HGV has completed a follow-on investment of CAD1m in the unlisted company, Weed Me Inc. (“Weed Me”) based in Ontario Canada. HGV’s investment is in the form of an unsecured convertible note to fund Weed Me’s business plan rollout and position Weed Me for a liquidity event (either public listing or sale of the business). The key terms of the convertible note are:
HGV has also been issued a further 230,415 warrants convertible into 230,415 Weed Me shares each at CAD2.17 with an expiry date of 29 October 2024.
The additional CAD1m convertible note was made on the same terms as the CAD1m convertible note advanced by HGV to Weed Me in November 2021.
The investment was made from HGV’s existing cash reserves.
“The follow-on investment in Weed Me demonstrates HGV’s expertise to secure a private negotiated investment in unlisted businesses which are not generally available to Australian retail and institutional investors. The investment in Weed Me will assist the further expansion of Weed Me’s sales growth and maximise the value on the ultimate exit of HGV’s investment”, said Mr Wall, HGV’s Chairman.
Established in 2016, Weed Me is the largest unlisted Canadian licenced producer of cannabis products for the Canadian recreational market.
The Weed Me brand consists of a complete line of dried flower, pre-rolls, vapes, and gummies products, which have significant market shares in its key Canadian provincial markets. Weed Me has successfully expanded its operations with net sales of CAD22.7m in the year ended 31 December 2021 (FY21) compared to FY20 net sales of CAD6.9m and was profitable in FY21. Net sales growth continues with the net sales of CAD25.1m in the twelve months ended 31 January 2022 (representing a 14% increase over the twelve months ended 31 December 2021).
HGV made its initial investment in Weed Me in December 2017. HGV’s investment in Weed Me now has a current book value of CAD13.8m and comprises:
As at 28 February 2022, HGV had generated a total return of 3.5 times on its investment in Weed Me5.
1 The initial conversion price is CAD1.67 per share and may vary depending on the value of Weed Me at the time of conversion using the current number of the issued common and convertible securities – conversion on a liquidity event is at discount to the valuation calculated at a Liquidity Event such as sale of the company or a public listing. The size of the discount depends on the valuation attributed by the Liquidity Event.
2 The 14% is prior to conversion of any convertible securities on issue by Weed Me.
3 The Valuation per Weed Me share of CAD2.63 applies an enterprise value to net sales multiple of four times net sales for twelve months ended 31 January 2022 and a discount of 15% for unlisted status.
4 Valuation of the conversion options in the warrants and convertible note is calculated with reference to the Black Scholes methodology using the Weed Me share valuation at the same date.
5 Based on unrealised market value of investment plus interest received/receivable divided by cash cost of investment.