92 Resources Corp. (TSX.V: NTY)
(OTCQB: RGDCF) (FSE: R9G2)
92 Resources Corp. (TSX.V: NTY) (OTCQB: RGDCF) (FSE: R9G2) is a modern energy solutions company focused on acquiring and advancing strategic and prospective energy-related projects in Canada. Its three principal assets include the Hidden Lake Lithium Property in the Northwest Territories, the Pontax Lithium Property in Quebec, and the Golden Frac Sand Property in British Columbia.
Preliminary mineralogy work on samples taken of the Hidden Lake pegmatites indicate spodumene – the world's richest source of lithium – is of a high quality and near the maximum theoretical limit. Scoping testwork saw an overall lithium extraction of 97 percent from the concentrate produced from these pegmatites, which means standard lithium extraction techniques can be applied, making the extraction of lithium easier and more cost effective.
92 Resources is focused on developing the lithium-rich resources located within its properties through open-pit mining and relatively straight-forward mineral processing procedures. Surface exploration programs that include prospecting, mapping and sampling of known spodumene-bearing pegmatites on the Hidden Lake property suggests the existence of one massive, interconnected body of pegmatite below the surface. Recent acquisitions of prospective hard-rock lithium properties in Quebec add to the company's impressive and growing asset portfolio.
Recent acquisitions of prospective hard-rock lithium properties in Quebec add to the company's impressive and growing asset portfolio. The properties, known as Corvette, Eastmain and Lac Du Beryl, consist of a combined 115 mineral claims totaling approximately 14,710 acres with confirmed pegmatite outcrops visible at each location. Some sampling has been completed at the Corvette property and shows spodumene crystals present, making this location a high priority for follow up work. Analytical results are pending on samples taken from known pegmatite outcrops visible at each property.
Lithium is a strategic, green metal used in batteries, electronics, electric vehicles, ceramics, alloys, lubricants and pharmaceuticals. The world market for electric vehicles, with China as its biggest customer, is exponentially growing as the demand for clean, renewable energy sources increases. A recent report by Grand View Research, Inc. places the lithium-ion battery market worldwide at $93 billion by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 17%.
92 Resources is led by an experienced management team and advisors with decades of expertise in market strategies, corporate development, mineral exploration and energy development. With an excellent team of professionals and promising mining projects, the company is well positioned to capitalize on the ever-rising demand for lithium.
ABcann Global (TSX.V: ABCN)
(OTCQB: ABCCF)
ABcann Global (TSX.V: ABCN) (OTCQB: ABCCF) ABcann Medicinals, Inc. is a globally licensed, cost efficient producer of premium quality organic standardized medicinal cannabis. One of the earliest licensed Canadian medical marijuana producers under Canada's federally-controlled Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR), ABcann has five years of operating experience in the burgeoning medical marijuana space. The company currently owns and operates a fully functioning 14,500 square foot facility in Napanee, Ontario. Additionally, ABcann owns 65 acres of real estate with proper zoning and existing infrastructure in place to support the construction of another production facility of up to one million square feet.
In a November 2016 report, market research firm Canaccord Genuity Group forecasted that the medical marijuana market in Canada could see sales in excess of $8 billion by 2024, creating a sizable opportunity for the country's licensed producers (LPs). The research firm also noted that the "rigorous process of becoming a licensed producer of cannabis in Canada imposes significant barriers to entry and there will be a shortfall of supply in a legalized market in the short-term." This market barrier serves as a strategic advantage for ABcann as it prepares for its highly-anticipated IPO, which is currently scheduled for April 2017.
Canaccord's synopsis of the Canadian cannabis industry is supported by recent market activity, as companies sporting one of the illustrious Canadian government licenses for medicinal production have recorded strong growth following IPO. Canopy Growth (OTC: TWMJ), one of the largest fully-licensed Canadian marijuana growers, saw share prices skyrocket by more than 700 percent in the months following its initial offering. Aphria Inc. (OTC: APHQF), another licensed grower, climbed by more than 900 percent following its IPO. Other companies that have recorded huge growth since going public include Aurora Cannabis (OTC: ACBFF), climbing nearly 900 percent, and SupremePharma (OTC: SPRWF), which soared more than 1,300 percent.
With these market trends in mind, ABcann's impending IPO is one that prospective investors in the marijuana sector will want to explore. Recalls from some of the biggest players in the Canadian cannabis industry have highlighted the considerable learning curve that LPs face in today's market, which makes ABcann's proven track record in the market all the more noteworthy. The company has built a reputation over the years for its best-in-class standardized approach to growing cannabis, including the thoughtful omission of pesticides and a computer monitored growing technique that allows ABcann to minimize the risks of variance in its yields and ensure the creation of consistently high-quality products.
This technique, which the company calls the ABcann Advantage, has helped it record a customer retention rate of 94.7 percent alongside 30 percent month-over-month customer growth. When combined with ABcann's current yield rate, which it has measured at roughly 100 percent greater than the industry average, the company has constructed a strong foundation upon which to build a sizable presence in the global cannabis industry. This global growth potential is illustrated by ABcann's partnership with Israel's Syqe Medical, producer of the world's first selective-dose pharmaceutical grade medicinal plant inhaler. After visiting the company's production facility, Perry Davidson, founder of Syqe Medical, noted that ABcann's production technologies put it "in a class with the best in the world" in its ability to produce standardized pharmaceutical grade cannabis.
ABcann's entry into the public sector is being guided by a seasoned management team, board of directors and advisory board that feature well over a century of combined industry experience. Ken Clement, the company' founder and executive chairman, has been the key component and driving force behind ABcann's development since its inception. His vision of standardized production and dosage sets ABcann apart in the medical cannabis sector. Clement is joined on the company's management team by CEO Aaron Keay. Keay brings more than a decade of capital markets experience to ABcann, having played a role in raising approximately $250 million for public and private market issuers.
Notably, ABcann also has access to the 'Father of Cannabis Research', Raphael Mechoulam, PhD, through its board of advisors. An organic chemist and professor of medicinal chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mechoulam was the first scientist to isolate both cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and he has received more than 25 prestigious academic awards, including the Rothschild Prize in Chemical Sciences and Physical Sciences in 2012.
With more than 65 acres of growth capacity, a healthy cash balance to fund upcoming construction efforts, steady sales growth, industry-leading yield rates and an established operations team in place, ABcann is well-positioned to compete in the rapidly-expanding Canadian medicinal cannabis industry. These factors, along with the company's ongoing global expansion into the European, Australian and Israeli markets, show why ABcann Medicinals' upcoming public offering fits the bill as "Canada's Next Medical Marijuana IPO."
ChineseInvestors.com (CIIX)
Founded in 1999, ChineseInvestors.com (CIIX) has become a leading financial information website for Chinese-speaking investors in the United States and China. Recognizing unprecedented opportunities in the U.S. cannabis industry, CIIX is also laying the groundwork to capitalize on growing demand for cannabidiol (CBD)-based nutrition and health products.
Through its primary website, www.ChineseInvestors.com, CIIX offers a variety of investor education products and services, including real-time market commentary, analysis and educational related services in Chinese language character sets; consultative services to smaller private companies considering becoming a public company; and advertising and public relations related support services.
At the center of this initiative is the ChineseInvestors Method, a unique integration of a disciplined investing process, web-based tools, personalized instructions and support. Using this strategy, CIIX provides reliable market information to help investors make informed investment decisions and meet their individualized financial goals.
CIIX is also leveraging its financial expertise to enter into the burgeoning CBD industry, which within a few years has grown from a relatively invisible sector to a billowing market expected to reach $2.1 billion in consumer sales by 2020.
The increasing demand for CBD-based products is a catalyst for innovative business endeavors. To this accord, CIIX has established a three-year development plan to capitalize on the convergence of CBD and the nutrition and health products market in mainland China, where the benefits of CBD oil have not been widely recognized.
Under a wholesale agreement with a reputable CBD health brand, CIIX is launching the world's first online CBD health products store published in the Chinese language. The site, www.ChineseCBDoil.com, caters to a growing number of Chinese people awakening to the numerous health benefits of CBD oil for treatment of a variety of conditions such as anxiety, stress, poor sleep, Alzheimer's disease, and more. CIIX expects to launch this website at the end of January 2017, and plans to sell CBD-infused products via online and in-store.
In conjunction, CIIX's cannabis-focused "Yelp"-style mobile app is in development as a platform for Chinese people to review and discuss various cannabis products. The app will be the first marijuana social media mobile app designed for Chinese-speaking customers worldwide.
Global Payout, Inc. (GOHE)
Global Payout, Inc. (GOHE) provides comprehensive payment solutions that can be fully customized for virtually any domestic and international organization distributing money worldwide. The company is committed to enabling global access to technology for optimizing financial transactions and delivering a global financial eco-system with top-tier banking institutions and the highest level financial technology partnerships.
Today, more than ever before, commercial enterprises and government institutions need powerful financial technology solutions that have the flexibility to deliver innovative customer centric services and drive operational efficiency gains throughout the organization. The Global Reserve Platform is Global Payout's fully configurable "banking-in-a-box" web-based platform that can fulfill the front-to-back office processing requirements of domestic, foreign exchange and international payment service providers. This platform is designed to improve work flow, operational efficiencies, and global financial management for enterprises operating across the globe.
The Global Reserve Platform can manage practically any financial product, including core and traditional banking products, online banking, card management, mobile wallets, merchant payment processing, biometric payments and authentication management, bill payments and P2P payments, international remittances, government benefits management, loans management, FOREX, and SWIFT / ACH / SEPA payments. Powered by the Global Reserve Administrative module, the platform can be customized for enterprises across a multitude of business sectors.
The Global Reserve Platform can manage practically any financial product, including core and traditional banking products, online banking, card management, mobile wallets, merchant payment processing, biometric payments and authentication management, bill payments and P2P payments, international remittances, government benefits management, loans management, FOREX, and SWIFT / ACH / SEPA payments. Powered by the Global Reserve Administrative module, the platform can be customized for enterprises across a multitude of business sectors.
In 2015, Global Payout introduced MoneyTrac Technology Inc. as a majority owned subsidiary to more effectively focus on the development of financial technologies that specifically address many of the challenges that enterprises in a variety of alternative and "high-risk" market sectors are faced with in processing financial transactions. Powered by Virtu Network Solutions, the MoneyTrac Technology platform is one the most configurable and intuitive financial technology platforms available to alternative and "high-risk" enterprises and provides them with solutions that effectively manages everything from pin debit and virtual currency, to compliance and cash flow logistics.
With the global economy constantly becoming more diversified and connected, Global Payout is well positioned with the technology software solutions its team has developed to address many different needs worldwide. Management has committed itself to exploring and identifying every avenue possible for further establishing itself as a recognized leader in FINTECH solutions.
Greenkraft, Inc. (GKIT)
Greenkraft, Inc. (GKIT) is a nationally recognized company specializing in the production of alternative fuel automotive products, including engines and commercial trucks. Located in Santa Ana, California, the company's mission is to provide clean, green, energy efficient automotive products that have a price advantage coupled with unparalleled American performance. Established in 2008, Greenkraft, Inc. serves the commercial truck market powered by the alternative fuels CNG and LPG in classes 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Greenkraft's new line of trucks, known as the G3 and G4, will accommodate weights of 26,000 lbs. and 33,000 lbs., respectively. George Gemayel, CEO of Greenkraft, Inc., said the demand for larger trucks that run on alternative fuels continues to increase.
"Greenkraft is going to revolutionize the trucking industry with these new 26,000 and 33,000 lbs. trucks that run on CNG and PROPANE fuel," Gemayel states in a press release. "The only way we can meet increased demand for Greenkraft products is to expand our current factory. This expansion is one of many factors that will substantially increase the Company's revenue in 2017."
Greenkraft produces a cab forward design for its commercial trucks, which allows the passenger area to be much larger than in other similar sized vehicles. Several tank capacity options exist, making it easy to select the most efficient model for a client's specific needs. Greenkraft is one of the only companies in the world to offer a refrigeration option with an alternative fuel truck – an essential, must-have option for many businesses.
Greenkraft trucks, considered among the best performing in the heavy-duty market, are used in a variety of industries and in some of the nation's largest cities. The company also offers a line of trucks designed to run with a package from Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ALSN), which gives clients the option of purchasing a fully automatic transmission vehicle. This option expands the size of the driver pool since fully automatic shifting reduces driver fatigue, contributes to solving the issue of driver retention, and it is easy to use.
CNG and LPG conversion systems made by Greenkraft are available for several major automobile brands including Ford, GM and Isuzu/GM. Installation, service, parts and warranty are all available through Greenkraft facilities and its partners.
HighCom Global Security, Inc. (HCGS)
HighCom Global Security, Inc. (HCGS) is a manufacturer and distributor of protective products for military and law enforcement personnel. The Corporation operates under two segments, BlastGard Defense Group and Highcom Security.
Blastguard is a blast mitigation specialist with proprietary material proven to effectively mitigate blasts and suppress fires resulting from explosions. The company's patented BlastWrap® technology acts as a "virtual tent" to effectively mitigate blast effects and suppress post-blast fires. This unique technology works by triggering physical and chemical processes to dissipate blast energy, thereby reducing the aftermath of acoustic and shock waves, peak overpressure, reflected peak overpressure, impulse and afterburn. The remaining, significantly reduced energy is transmitted at a slower, more sustainable level. Notably, BlastWrap does not dispense chemical extinguishants; uses neither alarms, sensors, nor an activation system; and is nontoxic and ecologically friendly.
Similarly, the company's BlastGard MTR trash receptacles dramatically reduce lethal threats posed by the detonation of an improvised explosive device (IED). Equipped with Triple Wall Technology, BlastGard MTR mitigates primary fragments, secondary fragments, mechanical effects (shock/blast pressure) and thermal effects (contact and radiation burn) from the fireball, after-burn and resultant post-blast fires.
BlastGard's primary market focus lies on providing blast effects mitigation solutions for customers operating in the commercial sector, military, law enforcement and government agencies. With a vision of being recognized as the leading provider of environmentally responsible solutions to protect lives and structures from the hazards associated with fire and explosions, the company is capable of addressing a wide array of industry applications spanning from fire suppression for naval vessels and merchant ships to protection of buildings against vehicle bombs.
This vision is supported by the ban of Halon extinguishing agents, as outlined in the Montreal protocol, which effectively establishes BlastWrap® as the only blast and fire suppression means available for most applications, including adaptation for underwater use.
The company's position at the head of the blast suppression market has helped BlastGard attain a number of government awards, including designation of its BlastWrap® product as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology and placement on the "Approved Products List for Homeland Security." This designation was extended in early 2017, meaning that BlastWrap® is approved for use by the Department of Homeland Security under the SAFETY Act until November 2021.
HighCom Security, develops, tests, manufactures and distributes body armor and personal protective equipment, including more than two dozen NIJ (National Institute of Justice) compliant hard and soft armor products. Highcom Security has a 20-year history of producing quality armor with no operational failures and no recalls of its American made products.
Highcom Security was founded in 1997 and has produced close to 1 million pieces of armor for the Global community. The company is ISO 9001:2008 certified and the first company in the world to be BA 9000:2012 certified compliant.
For the past decade, Highcom Security has also been able to offer some of the largest armor manufacturers with private label/OEM hard armor solutions for end use by military and law enforcement agencies globally, a market reach obtained because of the company's reputation for innovative technology, exceptional customer service and superior quality performance.
India Globalization Capital, Inc.
(NYSE: IGC)
India Globalization Capital, Inc. (NYSE: IGC) is a first mover in developing a portfolio of products using cannabis-based "combination therapies" for the treatment of Alzheimer's, cachexia, pain and other conditions.
Through a definitive agreement with the University of South Florida, IGC is the exclusive licensee of the U.S. patent filing entitled "THC as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Alzheimer's Disease." Known as America's most expensive disease with an estimated cost to the U.S. economy of $236 billion, Alzheimer's currently effects more than 5.3 million Americans and over the next 20 years the number of those afflicted with the disease is expected to double. By acquiring the exclusive right to this patent filing, IGC is protecting a potential cannabis-based blockbuster treatment.
The Company has also filed combination therapy formulations for the treatment of epilepsy and cachexia. About 50 million people worldwide are affected by epilepsy and about 1.3 million in the U.S. experience cachexia associated with cancer, MS, Parkinson's, HIV/AIDS and other progressive illnesses. Cancer-induced anorexia/cachexia is responsible for 20% of all cancer deaths. IGC-502 indicated for seizures and IGC-504 indicated for cachexia are unique combination therapies that, if proven out by clinical trials, are expected to treat medical refractory epilepsy and eating disorders respectively, with lower side effects than conventional mono therapies.
Successful treatment of pain represents an enormous market opportunity as well with the national cost of health care due to pain ranging from $560 billion to $635 billion. In addition, the health care cost attributed to the abuse of prescription opioids, closely related to pain, is approximately $25 billion. IGC's patent filing (IGC-501) is a cannabis-based formulation addressing neuropathic and arthritic pain in joints and muscles using a variety of delivery techniques. The Company anticipates commencing clinical trials, and hopes that through its focus on combination therapy it can formulate and commercialize cannabinoid compounds as an alternative to long-term addictive opioid treatments.
IGC's strategy is exciting and unique in that it is aiming to become a leader in the phytocannabinoid-based combination therapy specialty pharmaceutical sector. This first mover advantage can potentially be formidable as it begins clinical trials and further builds its patent portfolio. "The development of combination therapies utilizing cannabis represents a large, unique opportunity in this emerging specialty-pharmaceutical sector. Securing FDA approval for combination therapy is believed to be significantly faster and less expensive than new drug applications. As a result, we believe that we can bring our cannabis-based pharmaceutical products to market in both an expeditious and cost-effective manner," stated Ram Mukunda, CEO.
IGC has recently exited its legacy businesses. An impressive and experienced team, led by Mr. Ram Mukunda, CEO, directs IGC.
Mr. Mukunda holds degrees in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Maryland (UMD). He founded and served as Chairman and CEO of Startec Global Communications, an international telecommunications carrier focused on providing voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) services to emerging economies. Startec, the first pure play international long distance carrier, went public on NASDAQ. He has won a number of awards, including the 2013 University of Maryland International Alumnus of the year award. Mr. Mukunda serves as an Emeritus member on the Board of Visitors at the University of Maryland, School of Engineering, and has served as Council Member at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, Belfer Center of Science and International Affairs. Mr. Mukunda and Dr. Krishna are the originators of all the IGC patent filings.
Dr. Ranga Krishna, Senior Advisor, is a Board Certified Neurologist with a sub specialty in Epilepsy surgery. He is the Director of Neurology at the New York Community Hospital affiliated with New York Presbyterian Weil Cornell Medical College and the Director of Stroke Service at the New York Community Hospital affiliated with New York Presbyterian Weil Cornell Medical College. He is the Medical Director and Chairman of Total Neuro Care, P.C. He is CEO of International Pharma Trials, Inc., which assists U.S. pharmaceutical companies perform Phase II clinical trials. Dr. Krishna is a member of several organizations, including the American Academy of Neurology and the Medical Society of the State of New York. He is also a member of the Medical Arbitration panel for the New York State Workers' Compensation Board and a Founding Member of the New York State Pain Society. Dr. Krishna was trained at New York's Mount Sinai Medical Center (1991-1994) and New York University (1994-1996). Dr. Krishna and Mr. Mukunda are the originators of all the IGC patent filings.
InMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(CSE:IN) (OTCQB:IMLFF)
InMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CSE:IN) (OTCQB:IMLFF) is a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of novel therapeutics leveraging the pharmacological benefits of cannabinoids. Utilizing its proprietary bioinformatics assessment tool, InMed aims to identify bioactive compounds found within the cannabis plant that have the potential to offer optimized therapeutic benefit while demonstrating limited adverse effects. This assessment tool, in combination with the company's cannabinoid biosynthesis technology and drug development pipeline, serves as InMed's fundamental value driver.
Bioinformatics is a proprietary, computer-based program designed to assist in the identification of novel cannabinoids using comprehensive algorithms to integrate data from numerous bioinformatics databases, as well as a database on the structure of currently approved pharmaceutical products and an extensive database on over 90 individual cannabinoid drugs found in cannabis. This extensive collection of data is derived from both public and propriety-based sources. Leveraging this tool, the company aims to create associations between approved pharmaceuticals and cannabinoids with similar structures in order to identify active cannabinoids that have the potential to treat specific diseases. Per InMed's website, this type of bioinformatics assessment represents "significant promise for future drug discovery, as it integrates many data sets and builds holistic models to approach a specific disease."
After discovering these promising active cannabinoids, InMed moves to test and confirm their activity in biological systems through in vitro and in vivo experimentation. It is at this stage of development that the company's proprietary biosynthesis process of cannabinoid manufacturing will be most promising. InMed is currently developing a robust, high-yield biosynthesis process for manufacturing all 90+ naturally-occurring cannabinoids. By modifying the agriculture-based formula for harvesting cannabinoids, InMed aims to combine the inherent safety and known efficacy of the natural drug structure with the convenience, control and quality of 21st Century laboratory-based manufacturing processes.
The company's pipeline currently includes two drug candidates in preclinical development, including INM-750 for the treatment of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and INM-085 for the treatment of glaucoma. Referred to by the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association of America as "The Worst Disease You've Never Heard Of," EB is a rare genetic connective tissue disorder that affects roughly one out of every 20,000 births in the United States. The condition currently has no approved treatment or cure. Through the development of INM-750, InMed is attempting to address this significant unmet medical need. The drug candidate replaces missing keratins in the skin with specially selected cannabinoids in an effort to modulate the painful manifestations of EB.
INM-085, InMed's second development candidate, is formulated to reduce the elevated intra-ocular pressure that is often associated with glaucoma. Additionally, the cannabinoids utilized in INM-085 are expected to provide neuroprotection for the retinal ganglion cells and other optic nerve tissues following topical administration. Although it is still in preclinical development, INM-085 targets a sizable market. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness with no approved cure. The National Institutes of Health estimates that more than 3 million Americans currently have glaucoma, and more than 120,000 have been blinded by the disease.
InMed is focused on progressing toward validation of its drug candidate selection, using data to secure its patents and developing key disruptive technologies. In 2016, the company was successful in completing financings of $1.9 million. In January 2017, InMed completed a non-brokered private placement of common shares generating aggregate gross proceeds of C$1.5 million, strongly positioning the company to attract the new investment required to fund its aggressive growth strategies in 2017.
The company's management team has well over a century of combined experience in the biopharmaceutical space. Company CEO Eric Adams has more than 25 years of experience in company and capital formation, global market development, mergers and acquisitions, licensing and corporate governance. During his time as CEO of enGene Inc., he led the gene therapy startup to a position at the head of the industry.
Joining Adams on the InMed management team are Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Sazzan Hossain; Senior Vice President, Clinical and Regulatory Affairs Alexandra D.J. Mancini; SVP, Corporate Strategy & Investor Relations Chris Bogart; and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Charpentier, as well as Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ado Muhammed, MD, DPM, MFPM.
Muhammed, in particular, has an extensive history in the pharmaceutical industry, having previously served as an executive of GW Pharmaceuticals, a global leader in the development of cannabinoid-based medicines. During his time as Associate Medical Director of that company, Muhammed played an instrumental role in the development and FDA approval of one of the first cannabis drugs. This GW Pharmaceuticals development program coincided with a sharp rise in share price from less than $9 in 2013 to more than $129 today, with the company's current market value totaling more than $2.9 billion.
Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX)
(OTCQB: LXRP)
Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQB: LXRP) has developed and out-licenses its proprietary technology for improved taste, rapidity, and delivery of bioactive compounds, including cannabinoids. Though boasting a wide range of health benefits, cannabinoids are traditionally poorly absorbed by the body's gastrointestinal tract. To achieve higher effectiveness, consumers usually default to smoking. Lexaria provides a superior administration method by delivering hemp oil ingredients – or through locally licensed partners, cannabis oil ingredients – through a patented process within food products.
The key differentiator between Lexaria's products and others on the market is the company's disruptive technology proven to enhance the absorption of orally ingested cannabinoids while improving the "unusual" taste of cannabinoids and allowing for lower overall dosing with higher efficacy. Lexaria is primarily a B2B enterprise, and is in licensing discussions or has existing agreements with companies in Canada, the largest-market states in the USA, and internationally. Lexaria has also developed its own brands partly for demonstration purposes, utilizing its patented technology to infuse hemp oil ingredients within lipids in popular foods. These brands include ViPova™, Lexaria Energy Foods, and TurboCBD™.
In 2015, Lexaria commissioned an independent, third-party lab to test its technology under carefully monitored in vitro conditions. Results showed that the company's technological process and lipid formulation both improve intestinal absorption as much as 500%. Additional follow-up studies in human volunteers suggested that Lexaria's processed, lipid-infused tea may be more effective in an actual gastrointestinal system than in an in vitro simulation with results indicating as much as a 1,000% increase in overall absorption.
Lexaria also has an R&D partnership with the Canadian government's National Research Council. That R&D is expected to characterize molecular bond formation theorized to occur with Lexaria's unique technology between the lipid delivery agents and the bioactive substances it processes and combines. Results from this R&D are expected to support accelerating B2B relationships – not just in the cannabis industry, but also to support new B2B business relationships in the fields of vitamins, NSAIDs, and nicotine delivery. All of these sectors expected to offer additional future growth potential.
Aside from testing, a critical component of Lexaria Bioscience's business model is a strong intellectual property portfolio that utilizes the most commonly used food processing techniques. As of 2017, the company's patent portfolio includes 19 patent applications filed and pending in more than 40 countries around the world. The most recent patent applications expand Lexaria's lipophilic food and beverage composition claims to include the processing of cannabinoids, vitamins, NSAIDs and nicotine in many of the world's most commonly used food processing ingredients. Lexaria is expecting additional new patent awards both in the USA and internationally in 2017 and 2018.
Royalties play a vital role in Lexaria's revenue-generating business model. The company out-licenses its technology (royalty) to third party partners, and has several deals signed and/or pending. The company's growth initiatives are guided by a management team headed by CEO Chris Bunka, a serial entrepreneur who has raised more than $50 million in working capital for the companies he has led over the course of his career. He is supported by a team of professionals with extensive experience in pharmaceutical and bioscience sectors, invention, toxicology, consumer goods, and other relevant skillsets.
LottoGopher Holdings Inc.
(OTCQB: LTTGF) (CSE: LOTO)
(FRA: 2LG)
LottoGopher Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: LTTGF) (CSE: LOTO) (FRA: 2LG) is a new lottery messenger service that provides its subscribers with the security of ordering and managing the legal purchase of state lottery tickets online using debit and credit cards. LottoGopher makes it simple for users to keep track of tickets and winnings. Members have exclusive access to strategies, alerts, lottery news and can play alone with a single ticket or join online public or private groups to pool winnings.
LottoGopher is transforming the lottery buying experience, which has historically meant taking the time and spending the gas money to drive to a retail location, then stand in line to buy via cash only and redeem tickets. LottoGopher's uniquely online messenger service streamlines the experience of taking a shot at the lottery and makes it much more convenient, providing access to electronic payment, otherwise not permitted in CA. While only California residents at this time can play Mega Millions, SuperLotto Plus and Powerball through LottoGopher.com, expansion plans are in the works to allow internet-savvy residents in 22 other states with legal lotteries to have the same advantages of purchasing tickets online.
LottoGopher also enjoys a strategic business relationship with Lottoland, ranked in the Financial Times' FT1000 Report as one of Britain's Top 30 fastest growing companies and as the second ranked gaming company in Europe. Since launching in 2013, Lottoland has rapidly become a world leader in the online lottery sector with nearly $357 million (U.S. dollars) in annual sales.
LottoGopher's currently integrated support systems include a mobile friendly platform; automated email follow-up system to capture, score and remarket to email address leads; social media listening and outreach; utilization of Google Analytics tools; one-time promotional offers across multiple platforms; main and backup credit card processing accounts; and focus on customer service.
Customers of LottoGopher pay a subscription fee to use the service, much like Netflix, Amazon Prime or Dollar Shave Club. After selecting their subscription plan, users pay the same price per ticket as if purchasing from a retail, brick-and-mortar location. LottoGopher's team then secures the selected tickets from a lottery retailer partner. User account balances are updated after a drawing, which makes it impossible for a member to "lose" a winning ticket.
The company's target market includes the 80 million U.S. consumers already buying lottery tickets who typically purchase products online. Offering a far more convenient way to play the lottery via an intuitive platform, LottoGopher is well positioned to disrupt this multi-billion dollar industry.
Patriot One Technologies, Inc.
(TSXV:PAT) (OTCQB: PTOTF)
Patriot One Technologies, Inc. (TSXV:PAT) (OTCQB:PTOTF) is leveraging seven years of development to create powerful technologies that mitigate security risks by detecting concealed weapons via novel radar technology.
Developed through a NATO-funded project at McMaster University, Patriot One's disruptive NForce CMR1000 technology is the first cost-effective solution available for active shooter prevention, the need for which is evidenced by an increasing number of active shooter events in the United States and worldwide.
A recent study that surveyed data going back as far as 1966 demonstrates that there have been significantly more mass shootings in the U.S. than any other country for decades. Statistics for the 46-year period shows that even though America only holds 5% of the world's population, it took count of 31% of all public mass shootings. According to the FBI, there were an astounding 160 incidents from 2000 to 2013 that resulted in 486 people killed and 557 wounded. In years 2014 and 2015, there were nearly six times as many incidents compared to 2000 and 2001. The disturbing trend shows that there will be increasingly more incidents if better preventative measures aren't taken.
Patriot One's patent-pending solution to this alarming progression enables stand-off detection, even on moving targets, with a "cognitive" ability to learn and identify new threats once deployed. The product is not intended to threaten the constitutional rights of legal gun carriers, and it is also void of privacy and health concerns of traditional detection technologies, which require subject compliance, present false positives, and are often slow, inefficient and costly.
In contrast, Patriot One's technology is small in size and can be "covertly" placed in a doorway or hallway to prevent planned attacks in public places like schools, concerts, stadiums, banks, airports, offices, hospitals, shopping centers and other facilities for which there are concerns. With this method of deployment, there is no subject compliance requirement. In addition, because an image of the target is not generated, there are also no privacy concerns. Detection is real-time and entirely computer-based, which means there is no need for human operators to alert security. This eliminates the safety concerns of a would-be operator, reduces the expense of a human operator, and enables overall accuracy of 93%.
The technology is designed to identify if someone is carrying a gun, knife, suicide vest, etc., by analyzing metal content and relating it to a database of known weapon signatures. Patriot One believes the widespread use of this detection technology could act as an effective deterrent, thereby diminishing the epidemic phenomena of active shooters across the nation and around the world.
The company is guided by a team of experts in the areas of high-frequency electromagnetics, counter-terrorism, conflict resolution, government/corporate interface, sensor development, proactive security and business development. Senior Management has partnered with, among other affiliates, Ridge Global, which was founded by recently appointed advisory board member Tom Ridge, the first head of the Department of Homeland Security, first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, and 43rd governor of Pennsylvania.
Along with its partners, Patriot One is addressing global concerns of active shooting events and other violent terrorist attacks. The key is to short-circuit the event through effective prevention technologies and security protocols.
Singlepoint, Inc. (SING)
Singlepoint, Inc. (SING) has grown from a full-service mobile technology provider to a publicly-traded holding company. Through diversification into horizontal markets, SinglePoint is building its portfolio by acquiring an interest in undervalued subsidiaries, thereby providing a rich, diversified holding base.
SinglePoint's approach is to first research and identify acquisition opportunities in which it can take an active and influential role among existing leadership to provide enhanced strategy and direction. Target companies are undervalued, cash-flow positive, with high potential and verified assets. SinglePoint acquires and takes controlling interest of successful candidate companies.
SinglePoint recently signed a Letter of Intent to acquire an interest in Jacksam Corp., dba Convectium, a profitable California-based provider of equipment, branding, and packaging solutions for the cannabis industry. Convectium has developed the world's first cartridge and vape pen oil filling machine for wholesale distribution to dispensaries. The 710Shark and 710Seal systems can fill and package over 100 cartridges or disposable vape pens in 30 seconds and are sold to dispensaries through its EquipCanna.com brand. The company also operates a consumer brand that includes BlackoutX and HazeSticks and reaches customers in over 52 countries.
Additionally, SinglePoint has raised more than $300,000. The move provides management with ample capital to execute its business plan, while avoiding debt repayments that can eat into cash flow and reduce flexibility over time. It's also a rare development for a development-stage company in the cannabis industry.
Guided by a visionary leadership team with extensive experience in technology, engineering, marketing and raising capital, SinglePoint continues to explore high-potential acquisition opportunities to grow and diversify its current holding base. The company also plans to uplist to the OTCQB and become a fully reporting company during the current fiscal year.
The company has engaged Milost Advisors to pursue acquisitions and financing facilities toward funding acquisitions, as well as to provide working capital. Milost Advisors will assist SinglePoint in the acquisition of undervalued companies with annual revenues of at least $50 million, and has already identified potential acquisition targets for the company to consider.
The Green Organic Dutchman (TGOD)
The Green Organic Dutchman ("TGOD"), whose principal location is in Hamilton, Ontario, produces farm grown, organic, pesticide-free medical cannabis in small batches using all natural, organic craft growing principles. TGOD is licensed under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) to cultivate medical cannabis. The company carries out its principal activities producing cannabis pursuant to the provisions of the ACMPR and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada).
Committed to becoming the global leader in delivering organic cannabis solutions that enhance people's lives, TGOD consistently adheres to the highest levels of excellence. Its world-class management team includes a proven group of leaders with outstanding executive and operational experience specific to consumer packaged goods, consumer products, cannabis and finance industries.
TGOD is positioned as one of the highest quality and most cost efficient cannabis producers in Canada by leveraging innovative technology and low-cost power solutions. It holds one of the largest land packages under a single ACMPR license in Canada, providing future cannabis Agri-park style development and opportunities for joint ventures, licensing and distribution partners. Its industry leading alliance partners include Eaton, Ledcor Group and Hamilton Utilities Corp.
Eaton is the second largest power management company in the world and promises to supply innovative and cost effective power solutions to meet TGOD's growing demands. Construction management is supplied by Ledcor, Canada's second largest multidisciplinary construction company and a pioneer in the Green Building Industry. An alliance with Hamilton Utilities Corp allows TGOD to reduce its power costs from $0.13 per kWh to less than $0.05 per kWh. Greenhouse design is provided by Larssen Greenhouse, whose 25-plus years of experience in building some of the most modern and sophisticated greenhouses in the industry will provide TGOD with state of the art, climate-controlled hybrid greenhouse solutions.
Canada is quickly becoming a hub for cannabis investors with over $1.3 billion raised by Canadian companies to date. There are 58 licensed producers to service a population of 36 million and only two organic producers. TGOD, which holds licenses in Ontario and Quebec, is strategically located in both provinces that together claim 22 million Canadians as residents. Another estimated 57 million people live next door in six U.S. bordering states.
The Canadian cannabis market currently has a massive supply demand gap, which makes TGOD's expansion plans even more important to investors. These plans include a combined build-out capacity of 970,000 square feet, allowing TGOD to produce 116,000 kg annually of organic cannabis. Upon completion, Phase One in Hamilton, Ontario, which is fully funded, will provide 150,000 square feet of growing capacity capable of producing up to 14,000 kg of cannabis or $112 million in revenue at $8 a gram.
The company's Quebec expansion will be constructed on a recently secured 75-acre property near Montreal. This new property has a planned expansion of 820,000 square feet capable of producing 102,000 kg of organic cannabis. The first phase of this expansion is underway and construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2018. Quebec's first phase will consist of 220,000 square feet capable of producing 22,000 kg of cannabis. Two additional expansion phases will add 250,000 square feet (26,000 kg of cannabis) and 350,000 square feet (54,000 kg of cannabis). Power costs remain exceptionally low for both facilities with access to all other needed utilities available and close by.
TGOD also plans to gain a share of the burgeoning cannabis oils market which by Q1 2017 accounted for 49 percent of all cannabis sold in Canada under the ACMPR, up from only 27% in Q2 2016. TGOD has ordered a purpose-built extraction laboratory with an estimated commission in Q4 of 2017. This is a commercial-scale CO2 extraction unit capable of processing up to 12,000 kg of raw material per year and producing approximately $170 million worth of organic cannabis oils. Raw cannabis oil provides a significant downstream manufacturing opportunity into several potential recreational market verticals including edibles, beverages, topicals and concentrates.
Data from the Canadian ACMPR Market Trends report indicates a rising number of consumers will continue to seek out healthier, less conspicuous ways to consume cannabis, ensuring sales of organic cannabis oil products remain brisk. Organic cannabis products demand a significant premium compared to non-organic products and the demand keeps growing.
Plans to take the company public are underway with an initial public offering (IPO) slated for January 2018. In November, the company raised $13 million in equity financing and in March closed a $27 million non-brokered private placement. Another $20 million is currently being raised before the IPO in January, which will be utilized for expansion plans.
TGOD is uniquely positioned between the medical and recreational cannabis industry since Canada is scheduled to legalize cannabis for all adults in mid-2018. As of August 2017, TGOD has 2,400 shareholders. Established in 2012, TGOD's motto, "Making Life Better," can be seen in its strategic partnerships, top quality management team, and dedication to organic farming and principles.
To learn more about the company and how to invest, contact TGOD directly at financing@tgod.ca
|
