Fintech
Pivotal and GFI Announce Private Placement Offering of Subscription Receipts by GFI
Toronto, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – April 11, 2022) – Pivotal Financial Corp. (TSXV: PIV.P) (“Pivotal“), a capital pool company (“CPC“) listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange“), and Global Food and Ingredients Inc. (“GFI“), a private corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “CBCA“) with operations in the plant-based food and ingredients industry, are pleased to announce that GFI intends to conduct a brokered financing for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $5,000,000 (the “Offering“).
The Offering will be marketed, on a “best efforts” private placement basis, by a syndicate of agents led by Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. (“Echelon“) as sole bookrunner and co-lead agent and PI Financial Corp as co-lead agent, and including Canaccord Genuity Corp. (collectively, the “Agents“). The Offering is being conducted in connection with the proposed business combination between Pivotal and GFI (the “Proposed Transaction“), as previously announced and described in press releases dated August 9, 2021, November 8, 2021 and January 17, 2022, that would result in the reverse takeover of Pivotal by GFI (Pivotal, as it will exist following the completion of the Proposed Transaction, the “Resulting Issuer“) and would constitute Pivotal’s “Qualifying Transaction” as such term is defined under Policy 2.4 – Capital Pool Companies of the Exchange.
Pursuant to the Offering, GFI will offer for sale subscription receipts of GFI (each, a “Subscription Receipt“) at a price of $1.25 per Subscription Receipt (the “Offering Price“). Upon the satisfaction of certain escrow release conditions customary for this type of transaction (the “Escrow Release Conditions“), each Subscription Receipt will, pursuant to its terms and pursuant to the Proposed Transaction, result in the holder thereof being issued, for no additional consideration and without any further action by its holder, one unit of the Resulting Issuer (a “Resulting Issuer Unit“). Each Resulting Issuer Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Resulting Issuer (a “Resulting Issuer Share“) and one warrant to purchase common shares of the Resulting Issuer (a “Resulting Issuer Warrant“). Each Resulting Issuer Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Resulting Issuer Share at an exercise price of $2.00 at any time on or prior to the second anniversary of the closing date of the Proposed Transaction.
The Offering is anticipated to close on or about May 6, 2022 (the “Closing Date“).
The gross proceeds of the Offering (less 50% of the Cash Commission (as defined below) and all of the Agents’ expenses incurred up to the Closing Date) (the “Escrowed Proceeds“) will be held in escrow by a Canadian trust company or other escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent“) acceptable to GFI and Echelon and invested pursuant to the terms of a subscription receipt agreement. If the Escrow Release Conditions are not satisfied prior to 5:00 p.m. (EST) on the date that is 120 days following the closing date of the Offering (or such other date as may be agreed to by GFI and Echelon) (the “Escrow Deadline“), the Escrow Agent will return to holders of Subscription Receipts an amount equal to the aggregate Offering Price of the Subscription Receipts held by them and their pro rata portion of any interest earned thereon.
The net proceeds from the Offering are intended to be used for marketing and other costs incurred for the United States launch of the Resulting Issuer’s plant-based consumer packaged goods, consisting of the YoFiit, Bentilia and Five Peas in Love brands, to expand the Resulting Issuer’s processing capabilities for flax and/or edible bean products and for general working capital. The Resulting Issuer’s vision is to become a vertically integrated farm-to-fork plant-based company providing traceable, locally sourced, healthy and sustainable food and ingredients. Through recent acquisition and development activities, GFI now offers a full suite of plant-based consumer packaged goods with over 20 SKUs under the YoFiit, Bentilia and Five Peas in Love brands, in addition to its established and rapidly growing plant-based foods and ingredients business lines that supply customers in 37 countries.
In connection with the Offering, the Agents will: (i) be paid a cash commission equal to 7.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised (other than for gross proceeds raised from subscribers on the “president’s list” provided by GFI to the Agents (the “President’s List“), in respect of which the cash commission will be reduced to 3.5%) (the “Cash Commission“) with 50% of the Cash Commission payable to the Agents on the Closing Date and 50% of the Cash Commission being payable upon the satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions, and (ii) be issued, on the Closing Date, that number of broker warrants (the “GFI Broker Warrants“) that is equal to 7.0% of the Subscription Receipts sold under the Offering (other than for Subscription Receipts issued to subscribers on the President’s List, in respect of which no GFI Broker Warrants will be issued to the Agents). Upon satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions, each GFI Broker Warrant will be exchanged for one broker warrant of the Resulting Issuer (each, a “Resulting Issuer Broker Warrant“). Each Resulting Issuer Broker Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to subscribe for one Resulting Issuer Unit at a price equal to the Offering Price at any time on or prior to the second anniversary of the closing date of the Proposed Transaction. If the Escrow Release Conditions are not satisfied on or before the Escrow Deadline, the GFI Broker Warrants will be immediately cancelled.
About GFI
GFI was incorporated under the provisions of the CBCA on April 19, 2018. GFI is a fast-growing Canadian owned and operated plant-based food and ingredients company, connecting the local farm to the global supply chain for peas, beans, lentils, chickpeas and other high protein specialty crops. GFI is organized into four primary business lines: Pea Protein Inputs, Plant-Based Ingredients, Plant-Based Pet Food Ingredients and Plant-Based Consumer Packaged Goods. Headquartered in Toronto, GFI buys directly from its extensive network of farmers, processes its products locally at its four wholly-owned processing facilities in Western Canada and ships to 37 countries across the world.
GFI’s vision is to become a vertically integrated farm-to-fork plant-based company providing traceable, locally sourced, healthy and sustainable food and ingredients. Through recent acquisition and development activities, GFI now offers a full suite of Plant-Based Consumer Packaged goods with over 20 SKUs under the YoFiit, Bentilia and Five Peas in Love brands.
About Pivotal
Pivotal is a CPC within the meaning of the policies of the Exchange that has not commenced commercial operations and has no assets other than cash. Except as specifically contemplated in the policies of the Exchange, until the completion of its “Qualifying Transaction” (as defined therein), Pivotal will not carry on business, other than the identification and evaluation of companies, business or assets with a view to completing a proposed Qualifying Transaction.
Contact Information
For further information, please contact:
Pivotal Financial Corp
C. Fraser Elliott, President and CEO
Phone: 416-567-3276
Email: [email protected]
Global Food and Ingredients Inc.
Bill Murray, CFO
Phone: 416-840-6801
Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect Pivotal and GFI’s current expectations. When used in this press release, the words “estimate”, “project”, “belief”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “plan”, “predict”, “may” or “should” and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include information relating to the use of proceeds from the Offering, the completion of the Offering and the Proposed Transaction, YoFiit’s R&D project and related product developments, the projected growth in the plant-based food and ingredients industry, and GFI’s business objectives and vision. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Pivotal and GFI. Risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Such factors include, among others, the following risks:
- there is no assurance that the Offering will be completed or as to the actual offering price or gross proceeds to be raised in connection with the Offering. In particular, the amount raised may be significantly less than the amounts anticipated as a result of, among other things, market conditions and investor behaviour; and
- the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies. These fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Resulting Issuer’s securities, regardless of its operating performance.
There are a number of important factors that could cause Pivotal and/or GFI’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; product health and safety concerns and recalls; supply chain instability; competition; general market and industry conditions; and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pivotal and GFI caution that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Pivotal and/or GFI’s forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Pivotal and GFI have assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors.
All information contained in this news release with respect to GFI and the Resulting Issuer was supplied by GFI for inclusion herein, and Pivotal and its directors and officers have relied on GFI for all such information concerning such parties.
Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.
This press release is not an offer of the securities for sale in the United States. The securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/119856
Fintech
Fintech Latvia Association Releases Fintech Pulse 2024: A Guide to Latvia’s Growing Fintech Hub
The Fintech Latvia Association has launched the latest edition of its annual publication, Fintech Pulse 2024, unveiling insights and resources that position Latvia as a thriving hub for European fintech.
Announced at this year’s Fintech Forum, the magazine is now available in digital format, offering a comprehensive guide for fintech professionals and entrepreneurs navigating the Latvian market and exploring its advantages.
This issue covers essential topics, from support tools provided by Latvijas Banka and newcomer roadmaps to Riga’s investor resources and fintech education opportunities. Readers will find the latest fintech news from Latvia, coverage of this year’s key industry events, and member insights on the future of fintech. The Fintech Landscape section provides a comprehensive overview of the Latvian fintech ecosystem.
Tina Lūse, Managing Director of Fintech Latvia Association, expressed excitement about the ecosystem’s growth: “We are excited to unveil the third annual edition of Fintech Pulse. This year has been pivotal for our ecosystem, and together with public sector stakeholders, we are enhancing financial inclusion, democratizing investments, and driving innovation throughout the sector. This is a testament to Latvia’s emergence as a fintech hub, establishing itself as an equal partner in innovation and support within the Baltic region.”
Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens highlighted Latvia’s fintech potential in the magazine, stating: “Latvia has already made strides in adapting its regulatory framework to support a stable financial system. Now, we encourage financial market players to invest in modern technologies to meet the growing demand for inclusive financial services and solidify Latvia’s position in the fintech landscape. We are confident that with the combined offer of the government, Latvijas Banka and Riga city, we are a great place to start your next scalable European FinTech!”
Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis expressed Latvia’s ambition in the magazine, stating: “Latvia wants to become a WEB 3.0. innovation hub and solidify itself as one of the leaders of a newly regulated EU crypto-asset market. We welcome international companies to choose Latvia, a flexible and fast-paced country, where you can obtain a MICA license in just 3 months. Open your office in Latvia, receive a MICA license and serve the whole EU market!”
The Fintech Latvia Association brings together fintech and non-banking financial service providers to represent their interests at both the national and international levels. It promotes sustainable development in Latvia’s financial sector by fostering reliable, responsible, and long-term industry practices that earn trust from consumers and regulatory authorities. The association is committed to supporting innovation and growth opportunities within the fintech landscape.
The post Fintech Latvia Association Releases Fintech Pulse 2024: A Guide to Latvia’s Growing Fintech Hub appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released a pivotal white paper in collaboration with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), titled “Quantum Security for the Financial Sector: Informing Global Regulatory Approaches”. This January 2024 publication underscores the urgent need for global cooperation as the financial sector transitions from a digital economy to a quantum economy, highlighting both the immense opportunities and cybersecurity challenges posed by quantum computing.
Quantum: A Double-Edged Sword for Finance
Quantum computing offers transformative benefits for the financial sector, such as accelerated portfolio optimization, enhanced fraud detection, and improved risk management. Yet, it simultaneously threatens the very foundation of cybersecurity. With quantum’s ability to break traditional encryption methods, sensitive data and financial transactions face significant risks. The white paper warns that such vulnerabilities could erode trust in the financial system and destabilize global markets.
The urgency to prepare is evident, with some quantum threats, such as “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” attacks, already emerging. Governments and regulators, including the United States with its National Security Memorandum on Quantum (2022), have begun advocating for quantum security readiness by 2035. However, as noted in the paper, transitioning to a quantum-secure infrastructure is a monumental task requiring unprecedented coordination between regulators, industry leaders, and technology providers.
A Collaborative Framework: Four Guiding Principles
To address the complex challenges posed by quantum technologies, the WEF and FCA have proposed four guiding principles to inform global regulatory and industry approaches:
- Reuse and Repurpose: Leverage existing regulatory frameworks and tools to address quantum risks, rather than creating entirely new systems.
- Establish Non-Negotiables: Define baseline requirements for quantum security, ensuring consistency and interoperability across organizations and jurisdictions.
- Increase Transparency: Foster open communication between regulators and industry players to share best practices, strategies, and knowledge.
- Avoid Fragmentation: Prioritize global collaboration to harmonize regulatory efforts and avoid inconsistencies that could burden multinational organizations.
These principles aim to create a unified, forward-looking strategy that balances innovation with security.
A Four-Phase Roadmap for Quantum Security
The white paper introduces a phased roadmap to help the financial sector transition toward quantum security:
- Prepare: Raise awareness of quantum risks, assess cryptographic infrastructure, and build internal capabilities.
- Clarify: Formalize engagement between stakeholders, map current regulations, and model the cost and complexities of transitioning to quantum-safe systems.
- Guide: Address regulatory gaps, translate technical standards into actionable frameworks, and develop industry-wide best practices.
- Transition and Monitor: Implement cryptographic management modernization and adopt iterative, adaptable regulatory approaches to remain resilient in the quantum economy.
This roadmap emphasizes adaptability, encouraging stakeholders to continuously refine their strategies as quantum technologies evolve.
The Path Forward: Collaboration as a Catalyst
The transition to a quantum-secure financial sector is not merely a technological shift but a comprehensive rethinking of how industries and regulators approach cybersecurity. The interconnected nature of global finance means that collaboration between mature and emerging markets is crucial to avoid vulnerabilities that could undermine the entire system.
Regulators and financial institutions must act with urgency. As Sebastian Buckup, Head of Network and Partnerships at the World Economic Forum, notes in the report:
“The quantum economy era is fast approaching, and we need a global public-private approach to address the complexities it will introduce. We welcome this opportunity to collaborate with the FCA to chart the roadmap for a seamless and secure transition for the financial services sector.”
Similarly, Suman Ziaullah, Head of Technology, Resilience, and Cyber at the FCA, emphasizes:
“Quantum computing presents considerable opportunities but also threats. The financial sector relies heavily on encryption to protect sensitive information, the exposure of which could cause significant harm to consumers and markets. Addressing this requires a truly collaborative effort to transition to a quantum-secure future.”
Global Impact: Ensuring Resilience in an Evolving Landscape
As quantum technologies mature, they will redefine the landscape of cybersecurity. The financial sector, as one of the most sensitive and interconnected industries, must prioritize preparedness to ensure stability, protect consumers, and maintain trust.
The Quantum Security for the Financial Sector: Informing Global Regulatory Approaches white paper offers an essential foundation for continued dialogue and action. By adhering to the guiding principles and roadmap outlined in the report, stakeholders can navigate this transformation with foresight and cooperation.
The full report, published by the World Economic Forum, highlights the need for a unified global approach to quantum security, serving as a rallying call for industry and regulatory leaders alike.
Source: World Economic Forum, “Quantum Security for the Financial Sector: Informing Global Regulatory Approaches”, January 2024.
The post Quantum Security and the Financial Sector: Paving the Way for a Resilient Future appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
The fintech landscape continues to redefine itself, driven by innovation, partnerships, and groundbreaking strategies. Today’s roundup focuses on the latest digital wallet offerings, evolving payment trends, strategic collaborations, and notable funding achievements. This editorial explores the broader implications of these developments, casting light on how they shape the future of fintech and beyond.
Beacon’s Digital Wallet for Immigrants: A Gateway to Financial Inclusion
Beacon Financial, a leading player in financial technology, recently launched a digital wallet tailored to meet the unique needs of immigrants moving to Canada. This offering bridges a critical gap, enabling seamless financial integration for newcomers navigating a foreign system.
By combining intuitive technology with user-centric features, Beacon aims to empower immigrants with tools for payments, savings, and remittances. This aligns with the growing demand for tailored financial products that resonate with specific demographics.
Op-Ed Insight:
Financial inclusion is more than just a buzzword; it’s a moral imperative in the fintech space. Products like Beacon’s digital wallet highlight the industry’s potential to create tangible change. As global migration trends increase, such offerings could inspire similar initiatives worldwide.
Source: Fintech Futures.
Juniper Research Highlights 2025’s Payment Trends
Juniper Research’s latest report unveils pivotal payment trends poised to dominate in 2025. Central themes include the adoption of instant payment networks, a surge in embedded finance solutions, and the rise of crypto-backed financial products.
The research underscores the rapid adoption of real-time payment systems, fueled by increasing consumer demand for speed and efficiency. Meanwhile, embedded finance promises to blur the lines between traditional banking and non-financial services, delivering personalized and context-specific solutions.
Op-Ed Insight:
As the lines between financial services and technology continue to blur, these trends emphasize the industry’s shift toward convenience and personalization. The growing role of crypto-based solutions reflects an evolving consumer mindset, where decentralization and digital-first experiences gain precedence.
Source: Juniper Research.
MeaWallet and Integrated Finance Partner to Revolutionize Digital Wallets
MeaWallet, a prominent fintech solutions provider, has partnered with Integrated Finance to advance digital wallet capabilities and secure card data access for fintech companies. This collaboration focuses on empowering fintechs to deliver better, safer digital payment experiences.
MeaWallet’s role as a technology enabler aligns seamlessly with Integrated Finance’s goal of simplifying complex financial infrastructures. Together, they aim to create scalable, robust platforms for secure payment solutions.
Op-Ed Insight:
Partnerships like this underscore the importance of collaboration in driving innovation. As security concerns grow in tandem with digital payment adoption, solutions addressing these challenges are essential for maintaining consumer trust. The fintech ecosystem thrives when synergy and innovation coalesce.
Source: MeaWallet News.
Nucleus Security Among Deloitte’s Fastest-Growing Companies
Nucleus Security has achieved a remarkable milestone, ranking 85th on Deloitte’s 2024 Technology Fast 500 list. This achievement is attributed to its robust cybersecurity solutions, which cater to the increasingly digital fintech environment.
With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, fintech companies are under immense pressure to safeguard their platforms. Nucleus Security’s growth reflects the rising demand for comprehensive, scalable security solutions that protect sensitive financial data.
Op-Ed Insight:
In a digital-first world, robust cybersecurity isn’t optional—it’s fundamental. The recognition of companies like Nucleus Security signals the growing importance of protecting fintech infrastructure as the industry scales globally.
Source: PR Newswire.
OpenYield Secures Funding to Transform the Bond Market
OpenYield has announced a successful funding round, aiming to revolutionize the bond market through innovative technology. The platform promises greater transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in fixed-income investments.
This funding underscores the growing appetite for digitizing traditionally opaque financial markets. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, OpenYield seeks to democratize bond investments, making them accessible to a broader audience.
Op-Ed Insight:
The bond market, long viewed as complex and inaccessible, is ripe for disruption. OpenYield’s efforts to modernize this space highlight fintech’s transformative potential to democratize finance and empower individual investors.
Source: PR Newswire.
Key Takeaways: Shaping the Future of Fintech
Today’s developments underscore several critical themes in the fintech landscape:
- Personalization and Inclusion: Products like Beacon’s wallet highlight the importance of understanding and addressing specific user needs.
- Collaborative Ecosystems: Partnerships, like that of MeaWallet and Integrated Finance, emphasize the power of collaboration in solving industry challenges.
- Emerging Technologies: Juniper Research’s predictions affirm the continued influence of blockchain, embedded finance, and instant payment networks.
- Security at the Core: The recognition of Nucleus Security underscores the essential role of cybersecurity in fintech.
- Market Transformation: OpenYield’s funding signifies the ongoing disruption of traditional financial markets, paving the way for broader accessibility.
The post Fintech Pulse: Daily Industry Brief – A Dive into Today’s Emerging Trends and Innovations appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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