UP TO 1,500,000 CLASS B NON-VOTING COMMON STOCK PLUS UP TO 150,000 BONUS SHARES
MINIMUM INVESTMENT AMOUNT OF $480.00
May 20, 2021
California Tequila, Inc.
30012 Aventura, Suite A
Rancho Santa Margarita, California 92688
Phone: 310-427-9779
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California Tequila, Inc., a California corporation (the “Company”) is offering a maximum of $12,000,000 (the “Offering”) in the form of 1,500,000 shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock (the “Shares”) pursuant to this offering circular (the “Offering Circular”). The purchase price per Share is $8.00, with a minimum investment of $480.00 (the “Minimum Investment”) for 60 Shares. In addition, the Company is also offering up to 150,000 additional shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock eligible to be issued as bonus shares (“Bonus Shares”) to investors based upon an investor’s investment level. No additional consideration will be received by the Company for the issuance of Bonus Shares and the Company will absorb the cost of the issuance of the Bonus Shares. If eligible for Bonus Shares, investors will receive the greater amount of Bonus Shares for which they are eligible and are not cumulative even if investors would qualify for multiple eligibility categories for receipt of Bonus Shares. See “Plan of Distribution” for further details.
The Shares will be offered to prospective investors on a best efforts basis by the Company’s managing broker-dealer, StartEngine Primary, LLC, (“StartEngine”) a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) registered broker-dealer. “Best efforts” means the managing broker-dealer is not obligated to purchase any specific number or dollar amount of Shares, but it will use its best efforts to sell the Shares.
The Company has engaged Prime Trust, LLC (“Prime Trust” or “Escrow Agent”) to serve as a third-party escrow agent for the Company. At each closing date, the proceeds for such closing will be disbursed to the Company, less a 3.5% commission to which the managing broker-dealer is entitled to pursuant to the Posting Agreement agreed to by the Company and StartEngine. The purchaser of the Shares will be responsible for payment of a processing fee to StartEngine equal to 3.5% of the purchase price. Such fee will be paid directly by the purchaser to StartEngine.
The Company expects to commence the sale of the Shares as of the date on which this offering is qualified by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company expects to terminate the Offering at the earlier of the date at which the Maximum Offering Amount has been sold or the date at which the offering is earlier terminated by the Company at its sole discretion. At least every 12 months after this Offering has been qualified by the SEC, the Company will file a post-qualification amendment to include the Company’s recent financial statements.
| Price to Public | Managing Broker- Dealer Fee, Commissions and Expense Reimbursements (1) | Proceeds to the Company Before Expenses (2) | ||||||||||
| Price per Share | $ | 8.00 | (3) | $ | 0.28 | $ | 7.72 | |||||
| StartEngine Processing Fee per Share (4) | $ | 0.28 | $ | -- | $ | -- | ||||||
| Price per Share plus StartEngine Processing Fee | $ | 8.28 | $ | -- | $ | -- | ||||||
| Maximum Offering Amount with StartEngine Processing Fee (5) | $ | 13,620,000 | $ | 420,000 | $ | 12,780,000 | ||||||
| (1) | The Company has engaged StartEngine to act as an underwriter of this offering as set forth in “Plan of Distribution” and its affiliate StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc. to perform administrative and technology-related functions in connection with this offering. The Company will pay a cash commission of 3.5% to StartEngine on sales of the Shares (excluding Bonus Shares). |
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The calculations that appear in this column titled “Managing Broker-dealer fee, Commissions and Expense Reimbursement” do not include the following fees: (i) processing fees of 3.5% paid directly to StartEngine by each investor, (ii) dollar value of the shares issued to StartEngine equal to 2% of the gross proceeds sold through StartEngine in this offering (excluding Bonus Shares), rounded to the nearest whole share, (iii) $15,000 advance fee for reasonable accountable out of pocket expenses actually anticipated to be incurred by StartEngine and paid by the Company and (iv) FINRA fees which will be paid by the Company. See “Plan of Distribution” for details of compensation payable to third parties in connection with the offering.
(2) This table does not include fees levied by the Transfer Agent or Escrow Agent upon the sale of the Shares (see Plan of Distribution” below). The Company has also incurred approximately $90,000 in accounting, legal, and other costs in preparation of this Offering.
(3) Does not include effective discount that would result from the issuance of Bonus Shares. For details of the effective discount, see “Plan of Distribution.”
(4) Investors will be required to pay directly to StartEngine Primary a processing fee equal to 3.5% of the investment amount at the time of the investors’ subscription (excluding Bonus Shares). See “Plan of Distribution” for additional discussion of this processing fee. Assuming the offering is fully subscribed (excluding Bonus Shares), investors would pay StartEngine Primary total processing fees of $420,000. This amount is included in the Total Maximum offering amount since it counts towards the rolling 12-month maximum offering amount that the Company is permitted to Raise under Regulation A. However, it is not included in the gross proceeds received by the Company.
(5) The columns “Maximum Offering Amount with Processing Fee Price to Public” and “Maximum Offering Amount with Processing Fee Proceeds to the Company Before Expenses” include $1,200,000, the value of the Bonus Shares (assuming the maximum number of Bonus Shares are issued in this Offering); however, the Company will not receive such amounts because investors are not paying the purchase price for those Bonus Shares.
Generally, no sale may be made to you in the offering if the aggregate purchase price you pay is more than 10% of the greater of your annual income or net worth. Different rules apply to accredited investors and non-natural persons. Before making any representation that your investment does not exceed applicable thresholds, you are encouraged to review Rule 251(d)(2)(i)(C) of Regulation A. For general information on investing, you are encouraged you to refer to www.investor.gov.
An investment in the Shares is subject to certain risks and should be made only by persons or entities able to bear the risk of and to withstand the total loss of their investment. Currently, there is a limited secondary trading market on the Platform, and no other market for the Shares is being offered, nor does the Company anticipate one developing. Prospective investors should carefully consider and review that risk as well as the RISK FACTORS beginning on page 5 of the Offering Circular. The Company is not an investment company and is not required to register under the Investment Company Act of 1940; therefore, investors will not receive the protections of such act.
THE SEC DOES NOT PASS UPON THE MERITS OR GIVE ITS APPROVAL TO ANY SECURITIES OFFERED OR THE TERMS OF THE OFFERING, NOR DOES IT PASS UPON THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY OFFERING CIRCULAR OR OTHER SELLING LITERATURE. THESE SECURITIES ARE OFFERED PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION WITH THE SEC; HOWEVER, THE COMMISSION HAS NOT MADE AN INDEPENDENT DETERMINATION THAT THE SECURITIES OFFERED ARE EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION.
FORM 1-A DISCLOSURE FORMAT IS BEING FOLLOWED FOR THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR.
THE COMPANY IS FOLLOWING THE “OFFERING CIRCULAR” FORMAT OF DISCLOSURE UNDER REGULATION A.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
In this Offering Circular, the term “You” shall refer to Investors or potential investors who purchase Shares through this Offering. “Our”, “We”, “Us”, or any other possessive pronouns, California Tequila, Inc. or California Tequila shall refer to the Company.
THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR MAY CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION RELATING TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE COMPANY, ITS BUSINESS PLAN AND STRATEGY, AND ITS INDUSTRY. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED ON THE BELIEFS OF, ASSUMPTIONS MADE BY, AND INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY’S MANAGEMENT. WHEN USED IN THE OFFERING MATERIALS, THE WORDS “ESTIMATE,” “PROJECT,” “BELIEVE,” “ANTICIPATE,” “INTEND,” “EXPECT” AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS ARE INTENDED TO IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH CONSTITUTE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE STATEMENTS REFLECT MANAGEMENT’S CURRENT VIEWS WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE EVENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE THE COMPANY’S ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE CONTAINED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. INVESTORS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE ON WHICH THEY ARE MADE. THE COMPANY DOES NOT UNDERTAKE ANY OBLIGATION TO REVISE OR UPDATE THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER SUCH DATE OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF UNANTICIPATED EVENTS.
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The following information is only a brief summary of, and is qualified in its entirety by, the detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Offering Circular. This Offering Circular, together with the exhibits attached should be carefully read in its entirety before any investment decision is made.
California Tequila, Inc., is a California corporation engaged in importing, marketing, and selling, through a network of domestic and international distributors its proprietary tequila products under the ultra-premium brand “AsomBroso”. AsomBroso is the cognate of the Spanish word for “amazing”. The Company offers a wide array of ultra-premium tequilas, ranging from its award-winning Silver tequila sold at approximately $40 per bottle to its 12-year aged exclusive “Collaboration” Extra Anejo tequila priced at more than $1,800.00 a bottle.
The Company’s products are manufactured according to its proprietary formulae by and through an alliance of esteemed distilleries situated in the legendary Jalisco province of Mexico, renowned for producing agave tequila. As of the date of this Offering Circular, the Company’s AsomBroso Tequila is distributed in 25 states, with intentions to expand distribution into the rest of the United States and Canada over the next 12 months. In California, the Company’s flagship brand “AsomBroso tequila” is distributed exclusively by its sister-company West Coast Craft Spirits, Inc., a California corporation. Founder, CEO, and Director of the Company, Mr. Richard Gamarra (“Richard/Ricardo” or “Mr. Gamarra”), is the sole shareholder of all outstanding Class A Voting Common Stock of the Company and is a minority shareholder of West Coast Craft Spirits, Inc. Mr. Gamarra and Mr. Andy Ulmer serve as CEO and President, respectively, of West Coast Craft Spirits, Inc. In addition to AsomBroso tequilas, West Coast Craft Spirits, Inc. distributes over 450 unaffiliated brands.
The Company holds a variety of federal, state, and local licenses, approvals, and qualifications required to conduct business in the highly-regulated domestic spirits industry. Likewise, it holds all certifications and registrations required under Mexican law to commercially use the “Tequila” geographic designation. In addition to the AsomBroso tequila brand, the Company has recently launched its new whiskey brand, Knucklenoggin, which has been initially received with considerable enthusiasm, already receiving reorders from the formidable box store, Costco.
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| COMPANY INFORMATION, BUSINESS AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
California Tequila, Inc. is a California corporation with its principal place of business located at: 30012 Aventura, Suite A, Rancho Santa Margarita, California 92688, Phone (949) 709-2585. Through this Offering, the Company is offering shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock (the “Shares”) on an ongoing basis through its broker-dealer StartEngine, including through StartEngine’s web-based platform to qualified investors who meet the investor Suitability Standards as set forth herein.
The Company intends to use the offering proceeds to engage in the following activities: (i) to fund its continually increasing marketing efforts for the products; (ii) to fund its operating capital during its expansion; (iii) to expand its operations domestically to move into a larger facility to accommodate the Company’s growth; and (iv) to expand its operations into Mexico by building a tasting barrel room to function as an additional site for business operations. |
| MANAGEMENT | The Company is organized as a California corporation, with all authority to direct the operations of the Company vested in a Board of Directors (the “Board”). The day-to-day management and investment decisions of the Company are vested in the Board and the Officers. As of the date for this Offering Circular, there are two Directors who also serve as Officers of the Company. Mr. Richard Gamarra is the Chairman of the Board of Directors, as well as the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary. Mr. Andrew Ulmer is a Director and also holds the Officer positions of President and Chief Financial Officer. |
| THE OFFERING | The current Offering of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock is the Company’s second capital raise offered to the public. Last year the Company was successful in raising the maximum offering amount of $1,069,999.70 for its shares through its Regulation Crowdfunding (“Regulation CF”) offering via StartEngine’s web portal.
Now the Company is selling a Maximum Offering Amount of $12,000,000 for the Shares pursuant to a Regulation A offering available to the public. The Company will use the Proceeds of this Offering to continue funding it operations and planned expansions in order to meet consumer demand for the Company’s AsomBroso tequila products and other products (see “Use of Proceeds” below). |
| SECURITIES BEING OFFERED | 1,500,000 shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock (the “Shares” and individually a “Share”) plus up to 150,000 additional Bonus Shares are being offered at a purchase price of $8.00 per Share. The Minimum Offering Amount for any investor is $480.00; therefore, an investor must purchase at least 60 Shares. Upon purchase of Shares, a Shareholder is granted (1) no voting rights; (2) a right to receive dividends or disbursements, if and when the Board declares such dividends or disbursements. For a complete summary of the rights granted to Class B Non-Voting Common Stock Shareholders, See “Description of the Securities” below. |
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| COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS | The Board or Officers of the Company will not be compensated through commissions for the sale of the Shares through this Offering. The Directors may be reimbursed for expenses related to the execution of their duties. See “Compensation of Directors and Officers” below. |
| PRIOR EXPERIENCE OF COMPANY MANAGEMENT | The Company has two Directors: Mr. Richard Gamarra is the founder and the Chairman of the Board, and Mr. Andrew Ulmer is a Director. Mr. Richard Gamarra is acting as an Officer in the capacities of Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of the Company. Mr. Andrew Ulmer is also acting as an Officer in the capacities of President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. |
| INVESTOR SUITABILITY STANDARDS |
The Shares will not be sold to any person unless they are a “Qualified Purchaser”. A Qualified Purchaser includes: (1) an “Accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”); or (2) all other Investors who meet the investment limitations set forth in Rule 251(d)(2) (C) of Regulation A. Such persons as stated in (2) above must conform with the “Limitations on Investment Amount” as described in the section below.
Each person acquiring Shares may be required to represent that he, she, or it is purchasing the for his, her, or its own account for investment purposes and not with a view to resell or distribute the securities.
Each prospective purchaser of Shares may be required to furnish such information or certification as the Company may require to determine whether any person or entity purchasing Shares is an Accredited investor if such is claimed by the investor. |
| LIMITATIONS ON INVESTMENT AMOUNT |
For Qualified Purchasers who are Accredited Investors, there is no limitation as to the amount invested through the purchase of Shares. For non-Accredited Investors, the aggregate purchase price paid to the Company for the purchase of the Shares cannot be more than 10% of the greater of the purchaser’s: (1) annual income or net worth (excluding the value of the primary residence), if purchaser is a natural person; or (2) revenue or net assets for the purchaser’s most recently completed fiscal year, if purchaser is a non-natural person.
Different rules apply to Accredited Investors and non-natural persons. Each investor should review Rule 251(d)(2)(i)(C) of Regulation A before purchasing the Shares. |
COMMISSIONS AND PROCESSING FEES |
The Shares will be offered and sold by the managing broker-dealer StartEngine, including through its web platform for a 3.5% commission of gross proceeds from each sale paid by the Company. This amount DOES NOT include a 3.5% processing fee assessed against the purchaser by StartEngine. No commissions for selling the Shares will be paid to the Company, Officers, or employees. |
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| NO LIQUIDITY | There is no current public market for the Shares, and none is expected to develop. See “Risk Factors” and “Description of the Securities” below for a further discussion. The Company may facilitate or otherwise participate in the secondary transfer of any Shares on a limited basis at its discretion. Prospective Investors are urged to consult their own legal advisors with respect to secondary trading of the Shares. Further, we plan to apply for quotation on StartEngine’s secondary market and/or the OTC; however, there can be no assurance that we will obtain such quotation, or as to the level of trading that might occur if we do. |
| COMPANY EXPENSES | Except as otherwise provided herein, the Company shall bear all costs and expenses associated with the Offering, and the operation of the Company, including, but not limited to, the annual tax preparation of the Company's tax returns, any state and federal income tax due, accounting fees, filing fees, independent audit reports, costs associated with insurance, real estate leasing, research and development, protection of Company intellectual property, legal fees, escrow agent fees, transfer agent fees, and any other costs incurred by the Company with respect to operations. |
The SEC requires the Company to identify risks that are specific to its business and its financial condition. The Company is still subject to all the same risks that all companies in its business, and all companies in the economy, are exposed to. These include risks relating to economic downturns, political and economic events and technological developments (such as hacking and the ability to prevent hacking). Additionally, early-stage companies are inherently more risky than more developed companies. You should consider general risks as well as specific risks when deciding whether to invest.
Investing in the shares is risky
An investment in the Company involves a high degree of risk and should only be considered by those who can afford the loss of their entire investment. Furthermore, the purchase of any of the should only be undertaken by persons whose financial resources are sufficient to enable them to indefinitely retain an illiquid investment. Each investor in the Company should consider all of the information provided to such potential investor regarding the Company as well as the following risk factors, in addition to the other information listed in the Company’s Offering Circular. The following risk factors are not intended, and shall not be deemed to be, a complete description of the risks inherent in the investment in the Company.
Your investment could be illiquid indefinitely
This investment in Shares is meant to be held as a long-term investment, and you may not be able to sell the Shares. There is no established market for these securities and there may never be one. As a result, if you decide to sell these securities in the future, you may not be able to find a buyer. The Company may be acquired by an existing company in the industry. However, that may never happen, or it may happen at a price that results in you losing money on this investment.
There is no current market for our Class B Non-Voting Common Stock
There is no formal marketplace for the resale of our Class B Non-Voting Common Stock. The Company may apply for quotation on StartEngine’s secondary market and/or the OTCQB to the extent any demand exists. These Class B Non-Voting Common Stock are illiquid and there will not be an official current price for them, as there would be if we were a publicly-traded company with a listing on a stock exchange. Investors should assume that they may not be able to liquidate their investment for some time, or be able to pledge their shares as collateral. Since we have not yet established a trading forum for the Class B Non-Voting Common Stock, there will be no easy way to know what these securities are “worth” at any time. Even if we seek a listing on StartEngine’s secondary market or the OTCQB market or another alternative trading system there may not be frequent trading and therefore no market price for the Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock.
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The Company may not have enough capital as needed and may be required to raise more capital.
The Company anticipates needing access to credit in order to support our working capital requirements as it grows. Although interest rates are low, it is still a difficult environment for obtaining credit on favorable terms. If Company cannot obtain credit when needed, it could be forced to raise additional equity capital, modify our growth plans, or take some other action. Issuing more equity may require bringing on additional investors. Securing these additional investors could require pricing our equity below its current price. If so, your investment could lose value as a result of this additional dilution. In addition, even if the equity is not priced lower, your ownership percentage would be decreased with the addition of more investors. If Company is unable to find additional investors willing to provide capital, then it is possible it may cease sales activity. In that case, the only asset remaining to generate a return on your investment could be our intellectual property. Even if the Company is not forced to cease its sales activity, the unavailability of credit could result in the Company performing below expectations, which could adversely impact the value of your investment.
Management discretion as to use of proceeds
Company’s success will be substantially dependent upon the discretion and judgment of its management team with respect to the application and allocation of the proceeds of this Offering. The Use of Proceeds described below is an estimate based on Company’s current business plan. However, it may become necessary or advisable to re-allocate portions of the net proceeds reserved for one category to another, and Company will have broad discretion in doing so.
Minority holder; securities with no voting rights
The Class B Non-Voting Common Stock offered to Investors do not have voting rights attached. This means as a Class B Non-Voting Common Stock minority shareholder, investor will have no right to dictate how the Company is managed. Each investor is trusting in the Company’s management to make good business decisions that are in the best interest of the Company. Furthermore, in the event of the Company’s liquidation, Investors will only be paid out if there is any cash remaining after all of the creditors of the Company have been paid out. However, as to the remaining funds Investors shall be entitled to a priority regarding said funds in an amount equal to the original investment, after which the remaining funds will then be distributed pro rata to all common shareholders.
The Company relies on third parties to provide services essential to the success of our business
The Company relies on third parties to provide a variety of essential business functions for it, including manufacturing, shipping, accounting, legal work, public relations, advertising, retailing, and distribution. It is possible that some of these third parties will fail to perform their services or will perform them in an unacceptable manner. It is possible that Company will experience delays, defects, errors, or other problems with the third party’s work that will materially impact Company’s operations and may have little or no recourse to recover damages for these losses. A disruption in these key or other suppliers’ operations could materially and adversely affect Company’s business. As a result, your investment could be adversely impacted by Company’s reliance on third parties and their performance.
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The Company has been substantially affected by the coronavirus pandemic
In late 2019, a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) surfaced, reportedly, in Wuhan, China. The World Health Organization declared a global emergency on January 30, 2020, with respect to the outbreak and many states and countries, including the United States, have initiated significant restrictions on business operations. We face uncertainty as the ongoing pandemic causes significant disruption to U.S and global markets and business. The overall and long term impacts of the outbreak are unknown and evolving.
This pandemic has already adversely affected our business and this or another pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease in the United States or in another country may adversely affect our business. The spread of a disease could lead to unfavorable economic conditions, which would adversely impact our operations. The extent to which the coronavirus impacts our business will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the coronavirus and the actions to contain the coronavirus or treat its impact, among others.
The effects of such a widespread infectious disease and epidemic has already caused, and may continue to cause or may cause in the future an overall decline in the U.S. and world economy as a whole. The actual effects of the spread of coronavirus or of another pandemic are difficult to assess as the actual effects will depend on many factors beyond the control and knowledge of the Company. However, the spread of the coronavirus, if it continues, and any future similar occurrence may cause an overall decline in the economy as a whole and therefore may materially harm our Company long term.
At the time of this filing, many restaurants, bars and hotels in the United States and in many countries are closed. These closures have significantly affected our business in numerous ways. As this filing is being made, there is uncertainty as to if, or when, our restaurants, bars and hotels and those of others will reopen and the same uncertainty applies to the Company. There is also uncertainty as to what long-term restrictions or other effects will occur in the restaurant, bar and hotel business, as well as to distilling and distribution operations in general. There is also uncertainty as to what will happen to in this regard should another health-related outbreak occur in the future.
All of these risks, and many others known or unknown, related to this outbreak, and future outbreaks, pandemics or epidemics, could materially affect the long-term business of the Company and your investment.
The Company is dependent upon its management, founders, key personnel and consultants to execute the business plan, and many of them will have concurrent responsibilities at other businesses such as West Coast Craft Spirits, Inc.
The Company's success is heavily dependent upon the continued active participation of the Company's current executive officers as well as other key personnel and consultants. Many of them will have concurrent responsibilities at other entities such as West Coast Craft Spirits, Inc. Loss of the services of one or more of these individuals could have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations. Further, the Company's success and achievement of the Company's growth plans depend on the Company's ability to recruit, hire, train and retain other highly qualified technical and managerial personnel. Competition for qualified employees among companies in the industries in which the Company participates is intense, and the loss of any of such persons, or an inability to attract, retain and motivate any additional highly skilled employees required for the expansion of the Company's activities, could have a materially adverse effect on it. The inability to attract and retain the necessary personnel, consultants and advisors could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
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Changes in employment laws or regulation could harm the Company’s performance.
Various federal and state labor laws govern the Company’s relationship with our employees and affect operating costs. These laws may include minimum wage requirements, overtime pay, healthcare reform and the implementation of various federal and state healthcare laws, unemployment tax rates, workers' compensation rates, citizenship requirements, union membership and sales taxes. A number of factors could adversely affect our operating results, including additional government-imposed increases in minimum wages, overtime pay, paid leaves of absence and mandated health benefits, mandated training for employees, changing regulations from the National Labor Relations Board and increased employee litigation including claims relating to the Fair Labor Standards Act. This risk of changes in labor laws or regulation also applies to the producers and partner distilleries of AsomBroso tequilas in Mexico.
The Company’s bank accounts will not be fully insured
The Company’s regular bank accounts and the escrow account for this Offering each have federal insurance that is limited to a certain amount of coverage. It is anticipated that the account balances in each account may exceed those limits at times. In the event that any of Company’s banks should fail, the Company may not be able to recover all amounts deposited in these bank accounts.
The Company faces significant competition in the United States
The Company faces significant competition in the United States tequila marketplace. According to the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (The Tequila Regulatory Council) located in Mexico, there are 1,462 tequilas certified to use the geographic indication “Tequila” see “Intellectual Property” below. Though some of these may not be imported to domestic markets, the number of tequilas imported and sold in the United States surely is close to such number. The result of this is a highly-saturated and competitive market. The Company may have difficulty increasing market share for AsomBroso tequilas, which may adversely affect revenues.
A disruption in distillation or importation activities could have a material adverse effect
A prolonged disruption to distillation or importation activities (e.g., due to fire, industrial action, adverse importation issues, or any other cause) at its distillation site(s) could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to produce its products. This could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial results and on your investment.
The Company and its distributors could have licensing, legal or regulatory problems
The Company or its Distributors could lose their licenses to import or sell alcoholic beverages or have their hours of operation curtailed as a result of hearings of the licensing boards in jurisdictions where they are located or as a result of any changes in legislation governing licensing in the various jurisdictions with a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial results and on your investment.
The Company’s expenses could increase without a corresponding increase in revenues
The Company’s operating and other expenses could increase without a corresponding increase in revenues, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial results and on your investment. Factors which could increase operating and other expenses include, but are not limited to (1) increases in the rate of inflation, (2) increases in taxes and other statutory charges, (3) changes in laws, regulations or government policies which increase the costs of compliance with such laws, regulations or policies, (4) significant increases in insurance premiums, (5) increases in borrowing costs, and (5) unexpected increases in costs of supplies, goods, materials, construction, equipment or distribution.
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The Company will be reliant on key suppliers
The Company has executed agreements with key suppliers of AsomBroso products (including partnered distilleries in Mexico) and will be reliant on positive and continuing relationships with such suppliers. Termination of those agreements, variations in their terms or the failure of a key supplier to comply with its obligations under these agreements (including if a key supplier were to become insolvent) could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial results and on your investment.
Increased costs could affect the Company
An increase in the cost of raw materials, including agave, or energy could affect the Company’s profitability. Commodity and other price changes may result in unexpected increases in the cost of raw materials, glass bottles and other packaging materials used by the Company. This includes the proprietary decanters in which AsomBroso tequilas are housed. The Company may also be adversely affected by shortages of raw materials or packaging materials. In addition, energy cost increases could result in higher transportation, freight and other operating costs. The Company may not be able to increase its prices to offset these increased costs without suffering reduced volume, sales and operating profit, and this could have an adverse effect on your investment.
Inability to maintain and enhance product image
It is important that the Company maintains and enhances the image of its existing and new products. The image and reputation of the Company’s products may be impacted for various reasons including litigation, complaints from regulatory bodies resulting from quality failure, illness or other health concerns. Such concerns, even when unsubstantiated, could be harmful to the Company’s image and the reputation of its products. From time to time, the Company may receive complaints from customers regarding products purchased from the Company. The Company may in the future receive correspondence from customers requesting reimbursement. Certain dissatisfied customers may threaten legal action against the Company if no reimbursement is made. The Company may become subject to product liability lawsuits from customers alleging injury because of a purported defect in products or sold by the Company, claiming substantial damages and demanding payments from the Company. The Company is in the chain of title when it manufactures, supplies or distributes products, and therefore is subject to the risk of being held legally responsible for them. These claims may not be covered by the Company’s insurance policies. Any resulting litigation could be costly for the Company, divert management attention, and could result in increased costs of doing business, or otherwise have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition. Any negative publicity generated as a result of customer complaints about the Company’s products could damage the Company’s reputation and diminish the value of the Company’s brand, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition, as well as your investment. Deterioration in the Company’s brand equity (brand image, reputation and product quality) may have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial results as well as your investment.
The tequila segment of the spirits industry is subject to both state and federal regulatory authorities
The tequila segment of the spirits industry is subject to both state and federal regulatory authorities. Since the Company’s products are imported from Mexico, there is risk of vulnerability if stringent trade or tariffs materially interrupt the Company’s business model. The probability of such occurring is low due to the recently enacted United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, set to expire in 2036. Trade tensions between the United States and China have affected the Cost of Goods Sold for some AsomBroso Tequila products due to an increased cost for decanter importation – however, even if trade from China to the United States is fully prohibited, the Company could still produce decanters domestically.
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Regulatory and legal hurdles
The operation of a distillery and spirits importer, wholesale and retail distribution of spirits will be subject to obtaining a liquor license or other licensure in the countries and states in which such operations take place. An unanticipated delay or unexpected costs in obtaining or renewing such licenses, or unanticipated hurdles which have to be overcome or expenses which have to be paid, could result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s business plan and consolidated financial results and on your investment.
Government and other campaigns and laws could reduce demand
Government-sponsored campaigns and campaigns by other third parties against excessive drinking, licensing reforms relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages and changes in drunk driving laws and other laws may reduce demand for the Company’s products and any change in the brewing legislation and other legislation could have an impact upon present and future products which the Company may produce, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results and on your investment.
The Company may be unable to manage their growth or implement their expansion strategy
The Company may not be able to expand the Company's products offerings, the Company's markets, or implement the other features of the Company's business strategy at the rate or to the extent presently planned. The Company's projected growth will place a significant strain on the Company's administrative, operational and financial resources. If the Company is unable to successfully manage the Company's future growth, establish and continue to upgrade the Company's operating and financial control systems, recruit and hire necessary personnel or effectively manage unexpected expansion difficulties, the Company's consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
The Company relies upon trade secret protection to protect its intellectual property; it may be difficult and costly to protect the Company's proprietary rights and the Company may not be able to ensure their protection
The Company currently relies on trade secrets for its product recipes. While the Company uses reasonable efforts to protect these trade secrets, the Company cannot assure that its employees, consultants, contractors or advisors will not, unintentionally or willfully, disclose the Company's trade secrets to competitors or other third parties. In addition, courts outside the United States are sometimes less willing to protect trade secrets. Moreover, the Company's competitors may independently develop equivalent knowledge, methods and know-how. If the Company is unable to defend the Company's trade secrets from others use, or if the Company's competitors develop equivalent knowledge, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business. Any infringement of the Company's proprietary rights could result in significant litigation costs, and any failure to adequately protect the Company's proprietary rights could result in the Company's competitors offering similar products, potentially resulting in loss of a competitive advantage and decreased revenue. Existing patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws afford only limited protection. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect the Company's proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. Therefore, the Company may not be able to protect the Company's proprietary rights against unauthorized third-party use. Enforcing a claim that a third party illegally obtained and is using the Company's trade secrets could be expensive and time consuming, and the outcome of such a claim is unpredictable. Litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce the Company's intellectual property rights, to protect the Company's trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. This litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could materially adversely affect the Company's future operating results.
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The Company needs to increase brand awareness
Due to a variety of factors, the Company's opportunity to achieve and maintain a significant market share may be limited. Developing and maintaining awareness of the Company's brand name, among other factors, is critical. Further, the importance of brand recognition will increase as competition in the Company's market increases. Successfully promoting and positioning the Company's brand, products and services will depend largely on the effectiveness of the Company's marketing efforts. Therefore, the Company may need to increase the Company's financial commitment to creating and maintaining brand awareness. If the Company fails to successfully promote the Company's brand name or if the Company incurs significant expenses promoting and maintaining the Company's brand name, it would have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations.
The Company faces competition in the Company's markets from a number of large and small companies, some of which have greater financial, research and development, production and other resources than does the Company
In many cases, the Company’s competitors have longer operating histories, established ties to the market and consumers, greater brand awareness, and greater financial, technical and marketing resources. The Company's ability to compete depends, in part, upon a number of factors outside the Company's control, including the ability of the Company's competitors to develop alternatives that are superior. If the Company fails to successfully compete in its markets, or if the Company incurs significant expenses in order to compete, it would have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations.
A data security breach could expose the Company to liability and protracted and costly litigation, and could adversely affect the Company's reputation and operating revenues
To the extent that the Company's activities involve the storage and transmission of confidential information and/or personally identifiable information (“confidential information”), the Company and/or third-party processors will receive, transmit and store confidential customer and other information. Encryption software and the other technologies used to provide security for storage, processing and transmission of confidential customer and other information may not be effective to protect against data security breaches by third parties. The risk of unauthorized circumvention of such security measures has been heightened by advances in computer capabilities and the increasing sophistication of hackers. Improper access to the Company's or these third parties' systems or databases could result in the theft, publication, deletion or modification of confidential customer and other information. A data security breach of the systems on which sensitive account information is stored could lead to fraudulent activity involving the Company's products and services, reputational damage, and claims or regulatory actions against us. If the Company is sued, in connection with any data security breach, the Company could be involved in protracted and costly litigation. If unsuccessful in defending that litigation, the Company might be forced to pay damages and/or change the Company's business practices or pricing structure, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operating revenues and profitability. The Company would also likely have to pay fines, penalties and/or other assessments imposed as a result of any data security breach.
The offering price of the Company’s Shares was not established on an independent basis; the actual value of your investment may be substantially less than what investor pays for the securities.
The Company’s Board of Directors established the Offering price of the Company’s Shares on an arbitrary basis. The selling price of the Shares bears no relationship to the book or asset values or to any other established criteria for valuing Shares. Because the Offering price is not based upon any independent valuation, the Offering price may not be indicative of the proceeds that you would receive upon liquidation. Further, the Offering price may be significantly more than the price at which the Shares would trade if they were to be listed on an exchange or actively traded by broker-dealers.
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Using a credit card to purchase Shares may impact the return on your investment as well as subject you to other risks inherent in this form of payment
Investors in this offering have the option of paying for their investment with a credit card, which is not usual in the traditional investment markets. Transaction fees charged by your credit card Company (which can reach 5% of transaction value if considered a cash advance) and interest charged on unpaid card balances (which can reach almost 25% in some states) add to the effective purchase price of the shares you buy. See “Plan of Distribution.” The cost of using a credit card may also increase if you do not make the minimum monthly card payments and incur late fees. Using a credit card is a relatively new form of payment for securities and will subject you to other risks inherent in this form of payment, including that, if you fail to make credit card payments (e.g. minimum monthly payments), you risk damaging your credit score and payment by credit card may be more susceptible to abuse than other forms of payment. Moreover, where a third-party payment processor is used, as in this offering, your recovery options in the case of disputes may be limited. The increased costs due to transaction fees and interest may reduce the return on your investment.
The SEC’s Office of investor Education and Advocacy issued an investor Alert dated February 14, 2018 entitled: Credit Cards and Investments – A Risky Combination, which explains these and other risks you may want to consider before using a credit card to pay for your investment.
Certain investors are entitled to pay a lower price for our Non-Voting Common Stock
The Company is offering Shares at a per Share price of $8.00. As described in, “Plan of Distribution,” certain individuals who are members of the StartEngine OWNers bonus program (“StartEngine OWNers”) will be entitled to receive Bonus Shares, effectively reducing the per Share price they pay to $7.20 per share. The purchase of Non-Voting Common Stock by StartEngine OWNers will have the effect of immediately diluting the investment of other investors in this Offering. In addition, certain other investors are also eligible to receive Bonus Shares equal to 5% or 10% of the shares they purchase. Investors receiving the 5% bonus (for investments of $25,000 or more) will pay an effective price of approximately $7.60 per share, before the StartEngine processing fee, while investors receiving the 10% bonus (for investments of $50,000 or more) will pay an effective price of approximately $7.20 per share before the StartEngine processing fee. This will have the effect of immediately diluting the investment of other investors in this Offering.
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In some cases, if you fail to meet the fiduciary and other standards under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), the Code or common law as a result of an investment in the Company’s Shares, you could be subject to liability for losses as well as civil penalties.
There are special considerations that apply to investing in the Company’s Shares on behalf of pension, profit sharing or 401(k) plans, health or welfare plans, individual retirement accounts or Keogh plans. If you are investing the assets of any of the entities identified in the prior sentence in the Company’s Shares, you should satisfy yourself that:
| 1. | Your investment is consistent with your fiduciary obligations under applicable law, including common law, ERISA and the Code; |
| 2. | Your investment is made in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the trust, plan or IRA, including a plan’s investment policy; |
| 3. | Your investment satisfies the prudence and diversification requirements of Sections 404(a)(1)(B); and 404(a)(1)(C) ;of ERISA, if applicable, and other applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code; |
| 4. | Your investment will not impair the liquidity of the trust, plan or IRA; |
| 5. | Your investment will not produce “unrelated business taxable income” for the plan or IRA; |
| 6. | You will be able to value the assets of the plan annually in accordance with ERISA requirements and applicable provisions of the applicable trust, plan or IRA document and |
| 7. | Your investment will not constitute a prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. |
Failure to satisfy the fiduciary standards of conduct and other applicable requirements of ERISA, the Code, or other applicable statutory or common law may result in the imposition of civil penalties and can subject the fiduciary to liability for any resulting losses as well as equitable remedies. In addition, if an investment in the Company’s Shares constitutes a prohibited transaction under the Code, the “disqualified person” that engaged in the transaction may be subject to the imposition of excise taxes with respect to the amount invested.
Investors in this offering may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the Subscription Agreement which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any action under this Agreement
Investors in this offering will be bound by the subscription agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) which includes a provision under which investors waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against the company arising out of or relating to this agreement. By signing this agreement, the investor warrants that the investor has reviewed this waiver with his or her legal counsel, and knowingly and voluntarily waives the investor’s jury trial rights following consultation with the investor’s legal counsel.
If the company opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, a court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with the applicable state and federal law. To the company’s knowledge, the enforceability of a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver in connection with claims arising under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by a federal court. However, the company believes that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of California, which governs the Subscription Agreement. In determining whether to enforce a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision, courts will generally consider whether the visibility of the jury trial waiver provision within an agreement is sufficiently prominent such that a party knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. The company believes that this is the case with respect to the Subscription Agreement. You should consult legal counsel regarding the jury waiver provision before entering into the Subscription Agreement.
If you bring a claim against the company in connection with matters arising under the Subscription Agreement, including claims under the federal securities laws, you may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to those claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against the company. If a lawsuit is brought against the company under the Subscription Agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have had, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in such an action.
Nevertheless, if the jury trial waiver provision is not permitted by applicable law, an action could proceed under the terms of the Subscription Agreement with a jury trial. No condition, stipulation or provision of the Subscription Agreement serves as a waiver by any holder of the company’s securities or by the company of compliance with any substantive provision of the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated under those laws.
In addition, when the shares are transferred, the transferee is required to agree to all the same conditions, obligations, and restrictions applicable to the shares or to the transferor with regard to ownership of the shares, that were in effect immediately prior to the transfer of the shares, including the Subscription Agreement.
Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements because they are inherently uncertain. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements in this Offering Circular. This Offering Circular contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The use of words such as “anticipated”, “projected”, “forecasted”, “estimated”, “prospective”, “believes”, “expects”, “plans”, “future”, “intends”, “should”, “can”, “could”, “might”, “potential”, “continue”, “may”, “will”, and similar expressions identifying these forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which may apply only as of the date of this Offering Circular.
Dilution means a reduction in value, control, or earnings of the shares the investor owns.
Immediate dilution
An early-stage company typically sells its shares (or grants options over its shares) to its founders and early employees at a very low cash cost, because they are, in effect, putting their “sweat equity” into the company. When the company seeks cash investments from outside investors, like you, the new investors typically pay a much larger sum for their shares than the founders or earlier investors, which means that the cash value of your stake is diluted because all the shares are worth the same amount, and you paid more than earlier investors for your shares.
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The following table compares the price that new investors are paying for their shares with the effective cash price paid by existing shareholders assuming that the shares are sold at $8.00 per share. The schedule presents shares and pricing as issued and reflects all transactions since inception, which gives investors a better picture of what they will pay for their investment compared to the Company’s insiders than just including such transactions for the last 12 months, which is what the SEC requires.
The following table presents the approximate effective cash price paid for all shares and potential shares issuable by the Company as of December 31, 2020.
| Issued Shares | Potential Shares | Total Issued and Potential Shares |
Effective Cash per Share of Common Stock at Issuance |
|||||||||||||
| Common Stock | ||||||||||||||||
| Class A Voting Common Stock | 9,701,221 | 9,701,221 | ||||||||||||||
| Class B Voting Common Stock | 298,779 | -- | 298,779 | $ | 3.95 | |||||||||||
| Total Common Share Equivalents | 10,000,000 | -- | 10,000,000 | |||||||||||||
| Investors in this Offering, assuming $12,000,000 raised, excluding Bonus Shares | -- | 1,500,000 | 1,500,000 | 8.00 | ||||||||||||
| Total After Inclusion of this Offering | 11,500,000 | |||||||||||||||
| (1) | The Company may issue up to 150,000 shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock as Bonus Shares in this offering. The Bonus Shares will be issued without any additional consideration received by the Company. If we issue all Bonus Shares in this offering, the effective cash price per share paid by investors in this offering would be $7.20. |
Future dilution
Another important way of looking at dilution is the dilution that happens due to future actions by the Company. The investor’s stake in a company could be diluted due to the company issuing additional shares. In other words, when the Company issues more shares, the percentage of the Company that you own will go down, even though the value of the Company may go up. You will own a smaller piece of a larger company. This increase in number of shares outstanding could result from a stock offering (such as an initial public offering, another crowdfunding round, a venture capital round, or an angel investment), employees exercising stock options, or by conversion of certain instruments (e.g. convertible bonds, preferred shares or warrants) into stock.
If the Company decides to issue more shares, an investor could experience value dilution, with each share being worth less than before, and control dilution, with the total percentage an investor owns being less than before. There may also be earnings dilution, with a reduction in the amount earned per share (though this typically occurs only if the Company offers dividends, and most early-stage companies are unlikely to offer dividends, preferring to invest any earnings into the Company).
The type of dilution that hurts early-stage investors most occurs when the company sells more shares in a “down round,” meaning at a lower valuation than in earlier offerings. An example of how this might occur is as follows (numbers are for illustrative purposes only):
| ● | In June 2019 Jane invests $20,000 for shares that represent 2% of a company valued at $1 million. |
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| ● | In December 2019 the company is doing very well and sells $5 million in shares to venture capitalists on a valuation (before the new investment) of $10 million. Jane now owns only 1.3% of the company but her stake is worth $200,000. |
| ● | In June 2020 the company has run into serious problems, and in order to stay afloat it raises $1 million at a valuation of only $2 million (the “down round”). Jane now owns only 0.89% of the company and her stake is worth only $26,660. |
This type of dilution might also happen upon conversion of convertible notes into shares. Typically, the terms of convertible notes issued by early-stage companies provide that in the event of another round of financing, the holders of the convertible notes get to convert their notes into equity at a “discount” to the price paid by the new investors, i.e., they get more shares than the new investors would for the same price. Additionally, convertible notes may have a “price cap” on the conversion price, which effectively acts as a share price ceiling. Either way, the holders of the convertible notes get more shares for their money than new investors. In the event that the financing is a “down round” the holders of the convertible notes will dilute existing equity holders, and even more than the new investors do, because they get more shares for their money. Investors should pay careful attention to the amount of convertible notes that the company has issued (and may issue in the future), and the terms of those notes.
If you are making an investment expecting to own a certain percentage of the Company or expecting each share to hold a certain amount of value, it’s important to realize how the value of those shares can decrease by actions taken by the Company. Dilution can cause drastic changes to the value of each share, ownership percentage, voting control, and earnings per share.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION AND SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
The Company is offering up to 1,500,000 shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock, plus up to 150,000 additional shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock eligible to be issued as Bonus Shares to investors based upon an investor’s investment level as described in this Offering Circular, or based on their eligibility to receive the StartEngine OWNers bonus program. No additional consideration will be received by the Company for the issuance of Bonus Shares and the Company will absorb the cost of the issuance of the Bonus Shares.
The Minimum Investment Amount is $480.00, and the Maximum Offering Amount is $12,000,000 (excluding Bonus Shares), subject to an increase of the Maximum Offering Amount through a qualification by the SEC of a post-qualification amendment.
| Public Offering Price | Per Share | Maximum Offering Amount | ||||||
| Public Offering Price | $ | 8.00 | $ | 12,000,000 | ||||
| StartEngine Commission Paid by the Company in cash(1) | $ | 0.28 | $ | 420,000 | ||||
| StartEngine Processing Fee Paid by the Investor in cash(2) | $ | 0.28 | $ | 420,000 | ||||
| StartEngine Credit Card Processing Fee(3) | $ | 0.32 | $ | 480,000 | ||||
| Shares Issued to StartEngine ($value) (4) | 240,000 | |||||||
| Proceeds Before Expenses | $ | 7.12 | $ | 10,440,000 | ||||
See “Commission and Discounts below, relating to the footnotes in this table, for a further discussion regarding the payments to StartEngine.
Plan of Distribution
The Company is offering up to 1,500,000 Shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock, as described in this Offering Circular. The Company has engaged StartEngine Primary, LLC (“StartEngine”) as its placement agent to assist in the placement of its securities in those states it is registered to undertake such activities, including soliciting potential investors on a best efforts basis. StartEngine is under no obligation to purchase any securities or arrange for the sale of any specific number or dollar amount of securities. Persons who desire information about the Offering may find it at www.startengine.com. This Offering Circular will be furnished to prospective investors via download 24 hours per day, 7 days per week on the startengine.com website.
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Commissions and Discounts
The table above shows the total discounts and commissions payable to StartEngine in connection with this Offering by the Company. The footnotes below correspond to the footnotes in the table above.
| (1) | StartEngine charges the Company a 3.5% commission of the gross offering proceeds on the sale of the Shares. This commission is payable to StartEngine in cash. |
| (2) | StartEngine will charge each investor a non-refundable processing fee equal to 3.5% of the amount you invest at the time you subscribe for our securities, equivalent to $0.28 per share, capped at $700 per investor. The table assumes that no investor in this offering reaches the capped amount of $700. This fee will be refunded in the event the Company does not raise any funds in this offering. |
| (3) | StartEngine will charge each investor a non-refundable credit card processing fee equal to 4% of the amount invested at the time investor subscribes for the Shares, equivalent to $0.32 per share. This fee will be refunded in the event the Company does not raise any funds in this Offering. |
| (4) | Additionally, the Company will issue StartEngine the number of Shares equal to 2% of the gross proceeds sold through StartEngine in this offering (excluding Bonus Shares), rounded to the nearest whole share. Assuming the Company raises the maximum amount in this offering, it would issue 30,000 Shares to StartEngine valued at $240,000. The number of Shares equal to 2% of the gross proceeds sold through StartEngine in this offering (excluding Bonus Shares) are subject to a 180 day lock-up period pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1). |
In addition to the commissions described above, the Company will also pay $15,000 to StartEngine for out-of-pocket accountable expenses paid prior to commencing. This fee will be used for the purpose of coordinating filings with regulators and conducting a compliance review of the Company’s Offering. Any portion of this amount not expended and accounted for will be returned to the Company.
Assuming the Maximum Offering Amount is raised, the Company estimates that the total fees and expenses of the Offering payable by the Company to StartEngine will be approximately $840,000 in cash commissions and $240,000 (in value) of Shares commissions. No fees or commissions will be paid with respect to the issuance of Bonus Shares in this offering.
All commissions are payable upon the disbursement of funds from escrow after the release from escrow, or at each closing.
These commissions do not include the escrow fees, transaction fees, AML review and cash management fees.
Other Terms
StartEngine has also agreed to perform the following services in exchange for the compensation discussed above:
| · | design, build, and create the Company’s campaign page, | |
| · | provide the Company with a dedicated account manager and marketing consulting services, | |
| · | provide a standard purchase agreement to execute between the Company and investors, which may be used at Company’s option and | |
| · | coordinate money transfers to the Company. |
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StartEngine intends to use an online platform provided by StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc. (“StartEngine Crowdfunding”), an affiliate of StartEngine, at the domain name www.startengine.com (the “Online Platform”) to provide technology tools to allow for the sales of securities in this Offering. In addition, StartEngine Crowdfunding will assist with the facilitation of credit and debit card payments through the Online Platform. Fees for credit and debit card payments will be passed onto Investors at cost and the Company will reimburse StartEngine Crowdfunding for transaction fees and return fees that it incurs for returns and chargebacks, pursuant to a Credit Card Services Agreement.
Subscription Procedures
After the Offering Statement has been qualified by the SEC, the Company will accept tenders of funds to purchase the Shares. The Company may close on investments on a “rolling” basis (so not all investors will receive their shares on the same date). Investors may subscribe by tendering funds via wire, credit or debit card, or ACH only, checks will not be accepted, to the escrow account to be setup by the Escrow Agent. Tendered funds will remain in escrow until a closing has occurred. StartEngine Crowdfunding will assist with the facilitation of credit and debit card payments through the Online Platform. The Company estimates that processing fees for credit card subscriptions will be approximately 4% of total funds invested per transaction, although credit card processing fees may fluctuate. The Company intends to reimburse StartEngine Crowdfunding for the processing fees. The Company estimates that approximately 70% of the gross proceeds raised in this Offering will be paid via credit card. This assumption was used in estimating the payment processing fees included in the total Offering expenses set forth in “Use of Proceeds to Issuer.” Upon closing of each Shares purchase, funds tendered by Investors will be made available to the Company unless the funds are still held in escrow.
The Minimum Investment in this Offering for each investor is: 60 Shares, or $480.00, plus: 3.5% processing fee ($16.80) paid by the investor to StartEngine.
In order to invest you will be required to subscribe to the Offering via the Online Platform and agree to the terms of the Offering, Subscription Agreement, and any other relevant exhibit attached thereto.
Investors will be required to complete a Subscription Agreement in order to invest. The Subscription Agreement includes a representation by the investor to the effect that, if the investor is not an “accredited investor” as defined under securities law, the investor is investing an amount, including the StartEngine processing fee, that does not exceed the greater of 10% of his or her annual income or 10% of the investors net worth (excluding the investor’s principal residence).
The Company has entered into an Escrow Services Agreement with Prime Trust LLC (the “Escrow Agent”) and StartEngine. Investor funds will be held by the Escrow Agent pending closing, the meeting of the Minimum Investment Amount, or termination of the Offering. All subscribers will be instructed by the Company or its agents to transfer funds by wire, credit or debit card, or ACH transfer directly to the escrow account established for this Offering. The Company may terminate the Offering at any time for any reason at its sole discretion. Investors should understand that acceptance of their funds into escrow does not necessarily result in their receiving shares; escrowed funds may be returned.
Once an investor submits a subscription agreement on the StartEngine portal and the Escrow Agent receives the investor's funds into the escrow account, the Escrow Agent will perform AML and KYC checks to verify the identity and status of the investor. If there are errors or incomplete information that needs to be resolved to complete the subscription, the StartEngine portal will generate emails instructing the investor on what to do to complete the process. Once the checks performed by the Escrow Agent are completed, the investor receives an email regarding the progress of the investment and the funds are available to be disbursed to the Company at a closing. The Company has access to a dashboard on the StartEngine platform that will indicate the amount of funds received from investors that have completed the subscription process. When the Company seeks to hold a closing and receive a distribution of funds, it will submit a request for a disbursement of funds through the StartEngine issuer dashboard. StartEngine will review the disbursement request to verify there are funds disbursable and that the banking information provided by the Company is accurate. If approved, StartEngine will accept the disbursement request and will notify the Escrow Agent to disburse funds from the escrow account to the Company's provided bank account. After notice has been provided to the Escrow Agent, funds will be processed and will be available in the Company's account within 24-48 business hours. As soon as the funds move from the escrow account to the Company’s bank account, the investors who were a part of the closing will receive a final confirmation email from StartEngine regarding the status of their investment, together with a fully executed subscription agreement.
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Prime Trust is not participating as an underwriter or placement agent or sales agent of this Offering and will not solicit any investment in the Company, recommend the Company’s securities or provide investment advice to any prospective investor, and no communication through any medium, including any website, should be construed as such, or distribute this Offering Circular or other Offering materials to investors. The use of Prime Trust’s technology should not be interpreted and is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation by it of the Company or this Offering. All inquiries regarding this Offering or escrow should be made directly to the Company.
In the event that the Company terminates the Offering while investor funds are held in escrow, those funds will promptly be refunded to each investor without deduction or interest and in accordance with Rule 10b-9 under the Exchange Act.
Pursuant to our agreement with StartEngine, the Company agrees that 6% of the total funds received into escrow will be held back as a deposit hold in case of any ACH refunds or credit card chargebacks. The hold will remain in effect for 180 days following the close of the Offering. 60 days after the close of the Offering, 75% of the deposit hold will be released to the Company. The remaining 25% of the held amounts will be held for the final 120 days. Based on the assumed Maximum Offering Amount, the deposit hold could be for up to $720,000.
StartEngine Secure LLC, an affiliate of StartEngine, will serve as transfer agent to maintain stockholder information on a book-entry basis. The Company will not issue the Shares in physical or paper form. Instead, ownership of Shares will be recorded and maintained on our stockholder register.
In the event that it takes some time for the Company to raise funds in this Offering, the Company will rely on income from sales.
There is no arrangement or plan to limit or restrict the sale of other securities of the same class as those to be offered for the period of distribution. No market exists for the Shares and no market is anticipated or intended to exist, therefore there is no plan to stabilize the market for any of the securities to be offered. There is no intent to or plan to withhold s, or otherwise to hold each broker-dealer, if any, responsible for the distribution of its participation.
Bonus Shares for StartEngine OWNers
Certain investors in this offering are entitled to 10% Bonus Shares of the Company’s Common Stock (effectively a discount on the price paid per share). Anyone who is a member of the StartEngine OWNers bonus program will receive, for example, 110 shares for every 100 shares they purchase in the offering. Fractional shares will not be distributed and share bonuses will be determined by rounding down to the nearest whole share. The general public can become members of the StartEngine OWNers bonus program on StartEngine's website for $275 per year. Membership will auto renew every year. A member of the program can cancel their renewal at any time. Once the individual cancels, their membership will expire on the next anniversary of their membership. With the OWNer’s Bonus, the investor will earn 10% bonus shares on all investments they make in participating campaigns on StartEngine. StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc. will determine whether an investor qualifies as a StartEngine OWNer.
Receipt of Bonus Shares pursuant to the OWNers bonus program are not cumulative with the Bonus Shares eligible to be received pursuant to the Perks described below.
Perks and Additional Bonus Shares
Certain other investors in this offering are also eligible to receive Bonus Shares, which effectively gives them a discount on their investment. Those investors will receive, as part of their investment, additional shares for their shares purchased (“Bonus Shares”) equal to 5% or 10% of the shares they purchase, depending upon perks described below. Investors receiving the 5% bonus (for investments of $25,000 or more) will pay an effective price of approximately $7.60 per share before the StartEngine processing fee, while investors receiving the 10% bonus (for investments of $50,000 or more) will pay an effective price of approximately $7.20 per share before the StartEngine processing fee. The StartEngine processing fee will be assessed on the full share price of $8.00 for the purchased shares, and not any Bonus Shares.
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The Company will provide Investors with the following perquisites (“Perks”) to investors in this Offering whose funds are received by the Transfer Agent, in addition to the Shares offered through this Offering. The perks for each level of investment is provided below. For a more in depth discussion of the various AsomBroso products delineated, see “Narrative of the Business” below.
Investments of $1,000 or More
Investors will receive the following:
| · | 750ml of El Platino |
Investments of $2,500 or More
Investors will receive the following:
| · | 750ml of El Platino, |
| · | 750ml of La Rosa Reposado |
| · | 750ml bottle of Gran Reserve Extra 5 Year Aged Anejo tequila signed by Ricardo Gamarra |
| · | a 50 ml bottle of Vintage 11-year rested Extra Anejo tequila. |
Investments of $5,000 or More
Investors will receive the following:
| · | A hand-blown 750ml bottle of Vintage 11-year Extra Anejo, rested in a new French Oak barrel for 11 years and voted “Best of The Best” from the prestigious Robb Report Magazine and hand-signed by Ricardo Gamarra. |
| · | 50ml bottle of The Collaboration Extra Anejo tequila double barrel rested in Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. |
Investments of $10,000 or More
Investors will receive the following:
| · | 750ml bottle of Vintage 11-year Extra Anejo, |
| · | 750ml of Gran Reserve Extra 5 Year Aged Anejo signed by Ricardo Gamarra |
| · | 750ml bottle of La Rosa tequila signed by Ricardo Gamarra. |
| · | Two 50ml bottles of The Collaboration Extra Anejo tequila double barrel rested in Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. |
Investments of $25,000 or More
Investors will receive the following:
| · | An additional 5% Bonus Shares. |
| · | 750ml bottle of The Collaboration Extra Anejo, double-barrel 12 Year, rested 11 years in new French oak then transferred to a Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 silver oak barrel provided in a beautiful humidor display. The bottle will be signed by Famous artist Luciano Gambaro and by Ricardo Gamarra. |
| · | 750ml bottle of Vintage 11-year Extra Anejo, 750ml of Gran Reserve Extra 5 Year Aged Anejo. |
| · | 750ml bottle of La Rosa tequila, all signed by Ricardo Gamarra. |
Investments of $50,000 or More
Investors will receive the following:
| · | An additional 10% Bonus Shares. |
| · | An invite to the distillery where they will sign one of the Collaboration barrels. |
| · | Once the barrel, that the investor signed, is released and bottled investors will receive four bottles of the Collaboration Extra Anejo. |
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| · | You and a guest will spend the day in the Town of Tequila, Mexico at our distillery with team AsomBroso Tequila. The celebrations will continue enjoying local cantaritos, Mariachi outdoor event bar and enjoy drinking and eating the local food and celebrating with Ricardo and his team. Flights and hotel are included and will be booked by AsomBroso Tequila team. |
| · | 750ml bottle of Vintage 11-year Extra Anejo, |
| · | 750ml of Gran Reserve Extra 5 Year Aged Anejo. |
| · | 750ml bottle of La Rosa tequila all signed by Ricardo Gamarra. |
We are of the opinion that these Perks do not have any cash value and do not alter the sales price or cost basis of the securities in this offering. Instead, the Perks are a “thank you” to investors and a promotion that helps us achieve our mission. However, it is recommended that investors consult with a tax professional to fully understand any tax implications of receiving any perks before investing.
SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS
There are no selling security holders in this Offering.
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The Company intends to raise offering proceeds to engage in the following activities: (i) to fund its continually increasing marketing efforts for the products; (ii) to fund its operating capital during its expansion; (iii) to expand its operations domestically into a larger facility to accommodate the Company’s growth; and (iv) to expand its operations internationally. The proceeds from this Offering will not be used to compensate or otherwise make payments to officers, management, or employees of the Company, unless and to the extent it is as otherwise stated below.
Please see the table below for a summary of the Company’s estimated intended use of proceeds from this Offering:
| $500,000 Raise | $6,000,000 Raise | $9,500,000 Raise | $12,000,000 Raise | ||||||||||
| Offering Proceeds | |||||||||||||
| Gross Proceeds from this offering (1) | $ | 500,000 | $ | 6,000,000 | $ | 9,500,000 | $ | 12,000,000 | |||||
| Offering expenses (2) | $ | 123,000 | $ | 343,000 | $ | 463,000 | $ | 583,000 | |||||
| Total Proceeds Available for Use | $ | 359,500 | $ | 5,447,000 | $ | 8,704,500 | $ | 10,997,000 | |||||
| Marketing the products | $ | 150,000 | $ | 1,890,109 | $ | 3,020,461 | $ | 3,848,950 | |||||
| Funding operating capital | $ | 59,500 | $ | 1,378,091 | $ | 2,202,239 | $ | 2,749,250 | |||||
| Expanding operations domestically | $ | 150,000 | $ | 2,178,800 | $ | 3,481,800 | $ | 4,398,800 | |||||
| (1) | Excludes processing fee paid by investors directly to StartEngine, the maximum amount to be paid would be $17,500, $210,000, $332,500 and $420,000 for offerings of $500,000, $6,000,000, $9,500,000 and $12,000,000, respectively. |
| (2) | Includes: (i) commission payable by the Company to StartEngine, (ii) $15,000 for out of pocket expenses payable by the Company to StartEngine, (iii) credit card fees (4%), (iv) legal, (v) accounting, and (vi) Edgarization fees. |
The Company previously raised over a million dollars in its Regulation CF offering last year, and those funds have been deployed and are in use by the Company. Any remaining proceeds from the prior offering, along with the Company’s sales profits will be used in conjunction with the proceeds from this offering in all of the uses described below. The specific dollar amounts discussed in the discussion following assume the Company raises the Maximum Offering Amount.
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Marketing the Products
The Company’s AsomBroso Tequila brand is at an expansion stage with proven potential and impressive account penetration. The Company operates in a limited geographical area which includes 25 states within in the United States. The Company’s domestic distributors include, West Coast Craft Spirits, RNDC, Southern Wine & Spirits, Savannah Distribution, Eder Brother’s, Johnson Brother’s Martignetti, and Momentum Beverage. This market is notoriously competitive and challenging to penetrate which serves as significant evidence of the Company’s brand appeal. The Company is currently positioned for expansion into 25 additional states and Canada within a year. To accomplish this, the Company will need significant resources to expand awareness and consumer interest through its marketing efforts.
AsomBroso Tequila is currently sold in national chain stores such as Kroger, Costco, Total Wine & More, and BevMo!, with an average 85% reorder rate. The Company has purchase orders and opportunities in many off-premises chains such as, Ralph’s, Safeway, Vons, Albertson’s and Pavilions. AsomBroso has the potential to compete on a national level and attract national distributors in future markets.
The Company anticipates launches in the following locations: (i) South Korea during Q2 20212 and (ii) Canada in Q3 2021. AsomBroso Tequila is imported into Japan by EZO Beer KK (Sapporo Beer Distributor) with a distribution agreement that expires on December 31, 2021. AsomBroso is also distributed in Germany by Casa Tequila and in the United Kingdom by Whiskey World. The Company is reviewing brand building and marketing consumer tasting program focused on its Anejo tequila product line to increase market share and sales.
The Company recently engaged Blue Light Media to assist and enhance its comprehensive marketing strategy focused on the Company’s targeted demographics. In addition, AsomBroso Tequila will be using its extensive in-house capabilities to brand and market the product. With a combination of various advertising media, guerilla marketing techniques, special events, telemarketing, on-site promotions, press and media coverage. AsomBroso Tequila has created and tested a comprehensive and targeted marketing and branding strategy that rivals or exceeds the big brands, at a much lower cost. AsomBroso Tequila has positioned itself to utilize non-traditional forms for exposure, including its in-house custom designed graphics allowing the Company to maximize exposure at a minimal cost.
The Company anticipates 75% of its marketing budget will be spent in-house, and 25% will be allocated to an outside marketing firm.
Funding Operating Capital
Inventory
In order to supply the eastern half of the United States, the Company intends to add an East Coast warehouse with approximately $600,000 in inventory. In order to decrease the cost of goods by purchasing higher quantities of raw goods such as bottles, tops and boxes, the Company will increase its on-hand Mexico raw goods inventory by approximately $200,000. In preparation to launch internationally the Company will warehouse approximately $450,000 inventory.
Employees
The Company anticipates using approximately $770,000 of the offering proceeds to continue paying salaries to the CEO, President, and Brand Manager/Marketing Director, as well as market managers, sales directors, accounting associates, and administrative assistants.
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Expanding Operations Domestically
California Tequila intends to purchase an approximately 20,000 SQ FT mixed use warehouse/office space building in Orange County, California. Based on current for sale buildings the Company believes the average purchase will cost approximately $6,000,000. California Tequila will sub-lease 50% of the space to West Coast Craft Spirits for fair market value.
Expanding Operations Internationally
Inventory
In order to supply the expanding operations outside of the United States, the Company intends to use $200,000 of the Maximum Offering Proceeds.
Employees
The Company anticipates using approximately $170,000 of the offering proceeds to compensate sales and other employees dedicated to the international expansion of the Company’s products.
The foregoing represents the Company’s best estimate of the allocation of the Proceeds of this Offering based on planned Use of Proceeds for the Company’s operations and current objectives.
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Corporate History
The issuer, California Tequila, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of California on April 27, 2020. Prior to incorporation of California Tequila, Inc. the Company had been conducting operations under California Tequila, LLC since its organization in California on May 2, 2002. All operations and assets of California Tequila, LLC were transferred to California Tequila, Inc. upon its incorporation. California Tequila, Inc. filed a Fictitious Business Name Statement with Orange County, CA permitting the Company to use the name “AsomBroso Tequila”.
The previous entity, California Tequila, LLC, was formed in 2002 by Richard Gamarra as its sole managing member. It was the vehicle through which the AsomBroso tequila brand was created, imported and marketed domestically. Until 2006 Mr. Gamarra was its sole employee. In January 2006 Andrew Ulmer was engaged by Mr. Gamarra to serve as the entity COO and Vice President. However, he was never a member of the limited liability company. Through the early years the limited liability company provide tax shelter to offset Mr. Gamarra's other earned income.
In anticipation of the Company's Regulation CF raise, it was deemed advisable that the limited liability Company merge into a C-Corporation providing optimum flexibility for the issuance of additional equity. Accordingly, in 2020 California Tequila, Inc. was formed by Mr. Gamarra to accomplish this reorganization. The Company has two authorized classes of stock one voting and one nonvoting. Thereafter, on or about June 9, 2020 pursuant to a Certificate of Merger, and Agreement and Plan of Merger between the parties, California Tequila LLC merged into California Tequila Inc. the surviving entity. By operation of law, the California Tequila, LLC’s history, operation, assets and liabilities were subsumed into California Tequila, Inc. and its legal existence permanently extinguished. Pursuant to the terms of the merger Mr. Gamarra interest in the limited liability company was converted into 100% of the authorized and outstanding common voting stock of California Tequila Inc.
Introduction
The Company is principally engaged in the business of importing, marketing, and selling ultra-premium tequila products under its “AsomBroso” brand. AsomBroso is the cognate of the Spanish word for “amazing.” The Company offers AsomBroso Tequila products across the entire price point spectrum of the ultra-premium tequila category from its AsomBroso Silver (USA MSRP $40.00/bottle) to its state of the art 12-year-aged Collaboration Extra Anejo (USA MSRP $1,800.00/bottle). The Company has also begun to market other spirits, specifically flavored whiskeys under its “Knucklenoggin” brand.
The Company’s tequila products are manufactured pursuant to the Company’s proprietary formula in partnership with its esteemed distillery situated within Jalisco, Mexico – a province renowned for the production of a Mexican national resource, agave tequila. AsomBroso has been certified by the province of Jalisco to use the geographic distinctions of “Tequila” and/or “Tequila 100% De Agave” and continues to maintain such standards. See “Intellectual Property” for further details.
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The Company currently has distribution of AsomBroso tequilas in twenty-five states and three foreign countries, with the intention to use the Proceeds from this Offering to expand into new territories. See “Distribution” for further details.
Products
Since 2002, we believe that AsomBroso tequila has gained the reputation within the tequila industry (and amongst tequila aficionados) as one of the best, if not the best, tequila brand on the market. AsomBroso tequilas have products that span the price range of ultra-premium tequilas.
The Company currently produces, markets, and sells ten ultra-premium tequilas marketed under the “AsomBroso” brand. Additionally, the Company has recently released a new salted caramel-flavored whiskey under the “Knucklenoggin” brand. The following product descriptions are the currently marketed spirits sold by the Company.
El Platino Silver
USA MSRP: $40.99
16% of Product Mix (Approx.)
Voted "Top Tequila" and awarded "Double Gold" out of more than 300 tequilas at the San Francisco World Spirits competition. By crafting El Platino with specially selected 100% blue agave in our proprietary multiple distillation and filtration process, we have found the perfect balance of preserving the taste while eliminating the harsh finish that may be present in many other tequilas. El Platino is the sophisticated foundation for all of our unique tequilas and is perfect for sipping straight or mixing with your favorite drinks.
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La Rosa Reposado
USA MSRP: $47.99
30% of Product Mix (Approx.)
A tequila like no other, La Rosa begins with our awarded El Platino Silver. Once the final filtration is completed, the tequila is then "rested" (reposado) for 3 months in French oak casks previously used for fine Bordeaux wine. We created this resting process which imparts the natural pink color from the wine and gives our reposado a subtle sweet finish resulting in an unparalleled taste experience. Awarded the "Gold Medal" at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Cristalino Extra Anejo
USA MSRP: $99.99
Rested 3 years
1% of Product Mix (Approx.)
Our first TRIPLE BARRELED tequila, CRISTALINO is a tequila like never before! This unique, clear Extra Anejo masterpiece is from the imagination of Ricardo Gamarra. The purpose of this tequila creation was to see if we could achieve the most balanced tequila ever. To do this we looked into our barrel aging process and our decades of experience and tried something new.
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Gran Reserva Extra Anejo
USA MSRP: $99.99
Rested 5 years
44% of Product Mix (Approx.)
To make our Gran Reserva, our awarded El Platino is carefully aged five years in new, premium French oak barrels. By aging the El Platino through this unique aging process, our Extra Anejo is given full-bodied taste that critics have compared to a sophisticated Cognac or Armagnac. We are honored to have been voted "Best of the Best" by the prestigious Robb Report magazine, and adorned with the "Double Gold Medal" by the San Francisco World Spirits competition.
El Carbonzado Extra Anejo
USA MSRP: $169.99
Aged 6 years
1% of Product Mix (Approx.)
One of our newest DOUBLE-BARRELED creations, El Carbonzado is another tequila first! We begin with our "Best of the Best" Gran Reserva Extra Anejo, and then barrel the tequila a second time in premium medium charred oak casks previously used to house one of the world's highest rated Irish Whiskeys. The results from this 6-year aging process is an incredibly smooth tequila, with just enough southern charm to please both tequila and whiskey drinkers alike.
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Especial de Rouge Extra Anejo
USA MSRP: $399.99
Aged 10 Years
1% of Product Mix (Approx.)
The Especial De Rouge is a masterpiece in its own right. This is the world's first tequila to rest in fine crafted French oak barrels previously used to host one of the world’s most famous French Cognacs, Grand Marnier®. We patiently waited for the aging process to properly infuse itself, measuring the content religiously to ensure the essence of both the mild oak and buttery orange blossom notes to take hold of this unique and marvelous tequila.
Vintage 11 Year Extra Anejo
5% of Product Mix (Approx.)
USA MSRP: $699.99
Aged 11 Years
From Ricardo's personal collection, Vintage is a remarkably smooth Extra Anejo tequila. The process begins with our El Platino, resting it for 11 long years in new French Oak Barrels. This "Best of the Best" tequila has been described as the “Nectar of the Gods” It is bottled in our beautiful decanter designed after the Bellagio Hotel’s famous "Fiori de Como" Chihuly chandelier. Sold in Costco locations, packaged in an elegant display, polished hardwood humidor with a custom laser engraved pedestal.
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Diosa 12 Year Extra Anejo
USA MSRP $1,200.00
Aged 12 Years
1% of Product Mix (Approx.)
One of our latest creations. Jarrett Gamarra is proud to bring you the Diosa Reserva Familiar 12 year rested in premium Napa Valley American Oak. The Diosa Reserva is a tequila close to Jarrett’s heart. Twelve years ago, Jarret was introduced and indoctrinated into the world of tequila by his father, Ricardo, to uphold his family name and legacy. On that day twelve years ago, Jarret personally selected three American oak barrels that would house his own aged tequila. As time progressed Jarrett diligently monitored the taste profile of this tequila until perfection was achieved.
Today, you have the opportunity to own this tequila and the special story it shares. Named “Diosa”, or “Goddess”, Jarrett named this tequila after his beautiful wife Paris. The Diosa is housed in a beautiful stained glass decanter, accented with three elegantly-tied rope rings to symbolize his three years of marriage with Paris.
Del Porto Extra Anejo
USA MSRP $1,200.00
Aged 12 Years
1% of Product Mix (Approx.)
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This complex tequila is another first of its kind from Ricardo Gamarra's personal collection. Beginning with our awarded Vintage 11 year Extra Anejo, Ricardo then DOUBLE BARRELS the tequila an additional fourteen months in hand chosen port wine barrels imported from Portugal. This beautiful tequila is then adorned in a meticulously-crafted crystal decanter handmade by the famous Italian artisan, Luciano Gambaro. This work of art is then displayed in our custom engraved polished cedar humidor.
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"The Collaboration" Extra Anejo
USA MSRP: $1,999.99
Aged 12 Years
1% of Product Mix (Approx.)
The Collaboration is a stunning DOUBLE BARREL rested tequila combining our awarded Vintage 11 year Extra Anejo with the esteemed Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon American oak barrels and re-rested for additional twelve months. This has produced one of the world's most luxurious and taste-provoking tequilas in the world. Each decanter housing “The Collaboration” is handcrafted by famed glass artist Luciano Gambaro of Marino Italy and displayed in a finely-polished, custom-engraved cedar humidor, The Collaboration makes an exquisite gift for the tequila aficionado.
Rated a “97” by The Tasting Panel Magazine – Highest rated tequila in the world!
Non-Tequila Products
As of the date of this Offering Circular, the Company produces and sells one non-tequila product, Knucklenoggin Salted Caramel Whiskey. Sale of Knucklenoggin began in 2020 and is expected to grow. The Company does not expect significant capital expenditures required for this product-line to grow.
Knucklenoggin Salted Caramel Whiskey

USA MSRP $25.99
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New Product (Product mix % not available)
Created by AsomBroso Master Distiller Ricardo Gamarra, Knucklenoggin Whiskey is a fun, easy to drink flavored whiskey designed to be enjoyed straight, on the rocks or in a mixed drink... Knucklenoggin is simply delicious! Made from a blend of the finest aged American Whiskeys, carefully selected by our Master Blenders and infused with the sweet taste of rich creamy caramel - imparting creamy smooth notes that perfectly complement our stunningly bold whiskey.
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Tequila Market
The domestic and global tequila market has exploded within the past four years. In 2019, the global tequila market doubled, passing over $4.6 billion. This included a comparable growth in the high-end/ultra-premium segment of the tequila market. The Company predicts the growth trend of the high-end/ultra-premium tequila segment to continue for the foreseeable future, correlating with the greater tequila market trends. The Company believes that it is particularly well-positioned to capitalize on this segment’s growth due to the already high reputation of AsomBroso tequilas in the ultra-premium tequila category.
Customer Profiles
The Company’s internal research indicates the AsomBroso customer base has the following attributes:
| · | Gender: 55% Male and 45% Female | |
| · | Age: 35-55 years old | |
| · | Average Household Income: $150,000+ | |
| · | Marital Status: Married with a Family | |
| · | Education: College Educated, bachelor’s degree (or higher) |
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Manufacturing
California Tequila, Inc. imports and manufactures its own propriety branded products using the Tequila Selecto De Amatitan S.A DE C.V distillery (“Tequila Selecto Distillery”). The process, including but not limited to the following, is performed by the Company’s staff and overseen by the Company’s management:
| · | Manufacturing, | |
| · | Barrel resting | |
| · | Inventory management, | |
| · | Blending, | |
| · | Sourcing raw bottles, | |
| · | Labeling, and | |
| · | Packaging |
The Entailment and Joint Responsibility Agreement between the Company and Tequila Selecto Distillery, dated April 27, 2020 is valid for 10 years and is filed as an Exhibit to the Offering Statemetn of which this Offering Circular forms a part.
Brand Image
The Company has crafted the AsomBroso brand, including its reputation and brand image, to target a tequila consumer who has the following customer profile: (1) indulges in luxury; (2) enjoys travel; (3) active in business community as a leader or an owner; (4) appreciates a lifestyle centered around relaxation and “taking it easy”.
Commercial Customer Profile
A significant portion of the Company’s sales are business-to-business sales (“B2B”). The Company currently sells to commercial clients including businesses in hospitality, hotels, restaurants, retail establishments, private clubs, and the like. The Company has adopted a philosophy of direct and indirect marketing to the beverage managers of these businesses.
The Company has and will continue to target the above establishments, but will focus most of its sales and marketing efforts to such places that are characterized as “modern”, “upscale”, in both suburban commercial and city locations, and in single and chain model establishments.
Marketing Programs
The Company will be using its extensive in-house capabilities to brand and market our product. With a combination of various advertising media, guerrilla marketing techniques, special events, telemarketing, on-site promotions, press and media coverage. The Company has created and tested a comprehensive and targeted marketing and branding strategy that rivals or exceeds the big brands, at a much lower cost per million dollars. AsomBroso has positioned itself to utilize non-traditional forms or exposure, such as in-house custom designed graphics allowing us to place maximum expose at a minimal cost. Our brands reputation for high quality and innovative products will become the de facto leader of the ultra-premium segment. The growth is expected to exceed the industry past and projected growth rate as nationwide marketing and distribution plans take effect.
Business-to-Consumer Marketing Strategy
The Company intends to spend a portion of the Proceeds in an expansion of marketing efforts directly to consumers. The marketing effort will utilize traditional and modern techniques including social media marketing and search engine optimization. The Company will conduct such marketing efforts both in house and through contracted third-party marketing/advertising firms. The overarching focus of the business-to-consumer (“B2C”) marketing campaign will be for the flagship products Gran Reserva 5-year Extra Anejo and La Rosa Reposado. The Company will also promote its luxury and innovative products when such become available for sale through limited releases.
The Company intends to engage in direct sales and marketing through its website AsomBrosotequila.com (the “Website”). One major aspect of the Company’s direct sales marketing campaign over its website derives from the Company’s “Agave Club” mailing list. The mailing list sign-up portal is provided on the Company’s website. As of the date of this Offering Circular, the Company has approximately 28,000 AsomBroso Agave Club Members.
The Company currently conducts direct sales over its Website to 37 different states. The Company has engaged a third party marketing company to execute a comprehensive sales and marketing strategy, including bi-weekly emails to Agave Club members. The direct sales social media strategy will direct dollars to the 37 states the Company may ship to directly form the Website.
Business-to-Business Marketing Strategy
The same marketing agency engaged for B2C marketing and advertising has also been engaged to execute a comprehensive B2B marketing strategy to help build AsomBroso product awareness amongst potential and current commercial clients such as hospitality, hotels, restaurants, liquor retailers, and private clubs. Initial B2B marketing campaigns will be focused in the top United States tequila markets.
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Sales Representatives
The Company also intends to use the proceeds from this Offering to expand traditional sales activities by utilizing and expanding its salesforce throughout the US to spread marketing message and brand awareness, conduct brand tasting and product placement via distributor partners to restaurants and retailers.
Competition
The tequila market is one of the most robust alcohol markets both in gross sales size and number of brands. The categorization of the AsomBroso brand as an ultra-premium tequila brand does limit the scope of actual competing brands, since the AsomBroso customer is more likely to pick a high-end/ultra-premium tequila. The closest nationally distributed, or widely distributed competing brands are Don Julio, Patron, Casamigos, Clase Azul, and Adictivo Extra Aged Cristlino. The table below provides a comparative MSRP price point table for AsomBroso products as compared to the closest competing products from the above named competitors.
| Name of Competitor Tequila (MSRP) | AsomBroso El Platino ($40.99) | AsomBroso La Rosa ($47.99) | AsomBroso Cristalino ($99.99) | AsomBroso Gran | AsomBroso El Carbonzado ($169.99) | AsomBroso Especial De Rouge ($399.99) | AsomBroso Vintage Extra Anejo ($699.99) | AsomBroso Del Porto Extra Anejo ($1,899.99) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Don Julio | $ | 39.99 | $ | 42.99 | - | $ | 126.99 | $ | 126.99 | $ | 126.99 | $ | 359.99 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Patron | $ | 39.99 | $ | 42.99 | - | $ | 45.99 | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Casamigos | $ | 37.99 | $ | 42.99 | - | $ | 47.99 | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Clase Azul | $ | 59.99 | $ | 79.99 | - | $ | 449.99 | $ | 449.99 | $ | 449.99 | $ | 1,474.99 | $ | 1,474.99 | |||||||||||||||||
| Don Julio Real | - | - | - | - | - | - | $ | 359.99 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Employees
The Company currently has six employees, three part-time, including a controller, and three full-time including a Director of Marketing, bookkeeper and a sales representative. The part-time employees work between 1-20 hours per week, additionally an independent contractor provides about forty hours a week of services for the Company.
Intellectual Property
The Company has a considerable portfolio of valuable and legally protected intellectual property. First and foremost, the Company’s most valuable intellectual properties are the recipes, distillation processes, and aging formulae for the various tequilas. Such processes and formulae are protectable trade secrets. Additionally, the Company owns the following intellectual properties:
| · | AsomBroso Decanter (bottle) Design |
| o | Design Patent for the AsomBroso Decanter with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the “USPTO”) | |
| o | Industrial Design Patent for the AsomBroso Decanter with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (“China” or the “China Patent Office”) |
| · | Geographical Indication permitting use of the label “Tequila” and/or “Tequila 100% De Agave” (State of Jalisco, Mexico) |
| · | Trademarks |
| o | “Asombroso” word mark (USPTO) | |
| o | “Asombroso Ultrafino” word mark (USPTO) |
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| o | “Knucklenoggin” word mark (USPTO) | |
| o | Knucklenoggin design mark (USPTO) | |
| o | “Asombroso” “Fine Tequilas” “100% Blue Agave” word marks (China) |
AsomBroso Decanter (bottle) Design
The original AsomBroso bottle is based off of an antique crystal decanter that Company Chairman Ricardo Gamarra happened upon during a visit to an 18th-century castle in Europe during the Spring of 2000. Ricardo subsequently patented the design with the USPTO and the China Patent Office to become the vessel for AsomBroso tequilas. In addition to the patented design, the super ultra-premium double-barreled Del Porto and the Collaboration tequilas are bottled in hand-blown glass bottles. Each of these bottles is blown on the Island of Marino, Italy by the famous glass artisan Luciano Gambaro.
There are two design patents for the decanter (bottle) design, one with the USPTO (Patent Number D562150) and one with the China Patent Office (Industrial Design Patent Number ZL 2011 3 0015508.6).
“Tequila” Geographical Indication
The USPTO defines a geographical indication as “indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographic origin.” Examples of geographical indications from the United States include: “FLORIDA” for oranges; “IDAHO” for potatoes; and “WASHINGTON STATE” for apples.”
Other examples of geographic indications, as relevant to alcoholic sprits include “Cognac” for brandy from the Cognac region, “Scotch” for whisky from Scotland, or “Bourbon” for whiskey made in Bourbon County, KY. Many geographical indications have stringent standards as to the quality of ingredients, the ratios of those ingredients, and the distillation and/or aging process of the spirit. Furthermore, the ability for a distillery to place the label of that geographical indication is a regulated activity, usually by an agency within the relevant territory or region.
“Tequila” and or “Tequila 100% De Agave” is a geographical indication for a distilled beverage made from the blue agave planet, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila in the Jaliscan Highlands of the central western Mexican state of Jalisco. Tequila is the national spirit of Mexico along with one of Mexico’s largest exports. As such “Tequila” was recognized by the EU in 2019 and placed on the EU geographical indications register.
The State of Jalisco has certified that AsomBroso is permitted to use the geographical indication “Tequila” and “Tequila 100% De Agave”.
Company Trademarks
The Company currently owns four trademarks with the USPTO, three word marks and one design mark. The Company also owns one word mark with the China Patent Office.
| Mark | Office | Trademark Type |
| “Asombroso” | USPTO | Word Mark |
| “Asombroso Ultrafino” | USPTO | Word Mark |
| “Knucklenoggin” | USPTO | Word Mark |
| Knucklenoggin | USPTO | Design Mark |
“Asombroso”
“Fine Tequilas” “100% Blue Agave” |
China Patent Office |
Word Mark |
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Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of operations in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2020, there were no pending or threatened lawsuits that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the results of the Company’s operations.
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The Company owns approximately $1,000,000 worth of tequila and spirits in inventory stored within its facilities located at 30012 Aventura Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 and Camino a la villa de cuerambaro KM 2 CP 45380 Mexico.
During 2020 and 2019, the Company paid month to month rent for an office space to Tangar 1, LLC located at_30012 Aventura Rancho Santa Margarita CA 92688.
Rent expense for the fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was was $26,088 and $28,725, respectively.
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended December 31, 2020 Compared to December 31, 2019
Financial Condition
You should read the following discussion and analysis of the Company financial condition and results of our operations together with our financial statements and related notes appearing at the end of this Offering Memorandum. This discussion contains forward- looking statements reflecting our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those contained in these forward- looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Offering Memorandum.
Results of Operations
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $1,379,225 compared to $901,570 for the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $477,655 or 53%. The increase in revenues was primarily due to the increase in global tequila consumption, in-spite of the ongoing pandemic and less availability for on-premise events. See “Trends” for additional information.
Cost of goods sold are the cost of our Tequila and Whiskey goods, supplies and materials, shipping and materials related to our revenues. Cost of goods sold for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $825,366 compared to $338,405 for the year ended Dec, an increase of $486,961, or 144%. The increase resulted from the increase in production to prepare for Q4 demand that are the highest of the year due to the holidays. The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions also affected manufacturing and transportation time related to cost of goods sold and causing it to increase. As a percentage of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020 costs of goods sold was 60% compared to 37% for the year ended December 31, 2019.
SG&A expenses consist primarily of wages and salaries, payroll expenses, insurance, legal and professional services, including consulting, legal, and accounting fees, rent, utilities, office supplies plus travel expense and other general corporate expenses. Advertising and Marketing for the year ended December 31, 2020, were $114,442 compared to $26,531 for the year ended December 31, 2019, a 331% increase of $87,911. The spike in advertising and marketing expenses was caused by the Company adapting to the new normal caused by the pandemic by spending to increase its online presence and sales.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $658,930 compared to $369,829 for the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $289,101 or 78%. The increase was due primarily to an increase in legal and professional fees due to the Company preparing to launch a Reg A campaign by spending in legal and accounting services.
Our net loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $(232,259) compared to $160,055 in net income for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decrease of $392,314, or 240%. The decrease was primarily due to loss in sales caused by the constraints from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our total current assets at Decemeber 31, 2020 were $1,237,014, which included cash of $541,424, as compared with $524,211 in total current assets at December 31, 2019, which included cash of $39. The Company also receives loans from its founder from time to time to meet operational needs.
Operating Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2020, cash used in operating activities was in the amount of $(232,259) compared to cash provided by operating activities in the amount of $160,055 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in cash used in operating activities was mainly due to an increase in inventory from $445,582 as of December 31, 2019 to $705,171 as of the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in inventory was in preparation for the Company’s Q4 sales that are the highest of the year and in anticipation of the Company launching its goods in additional states. The increase in cash used in operating activity was also caused by an increase in receivable from related party West Cost Craft Spirits, Inc from $68,878as of December 31, 2019 to $366,529 for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Investing Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2020, cash used in investing activities, increased to $32,906 from $0 as of the year ended December 31, 2019. The majority of the increase in cash used in investing activities was due to the Company purchasing warehouse fixtures in the amount of $32, 204.
Financing Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2020, cash provided by financing activities increased to $1,167,258 from $(5,576) for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in cash provided by financing activities was a result of the sale of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock to investors during its Regulation CF campaign for an amount of $1,067,653 and receipt of an SBA loan in the amount of $416,500.
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Plan of Operations
The Company currently operates and sells its products in a limited fashion within prominent US states, specifically those containing the highest annual tequila consumption markets. Even with the limited distribution of AsomBroso products relative to the national domestic tequila market, the Company has had consistent year-over-year case sale growth and consistent corporate profits growth.
One of the most exciting developments has been the recent product placement of AsomBroso tequilas in national retail chains Kroger, Total Wine & More, BevMo, and Costco locations. Since Costco has started carrying AsomBroso tequilas, the sales numbers for the Costco-carried products has steadily increased.
In late 2018, the Company repositioned the price point of Gran Reserva Extra Anejo (lowering MSRP from $199.99 to $89.99) to compete head-to-head with Don Julio 1942. The modification of the price point caused Gran Reserva Extra Anejo to be one of the Company’s two flagship products along with La Rosa Reposado. Together, these two products account for approximately 74% of the Company’s product mix as of the date of this Offering Circular.
The Company plans on continuing marketing and sales efforts – focusing on the highly profitable Gran Reserva Extra Anejo product.
Upon a successful offering, the Company intends to expand its distribution network and salesforce, hoping to launch in 25 new states and Canada over next 12 months. The Company intends to expand to Europe, Asia and Australia by the third quarter of 2022. The Company also intends to expand awareness and consumer interest via social media marketing, consumer tasting, trade tasting, and in-person marketing events. Below is a comprehensive plan for employee expansion and increased distribution.
Employee Expansion Plan
Upon a successful Offering, the Company intends to expand its employee-base considerably. The goal of this expansion is to rapidly expand product distribution and awareness throughout the various domestic markets/states. The first round of employee expansion will focus on the hiring of regional sales teams within the top six U.S. tequila markets. The second round of hiring will bolster the existing salesforce in the penetrated top markets and expanded sales teams in unrepresented domestic markets. With each round of salesforce expansion and as demand for AsomBroso tequilas increases, the Company intends to hire persons necessary to support increased sales volumes.
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Projected Employee Hiring Schedule
Year 1
| • | California Sales Director | |
| • | Northern California Sales Representative | |
| • | Texas Sales Market Manager | |
| • | Arizona/Nevada Sales Director | |
| • | Arizona Sales Representative | |
| • | Pacific Northwest Regional Sales Director | |
| • | Company Brand Manager |
Year 2
| • | Chief Financial Officer | |
| • | Texas Sales Director | |
| • | New York Sales Director | |
| • | Florida Sales Director | |
| • | North East Regional Sales Director | |
| • | South East Regional Sales Director | |
| • | Mid-West Regional Sales Director | |
| • | Southwest Regional Sales Director | |
| • | Rocky Mountain Regional Sales Director | |
| • | Canada Sales Director |
Year 3
| • | National Account Sales Manger | |
| • | Florida Sales Rep |
Distribution of Company Spirits
The Company imports AsomBroso tequilas from Jalisco, Mexico and sells to wholesalers who commercialize the Company’s products in the United States through retailers. The AsomBroso brand is at an expansion stage with proven market and account penetration. The Company currently has its products distributed in eleven states and three foreign countries. Distribution of alcohol is traditionally done through regional distributors who are licensed in their respective jurisdictions. These distributors in turn sell to the retail establishments including retail liquor stores and restaurants.
Domestic Distributors
AsomBroso is currently sold in national chain stores such as Kroger, Costco, Total Wine & More, and BevMo!, with an average 85% reorder rate. The Company has purchase orders and opportunities to sell its products in many off-premise chains such as Ralph’s, Safeway, Vons, Albertson’s and Pavilions. AsomBroso has the potential to compete on a national level and to attract national distributors in our future markets. The Company utilizes sister-company West Coast Craft Spirits, Inc. for all California distribution of Company products. Richard Gamarra is a minority shareholder of West Coast Craft Spirits, Inc. Mr. Gamarra and Mr. Ulmer serve as CEO and President of West Coast Craft Spirits, Inc., respectively. In addition to AsomBroso tequilas, West Coast Craft Spirits, Inc. distributes over 250 unaffiliated brands. It is the intention of West Coast Craft Spirits to expand its operations outside of the state of California.
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As of the date of this Offering Circular, the Company utilizes the domestic distributors as stated in the table below.
| Name of Distributor | State(s) | |
| West Coast Craft Spirits | CA | |
| FullClip Distributors | TX | |
| Johnson Brothers | NV, IN, MN | |
| Momentum Beverage | IL, CO | |
| RNDC | AZ, AL, MT, NE, NM, WY, NC | |
| Savannah Distributing | GA | |
| Southern/Gazers | WA, OR, PA, SC, ME | |
| Empire Distributors | TN | |
| Wisconsin Wine | WI | |
| Speakeasy Distribution | KS | |
| Eder Brothers/AS Goodman | CT, RI |
International Distribution
The Company currently distributes its products in three international markets (not including the country from which it is imported, Mexico), Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Upon a successful Offering, the Company intends to expand distribution of its spirits into Canada and South Korea in 2021.
| Name of Distributor | Country | |
| Casa Tequila | Germany | |
| Ezo Beer of Japan | Japan | |
| The Whiskey World | United Kingdom |
In addition to the above distributors, the Company affects direct sales through its own website. Upon purchase of a product on the AsomBroso Tequila website, the Company utilizes another company, Great American Craft Spirits, to facilitate the sale as and shipment of the product to the purchaser. The Company is able to sell AsomBroso Tequila products directly to consumers in 37 states through this process.
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Special Characteristics of the Company’s Operations
AsomBroso Tequila is the Company’s flagship brand and carries special weight within the domestic tequila market. Though the tequila market is highly-competitive, AsomBroso Tequila will continue to distinguish itself as an ultra-premium tequila. The Company will continue to drive the AsomBroso Tequila brand in such a manner to ensure retention of its top position in the ultra-premium tequila category. The Company will continue to maintain its intellectual property, minimizing the risk of expiration and loss of value. Furthermore, the design patents with the China Patent Office and the United States Patent and Trade Office (“USPTO”) mitigate the risk of infringing or substantially similar decanters (containing lower quality tequila) from degrading the brand quality and value.
Trend Information
In spite of the ongoing pandemic and less availability for on-premise events, Tequila consumption continues to surge to new heights. Specifically:
| • | For the year ended December 31, 2020, 20 million cases of tequila (excluding pre-mixed cocktails) were sold in the U.S. for the first time. | |
| • | Tequila’s largest-selling premium labels have seen an influx of 100% blue agave extensions, which have carved out a significant share in a space once reserved for mixtos, the less expensive (not 100% agave) tequilas. | |
| • | Tequila shipment volume from Mexico to the U.S. increased 24% in 2020, representing an 89% share of all exports worldwide, according to the Consejo Regulador del Tequila. | |
| • | The 100%-blue agave segment once again outperformed the Tequila market overall, with shipments to the U.S. rising 31% in 2020 and comprising over 60% of total volume. | |
| • | The retail value of Tequila in Nielsen channels for the 52 weeks ending December 26, 2020 soared 54% to over $2.2 billion, compared to a 25% gain for the entire spirits sector. | |
| • | As of January 2021 tequila was the fastest-growing spirits category. |
Due to the aforementioned factors, the Company believes that increased consumption of tequila will continue to grow and shape the tequila market domestically and globally.
Recent Offerings of Securities and Outstanding Debt
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through April 26, 2021, the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
| • | As of August 14, 2020, California Tequila, Inc. successfully completed its Regulation CF raise in the amount of $1,067,653 and sold 306,603 shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock on StartEngine Capital, LLC. The proceeds from that offering were used to market products, fund operating capital, expand operations domestically and expand operations internationally. The Company relied on Section 4(a)(6) of the Securities Act. | |
| • | On April 19, 2020, California Tequila, Inc., received an SBA Loan in the amount of $416,500 with an interest rate 3.75%. The monthly payment is $2,030, including principal and interest. The balance of principal and interest will be payable 30 years from the date of the promissory note. As of December 31, 2020 the current amount outstanding is $416,600. The Company notes that this loan is not eligible for foregiveness. |
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DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES
The following tables set out the Company’s officers, directors, and significant employees as of December 31, 2020.
Directors
| Name | Position | Age | Term of Office | Approximate Hours/Week | ||||||
| Richard Gamarra | Founder/ Chairman of the Board | 62 | *May 2002 - Present | Full Time | ||||||
| Andrew Ulmer | Director | 53 | *January 2006 - Present | Full Time | ||||||
Officers
| Name | Position | Age | Term of Office | Approximate Hours/Week | ||||||
| Richard Gamarra | Founder/ Chief Executive Officer | 62 | *May 2002 - Present | Full Time | ||||||
| Andrew Ulmer | President | 53 | *January 2006 - Present | Full Time | ||||||
Significant Employees
| Name | Position | Age | Term of Office | Approximate Hours/Week | ||||||
| Jarrett Gamarra | Marketing Director | 30 | January 2013- Present | Full Time | ||||||
*Term of office began with the predecessor limited liability company, California Tequila, LLC
Richard Gamarra: Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
The founder of the Company Mr. Richard Gamarra is the sole Class A Voting Common Stock controlling shareholder, the Treasurer and the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Gamarra has held his current officer positions, CEO and Secretary since May 2002. Additionally, during the last three years, Mr. Richard Gamarra has experience as the CEO of West Coast Craft Spirits, Inc.
Andrew Ulmer: Director, President and CFO
Mr. Andrew Ulmer is a Director of the Company, the President and CFO. Mr. Ulmer has held these positions since May 2006. Additionally, during the last three years, Mr. Andrew Ulmer has experience as the President of West Coast Craft Spirits, Inc.
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Jarrett Gamarra: Marketing Director
Jarrett Gamarra is the Marketing Director. Mr. Gamarra has held this position since January 2013. Mr. Gamarra brings a purposeful strategic marketing and brand development expertise to the Company as its Marketing Director, while providing authentic, customized solutions grounded in commercial reality. He has over nine years of social media expertise, brand building, new product launches, and brand expansion in the luxury spirits market.
Family Relationship Disclosure
Founder/Chairman/CEO Richard Gamarra is the father of Jarrett Gamarra, the Marketing Director of the Company.
Provisions In Bylaws For Change In Management
The management of the Corporation is vested in its Board of Directors as elected by the Class A Voting Common Stock Shareholders in accordance with the Corporation’s Bylaws. The Board may elect Officers as set forth in the Bylaws to manage the day-to-day operations of the Corporation.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS AND SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 the Company compensated its three highest paid directors and executive officers as follows:
| Name | Position | Cash Compensation | Other Compensation (Cash Value)* | Total Compensation | ||||||||||
| Richard Gamarra | Founder/ Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer/Secretary | $ | 225,000 | $ | 9,300 | $ | 234,300 | |||||||
| Andrew Ulmer | Director/ President/ | $ | 150,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 150,000 | |||||||
| Jarrett Gamarra | Marketing Director | $ | 104,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 104,000 | |||||||
*Car and cell phone allowance
Aggregate (Total) Compensation for All Directors on an Annual Basis
The two Directors receive an aggregate of $384,300 in total compensation annually.
Richard Gamarra will receive $90,000 annually for Board services. Andrew Ulmer will receive warrants equaling nineteen thousand shares of Class A Common Stock annually provided he is still employed by the Company with an option price of $1.00 a share. When awarded, the warrant will be fully vested and exercisable anytime within five years.
Any Changes/Increases to Executive Compensation, Planned or Anticipated
The Company contemplates awarding an executive bonus in the amount of 1% in the near future, subject to Board approval. Additionally, the Company contemplates awarding employee stock options, subject to Board approval as well.
The Company does not anticipate any additional changes to executive compensation at this time.
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INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
| • | From March 5, 2019, until the date of this Offering Circular, Richard Gamarra, who is a member of California Tequila LLC, owns 50% of West Coast Craft Spirits, Inc., a California licensed Spirits distributor that not only distributes AsomBroso Tequila in the state of California but also distributes over 550 other brands. At West Coast Craft Spirits AsomBroso Tequila has the same margin as all other brands. During fiscal year 2019, the sales amounted to $556,203 and the outstanding receivable was $217,931 and $33,127 as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 respectively. |
| • | In September 2016, the Company entered into a loan agreement with a certain lender for $100,000. The loan was guaranteed by Richard Gamarra, at that time, the sole member of the Company. The loan incurs interest at 10% per annum and was originally due on March 31, 2017, however, terms have been extended and the note is presently due on demand. In 2019, an aggregate of $30,000 in repayments were made by Richard Gamarra on behalf of the Company. The principal balance was reduced by product sales made to a customer owned by the noteholder. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded sales of $9,256 and $14,016, respectively, to this customer CRI, Inc. in note payments. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019 the Company had $37,727 and $46,984 in principal outstanding, and $29,000 and $21,500 in interest payable, respectively. |
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN SECURITYHOLDERS
The following table displays, as of December 31, 2020, the voting securities beneficially owned by (1) any individual director or officer who beneficially owns more than 10% of any class of the Company’s capital stock, (2) all executive officers and directors as a group and (3) any other holder who beneficially owns more than 10% of any class of the Company’s capital stock:
| Title of Class | Name of beneficial owner | Address | Amount and nature of beneficial ownership (Shares) | Amount and nature of beneficial ownership acquirable | Percent of Class | Percent of All Classes of Shares | ||||||||||||
| Class A Voting Common Stock | Richard D Gamarra Living Trust | 30012 Aventura Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 | 2,000 Shares of Class A Voting Common Stock | 0 | 100 | % | 96 | % | ||||||||||
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General Description
The following description summarizes important terms of the Company’s capital stock. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation and its Bylaws, copies of which will be filed as Exhibits to the Offering Statement of which this Offering Circular is a part. For a complete description of the Company’s capital stock, you should refer to its Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and applicable provisions of the California General Corporation Law.
The Company’s authorized capital stock consists of two classes of common stock, 20,000,000 shares of Class A Voting Common Stock, at no par value per share, and $15,000,000 shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock, at no par value per share.
As of December 31, 2020, the outstanding shares of the Company included:
| · | 8,201,221 shares of Class A Voting Common Stock. |
| · | 298,779 shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock. |
In this Offering, the Company is offering shares of its Class B Non-Voting Common Stock.
Class A Voting Common Stock
Dividend Rights: The Board does not anticipate distributions of any kind. If the Board does make a distribution, the Board shall specify the amount of the distribution to the Shareholders. The distribution to each Shareholder will be made to the Shareholder in proportion with the pro-rata percentage of ownership of the Company by the Shareholder. If there are additional details regarding the distribution, those details will be addressed by the Board before or at the time of distribution.
Voting Rights: Each share of Class A Voting Common Stock will be entitled to one vote per share.
Class B Non-Voting Common Stock
Dividend Rights: The Board does not anticipate distributions of any kind. If the Board does make a distribution, the Board shall specify the amount of the distribution to the Shareholders. The distribution to each Shareholder will be made to the Shareholder in proportion with the pro-rata percentage of ownership of the Company by the Shareholder. If there are additional details regarding the distribution, those details will be addressed by the Board before or at the time of distribution.
Voting Rights: No voting rights are attached to the Class B Non-Voting Common Stock of the Company offered through this Offering.
Liquidation Rights: Class B Non-Voting Common Stock do not have prioritized liquidation rights. Generally secured creditors have the highest liquidation rights, followed by general creditors, and finally common stockholders, like Class B Non-Voting Common Stock Shareholders.
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Preemptive Rights: Class B Non-Voting Common Stock have no preemptive rights to securities made through future offerings.
Conversion Rights: Class B Non-Voting Common Stock do not have conversion rights.
Redemption Provision: Class B Non-Voting Common Stock are not redeemable.
Sinking Fund Provisions: Sinking fund provisions do not apply to the Class B Non-Voting Common Stock.
Liability to Further Calls or Assessment by the Issuer: Class B Non-Voting Common Stock are not subject to additional capital calls or assessment by the Company.
Cumulative Voting: Class B Non-Voting Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights.
Restrictions on Alienability: Shares of the Company’s stock will be uncertificated, as provided under California law, and shall be entered in the books of the Company and registered as they are issued.
Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares, the Company shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice (which may be in electronic form) that shall set forth the name of the Company, that the Company is organized under the laws of the State of California, the name of the Shareholder, the number and class (and the designation of the series, if any) of the Shares represented, and any restrictions on the transfer or registration of such Shares imposed by the Company’s articles of incorporation, Bylaws, any agreement among shareholders or any agreement between Shareholders and the Company. Such notice shall further set forth the identity of the person responsible for recording the ownership of the uncertificated Shares and the contact details for such person. These disclosures shall be displayed conspicuously on the document. Pursuant to California Corporations Code Sec. 417 (c).
Provisions Discriminating Against Shareholder Owning a Substantial Amount of Securities: There are no provisions discriminating against a Class B Non-Voting Common Stock Shareholder owning a substantial amount of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock.
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Rights of Shareholders That May Be Modified Otherwise Than By A Vote of A Majority or More of the Shares of Outstanding, Voting as a Class. Class B Non-Voting Common Stock Shareholders have no voting rights. A majority of the Class A Voting Common Stock is entitled to vote, either in person or by proxy, at any meeting of the voting Shareholders constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business of the Company, except as otherwise provided by the statute.
Provisions Relating to Shareholder Liability - Dissolution of the Company
Cal. Corp. Code Sec. 2011(a)(1)(B) states that causes of action against a dissolved corporation, whether arising before or after the dissolution of the Company, may be enforced against Shareholders if any of the assets of the dissolved corporation have been distributed to Shareholders, to the extent of their pro rata share of the claim or to the extent of the Company’s assets distributed to them upon dissolution of the Company, whichever is less.
A Shareholder’s total liability under this section may not exceed the total amount of assets of the dissolved Company distributed to the Shareholder upon dissolution of the Company.
Cal. Corp. Code Sec. 2011(a)(2) states that except as set forth in subdivision (c) below, all causes of action against a Shareholder of a dissolved corporation arising under the California Corporations Code are extinguished unless the claimant commences a proceeding to enforce the cause of action against that Shareholder of a dissolved corporation prior to the earlier of the following:
(A) The expiration of the statute of limitations applicable to the cause of action.
(B) Four years after the effective date of the dissolution of the corporation.
Cal. Corp. Code Sec. 2011(a)(3) states that as a matter of procedure only, and not for purposes of determining liability, Shareholders of the dissolved corporation may be sued in the corporate name of the corporation upon any cause of action against the corporation. This section does not affect the rights of the corporation or its creditors under Section 2009, or the rights, if any, of creditors under the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act, which may arise against the shareholders of a corporation.
Annual Report to Shareholders. The Board of Directors will cause an annual report to be sent to the shareholders not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year adopted by the Company. This report will be sent at least 15 days (if third-class mail is used, 35 days) before the annual meeting of shareholders to be held during the next fiscal year and in the manner specified in the Bylaws. The annual report will contain a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year and an income statement.
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ONGOING REPORTING AND SUPPLEMENTS TO THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR
The Company will be required to make annual and semi-annual filings with the SEC. The Company will make annual filings on Form 1-K, which will be due by the end of April each year and will include audited financial statements for the previous fiscal year. The Company will make semi-annual filings on Form 1-SA, which will be due by September 28 each year, which will include unaudited financial statements for the six months to June 30. The Company will also file a Form 1-U to announce important events such as the loss of a senior officer, a change in auditors, or certain types of capital-raising. The Company will be required to keep making these reports unless it files a Form 1-Z to exit the reporting system, which it will only be able to do if it has less than 300 shareholders of record and have filed at least one Form 1-K.
At least every 12 months, the Company will file a post-qualification amendment to the Offering Statement of which this Offering Circular forms a part, to include the Company’s recent financial statements.
The Company may supplement the information in this Offering Circular by filing a Supplement with the SEC.
All these filings will be available on the SEC’s EDGAR filing system. You should read all the available information before investing.
Relaxed Ongoing Reporting Requirements
If the Company becomes a public reporting Company in the future, it will be required to publicly report on an ongoing basis as an “emerging growth company” (as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, which the company refers to as the JOBS Act) under the reporting rules set forth under the Exchange Act. For so long as the Company remains an “emerging growth company,” the Company may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other Exchange Act reporting companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” including but not limited to:
| ● | not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; |
| ● | taking advantage of extensions of time to comply with certain new or revised financial accounting standards; |
| ● | being permitted to comply with reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in the Company’s periodic reports and proxy statements; and |
| ● | being exempt from the requirement to hold a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. |
If the Company becomes a public reporting company in the future, the Company expects to take advantage of these reporting exemptions until it is no longer an emerging growth company. The Company would remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, although if the market value of its Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, the Company would cease to be an “emerging growth company” as of the following December 31.
If the Company does not become a public reporting company under the Exchange Act for any reason, the Company will be required to publicly report on an ongoing basis under the reporting rules set forth in Regulation A for Tier 2 issuers. The ongoing reporting requirements under Regulation A are more relaxed than for “emerging growth companies” under the Exchange Act. The differences include, but are not limited to, being required to file only annual and semi-annual reports, rather than annual and quarterly reports. Annual reports are due within 120 calendar days after the end of the issuer’s fiscal year, and semi-annual reports are due within 90 calendar days after the end of the first six months of the issuer’s fiscal year.
In either case, the Company will be subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” and its shareholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies.
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CALIFORNIA TEQUILA, INC.
Year Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Index to Financial Statements
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT’S REPORT
To the Board of Directors of
California Tequila, Inc.
Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of California Tequila, Inc., which comprise the balance sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements.
In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of California Tequila, Inc., as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAS). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of California Tequila, Inc. and to meet our other ethical responsibilities, in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audits. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Responsibilities of Management for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about California Tequila, Inc.’s ability to continue as a going concern for period of twelve months from the end of the year ended December 31, 2020.
Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with GAAS will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users made on the basis of these financial statements.
In performing an audit in accordance with GAAS, we:
• Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.
• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
F-1
• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of California Tequila, Inc.’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements.
• Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about California Tequila, Inc.’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.
We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control–related matters that we identified during the audit.
April 26, 2021
Los Angeles, California
F-2
CALIFORNIA TEQUILA, INC.
| As of December 31, | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
| (USD $ in Dollars) | ||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash & cash equivalents | $ | 26,419 | $ | 39 | ||||
| Accounts receivable—net | 541,424 | 78,590 | ||||||
| Inventories | 705,171 | 445,582 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 1,273,014 | 524,211 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 293,693 | - | ||||||
| Other assets | 872 | 872 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 1,567,579 | $ | 525,083 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 98,839 | $ | - | ||||
| Line of credit | - | 10,504 | ||||||
| Loan payable, current portion | 255,218 | 46,984 | ||||||
| Interest payable | 39,415 | 21,500 | ||||||
| Due to related party | 30,000 | 30,000 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 423,472 | 108,988 | ||||||
| Loan payable | 199,009 | - | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 622,481 | 108,988 | ||||||
| STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
| Common stock | 8,457 | - | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 936,003 | - | ||||||
| Subscription receivable | (92,989 | ) | - | |||||
| Members equity | - | (166,641 | ) | |||||
| Retained earnings/(accumulated deficit) | 93,628 | 582,737 | ||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 945,098 | 416,095 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 1,567,579 | $ | 525,084 | ||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-3
CALIFORNIA TEQUILA, INC.
| For Fiscal Year Ended December 31, | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
| (USD $ in Dollars) | ||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 1,379,225 | $ | 901,570 | ||||
| Cost of goods sold | 825,366 | 338,405 | ||||||
| Gross profit | 553,859 | 563,165 | ||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||
| General and administrative | 658,930 | 369,829 | ||||||
| Sales and marketing | 114,442 | 26,531 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 773,371 | 396,360 | ||||||
| Operating income/(loss) | (219,512 | ) | 166,805 | |||||
| Interest expense | 16,747 | 7,500 | ||||||
| Other income | (4,000 | ) | (750 | ) | ||||
| Income/(Loss) before provision for income taxes | (232,259 | ) | 160,055 | |||||
| Provision/(Benefit) for income taxes | - | - | ||||||
| Net income/(Net Loss) | $ | (232,259 | ) | $ | 160,055 | |||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-4
CALIFORNIA TEQUILA, INC.
Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
| For Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2020 and 20119 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional Paid- | Subscription | Members' | Accumulated | Stockholders' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in $US) | Shares | Amount | In Capital | Receivable | Equity | Deficit | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance—December 31, 2018 | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (164,589 | ) | $ | 422,682 | $ | 258,093 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income | - | - | - | - | - | 160,055 | 160,055 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributions | - | - | - | - | (2,052 | ) | - | (2,052 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance—December 31, 2019 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (166,641 | ) | $ | 582,737 | $ | 416,095 | |||||||||||||
| Conversion to a C corporation | 8,150,000 | 8,150 | (7,150 | ) | - | 166,641 | (167,641 | ) | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs | 306,603 | 307 | 943,152 | (92,989 | ) | - | - | 850,470 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends | - | - | - | - | - | (89,208 | ) | (89,208 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | - | - | (232,259 | ) | (232,259 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance—December 31, 2020 | $ | 8,456,603 | $ | 8,457 | $ | 936,003 | $ | (92,989 | ) | $ | - | $ | 93,628 | $ | 945,098 | |||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-5
CALIFORNIA TEQUILA, INC.
| For Fiscal Year Ended December 31, | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
| (USD $ in Dollars) | ||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Net income/(loss) | $ | (232,259 | ) | $ | 160,055 | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Bad debt expense | 38,048 | 13,925 | ||||||
| Depreciation | 30,264 | - | ||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | (510,138 | ) | (59,978 | ) | ||||
| Inventory | (547,379 | ) | (123,085 | ) | ||||
| Accounts payable | 98,839 | (7,825 | ) | |||||
| Interest payable | 17,915 | 7,500 | ||||||
| Other current liabilities | - | (3,300 | ) | |||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (1,104,711 | ) | (12,710 | ) | ||||
| CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment | (36,167 | ) | - | |||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (36,167 | ) | - | |||||
| CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Proceeds from loan payable | 416,500 | |||||||
| Line of credit repayment | (10,504 | ) | (3,524 | ) | ||||
| Issuance of common stock | 850,470 | |||||||
| Dividends / distributions | (89,208 | ) | (2,052 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided/(used) by financing activities | 1,167,258 | (5,576 | ) | |||||
| Change in cash | 26,380 | (18,286 | ) | |||||
| Cash—beginning of year | 39 | 18,325 | ||||||
| Cash—end of year | $ | 26,419 | $ | 39 | ||||
| SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION | ||||||||
| Cash paid during the year for interest | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
| Cash paid during the year for income taxes | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-6
CALIFORNIA TEQUILA, INC.
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 AND December 31, 2019
| 1. | NATURE OF OPERATIONS |
California Tequila, LLC was formed on May 20, 2002 in the state of California. The financial statements of California Tequila, LLC, (which may be referred to as the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company’s headquarters is located in the Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
California Tequila was created to import and distribute Ricardo’s AsomBroso brand tequila, a high-end ultrapremium tequila made in the Jalisco region of Mexico. Products are distributed worldwide. We have been awarded multiple honors from the Robb Report’s “Best of the Best” and “Top Tequila” in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
On April 27, 2020, the Company converted from a LLC to a California C corporation.
| 2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of Presentation
The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP"). The accompanying unaudited financial statements do not include all the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of the unaudited financial statements for the years presented have been included.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and footnotes thereto. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates. It is reasonably possible that changes in estimates will occur in the near term.
Significant estimates inherent in the preparation of the accompanying financial statements include inventory and cost of goods sold, equity transactions and contingencies.
Risks and Uncertainties
The Company has a limited operating history. The Company's business and operations are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the United States. A host of factors beyond the Company's control could cause fluctuations in these conditions. Adverse conditions may include recession, downturn or otherwise, local competition or changes in consumer taste. These adverse conditions could affect the Company's financial condition and the results of its operations.
F-7
CALIFORNIA TEQUILA, INC.
Notes to Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 AND December 31, 2019
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company maintains its cash with a major financial institution located in the United States of America, which it believes to be credit worthy. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insures balances up to $250,000. At times, the Company may maintain balances in excess of the federally insured limits.
The Company had certain customers whose revenue individually represented 10% or more of the Company’s total revenue. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, one customer account for 64% and 62% of revenue, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, one customer accounted for 68% and 88% of accounts receivable.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include all cash in banks. The Company’s cash are deposited in demand accounts at financial institutions that management believes are creditworthy.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable due from customers are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms requiring payment on receipt of invoice or within 15 days from the invoice date. Accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to the customer. Payments of accounts receivable are allocated to the specific invoices identified on the customer's remittance advice or, if unspecified, are applied to the earliest unpaid invoices.
The Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon an evaluation of the current status of receivables, historical experience, and other factors as necessary. It is reasonably possible that the Company’s estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts will change. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded bad debt expense of $38,048 and $13,925, respectively, to write off receivables deemed uncollectible.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined on an average cost basis. Inventory includes finished goods and work in progress.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Normal repairs and maintenance costs are charged to earnings as incurred and additions and major improvements are capitalized. The cost of assets retired or otherwise disposed of and the related depreciation are eliminated from the accounts in the period of disposal and the resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to earnings.
Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the related asset type using the straight-line method for financial statement purposes. The estimated service lives for property and equipment ranges from five to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the useful life of the asset or the lease term.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
Long-lived assets such as property and equipment are periodically evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We look for indicators of a trigger event for asset impairment and pay special attention to any adverse change in the extent or manner in which the asset is being used or in its physical condition. Assets are grouped and evaluated for impairment at the lowest level of which there are identifiable cash flows, which is generally at a location level. Assets are reviewed using factors including, but not limited to, our future operating plans and projected cash flows. The determination of whether impairment has occurred is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows directly related to the assets, compared to the carrying value of the assets. If the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows of the assets does not exceed the carrying value of the assets, full or partial impairment may exist. If the asset carrying amount exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset. Fair value is determined using an income approach, which requires discounting the estimated future cash flows associated with the asset.
F-8
CALIFORNIA TEQUILA, INC.
Notes to Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 AND December 31, 2019
Income Taxes
Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reporting in the financial statements and consist of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes related primarily to differences between the basis of receivables, property and equipment, intangible assets, and accrued expenses for financial and income tax reporting. The deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax return consequences of those differences, which will either be taxable or deductible when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
There is a 100% valuation allowance against the net operating losses generated by the Company at December 31, 2020. The Company is taxed as a “C” Corporation as it converted from a LLC in April 2020.
The Company evaluates its tax positions that have been taken or are expected to be taken on income tax returns to determine if an accrual is necessary for uncertain tax positions. As of December 31, 2020, the unrecognized tax benefits accrual was zero. The Company will recognize future accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense if incurred.
Revenue Recognition
ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the entity’s contracts to provide goods or services to customers.
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to a customer, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The Company applies the following five steps in order to determine the appropriate amount of revenue to be recognized as it fulfills its obligations under each of its agreements: 1) identify the contract with a customer; 2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; 3) determine the transaction price; 4) allocate the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract; and 5) recognize revenue as the performance obligation is satisfied.
The Company generates revenues by selling liquor products. The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when the goods have been delivered to the customer and the Company has satisfied its performance obligation.
F-9
CALIFORNIA TEQUILA, INC.
Notes to Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 AND December 31, 2019
Advertising
The Company expenses advertising costs as they are incurred.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities (such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of such instruments.
The inputs used to measure fair value are based on a hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used in valuation techniques. These levels, in order of highest to lowest priority, are described below:
Level 1—Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2—Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.
Subsequent Events
The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheets date, but prior to the issuance of the financial statements to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosure. Subsequent events have been evaluated through April 25, 2021, which is the date the financial statements were issued.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2019, FASB issued ASU No. 2019-02, Leases, that requires organizations that lease assets, referred to as "lessees", to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. ASU 2019-02 will also require disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases and will include qualitative and quantitative requirements. The new standard for nonpublic entities will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on the financial statements and related disclosures.
In June 2019, FASB amended ASU No. 2019-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation, to expand the scope of Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. The new standard for nonpublic entities will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on the financial statements and related disclosures.
In August 2019, amendments to existing accounting guidance were issued through Accounting Standards Update 2019-15 to clarify the accounting for implementation costs for cloud computing arrangements. The amendments specify that existing guidance for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software also applies to implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on the financial statements and related disclosures.
F-10
CALIFORNIA TEQUILA, INC.
Notes to Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 AND December 31, 2019
The FASB issues ASUs to amend the authoritative literature in ASC. There have been a number of ASUs to date, including those above, that amend the original text of ASC. Management believes that those issued to date either (i) provide supplemental guidance, (ii) are technical corrections, (iii) are not applicable to us or (iv) are not expected to have a significant impact our financial statements.
| 3. | INVENTORY |
Inventory was comprised of the following items:
| As of December 31, | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
| Finished goods | $ | 647,714 | $ | 48,684 | ||||
| Work in progress | 57,457 | 396,898 | ||||||
| Inventories, net | $ | 705,171 | $ | 445,582 | ||||
| 4. | PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT |
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, property and equipment, net consist of:
| As of December 31, | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
| Barrels | $ | 287,790 | $ | - | ||||
| Office and warehouse equipment | 36,167 | - | ||||||
| Property and Equipment, at Cost | 323,956 | - | ||||||
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | (30,264 | ) | - | |||||
| Property and Equipment, Net | $ | 293,693 | $ | - | ||||
Depreciation expense for property and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $38,048 and $0, respectively.
| 5. | LOAN PAYABLE |
Loan Payable
In September 2016, the Company entered into a loan agreement for $100,000. The loan was guaranteed by Richard Gamarra, the previous sole member of the Company. The loan incurs interest at 10% per annum and was originally due on March 31, 2017, however, terms have been extended and the note is presently due on demand.
F-11
CALIFORNIA TEQUILA, INC.
Notes to Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 AND December 31, 2019
In 2019, an aggregate of $30,000 in repayments were made by Richard Gamarra on behalf of the Company. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, due to related party is $30,000.
The principal balance was reduced by product sales made to a customer owned by the noteholder. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded sales of $9,256 and $14,016, respectively, to this customer as note repayments.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $37,727 and $46,984 in principal outstanding, and $29,000 and $21,500 in interest payable, respectively.
Line of Credit
During 2019, the Company had an outstanding credit line with American Express, which was repaid in 2020. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the outstanding balances were $0 and $10,504, respectively.
SBA Loan
On April 19, 2020, California Tequila, Inc., received an SBA Loan in the amount of $416,500 with an interest rate 3.75%. The monthly payment is $2,030, including principal and interest. The balance of principal and interest will be payable 30 years from the date of the promissory note.
| 6. | CAPITALIZATION and equity transactions |
On June 30, 2020, the articles of incorporation were amended and California Tequila, Inc. is authorized to issue a total of 20,000,000 Class A voting common stock shares and 1,500,000 Class B non-voting common shares, both at par value $0.01.
In 2020, the Company completed a Regulation CF offering and issued 306,603 shares of Class B non-voting common stock for gross proceeds of $1,067,653. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has a subscription receivable balance of $92,989 pertaining to this offering.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 8,150,000 shares and 306,603 shares of Class A and Class B common stock issued and outstanding, respectively.
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company issued dividend payments (distributions as a LLC) of $89,208 and $2,052, respectively.
| 7. | Income Taxes |
The Company intends to file its income tax return for the period ended December 31, 2020 by the due date set by the Internal Revenue Service. The tax return will remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service under the statute of limitations for a period of three years from the date it is filed.
F-12
CALIFORNIA TEQUILA, INC.
Notes to Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 AND December 31, 2019
Since the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TJCA”), net operating losses can be carried forward indefinitely. The Federal net operating loss carryforward (since incorporation in April 2020) as of December 31, 2020 totaled 161,754. Net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes approximate those available for Federal income tax purposes. The Company has a book to tax difference due to revenue recognition of contract revenue. It is likely that the net operating loss carryforwards will be exhausted in the tax return for the period ended December 31, 2020.
Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets. On the basis of this evaluation, the Company has determined that it is more likely than not that the Company will not recognize the benefits of the federal and state net deferred tax assets, and, as a result, full valuation allowance has been set against its net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2020. The amount of the deferred tax asset to be realized could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced or increased.
The Company recognizes the impact of a tax position in the financial statements if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on a tax return upon examination by the relevant taxing authority, based on the technical merits of the position. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had no accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
The Company is subject to examination for its US federal and California jurisdictions for each year in which a tax return was filed.
| 8. | Commitments and Contingencies |
Operating Leases
During 2019 and 2018, the company paid month to month rent for an office space to Tangar 1, LLC.
Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $26,088 and $28,725, respectively.
Contingencies
The Company’s operations are subject to a variety of local and state regulations. Failure to comply with one or more of those regulations could result in fines, restrictions on its operations, or losses of permits that could result in the Company ceasing operations.
Litigation and Claims
From time to time, the Company may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of operations in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2020, there were no pending or threatened lawsuits that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the results of the Company’s operations.
| 9. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through April 26, 2021, the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
F-13
CALIFORNIA TEQUILA, INC.
Notes to Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 AND December 31, 2019
In March 2021, the Company initiated a Regulation A+ offering of Class B non-voting shares on StartEngine.
There have been no other events or transactions during this time which would have a material effect on these financial statements.
F-14
The documents listed in the Exhibit Index of this report are incorporated by reference or are filed with this report, in each case as indicated below.
| 1.1 | Posting Agreement |
| 2.1 | Certificate of Incorporation** |
| 2.2 | Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation |
| 2.3 | Bylaws** |
| 4.1 | Subscription Agreement |
| 6.1 | Entailment and Joint Responsibility Agreement |
| 8 | Escrow Agreement** |
| 11 | Auditors Consent |
| 12 | Opinion of Counsel |
| 13.1 | Testing the Waters Materials: TV Commercial Script |
| 13.2 | StartEngine Offering Page and Video Script |
*To be filed.
**Previously filed.
| 54 |
Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation A, the issuer certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 1-A and has duly caused this Offering Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Rancho Santa Margarita, California on May 20, 2021.
California Tequila, Inc
30012 Aventura, Suite A
Rancho Santa Margarita, California 92688
This Offering Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| /s/Richard Gamarra | |
| Richard Gamarra, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary | |
| Date: May 20, 2021 | |
| Location Signed: City of Rancho Santa Margarita, California | |
| /s/Andrew Ulmer | |
Andrew Ulmer, President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer Date: May 20, 2021 Location Signed: City of Rancho Santa Margarita, California |
|
| This Offering Statement has been signed by the following Directors in the capacities and on the dates indicated. | |
| /s/Richard Gamarra | |
| Richard Gamarra, Chairman of the Board of Directors | |
| Date: May 20, 2021 | |
| Location Signed: City of Rancho Santa Margarita, California | |
| /s/Andrew Ulmer | |
| Andrew Ulmer, Director | |
| Date: May 20, 2021 | |
| Location Signed: City of Rancho Santa Margarita, California | |
| 55 |
Exhibit 1.1
POSTING AGREEMENT
[10/13/2020 ]
StartEngine Primary LLC
8687 Melrose Ave 7th Floor - Green
Los Angeles, CA 90069
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
[California Tequila, Inc. ][COMPANY], a [ California ] [STATE] [Corporation ][ENTITY] located at [30012 Aventura Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 ] [ADDRESS] (the "Company"), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Posting Agreement (this "Agreement"), to issue and sell shares of its [Stock* ][SECURITIES] in a public offering (the "Offering") on the online website provided by StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc. (the "Platform") pursuant to Regulation A through StartEngine Primary LLC ( "StartEngine"), acting on a best efforts basis only, in connection with such sales. The Shares are more fully described in the Offering Statement (as hereinafter defined).
The Company hereby confirms its agreement with StartEngine concerning the purchase and sale of the Shares, as follows:
1. ENGAGEMENT. Company hereby engages StartEngine to provide the services set out herein upon the subject to the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement, Terms of Use ("Platform Terms"), and Privacy Policy; each of which is hereby incorporated into this Agreement. Company has read and agreed to the Terms of Use and Company understands that this Posting Agreement governs Company's use of the Site and the Services. Terms not defined herein are as defined in Platform Terms.
2. SERVICES AND FEES.
| · | OFFERING SERVICE: Company agrees that StartEngine shall provide the services below for a fee of $15,000 for out of pocket accountable expenses paid prior to StartEngine commencing. |
Any portion of this amount not expended and accounted for shall be returned to the Company at the end of the engagement.
| · | OTHER FEES: |
Company will pay, or reimburse if paid by StartEngine, out of pocket expenses for (i) the preparation and delivery of certificates representing the Shares (if any), (ii) FINRA filing fees, (iii) notice filing requirements under the securities or Blue Sky laws, (iv) all transfer taxes, if any, with respect to the sale and delivery of the Shares by the Company to the Investors. These expenses are not considered an item of value per FINRA Rule 5110(c)(3).
| · | OTHER SERVICES: |
| · | Campaign Page Design: design, build, and create Company's campaign page. |
| · | Support: provide Company with dedicated account manager and marketing consulting services. |
| · | Standard Subscription Agreement: provision of a standard purchase agreement to execute between Company and Investors, which may be used at Company's option. |
| · | Multiple Withdrawals (Disbursements): money transfers to Company |
| · | DISTRIBUTION: As compensation for the services provided hereunder by StartEngine Primary, Company shall pay to StartEngine at each closing of the Offering a fee consisting of the following: |
| · | 7% commission based on the dollar amount received from investors. |
| · | In addition 2% commission paid in the same securities as this offering and at the same terms. |
| o | Lock-up Covenant. Notwithstanding the foregoing provision, StartEngine hereby agrees that the securities issued pursuant to this 2% commission shall not be sold during the offering, or sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of qualification or commencement of sales of the public offering pursuant to which the securities were issued, except as provided in FINRA Rule 5110(g)(2). |
Check this box for selecting the split fee option (see below)
![]() | · | If the "split fee" option is selected then the following provision shall apply: In each case StartEngine Capital may charge investors a fee of 3.5%, in which case the commission set forth above shall be reduced commensurately. In the event an investor invests in excess of $20,000, such investor fee shall be limited to $700 and Company shall pay the 3.5% additional commission with respect to any amount in excess of $20,000, in accordance with the commission schedule set forth above. |
The fee shall be paid in cash upon disbursement of funds from escrow at the time of each closing. Payment will be made to StartEngine directly from the escrow account maintained for the Offering. The Company acknowledges that StartEngine is responsible for providing instructions to the escrow agent for distribution of funds held pending completion or termination of the Offering.
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The fee does not include the escrow fees, transaction fees, AML review and cash management fee to be negotiated directly with third party or EDGARization services or any services other than set out above.
| · | PROMOTE SERVICE: StartEngine Primary will design with the Company's approval the digital ads and manage the digital advertising platform accounts for Company for no additional fee. |
| · | The Issuer is expressly forbidden from bidding on any StartEngine branded keywords, misspellings, and similar terms in advertising campaigns on the Google, Bing, and Facebook platforms. Some of these keywords include but are not limited to: |
o StartEngine
o Start Engine
o StartEngine Crowdfunding
o StartEngine Stock
o Invest in StartEngine
o StartEngine Shares
The Offering is subject to termination if the Company violates these targeting and bidding requirements.
3. DEPOSIT HOLD. Company agrees that 6% of the total funds committed will be held back as a deposit hold in case of any ACH refunds or credit card chargebacks. The hold will remain in effect for 180 days following the close of the Offering. 75% of this hold back will be released back to the company after 60 days and the remaining 25% shall be held for the remaining 120 days.
4. CREDIT CARD FEES. [OPTIONAL] Company agrees that fees payable to Vantiv, LLC with respect to the use of credit cards to purchase the Securities are for the account of the Company and to reimburse StartEngine Crowdfunding Inc. for any such fees incurred, upon each closing held with respect to the Offering detailed in the Credit Card Services Agreement.
5. DELIVERY AND PAYMENT.
(a) On or after the date of this Agreement, the Company and selected escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent") will enter into an Escrow Agreement (the "Escrow Agreement"), pursuant to which escrow accounts will be established, at the Company's expense (the "Escrow Accounts").
(b) Prior to the initial Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) of the Offering or, as applicable, any subsequent Closing Date, (i) each Investor will execute and deliver a Subscription Agreement (each, an "Investor Subscription Agreement") to the Company through the facilities of the Platform; (ii) each Investor will transfer to the Escrow Account funds in an amount equal to the price per Share as shown on the cover page of the Final Offering Circular (as hereinafter defined) multiplied by the number of Shares subscribed by such Investor and as adjusted by any discounts or bonuses applicable to certain Investors; (iii) subscription funds received from any Investor will be promptly transmitted to the Escrow Accounts in compliance with Rule 15c2-4 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and (iv) the Escrow Agent will notify the Company and StartEngine in writing as to the balance of the collected funds in the Escrow Accounts.
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(c) If the Escrow Agent shall have received written notice from StartEngine on or before 9 a.m. Pacific time on such o date(s) as may be agreed upon by the Company and StartEngine (each such date, a "Closing Date"), the Escrow Agent will release the balance of the Escrow Accounts for collection by the Company and StartEngine as provided in the Escrow Agreement and the Company shall deliver the Shares purchased on such Closing Date to the Investors, which delivery may be made via book entry with the Company's securities registrar and transfer agent, [StartEngine Secure, LLC. ][ Name of transfer agent] (the "Transfer Agent"). The initial closing (the "Closing") and any subsequent closing (each, a "Subsequent Closing") shall be effected through the Platform. All actions taken at the Closing shall be deemed to have occurred simultaneously on the date of the Closing and all actions taken at any Subsequent Closing shall be deemed to have occurred simultaneously on the date of any such Subsequent Closing.
(d) If the Company and StartEngine determine that the offering will not proceed, then the Escrow Agent will promptly return the funds to the investors without interest.
6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company represents and warrants and covenants to StartEngine that1:
(a) The Company will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") an offering statement on Form 1-A (collectively, with the various parts of such offering statement, each as amended as of the Qualification Date for such part, including any Offering Circular and all exhibits to such offering statement, the "Offering Statement") relating to the Shares pursuant to Regulation A as promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and the other applicable rules, orders and regulations (collectively referred to as the "Rules and Regulations") of the Commission promulgated under the Act. As used in this Agreement:
(1) "Final Offering Circular" means the offering circular relating to the public offering of the Shares as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 253(g)(2) of Regulation A of the Rules and Regulations, as amended and supplemented by any further filings under Rule 253(g)(2);
1 To be updated upon due diligence review; additional provisions may be added.
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(2) "Preliminary Offering Circular" means the offering circular relating to the Shares included in the Offering Statement pursuant to Regulation A of the Rules and Regulations in the form on file with the Commission on the Qualification Date;
(3) "Qualification Date" means the date as of which the Offering Statement was or will be qualified with the Commission pursuant to Regulation A, the Act and the Rules and Regulations; and
(4) "Testing-the-Waters Communication" means any website post, broadcast or cable radio or internet communication, email, social media post, video or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Rule 255 of the Rules and Regulations.
(b) The Offering Statement will be filed with the Commission in accordance with the Act and Regulation A of the Rules and Regulations; no stop order of the Commission preventing or suspending the qualification or use of the Offering Statement, or any amendment thereto, has been issued, and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or, to the Company's knowledge, are contemplated by the Commission.
(c) The Offering Statement, at the time it becomes qualified, and as of each Closing Date, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of Regulation A, the Act and the Rules and Regulations.
(d) The Offering Statement, at the time it became qualified, as of the date hereof, and as of each Closing Date, will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
(e) The Preliminary Offering Circular will not, as of its date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to the statements contained in the Preliminary Offering Circular as provided by StartEngine in Section 10(ii).
(f) The Final Offering Circular will not, as of its date and on each Closing Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to the statements contained in the Final Offering Circular as provided by StartEngine in Section 10(ii).
(g) Each Testing-the-Waters Communication, if any, when considered together with the Final Offering Circular or Preliminary Offering Circular, as applicable, did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, provided, however, that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to the statements contained in the Preliminary Offering Circular as provided by StartEngine in Section 10(ii).
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(h) As of each Closing Date, the Company will be duly organized and validly existing as a [Corporation ][ENTITY] in good standing under the laws of the State of (California ][STATE]. The Company has full power and authority to conduct all the activities conducted by it, to own and lease all the assets owned and leased by it and to conduct its business as presently conducted and as described in the Offering Statement and the Final Offering Circular. The Company is duly licensed or qualified to do business and in good standing as a foreign organization in all jurisdictions in which the nature of the activities conducted by it or the character of the assets owned or leased by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing or have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on or affecting the business, prospects, properties, management, financial position, stockholders' equity, or results of operations of the Company (a "Material Adverse Effect"). Complete and correct copies of the [certificate of incorporation and of the bylaws] of the Company and all amendments thereto have been made available to StartEngine, and no changes therein will be made subsequent to the date hereof and prior to any Closing Date except as disclosed in the Offering Statement.
(i) The Company has no subsidiaries, nor does it own a controlling interest in any entity other than those entities set forth on Schedule 2 to this Agreement (each a "Subsidiary" and collectively the "Subsidiaries"). Each Subsidiary has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation. Each Subsidiary is duly qualified and in good standing as a foreign company in each jurisdiction in which the character or location of its properties (owned, leased or licensed) or the nature or conduct of its business makes such qualification necessary, except for those failures to be so qualified or in good standing which would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All of the shares of issued capital stock of each corporate subsidiary, and all of the share capital, membership interests and/or equity interests of each subsidiary that is not a corporation, have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, claim, security interest, restriction on transfer, shareholders' agreement, proxy, voting trust or other defect of title whatsoever.
(j) The Company is organized in, and its principal place of business is in, the United States.
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(k) The Company is not subject to the ongoing reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and has not been subject to an order by the Commission denying, suspending, or revoking the registration of any class of securities pursuant to Section 12(j) of the Exchange Act that was entered within five years preceding the date the Offering Statement was originally filed with the Commission. The Company is not, nor upon completion of the transactions contemplated herein will it be, an "investment company" or an "affiliated person" of, or "promoter" or "principal underwriter" for, an "investment company," as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"). The Company is not a development stage company or a "business development company" as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of the Investment Company Act. The Company is not a blank check company and is not an issuer of fractional undivided interests in oil or gas rights or similar interests in other mineral rights. The Company is not an issuer of asset-backed securities as defined in Item 1101(c) of Regulation AB.
(I) Neither the Company, nor any predecessor of the Company; nor any other issuer affiliated with the Company; nor any director or executive officer of the Company or other officer of the Company participating in the offering, nor any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Company's outstanding voting equity securities, nor any promoter connected with the Company, is subject to the disqualification provisions of Rule 262 of the Rules and Regulations.
(m) The Company is not a "foreign private issuer," as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Act.
(n) The Company has full legal right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement and perform the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement and the Escrow Agreement each have been or will be authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and are or will be each a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability.
(o) The issuance and sale of the Shares have been duly authorized by the Company, and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the Investor Subscription Agreement, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will not be subject to preemptive or similar rights. The holders of the Shares will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders. The Shares, when issued, will conform to the description thereof set forth in the Final Offering Circular in all material respects.
(p) The Company has not authorized anyone other than the management of the Company and StartEngine to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company reconfirms that StartEngine have been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company has not distributed any Testing-the-Waters Communications other than those listed on Schedule 1 hereto.
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(q) The financial statements and the related notes included in the Offering Statement and the Final Offering Circular present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods covered thereby in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), except as may be stated in the related notes thereto. No other financial statements or schedules of the Company, any Subsidiary or any other entity are required by the Act or the Rules and Regulations to be included in the Offering Statement or the Final Offering Circular. There are no off-balance sheet arrangements (as defined in Regulation S-K Item 303(a)(4)(ii)) that may have a material current or future effect on the Company's financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
(r) [SetApart Financial Services ] (the "Accountants"), will report on the financial statements and schedules described in Section 6(r), are registered independent public accountants with respect to the Company as required by the Act and the Rules and Regulations. The financial statements of the Company and the related notes and schedules included in the Offering Statement and the Final Offering Circular comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations and present fairly the information shown therein.
(s) Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Offering Statement and the most recent Preliminary Offering Circular and prior to the Closing and any Subsequent Closing, other than as described in the Final Offering Circular (A) there has not been and will not have been any change in the capital stock of the Company or long-term debt of the Company or any Subsidiary or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, set aside for payment, paid or made by the Company on any class of capital stock or equity interests, or any Material Adverse Effect, or any development that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and (B) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has sustained or will sustain any material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor disturbance or dispute or any action, order or decree of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except in each case as otherwise disclosed in the Offering Statement and the Final Offering Circular.
(t) Since the date as of which information is given in the most recent Preliminary Offering Circular, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has entered or will before the Closing or any Subsequent Closing enter into any transaction or agreement, not in the ordinary course of business, that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or incurred or will incur any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, not in the ordinary course of business, that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any plans to do any of the foregoing.
(u) The Company and each Subsidiary has good and valid title in fee simple to all items of real property and good and valid title to all personal property described in the Offering Statement or the Final Offering Circular as being owned by them, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and claims except those that (1) do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries or (2) would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. Any real property described in the Offering Statement or the Final Offering Circular as being leased by the Company or any Subsidiary that is material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole is held by them under valid, existing and enforceable leases, except those that (A) do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries or (B) would not be reasonably expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(v) There are no legal, governmental or regulatory actions, suits or proceedings pending, either domestic or foreign, to which the Company is a party or to which any property of the Company is the subject, nor are there, to the Company's knowledge, any threatened legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, either domestic or foreign, involving the Company or any property of the Company that, individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely to the Company, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially and adversely affect the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement; to the Company's knowledge, no such actions, suits or proceedings are threatened or contemplated by any governmental or regulatory authority or threatened by others.
(w) The Company and each Subsidiary has, and at each Closing Date will have, (1) all governmental licenses, permits, consents, orders, approvals and other authorizations necessary to carry on its business as presently conducted except where the failure to have such governmental licenses, permits, consents, orders, approvals and other authorizations would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (2) performed all its obligations required to be performed, and is not, and at each Closing Date will not be, in default, under any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, voting trust agreement, loan agreement, bond, debenture, note agreement, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument (collectively, a "contract or other agreement") to which it is a party or by which its property is bound or affected and, to the Company's knowledge, no other party under any material contract or other agreement to which it is a party is in default in any respect thereunder. The Company and its Subsidiaries are not in violation of any provision of their organizational or governing documents.
(x) The Company has obtained all authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, exemption, qualification or decree of any court or governmental authority or agency or any sub-division thereof that is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, in connection with the offering, issuance or sale of the Shares under this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as may be required under federal, state, local and foreign laws, the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, state securities or Blue Sky laws, and the rules and regulations of FINRA.
(y) There is no actual or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, enforcement action or investigation by any governmental authority that has jurisdiction over the Company, and the Company has received no notice of any pending or threatened claim or investigation against the Company that would provide a legal basis for any enforcement action, and the Company has no reason to believe that any governmental authority is considering such action.
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(z) Neither the execution of this Agreement, nor the issuance, offering or sale of the Shares, nor the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated herein, nor the compliance by the Company with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof will conflict with, or will result in a breach of, any of the terms and provisions of, or has constituted or will constitute a default under, or has resulted in or will result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of any contract or other agreement to which the Company or any Subsidiary may be bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary is subject, except such conflicts, breaches or defaults as may have been waived or would not, in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; nor will such action result in any violation, except such violations that would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, of (1) the provisions of the organizational or governing documents of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (2) any statute or any order, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary or of any court or of any federal, state or other regulatory authority or other government body having jurisdiction over the Company or any Subsidiary.
(aa) There is no document or contract of a character required to be described in the Offering Statement or the Final Offering Circular or to be filed as an exhibit to the Offering Statement which is not described or filed as required. All such contracts to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party have been authorized, executed and delivered by the Company or any Subsidiary, and constitute valid and binding agreements of the Company or any Subsidiary, and are enforceable against the Company in accordance with the terms thereof, subject to the effect of applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability. None of these contracts have been suspended or terminated for convenience or default by the Company or any of the other parties thereto, and the Company has not received notice of any such pending or threatened suspension or termination.
(bb) The Company and its directors, officers or controlling persons have not taken, directly or indirectly, any action intended, or which might reasonably be expected, to cause or result, under the Act or otherwise, in, or which has constituted, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Company's Common Stock.
(cc) Other than as previously disclosed to StartEngine in writing, the Company, or any person acting on behalf of the Company, has not and, except in consultation with StartEngine, will not publish, advertise or otherwise make any announcements concerning the distribution of the Shares, and has not and will not conduct road shows, seminars or similar activities relating to the distribution of the Shares nor has it taken or will it take any other action for the purpose of, or that could reasonably be expected to have the effect of, preparing the market, or creating demand, for the Shares. Notwithstanding this provision, Company intends to conduct testing-the waters communications as contemplated herein.
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(dd) No holder of securities of the Company has rights to the registration of any securities of the Company as a result of the filing of the Offering Statement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for such rights as have been waived or as are described in the Offering Statement.
(ee) No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened, and the Company is not aware of any existing or threatened labor disturbance by the employees of any of its or any Subsidiary's principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors.
(ff) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries: (i) are and have been in material compliance with all laws, to the extent applicable, and the regulations promulgated pursuant to such laws, and comparable state laws, and all other local, state, federal, national, supranational and foreign laws, manual provisions, policies and administrative guidance relating to the regulation of the Company and its subsidiaries except for such non-compliance as would not be reasonably expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) have not received notice of any ongoing claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action from any Regulatory Agency or third party alleging that any product operation or activity is in material violation of any laws and has no knowledge that any such Regulatory Agency or third party is considering any such claim, litigation, arbitration, action, suit, investigation or proceeding; and (iii) are not a party to any corporate integrity agreement, deferred prosecution agreement, monitoring agreement, consent decree, settlement order, or similar agreements, or has any reporting obligations pursuant to any such agreement, plan or correction or other remedial measure entered into with any Governmental Authority.
(gg) The business and operations of the Company, and each of its Subsidiaries, have been and are being conducted in compliance with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, licenses, permits, approvals, plans, authorizations or requirements relating to occupational safety and health, or pollution, or protection of health or the environment (including, without limitation, those relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants or hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes into ambient air, surface water, groundwater or land, or relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of chemical substances, pollutants, contaminants or hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, whether solid, gaseous or liquid in nature) of any governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality of the United States, any state or political subdivision thereof, or any foreign jurisdiction ("Environmental Laws"), and all applicable judicial or administrative agency or regulatory decrees, awards, judgments and orders relating thereto, except where the failure to be in such compliance would not be reasonably expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice from any governmental instrumentality or any third party alleging any material violation thereof or liability thereunder (including, without limitation, liability for costs of investigating or remediating sites containing hazardous substances and/or damages to natural resources).
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(hh) There has been no storage, generation, transportation, use, handling, treatment, Release or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials (as defined below) by or caused by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other entity (including any predecessor) for whose acts or omissions the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or could reasonably be expected to be liable) at, on, under or from any property or facility now or previously owned, operated or leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or at, on, under or from any other property or facility, in violation of any Environmental Laws or in a manner or amount or to a location that could reasonably be expected to result in any liability under any Environmental Law, except for any violation or liability which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. "Hazardous Materials" means any material, chemical, substance, waste, pollutant, contaminant, compound, mixture, or constituent thereof, in any form or amount, including petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) and petroleum products, natural gas liquids, asbestos and asbestos containing materials, naturally occurring radioactive materials, brine, and drilling mud, regulated or which can give rise to liability under any Environmental Law. "Release" means any spilling, leaking, seepage, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing, depositing, dispersing, or migrating in, into or through the environment, or in, into from or through any building or structure.
(ii) The Company and its Subsidiaries own, possess, license or have other adequate rights to use, on reasonable terms, all material patents, patent applications, trade and service marks, trade and service mark registrations, trade names, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets, technology, know-how and other intellectual property necessary for the conduct of the Company's and each of its Subsidiary's business as now conducted (collectively, the "Intellectual Property"), except to the extent such failure to own, possess or have other rights to use such Intellectual Property would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in the Final Offering Circular: (a) no party has been granted an exclusive license to use any portion of such Intellectual Property owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries; (b) to the knowledge of the Company, there is no infringement by third parties of any such Intellectual Property owned by or exclusively licensed to the Company or its Subsidiaries; (c) the Company is not aware of any defects in the preparation and filing of any of patent applications within the Intellectual Property; (d) to the knowledge of the Company, the patents within the Intellectual Property are being maintained and the required maintenance fees (if any) are being paid; (e) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' rights in or to any Intellectual Property, and the Company and its Subsidiaries are unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; (f) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity or scope or enforceability of any such Intellectual Property, and the Company and its Subsidiaries are unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; and (g) there is no pending, or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' business as now conducted infringes or otherwise violates any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary rights of others, and the Company and its Subsidiaries are unaware of any other fact which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim. To the knowledge of the Company, no opposition filings or invalidation filings have been submitted which have not been finally resolved in connection with any of the Company's patents and patent applications in any jurisdiction where the Company has applied for, or received, a patent.
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(jj) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and each Subsidiary (1) has timely filed all federal, state, provincial, local and foreign tax returns that are required to be filed by such entity through the date hereof, which returns are true and correct, or has received timely extensions for the filing thereof, and (2) has paid all taxes, assessments, penalties, interest, fees and other charges due or claimed to be due from the Company, other than (A) any such amounts being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP or (B) any such amounts currently payable without penalty or interest. There are no tax audits or investigations pending, which if adversely determined could have a Material Adverse Effect; nor to the knowledge of the Company is there any proposed additional tax assessments against the Company or any Subsidiary which could have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. No transaction, stamp, capital or other issuance, registration, transaction, transfer or withholding tax or duty is payable by or on behalf of StartEngine to any foreign government outside the United States or any political subdivision thereof or any authority or agency thereof or therein having the power to tax in connection with (i) the issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares by the Company; (ii) the purchase from the Company, and the initial sale and delivery of the Shares to purchasers thereof; or (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other document to be furnished hereunder.
(kk) On each Closing Date, all stock transfer or other taxes (other than income taxes) which are required to be paid in connection with the sale and transfer of the Shares to be issued and sold on such Closing Date will be, or will have been, fully paid or provided for by the Company and all laws imposing such taxes will be or will have been fully complied with.
(ll) The Company and its Subsidiaries are insured with insurers with appropriately rated claims paying abilities against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary for the businesses in which they are engaged; all policies of insurance and fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Company, each Subsidiary or their respective businesses, assets, employees, officers and directors are in full force and effect; and there are no claims by the Company or its Subsidiary under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that is not materially greater than the current cost.
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(mm) Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, agent or employee of either the Company or any Subsidiary has directly or indirectly, (1) made any unlawful contribution to any federal, state, local and foreign candidate for public office, or failed to disclose fully any contribution in violation of law, (2) made any payment to any federal, state, local and foreign governmental officer or official, or other person charged with similar public or quasi-public duties, other than payments required or permitted by the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction thereof, (3) violated or is in violation of any provisions of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, or (4) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.
(nn) The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the "Money Laundering Laws") and no material action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(oo) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions (the "Sanctions Regulations") administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department ("OFAC"); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC or listed on the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company, is named on any denied party or entity list administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce pursuant to the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"); and the Company will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering of the Shares hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any Sanctions Regulations or to support activities in or with countries sanctioned by said authorities, or for engaging in transactions that violate the EAR.
(pp) The Company has not distributed and, prior to the later to occur of the last Closing Date and completion of the distribution of the Shares, will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares other than each Preliminary Offering Circular and the Final Offering Circular, or such other materials as to which StartEngine shall have consented in writing.
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(rr) Each employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and all stock purchase, stock option, stock-based severance, employment, change-in-control, medical, disability, fringe benefit, bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, employee loan and all other employee benefit plans, agreements, programs, policies or other arrangements, whether or not subject to ERISA, that is maintained, administered or contributed to by the Company or any of its affiliates for employees or former employees, directors or independent contractors of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has had or has any present or future obligation or liability, has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code; no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred which would result in a material liability to the Company with respect to any such plan excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption; no event has occurred (including a "reportable event" as such term is defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) and no condition exists that would subject the Company to any material tax, fine, lien, penalty, or liability imposed by ERISA, the Code or other applicable law; and for each such plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, no "accumulated funding deficiency" as defined in Section 412 of the Code has been incurred, whether or not waived, and the fair market value of the assets of each such plan (excluding for these purposes accrued but unpaid contributions) exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such plan determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions.
(ss) No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders, customers or suppliers of the Company or any Subsidiary, on the other, which would be required to be disclosed in the Offering Statement, the Preliminary Offering Circular and the Final Offering Circular and is not so disclosed.
(tt) The Company has not sold or issued any securities that would be integrated with the offering of the Shares contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to the Act, the Rules and Regulations or the interpretations thereof by the Commission or that would fail to come within the safe harbor for integration under Regulation A.
(uu) Except as set forth in this Agreement, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or StartEngine for a brokerage commission, finder's fee or other like payment in connection with the offering of the Shares.
(vv) To the knowledge of the Company, there are no affiliations with FINRA among the Company's directors, officers or any five percent or greater stockholder of the Company or any beneficial owner of the Company's unregistered equity securities that were acquired during the 180-day period immediately preceding the initial filing date of the Offering Statement.
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(ww) There are no outstanding loans, advances (except normal advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business) or guarantees of indebtedness by the Company to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the Company or any of their respective family members. The Company has not directly or indirectly, including through its Subsidiaries, extended or maintained credit, arranged for the extension of credit, or renewed any extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any director or executive officer of the Company or any of their respective related interests, other than any extensions of credit that ceased to be outstanding prior to the initial filing of the Offering Statement. No transaction has occurred between or among the Company and any of its officers or directors, stockholders, customers, suppliers or any affiliate or affiliates of the foregoing that is required to be described or filed as an exhibit to in the Offering Statement, the Preliminary Offering Circular or the Final Offering Circular and is not so described.
7. AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY.
(a) The [Offering Statement has become qualified, and] the Company will file the Final Offering Circular, subject to the prior approval of StartEngine, pursuant to Rule 253 and Regulation A, within the prescribed time period.
(b) Upon effectiveness of this agreement, the Company will not, during such period as the Final Offering Circular would be required by law to be delivered in connection with sales of the Shares in connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement (whether physically or through compliance with Rules 251 and 254 under the Act or any similar rule(s)), file any amendment or supplement to the Offering Statement or the Final Offering Circular unless a copy thereof shall first have been submitted to StartEngine within a reasonable period of time prior to the filing thereof and StartEngine shall not have reasonably objected thereto in good faith.
(c) The Company will notify StartEngine promptly, and will, if requested, confirm such notification in writing: (1) when any amendment or supplement to the Offering Statement is filed; (2) of any request by the Commission for any amendments to the Offering Statement or any amendment or supplements to the Final Offering Circular or for additional information; (3) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order preventing or suspending the qualification of the Offering Statement or the Final Offering Circular, or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or the threat thereof; and (4) of becoming aware of the occurrence of any event that in the judgment of the Company makes any statement made in the Offering Statement, the Preliminary Offering Circular or the Final Offering Circular untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in the Offering Statement, the Preliminary Offering Circular or the Final Offering Circular in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading. If the Company has omitted any information from the Offering Statement, it will use its best efforts to comply with the provisions of and make all requisite filings with the Commission pursuant to Regulation A, the Act and the Rules and Regulations and to notify StartEngine promptly of all such filings.
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(d) If, at any time when the Final Offering Circular relating to the Shares is required to be delivered under the Act, the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any event as a result of which the Final Offering Circular, as then amended or supplemented, would, in the reasonable judgment of counsel to the Company or counsel to StartEngine, include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or the Offering Statement, as then amended or supplemented, would, in the reasonable judgment of counsel to the Company or counsel to StartEngine, include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or if for any other reason it is necessary, in the reasonable judgment of counsel to the Company or counsel to StartEngine, at any time to amend or supplement the Final Offering Circular or the Offering Statement to comply with the Act or the Rules and Regulations, the Company will promptly notify StartEngine and will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, at the Company's expense, an amendment to the Offering Statement and/or an amendment or supplement to the Final Offering Circular that corrects such statement and/or omission or effects such compliance. The Company consents to the use of the Final Offering Circular or any amendment or supplement thereto by StartEngine, and StartEngine agrees to provide to each Investor, prior to the Closing and, as applicable, any Subsequent Closing, a copy of the Final Offering Circular and any amendments or supplements thereto.
(e) If at any time following the distribution of any Testing-the-Waters Communication there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Testing-the-Waters Communication included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company has or will promptly notify StartEngine in writing and has or will promptly amend or supplement and recirculate, at its own expense, such Testing-the-Waters Communication to eliminate or correct such untrue statement or omission.
(j) The Company will apply the net proceeds from the offering and sale of the
Shares in the manner set forth in the Final Offering Circular under the caption "Use of Proceeds."
8. [LEFT BLANK]
9. CONDITIONS OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF STARTENGINE. The obligations of StartEngine hereunder are subject to the following conditions:
(i) No stop order suspending the qualification of the Offering Statement shall have been issued, and no proceedings for that purpose shall be pending or threatened by any securities or other governmental authority (including, without limitation, the Commission), (b) no order suspending the effectiveness of the Offering Statement shall be in effect and no proceeding for such purpose shall be pending before, or threatened or contemplated by, any securities or other governmental authority (including, without limitation, the Commission), (c) any request for additional information on the part of the staff of any securities or other governmental authority (including, without limitation, the Commission) shall have been complied with to the satisfaction of the staff of the Commission or such authorities and (d) after the date hereof no amendment or supplement to the Offering Statement or the Final Offering Circular shall have been filed unless a copy thereof was first submitted to StartEngine and StartEngine did not object thereto in good faith, and StartEngine shall have received certificates of the Company, dated as of the Closing Date (and at the option of StartEngine, any Subsequent Closing Date) and signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, to the effect of clauses (a), (b) and (c).
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(ii) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Offering Statement and the Final Offering Circular, (a) there shall not have been a Material Adverse Effect, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, in each case other than as set forth in or contemplated by the Offering Statement and the Final Offering Circular and (b) the Company shall not have sustained any material loss or interference with its business or properties from fire, explosion, flood or other casualty, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or any court or legislative or other governmental action, order or decree, which is not set forth in the Offering Statement and the Final Offering Circular, if in the reasonable judgment of StartEngine any such development makes it impracticable or inadvisable to consummate the sale and delivery of the Shares to Investors as contemplated hereby.
(iii) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Offering Statement and the Final Offering Circular, there shall have been no litigation or other proceeding instituted against the Company or any of its officers or directors in their capacities as such, before or by any federal, state or local or foreign court, commission, regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental body, domestic or foreign, which litigation or proceeding, in the reasonable judgment of StartEngine, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(iv) Each of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be true and correct as of each Closing Date in all respects for those representations and warranties qualified by materiality and in all material respects for those representations and warranties that are not qualified by materiality, as if made on such date, and all covenants and agreements herein contained to be performed on the part of the Company and all conditions herein contained to be fulfilled or complied with by the Company at or prior to such Closing Date shall have been duly performed, fulfilled or complied with in all material respects.
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(v) At the Closing, and at any Subsequent Closing at the option of StartEngine, there shall be furnished to StartEngine a certificate, dated the date of its delivery, signed by each of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to StartEngine to the effect that each signer has carefully examined the Offering Statement, the Final Offering Circular, and that to each of such person's knowledge:
(a) As of the date of each such certificate, (x) the Offering Statement does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading and (y) the Final Offering Circular does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (2) no event has occurred as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Final Offering Circular in order to make the statements therein not untrue or misleading in any material respect.
(b) Each of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement were, when originally made, and are, at the time such certificate is delivered, true and correct in all respects for those representations and warranties qualified by materiality and in all material respects for those representations and warranties that are not qualified by materiality.
(c) Each of the covenants required herein to be performed by the Company on or prior to the date of such certificate has been duly, timely and fully performed and each condition herein required to be complied with by the Company on or prior to the delivery of such certificate has been duly, timely and fully complied with.
(d) No stop order suspending the qualification of the Offering Statement or of any part thereof has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are contemplated by the Commission.
(e) Subsequent to the date of the most recent financial statements in the Offering Statement and in the Final Offering Circular, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.
(vi) FINRA shall not have raised any objection with respect to the fairness or reasonableness of the plan of distribution, or other arrangements of the transactions, contemplated hereby.
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10. INDEMNIFICATION.
(i) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless StartEngine, eachselling group participant, and each of their directors, officers, employees and agents and each person, if any, who controls StartEngine or such selling group participant within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each an "Indemnified Party"), from and against any and all losses, claims, liabilities, expenses and damages, joint or several (including any and all investigative, legal and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted (whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto)), to which it, or any of them, may become subject under the Act or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, liabilities, expenses or damages arise out of or are based on (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement made by the Company in Section 6 of this Agreement, (b) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in (1) any Preliminary Offering Circular, the Offering Statement or the Final Offering Circular or any amendment or supplement thereto, (3) any Testing-the-Waters Communication or (4) any application or other document, or any amendment or supplement thereto, executed by the Company based upon written information furnished by or on behalf of the Company filed with the Commission or any securities association or securities exchange (each, an "Application"), or (c) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Preliminary Offering Circular, the Offering Statement, the Final Offering Circular, or any Testing-the-Waters Communication, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Application a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable to the extent that such loss, claim, liability, expense or damage arises from the sale of the Shares in the offering to any person and is based solely on an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance on and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Indemnified Party through StartEngine expressly for inclusion in the Offering Statement, any Preliminary Offering Circular, the Final Offering Circular, or Testing-the-Waters Communication, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Application, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Indemnified Party consists of the information described as such in subsection (ii) below. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.
(ii) StartEngine will indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) that arise out of or are based solely upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Offering Statement, any Preliminary Offering Circular or the Final Offering Circular, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Testing-the-Waters Communication, or arise out of or are based solely upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Offering Statement, any Preliminary Offering Circular or the Final Offering Circular, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by StartEngine expressly for use therein; and will reimburse the Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred.
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(iii) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party under subsection (i) or (ii) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such Indemnified Party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any Indemnified Party otherwise than under such subsection. In case any such action shall be brought against any Indemnified Party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such Indemnified Party (who shall not, except with the consent of the Indemnified Party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party under such subsection for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (a) includes an unconditional release of the Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (b) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party.
(iv) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 10 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnified Party under subsection (i) or (ii) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and StartEngine on the other from the offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the Indemnified Party failed to give the notice required under subsection (iii) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and StartEngine on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and StartEngine on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bears to the Fee received by StartEngine. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or StartEngine on the other and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and StartEngine agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection (iv) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (iv). The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this subsection (iv) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (iv), each StartEngine will not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the Fee received by such StartEngine. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
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11. TERMINATIONS.
(i) Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time by written notice to the other party. The Services and Fees are non-refundable. Any unpaid fees due to StartEngine are due immediately upon termination.
(ii) The obligations of StartEngine under this Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the initial Closing Date, by notice to the Company from such StartEngine, without liability on the part of StartEngine to the Company if, prior to delivery and payment for the Shares, in the sole judgment of StartEngine: (a) there has occurred any material adverse change in the securities markets or any event, act or occurrence that has materially disrupted, or in the opinion of StartEngine, will in the future materially disrupt, the securities markets or there shall be such a material adverse change in general financial, political or economic conditions or the effect of international conditions on the financial markets in the United States is such as to make it, in the judgment of StartEngine, inadvisable or impracticable to market the Shares or enforce contracts for the sale of the Shares; (b) there has occurred any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, including without limitation as a result of terrorist activities, such as to make it, in the judgment of StartEngine, inadvisable or impracticable to market the Shares or enforce contracts for the sale of the Shares; (c) trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., NYSE American or NASDAQ Stock Market has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system or by order of the Commission, FINRA, or any other governmental or regulatory authority; (d) a banking moratorium has been declared by any state or Federal authority; or (e) in the judgment of StartEngine, there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Final Offering Circular, any Material Adverse Effect of the Company and its Subsidiaries considered as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business;
(iii) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 11, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 10(ii) hereof.
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12. NOTICES. Notice given pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and, unless otherwise specified, shall be mailed or delivered (i) if to the Company, at [30012 Aventura Rancho Santa Ma][address], Attention: [Richard Gamarra ][name], or (ii) if to StartEngine to 8687 Melrose Ave 7th Floor - Green, Los Angeles, CA 90069, Attention: CEO, with copies to [counsel]. Any such notice shall be effective only upon receipt. Any notice under Section 12 may be made by facsimile or telephone, but if so made shall be subsequently confirmed in writing.
13. SURVIVAL. The respective representations, warranties, agreements, covenants, indemnities and other statements of the Company and StartEngine set forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company, any of its officers or directors, StartEngine or any controlling person referred to in Section 10 hereof and (ii) delivery of and payment for the Shares. The respective agreements, covenants, indemnities and other statements set forth in Sections 6, 7 and 10 hereof shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any termination or cancellation of this Agreement.
14. SUCCESSORS. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon StartEngine, the Company and their respective successors, and nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any other person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement, or any provisions herein contained, this Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof being intended to be and being for the sole and exclusive benefit of such persons and for the benefit of no other person except that (i) the indemnification and contribution contained in Sections 10(i) and (iv) of this Agreement shall also be for the benefit of the directors, officers, employees and agents of StartEngine and any person or persons who control such StartEngine within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and (ii) the indemnification and contribution contained in Sections 10(ii) and (iv) of this Agreement shall also be for the benefit of the directors of the Company, the officers of the Company who have signed the Offering Statement and any person or persons who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act. No purchaser of Shares shall be deemed a successor because of such purchase.
15. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of California applicable to agreements made and to be performed in such state. Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the California Courts, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party's address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the California Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
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16. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. The Company acknowledges and agrees that StartEngine is acting solely in the capacity of an arm's length contractual counterparty to the Company with respect to the offering of Shares contemplated hereby. Additionally, StartEngine is not advising the Company or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether StartEngine has advised or is advising the Company on other matters). The Company has conferred with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and StartEngine shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company or any other person with respect thereto. The StartEngine advises that it and its affiliates are engaged in a broad range of securities and financial services and that it or its affiliates may have business relationships or enter into contractual relationships with purchasers or potential purchasers of the Company's securities. Any review by StartEngine of the Company, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of StartEngine and shall not be on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the Company.
17. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
18. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties hereto as to the matters covered hereby and supersedes all prior understandings, written or oral, relating to such subject matter.
[signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date set forth below.
| [COMPANY] | ||
| By: | /s/ Andrew Ulmer | |
| Name: | Andrew Ulmer | |
| Title: | President | |
| Accepted as of the date hereof: 10 / 13 / 2020 | ||
| STARTENGINE PRIMARY, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Howard Marks | |
| Name: | Howard Marks | |
| Title: | CEO | |
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SCHEDULE 1
Testing the Waters
[TBD]
SCHEDULE 2
SUBSIDIARIES
[TBD]
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Audit Trail |
| TITLE | StartEngine Updated Reg A+ Agreement | |
| FILE NAME | StartEngine Prima...Agreement (2).pdf | |
| DOCUMENT ID | 28692b9b1ab4ca2a3f0cab3188ebd0ldaa832f45 | |
| AUDIT TRAIL DATE FORMAT | MM / DD / YYYY | |
| STATUS | Completed | |
Document History
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10 / 12 / 2020 19:25:35 UTC |
Sent for signature to Andy Ulmer (andy@atequila.com) and Howard Marks (howard@startengine.com) from doryn@startengine.com |
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10 / 13 / 2020 16:30:40 UTC |
Viewed by Andy Ulmer (andy@atequila.com) IP: 139.138.136.114 |
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10 / 13 / 2020 17:05:06 UTC |
Signed by Andy Ulmer (andy@atequila.com) IP: 139.138.136.114 |
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10 / 13 / 2020 19:02:27 UTC |
Viewed by Howard Marks (howard@startengine.com) IP: 104.60.22.151 |
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10 / 13 / 2020 19:03:28 UTC |
Signed by Howard Marks (howard@startengine.com) IP: 104.60.22.151 |
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10 / 13 / 2020 19:03:28 UTC |
The document has been completed. |
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Exhibit 2.2

| Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation | Entity Number: C4587244 |
The undersigned certify that:
| 1, | They are the president and the secretary, respectively, of California Tequila, Inc., |
| 2, | Article 4 of the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation is amended to read as follows; |
This corporation is authorized to issue two classes of common stock, to wit:
a. Class A Voting common stock (No Par Value), total authorized shares 20,000,000;
b. Class B Non-voting common stock (No Par Value), total authorized shares 15,000,000
(the Class A Voting common stock shall have exclusive voting rights and the Class B Nonvoting common stock shall have no voting rights, except as otherwise provided by law).
3. The foregoing Amendment of Articles of Incorporation has been duly approved by the board of directors.
4
a. The foregoing Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation has been duly approved by the required vote of shareholders in accordance with Section 902, California Corporations Code, The total number of outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote for Amendment was 2,000 shares of Class A Voting Common Stook, The number of shares voting in favor equaled or exceeded the vole required. The percentage vote required was more than 50%.
b. The Class B Non-Voting Common Stock of the Company was. not entitled either corporately or statutorily to vote on this Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation. Therefore, none of the Class B Non-Voting Common Stock shares participated in the corporate action resulting in the passing of this Amendment.
We further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the Stake of California that the matters set forth in this certificate are true and correct of our own knowledge.
| DATE: April 16, 2021 | |
| /s/ Andrew Ulmer | |
| Andrew Ulmer, President | |
| /s/ Richard Gamarra | |
| Richard Gamarra, Secretary |
| Certified Copy | |
| I hereby certify that the following transcript of 1 page(s) is a full, true, and correct copy of the original record in the custody of the California Secretary of State’s office. | |
| 05/10/2021 | |
| Certification Date | |
| /s/ SHIRLEY N. WEBER | |
| SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D | |
| Secretary of State | |
Exhibit 4.1
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
THIS INVESTMENT INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. THIS INVESTMENT IS SUITABLE ONLY FOR PERSONS WHO CAN BEAR THE ECONOMIC RISK FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME AND WHO CAN AFFORD TO LOSE THEIR ENTIRE INVESTMENT. FURTHERMORE, INVESTORS MUST UNDERSTAND THAT SUCH INVESTMENT IS ILLIQUID AND IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO BE ILLIQUID FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME. NO PUBLIC MARKET EXISTS FOR THE SECURITIES, AND NO PUBLIC MARKET IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP FOLLOWING THIS OFFERING.
THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS AND ARE BEING OFFERED AND SOLD IN RELIANCE ON EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND STATE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS. ALTHOUGH AN OFFERING STATEMENT HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE “SEC”), THAT OFFERING STATEMENT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE SAME INFORMATION THAT WOULD BE INCLUDED IN A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY, NOR HAVE ANY OF THE FOREGOING AUTHORITIES PASSED UPON THE MERITS OF THIS OFFERING OR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER MATERIALS OR INFORMATION MADE AVAILABLE TO SUBSCRIBER IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING OVER THE WEB-BASED PLATFORM MAINTAINED BY STARTENGINE CROWDFUNDING, INC. (THE “PLATFORM”) OR THROUGH STARTENGINE PRIMARY, LLC (THE “BROKER”). ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
INVESTORS WHO ARE NOT “ACCREDITED INVESTORS” (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION 501 OF REGULATION D PROMULGATED UNDER THE ACT) ARE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS ON THE AMOUNT THEY MAY INVEST, AS SET OUT IN SECTION 4. THE COMPANY IS RELYING ON THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH BY EACH SUBSCRIBER IN THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED BY SUBSCRIBER IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING TO DETERMINE THE APPLICABILITY TO THIS OFFERING OF EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT.
THE OFFERING MATERIALS MAY CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION RELATING TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE COMPANY, ITS BUSINESS PLAN AND STRATEGY, AND ITS INDUSTRY. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED ON THE BELIEFS OF, ASSUMPTIONS MADE BY, AND INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY’S MANAGEMENT. WHEN USED IN THE OFFERING MATERIALS, THE WORDS “ESTIMATE,” “PROJECT,” “BELIEVE,” “ANTICIPATE,” “INTEND,” “EXPECT” AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS ARE INTENDED TO IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH CONSTITUTE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE STATEMENTS REFLECT MANAGEMENT’S CURRENT VIEWS WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE EVENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE THE COMPANY’S ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE CONTAINED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. INVESTORS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE ON WHICH THEY ARE MADE. THE COMPANY DOES NOT UNDERTAKE ANY OBLIGATION TO REVISE OR UPDATE THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER SUCH DATE OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF UNANTICIPATED EVENTS.
THE COMPANY MAY NOT BE OFFERING THE SECURITIES IN EVERY STATE. THE OFFERING MATERIALS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN ANY STATE OR JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE SECURITIES ARE NOT BEING OFFERED.
THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION AND FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER TO MODIFY, AMEND AND/OR WITHDRAW ALL OR A PORTION OF THE OFFERING AND/OR ACCEPT OR REJECT IN WHOLE OR IN PART ANY PROSPECTIVE INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OR TO ALLOT TO ANY PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR LESS THAN THE AMOUNT OF SECURITIES SUCH INVESTOR DESIRES TO PURCHASE. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE OFFERING MATERIALS SPEAK AS OF THEIR DATE. NEITHER THE DELIVERY NOR THE PURCHASE OF THE SECURITIES SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THAT DATE.
| TO: | California Tequila, Inc. 30012 Aventura, Suite A Rancho Santa Margarita, California 92688 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1. Subscription.
(a) The undersigned (“Subscriber”) hereby subscribes for and agrees to purchase the Class B Non-Voting Common Stock (the “Securities”), of California Tequila, Inc., a California corporation (the “Company”), at a purchase price of $8.00 per share (the “Per Security Price”), upon the terms and conditions set forth herein. The minimum subscription is $480. The rights of the Class B Non-Voting Common Stock are as set forth in the Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation to the Offering Statement of the Company filed with the SEC (the “Offering Statement”).
(b) Subscriber understands that StartEngine Primary, LLC (“StartEngine Primary”), which is serving as the Company’s broker-dealer in this offering, will assess a processing fee of 3.5% of the value of the shares subscribed for. This processing fee shall count against the per investor limit set out in Section 4(d)(ii) below.
(c) Subscriber understands that the Securities are being offered pursuant to an offering circular dated [May XX, 2021] (the “Offering Circular”) filed with the SEC as part of the Offering Statement. By executing this Subscription Agreement, Subscriber acknowledges that Subscriber has received this Subscription Agreement, copies of the Offering Circular and Offering Statement including exhibits thereto and any other information required by the Subscriber to make an investment decision.
(d) The Subscriber’s subscription may be accepted or rejected in whole or in part, at any time prior to a Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), by the Company at its sole discretion. In addition, the Company, at its sole discretion, may allocate to Subscriber only a portion of the number of Securities Subscriber has subscribed for. The Company will notify Subscriber whether this subscription is accepted (whether in whole or in part) or rejected. If Subscriber’s subscription is rejected, Subscriber’s payment (or portion thereof if partially rejected) will be returned to Subscriber within 30 days of such rejection without interest and all of Subscriber’s obligations hereunder shall terminate.
(e) The aggregate number of Securities sold shall not exceed 1,500,000, excluding the 150,000 shares that may be issued as “Bonus Shares” (as defined in the Offering Circular) (the “Maximum Offering”). The Company may accept subscriptions until [______, 2022], unless otherwise extended by the Company in its sole discretion in accordance with applicable SEC regulations for such other period required to sell the Maximum Offering (the “Termination Date”). The Company may elect at any time to close all or any portion of this offering, on various dates at or prior to the Termination Date (each a “Closing Date”).
(f) In the event of rejection of this subscription in its entirety, or in the event the sale of the Securities (or any portion thereof) is not consummated for any reason, this Subscription Agreement shall have no force or effect, except for Section 5 hereof, which shall remain in force and effect.
(g) The terms of this Subscription Agreement shall be binding upon Subscriber and its transferees, heirs, successors and assigns (collectively, “Transferees”); provided that for any such transfer to be deemed effective, the Transferee shall have executed and delivered to the Company in advance an instrument in a form acceptable to the Company in its sole discretion, pursuant to which the proposed Transferee shall acknowledge, agree, and be bound by the representations and warranties of Subscriber, terms of this Subscription Agreement. The Company shall not record any transfer of Securities on its books unless and until such Transferee shall have complied with the terms of this Section 1(g).
2. Purchase Procedure.
(a) Payment. The purchase price for the Securities shall be paid simultaneously with the execution and delivery to the Company of the signature page of this Subscription Agreement. Subscriber shall deliver a signed copy of this Subscription Agreement, along with payment for the aggregate purchase price of the Securities by ACH electronic transfer or wire transfer to an account designated by the Company, by credit or debit card, or by any combination of such methods.
(b) Escrow arrangements. Payment for the Securities shall be received by Prime Trust, LLC (the “Escrow Agent”) from the undersigned by transfer of immediately available funds, credit or debit card, or other means approved by the Company at least two days prior to the applicable Closing Date, in the amount as set forth on the signature page hereto. Upon such Closing Date, the Escrow Agent shall release such funds to the Company. The undersigned shall receive notice and evidence of the digital entry of the number of the Securities owned by undersigned reflected on the books and records of the Company and verified by StartEngine Secure LLC, (the “Transfer Agent”), which books and records shall bear a notation that the Securities were sold in reliance upon Regulation A.
3. Representations and Warranties of the Company.
The Company represents and warrants to Subscriber that the following representations and warranties are true and complete in all material respects as of the date of each Closing Date, except as otherwise indicated. For purposes of this Agreement, an individual shall be deemed to have “knowledge” of a particular fact or other matter if such individual is actually aware of such fact. The Company will be deemed to have “knowledge” of a particular fact or other matter if one of the Company’s current officers has, or at any time had, actual knowledge of such fact or other matter.
(a) Organization and standing. The Company is a corporation duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of California. The Company has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its properties and assets, to execute and deliver this Subscription Agreement, and any other agreements or instruments required hereunder. The Company is duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in all jurisdictions in which the nature of its activities and of its properties (both owned and leased) makes such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions in which failure to do so would not have a material adverse effect on the Company or its business.
(b) Issuance of the Securities. The issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities in accordance with this Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. The Securities, when so issued, sold and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the provisions of this Subscription Agreement, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(c) Authority for Agreement. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Subscription Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities) are within the Company’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. Upon full execution hereof, this Subscription Agreement shall constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies and (iii) with respect to provisions relating to indemnification and contribution, as limited by considerations of public policy and by federal or state securities laws.
(d) No filings. Assuming the accuracy of the Subscriber’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 hereof, no order, license, consent, authorization or approval of, or exemption by, or action by or in respect of, or notice to, or filing or registration with, any governmental body, agency or official is required by or with respect to the Company in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Subscription Agreement except (i) for such filings as may be required under Regulation A or under any applicable state securities laws, (ii) for such other filings and approvals as have been made or obtained, or (iii) where the failure to obtain any such order, license, consent, authorization, approval or exemption or give any such notice or make any filing or registration would not have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder.
(e) Capitalization. The authorized and outstanding securities of the Company immediately prior to the initial investment in the Securities is as set forth “Securities Being Offered” in the Offering Circular. Except as set forth in the Offering Circular, there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights (including conversion or preemptive rights and rights of first refusal), or agreements of any kind (oral or written) for the purchase or acquisition from the Company of any of its securities.
(f) Financial statements. Complete copies of the Company’s financial statements consisting of the balance sheets of the Company as at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal years then ended (the “Audited Financial Statements”), have been made available to the Subscriber and appear in the Offering Circular. The Audited Financial Statements are based on the books and records of the Company and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Company as of the respective dates they were prepared and the results of the operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods indicated. SetApart FS, which has audited the Audited Financial Statements, is an independent accounting firm within the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC.
(g) Proceeds. The Company shall use the proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Securities as set forth in “Use of Proceeds to issuer” in the Offering Circular.
(h) Litigation. Except as set forth in the Offering Circular, there is no pending action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, mediation, complaint, claim, charge or investigation before any court, arbitrator, mediator or governmental body, or to the Company’s knowledge, currently threatened in writing (a) against the Company or (b) against any consultant, officer, manager, director or key employee of the Company arising out of his or her consulting, employment or board relationship with the Company or that could otherwise materially impact the Company.
4. Representations and Warranties of Subscriber. By executing this Subscription Agreement, Subscriber (and, if Subscriber is purchasing the Securities subscribed for hereby in a fiduciary capacity, the person or persons for whom Subscriber is so purchasing) represents and warrants, which representations and warranties are true and complete in all material respects as of such Subscriber’s respective Closing Date(s):
(a) Requisite Power and Authority. Such Subscriber has all necessary power and authority under all applicable provisions of law to execute and deliver this Subscription Agreement, and other agreements required hereunder and to carry out their provisions. All action on Subscriber’s part required for the lawful execution and delivery of this Subscription Agreement and other agreements required hereunder have been or will be effectively taken prior to the Closing Date. Upon their execution and delivery, this Subscription Agreement and other agreements required hereunder will be valid and binding obligations of Subscriber, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except (a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights and (b) as limited by general principles of equity that restrict the availability of equitable remedies.
(b) Investment Representations. Subscriber understands that the Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Subscriber also understands that the Securities are being offered and sold pursuant to an exemption from registration contained in the Securities Act based in part upon Subscriber’s representations contained in this Subscription Agreement.
(c) Illiquidity and Continued Economic Risk. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that there is no ready public market for the Securities and that there is no guarantee that a market for their resale will ever exist. Subscriber must bear the economic risk of this investment indefinitely and the Company has no obligation to list the Securities on any market or take any steps (including registration under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) with respect to facilitating trading or resale of the Securities. Subscriber acknowledges that Subscriber is able to bear the economic risk of losing Subscriber’s entire investment in the Securities. Subscriber also understands that an investment in the Company involves significant risks and has taken full cognizance of and understands all of the risk factors relating to the purchase of Securities.
(d) Accredited Investor Status or Investment Limits. Subscriber represents that either:
(i) Subscriber is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act. Subscriber represents and warrants that the information set forth in response to question (c) on the signature page hereto concerning Subscriber is true and correct; or
(ii) The purchase price set out in paragraph (b) of the signature page to this Subscription Agreement, together with any other amounts previously used to purchase Securities in this offering, does not exceed 10% of the greater of the Subscriber’s annual income or net worth.
Subscriber represents that to the extent it has any questions with respect to its status as an accredited investor, or the application of the investment limits, it has sought professional advice.
(e) Shareholder information. Within five days after receipt of a request from the Company, the Subscriber hereby agrees to provide such information with respect to its status as a shareholder (or potential shareholder) and to execute and deliver such documents as may reasonably be necessary to comply with any and all laws and regulations to which the Company is or may become subject. Subscriber further agrees that in the event it transfers any Securities, it will require the transferee of such Securities to agree to provide such information to the Company as a condition of such transfer.
(f) Company Information. Subscriber has had such opportunity as it deems necessary (which opportunity may have presented through online chat or commentary functions) to discuss the Company’s business, management and financial affairs with managers, officers and management of the Company and has had the opportunity to review the Company’s operations and facilities. Subscriber has also had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from the Company and its management regarding the terms and conditions of this investment. Subscriber acknowledges that except as set forth herein, no representations or warranties have been made to Subscriber, or to Subscriber’s advisors or representative, by the Company or others with respect to the business or prospects of the Company or its financial condition.
(g) Valuation. The Subscriber acknowledges that the price of the Securities was set by the Company on the basis of the Company’s internal valuation and no warranties are made as to value. The Subscriber further acknowledges that future offerings of Securities may be made at lower valuations, with the result that the Subscriber’s investment will bear a lower valuation.
(h) Domicile. Subscriber maintains Subscriber’s domicile (and is not a transient or temporary resident) at the address shown on the signature page.
(i) No Brokerage Fees. There are no claims for brokerage commission, finders’ fees or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Subscription Agreement or related documents based on any arrangement or agreement binding upon Subscriber.
(j) Foreign Investors. If Subscriber is not a United States person (as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), Subscriber hereby represents that it has satisfied itself as to the full observance of the laws of its jurisdiction in connection with any invitation to subscribe for the Securities or any use of this Subscription Agreement, including (i) the legal requirements within its jurisdiction for the purchase of the Securities, (ii) any foreign exchange restrictions applicable to such purchase, (iii) any governmental or other consents that may need to be obtained, and (iv) the income tax and other tax consequences, if any, that may be relevant to the purchase, holding, redemption, sale, or transfer of the Securities. Subscriber’s subscription and payment for and continued beneficial ownership of the Securities will not violate any applicable securities or other laws of the Subscriber’s jurisdiction.
5. Survival of Representations and Indemnity. The representations, warranties and covenants made by the Subscriber and rights and agreements set forth in Section 5 herein shall survive the Termination Date of this Agreement. The Subscriber agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its respective officers, directors and affiliates, and each other person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all reasonable attorneys’ fees, including attorneys’ fees on appeal) and expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any false representation or warranty or breach of failure by the Subscriber to comply with any covenant or agreement made by the Subscriber herein or in any other document furnished by the Subscriber to any of the foregoing in connection with this transaction.
6. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Subscription Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
EACH OF THE SUBSCRIBER AND THE COMPANY CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND NO OTHER PLACE AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT NOT ARISING UNDER THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS MAY BE LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS. EACH OF SUBSCRIBER AND THE COMPANY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND HIMSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS AND HIS RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT NOT ARISING UNDER THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS. EACH OF SUBSCRIBER AND THE COMPANY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN THE MANNER AND IN THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7 AND PROVIDED WITH THE EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT.
EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE AND INCLUDING CLAIMS UNDER THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR THE ACTIONS OF EITHER PARTY IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT THEREOF. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO ALSO WAIVES ANY BOND OR SURETY OR SECURITY UPON SUCH BOND WHICH MIGHT, BUT FOR THIS WAIVER, BE REQUIRED OF SUCH PARTY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING, AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT. BY AGREEING TO THIS WAIVER, THE SUBSCRIBER IS NOT DEEMED TO WAIVE THE COMPANY’S COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER.
7. Notices. Notice, requests, demands and other communications relating to this Subscription Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if and when (a) delivered personally, on the date of such delivery; or (b) mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, in the third day after the posting thereof; or (c) emailed, telecopied or cabled, on the date of such delivery to the address of the respective parties as follows:
| If to the Company, to: | with a required copy to: | |
|
California Tequila, Inc. 30012 Aventura, Suite A Rancho Santa Margarita, California 92688 |
||
| If to a Subscriber, to Subscriber’s address as provided with the execution of this Agreement | ||
or to such other address as may be specified by written notice from time to time by the party entitled to receive such notice. Any notices, requests, demands or other communications by telecopy or cable shall be confirmed by letter given in accordance with (a) or (b) above.
8. Miscellaneous.
(a) All pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the person or persons or entity or entities may require.
(b) This Subscription Agreement is not transferable or assignable by Subscriber.
(c) The representations, warranties and agreements contained herein shall be deemed to be made by and be binding upon Subscriber and its heirs, executors, administrators and successors and shall inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns.
(d) None of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement may be waived, changed or terminated orally or otherwise, except as specifically set forth herein or except by a writing signed by the Company and Subscriber.
(e) In the event any part of this Subscription Agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions are intended to be separable and binding with the same effect as if the void or unenforceable part were never the subject of agreement.
(f) The invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of one or more of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Subscription Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of this Subscription Agreement, including any such provision, in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
(g) This Subscription Agreement supersedes all prior discussions and agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and contains the sole and entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(h) The terms and provisions of this Subscription Agreement are intended solely for the benefit of each party hereto and their respective successors and assigns, and it is not the intention of the parties to confer, and no provision hereof shall confer, third-party beneficiary rights upon any other person.
(i) The headings used in this Subscription Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and do not define or limit the provisions hereof.
(j) This Subscription Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
(k) If any recapitalization or other transaction affecting the stock of the Company is effected, then any new, substituted or additional securities or other property which is distributed with respect to the Securities shall be immediately subject to this Subscription Agreement, to the same extent that the Securities, immediately prior thereto, shall have been covered by this Subscription Agreement.
(l) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Subscription Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
9. Subscription Procedure. Each Investor, by providing his or her name and subscription amount and clicking “accept” and/or checking the appropriate box on the Platform (“Online Acceptance”), confirms such Investor’s investment through the Platform and confirms such Investor’s electronic signature to this Agreement. Investor agrees that his or her electronic signature as provided through Online Acceptance is the legal equivalent of his or her manual signature on this Agreement and Online Acceptance establishes such Investor’s acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
APPENDIX A
An accredited investor includes the following categories of investor:
(1) Any bank as defined in section 3(a)(2) of the Act, or any savings and loan association or other institution as defined in section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Act whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity; any broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; any insurance company as defined in section 2(a)(13) of the Act; any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or a business development company as defined in section 2(a)(48) of that Act; any Small Business Investment Company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958; any plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions, for the benefit of its employees, if such plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000; any employee benefit plan within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 if the investment decision is made by a plan fiduciary, as defined in section 3(21) of such act, which is either a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company, or registered investment adviser, or if the employee benefit plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000 or, if a self-directed plan, with investment decisions made solely by persons that are accredited investors;
(2) Any private business development company as defined in section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940;
(3) Any organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, or partnership, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000;
(4) Any director, executive officer, or general partner of the issuer of the securities being offered or sold, or any director, executive officer, or general partner of a general partner of that issuer;
(5) Any natural person whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with that person’s spouse, exceeds $1,000,000.
(i) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this section, for purposes of calculating net worth under this paragraph (a)(5):
(A) The person’s primary residence shall not be included as an asset;
(B) Indebtedness that is secured by the person’s primary residence, up to the estimated fair market value of the primary residence at the time of the sale of securities, shall not be included as a liability (except that if the amount of such indebtedness outstanding at the time of sale of securities exceeds the amount outstanding 60 days before such time, other than as a result of the acquisition of the primary residence, the amount of such excess shall be included as a liability); and
(C) Indebtedness that is secured by the person’s primary residence in excess of the estimated fair market value of the primary residence at the time of the sale of securities shall be included as a liability;
(ii) Paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section will not apply to any calculation of a person’s net worth made in connection with a purchase of securities in accordance with a right to purchase such securities, provided that:
(A) Such right was held by the person on July 20, 2010;
(B) The person qualified as an accredited investor on the basis of net worth at the time the person acquired such right; and
(C) The person held securities of the same issuer, other than such right, on July 20, 2010.
(6) Any natural person who had an individual income in excess of $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with that person’s spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of those years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year;
(7) Any trust, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, whose purchase is directed by a sophisticated person as described in §230.506(b)(2)(ii); and
(8) Any entity in which all of the equity owners are accredited investors.
Exhibit 6.1
ENTAILMENT AND JOINT RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT in which the use of the Appellation of Origin Tequila is granted, in compliance with the article 165 bis 24 of the Industrial Property Law and the NOM-006-SCFI-2012 alcoholic beverages TEQUILA-specifications (or the one that replaces it) hereinafter “Tequila Official Norm” to maintain the quality of Tequila, celebrated between TEQUILA SELECTO DE AMATITAN S.A. DE C.V. (hereby known as “THE PRODUCER”), represented in this Agreement by its Legal Representative, Mr. ROBERTO REAL REYNOSO, and California Tequila, Inc., hereby known as “THE DISTRIBUTOR”; represented in this Agreement by its Legal Representative Richard Dominick Gamarra, Agreement in which the parties submit themselves to the following Statements and Clauses:
STATEMENTS
| A. | THE PRODUCER HEREBY STATES: |
A.1. Been an entity legally established by Mexican Law, with the tax code RFC TSA 980825 8B0, having its social address in CAMINO A LA VILLA DE CUERÁMBARO KM.2, AMATITAN, JALISCO, MÉXICO, ZIP CODE.45380.
Appointing as the address to receive and hear notices in CAMINO A LA VILLA DE CUERÁMBARO KM.2, AMATITAN, JALISCO, MÉXICO, ZIP CODE.45380.
A.2. As part of its activities or purposes is the production of the alcoholic beverage named “TEQUILA” having the necessary facilities for its production in its factory located in CAMINO A LA VILLA DE CUERÁMBARO KM.2, AMATITAN, JALISCO, MÉXICO, ZIP CODE.45380, making the product with strict attachment to the current Official Mexican Norm for “Tequila”.
A.3. Has the authorization to produce Tequila by the Official Direction of Norms with number 1459, hereinafter NOM 159 and, has the Certification of Compliance with the “Tequila Official Norm” issued by Review Office that has been accepted that is in this case the Tequila Regulatory Council, A.C., hereinafter “CRT”, which is current.
A.4. Has the authorization to use the Appellation of Origin Tequila number 173, issued according to the applicable legislation, the Industrial Property Law. The validity of said authorization does not expire before the due date in which the effect of this agreement ends.
A.5. Mr. ROBERTO REAL REYNOSO has the position of Legal Representative, and has all the legal faculties to sign, in representation of THE PRODUCER, this agreement.
| B. | THE DISTRIBUTOR HEREBY STATES |
B.1. Been an entity legally established by United States of America Law, is up to date with its tax payments, and as part of its activities or purposes, are the distribution and/or sell of alcoholic beverages, as well as gain by any legal mean, register, use, exploitation, and administration of any right, title, mark, distinctive sign or industrial property right, to be use to distinguish and identify the alcoholic beverage named “Tequila” and having its address in 30012 AVENTURA, SUITE A, RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, C.P. 92688, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
B.2. Appointing as the address to receive and hear notices in 30012 AVENTURA, SUITE A, RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, C.P. 92688, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
B.3. Has the permission or the authorization issued by the competent authorities to perform the activities described in section B.1.
B.4. Based on the “TEQUILA” and/or the “TEQUILA 100% OF AGAVE” bottled of Origin delivered by THE PRODUCER according with this contract, THE DISTRIBUTOR will perform the activities of Distribution and/or Selling of the beverage.
B.5. Mr. RICHARD DOMINICK GAMARRA has the position of Legal Representative, and has all the legal faculties to sign, in representation of THE DISTRIBUTOR, this agreement.
B.6. Recognizes that is going to be the only distributor/seller of the finished product that THE PRODUCER shall bottle as TEQUILA and TEQUILA 100% under THE MARK, been responsible at all time of providing to THE PRODUCER all the necessary materials, not limited to, bottles, labels, caps, etc., acknowledging that THE DISTRIBUTOR shall be the one responsible of choosing and purchasing such materials.
B.7. That “UNDER OATH” declares that besides been the owner of THE MARK above mentioned, has all the intellectual property rights derived from the materials used for the bottling of TEQUILA and TEQUILA 100% that is going to be used with THE MARK, joint or separately; materials, not limited to, CAPS, LABELS, BACK LABELS, BOXES, SEALS, DECORATIVE LIBELS, ETC.
B.8. Recognizes that as THE DISTRIBUTOR/seller of the finished product TEQUILA and TEQUILA 100% that THE PRODUCER shall bottle with THE MARK, is going to be the sole beneficiary for the commercial exploitation, and therefore, the sole responsible before any authority, of any violation or infringement, voluntary or by accident, of Intellectual property Rights of third parties, used in the bottling and packaging of the supplies TEQUILA and TEQUILA 100% used with THE MARK. Such Intellectual Property rights could be, but not limited to, copyright, image rights, mark infringements, patents, design patents, utility patents, or any other.
B.9. In virtue of the above, shall be hold accountable before THE PRODUCER for any loss or damage made by any individual or entity or by any Judicial, Administrative, Penal authority, local or federal, in case of any invasion of rights of a third party, in bottling and production of TEQUILA and TEQUILA 100% made with THE MARK for THE DISTRIBUTOR, and shall be responsible for attorney fees, court fees, and any charge made for any judicial or administrative procedure derived of said intellectual property rights invasion.
| C. | BOTH PARTIES HEREBY STATES |
C.1. Is their will to engage and collaborate between them so the product delivered to the consumer with the Appellation of Origin “TEQUILA”, complies with the specifications listed in the “Tequila Official Norm”.
C.2. Is further acknowledged by the parties that the authorized user of a protected appellation of origin may, by means of this agreement, allow the use of it, only to those who distribute and sell the products of its marks. In order to accomplish this, the agreement shall be recorded in the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property in order to cause effects before a third party, set forth by the recording according to the article 165 BIS 24 of the Industrial Property Law.
C.3. This agreement shall cause effect when the letter issued by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, in which the record and approval is stated, in terms of the article 165 BIS 14 fractions III and IV. In case that THE DISTRIBUTOR does not comply with this, the cancellation of the agreement shall proceed.
C.4. Is known by the parties that when a change of name, denomination, business name, or transformation of legal regime, as well as change of address of the authorized user shall be recorded before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, the changes, in terms set forth in the Regulation Industrial Property Law as is stablished in the article 165 BIS 25.
C.5. Is understood that the cancellation of this agreement shall be caused in case THE PRODUCER or DISTRIBUTOR and/or owner of the mark, title, or distinctive sign or industrial property right or legal protection mean does not comply with the official norms to preserve the quality of the alcoholic beverage named “Tequila”, as its set forth in this agreement, and indirectly in case that the authorization of use of the Appellation of Origin or the Official Title of Compliance with the “Official Tequila Norm” owned by THE PRODUCER is nulled or cancelled.
C.6. Both parties agree to celebrate this agreement to comply with the article 165 BIS 24 of the Industrial Property Law and the “Official Tequila Norm”, according to the following:
CLAUSES
FIRST.- THE PRODUCER is obligated to deliver to THE DISTRIBUTOR in terms of this agreement, the product made and bottled of origin that strictly with the “Official Tequila Norm”.
SECOND.- THE PRODUCER is obligated to give to THE DISTRIBUTOR, in case of been required by the last, officially valid evidence of the compliance of the prevision stated in the first clause.
THIRD.- According to article 165 BIS 24 of the Industrial Property Law and the Official Tequila Norm, “THE PRODUCER” allows “THE DISTRIBUTOR” the use of the word TEQUILA and/or TEQUILA 100% AGAVE, to the mark (s) attached in this agreement, in the same manner THE DISTRIBUTOR is obligated to comply with the requirements stablished in fractions III and IV of the article 165 BIS 14 of the Industrial Property Law.
| III. | That, in each case, complies with the Official Mexican Norms stablished according to the applicable law, about the products that are the subject, and |
| IV. | the rest that are appointed by the declaration. |
The parties acknowledges that the Tequila is a distinctive and original product of Mexico and agree that in any case challenge, file for opposition, cancellation or interfere in any way with the “Appellation of Origin Tequila”, its foreign registers, or any register or legal protection measure (including without limitation any collective mark or certification mark), that is protected by the “Appellation of Origin Tequila”.
FOURTH.- THE DISTRIBUTOR is obligated to not modify in any way, in the action of the activities mentioned in the statement B.3, the Tequila delivered by THE PRODUCER, previously bottled of origin. The only activities that can be performed by THE DISTRIBUTOR will be of distribute and sell the product delivered by THE PRODUCER, previously bottled.
FIFTH.- THE DISTRIBUTOR is obligated to use the “Appellation of origin Tequila” and to distribute the product with the same name, delivered by THE PRODUCER exclusively in the bottles that bear the mark (s), right (s), title (s), distinctive sign (s), or industrial property right (s), susceptible to be used to distinguish and identify the alcoholic beverage named “TEQUILA” subject of this agreement, that are duly registered by THE DISTRIBUTOR (or has the assigned rights) or Licensed to its name in case they belong to a third party, according to the correspondent laws.
In all moment THE DISTRIBUTOR shall comply with the previsions of the “Official tequila Norm”, it will indicate or advertise that its product is Tequila without a doubt or confusion that is from and distinctive of Mexico. The mark that be used to distribute the product subject of this agreement is listed below:
| MARK | COUNTRY
AND GOVERNMENT AGENCY OF REGISTER |
OWNER | FILE |
| 1575702 | UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | ASOMBROSO ULTRAFINO |
1619373 |
SIXTH.- The parties agree that the commercial information that is used on the labels and containers in which the product will be sold, shall include the “Appellation of Origin Tequila” as well as the marks mentioned in this agreement that will be use to sell the product, shall comply with the “Official Tequila Norm”, without prejudice of the other applicable dispositions of the jurisdiction of territory in which will be sold.
SEVENTH.- This agreement will be valid for 10 YEARS starting from receiving the letter issued by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, where the record and approval are filed, according to the article 165 BIS 24 of the Industrial Property Law
This agreement can be terminated by mutual agreement of the parties, with the petition in writing before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property. When the cancellation is submitted by only one party, it should have the letter of recording issued by the same Institute
EIGHTH.- Lack of compliance of any of the parts with the “Official Tequila Nom” under this agreement shall result in the suspension or cancellation of the export certificates issued by The CRT.
NINETH.- The parties agreed that for the interpretation and comply of this agreement, shall submit expressly to the applicable Mexican Law as well as the jurisdiction of the Federal Court of the city of Guadalajara, resigning to any jurisdiction that may apply to them.
TENTH.- The version in Spanish is the only one with official validity, any translation shall be deemed as courtesy without any validity.
THIS CONTRACT IS SIGNED IN THE CITY OF GUADALAJARA, JALISCO, ON APRIL 27th, 2020.
| ROBERTO REAL REYNOSO IN REPRESENTATION OF TEQUILA SELECTO DE AMATITAN S.A. DE C.V. | |
| (THE PRODUCER) | |
| RICHARD DOMINICK GAMARRA IN REPRESENTATION OF CALIFORNIA TEQUILA, INC. | |
(THE DISTRIBUTOR)
WITNESS
| Signature: | Signature: | |||
| Alejandro Avina Ochoa | Edymae Garcia Sojo | |||
| Opal 722, Col Artesanos | Opal 722, Col Artesanos | |||
| Guadalajara, Jalisco, C.P. 44200 | Guadalajara, Jalisco, C.P. 44200 | |||
Exhibit 11
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation of our audit report on annual financial statements of California Tequila, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 of our report dated April 26, 2021 included in California Tequila, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form 1-A Regulation A Offering Statement Under the Securities Act of 1933.
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| Los Angeles, California |
| May 3, 2021 |
Exhibit 12
May 14, 2021
Board of Directors
California Tequila, Inc.
30012 Aventura, Suite A
Rancho Santa Margarita, California 92688
To the Board of Directors:
We are acting as counsel to California Tequila, Inc. (the “Company”) with respect to the preparation and filing of an offering statement on Form 1-A. The offering statement, and pre-qualification amendments, cover the contemplated sale of up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s Class B Non-Voting Common Stock plus 150,000 additional shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock eligible to be issued as bonus shares (the “Bonus Shares”) to investors based upon an investor’s investment level.
In connection with the opinion contained herein, we have examined the offering statement, as well as pre-qualification amendments, the certificate of amendment of the articles of incorporation and the bylaws, the resolutions of the Company’s board of directors and stockholders, as well as all other documents necessary to render an opinion. In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock and the Bonus Shares being sold pursuant to the offering statement are duly authorized and will be, when issued in the manner described in the offering statement, legally and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
No opinion is being rendered hereby with respect to the truth and accuracy, or completeness of the offering statement or any portion thereof.
We further consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the offering statement.
Yours truly,
/s/ CrowdCheck Law LLP
CrowdCheck Law LLP
EXHIBIT 13.1
TTW: TV Commercial Script California Tequila, Inc.
| 1. | Commercial 15 seconds |
Gamarra Speaking: “You know you ask yourself; why are all these celebrities going into the tequila business?”
Gamarra Speaking: “After 20 million dollars in Historic sales.”
Gamarra Speaking: “I’ve turned them all down. Too be with you.”
Words Under Video: Ricardo Gamarra, CEO and Founder, AsomBroso
| 2. | Commercial 30 seconds |
Gamarra Speaking: “Hi I’m Riccardo Gamarra Founder and CEO of AsomBroso Tequila and I have some exciting news.”
Gamarra Speaking: “You know you ask yourself; why are all these celebrities going into the tequila business?”
Gamarra Speaking: “I've been approached by celebrity icons in the film, music and sports industries.”
Gamarra Speaking: “After 20 million dollars in Historic sales. I've turned them all down to be with you.”
Words Under Video: Ricardo Gamarra, CEO and Founder, AsomBroso
Exhibit 13.2









