 1,037,394 shares (if a 1-for-10 ratio is chosen) or to 148,199 shares (if a 1-for-70 ratio is chosen), depending on the exact exchange ratio chosen by the Board and without giving effect to any rounding up of fractional shares.
The table below sets forth, as of January 7, 2016 and for illustrative purposes only, certain effects of the potential ratios of between 1-for-10 and 1-for-70, inclusive, including on our total outstanding Common Stock equivalents (without giving effect to the treatment of fractional shares).
| | | |
Common Stock and
Equivalents Outstanding Prior to Reverse Stock Split |
| |
Common Stock and Equivalents Outstanding
Assuming Certain Reverse Stock Split Ratios |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | |
Shares
|
| |
Percent of
Total |
| |
1-for-10
|
| |
1-for-40
|
| |
1-for-70
|
| |||||||||||||||
|
Common Stock outstanding
|
| | | | 10,373,935 | | | | | | 3.12 % | | | | | | 1,037,394 | | | | | | 259,348 | | | | | | 148,199 | | |
|
Common Stock subject to Vesting
|
| | | | 25,733 | | | | | | 0.01 % | | | | | | 2,573 | | | | | | 643 | | | | | | 367 | | |
|
Common Stock underlying warrants
(1)
|
| | | | 312,425,792 | | | | | | 94.03 % | | | | | | 31,242,580 | | | | | | 7,810,645 | | | | | | 4,463,226 | | |
|
Common Stock underlying options
|
| | | | 39,206 | | | | | | 0.01 % | | | | | | 3,921 | | | | | | 980 | | | | | | 560 | | |
|
Common Stock reserved for conversion of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
|
| | | | 9,404,143 | | | | | | 2.83 % | | | | | | 940,414 | | | | | | 235,104 | | | | | | 134,345 | | |
|
Total Common Stock and equivalents
|
| | | | | | | | | | 100 % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Common Stock available for future issuance
(2)
|
| | | | 167,731,191 | | | | | | | | | | | | 4,516,773,118 | | | | | | 4,504,193,280 | | | | | | 4,502,396,160 | | |
(1)
The Common Stock underlying warrants includes a cashless exercise calculation for the outstanding 75,233,140 Series A Warrants using a Black Scholes Value of $1.075 per share and a closing stock price of $0.26 per share as of January 7, 2016. These amounts assume the Company delivers only common stock upon exercise of the Series A Warrants and not cash payments as permitted under the terms of the Series A Warrants.
(2)
Common stock available for issuance is based on 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance. See “Proposal 2—Authorized Share Increase” below. If the Authorized Share Increase is approved, then the number of shares available for issuance will increase by 4,500,000,000 in each case.
As illustrated by the table above, the Reverse Stock Split would significantly increase the number of authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock available to settle the exercise or conversion, of our outstanding derivative securities and avoid the penalties associated with being unable to settle such conversions and exercises. In addition, the Reverse Stock Split would significantly increase the ability of our Board to issue authorized and unissued shares in future equity financings.
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In determining which ratio to implement, if any, following receipt of stockholder approval, our Board may consider, among other things, various factors such as:
•
the historical trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock;
•
the then prevailing trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock and the expected impact of the Reverse Stock Split on the trading market for our Common Stock;
•
our ability to continue our listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market;
•
which ratio would result in the least administrative cost to us;
•
the number of shares of Common Stock needed to satisfy the settlement of cashless exercises of the Company’s outstanding Series A Warrants; and
•
prevailing general market and economic conditions.
The principal effects of the Reverse Stock Split will be as follows:
•
each 10 to 70 shares of Common Stock, inclusive, as determined in the sole discretion of our Board, will be combined into one new share of Common Stock, with any fractional shares that would otherwise be issuable as a result of the split being rounded up to the nearest whole share;
•
the par value of our Common Stock will change from $0.001 to $0.0001 per share;
•
the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding will be reduced accordingly, as illustrated in the table above;
•
proportionate adjustments will be made to the per share exercise prices and/or the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise or conversion of outstanding preferred shares, options, warrants, and any other convertible or exchangeable securities entitling the holders to purchase, exchange for, or convert into, shares of Common Stock, which will result in approximately the same aggregate price being required to be paid for such securities upon exercise or conversion as had been payable immediately preceding the Reverse Stock Split;
•
the Company will have available shares to conduct future equity financings;
•
the number of shares reserved for issuance or under the securities described immediately above will be reduced proportionately; and
•
the number of shares of Common Stock available for future issuance will increase accordingly, as illustrated in the table above.
Possible Anti-Takeover Implications of the Reverse Stock Split
The issuance in the future of additional shares of our Common Stock made available by the Reverse Stock Split may have the effect of diluting the earnings or loss per share and book value per share, as well as the ownership and voting rights of the holders of our then-outstanding shares of Common Stock. In addition, an increase in the number of authorized but unissued shares of our Common Stock due to the Reverse Stock Split may have a potential anti-takeover effect, as our ability to issue additional shares could be used to thwart persons, or otherwise dilute the stock ownership of stockholders, seeking to control us. Further, the ability to issue our shares of Common Stock at a lower price may afford the Company added flexibility to deter a potential takeover of the Company by diluting the shares held by a potential suitor or issuing shares to a stockholder that will vote in accordance with the Board’s desires at a very low par value. A takeover may be beneficial to independent stockholders because, among other reasons, a potential suitor may offer such stockholders a premium for their shares of Common Stock compared to the then-existing market price. The Reverse Stock Split is not being recommended by our Board as part of an anti-takeover strategy.
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Reservation of Right to Delay the Filing of, or Abandon, the Reverse Stock Split and Par Value Change
If stockholder approval is obtained to effect the Reverse Stock Split, the Board expects to select an appropriate ratio and implement the Reverse Stock Split on or before March 31, 2016. However, the Board reserves the authority to decide, in its sole discretion, to delay or abandon the Reverse Stock Split after such vote and before the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split if it determines that the Reverse Stock Split is no longer in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
The Board will also consider whether the Authorized Share Increase (see Proposal 2 below) is approved and implemented in determining whether to effect the Reverse Stock Split. The Board will, however, implement the Reverse Stock Split, if at all, prior to March 31, 2016.
Fractional Shares
Our stockholders will not receive fractional post-Reverse Stock Split shares in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Instead, any fractional shares that would otherwise be issuable as a result of the Reverse Stock Split will be rounded up to the nearest whole share. No stockholders will receive cash in lieu of fractional shares.
No Going Private Transaction
The Reverse Stock Split is not intended as, and will not have the effect of, a “going private transaction” covered by Rule 13e-3 under the U.S. Exchange Act. Following the Reverse Stock Split, the Company will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “
Exchange Act
”).
Effective Time
The proposed Reverse Stock Split would become effective as of 12:01 a.m., Eastern Time (the “
Effective Time
”) on the date specified in the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation effecting the Reverse Stock Split as filed with the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware. Except as explained above with respect to fractional shares, at the Effective Time, shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior thereto will be combined, automatically and without any action on the part of our stockholders, into one share of our Common Stock in accordance with the ratio of between 1 for 10 and 1 for 70.
After the Effective Time, our Common Stock will have a new committee on uniform securities identification procedures (“
CUSIP
”) number, which is a number used to identify our equity securities, and stock certificates with the older CUSIP numbers will need to be exchanged for stock certificates with the new CUSIP numbers by following the procedures described below.
After the Effective Time, we will continue to be subject to periodic reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. Unless our Common Stock is delisted by NASDAQ because of our failure to comply with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement or the minimum value of listed securities, our Common Stock will continue to be listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “VPCO.”
Procedures for effecting the Reverse Stock Split and Exchange of Stock Certificates
If the Company’s stockholders approve the Reverse Stock Split and the Board determines that it is in the Company’s best interest to effect the Reverse Stock Split, the Reverse Stock Split would become effective at such time as the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, the form of which is attached as Appendix B to this Proxy Statement, is filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware or such time and date as stated therein when filed.
As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split, the Company will notify its stockholders that the Reverse Stock Split has been implemented. Equity Stock Transfer, LLC, the Company’s transfer agent, will act as exchange agent for purposes of implementing the exchange of stock certificates. Holders of pre-Reverse Stock Split shares of our Common Stock will be asked to surrender to the exchange agent certificates representing pre-Reverse Stock Split shares of our Common Stock in accordance with the procedures to be set forth in a letter of transmittal that will be delivered to the
13
Company’s common stockholders. No new certificates will be issued to a stockholder until the stockholder has surrendered to the exchange agent his, her or its outstanding certificate(s) together with the properly completed and executed letter of transmittal. STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATES AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY CERTIFICATES UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO. Stockholders whose shares are held by their stockbroker do not need to submit old share certificates for exchange. These shares will automatically reflect the new quantity of shares based on the Reverse Stock Split. Beginning on the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split, each certificate representing pre-Reverse Stock Split shares will be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of post-Reverse Stock Split shares.
Effect on Registered and Beneficial Holders of Common Stock
Upon the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split, shares of our Common Stock held by stockholders that hold their shares through a broker or other nominee will be treated in the same manner as shares held by registered stockholders that hold their shares in their names. Brokers and other nominees that hold shares of our Common Stock will be instructed to effect the Reverse Stock Split for the beneficial owners of such shares. However, those brokers or other nominees may implement different procedures than those to be followed by registered stockholders for processing the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders whose shares of our Common Stock are held in the name of a broker or other nominee are encouraged to contact their broker or other nominee with any questions regarding the procedure of implementing the Reverse Stock Split with respect to their shares.
Effect on Registered “Book-Entry” Holders of Our Common Stock
Registered holders of shares of our Common Stock may hold some or all of their shares electronically in book-entry form under the direct registration system for the securities. Those stockholders will not have stock certificates evidencing their ownership of shares of our Common Stock, but generally have a statement reflecting the number of shares registered in their accounts.
Stockholders that hold registered shares of our Common Stock in book-entry form do not need to take any action to receive post-Reverse Stock Split shares. Any such stockholder that is entitled to post-Reverse Stock Split shares will automatically receive, at the stockholder’s address of record, a transaction statement indicating the number of post-Reverse Stock Split shares held following the implementation of the Reverse Stock Split.
Dissenters’ Rights
Our stockholders will not be entitled to dissenters’ rights with respect to the proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation in connection with the Reverse Stock Split.
No Effect on Authorized Preferred Stock
Pursuant to our Certificate of Incorporation, our capital stock consists of a total of 501,000,000 authorized shares, of which 500,000,000 shares, par value $0.001 per share, are designated as Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares, par value $0.001 per share, are designated as preferred stock. The proposed Reverse Stock Split would not impact the total authorized number of shares of preferred stock or the par value of the preferred stock.
Effect on Dividends
The payment of dividends, including the timing and amount dividends, must be made in accordance with our Certificate of Incorporation and the requirements of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “
DGCL
”). We cannot assure you that any dividends will be paid in the future on the shares of Common Stock. Any declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our Common Stock will be at the discretion of our Board and will depend on many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, statutory future prospects and contractual restrictions applicable to the payment of dividends, and other considerations that our Board deems relevant. The decrease in par value may affect our ability to make dividend payments. Under the DGCL, the aggregate par value must be
14
deducted from the amount available for dividends (the result being “surplus,” out of which dividends can be paid). Accordingly, the reduction in par value contemplated by this proposal would increase our surplus for DGCL purposes, and therefore our potential dividend paying ability.
Accounting Matters
The Reverse Stock Split will change the par value of the shares of our Common Stock and the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. As a result, as of the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, the stated capital attributable to the shares of our Common Stock on our balance sheet will be reduced proportionately based on the ratio chosen by the Board for the Reverse Stock Split to reflect the new number of shares outstanding and the new par value, and the additional paid-in capital account will be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The per share net income or loss will be restated because there will be fewer shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Effect on Our Preferred Shares, Options and Warrants
If the Reverse Stock Split is effected, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise or conversion of our outstanding preferred shares, stock options (including shares reserved for issuance under the Company’s stock plans) and warrants will be proportionately adjusted by the applicable administrator, using the ratio as the Reverse Stock Split, rounded up to the nearest whole share. In connection with the Reverse Stock Split, the Board or the applicable administrator will implement only applicable technical, conforming changes to the securities, including ratably reducing the authorized shares of Common Stock available for awards under the Company’s stock plans. In addition, the conversion price for each outstanding preferred shares and the exercise price for each outstanding stock option and warrant would be increased in inverse proportion to the split ratio such that upon an conversion or exercise, the aggregate conversion price for conversion of preferred stock and the aggregate exercise price payable by the optionee or warrantholder to the Company for the shares subject to the option or warrant would remain approximately the same as the aggregate exercise price prior to the Reverse Stock Split.
Interests of Directors and Executive Officers
Our directors and executive officers do not have substantial interests, directly or indirectly, in the matters set forth in this proposal except to the extent of their ownership of shares of our Common Stock or any other of our securities.
Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
The following is a summary of material United States federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split to holders of our Common Stock. Except where noted, this summary deals only with our Common Stock that is held as a capital asset.
This summary is based upon provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “
Code
”), and United States Treasury regulations, rulings and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those summarized below.
This summary does not address all aspects of United States federal income taxes that may be applicable to holders of Common Stock and does not deal with non-U.S., state, local or other tax considerations that may be relevant to stockholders in light of their particular circumstances. In addition, it does not represent a detailed description of the United States federal income tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the United States federal income tax laws (including if you are a dealer in securities or currencies; a financial institution; a regulated investment company; a real estate investment trust; an insurance company; a tax-exempt organization; a person holding shares as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, a constructive sale or a straddle; a trader in securities that has elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities; a person liable for alternative minimum tax; a person who owns or is deemed to own 10% or more of our voting stock; a partnership or other pass-through entity for United States federal income tax purposes; a person whose “functional currency” is not the United States dollar; a United States expatriate; a “controlled foreign corporation”; or a “passive foreign investment company”).
15
We cannot assure you that a change in law will not alter significantly the tax considerations that we describe in this summary. No ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or opinion of counsel will be obtained regarding the federal income tax consequences to stockholders as a result of the Reverse Stock Split.
If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds our Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our Common Stock, you should consult your own tax advisors.
We believe that the Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, would be a tax-free recapitalization under the Code. If the Reverse Stock Split qualifies as a tax-free recapitalization under the Code, then, generally, for United States federal income tax purposes, no gain or loss will be recognized by the Company in connection with the Reverse Stock Split, and no gain or loss will be recognized by stockholders that exchange their shares of pre-split Common Stock for shares of post-split Common Stock. The post-split Common Stock in the hands of a stockholder following the Reverse Stock Split will have an aggregate tax basis equal to the aggregate tax basis of the pre-split Common Stock held by that stockholder immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split. A stockholder’s holding period for the post-split Common Stock generally will be the same as the holding period for the pre-split Common Stock exchanged therefor.
Alternative characterizations of the Reverse Stock Split are possible. For example, while the Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, would generally be treated as a tax-free recapitalization under the Code, stockholders whose fractional shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Split are rounded up to the nearest whole share may recognize gain for United States federal income tax purposes equal to the value of the additional fractional share. However, we believe that, in such case, the resulting tax liability may not be material in view of the low value of such fractional interest. Stockholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the characterization of the Reverse Stock Split for United States federal income tax purposes.
Certain Risks Associated with the Reverse Stock Split
The Board believes that the Reverse Stock Split will increase the price level of our shares of Common Stock and, as a result, may enable the Company to maintain listing of our Common Stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market. Given the volatility and fluctuations in the capital markets, however, the Board believes that the likelihood of our stock price increasing to meet the NASDAQ listing requirements within the 180-day grace period without the Reverse Stock Split is remote and that the Company likely will have to take additional actions to comply with NASDAQ requirements. There are a number of risks associated with the Reverse Stock Split, including as follow:
•
The Board cannot predict the effect of the Reverse Stock Split upon the market price for our shares of Common Stock, and the history of similar reverse stock splits for companies in like circumstances has varied.
•
The Reverse Stock Split will dramatically reduce the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock relative to the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, currently 500,000,000 but potentially 5,000,000,000 if the Authorized Share Increase is approved and implemented by the Board. A large amount of available shares of Common Stock could have adverse consequences, including but not limited to (i) if the price of our Common Stock continues to decrease, the number of shares of Common Stock required to settle the Series A Warrants will continue to increase, and we may be required to issue a large number of shares of Common Stock to settle such exercises, which could massively dilute current stockholders, or if we run out of available authorized shares of Common Stock to settle cashless exercises, we could be forced to make large cash settlement payments, for which we might not have sufficient available capital (see Proposal 2 for a more detailed discussion of the Series A Warrants) and (ii) our current stockholders could be potentially diluted by future issuances of shares of Common Stock for capital raising purposes, to acquire additional assets, for equity compensation of officers and directors and for other corporate purposes.
16
•
The market price per share of Common Stock after the Reverse Stock Split may not rise in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding resulting from the Reverse Stock Split. If the market price of our shares of Common Stock declines after the Reverse Stock Split, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage of the Company’s overall market capitalization may be greater than would occur in the absence of the Reverse Stock Split. Accordingly, the total market capitalization of our Common Stock after the Reverse Stock Split may be lower than the total market capitalization before the Reverse Stock Split. Moreover, in the future, the market price of our Common Stock following the Reverse Stock Split may not exceed or remain higher than the market price prior to the Reverse Stock Split.
•
The market price per share of our shares of Common Stock post-Reverse Stock Split may not remain in excess of the minimum bid price per share as required by NASDAQ, or the Company may fail to meet the other requirements for continued listing on the NASDAQ, including the minimum value of listed securities, as described above, resulting in the delisting of our Common Stock.
•
The market price of our shares of Common Stock may also be affected by the Company’s performance and other factors, the effect of which the Board cannot predict.
•
Although the Board believes that a higher stock price may help generate the interest of new investors, the Reverse Stock Split may not result in a per-share price that will successfully attract certain types of investors and such resulting share price may not satisfy the investing guidelines of institutional investors or investment funds. Further, other factors, such as our financial results, market conditions and the market perception of our business, may adversely affect the interest of new investors in the shares of our Common Stock. As a result, the trading liquidity of the shares of our Common Stock may not improve as a result of the Reverse Stock Split and there can be no assurance that the Reverse Stock Split, if completed, will result in the intended benefits described above.
•
The Reverse Stock Split could be viewed negatively by the market and other factors, such as those described above, may adversely affect the market price of the shares of our Common Stock. Consequently, the market price per post-Reverse Stock Split shares may not increase in proportion to the reduction of the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding before the implementation of the Reverse Stock Split. Accordingly, the total market capitalization of our shares of Common Stock after the Reverse Stock Split may be lower than the total market capitalization before the Reverse Stock Split. Any reduction in total market capitalization as the result of the Reverse Stock Split may make it more difficult for us to meet the NASDAQ Listing Rule regarding minimum value of listed securities, which could result in our shares of Common Stock being delisted from The NASDAQ Capital Market.
•
In the future, the market price of the shares of our Common Stock following the Reverse Stock Split may not exceed or remain higher than the market price of the shares of our Common Stock prior to the Reverse Stock Split.
•
If the Reverse Stock Split is effected and the market price of the shares of our Common Stock then declines, the percentage decline may be greater than would occur in the absence of the Reverse Stock Split. Additionally, the liquidity of the shares of our Common Stock could be adversely affected by the reduced number of shares that would be outstanding after the implementation of the Reverse Stock Split.
•
The Reverse Stock Split may result in some stockholders owning “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of Common Stock. Odd lot shares may be more difficult to sell, and brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally somewhat higher than the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100 shares.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE AMENDMENT OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO EFFECT THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT.
17
PROPOSAL 2—AUTHORIZED SHARE INCREASE
Introduction
Our Board has unanimously determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders to amend Section 4 of the Certificate of Incorporation (such amendment as shown in Appendix B) to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock by 4,500,000,000 to 5,000,000,000, par value $0.0001.
Why did the Board approve the Authorized Share Increase?
As of January 7, 2016, there were no shares of unissued and unreserved Common Stock available for issuance under our authorized capital. Because the Company’s authorized share capital is currently 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, we have insufficient shares to cover our obligations unless the Company’s stockholders approve either the Authorized Share Increase or the Reverse Stock Split. As of January 7, 2016, there were 10,373,935 shares of Common Stock outstanding, 1,000,000 shares reserved for future issuance of options under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and 9,404,143 shares reserved upon the conversion of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. Additionally, there are 312,425,792 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants issued and outstanding, including our Series A Warrants. Based on the price of our Common Stock on January 7, 2016 of $0.26, we would need 310,918,125 shares of Common Stock to settle the cashless exercise of all outstanding Series A Warrants. If the price of our Common Stock dropped to as low as $0.02, however, we would need 4,041,935,620 shares of Common Stock to settle the cashless exercise of all outstanding Series A Warrants.
If we do not have sufficient available authorized Common Stock for issuance upon exercise of the Series A Warrants, we are required to make cash payments in lieu of the issuance of common stock. We do not believe that we currently have sufficient available common stock to fully satisfy these obligations based on the price of our Common Stock as of January 7, 2016. We, therefore, could be required to make significant cash payments, which we estimate could be up to approximately $81 million. As of December 8, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $28 million and as of the date hereof we had insufficient cash and cash equivalents to settle all of the Series A Warrants in cash.
What is the purpose of the Authorized Share Increase?
The Board recommends the Authorized Share Increase for the following reasons:
•
To permit the Company to issue shares of Common Stock to holders of the Company’s Series A Warrants upon exercise of the Series A Warrants;
•
To permit the Company to make future issuances or exchanges of Common Stock for capital raising purposes or to restructure outstanding securities of the Company, including the Series A Warrants;
•
To permit the exercise of the Exchange Warrants if the Exchange Offer is successful; and
•
To permit the Company to make future issuances of options, warrants and other convertible securities.
Why would the Company not have sufficient shares of Common Stock to issue shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of the Series A Warrants?
On July 29, 2015, we sold 3,761,657 Units in a public offering. Each Unit consisted of one-fourth of a share of Series a Convertible Preferred Stock and 20 Series A Warrants. Each one-fourth share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into ten shares of Common Stock at the option of the holder. The holders of Series A Warrants may exercise Series A Warrants by paying the exercise price of $1.24 in cash or, in lieu of payment of the exercise price in cash by electing to receive a cash payment from us (subject to certain conditions not being met by the Company) equal to the Black Scholes Value (as defined below) of the number of shares the holder elects to exercise, which we refer to as the Black Scholes
18
Payment; provided, that we have discretion as to whether to deliver the Black Scholes Payment or, subject to meeting certain conditions, to deliver a number of shares of our Common Stock determined according to the following formula, referred to as the “cashless exercise.”
The Series A Warrant’s “cashless exercise” feature is based on a Black Scholes valuation model that could create a potentially material adverse liability on the Company’s balance sheet if an insufficient number of shares of common stock were available to satisfy the warrant exercises. The Series A Warrants can be exercised for either (1) cash at $1.24 per share or (2) in a “cashless” exercise using a Black-Scholes valuation (BSV) of the warrant. If submitted for a cashless exercise, the warrant holder exchanges the warrant for the number of common shares equal to the BSV divided by the closing bid price of the common stock 2 days before exercise notice is submitted or, instead, the Company has the option of pay the BSV in cash to the warrant holder. As defined in the Series A Warrants, BSV is determined based on the Black Scholes Value of an option for one share of common stock of the Company at the date of the applicable Black Scholes payment or “cashless exercise,” as such Black Scholes Value is determined, calculated using the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg utilizing (i) an underlying price per share equal to the closing bid price of our Common Stock as of July 23, 2015 (ii) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the remaining term of the Series A Warrant as of the applicable Black Scholes Payment or Cashless Exercise, (iii) a strike price equal to the exercise price in effect at the time of the applicable Black Scholes payment or cashless exercise, (iv) an expected volatility equal to 135% and (v) a remaining term of such option equal to five years (regardless of the actual remaining term of the Series A Warrant). If all of our Series A Warrants were exercised simultaneously when our Common Stock traded below $0.17 per share, we would not have sufficient authorized common stock to fulfill our issuance obligations pursuant to the Series A Warrants and we could be required to use our cash to pay warrant holders.
What could happen if the stockholders do not approve the Authorized Share Increase?
•
If we do not receive stockholder approval for the Authorized Share Increase and the Reverse Stock Split is not approved or not implemented, we will have insufficient authorized shares of Common Stock to settle the Series A Warrants and we will be required to make cash payments with respect to the exercise of the Series A Warrants, which we estimate to be approximately $81 million. As of December 8, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $28 million and as of the date hereof we had insufficient cash and cash equivalents to settle all of the Series A Warrants in cash. To the extent our cash and cash equivalents are insufficient to enable us to make cash payments with respect to the exercise of the Series A Warrants, if we are unable to negotiate a settlement or restructuring with the holders of the Series A Warrants, we may be required to seek protection under the federal bankruptcy laws.
•
If we do not increase our authorized shares of Common Stock, we may be unable to conduct further offerings of our equity securities to raise additional capital to implement our business plan or to further our corporate objectives.
What amendments are being made to the Certificate of Incorporation?
Section 4 of the Certificate of Incorporation which currently reads as follows:
“4. The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 501,000,000. 500,000,000 shares shall be common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“
Common Stock
”), and 1,000,000 shall be preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“
Preferred Stock
”). Except as otherwise provided in this Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, authority is hereby vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation from time to time to provide for the issuance of shares of one or more series of Preferred Stock and in connection therewith to fix by resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of any such series, the number of shares to be included therein, the voting powers thereof, and such of the designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions of each such series, including, without limitation, dividend rights, voting rights, rights of redemption, or conversion into Common Stock rights, and liquidation preferences, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law and any other provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of
19
Incorporation. The Board of Directors is further authorized to increase or decrease (but not below the number of such shares of such class or series then outstanding) the number of shares of any such class or series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that class or series.”
shall be amended to read as follows:
“4. The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 5,001,000,000. 5,000,000,000 shares shall be common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“
Common Stock
”), and 1,000,000 shall be preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“
Preferred Stock
”). Except as otherwise provided in this Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, authority is hereby vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation from time to time to provide for the issuance of shares of one or more series of Preferred Stock and in connection therewith to fix by resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of any such series, the number of shares to be included therein, the voting powers thereof, and such of the designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions of each such series, including, without limitation, dividend rights, voting rights, rights of redemption, or conversion into Common Stock rights, and liquidation preferences, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law and any other provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Board of Directors is further authorized to increase or decrease (but not below the number of such shares of such class or series then outstanding) the number of shares of any such class or series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that class or series.”
Note that if the Reverse Stock Split under Proposal 1 is approved and implemented by the Board, the par value of the Common Stock of $0.001 will also be amended to $0.0001.
Does the Board recommend approval of the Authorized Share Increase?
Yes. After considering the entirety of the circumstances, the Board has unanimously concluded that the Authorized Share Increase is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and the Board unanimously recommends that the Company’s stockholders vote in favor of the Authorized Share Increase.
What vote is required to approve the Authorized Share Increase?
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock is required to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Authorized Share Increase. Failures to vote, abstentions and broker “non-votes”, if any, will be the equivalent of a vote AGAINST this proposal.
IF OUR STOCKHOLDERS DO NOT APPROVE THE AUTHORIZED SHARE INCREASE, THE BOARD BELIEVES THAT THE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE COMPANY COULD BE THREATENED DUE TO ( 1 ) THE PENALTIES INCURRED FROM FAILURE TO SETTLE THE EXERCISES OF THE SERIES A WARRANTS AND ( 2 ) THE COMPANY’S INABILITY TO CONSUMMATE FUTURE EQUITY OFFERINGS TO MEET ITS ONGOING EXPENSES. SOME OF THESE CONSEQUENCES MAY BE MITITGATED IF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT IS APPROVED AND IMPLEMENTED.
Possible Anti-Takeover Implications of the Authorized Share Increase
The Company has no intent or plan to employ the additional unissued authorized shares as an anti-takeover device. As indicated above, the purpose of the Authorized Share Increase is to ensure that we have sufficient authorized Common Stock to, among other things, consummate future equity financings and attempt to mitigate risk in connection with the exercise of the Series A Warrants. However, the Company’s authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock could (within the limits imposed by applicable law, regulation and NASDAQ rules) be issued in one or more transactions that could make a change of control more difficult and therefore more unlikely.
Our Board did not propose the Authorized Share Increase in response to any effort known to our Board to accumulate Common Stock or to obtain control of the Company by means of a merger, tender offer or solicitation in opposition to management. Further, our Board does not currently contemplate recommending the adoption of any other amendments to our Certificate of Incorporation that could be construed as limiting the ability of third parties to take over or effect a change of control.
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The issuance in the future of additional authorized shares of Common Stock may have the effect of diluting the earnings or loss per share and book value per share, as well as the ownership and voting rights of the holders of our then-outstanding shares of Common Stock. In addition, an increase in the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock may have a potential anti-takeover effect, as our ability to issue additional shares could be used to thwart persons, or otherwise dilute the stock ownership of stockholders, seeking to control us. The Authorized Share Increase is not being recommended by our Board as part of an anti-takeover strategy.
No Effect on Authorized Preferred Stock
Pursuant to our Certificate of Incorporation, our capital stock consists of a total of 501,000,000 authorized shares, of which 500,000,000 shares, par value $0.001 per share, are designated as Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares, par value $0.001 per share, are designated as preferred stock. The proposed Authorized Share Increase would not impact the total authorized number of shares of preferred stock or the par value of the preferred stock.
Dilutive Effect of the Authorized Share Increase
If the Authorized Share Increase is approved and we engage in one or more transactions involving the issuance of our equity securities, current stockholders of the Company may be substantially diluted as a result of such future issuances. The amount of potential dilution will be even greater if the Reverse Stock Split is approved and implemented by the Board. See “Proposal 1—Reverse Stock Split” above.
Effect on Dividends
The payment of dividends, including the timing and amount dividends, must be made in accordance with our Certificate of Incorporation and the requirements of the DGCL. We cannot assure you that any dividends will be paid in the future on the shares of Common Stock. Any declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our Common Stock will be at the discretion of our Board and will depend on many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, statutory future prospects and contractual restrictions applicable to the payment of dividends, and other considerations that our Board deems relevant.
Interests of Directors and Executive Officers
Our directors and executive officers do not have substantial interests, directly or indirectly, in the matters set forth in this proposal except to the extent of their ownership of shares of our Common Stock or any other of our securities.
Reservation of Right to Delay the Filing of, or Abandon the Authorized Share Increase
We reserve the right to delay the filing of, or abandon, the Authorized Share Increase without further action by our stockholders at any time before March 31, 2016, even if the Authorized Share Increase has been approved by our stockholders at the Special Meeting. By voting in favor of the Authorized Share Increase, you are expressly also authorizing our Board to delay (until March 31, 2016) or abandon the Authorized Share Increase if it determines, in its sole discretion, that such action is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
The Board will consider whether the Reverse Stock Split (see Proposal 1 above) is approved and implemented in determining whether to effect the Authorized Share Increase.
Effective Date
Delaware law and our Certificate of Incorporation require stockholder approval of the amendment effecting the Authorized Share Increase. If the amendment is approved by a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon and our Board determines to proceed with the Authorized Share Increase, we will amend Section 4 to increase the number of authorized Common Stock as described above. The
21
Authorized Share Increase will become effective upon the filing of the Authorized Share Increase with the Delaware Secretary of State. The only change in our Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Authorized Share Increase would be the numeric change required to reflect the increase of the number of authorized shares of our Common Stock.
No Dissenters’ Rights
Our stockholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights in connection with the Authorized Share Increase. Furthermore, we do not intend to independently provide our stockholders with any such rights.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE AMENDMENT OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO EFFECT THE AUTHORIZED SHARE INCREASE.
22
PROPOSAL 3—ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL
Introduction
If at the Special Meeting the number of shares of Common Stock present or represented and voting in favor of either the Reverse Stock Split and/or the Authorized Share Increase is insufficient to approve the Reverse Stock Split and/or the Authorized Share Increase, management may move to adjourn, postpone or continue the Special Meeting in order to enable the Board to continue to solicit additional proxies in favor of the proposed Authorized Share Increase and/or the Reverse Stock Split.
In this Adjournment Proposal, we are asking you to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by the Board to vote in favor of adjourning, postponing or continuing the Special Meeting and any later adjournments. If the stockholders approve the Adjournment Proposal, we could adjourn, postpone or continue the Special Meeting, and any adjourned session of the Special Meeting, to use the additional time to solicit additional proxies in favor of the Reverse Stock Split and/or the Authorized Share Increase. Among other things, approval of the Adjournment Proposal could mean that, even if proxies representing a sufficient number of votes against the Reverse Stock Split and/or the Authorized Share Increase have been received, we could adjourn, postpone or continue the Special Meeting without a vote on the Reverse Stock Split and/or the Authorized Share Increase and seek to convince the holders of those shares to change their votes to votes in favor of the Authorize Share Increase and/or the Reverse Stock Split.
What vote is required to approve the Adjournment Proposal?
The Adjournment Proposal will be approved if a majority of the shares of Common Stock present in person or by proxy votes
FOR
the proposal. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted as votes
AGAINST
the Adjournment Proposal. No proxy that is specifically marked
AGAINST
the Reverse Stock Split and/or the Authorized Share Increase will be voted in favor of the Adjournment Proposal, unless it is specifically marked FOR the discretionary authority to adjourn, postpone or continue the Special Meeting to a later date.
Why am I being asked to vote on the Adjournment Proposal?
The Board believes that if the number of shares of Common Stock present or represented at the Special Meeting and voting in favor of the proposal to Authorized Share Increase and/or the Reverse Stock Split are insufficient to approve such proposals, it is in the best interests of the stockholders to enable the Board, for a limited period of time, to continue to seek to obtain a sufficient number of additional votes to approve the amendment.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.
23
OTHER MATTERS
The Company is unaware of any business, other than described in this Proxy Statement, that may be considered at the Special Meeting. If any other matters should properly come before the Special Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote the proxies held by them in accordance with their best judgment.
To assure the presence of the necessary quorum and to vote on the matters to come before the Special Meeting, please promptly indicate your choices via the internet, by phone or by mail, according to the procedures described on the proxy card. The submission of a proxy via the internet, by phone or by mail does not prevent you from attending and voting at the Special Meeting.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, in accordance therewith, files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “
SEC
”). Any interested party may inspect information filed by the Company, without charge, at the public reference facilities of the SEC at its principal office at 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Any interested party may obtain copies of all or any portion of the information filed by the Company at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at its principal office at 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding the Company and other registrants that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
The Company’s Common Stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market and trades under the symbol “VPCO”.
ANNEXES
| | ANNEX A | | | Form of Proxy Card | |
| | ANNEX B | | | Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation regarding the Reverse Stock Split and the Authorized Share Increase | |
| | | | | By Order of the Board of Directors, | | |||
| | | | | /s/ Jeffrey Holman | | |||
| | | | |
Jeffrey Holman
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
| |||
January 11, 2016
Please sign and return the enclosed form of proxy promptly. If you decide to attend the meeting, you may, if you wish, revoke the proxy and vote your shares in person.
24
Annex A
VAPOR CORP.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS—JANUARY 28, 2016 AT 10:00 A.M.
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
If you vote by phone or internet, please DO NOT mail your proxy card.
MAIL:
Please mark, sign, date, and return this Proxy Card promptly using the enclosed envelope.
PHONE:
Call 1 (800) 690-6903
INTERNET:
https://www.proxyvote.com
Control ID:
Proxy ID:
Password:
Proxy ID:
Password:
MARK “X” HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING:
☐
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE
☐
New Address (if applicable):
IMPORTANT:
Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Dated: January __, 2016
(Print Name of Stockholder and/or Joint Tenant)
(Signature of Stockholder)
(Second Signature if held jointly)
The stockholder(s) hereby appoints Jeffrey Holman and Greg Brauser, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of voting stock of VAPOR CORP. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Stockholder(s) to be held at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time on Thursday, January 28, 2016, at Vapor’s headquarters, located at 3001 Griffin Road, Dania Beach, Florida 33312, and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
A-1
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR” Proposals 1, 2 and 3. If any other business is presented at the meeting, this proxy will be voted by the above-named proxies at the direction of the Board of Directors. At the present time, the Board of Directors knows of no other business to be presented at the meeting.
Proposal
:
| | | The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR Proposals 1, 2 and 3. | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
FOR
|
| | |
AGAINST
|
| | |
ABSTAIN
|
| |
| | | (1) | | | | To approve an amendment to the Company’s Seventh Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”), to effect a reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock at a ratio and effective upon a date to be determined by the Company’s board of directors and effect a corresponding change in the par value of shares of our Common Stock from $0.001 to $0.0001 (the “ Reverse Stock Split ”). | | | |
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☐
|
| | |
☐
|
| |
| | | (2) | | | | To approve an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”), to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s Common Stock from 500,000,000 shares, par value $0.001, to 5,000,000,000, par value $0.0001 (the “ Authorized Share Increase ”). | | | |
☐
|
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☐
|
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☐
|
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| | | (3) | | | | To authorize an adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary, if a quorum is present, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes in favor of the Reverse Stock Split and/or the Authorized Share Increase (the “ Adjournment Proposal ”). | | | |
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NOTE:
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
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A-2
Annex B
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF VAPOR CORP.
OF VAPOR CORP.
Vapor Corp. (the “
Company
”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “
Delaware General Corporation Law
”), hereby certifies as follows:
1. Pursuant to Sections 242 and 228 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the amendment herein set forth has been duly approved by the Board of Directors and holders of a majority of the outstanding capital stock of the Company.
2. Section 4 of the Certificate of Incorporation is amended to read as follows:
“4. The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 5,001,000,000. 5,000,000,000 shares shall be common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“
Common Stock
”), and 1,000,000 shall be preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“
Preferred Stock
”). Except as otherwise provided in this Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, authority is hereby vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation from time to time to provide for the issuance of shares of one or more series of Preferred Stock and in connection therewith to fix by resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of any such series, the number of shares to be included therein, the voting powers thereof, and such of the designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions of each such series, including, without limitation, dividend rights, voting rights, rights of redemption, or conversion into Common Stock rights, and liquidation preferences, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law and any other provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Board of Directors is further authorized to increase or decrease (but not below the number of such shares of such class or series then outstanding) the number of shares of any such class or series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that class or series.
Upon the effectiveness of this Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, every [number of shares] shares of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to [date] shall, automatically and without any further action on the part of the Corporation or the holder thereof, be combined into one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of the Corporation’s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, provided that in the event a stockholder would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of this Article, such stockholder shall receive one whole share of Common Stock in lieu of such fractional share and no fractional shares shall be issued.”
3. This Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted and approved by the stockholders of this Company on the __ day of January, 2016 in accordance with Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation as of the ___ day of _______, 2016.
| | | | | VAPOR CORP. | | |||
| | | | | By: | | |
/s/ Jeffrey Holman
|
|
| | | | | | | |
Jeffrey Holman,
Chief Executive Officer |
|
B-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING THE SPECIAL MEETING Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management PROPOSAL 1. APPROVAL OF REVERSE STOCK SPLIT AND PAR VALUE CHANGE PROPOSAL 2. APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK PROPOSAL 3. APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OTHER MATTERS Annex A A-1 Annex B B-1