As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 8, 2025. 

Registration No. 333-[●]

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

6400 SW Rosewood Street

Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035

(269) 579-2915

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Eric Gripentrog

Chief Executive Officer

6400 SW Rosewood Street

Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035

(269) 579-2915

(Names, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☐

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This registration statement contains two prospectuses, as set forth below.

The Resale Prospectus is substantively identical to the Public Offering Prospectus, except for the following principal points:

The registrant has included in this registration statement a set of alternate pages after the back cover page of the Public Offering Prospectus, which we refer to as the Alternate Pages, to reflect the foregoing differences in the Resale Prospectus as compared to the Public Offering Prospectus. The Public Offering Prospectus will exclude the Alternate Pages and will be used for the public offering by the Registrant. The Resale Prospectus will be substantively identical to the Public Offering Prospectus except for the addition or substitution of the Alternate Pages and will be used for the resale offering by the selling shareholders.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 8, 2025

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

FUNCTIONAL BRANDS INC.

[●] Shares of Common Stock

[●] Series A Warrants to Purchase Shares of Common Stock

[●] Series B Warrants to Purchase Shares of Common Stock

[●] Shares of Common Stock Underlying the Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants

This is an initial public offering of our common stock. We are offering [●] units (the “Units”), with each Unit consisting of one (1) share of common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (“Common Stock”), a Series A warrant to purchase one (1) share of common stock (the “Series A Warrant”), and a Series B warrant to purchase one (1) share of common stock (the “Series B Warrant” and, together with the Series A Warrants, the “Warrants”) based on an assumed offering price of $[●] per Unit. Each share of our common stock is being sold together with a Series A Warrant to purchase one share of our common stock and a Series B Warrant to purchase one share of our common stock. The shares of common stock and Warrants are immediately separable and will be issued separately in this offering but must be purchased together in this offering.

Each Series A warrant will have an exercise price equal to $[●] per share (100% of the assumed public offering price of $[●] per Unit), will be exercisable immediately and will expire on the third anniversary of the original issuance date. Each Series B warrant will have an exercise price equal to $[●] per share ([●]% of the assumed public offering price of $[●] per Unit), will be exercisable immediately and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the original issuance date. The Units will not be certificated.

We currently estimate that the initial public offering price will be between $4.00 and $5.00 per share of common stock.

Currently, there is no public market for our common stock. We intend to apply to list our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“NASDAQ”), under the symbol “FBIC”. We cannot guarantee that our common stock will be approved for listing on NASDAQ and if our common stock is not approved for listing on NASDAQ, we will not consummate this offering.

We do not intend to apply for the listing of the Warrants on any national securities exchange or other trading market, and we do not believe any such market will develop. Therefore, the liquidity of the Warrants will be limited and should be considered illiquid. The Units have no stand-alone rights and will not be issued as stand-alone securities. The assumed offering price and related share numbers used throughout this prospectus has been included for illustration purposes only. The actual offering price may differ materially from the assumed price used in the prospectus and will be determined by negotiations between us and the representative of the underwriters and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the trading market.

This offering also relates to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants sold in this offering. The shares of Common Stock can each be purchased in this offering only with the accompanying Warrants (other than pursuant to the underwriters’ warrant to purchase additional shares of Common Stock as part of the Units).

After completion of this offering, public investors in the offering will own approximately [●]% of our outstanding shares of common stock, and approximately [●]% of our outstanding shares of common stock will be owned by Hemptown Organics Corp, a British Columbia, Canada corporation (“HOC”). Accordingly, we are a “controlled company” under NASDAQ corporate governance rules and are eligible for certain exemptions from these rules, though we do not intend to rely on any such exemptions.  See “Risk Factors – We will be a ‘controlled company’ within the meaning of the listing rules of NASDAQ and, as a result, can rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to shareholders of other companies” on page 32 for more information.

We are an “emerging growth company” as that term is defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, and, as such, have elected to take advantage of certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings.

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13 for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our common stock.

Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

We expect our total cash expenses for this offering (including cash expenses payable to our Underwriter for its out-of-pocket expenses) to be approximately $[●], exclusive of the above discounts. In addition, we will pay additional items of value in connection with this offering that are viewed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, as underwriting compensation. These payments will further reduce the proceeds available to us before expenses. See “Underwriting” beginning on page 96.

This offering is being conducted on a firm commitment basis. Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC (the “Underwriter”) is obligated to take and pay for all of the shares of common stock if any such shares of common stock are taken. We have granted the Underwriter an option for a period of 45 days after the closing of this offering to purchase up to 15% of the total number of our shares of common stock offered by us pursuant to this offering (excluding shares of common stock subject to this option), solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. If the Underwriter exercises its option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions payable will be $[●] based on an assumed offering price of $[●] per unit, and the total gross proceeds to us, before underwriting discounts and commissions expenses, will be $[●]. If we complete this offering, net proceeds will be delivered to us on the applicable closing date.

The Underwriter expects to deliver the shares of common stock against payment as set forth under the “Underwriting” section herein on or about [●], 2025.

JOSEPH GUNNAR & CO., LLC

Prospectus dated [●], 2025.

Please read this prospectus carefully. It describes our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, among other things. We are responsible for the information contained in this prospectus and in any free-writing prospectus we have authorized. Neither we nor the Underwriter has authorized anyone to provide you with different information, and neither we nor the underwriter takes responsibility for any other information others may give you. Neither we nor the underwriter are making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of securities. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than its date.

TRADEMARKS, TRADE NAMES AND SERVICE MARKS

We use various trademarks, trade names and service marks in our business, including “Biofilm Defense,” “Flura,” “Isogest;” “HempTown,” “Nu-Thera,” “HT Naturals,” “HempTown Naturals,” “Ultra Tested,” “Functional Brands,” and “Kirkman,” among others. For convenience, we may not include the SM, ^® or ^™ symbols, but such omission is not meant to indicate that we would not protect our intellectual property rights to the fullest extent allowed by law. Any other trademarks, trade names or service marks referred to in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

This prospectus includes industry data and forecasts that we obtained from industry publications and surveys, as well as public filings and internal company sources. Industry publications, surveys and forecasts generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but there can be no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of the included information. Statements as to our ranking, market position and market estimates are based on management’s estimates and assumptions about our markets and our internal research. We have not independently verified such third-party information, nor have we ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon in those sources, and we cannot assure you of the accuracy or completeness of such information contained in this prospectus. Such data involves risks and uncertainties and is subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before purchasing our securities. We have listed below (not necessarily in order of importance or probability of occurrence) what we believe to be the most significant risk factors applicable to us, but they do not constitute all of the risks that may be applicable to us. Any of the following factors could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects, and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment. Some statements in this prospectus, including statements in the following risk factors, constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section titled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”.

We may not be successful in preventing the material adverse effects that any of the following risks and uncertainties may cause. These potential risks and uncertainties may not be a complete list of the risks and uncertainties facing us. There may be additional risks and uncertainties that we are presently unaware of, or presently consider immaterial, that may become material in the future and have a material adverse effect on us. You could lose all or a significant portion of your investment due to any of these risks and uncertainties.

Risks Related to our Financial Condition and Capital Requirements

Our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

Our auditor’s report on our 2023 audited financial statements expresses an opinion that doubt exists as to whether we can continue as an ongoing business. Our recurring losses, negative cash flows and accumulated deficit raise doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

It is critical that we meet our sales goals and increase sales going forward as our operating plan already reflects prior significant cost containment measures and may make it difficult to achieve top-line growth if further significant reductions become necessary. If we do not meet our sales goals, our available cash and working capital will decrease and our financial condition and results of operation will be negatively impacted.  These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

We may be unable to effectively manage future growth.

We may be subject to growth-related risks, including capacity constraints and pressure on our internal systems and controls. Our ability to manage growth effectively will require us to continue to implement and improve our operational and financial systems and to expand, train and manage our employee base. Rapid growth of our business may significantly strain our management, operations and technical resources. If we are successful in obtaining large orders for its products, we will be required to deliver large volumes of products to our customers on a timely basis and at a reasonable cost. We may not obtain large-scale orders for our products and if we do, we may not be able to satisfy large-scale production requirements on a timely and cost-effective basis. Our inability to deal with this growth may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We will need additional financing in the future, which may not be available when needed or may be costly and dilutive.

We will require additional financing to support our working capital needs in the future. The amount of additional capital we may require, the timing of our capital needs and the availability of financing to fund those needs will depend on a number of factors, including our strategic initiatives and operating plans, the performance of our business and the market conditions for debt or equity financing. Additionally, the amount of capital required will depend on our ability to meet our sales goals and otherwise successfully execute our operating plan. We believe it is imperative that we meet these sales objectives in order to lessen our reliance on external financing in the future. We intend to continually monitor and adjust our operating plan as necessary to respond to developments in our business, our markets and the broader economy. Although we believe various debt and equity financing alternatives will be available to us to support our working capital needs, financing arrangements on acceptable terms may not be available to us when needed. Additionally, these alternatives may require significant cash payments for interest and other costs or could be highly dilutive to our existing shareholders. Any such financing alternatives may not provide us with sufficient funds to meet our long-term capital requirements. If necessary, we may explore strategic transactions that we consider to be in our best interest of our company and the best interest of our shareholders, which may include, without limitation, public or private offerings of debt or equity securities, a rights offering, and other strategic alternatives; however, these options may not ultimately be available or feasible when needed.

Functional Brands Inc. has a limited operating history, and we may not be able to successfully operate our business or execute our business plan.

We are a development stage company and are therefore subject to many of the risks common to early-stage enterprises, including under-capitalization, cash shortages, limitations with respect to personnel, financial, and other resources and lack of revenue. Given our limited operating history, it is hard to evaluate our proposed business and prospects. Our proposed business operations will be subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, expenses and difficulties associated with early- stage enterprises. There is no assurance that we will be successful in achieving a return on shareholders’ investment, and the likelihood of success must be considered in light of the early stage of our hemp operations.

We may incur significant debt to finance our operations.

There is no assurance that we will not incur debt in the future, that we will have sufficient funds to repay our indebtedness, or that we will not default on our debt, jeopardizing our business viability. Furthermore, we may not be able to borrow or raise additional capital in the future to meet our needs or to otherwise provide the capital necessary to conduct our business.

Existing events of default under the Asset Purchase Agreement could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.    

On June 28, 2019, HTO Holdings Inc. (“HTO Holdings”) a wholly owned subsidiary of HOC and the owner of all issued and outstanding stock of HTO Nevada (as “Purchaser”), entered into an asset purchase agreement (“APA”) for the net assets of Kirkman Group Inc. a Nevada corporation, Kirkman Laboratories Inc., an Oregon corporation and Kirkman Group International, Inc. a Nevada corporation (collectively “Kirkman” or the “Seller,” and together with Purchaser, the “Parties”) for a consideration equal to $5 million with payout in a business combination of cash and deferred consideration. The ’’Seller’’ is David Humphrey. Under the APA, Purchaser and HTO Holdings were to make certain additional payments toward the purchase price. The APA was amended on November 30, 2021 by the Parties, with the purpose of modifying the payment schedule of the deferred consideration; and in exchange for amending the payment schedule of the deferred consideration, the Purchaser and HTO Holdings agreed to enter into a security agreement, and amend the APA and other agreements attached to the APA (including, but not limited to, the non-competition agreement, the trademark assignment agreement, the domain names transfer agreement, the assignment of intangible assets, and the intellectual property security agreement (collectively, the “IP Collateral Agreements”)) to, among other things, provide additional collateral as security to Seller. Upon payment in full in cash of the deferred consideration or set-off of the deferred consideration, as amended: (i) each of the Parties agreed that the security agreement and amended intellectual property security agreement would be automatically terminated and be of no further force and effect, and (ii) Seller would, at its sole cost and expense, release all liens in the IP Collateral, as defined in the respective security agreement and intellectual property security agreement, and all rights therein would forthwith revert to Purchaser. On May 16, 2022, the APA was amended again by the Parties, to reflect further modifications to the schedules and exhibits to the APA and IP Collateral Agreements. On May 31, 2022, Purchaser paid Seller certain amounts (“Immediate Payments”), and on July 23, 2022, Purchaser and Seller executed a forbearance agreement (“Forbearance Agreement”) to extend the payments due under the APA to August 31, 2022. After Purchaser’s default, and partial payment to Seller in September 2022, the Parties executed an amendment to the Forbearance Agreement on December 27, 2022, to extend certain payments due under the APA, at which time the remaining balance due was $3,032,000 (the “Existing Default”). Since then, a Fourth Forbearance amendment has been signed by Seller and Buyer dated September 24, 2024 where additional principal and interest payments began to accrue. As of October 11, 2024, the balance due to Seller is $2,412,366. We intend to use a portion of the proceeds of the public offering to cover the payment of some of the Existing Default.

Risk Factors Relating to Our Business and Industry

We compete in an industry that is brand-conscious, so brand name recognition and acceptance of our products are critical to our success.

Our business is substantially dependent upon awareness and market acceptance of our products and brands by our target market: trendy, young consumers looking for a distinctive product tonality and/or the perceived benefits of hemp, CBD and CBG in their smokables as compared to nicotine or tobacco-based smokables. In addition, our business depends on acceptance by our independent distributors and retailers of our brands that have the potential to provide incremental sales growth. If we are not successful in the growth of our brand and product offerings, we may not achieve and maintain satisfactory levels of acceptance by independent distributors and retail consumers. In addition, we may not be able to effectively execute our marketing strategies in light of the various closures and cancellations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any failure of our brands to maintain or increase acceptance or market penetration would likely have a material adverse effect on our revenues and financial results.

Our brand and image are keys to our business and any inability to maintain a positive brand image could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Our success depends on our ability to maintain the brand image for our existing products and effectively build up a brand image for new products and brand extensions. We cannot predict whether our advertising, marketing and promotional programs will have the desired impact on our products’ branding and on consumer preferences. In addition, negative public relations and product quality issues, including negative perceptions regarding the hemp industry, whether real or imagined, could tarnish our reputation and image of the affected brands and could cause consumers to choose other products. Our brand image can also be adversely affected by unfavorable reports, studies and articles, litigation, or regulatory or other governmental action, whether involving our products or those of our competitors.

Competition from traditional and large, well-financed product manufacturers or distributors may adversely affect our distribution relationships and may hinder the development of our existing markets, as well as prevent us from expanding our markets.

The hemp industry is highly competitive. We compete with other hemp companies, manufacturers and distributors, not only for consumer acceptance but also for shelf space in retail outlets and for marketing focus by our distributors, many of whom also distribute other brands. Our products compete with hemp derived products, many of which are marketed by companies with substantially greater financial resources than ours. Some of these competitors are placing severe pressure on independent distributors not to carry competitive hemp brands such as ours. We also compete with regional hemp derived producers and “private label” suppliers.

Our direct competitors in the hemp industry include large domestic and international traditional hemp companies and distributors as well as regional or niche companies. These national and international competitors have advantages such as lower production costs, larger marketing budgets, greater financial and other resources and more developed and extensive distribution networks than ours. We may not be able to increase our volumes or maintain our selling prices, whether in existing markets or as we enter new markets.

Increased competitor consolidations, market-place competition, particularly among branded hemp smokables products, and competitive product and pricing pressures could impact our earnings, market share and volume growth. If, due to such pressure or other competitive threats, we are unable to sufficiently maintain or develop our distribution channels, we may be unable to achieve our current revenue and financial targets. As a means of maintaining and expanding our distribution network, we intend to introduce additional brands. We may not be successful in doing this, or it may take us longer than anticipated to achieve market acceptance of these new products and brands, if at all. Other companies may be more successful in this regard over the long term. Competition, particularly from companies with greater financial and marketing resources than ours, could have a material adverse effect on our existing markets, as well as on our ability to expand the market for our products.

The supplements industry is highly competitive. We compete with other supplement companies, manufacturers, and distributors, not only for consumer acceptance, but also for shelf space in retail outlets and for marketing focus by our wholesalers and professional accounts. Our products are sold over the counter and do not require a doctor’s prescription since they are not FDA approved. Our products compete with other nutraceutical products, many of which are marketed by companies with substantially greater financial resources than ours. Our direct competition in the supplement industry includes domestic and international traditional nutraceutical companies and distributors as well as regional or niche companies. These national and international competitors have advantages such as lower production costs, larger marketing budgets, greater financial and other resources and more developed and extensive distribution networks than ours. We may not be able to increase our volumes or maintain our selling prices, whether in existing markets or as we enter new markets.

We compete in an industry characterized by rapid changes in consumer preferences and public perception, so our ability to continue developing new products to satisfy our consumers’ changing preferences will determine our long-term success.

Failure to introduce new brands, products or product extensions into the marketplace as current ones mature and to meet our consumers’ changing preferences could prevent us from gaining market share and achieving long-term profitability. Product lifecycles can vary, and consumers’ preferences and loyalties change over time. We may not succeed at innovating new products to introduce to our consumers. Customer preferences also are affected by factors other than taste, such as health and nutrition considerations, shifting consumer needs, changes in consumer lifestyles, increased consumer information and competitive product and pricing pressures. Sales of our products may be adversely affected by the negative publicity associated with these issues. In addition, there may be a decreased demand for our products as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If we do not adequately anticipate or adjust to respond to these and other changes in customer preferences, we may not be able to maintain and grow our brand image and our sales may be adversely affected.

We may be unable to respond effectively to technological changes in our industry, which could reduce the demand for our products.

Our future business success will depend upon our ability to maintain and enhance our product portfolio with respect to advances in technological improvements for certain products and market products that meet customer needs and market conditions in a cost-effective and timely manner. Maintaining and enhancing our product portfolio may require significant investments in licensing fees and royalties. We may not be successful in gaining access to new products that successfully compete or are able to anticipate customer needs and preferences, and our customers may not accept one or more of our products. If we fail to keep pace with evolving technological innovations or fail to modify our products and services in response to customers’ needs or preferences, then our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

We may experience a reduced demand for some of our products due to health concerns and legislative initiatives against smokables products.

Consumers are concerned about health and wellness; public health officials and government officials are increasingly vocal about smoking, vaping, and their adverse consequences. There has been a trend among many public health advocates to pursue generalized reduction in consumption of smokables products, as well as increased public scrutiny, new taxes on smokables products, and additional governmental regulations concerning the marketing and labeling/packing of smokable products. Additional or revised regulatory requirements, whether labeling, tax or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Further, increasing public concern with respect to smokables could reduce demand for our hemp smokables products.

Legislative or regulatory changes that affect our products, including new taxes, could reduce demand for products or increase our costs.

Taxes imposed on the sale of certain of our products by federal, state, and local governments in the United States, or other countries in which we operate could cause consumers to shift away from purchasing our hemp smokables products. These taxes could materially affect our business and financial results. 

Some products we sell are subject to developing and unpredictable regulations.

Some of our products may be subject to uncertain and evolving federal, state and local regulations concerning hemp, CBD, CBG, Hemp Derived Delta 9 and other non-tobacco consumable products. Regulatory and related enforcement initiatives by authorities related to such products are unpredictable and impossible to anticipate. We anticipate that all levels of government that have not already done so, are likely to seek in some way to regulate these products, but the type, timing, and impact of such regulations remains uncertain. These regulations include, or could include, restrictions prohibiting certain form factors, such as smokable hemp products, or age restrictions. Accordingly, we cannot give any assurance that such actions will not have a material adverse effect on this emerging business and our strategy.

Possible yet unanticipated changes in federal and state law could cause any of our current products containing hemp-derived CBD to be illegal, or could otherwise prohibit, limit or restrict any of our products containing CBD.

We have certain products containing hemp-derived CBD, and we may develop and launch additional products containing hemp-derived CBD in the future. Until 2014, when 7 U.S. Code §5940 became federal law as part of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the “2014 Farm Act”), products containing oils derived from hemp, notwithstanding a minimal or non-existing THC content, were classified as Schedule I illegal drugs. The 2014 Farm Act expired on September 30, 2018, and was thereafter replaced by the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 on December 20, 2018 (the “2018 Farm Act”), which amended various sections of the U.S. Code, thereby removing hemp, defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC, from Schedule 1 status under the Controlled Substances Act, and legalizing the cultivation and sale of industrial-hemp at the federal level, subject to compliance with certain federal requirements and state law, amongst other things. More specifically, industrial hemp is defined as “the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of such plant, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.” THC is the psychoactive component of plants in the cannabis family generally identified as marihuana or marijuana. There is no assurance that the 2018 Farm Act will not be repealed or amended such that our products containing hemp-derived CBD would once again be deemed illegal under federal law.

The psychedelic therapy industry and market are relatively new and this industry and market may not continue to exist or grow as anticipated

We operate our business in a relatively new industry and market. In addition to being subject to general business risks, we must continue to build brand awareness in this industry and market through significant investments in our strategy, our operational capacity, quality assurance and compliance with regulations. In addition, there is no assurance that the industry and market will continue to exist and grow as currently estimated or anticipated or function and evolve in the manner consistent with management’s expectations and assumptions. Any event or circumstance that adversely affects the psychedelic therapy industry and market could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions and results of operations. The psychedelic medicine market will face specific marketing challenges given the products’ status as a controlled substance which resulted in past and current public perception that the products have negative health and lifestyle effects and have the potential to cause physical and social harm due to psychoactive and potentially addictive effects. Any marketing efforts by us would need to overcome this perception to build consumer confidence, brand recognition and goodwill.

The expansion of the use of psychedelics in the medical industry may require new clinical research into effective medical therapies

Research in United States and internationally regarding the medical benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, addictiveness, dosing and social acceptance of psychedelic and psychoactive products remains in early stages. There have been relatively few clinical trials on the benefits of such products. Although we believe that the articles, reports and studies support our beliefs regarding the medical benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, dosing and social acceptance of psychedelic and psychoactive products, future research and clinical trials may prove such statements to be incorrect, or could raise concerns regarding, and perceptions relating to, psychedelic and psychoactive products. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, readers should not place undue reliance on such articles and reports. Future research studies and clinical trials may draw opposing conclusions to those stated in this prospectus or reach negative conclusions regarding the medical benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, dosing, social acceptance or other facts and perceptions related to psychoactive products, which could have a material adverse effect on the demand for some of our products with the potential to lead to a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company may become subject to increasing regulation as a result of its hemp development activities, which could require it to incur additional costs associated with compliance requirements. 

The Company develops hemp products. Hemp is legally distinct from marijuana and recognized as an agricultural crop by the United States government. There are federal and state laws and regulations on hemp that address hemp production, monitoring, manufacturing, distribution, and laboratory testing to ensure that that the hemp has a THC concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis. Federal laws and regulations may also address the transportation or shipment of hemp or hemp products. It is difficult to predict whether regulators, such as the USDA or the MDA, will alter the manner in which they interpret existing federal and state laws and regulations on hemp or institute new regulations, or otherwise modify regulations in a way that will render compliance more burdensome. As the Company continues to pursue hemp, it may become subject to increasing regulation particular to hemp, which could require the Company to incur additional costs associated with compliance requirements. 

Our ability to develop, commercialize and distribute hemp derived products and comply with laws and regulations governing cannabis, hemp or related products may affect our operational results.

As of September 1, 2024, 42 states have USDA approved state hemp farming plans while in eight states the USDA issues producer licenses directly to farmers under USDA’s hemp farming plan. These eight states include Hawaii, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin. The 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law on December 20, 2018. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the U.S. Controlled Substances Act (the “CSA”) and established a federal regulatory framework for hemp production in the United States. Among other provisions, the 2018 Farm Bill: (a) explicitly amends the CSA to exclude all parts of the cannabis plant (including its cannabinoids, derivatives, and extracts) containing a THC concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis from the CSA’s definition of “marihuana”; (b) permits the commercial production and sale of hemp; (c) precludes states, territories, and Indian tribes from prohibiting the interstate transport of lawfully-produced hemp through their borders; and (d) establishes the USDA as the primary federal agency regulating the cultivation of hemp in the United States, while allowing states, territories, and Indian tribes to obtain (or retain) primary regulatory authority over hemp activities within their borders after receiving approval of their proposed hemp production plan from the USDA. Any such plan submitted by a state, territory, or Indian tribe to the USDA must meet or exceed minimum federal standards and receive USDA approval. Any state, territory, or Indian tribe that does not submit a plan to the USDA, or whose plan is not approved by the USDA, will be regulated by the USDA; provided that, states retain the ability to prohibit hemp production within their borders.

Marijuana continues to be classified as a Schedule I substance under the CSA. As a result, any cannabinoids (including CBD) derived from marijuana, as opposed to hemp, or any products derived from hemp containing in excess of 0.3% THC on a dry-weight basis, remain Schedule I substances under U.S. federal law. Cannabinoids derived from hemp are indistinguishable from those derived from marijuana, and confusion surrounding the nature of our smokable products containing hemp or CBD, inconsistent interpretations of the definition of “hemp”, inaccurate or incomplete testing, farming practices and law enforcement vigilance or lack of education could result in our products being intercepted by federal and state law enforcement as marijuana and could interrupt and/or have a material adverse impact on our business. We could be required to undertake processes that could delay shipments, impede sales or result in seizures, proper or improper, that would be costly to rectify or remove and which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations or financial condition. If we make mistakes in processing or labeling, and THC in excess of 0.3% on a dry-weight basis is found in our products, we could be subject to enforcement and prosecution under local, state, and federal laws which would have a negative impact on our business and operations.

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, states have authority to adopt their own regulatory regimes, and as such, regulations will likely continue to vary on a state-by-state basis. States take varying approaches to regulating the production and sale of hemp and hemp-derived products under state food and drug laws. The variance in state law and that state laws governing hemp production are rapidly changing may increase the chance of unfavorable law enforcement interpretation of the legality of the Company’s operations as they relate to the cultivation of hemp. Further, such variance in state laws that may frequently change increases our compliance costs and risk of error.

While some states explicitly authorize and regulate the production and sale of hemp products or otherwise provide legal protection for authorized individuals to engage in commercial hemp activities, other states maintain outdated drug laws that do not distinguish between marijuana, hemp and/or hemp-derived CBD, hemp-derived Delta 9 resulting in hemp being classified as a controlled substance under state law. In these states, sale of CBD and hemp-derived Delta 9, notwithstanding origin, is either restricted to state medical or adult-use marijuana program licensees or remains otherwise unlawful under state criminal laws. Variance in hemp regulation across jurisdictions is likely to persist. This patchwork of state laws may, for the foreseeable future, materially impact our business and financial condition, limit the accessibility of certain state markets, cause confusion amongst regulators, and increase legal and compliance costs.

There are no express protections in the United States under applicable federal or state law for possessing or processing hemp biomass derived from lawful hemp not exceeding 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis and intended for use in finished product, but that may temporarily exceed 0.3% THC during the interim processing stages. While it is a common occurrence for hemp biomass to have variance in THC content during interim processing stages after cultivation but prior to use in finished products, there is risk that state or federal regulators or law enforcement could take the position that such hemp biomass is a Schedule I controlled substance in violation of the CSA and similar state laws. Further, there is a risk that state regulators and/or law enforcement may interpret provisions of state law prohibiting unlawful marijuana activity to apply to in-process hemp at any facility where we manufacture our hemp smokables products so that such activity is considered unlawful under state law.

In the event that our operations are deemed to violate any laws or if we are deemed to be assisting others to violate a state or federal law, we could be subject to enforcement actions and penalties, and any resulting liability could cause us to modify or cease its operations.

Continued development of the industrial hemp and cannabis industries will be dependent upon new legislative authorization of industrial hemp and cannabis at the state level, and further amendment or supplementation of legislation at the federal level. Any number of events or occurrences could slow or halt progress all together in this space. While progress within the industrial hemp and cannabis industries is currently encouraging, growth is not assured. While there appears to be ample public support for favorable legislative action, numerous factors may impact or negatively affect the legislative process(es) within the various states where we have business interests. Any one of these factors could slow or halt use of industrial hemp and cannabis, which could negatively impact our business and financial results.

In addition, the general manufacture, labeling and distribution of our hemp smokables products is regulated by various federal, state, and local agencies. These governmental authorities may commence regulatory or legal proceedings, which could restrict the permissible scope of our product claims or the ability to sell products in the future.

The shifting compliance environment and the need to build and maintain robust systems to comply with different compliance in multiple jurisdictions increases the possibility that we may violate one or more of the requirements. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of such laws or any other governmental regulations that apply to our business, we may be subject to penalties, including, without limitation, civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, any of which could adversely affect the ability to operate our business and its financial results.

International expansion efforts would likely significantly increase our operational expenses.

We may in the future expand into other geographic areas, which could increase our operational, regulatory, compliance, reputational and foreign exchange rate risks. The failure of our operating infrastructure to support such expansion could result in operational failures and regulatory fines or sanctions. Future international expansion could require us to incur a number of up-front expenses, including those associated with obtaining regulatory approvals, as well as additional ongoing expenses, including those associated with infrastructure, staff and regulatory compliance. We may not be able to successfully identify suitable acquisition and expansion opportunities or integrate such operations successfully with our existing operations.

Our reliance on distributors, retailers and brokers could affect our ability to efficiently and profitably distribute and market our products, maintain our existing markets and expand our business into other geographic markets.

Our ability to maintain and expand our existing markets for our products, and to establish markets in new geographic distribution areas, is dependent on our ability to establish and maintain successful relationships with reliable distributors, retailers and brokers strategically positioned to serve those areas. Most of our distributors, retailers and brokers sell and distribute competing products, including smokables products, and our products may represent a small portion of their business. The success of our distribution network will depend on the performance of the distributors, retailers, and brokers in our network. There is a risk they may not adequately perform their functions within the network by, without limitation, failing to distribute to sufficient retailers or positioning our products in localities that may not be receptive to our product. Our ability to incentivize and motivate distributors to manage and sell our products is affected by competition from other hemp smokables companies who have greater resources than we do. To the extent that our distributors, retailers and brokers are distracted from selling our products or do not employ sufficient efforts in managing and selling our products, including re-stocking the retail shelves with our products, our sales and results of operations could be adversely affected. Furthermore, such third parties’ financial position or market share may deteriorate, which could adversely affect our distribution, marketing and sales activities.

Our ability to maintain and expand our distribution network and attract additional distributors, retailers and brokers will depend on a number of factors, some of which are outside our control. Some of these factors include:

We may not be able to successfully manage all or any of these factors in any of our current or prospective geographic areas of distribution. Our inability to achieve success with regards to any of these factors in a geographic distribution area will have a material adverse effect on our relationships in that particular geographic area, thus limiting our ability to maintain or expand our market, which will likely adversely affect our revenues and financial results.

We incur significant time and expense in attracting and maintaining key distributors, and a loss of distributors or retails accounts would harm our business.

Our marketing and sales strategy depends in large part on the availability and performance of our independent distributors. We currently do not have, nor do we anticipate in the future that we will be able to establish, long-term contractual commitments from some of our distributors. We may not be able to maintain our current distribution relationships or establish and maintain successful relationships with distributors in new geographic distribution areas. Moreover, there is the additional possibility that we may have to incur additional expenditures to attract and maintain key distributors in one or more of our geographic distribution areas in order to profitably exploit our geographic markets.

We currently have approximately ten distributors who service numerous retail accounts. If we were to lose any of our distributors, or if they were to lose national, regional or larger retail accounts, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. While we continually seek to expand and upgrade our distributor network, we may not be able to maintain our distributor or retailer base. The loss of any of our distributors, or their significant retail accounts, could have adverse effects on our revenues, liquidity and financial results, could negatively impact our ability to retain our relationships with our other distributors and our ability to expand our market, and would place increased dependence on our other independent distributors and national accounts.

Any pandemic such as the COVID-19 pandemic has and could continue to negatively affect various aspects of our business, make it more difficult for us to meet our obligations to our customers, and result in reduced demand for our products and services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China, and it has since spread throughout other parts of the world, including the United States. Any outbreak of contagious diseases or other adverse public health developments could have a material adverse effect on our business operations. These impacts to our operations have included and could again in the future include disruptions or restrictions on the ability of our employees and customers to travel or our ability to pursue collaborations and other business transactions, travel to customers and/or promote our products at conferences or other live events, oversee the activities of our third-party manufacturers and suppliers. We may also be impacted by the temporary closure of the facilities of suppliers, manufacturers or customers.

In an effort to halt the outbreak of COVID-19, a number of countries, including the United States, placed significant restrictions on travel and many businesses announced extended closures. These travel restrictions and business closures have and may in the future adversely impact our operations locally and worldwide, including our ability to manufacture, market, sell or distribute our products. Such restrictions and closure have caused or may cause temporary closures of the facilities of our suppliers, manufacturers or customers. A disruption in the operations of our employees, suppliers, customers, manufacturers or access to customers would likely impact our sales and operating results. We are continuing to monitor and assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our commercial operations; however, we cannot at this time accurately predict what effects these conditions will ultimately have on our operations due to uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak and speed of vaccinations, and the length of the travel restrictions and business closures imposed by the governments of impacted countries. In addition, a significant outbreak of contagious diseases in the human population could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could affect demand for our products and likely impact our operating results.

We rely on suppliers, manufacturers and contractors, and events adversely affecting them would adversely affect us.

We intend to maintain a full supply chain for the provision of our hemp-based smokables products. Due to the novel and variable regulatory landscape for hemp and CBD/CBG/Delta 9 production in the United States, our third-party hemp and hemp smokables suppliers, manufacturers and contractors may elect, at any time, to decline or withdraw services necessary for our operations. Loss of these suppliers, manufacturers and contractors, including for non-hemp-based ingredients in our hemp smokables products, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

In addition, any significant interruption, negative change in the availability or economics of the supply chain or increase in the prices for the ingredients in our products provided by any such third-party suppliers, manufacturers and contractors could materially impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Any inability to secure required supplies or to do so on appropriate terms could have a materially adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We have two customers that account for a substantial portion of our revenues, and our business would be harmed were we to lose these customers.   

We have a purchase agreement in place with our largest customer, iHerb, since June 28, 2011. This agreement provides us with a license to commercialize and re-sell Kirkman products with set minimum order requirements. Our customer iHerb accounts for approximately 22% of the Company’s total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 (17% - 2002). If we lose this customer, the company will lose a significant portion of our total revenues.

We have a reseller agreement in place with our second largest customer, OceanSide Health since April 18, 2022. This agreement provides OceanSide the ability to sell our Kirkman branded products on the Amazon platform. Oceanside represents approximately 19% of the Company’s total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 (13% - 2002). We do have the ability to convert this business to a traditional Amazon account through another partner, so the risk of lost business is minimal.

Wholesale price volatility may adversely affect operations.

The hemp smokables industry is margin-based with gross profits typically dependent on the excess of sales prices over costs. Consequently, profitability is sensitive to fluctuations in wholesale and retail prices caused by changes in supply (which itself depends on other factors such as weather, fuel, equipment and labor costs, shipping costs, economic situation and demand), taxes, government programs and policies for the hemp smokables and hemp industries (including price controls and wholesale price restrictions that may be imposed by government agencies responsible for the regulation of hemp and/or smokables products), and other market conditions, all of which are factors beyond our control. Our operating income will be sensitive to changes in the price of hemp and other product ingredients, and the overall condition of the hemp and smokables industries, as our profitability is directly related to the price of hemp and our other smokables ingredients. There is currently no established market price for hemp, and the price of hemp is affected by numerous factors beyond our control. Ingredient price volatility may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We may sustain losses that cannot be recovered through insurance or other preventative measures.

There is no assurance that we will not incur uninsured liabilities and losses as a result of the conduct of its business. While we currently have some liability insurance coverage, it does not have broad coverage at high levels. We plan to continue to review its liability coverage in the light of its expanding operations in order to insure against potential major insurable liabilities. Should uninsured losses occur, shareholders could lose their invested capital.

We may be subject to product liability claims and other claims of our customers and partners.

The sale of hemp smokables products to consumers involves a certain level of risk of product liability claims and the associated adverse publicity. Because use of our hemp smokables products could cause injury to consumers if packaging or ingredients are defective, we are subject to a risk of claims for such injuries and damages. We could also be named as co-parties in product liability suits that are brought against manufacturing partners that produce our hemp smokables products, packaging for those products, or the ingredients in those products.

In addition, our customers and partners may bring suits against us alleging damages for the failure of our products to meet stated specifications or other requirements. Any such suit, even if not successful, could be costly, disrupt the attention of our management and damage our negotiations with distributors and/or customers. Any attempt by us to limit our product liability in our contracts may not be enforceable or may be subject to exceptions. While we do have product liability insurance, our amounts of coverage may be inadequate to cover all potential liability claims. Insurance coverage, particularly as it relates to products relating to the hemp industry, is expensive, and additional coverage may be difficult to obtain. Also, additional insurance coverage may not be available in the future on acceptable terms and may not be sufficient to cover potential claims. We cannot be sure that our contract manufacturers or manufacturing partners who produce our hemp smokables products, packaging and ingredients will have adequate insurance coverage themselves to cover against potential claims. If we experience a large insured loss, it may exceed any insurance coverage limits we have at that time, or our insurance carrier may decline to cover us or may raise our insurance rates to unacceptable levels, any of which could impair our financial position and potentially cause us to go out of business.

If we encounter product recalls or other product quality issues, our business may suffer.

Product quality issues, real or imagined, or allegations of product contamination, even when false or unfounded, could tarnish our image and could cause consumers to choose other products. In addition, because of changing government regulations or implementation thereof, or allegations of product contamination, we may be required from time to time to recall products entirely or from specific markets. Product recalls could affect our profitability and could negatively affect brand image.

It is difficult to predict the timing and amount of our sales, and as a result our sales forecasts are uncertain.

Many of our white label clients (clients who we manufacture product for, and which product is labeled with the clients’ own branding and then sold by the clients) are required to place minimum orders with us, but we cannot accurately predict what our sales will be.

Our independent distributors and national accounts are not generally required to place minimum monthly orders for our products. In order to reduce their inventory costs, independent distributors typically order products from us on a “just in time” basis in quantities and at such times based on the demand for the products in a particular distribution area. Accordingly, we cannot accurately predict the timing or quantity of purchases by any of our independent distributors or whether any of our distributors will continue to purchase products from us in the same frequencies and volumes as they may have done in the past. Additionally, our larger distributors and regional partners may make orders that are larger than we have historically been required to fill. Shortages in inventory levels, supply of raw materials or other key supplies could also negatively affect us.

If we do not adequately manage our inventory levels, our operating results could be adversely affected.

We need to maintain adequate inventory levels to be able to deliver products to distributors on a timely basis. Our inventory supply depends on our ability to correctly estimate demand for our products. Our ability to estimate demand for our products is imprecise, particularly for new products, seasonal promotions and new markets. If we materially underestimate demand for our products or are unable to maintain sufficient inventory of raw materials, we might not be able to satisfy demand on a short-term basis. If we overestimate distributor or retailer demand for our products, we may end up with too much inventory, resulting in higher storage costs, increased trade spend and the risk of inventory spoilage. If we fail to manage our inventory to meet demand, we could damage our relationships with our distributors and retailers and could delay or lose sales opportunities, which would unfavorably impact our future sales and adversely affect our operating results. In addition, if the inventory of our products held by our distributors and retailers is too high, they will not place orders for additional products, which would also unfavorably impact our sales and adversely affect our operating results.

Increases in costs or shortages of raw materials could harm our business and financial results.

In addition to the primary ingredient, the hemp blend, we use other principal ingredients, which manufacturing costs are subject to fluctuation. Substantial increases in the prices of ingredients, raw materials and packaging materials, used to produce our products, to the extent that they cannot be recouped through increases in the prices of finished hemp smokables products, would increase our operating costs and could reduce our profitability. If the supply of these raw materials is impaired or if prices increase significantly, it could affect the affordability of our products and reduce sales.

If we or any contract manufacturers we may use are unable to secure sufficient ingredients or raw materials including hemp, the various paper products and filters, and other key supplies, we might not be able to satisfy demand for our hemp smokables products on a short-term basis. Moreover, in the past there have been industry-wide shortages of hemp, papers and other ingredients in our products, and these shortages could occur again from time to time in the future, which could interfere with and delay production of our products and could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.

In addition, suppliers could fail to provide ingredients or raw materials on a timely basis, or fail to meet our performance expectations, for a number of reasons, including, for example, disruption to the global supply chain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which could cause serious disruption to our business, increase our costs, decrease our operating efficiencies and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Increases in costs of energy and increased regulations may have an adverse impact on our gross margin.

Over the past few years, volatility in the global oil markets has resulted in high fuel prices, which many shipping companies have passed on to their customers by way of higher base pricing and increased fuel surcharges. If fuel prices increase, we expect to experience higher shipping rates and fuel surcharges, as well as energy surcharges on our raw materials. It is hard to predict what will happen in the fuel markets in 2024 and beyond. Due to the price sensitivity of our products, we may not be able to pass such increases on to our customers.

Disruption within our supply chain, contract manufacturing or distribution channels could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our ability, through our suppliers, business partners, contract manufacturers, independent distributors and retailers, to make, move and sell products is critical to our success. Damage or disruption to our suppliers or to manufacturing or distribution capabilities due to weather, natural disaster, fire or explosion, terrorism, pandemics such as COVID-19, influenza, and other viruses, labor strikes or other reasons, could impair the manufacture, distribution and sale of our products. Many of these events are outside of our control. Failure to take adequate steps to protect against or mitigate the likelihood or potential impact of such events, or to effectively manage such events if they occur, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we are unable to attract and retain key personnel, our efficiency and operations would be adversely affected; in addition, staff turnover causes uncertainties and could harm our business.

Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees in such areas as finance, sales, marketing and product development and distribution. We compete to hire new employees, and, in some cases, must train them and develop their skills and competencies. We may not be able to provide our employees with competitive salaries, and our operating results could be adversely affected by increased costs due to increased competition for employees, higher employee turnover or increased employee benefit costs. 

If we lose the services of our executive officers, our future operations could be impaired until such time as a qualified replacement can be found.

Our business plan relies significantly on the continued services of Eric Gripentrog, our Chief Executive Officer and Tariq Rahim, our Chief Financial Officer. If we were to lose the services of Mr. Gripentrog and/or Mr. Rahim, our ability to obtain new business and new strategic partners, as well as our ability to manage our operations and finances, could be materially impaired.

We are required to indemnify our directors and officers.

Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that we will indemnify our officers and directors to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law, provided that the officer or director did not act in bad faith or breach his or her duty to us or our stockholders, or that it is more likely than not that it will ultimately be determined that the officer or director has met the standards of conduct which make it permissible for under Delaware law for us to indemnify the officer or director. If we were called upon to indemnify an officer or director, then the portion of its assets expended for such purpose would reduce the amount otherwise available for our business.

If we fail to protect our trademarks and trade secrets, we may be unable to successfully market our products and compete effectively.

We rely on a combination of trademark and trade secrecy laws, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property rights. Failure to protect our intellectual property could harm our brand and our reputation, and adversely affect our ability to compete effectively. Further, enforcing or defending our intellectual property rights, including our trademarks and trade secrets, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. We regard our intellectual property, particularly our trademarks and trade secrets, as crucial to our business and our success. However, the steps taken by us to protect these proprietary rights may not be adequate and may not prevent third parties from infringing or misappropriating our trademarks, trade secrets or similar proprietary rights. In addition, other parties may seek to assert infringement claims against us, and we may have to pursue litigation against other parties to assert our rights. Any such claim or litigation could be costly. In addition, any event that would jeopardize our proprietary rights or any claims of infringement by third parties could have a material adverse effect on our ability to market or sell our brands, profitably exploit our products or recoup our associated research and development costs.

Disruptions to our information technology systems due to cyber-attacks or our failure to upgrade and adjust our information technology systems, may materially impair our operations, hinder our growth and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We believe that an appropriate information technology, or IT, infrastructure is important in order to support our daily operations and the growth of our business. If we experience difficulties in implementing new or upgraded information systems or experience significant system failures, or if we are unable to successfully modify our management information systems or respond to changes in our business needs, we may not be able to effectively manage our business, and we may fail to meet our reporting obligations. Additionally, if our current arrangements and plans are not operated as planned, we may not be able to effectively recover our information system in the event of a crisis, which may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

In the current environment, there are numerous and evolving risks to cybersecurity and privacy, including criminal hackers, hacktivists, state-sponsored intrusions, industrial espionage, employee malfeasance and human or technological error. High-profile security breaches at other companies and in government agencies have increased in recent years, and security industry experts and government officials have warned about the risks of hackers and cyber-attacks targeting businesses such as ours. Computer hackers and others routinely attempt to breach the security of technology products, services and systems, and to fraudulently induce employees, customers, or others to disclose information or unwittingly provide access to systems or data. We can provide no assurance that our current IT system or any updates or upgrades thereto and the current or future IT systems of our potential distributors use or may use in the future, are fully protected against third-party intrusions, viruses, hacker attacks, information or data theft or other similar threats. Legislative or regulatory action in these areas is also evolving, and we may be unable to adapt our IT systems or to manage the IT systems of third parties to accommodate these changes. We have experienced and expect to continue to experience actual or attempted cyber-attacks of our IT networks. Although none of these actual or attempted cyber-attacks has had a material adverse impact on our operations or financial condition, we cannot guarantee that any such incidents will not have such an impact in the future.

Our business is subject to many regulations and noncompliance is costly.

The production, marketing and sale of our hemp and nutraceutical products, including contents, labels, and containers, are subject to the rules and regulations of various federal, provincial, state and local health agencies. If a regulatory authority finds that a current or future product or production batch or “run” is not in compliance with any of these regulations, we may be fined, or production may be stopped, which would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, any adverse publicity associated with any noncompliance may damage our reputation and our ability to successfully market our products. Furthermore, the rules and regulations are subject to change from time to time and while we closely monitor developments in this area, we cannot anticipate whether changes in these rules and regulations will impact our business adversely. Additional or revised regulatory requirements, whether labeling, environmental, tax or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Significant additional labeling or warning requirements may inhibit sales of affected products.

Various jurisdictions may seek to adopt significant additional product labeling or warning requirements relating to the chemical content or perceived adverse health consequences of our hemp products. These types of requirements, if they become applicable to one or more of our products under current or future environmental or health laws or regulations, may inhibit sales of such products.

Our industry may become subject to expanded regulation and increased enforcement by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”).

The FDA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regulates the formulation, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and distribution of food, dietary supplements, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, biologics, and tobacco products. Our products are subject to law and regulation by the FDA. Moreover, the regulatory status of our products is currently in a state of flux as the FDA attempts to determine the appropriate manner in which to regulate these products. Thus, the regulatory approach is still evolving, and we may be required to seek the FDA’s approval to market our products. It is also possible that the FDA may simply issue a regulation setting forth the conditions in which such products may be marketed, or it may simply prohibit these products.

Given the growing cannabidiol (CBD) products market, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has convened a high-level internal working group to explore potential regulatory pathways for CBD products. After careful review, the FDA has concluded that a new regulatory pathway for CBD is needed that balances individuals’ desire for access to CBD products with the regulatory oversight needed to manage risks. The agency is prepared to work with Congress on this matter.⁶ Once the FDA makes a decision in relation to hemp-based products, we will follow the rules the FDA adopts.

Because the FDA’s regulatory process is subject to change, we cannot predict the likely outcome. In addition, the FTC under the Federal Trade Commission Act (“FTC Act”) requires that product advertising be truthful, substantiated and not misleading. We believe that our advertising meets these requirements. However, the FTC may bring a challenge at any time in evaluating our compliance with the FTC Act. In addition, most states where our products are legal provide their own regulatory guidelines and regulations in connection with cigarette or other smokable product sales. Any failure by us to remain current on state regulatory changes could negatively affect our ability to operate our business.

At the moment, our hemp manufactured dietary supplement products are produced in an FDA registered and cGMP facility strictly following SOPs to ensure consumer safety and consistency and reliability batch to batch. Our supplement product packaging, labeling, and marketing collateral make no disease claims that would run afoul of the Dietary Supplement Heath and Education Act (DSHEA). Additionally, we design our product packaging to appeal to adults, not children. By taking these actions, we are substantially reducing the risk of any FDA enforcement because these are two primary areas of FDA enforcement.

Quality Control reviews production at specified check points. Raw materials are tested for ID, potency, and contamination using ISO 17025 certified labs. Finished products are tested for strength, composition, and contamination using ISO 17025 certified labs. All products are produced in isolated rooms, with cleaning and ATP testing performed prior to use. Rooms are thoroughly cleaned after use, and retested before new products are introduced. All hemp products are tested to ensure < 0.3% THC. They are also tested for solvents, pesticides, and mycotoxins (where relevant). QC oversight occurs from incoming of the raw material and components, through the entire manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and boxing processes. All hemp derived raw materials and finished products are stored under lock and key. Only authorized persons are allowed access.

FDA regulates both finished dietary supplement products and dietary ingredients. FDA regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering “conventional” foods and drug products. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA):

Our manufactured dietary supplement products are produced following SOPs, to ensure there is consistency and reliability batch to batch.  Quality Control reviews production at specified check points.  Raw materials are tested for ID, potency, and contamination using ISO 17025 certified labs.  Finished products are tested for strength, composition, and contamination using ISO 17025 certified labs.  All products are produced in isolated rooms, with cleaning and ATP testing performed prior to use.  Rooms are thoroughly cleaned after use, and retested before new products are introduced.  QC oversight occurs from incoming of the raw material and components, through the entire manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and boxing processes.

Litigation or legal proceedings could expose us to significant liabilities and damage our reputation.

We may become party to litigation claims and legal proceedings. Litigation involves significant risks, uncertainties and costs, including distraction of management attention away from our business operations. We evaluate litigation claims and legal proceedings to assess the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes and to estimate, if possible, the amount of potential losses. Based on these assessments and estimates, we establish reserves and disclose the relevant litigation claims or legal proceedings, as appropriate. These assessments and estimates are based on the information available to management at the time and involve a significant amount of management judgment. Actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from those envisioned by our current assessments and estimates. Our policies and procedures require strict compliance by our employees and agents with all U.S. and local laws and regulations applicable to our business operations, including those prohibiting improper payments to government officials. Nonetheless, our policies and procedures may not ensure full compliance by our employees and agents with all applicable legal requirements. Improper conduct by our employees or agents could damage our reputation or lead to litigation or legal proceedings that could result in civil or criminal penalties, including substantial monetary fines, as well as disgorgement of profits.

Climate change may negatively affect our business.

There is growing concern that a gradual increase in global average temperatures may cause an adverse change in weather patterns around the globe resulting in an increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters. Changing weather patterns could have a negative impact on agricultural productivity, which may limit availability or increase the cost of certain key ingredients such as hemp, natural flavors and other ingredients used in our products. Also, increased frequency or duration of extreme weather conditions may disrupt the productivity of our facilities, the operation of our supply chain or impact demand for our products. In addition, the increasing concern over climate change may result in more regional, federal and global legal and regulatory requirements and could result in increased production, transportation and raw material costs. As a result, the effects of climate change could have a long-term adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

Our business and operations would be adversely impacted in the event of a failure or interruption of our information technology infrastructure or as a result of a cybersecurity attack.

The proper functioning of our own information technology (IT) infrastructure is critical to the efficient operation and management of our business. We may not have the necessary financial resources to update and maintain our IT infrastructure, and any failure or interruption of our IT system could adversely impact our operations. In addition, our IT is vulnerable to cyberattacks, computer viruses, worms and other malicious software programs, physical and electronic break-ins, sabotage and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with our computer systems. We believe that we have adopted appropriate measures to mitigate potential risks to our technology infrastructure and our operations from these IT-related and other potential disruptions. However, given the unpredictability of the timing, nature and scope of any such IT failures or disruptions, we could potentially be subject to downtimes, transactional errors, processing inefficiencies, operational delays, other detrimental impacts on our operations or ability to provide products to our customers, the compromising of confidential or personal information, destruction or corruption of data, security breaches, other manipulation or improper use of our systems and networks, financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business or potential liability, and/or damage to our reputation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, competitive position, financial condition or results of operations.

Our results of operations may fluctuate from quarter to quarter for many reasons, including seasonality.

Our sales may be seasonal, and we experience fluctuations in quarterly results as a result of many factors. We expect to generate a greater percentage of our revenues during the warm weather months of April through September. The timing of customer purchases will vary each year, and sales can be expected to shift from one quarter to another. As a result, management believes that period-to-period comparisons of results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as any indication of future performance period comparisons or results expected for the fiscal year.

In addition, our operating results may fluctuate due to a number of other factors including, but not limited to:

Due to these and other factors, our results of operations have fluctuated from period to period and may continue to do so in the future, which could cause our operating results in a particular quarter to fail to meet market expectations.

Changes in our effective tax rate may impact our results of operations.

We are subject to taxes in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. Tax rates in these jurisdictions may be subject to significant change due to economic and/or political conditions. A number of other factors may also impact our future effective tax rate including:

Although we believe our income tax liabilities are reasonably estimated and accounted for in accordance with applicable laws and principles, an adverse resolution by one or more taxing authorities could have a material impact on the results of our operations. Further, we may be unable to utilize our net operating losses in the event a change in control is determined to have occurred.

Global economic, political, social and other conditions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, may continue to adversely impact our business and results of operations.

The hemp industry can be affected by macro-economic factors, including changes in national, regional, and local economic conditions, unemployment levels and consumer spending patterns, which together may impact the willingness of consumers to purchase our products as they adjust their discretionary spending. Adverse economic conditions may adversely affect the ability of our distributors to obtain the credit necessary to fund their working capital needs, which could negatively impact their ability or desire to continue to purchase products from us in the same frequencies and volumes as they have done in the past. If we experience similar adverse economic conditions in the future, sales of our products could be adversely affected, collectability of accounts receivable may be compromised, and we may face obsolescence issues with our inventory, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.

Additionally, while the extent of the continued impact on our business and financial condition is unknown at this time, we may be negatively affected by COVID-19 and actions taken to address and limit the spread of COVID-19, or any re-emergence of the virus, such as travel restrictions, event cancellations, and limitations affecting the supply of labor and the movement of raw materials and finished products. If available manufacturing capacity is reduced as a result of any re-emergence of COVID-19, it could negatively affect the timely supply, pricing and availability of finished products. Moreover, we may also be negatively impacted by current and future closures of restaurants, independent accounts, convenience chains, and retail store chains resulting from any re-emergence or new outbreaks of COVID-19. Overall, we do not yet know the full extent of potential delays or impacts on its business, financing activities, or the global economy as a whole. However, these effects could have a material impact on our liquidity, capital resources, operations and business and those of third parties on which we rely.

We are currently operating in a period of economic uncertainty and capital markets disruption, which has been significantly impacted by geopolitical instability due to the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Our business may be materially adversely affected by any negative impact on the global economy and capital markets resulting from the conflict in Ukraine or any other geopolitical tensions.

U.S. and global markets are experiencing volatility and disruption following the escalation of geopolitical tensions and the start of the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. On February 24, 2022, a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops was reported. Although the length and impact of the ongoing military conflict is highly unpredictable, the conflict in Ukraine could lead to market disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices, credit and capital markets, as well as supply chain interruptions. We are continuing to monitor the situation in Ukraine and globally and assessing its potential impact on our business.

Additionally, Russia’s prior annexation of Crimea, recent recognition of two separatist republics in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine and subsequent military interventions in Ukraine have led to sanctions and other penalties being levied by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia, Belarus, the Crimea Region of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, and the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic, including agreement to remove certain Russian financial institutions from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) payment system, expansive ban on imports and exports of products to and from Russia and ban on exportation of U.S denominated banknotes to Russia or persons located there. Additional potential sanctions and penalties have also been proposed and/or threatened. Russian military actions and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect the global economy and financial markets and lead to instability and lack of liquidity in capital markets, potentially making it more difficult for us to obtain additional funds and sell the shares we are offering. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial. Any such disruptions may also magnify the impact of other risks described in this prospectus.

Changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters could significantly affect our financial results.

The United States generally accepted accounting principles and related pronouncements, implementation guidelines and interpretations with regard to a wide variety of matters that are relevant to our business, such as, but not limited to, stock-based compensation, inventory, revenue recognition, trade spend and promotions, and income taxes are highly complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by our management. Changes to these rules or their interpretation or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates or judgments by our management could adversely affect our reported financial results.

Risks Related to This Offering and Ownership of Our Common Stock

There has been no public market for our common stock prior to this offering, and an active market in which investors can resell their shares of our common stock may not develop.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. We intend to apply to list our common stock on NASDAQ under the symbol “FBIC.” The closing of this offering is contingent upon the successful listing of our common stock on NASDAQ. There is no guarantee that NASDAQ, or any other exchange or quotation system, will permit our common stock to be listed and traded. If we fail to obtain a listing on NASDAQ, we may seek quotation on the OTCQX Best Market or OTCQB Venture Market of the OTC Link ATS (alternative trading system) operated by OTC Markets Group, Inc. These markets are inter-dealer, over-the-counter markets that provide significantly less liquidity than NASDAQ.

Even if our common stock is approved for listing on NASDAQ, a liquid public market for our common stock may not develop. The initial public offering price for our common stock has been determined by negotiation between us and the Underwriter based upon several factors, including prevailing market conditions, our historical performance, estimates of our business potential and earnings prospects, and the market valuations of similar companies. The price at which the common stock is traded after this offering may decline below the initial public offering price, meaning that you may experience a decrease in the value of your common stock regardless of our operating performance or prospects.

We may not be able to satisfy listing requirements of NASDAQ or obtain or maintain a listing of our common stock on NASDAQ.

If our common stock is listed on NASDAQ, we must meet certain financial and liquidity criteria to maintain such listing. If we violate NASDAQ’s listing requirements, or if we fail to meet any of NASDAQ’s listing standards, our common stock may be delisted. In addition, our board of directors may determine that the cost of maintaining our listing on a national securities exchange outweighs the benefits of such listing. A delisting of our common stock from NASDAQ may materially impair our shareholders’ ability to buy and sell our common stock and could have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, our common stock. The delisting of our common stock could significantly impair our ability to raise capital and the value of your investment.

Listing our common stock on a securities exchange will increase our regulatory burden.

We intend to apply for the listing of our common stock under the symbol “FBIC” on the NASDAQ. There is no guarantee that our application will be approved in connection with this offering. Although to date we have not been subject to the continuous and timely disclosure requirements of exchange rules, regulations and policies of NASDAQ, we are working with our legal, accounting and financial advisors to identify those areas in which changes should be made to our financial management control systems to manage our obligations as a public company listed on NASDAQ. These areas include corporate governance, corporate controls, disclosure controls and procedures and financial reporting and accounting systems. We have made, and will continue to make, changes in these and other areas, including our internal controls over financial reporting. However, we cannot assure holders of our shares that these and other measures that we might take will be sufficient to allow us to satisfy our obligations as a public company listed on NASDAQ on a timely basis and that we will be able to achieve and maintain compliance with applicable listing requirements. In addition, compliance with reporting and other requirements applicable to public companies listed on NASDAQ will create additional costs for us and will require the time and attention of management. We cannot predict the amount of the additional costs that we might incur, the timing of such costs or the effects that management’s attention to these matters will have on our business.

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

After this offering, the market price for our common stock is likely to be volatile, in part because our shares have not been traded publicly. In addition, the market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to several factors, most of which we cannot control, including:

 The public offering price of our common stock has been determined by negotiations between us and the Underwriter based upon many factors and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail following the closing of this offering. Volatility in the market price of our common stock may prevent investors from being able to sell their common stock at or above the initial public offering price. As a result, you may suffer a loss on your investment.

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution as a result of this offering.

As of September 30, 2024, our net tangible book value was approximately ($4,929,622) or approximately ($0.04) per share. Since the effective price per share of our common stock being offered in this offering is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our common stock, you will suffer substantial dilution with respect to the net tangible book value of the common stock you purchase in this offering. Based on the assumed public offering price of $[ ] per share of common stock being sold in this offering, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and our net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2024, if you purchase shares of common stock in this offering, you will suffer immediate and substantial dilution of $[ ] per share (or $[ ] per share if the Underwriter exercises the over-allotment option in full) with respect to the net tangible book value of the common stock. See the section titled “Dilution” for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase securities in this offering.

We have broad discretion in how we use the proceeds of this offering and may not use these proceeds effectively, which could affect our results of operations.

We will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds of this Offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to grow our company, cover expenses associated with becoming a public company, working capital and general corporate purposes. As a result, investors will be relying upon management’s judgment with only limited information about our specific intentions for the use of the net proceeds of this Offering. We may use the net proceeds for purposes that do not yield a significant return or any return at all for our shareholders. In addition, pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value. Please see the “Use of Proceeds” section in this prospectus for more information.

We do not intend to pay any cash dividends on our shares of common stock in the near future, so our shareholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell their shares.

We intend to retain any future earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. There is no assurance that future dividends will ever be paid, and if dividends are paid, there is no assurance with respect to the amount of any such dividend. Unless we pay dividends, our shareholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell their shares, and they may be unable to sell their shares on favorable terms or at all.

We are majority-owned by Hemptown Organics Corp. (“Parent”), and a small group of our officers and directors, together with certain other stockholders, hold a majority of the control of Functional Brands Inc.

We are a majority-owned subsidiary of Hemptown Organics Corp., which owns approximately 72% of our outstanding shares of common stock. Our key officers, directors and executives beneficially own approximately 17% of our company. The 72% ownership was calculated by dividing the total number of shares of Functional Brands owned by HOC by the total number of outstanding shares of Functional brands, the figure is the result of certain transactions conducted between the entities. HOC was issued 40,000,000 shares in connection with the license agreement with Functional Brands Inc. (formerly HT Naturals) and 80,000,000 shares for the transfer of the Kirkman brand to Functional Brands Inc. in May 2023, resulting in an amount equal to 120,000,000 shares. After these issuances, Hemptown Organics Corp. undertook transactions to sell 32,000,000 of its shares of Functional Brands Inc., resulting in the total amount of 88,000,000 shares held in Functional Brands. Therefore 88,000,000 divided by 122,000,000 (which is the total amount of outstanding shares of Functional Brands) is approximately 72%.

Such concentration of ownership and control could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of our company that might otherwise be beneficial to stockholders. There can be no assurance that conflicts of interest will not arise with respect to our key officers and directors, or that such conflicts will be resolved in a manner favorable to us.

We will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the listing rules of NASDAQ and, as a result, can rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to stockholders of other companies.

Because Hemptown Organics Corp. owns a majority of our common stock and will own a majority of our common stock after this offering, we will be a “controlled company” as defined under the listing rules of NASDAQ. Under NASDAQ listing rules, controlled companies are companies of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, a group, or another company. For as long as we remain a controlled company, we are permitted to elect to rely on certain exemptions from NASDAQ’s corporate governance rules, including the following:

Although we do not intend to rely on the “controlled company” exemptions to NASDAQ’s corporate governance rules, we could elect to rely on these exemptions in the future. If we elected to rely on the “controlled company” exemptions, a majority of the members of our board of directors might not be independent directors, our nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees might not consist entirely of independent directors upon closing of the offering, and you would not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to NASDAQ’s corporate governance rules.

There has been no independent valuation of our common stock, which means that our common stock may be worth less than the offering price in the offering.

The per share purchase price in the offering has been determined by us without independent valuation of our shares of common stock. We established the offering price based on management’s estimate of the valuation of shares of our common stock. This valuation is highly speculative and arbitrary. There is no relation to the market value, book value, or any other established criteria. We did not obtain an independent appraisal opinion on the valuation of our shares. Our shares of common stock may have a value significantly less than the offering price, and the shares may never obtain a value equal to or greater than the offering price.

If securities industry analysts do not publish research reports on us, or publish unfavorable reports on us, then the market price and market trading volume of our common stock could be negatively affected.

Any trading market for our common stock may be influenced in part by any research reports that securities industry analysts publish about us. We do not currently have and may never obtain research coverage by securities industry analysts. If no securities industry analysts commence coverage of us, the market price and market trading volume of our common stock could be negatively affected. In the event we are covered by analysts, and one or more of such analysts downgrade our securities, or otherwise reports on us unfavorably, or discontinues coverage of us, the market price and market trading volume of our common stock could be negatively affected.

Future issuances of our common stock or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our common stock, or the expiration of lock-up agreements that restrict the issuance of new common stock or the trading of outstanding common stock, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline and would result in the dilution of your holdings.

Future issuances of our common stock or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our common stock, or the expiration of lock-up agreements that restrict the issuance of new common stock or the trading of outstanding common stock, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. We cannot predict the effect, if any, of future issuances of our securities, or the future expirations of lock-up agreements, on the price of our common stock. In all events, future issuances of our common stock would result in the dilution of your holdings. In addition, the perception that new issuances of our securities could occur, or the perception that locked-up parties will sell their securities when the lockups expire, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. In connection with this offering, we will enter into a lock-up agreement that prevents us, subject to certain exceptions, from offering additional shares of capital stock for up to six months after the closing of this offering, as further described in the section titled “Underwriting.” In addition to any adverse effects that may arise upon the expiration of these lock-up agreements, the lock-up provisions in these agreements may be waived, at any time and without notice. If the restrictions under the lock-up agreements are waived, our common stock may become available for resale, subject to applicable law, including without notice, which could reduce the market price for our common stock.

Future issuances of debt securities, which would rank senior to our common stock upon our bankruptcy or liquidation, and future issuances of preferred stock, which could rank senior to our common stock for the purposes of dividends and liquidating distributions, may adversely affect the level of return you may be able to achieve from an investment in our common stock.

In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by offering debt securities. Upon bankruptcy or liquidation, holders of our debt securities, and lenders with respect to other borrowings we may make, would receive distributions of our available assets prior to any distributions being made to holders of our common stock. Moreover, if we issue preferred stock, the holders of such preferred stock could be entitled to preferences over holders of common stock in respect of the payment of dividends and the payment of liquidating distributions. Because our decision to issue debt or preferred stock in any future offering, or borrow money from lenders, will depend in part on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of any such future offerings or borrowings. Holders of our common stock must bear the risk that any future offerings we conduct or borrowings we make may adversely affect the level of return, if any, they may be able to achieve from an investment in our common stock.

We are authorized to issue “blank check” preferred stock without stockholder approval, which could adversely impact the rights of holders of our common stock.

Our articles of incorporation authorize us to issue shares of “blank check” preferred stock, meaning our board of directors can designate the rights and preferences of classes or series of such preferred stock without shareholder approval. Any preferred stock that we issue in the future may rank ahead of our common stock in terms of dividend priority or liquidation premiums and may have greater voting rights than our common stock. In addition, such preferred stock may contain provisions allowing those shares to be converted into shares of common stock, which could dilute the value of common stock to current stockholders and could adversely affect the market price, if any, of our common stock. In addition, the preferred stock could be utilized, under certain circumstances, as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of our company. Although we have no present intention to issue any shares of authorized preferred stock, there can be no assurance that we will not do so in the future.

If our shares of common stock become subject to the penny stock rules, it would become more difficult to trade our shares.

The Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00, other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or authorized for quotation on certain automated quotation systems, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system. If we do not retain a listing on NASDAQ or another national securities exchange and if the price of our common stock is less than $5.00, our common stock could be deemed a penny stock. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, before a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document containing specified information. In addition, the penny stock rules require that before effecting any transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, a broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive (i) the purchaser’s written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement; (ii) a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks; and (iii) a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for our common stock, and therefore shareholders may have difficulty selling their shares.

We 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 our shareholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies.

As a company with less than $1.235 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). An emerging growth company may take advantage of reduced disclosure and reporting requirements that are otherwise applicable to public companies. These provisions include, but are not limited to:

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest to occur of: (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have more than $1.235 billion in annual revenue; (ii) the date we qualify as a “large accelerated filer,” with at least $700 million of equity securities held by non-affiliates; (iii) the date on which we have issued, in any three-year period, more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; and (iv) the last day of the fiscal year ending after the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering.

We have taken advantage of the reduced disclosure obligations in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and intend to elect to take advantage of other reduced disclosure and reporting requirements in future filings. As a result, the information that we provide to our stockholders may be different than you might receive from other public reporting companies in which you hold equity interests.

We are also a “smaller reporting company,” meaning that the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates plus the proposed aggregate amount of gross proceeds to us as a result of this offering is less than $700 million and our annual revenue is less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company after this offering if either (i) the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million or (ii) our annual revenue is less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million. If we are a smaller reporting company when we cease to be an emerging growth company, we may continue to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company we may choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and, like emerging growth companies, smaller reporting companies have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s beliefs, expectations, and assumptions and on information currently available to us. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in, but not limited to, the sections entitled “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business.” These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could materially affect results. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, those listed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual events or results may vary significantly from those implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance.

The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Although we will become a public company after this offering and have ongoing disclosure obligations under United States federal securities laws, except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update or otherwise revise the forward-looking statements in this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

USE OF PROCEEDS

After deducting the estimated Underwriter discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us, we expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $4,500,000 from this offering (or approximately $[   ] if the Underwriter exercises the over-allotment option in full), based on an assumed initial public offering price of $[   ] per Unit, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows:

Each $1 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $[     ] per Unit, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease the net proceeds that we receive from this offering by approximately $[      ], assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us.

The foregoing represents our current intentions to use and allocate the net proceeds of this offering based upon our present plans and business conditions. Our management, however, will have broad discretion in the way that we use the net proceeds of this offering. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to This Offering and Ownership of Our Common Stock—We have considerable discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering and we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree.”

DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the near future. We may also enter into credit agreements or other borrowing arrangements in the future that will restrict our ability to declare or pay cash dividends on our common stock. Any future determination to declare dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. See also “Risk Factors—Risks Related to This Offering and Ownership of Our Common Stock—We do not intend to pay any cash dividends on our shares of common stock in the near future, so our shareholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell their shares.”

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of September 30, 2024:

The pro forma information below is illustrative only and our capitalization following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the initial public offering price of our common stock and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. All figures presented in the table below are rounded to the nearest thousand dollars. You should read this table together with our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed offering price per Unit of $[     ], which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, assuming no change in the number of shares to be sold, would increase or decrease the net proceeds that we receive in this offering and each of total shareholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $[     ] (or $[     ] if the Underwriter exercises its over-allotment option in full), after deducting (i) estimated underwriter commissions and (ii) offering expenses, in each case, payable by us.

DILUTION

Dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in our securities, is the amount by which the offering price paid by the purchasers of the shares of our common stock sold in this offering exceeds the pro forma net tangible book value per share of common stock immediately after this offering. Net tangible book value per share is determined at any date by subtracting our total liabilities from the total book value of our tangible assets and dividing the difference by the number of shares of common stock deemed to be outstanding at that date.

The net tangible book value of our common stock as of September 30, 2024, was approximately $[   ], or approximately $[   ] per share of common stock.

Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value dilution per share to new investors represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of our common stock in this offering and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after completion of this offering. Investors participating in this offering will incur immediate, substantial dilution. After giving effect to our sale of [   ] shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $[   ] per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2024, would have been approximately $[   ], or approximately $[   ] per share. This amount represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $[   ] per share to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in pro forma net tangible book value of $[   ] per share to purchasers of our common stock in this offering, as illustrated in the following table.

If the Underwriter exercises its over-allotment option in full, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock, as adjusted to give effect to this offering, would be $[    ] per share, and the dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share to new investors purchasing shares of common stock in this offering would be $[    ] per share.

The following table sets forth, assuming the sale of [    ] shares of our common stock in this offering, as of September 30, 2024, the total number of shares of common stock previously issued and sold by us to existing investors, the total consideration paid for the foregoing and the average price per share, before deducting estimated underwriter commissions and offering expenses (assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of common stock and assuming no exercise of the Representative’s warrants), in each case payable by us. As the table shows, new investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering may in certain circumstances pay an average price per share substantially higher than the average price per share paid by our existing shareholders.

A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed public offering price of $[    ] per share assuming the number of shares of our common stock offered by us remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriter commissions and offering expenses payable by us would increase or decrease our pro forma net tangible book value (deficit), as adjusted to give effect to this offering, to $[    ] per share ($[    ], if the Underwriter exercises its over-allotment option in full). A $1.00 increase in the assumed public offering price of $[    ] per share would increase the dilution to new investors by $[   ] per share ($[    ], if the Underwriter exercises its over-allotment option in full).

To the extent that any outstanding options or warrants are exercised, new options, restricted stock units or other securities are issued under our stock-based compensation plans, or new shares of preferred stock are issued, or we issue additional shares of common stock or warrants in the future, there will be further dilution to investors participating in this offering.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis summarize the significant factors affecting our operating results, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows of our company as of and for the periods presented below. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. The discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, our management. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this prospectus, particularly in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”.

OUR COMPANY

Overview

Our company operates in the nutraceutical supplement industry. We are a manufacturer and distributor of supplements in categories such as pain, energy, prenatal, general health, bone and joint, gastro, immunity, cardiac, detox, brain and memory, sleep, prenatal and urinary. Our end markets focus on end-consumers through different channels that include pharmacies, US wholesalers, international distributors and direct-to-consumers sales. Our products are sold over the counter, and consumers do not need a prescription to purchase our products. Our products are not approved by the FDA. Our company also operates in the hemp industry as a retailer of hemp derived products in categories such as capsules, cigarettes, gummies, and tinctures with a commercial end market, and end-consumers.

Functional Brands is a super majority owned subsidiary of HOC, a privately held British Columbia corporation. Incorporated as HT Naturals Inc. in November 2020. The Company aims to deliver the highest quality and innovative products under multiple brands. Kirkman, P2i by Kirkman Prenatal, HempTown Naturals and Golf Mellow are current brands in the market or prepared to be launched in market.

Our Products

Kirkman Brand

Our products under our “Kirkman” brand are manufactured in our cGMP certified, FDA registered manufacturing facility located in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Kirkman is a manufacturer of nutritional supplements. Founded in 1949, Kirkman is also one of the oldest nutritional supplement companies serving the special needs community.

Our Kirkman brand offers more than 150 products including probiotics, enzymes, vitamins, multivitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, immune support, essential fatty acids, preconception, prenatal supplements, personal care products and other specialty products. Kirkman treats patients with autism spectrum disorders and special dietary needs through an established network of over 2,000 doctors in over 40 countries. Our Kirkman brand operates in 95% of the major subsegments in the supplement industry. Kirkman has a long-standing loyal customer and consumer base due to the rigorous testing of products in compliance with FDA requirements. Kirkman has been endorsed by various businesses and celebrities, including the famous and original Shark Tank member, Kevin Harrington.

Digestive enzymes: Over the counter oral digestive enzyme supplements are a combination of proteases, which aid protein digestion; lipases, which aid in fat digestion; and amylases, which aid in carbohydrate digestion. These may be prescribed by a doctor in some cases, when the pancreas does not make enough digestive enzymes on its own. People are increasingly taking over the counter (“OTC”) digestive enzymes in lower doses to support general gut health.

Essential fatty acids: Also called omega-3 fatty acids, essential fatty acids are important digestive chemicals that the body cannot make on its own.

Our products under the Kirkman Brand include, but are not limited to, the following:

P2i (prenatal) Brand

We have recently launched in April 2024 a certified prenatal vitamin for expectant mothers under the P2i by Kirkman brand. These vitamins have been specially formulated by our company to provide essential nutrients for both the mother and the developing fetus. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (“FIGO”) published a position statement about toxic chemicals and environmental contaminants in prenatal vitamins. FIGO’s recommendation from the October 2023 position statement highlights that patients should only consume, and clinicians should only prescribe, vitamins and supplements that have been independently assessed to make certain they do not contain contaminants. Manufacturers should be held to a standard of production that assures safety and minimizes contaminants and certification of all prenatal vitamins becomes the standard of care. The FIGO Committee report on Climate Change and Toxic Environmental Exposures brought together global scientists to review the reputable reference sources for chemicals that have the potential to impact maternal and newborn health, including the USA Environmental Protection Agency, the European Union, and the California EPA.

The group of experts recommended several approaches, including:

This first publication of a list of toxic chemicals and contaminants represents the most comprehensive testing available at present but does not purport to identify or eliminate all potential sources of toxicity.

We are currently the only certified prenatal vitamin in the market that aligns to the FIGO position statement. We have formulated and produced a prenatal vitamin called P2i by Kirkman. There are 3.6M pregnancies alone in the United States (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/births.htm) and the initial market focus for this product will be the United States with the expectation to expand globally since FIGO’s position statement reaches all countries.

The P2i by Kirkman prenatal vitamin has been certified by The FORUM, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting low-toxicity standards for prenatal healthy products. The FORUM operates under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), a globally recognized organization of obstetricians and gynecologists. This MOU establishes a shared objective to reduce environmental toxicity in prenatal products.

HempTown Naturals Brand

All HempTown Naturals products are produced and sold in compliance with the US 2018 Farm Bill and the US Agricultural Act of 2014. CBD and CBG are cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. Both CBD and CBG are used in hemp derived products. These products are believed to help in treating certain neurodegenerative and inflammatory conditions¹.

CBD

CBD, or cannabidiol, is the second most prevalent ingredient in cannabis. While CBD is an integral component of medical marijuana, it is derived directly from the hemp plant, both of which are the same species: Cannabis sativa L. One of the hundreds of components of Cannabis sativa L., CBD does not cause a “high” by itself. According to a report from the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependance potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related products associated with the use of pure CBD.”²

As reported by Forbes Health, CBD is applied topically or consumed through smoke inhalation or edible consumption. CBD interacts with neuroreceptors in your endocannabinoid system, which sends signals between your cells to help regulate your movement, mood, homeostasis, and immune system. Different studies have shown that CBD can offset everyday anxiety and depression.³

CBG

CBG, or cannabigerol, is another compound found in hemp which doesn’t have intoxicatingly psychoactive effects. CBG, often referred to by experts as “the mother of all cannabinoids,” is the cannabinoid from which other types of cannabinoids (including CBD) are derived, says Michelle Sexton, a naturopathic doctor who works at the Pain Trauma Institute in San Diego. “CBG is the first compound in the biosynthesis (the production of chemical compounds by a living organism) of the other cannabinoids,” she adds.

CBG is available in many forms, including tinctures, gummies, capsules and topical creams and lotions. CBG is often coupled with CBD in these products because the two cannabinoids can provide complimentary benefits, such as decreasing inflammation and pain, says Fraser Smith, a naturopathic doctor, as well as assistant dean and associate professor at the National University of Health Services in Lombard, Illinois. CBD and CBG occur naturally in hemp extract which is the source of our cannabinoids.⁴

Golf Mellow Brand

The Company has utilized existing product formulations with plans to introduce 12 different products under the Golf Mellow brand. A brand logo and packaging has been created to support the existing formulations. These supplements will be targeting the golf industry and golf professionals. These products include capsules, a powder, a cream and tinctures to help golfers of all levels improve their game and overall well-being. The capsules are packed with a blend of essential vitamins and minerals that support joint health, flexibility, and energy levels. The tinctures are made from all-natural ingredients and provide a quick and easy way to support focus and mental clarity, helping athletes stay in the zone and make the perfect shot. The creams are specially designed to provide targeted relief for sore muscles and joints, helping them stay comfortable and focused on the course. Some of these products include Sleep Caps to ensure that players are well rested the night before, Super B12 Powder which provides the energy needed for the perfect round, Calm Caps which help manage anxiety when players need it most, and Epsom Salt Cream & Recovery Caps, which aids with recovery. Once we receive a purchase order, we will package the products to fulfill the respective order.

According to data from the National Golf Foundation 25.1 million people (aged six and over) played on a golf course in the United States in 2021 – furthermore there were another 12.4 million people who took part in off-course activities like driving ranges, indoor golf simulators or venues like Topgolf and Drive Shack.⁵

Competitive Strengths

The Kirkman brand has been in business for over 70 years with a loyal consumer base and we believe that we maintain high purity and quality standards in the industry. We source all materials from high quality suppliers.

We test our finished goods in certified laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment and manufacture our supplements in our US-based cGMP certified and FDA registered facility located in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The FDA requires that we conduct at least one appropriate test or examination to verify and identify any component that is a dietary ingredient. We conduct ingredient testing by verifying the identity through ISO certified 3rd party laboratories. We also test for residual solvents and pesticides (where applicable), presence of up to 24 heavy metals and microbial contamination that could lead to illness or death. Microbial tests can include, but are not limited to, aerobic plate count, yeast & mold, coliforms, E. coli, pseudomonas, staphylococcus aureus, Bile Tolerant gram negative, Salmonella, Aflatoxins and listeria. Heavy metals testing includes beryllium, aluminum, vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, molybdenum, palladium, silver, cadmium, tin, antimony, barium, tungsten, platinum, thallium, lead, uranium and mercury. For incoming raw ingredients, we ID using the following methods: Botanicals – HPLC (High Pressure Liquid Chromatography) or TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography), or an approved Chemical test; Vitamins – IR (Infrared) absorption, Chemical test, UV (Ultraviolet) absorption, UV fluorescence, GC (Gas Chromatography), HPLC; Minerals – ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasmas – Mass Spectroscopy), IR (Infrared), Chemical tests, TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography); Enzymes – HPLC (High Pressure Liquid Chromatography), PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction); Amino Acids – IR absorption, Optical Rotation, HPLC, TLC, GC (Gas Chromatography), Assay; Probiotics – PCR and HPLC; Metals – HPLC or ICP-MS; Micros – Cell culture and cell identification.

The FDA requires that a finished batch of the dietary supplement meets product specifications for identity, purity, strength, composition, and for limits on those types of contamination that may adulterate or that may lead to adulteration of the finished batch of the dietary supplement. This can be conducted for a subset of finished dietary supplement batches through a sound statistical sampling plan (or for every finished batch). For our business, we test every batch of products to ensure heavy metals are below Pop 65 limits. In addition, every batch is tested for microbial contamination. Our 75+ year history in the industry, along with our rigorous material testing, allows Kirkman to use statistical sampling to ensure the identity, purity and strength of each product is met. Our formulations use proprietary blends.

Although we are authorized to produce hemp derived products because we hold a hemp handler’s license, we currently do not grow any hemp, but we source our hemp derived products from registered growers in operation. The FDA does not require any testing on dietary supplements whereas we test for approximately 90 metals and toxins in raw materials.

As previously mentioned, we’ve recently launched P2i by Kirkman prenatal vitamin, which is the only certified prenatal vitamin that aligns to FIGO’s position statement.

The P2i by Kirkman prenatal vitamin has been certified by The FORUM, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting low-toxicity standards for prenatal healthy products. The FORUM operates under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), a globally recognized organization of obstetricians and gynecologists. This MOU establishes a shared objective to reduce environmental toxicity in prenatal products.

We have an exclusive license agreement with the Trailer Park Boys to market & sell hemp derived products. There are two product categories that include Hemp Derived Delta 9 products. This includes Delta 9 gummies and Delta 9 Drink Enhancers. These two specific products are intended for health & wellness, and recreational use. Both product categories comply with the 2018 Farm Bill where THC concentration does not exceed 0.3% on a dry weight basis. The revenue of these two product categories represents .6% of total company revenue. We executed a license agreement with the Trailer Park Boys which is in effect since July 21, 2021 and until December 31, 2024, under the license agreement as amended, the Company will pay the Trailer Park Boys, an amount equal to $200,000 with $50,000 advance against royalties payable upon execution of the agreement and $150,000 to be paid during the second year of the agreement, additionally, the Trailer Park Boys are entitled to 1,000,000 shares of the Company. The royalty rate under this agreement is between 15 - 30% of the gross sales of the company derived from sales related to the license. To date, $425,000 has been paid to the Trailer Park Boys towards the license agreement. The license agreement may be terminated with reasonable cause upon six months’ written notice or for certain triggering events without recourse or an opportunity to cure.

Growth Strategy

We aim to be a leader in the nutraceutical space by manufacturing products held to the highest standard of quality in terms of toxins, metals, and other impurities. Our goal is to build a well-rounded portfolio of products including mushroom-based supplements targeted for everyday use, prenatal, athletes and beyond.

We plan to do this by:

Challenges, Risks and Limitations 

Our ability to utilize our competitive advantages in order to strengthen and expand our business and achieve our growth plan is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties more fully discussed under “Risk Factors” in this Prospectus. As discussed in our financial statements, we have suffered recurring losses from operations and have a significant accumulated deficit. In addition, we continue to experience negative cash flows from operations. This limited working capital capabilities may delay or make the accomplishment of our growth plans difficult. In assessing the likelihood of our future success, investors in this offering should note our history of losses and the likelihood of our operating profitability in the future. Further, some of our products may be subject to unpredictable and evolving federal, state and local regulations concerning hemp, CBD and other non-tobacco consumable products. Because the type, timing, and impact of such regulations remain uncertain, we cannot give any assurance that such actions will not have a material adverse effect on this emerging business and our strategy.

Our Corporate History and Structure

Functional Brands was organized under the General Corporation Law in the state of Delaware on November 19, 2020 under the name HT Naturals Inc. HT Naturals Inc. changed its name to Functional Brands Inc. on March 23, 2023. Our principal business is the production, marketing, sales, and distribution of nutraceutical products through our Kirkman division, alongside our hemp derived products under the Hemptown brand in certain states within the United States that permit such sales. We ship our Kirkman products to all US states. As for hemp derived products, we only sell to states which permit this activity with certain restrictions such as the content of THC which differs depending on the state.

The states in which we have sold hemp derived products in the past are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California (D9 ingestible and CBD/CBG ingestible only), Colorado (CBD/CBG inhalable only), Connecticut, Delaware (D9 ingestible), Florida, Georgia (D9 ingestible and CBD/CBG ingestible only), Hawaii (CBD/CBG ingestible only), Illinois(D9 ingestible and CBD/CBG inhalable), Indiana (D9 ingestible only), Iowa (D9 ingestible only), Kansas, Kentucky (D9 ingestible only), Louisiana, Maine (D9 ingestible and CBD/CBG inhalable), Maryland (CBD/CBG inhalable only), Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (D9 and CBD/CBG ingestible only), North Carolina, North Dakota (CBD/CBG ingestible only), Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon (CBD/CBG ingestible only), Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota (D9 ingestible only), Tennessee (CBD/CBG inhalable only), Texas, Virgina (CBD/CBG ingestible and inhalable only), Washington (CBD/CBG Inhalable only), West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

We have engaged specialized hemp counsel to provide regular updates on the 50 states and the legality of our hemp products in each state. In addition, we have established and followed a standard of operating procedure (SOP) to ensure sales do not occur in the states where hemp products may not be sold consistent with the regular updates provided by our hemp counsel. We have an internal policy that prohibits us as a company and any of our executives, directors, employees, sales representatives and distributors to distribute any of the Company’s hemp derived products in places in which the sale of hemp derived products is prohibited. We are a 98% subsidiary of HOC, a British Columbia, Canada private operating holding company with various interests in nutraceutical manufacturing and federally legal industrial hemp products. We were granted a licensing agreement by Hemptown Organics Corp. The licensing agreement, dated December 10, 2020, provides Functional Brands Inc. as licensee, a license to use the Hemptown USA and Hemptown Naturals brand and trademarks on a perpetual, non-exclusive, non-transferable basis, with no expiry date. This licensing agreement will transfer full ownership to Functional Brands upon the public offering and listing on the exchange, at which time HOC will dividend out the majority of the Company’s shares currently held by HOC.

On June 28, 2019, HTO Holdings Inc. (“HTO Holdings”) a wholly owned subsidiary of HOC and the owner of all issued and outstanding stock of HTO Nevada (as “Purchaser”), entered into an asset purchase agreement (“APA”) for the net assets of Kirkman Group Inc., a Nevada corporation, Kirkman Laboratories Inc., an Oregon corporation and Kirkman Group International, Inc., a Nevada corporation (collectively “Kirkman” or the “Seller,” and together with Purchaser, the “Parties”) for a consideration equal to $5 million with payout in a business combination of cash and deferred consideration. The ’’Seller’’ is David Humphrey. Under the APA, Purchaser and HTO Holdings were to make certain additional payments toward the purchase price. The APA was amended on November 30, 2021 by the Parties with the purpose of modifying the payment schedule of the deferred consideration; and in exchange for amending the payment schedule of the deferred consideration, the Purchaser and HTO Holdings agreed to enter into a security agreement, and amend the APA and other agreements attached to the APA (including, but not limited to, the non-competition agreement, the trademark assignment agreement, the domain names transfer agreement, the assignment of intangible assets, and the intellectual property security agreement (collectively, the “IP Collateral Agreements”)) to, among other things, provide additional collateral as security to Seller. Upon payment in full in cash of the deferred consideration or set-off of the deferred consideration, as amended: (i) each of the Parties agreed that the security agreement and amended intellectual property security agreement would be automatically terminated and be of no further force and effect; and (ii) Seller would, at its sole cost and expense, release all liens in the IP Collateral, as defined in the respective security agreement and intellectual property security agreement, and all rights therein would forthwith revert to Purchaser. On May 16, 2022, the APA was amended again by the Parties, to reflect further modifications to the schedules and exhibits to the APA and IP Collateral Agreements. On May 31, 2022, Purchaser paid Seller certain amounts (“Immediate Payments”), and on July 23, 2022, Purchaser and Seller executed a forbearance agreement (“Forbearance Agreement”) to extend the payments due under the APA to August 31, 2022. After Purchaser’s default, and partial payment to Seller in September 2022, the Parties executed an amendment to the Forbearance Agreement on December 27, 2022, to extend certain payments due under the APA, at which time the remaining balance due was $3,032,000 (the “Existing Default”). Since then, a Fourth Forbearance amendment has been signed by Seller and Buyer dated September 24, 2024, where additional principal and interest payments will continue. As of January 5, 2025, the balance due to Seller is $2,342,366. We intend to use a portion of the proceeds of the public offering to cover the payment of some of the Existing Default.

As a part of our restructuring efforts, HTO Nevada, formerly owned by HTO Holdings, was acquired by Functional Brands on May 19, 2023, through a share exchange agreement executed by HOC, HTO Holdings and Functional Brands, in which HTO Holdings exchanged 1,000 restricted shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share of HTO Nevada, being all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of HTO Nevada, in exchange for 80,000,000 restricted shares of common stock of Functional Brands, $0.00001 par value per share (the “Functional Brands Shares”) to HOC, such that, HTO Nevada shall be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Functional Brands and HOC shall own 120,000,000 shares of Functional Brands. The resulting entity, Functional Brands Inc., with its wholly owned subsidiary HTO Nevada, will be the publicly listed entity. Our fiscal year-end is December 31.

Corporate Information

We are currently incorporated and in good standing in the State of Delaware. Our registered address is 6400 SW Rosewood Street, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035 and our telephone number is (800) 245-8282. We maintain the following websites: https://functtionalbrandsinc.com, https://kirkmangroup.com and https://hemptownnaturals.com. Information available on our website is not incorporated by reference in and is not deemed a part of this prospectus, and you should not consider any information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus or in deciding whether to purchase our common stock.

NASDAQ Listing

We intend to list our common stock on NASDAQ. There is no assurance that our listing application will be approved by NASDAQ. The approval of our listing on NASDAQ is a condition to closing. If our application to NASDAQ is not approved or we otherwise determine that we will not be able to secure the listing of our common stock on NASDAQ, we will not complete the offering.

Results of Operations

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024, compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

Revenue

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we generated $4,886,331 in revenue compared to $5,268,405 in revenue in 2023. Sales dropped by 7% year over year due to lower demand from contract manufacturing customers.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Cost of goods sold (COGS)

We had total cost of goods sold of $2,272,561 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, representing approximately 20% decrease compared to $2,852,939 in cost of goods sold in 2023. This decline of $580,378 is partially attributable to 7% lower net revenue recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as well as tightening control over costs and negotiating better terms with vendors.

Selling and marketing costs (S&M)

Selling and marketing costs consisted of payroll, ecommerce expenses, as well as advertising & promotion.

Selling and marketing costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, were $454,714 compared to $434,740 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The 5% increase is the result of the efforts to promote the launch of the new P2i product made by The Company.

General and administrative expenses (G&A)

General and administrative costs consisted of professional, consulting & legal fees, as well as rent & utilities, insurance and payroll.

General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, decreased to $2,248,954, compared to $2,369,918 for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The 5% decrease was primarily attributed to less consulting expenses incurred during the period.

Operating Loss

Operating loss decreased by 77% from $389,192 in during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to $89,898 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 due to the Company’s continuous work to stabilize the company by tightening costs including COGS and G&A, as described above.

Other income / (expenses)

Total other expenses decreased to $185,740 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to total other expenses $247,705 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This decrease was the result of payoff of loans during the nine months ended on September 30, 2024

Net loss

We had a net loss of $275,638 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to a net loss of $636,897 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023, compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2022

Revenue

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we generated $6,820,499 in revenue compared to $7,051,224 in revenue in 2022. Sales dropped by 3% year over year due to lower demand from contract manufacturing customers.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Cost of goods sold (COGS)

We had total cost of goods sold of $3,641,648 for the year ended December 31, 2023, representing a 10% decrease compared to $4,049,780 in cost of goods sold in 2022. This decline of $408,132 is partially attributable to 4% lower net revenue recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as tightening control over costs and negotiating better terms with vendors.

Selling and marketing costs (S&M)

Selling and marketing costs consisted of payroll, ecommerce expenses, as well as advertising & promotion.

Selling and marketing costs for the year ended December 31, 2023, were $588,772 compared to $796,860 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The 26% decrease is the result of the end of a fundraising campaign for which the company incurred significant financing costs.

General and administrative expenses (G&A)

General and administrative costs consisted of professional, consulting & legal fees, as well as rent & utilities, insurance and payroll.

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased to $3,672,582, compared to $3,542,433 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The 4% increase was primarily attributed to services and fees incurred in relation to the initial public offering, such as audit, consulting and legal fees.

Operating Loss

Operating loss decreased by 19% from $1,337,852 in 2022 to $1,082,503 in 2023 due to the Company’s continuous work to stabilize the company by tightening costs including COGS and G&A, as described above.

Other income / (expenses)

Total other expenses increased to $158,591 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to total other income $395,517 for the year ended December 31, 2022. This increase was heavily positively impacted by Payment Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiven totaling 528,586 in 2022.

Net loss

We had a net loss of $1,241,094 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a net loss of $942,335 for the year ended December 31, 2022 which was partially offset by a gain on forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program loan in the amount of $528,586.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Cash for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

The table below, for the periods indicated, provides selected cash flow information:

Material cash requirements from known contractual and other obligations:

Excluding debt obligations from ongoing operations, the Company owes $2,597,368 payable for acquisition as of December 31, 2023. On September 24, 2024, the Company executed a Forbearance Agreement with the former owner of Kirkman. This allows the postponement of principal payment. On the same date, the Company executed a Confession of Judgement in connection with the principal owed. This allowed the seller to enter a judgement against the Company in The Circuit Court of The State of Oregon for the County of Clackamas.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

We had cash provided by operating activities of $57,446 in the quarter ended September 30, 2024, as compared to cash used in operating activities of $99,795 during the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in net cash used in operating activities is attributable to lower inventory turnover, lower balance for accounts & accruals and lower balance for accounts receivable.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

We had cash used in investing $1,881 for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, as compared to $3,500 cash used in investing activities for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. This was primarily attributed to the purchase of capital property & equipment for lesser value.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

We had cash used in financing activities of $68,205 in the quarter ended September 30, 2024, as compared to cash provided by financing activities of $180,227 in 2023.  The change in net cash used in financing activities was primarily the result of payments to long term debt a repayment of line of credit and no longer raising funds for Reg CF nor Reg D.

Sources and Uses of Cash for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

The table below, for the periods indicated, provides selected cash flow information:

Material cash requirements from known contractual and other obligations:

Excluding debt obligations from ongoing operations, the Company owes $2,597,368 payable for acquisition as of December 31, 2023. On September 24, 2024, the Company executed a Forbearance Agreement with the former owner of Kirkman. This allows the postponement of principal payment. On the same date, the Company executed a Confession of Judgement in connection with the principal owed. This allowed the seller to enter a judgement against the Company in The Circuit Court of The State of Oregon for the County of Clackamas.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

We had cash provided by operating activities of $248,169 in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to cash used in operating activities of $689,880 during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities is attributable to higher inventory turnover, higher balance for accounts & accruals and stock-based compensation in 2023 as well as the gain on loan forgiveness in 2022.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

We had cash used in investing activities of $3,500 for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $967 cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022. This was primarily attributed to the purchase of capital property & equipment.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

We had cash used in financing activities of $73,061 in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to cash provided by financing activities of $552,933 in 2022.  The change in net cash used in financing activities was primarily the result of the lower amount of funds raised from the Reg CF campaign, $9,067 in 2023 compared to $1,162,867.

We anticipate that our cash needs for the next twelve months for working capital and capital expenditures will be approximately [$3,600,000]. As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately $[200,000] in cash, and we believe that our current cash and cash flow from operations will only be sufficient to meet anticipated cash needs for the next six months for working capital and capital expenditures. We will likely also require additional cash resources due to possible changed business conditions or other future developments. We plan to seek to sell additional equity securities to generate additional cash to continue operations. We may also sell debt securities to generate additional cash. The sale of equity securities, or of debt securities that are convertible into our equity, could result in additional dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of additional indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations and liquidity.

Our ability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including the following: investors’ perception of, and demand for, securities of cigarette and hemp companies; conditions of the U.S. and other capital markets in which we may seek to raise funds; future results of operations, financial condition and cash flow. Therefore, our management cannot assure that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, or if at all. Any failure by us to raise additional funds on terms favorable to us could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and financial condition.

Going Concern

In the event we are not successful in reaching our sustained revenue targets, we anticipate that depending on market conditions and our plan of operations, we will likely incur continued operating losses. We base this expectation, in part, on the fact that we may not be able to generate enough gross profit to cover our operating expenses. Consequently, we may not continue to operate as a going concern in the long term. As described in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” we are subject to many factors which could detrimentally affect us. Many of these risk factors may be outside management’s control, including demand for our products, our ability to hire and retain talented and skilled employees and service providers, as well as other factors. We do not know of any trends, demands, commitments, events or uncertainties that will result in, or that are reasonable likely to result in, our liquidity increasing or decreasing in any material way. We do not know of any significant changes in expected sources and uses of cash. We do not have any commitments or arrangements from any person to provide us with any equity capital.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We currently have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our financial statements are based on the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). GAAP requires the use of estimates; assumptions, judgments and subjective interpretations of accounting principles that have an impact on the assets, liabilities, revenue, and expense amounts reported. These estimates can also affect supplemental information contained in our external disclosures including information regarding contingencies, risk and financial condition. We believe our use of estimates and underlying accounting assumptions adhere to GAAP and are consistently and conservatively applied. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We continue to monitor significant estimates made during the preparation of our financial statements.

Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 5 to our financial statements. While these significant accounting policies impact our financial condition and results of operations, we view certain of these policies as critical. Policies determined to be critical are those policies that have the most significant impact on our financial statements and require management to use a greater degree of judgment and estimates. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Our management believes that given current facts and circumstances, it is unlikely that applying any other reasonable judgments or estimate methodologies would cause an effect on our results of operations, financial position or liquidity for the periods presented in this report.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by FASB that are adopted by us as of the specified effective date. If not discussed, management believes that the impact of recently issued standards, which are not yet effective, will not have a material impact on our financial statements upon adoption.

BUSINESS

Overview

Our company operates in the nutraceutical supplement industry. We are a manufacturer and distributor of supplements in categories such as pain, energy, prenatal, general health, bone and joint, gastro, immunity, cardiac, detox, brain and memory, sleep, prenatal and urinary. Our end markets focus on end-consumers through different channels that include pharmacies, US wholesalers, international distributors and direct-to-consumers sales. Our products are sold over the counter and consumers do not need a prescription to purchase our products. Our products are not approved by the FDA. Our company also operates in the hemp industry as a retailer of hemp derived products in categories such as capsules, cigarettes, gummies, and tinctures with a commercial end market, and end-consumers.

Functional Brands is a super majority owned subsidiary of HOC, a privately held British Columbia corporation. Incorporated as HT Naturals Inc. in November 2020. The Company aims to deliver the highest quality and innovative products under multiple brands. Kirkman, P2i by Kirkman Prenatal, HempTown Naturals and Golf Mellow are current brands in market or prepared to be launched in market.

Our Products

Kirkman Brand

Our products under our “Kirkman” brand are manufactured in our cGMP certified, FDA registered manufacturing facility located in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Kirkman is a manufacturer of nutritional supplements. Founded in 1949, Kirkman is also one of the oldest nutritional supplement companies serving the special needs community.

Our Kirkman brand offers more than 150 products including probiotics, enzymes, vitamins, multivitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, immune support, essential fatty acids, preconception, prenatal supplements, personal care products and other specialty products. Kirkman treats patients with autism spectrum disorders and special dietary needs through an established network of over 2,000 doctors in over 40 countries. Our Kirkman brand operates in 95% of the major subsegments in the supplement industry. Kirkman has a long-standing loyal customer and consumer base due to the rigorous testing of products in compliance with FDA requirements. Kirkman has been endorsed by various businesses and celebrities, including the famous and original Shark Tank member, Kevin Harrington.

Digestive enzymes: Over the counter oral digestive enzyme supplements are a combination of proteases, which aid protein digestion; lipases, which aid in fat digestion; and amylases, which aid in carbohydrate digestion. These may be prescribed by a doctor in some cases, when the pancreas does not make enough digestive enzymes on its own. People are increasingly taking over the counter (“OTC”) digestive enzymes in lower doses to support general gut health.

Essential fatty acids: Also called omega-3 fatty acids, essential fatty acids are important digestive chemicals that the body cannot make on its own.

Our products under the Kirkman Brand include, but are not limited to, the following:

P2i (prenatal) Brand

We have recently launched in April 2024, a certified prenatal vitamin for expectant mothers under the P2i by Kirkman brand. These vitamins have been specially formulated by our company to provide essential nutrients for both the mother and the developing fetus. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (“FIGO”) published a position statement about toxic chemicals and environmental contaminants in prenatal vitamins. FIGO’s recommendation from the October 2023 position statement highlights that patients should only consume, and clinicians should only prescribe, vitamins and supplements that have been independently assessed to make certain they do not contain contaminants. Manufacturers should be held to a standard of production that assures safety and minimizes contaminants and certification of all prenatal vitamins becomes the standard of care. The FIGO Committee report on Climate Change and Toxic Environmental Exposures brought together global scientists to review the reputable reference sources for chemicals that have the potential to impact maternal and newborn health, including the USA Environmental Protection Agency, the European Union, and the California EPA.

The group of experts recommended several approaches, including:

This first publication of a list of toxic chemicals and contaminants represents the most comprehensive testing available at present but does not purport to identify or eliminate all potential sources of toxicity.

We are currently the only certified prenatal vitamin in the market that aligns to the FIGO position statement. We have formulated and produced a prenatal vitamin called P2i by Kirkman. There are 3.6M pregnancies alone in the United States (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/births.htm) and the initial market focus for this product will be the United States with the expectation to expand globally since FIGO’s position statement reaches all countries.

The P2i by Kirkman prenatal vitamin has been certified by The FORUM, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting low-toxicity standards for prenatal healthy products. The FORUM operates under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), a globally recognized organization of obstetricians and gynecologists. This MOU establishes a shared objective to reduce environmental toxicity in prenatal products.

HempTown Naturals Brand

All HempTown Naturals products are produced and sold in compliance with the US 2018 Farm Bill and the US Agricultural Act of 2014. CBD and CBG are cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. Both CBD and CBG are used in hemp derived products. These products are believed to help in treating certain neurodegenerative and inflammatory conditions¹.

CBD

CBD, or cannabidiol, is the second most prevalent ingredient in cannabis. While CBD is an integral component of medical marijuana, it is derived directly from the hemp plant, both of which are the same species: Cannabis sativa L. One of the hundreds of components of Cannabis sativa L., CBD does not cause a “high” by itself. According to a report from the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependance potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related products associated with the use of pure CBD.”²

As reported by Forbes Health, CBD is applied topically or consumed through smoke inhalation or edible consumption. CBD interacts with neuroreceptors in your endocannabinoid system, which sends signals between your cells to help regulate your movement, mood, homeostasis, and immune system. Different studies have shown that CBD can offset everyday anxiety and depression.³

CBG

CBG, or cannabigerol, is another compound found in hemp which doesn’t have intoxicatingly psychoactive effects. CBG, often referred to by experts as “the mother of all cannabinoids,” is the cannabinoid from which other types of cannabinoids (including CBD) are derived, says Michelle Sexton, a naturopathic doctor who works at the Pain Trauma Institute in San Diego. “CBG is the first compound in the biosynthesis (the production of chemical compounds by a living organism) of the other cannabinoids,” she adds.

CBG is available in many forms, including tinctures, gummies, capsules and topical creams and lotions. CBG is often coupled with CBD in these products because the two cannabinoids can provide complimentary benefits, such as decreasing inflammation and pain, says Fraser Smith, a naturopathic doctor, as well as assistant dean and associate professor at the National University of Health Services in Lombard, Illinois. CBD and CBG occur naturally in hemp extract which is the source of our cannabinoids.⁴

1	https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cgb-vs-cbd
2	www.health.harvard.edu
3	www.forbes.com/health/body/cbd-oil-benefits/
4	www.forbes.com/health/body/cannabigerol-cbg/

Golf Mellow Brand. The Company has utilized existing product formulations with plans to introduce 12 different products under the Golf Mellow brand. A brand logo and packaging has been created to support the existing formulations. These supplements will be targeting the golf industry and golf professionals. These products include capsules, a powder, a cream and tinctures to help golfers of all levels improve their game and overall well-being. The capsules are packed with a blend of essential vitamins and minerals that support joint health, flexibility, and energy levels. The tinctures are made from all-natural ingredients and provide a quick and easy way to support focus and mental clarity, helping athletes stay in the zone and make the perfect shot. The creams are specially designed to provide targeted relief for sore muscles and joints, helping them stay comfortable and focused on the course. Some of these products include Sleep Caps to ensure that players are well rested the night before, Super B12 Powder which provides the energy needed for the perfect round, Calm Caps which help manage anxiety when players need it most, and Epsom Salt Cream & Recovery Caps, which aids with recovery. Once we receive a purchase order, we will package the products to fulfill the respective order.

According to data from the National Golf Foundation 25.1 million people (aged six and over) played on a golf course in the United States in 2021 – furthermore there were another 12.4 million people who took part in off-course activities like driving ranges, indoor golf simulators or venues like Topgolf and Drive Shack.⁵

Competitive Strengths

The Kirkman brand has been in business for over 70 years with a loyal consumer base and we believe that we maintain high purity and quality standards in the industry. We source all materials from high quality suppliers. We test our finished goods in certified laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment and manufacture our supplements in our US-based cGMP certified and FDA registered facility located in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The FDA requires that we conduct at least one appropriate test or examination to verify and identify any component that is a dietary ingredient. We conduct ingredient testing by verifying the identity through ISO certified 3rd party laboratories. We also test for residual solvents and pesticides (where applicable), presence of up to 24 heavy metals and microbial contamination that could lead to illness or death. Microbial tests can include, but are not limited to, aerobic plate count, yeast & mold, coliforms, E. coli, pseudomonas, staphylococcus aureus, Bile Tolerant gram negative, Salmonella, Aflatoxins and listeria. Heavy metals testing includes beryllium, aluminum, vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, molybdenum, palladium, silver, cadmium, tin, antimony, barium, tungsten, platinum, thallium, lead, uranium and mercury. For incoming raw ingredients, we ID using the following methods: Botanicals – HPLC (High Pressure Liquid Chromatography) or TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography), or an approved Chemical test; Vitamins – IR (Infrared) absorption, Chemical test, UV (Ultraviolet) absorption, UV fluorescence, GC (Gas Chromatography), HPLC; Minerals – ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasmas – Mass Spectroscopy), IR (Infrared), Chemical tests, TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography); Enzymes – HPLC (High Pressure Liquid Chromatography), PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction); Amino Acids – IR absorption, Optical Rotation, HPLC, TLC, GC (Gas Chromatography), Assay; Probiotics – PCR and HPLC; Metals – HPLC or ICP-MS; Micros – Cell culture and cell identification. The FDA requires that a finished batch of the dietary supplement meets product specifications for identity, purity, strength, composition, and for limits on those types of contamination that may adulterate or that may lead to adulteration of the finished batch of the dietary supplement. This can be conducted for a subset of finished dietary supplement batches through a sound statistical sampling plan (or for every finished batch). For our business, we test every batch of products to ensure heavy metals are below Pop 65 limits. In addition, every batch is tested for microbial contamination. Our 75+ year history in the industry, along with our rigorous material testing, allows Kirkman to use statistical sampling to ensure the identity, purity and strength of each product is met. Our formulations use proprietary blends. Although we are authorized to produce hemp derived products because we hold a hemp handler’s license, we currently do not grow any hemp, but we source our hemp derived products from registered growers in operation. The FDA does not require any testing on dietary supplements whereas we test for approximately 90 metals and toxins in raw materials.

As previously mentioned, we’ve recently launched P2i by Kirkman prenatal vitamin, which is the only certified prenatal vitamin that aligns to FIGO’s position statement.

The P2i by Kirkman prenatal vitamin has been certified by The FORUM, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting low-toxicity standards for prenatal healthy products. The FORUM operates under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), a globally recognized organization of obstetricians and gynecologists. This MOU establishes a shared objective to reduce environmental toxicity in prenatal products.

We have an exclusive license agreement with the Trailer Park Boys to market & sell hemp derived products. There are two product categories that include Hemp Derived Delta 9 products. This includes Delta 9 gummies and Delta 9 Drink Enhancers. These two specific products are intended for health & wellness, and recreational use. Both product categories comply with the 2018 Farm Bill where THC concentration does not exceed 0.3% on a dry weight basis. The revenue of these two product categories represents .6% of total company revenue. We executed a license agreement with the Trailer Park Boys which is in effect since July 21, 2021 and until December 31, 2025, under the license agreement as amended, the Company will pay the Trailer Park Boys, an amount equal to $200,000 with $50,000 advance against royalties payable upon execution of the agreement and $150,000 to be paid during the second year of the agreement, additionally, the Trailer Park Boys are entitled to 1,000,000 shares of the Company. The royalty rates under this agreement are between 15% - 30% of the net sales of the company derived from sales related to the license. To date, $425,000 has been paid to the Trailer Park Boys towards the license agreement. The license agreement may be terminated with reasonable cause upon six months’ written notice or for certain triggering events without recourse or an opportunity to cure.

Growth Strategy

We aim to be a leader in the nutraceutical space by manufacturing products held to the highest standard of quality in terms of toxins, metals, and other impurities. Our goal is to build a well-rounded portfolio of products, including mushroom-based supplements targeted for everyday use, prenatal, athletes and beyond.

We plan to do this by:

Challenges, Risks and Limitations 

Our ability to utilize our competitive advantages in order to strengthen and expand our business and achieve our growth plan is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties more fully discussed under “Risk Factors” in this Prospectus. As discussed in our financial statements, we have suffered recurring losses from operations and have a significant accumulated deficit. In addition, we continue to experience negative cash flows from operations. This limited working capital capabilities may delay or make the accomplishment of our growth plans difficult. In assessing the likelihood of our future success, investors in this offering should note our history of losses and the likelihood of our operating profitably in the future. Further, some of our products may be subject to uncertain and evolving federal, state and local regulations concerning hemp, CBD and other non-tobacco consumable products. Because the type, timing, and impact of such regulations remains uncertain, we cannot give any assurance that such actions will not have a material adverse effect on this emerging business and our strategy.

Our Corporate History and Structure

Functional Brands was organized under the General Corporation Law in the state of Delaware on November 19, 2020 under the name HT Naturals Inc. HT Naturals Inc. changed its name to Functional Brands Inc. on March 23, 2023. Our principal business is the production, marketing, sales, and distribution of nutraceutical products through our Kirkman division, alongside our hemp derived products under the Hemptown brand in certain states within the United States that permit such sales. We ship our Kirkman products to all US states. As for hemp derived products, we only sell to states which permit this activity with certain restrictions such as the content of THC which differs depending on the state.

The states in which we have sold hemp derived products in the past are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California (D9 ingestible and CBD/CBG ingestible only), Colorado (CBD/CBG inhalable only), Connecticut, Delaware (D9 ingestible), Florida, Georgia (D9 ingestible and CBD/CBG ingestible only), Hawaii (CBD/CBG ingestible only), Illinois(D9 ingestible and CBD/CBG inhalable), Indiana (D9 ingestible only), Iowa (D9 ingestible only), Kansas, Kentucky (D9 ingestible only), Louisiana, Maine (D9 ingestible and CBD/CBG inhalable), Maryland (CBD/CBG inhalable only), Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (D9 and CBD/CBG ingestible only), North Carolina, North Dakota (CBD/CBG ingestible only), Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon (CBD/CBG ingestible only), Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota (D9 ingestible only), Tennessee (CBD/CBG inhalable only), Texas, Virgina (CBD/CBG ingestible and inhalable only), Washington (CBD/CBG Inhalable only), West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. We have engaged specialized hemp counsel to provide regular updates on the 50 states and the legality of our hemp products in each state. In addition, we have established and follow a standard of operating procedure (SOP) to ensure sales do not occur in the states where hemp products may not be sold consistent with the regular updates provided by our hemp counsel. We have an internal policy that prohibits us as a company and any of our executives, directors, employees, sales representatives and distributors to distribute any of the Company’s hemp derived products in places in which the sale of hemp derived products is prohibited. We are a 98% subsidiary of HOC, a British Columbia, Canada private operating holding company with various interests in nutraceutical manufacturing and federally legal industrial hemp products. We were granted a licensing agreement by Hemptown Organics Corp. The licensing agreement, dated December 10, 2020, provides Functional Brands Inc. as licensee, a license to use the Hemptown USA and Hemptown Naturals brand and trademarks on a perpetual, non-exclusive, non-transferable basis, with no expiry date. This licensing agreement will transfer to full ownership to Functional Brands upon the public offering and listing on the exchange, at which time HOC will dividend out the majority of the Company’s shares currently held by HOC.

On June 28, 2019, HTO Holdings Inc. (“HTO Holdings”) a wholly owned subsidiary of HOC and the owner of all issued and outstanding stock of HTO Nevada (as “Purchaser”), entered into an asset purchase agreement (“APA”) for the net assets of Kirkman Group Inc. a Nevada corporation, Kirkman Laboratories Inc., an Oregon corporation and Kirkman Group International, Inc. a Nevada corporation (collectively “Kirkman” or the “Seller,” and together with Purchaser, the “Parties”) for a consideration equal to $5 million with payout in a business combination of cash and deferred consideration. The ’’Seller’’ is David Humphrey. Under the APA, Purchaser and HTO Holdings were to make certain additional payments toward the purchase price. The APA was amended on November 30, 2021 by the Parties with the purpose of modifying the payment schedule of the deferred consideration; and in exchange for amending the payment schedule of the deferred consideration, the Purchaser and HTO Holdings agreed to enter into a security agreement, and amend the APA and other agreements attached to the APA (including, but not limited to, the non-competition agreement, the trademark assignment agreement, the domain names transfer agreement, the assignment of intangible assets, and the intellectual property security agreement (collectively, the “IP Collateral Agreements”)) to, among other things, provide additional collateral as security to Seller. Upon payment in full in cash of the deferred consideration or set-off of the deferred consideration, as amended: (i) each of the Parties agreed that the security agreement and amended intellectual property security agreement would be automatically terminated and be of no further force and effect; and (ii) Seller would, at its sole cost and expense, release all liens in the IP Collateral, as defined in the respective security agreement and intellectual property security agreement, and all rights therein would forthwith revert to Purchaser. On May 16, 2022, the APA was amended again by the Parties, to reflect further modifications to the schedules and exhibits to the APA and IP Collateral Agreements. On May 31, 2022, Purchaser paid Seller certain amounts (“Immediate Payments”), and on July 23, 2022, Purchaser and Seller executed a forbearance agreement (“Forbearance Agreement”) to extend the payments due under the APA to August 31, 2022. After Purchaser’s default, and partial payment to Seller in September 2022, the Parties executed an amendment to the Forbearance Agreement on December 27, 2022, to extend certain payments due under the APA, at which time the remaining balance due was $3,032,000 (the “Existing Default”). Since then, a Fourth Forbearance amendment has been signed by Seller and Buyer dated September 24, 2024, where additional principal and interest payments will continue. As of September 1, 2024, the balance due to Seller is $2,417,366. We intend to use a portion of the proceeds of the public offering to cover the payment of some of the Existing Default.

As a part of our restructuring efforts, HTO Nevada, formerly owned by HTO Holdings, was acquired by Functional Brands on May 19, 2023, through a share exchange agreement executed by HOC, HTO Holdings and Functional Brands, in which HTO Holdings exchanged 1,000 restricted shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share of HTO Nevada, being all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of HTO Nevada, in exchange for 80,000,000 restricted shares of common stock of Functional Brands, $0.00001 par value per share (the “Functional Brands Shares”) to HOC, such that, HTO Nevada shall be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Functional Brands and HOC shall own 120,000,000 shares of Functional Brands. The resulting entity, Functional Brands Inc., with its wholly owned subsidiary HTO Nevada, will be the publicly listed entity. Our fiscal year-end is December 31.

Industry

According to Grand View Research, the Global Nutritional Supplements Market is valued at approximately $405.15B in 2023, and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% from 2023 to 2030. Growing attention to health has significantly helped the market thrive. Moreover, the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases has resulted in the faster adoption of nutritional supplements to enrich overall well-being. According to the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD), approximately 75% of deaths globally occur due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Thus, these alarming statistics have shifted the focus on well-being and health, which is expected to increase the demand for nutritional supplements.

The United States Nutritional Supplements Market is valuated at approximately $95.2 billion in 2023 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from 2023 to 2030. The United States accounted for 23.5% of the global nutritional supplements market in 2023. The U.S. is expected to lead the global market in terms of revenue in 2030. North America nutritional supplements market is projected to lead the regional market in terms of revenue in 2030.

According to Grand View Research, the United States Dietary Supplement Market is valued at approximately $53.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2024 to 2030. The United States emerged as a leading market for dietary supplements in the North America region owing to the higher spending capacity of the consumers. Increasing spending on healthcare products, the rising geriatric population, rising interest in preventive healthcare, and growing interest in attaining wellness through diet are expected to augment market growth over the forecast period. We expect that a growing number of fitness centers, health clubs and gymnasiums coupled with growing awareness about fitness among younger generations will increase the demand for energy and weight management. Increasing acceptance of sports as a career is expected to increase the demand for sports nutrition, which we expect will benefit the market for dietary supplements.

According to Grand View Research, the global prenatal vitamin supplement market was valued at USD 542.8 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2024 to 2030. Increasing awareness about healthy eating habits and proper medication among pregnant women is the major factor driving the market. The overweight and sedentary lifestyle of pregnant women increases the deficiency of minerals and vitamins. In addition, malnutrition in infants, increasing incidence of other congenital disabilities, and increasing awareness about the benefits of prenatal supplements are some of the factors driving the market. The U.S. prenatal vitamin supplements market was identified as a lucrative region in 2023. Strong endorsements and guidelines from healthcare providers such as the CDC and ACOG bolster confidence in the efficacy and necessity of prenatal vitamins among expectant mothers, driving widespread adoption and market growth in the U.S. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), during pregnancy, essential nutrients such as iron, folic acid, choline, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, B vitamins, and vitamin C are crucial for fetal development and maternal health. A balanced diet rich in sources such as leafy greens, dairy, lean meats, fortified foods, and a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid ensures adequate intake to support both mother and baby’s needs.

According to Grand View Research, the global CBD consumer health market was valued at USD $19.5B in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 18.1% during the forecast period. The leading factor attributed to the growth is the positive government reforms for the legalization of CBD in various regions. CBD consumer products are gaining significant acceptance due to the rising awareness of their health benefits. Furthermore, the demand for hemp-derived CBD products is increasing globally due to the legalization of hemp in various countries. These statements have not been reviewed and/or approved by the FDA. The U.S. market value for CBD in 2023 was valued at USD $8.3B, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.6% through 2030.

We believe that increasing awareness regarding CBD’s benefits has influenced buyers to buy CBD products. Because CBD products have a greater profit margin, commercial retailers are now focusing on selling cannabis-based products. Numerous health and wellness retailers, such as Rite Aid, CVS Health, and Walgreens Boots Alliance are now offering CBD-based products. For example, CVS Health decided to offer CBD topicals at its 800 stores and Walgreens Boots Alliance is selling CBD-containing topicals across 1,500 of its stores in the United States. As referenced by Forbes health, there are several benefits for CBD that include offsetting anxiety and depression, treating select epilepsy syndromes, reducing PTSD symptoms, treating opioid addiction, alleviating ALS symptoms, relieving unmanageable pain, easing diabetic complications, protecting against neurological disease, and inhibiting arthritic symptoms. Given the growing cannabidiol (CBD) products market, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has convened a high-level internal working group to explore potential regulatory pathways for CBD products. On January 26, 2023, the FDA announced that it would not seek to regulate CBD as a dietary supplement. Rather, after careful review, the FDA has concluded that a new regulatory pathway for CBD is needed that balances individuals’ desire for access to CBD products with the regulatory oversight needed to manage risks. The agency is prepared to work with Congress on this matter¹⁰. With FDA’s lack of regulating CBD products, numerous states have authorized hemp-derived extract (CBD and other cannabinoids) products and affirmatively regulate their consumer safety. Meanwhile, FDA’s enforcement priorities focus directly on disease claims and intoxicating products appealing to children. As discussed above, we make sure that our products and marketing collateral neither make disease claims or appeal to youth¹¹. FDA still has not issued any regulations regarding CBD. The agency is awaiting direction from Congress.

FDA has approved Epidiolex, which contains a purified form of the drug substance cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of seizure associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome in patients 2 years of age and older. That means the FDA has concluded that this particular drug product is safe and effective for its intended use.

The FDA has also approved Marinl and Syndros for therapeutic uses in the United States, including for nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy and for the treatment of anorexia associated with weight loss in AIDS patients. Mariol and Syndros include the active ingredient dronabinol, a synthetic delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is considered the psychoactive intoxicating component of cannabis (i.e. the component responsible for the ’‘high’’ people may experience from using cannabis). Another FDA-approved drug, Cesamet, contains the active ingredient nabilone, which has a chemical structure to THC and is synthetically derived. Cesamet, like dronabinol-containing products, is indicated for nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy.

According to Grand View Research, CBD derived from hemp is anticipated to witness rapid growth owing to the increasing demand from the pharmaceutical sector and rising awareness among consumers regarding health. Increasing consumer disposable income along with the legalization of medicinal cannabis is anticipated to have a positive impact on the demand for CBD in the pharmaceutical sector. Oils, tinctures, concentrates, capsules, topical solutions such as salves, lip balms, lotions and edibles such as baked goods, coffee, chocolates, gums and candies are some of the CBD products that are in high demand.

Competitive Strengths

Our competitive strengths lie in the fact that the Kirkman brand has been in business for over 70 years with a loyal consumer base and we believe that we maintain high purity and quality standards in the industry. We source all materials from high quality suppliers. We test our finished goods in certified laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment and manufacture our supplements in our US-based cGMP certified and FDA registered facility located in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Our formulations use proprietary blends. Although we are authorized to produce hemp derived products because we hold a hemp handler’s license, we currently do not grow any hemp. Instead, we source our hemp derived products from registered growers in operation. Our products are not FDA approved and they do not require a prescription; all our products are sold over the counter. The FDA does not require any testing on dietary supplements; however, we test for approximately 90 metals and toxins in raw materials.

Growth Strategy

We aim to be a leader in the nutraceutical space by manufacturing products held to the highest standard of quality in terms of toxins, metals, and other impurities. Our goal is to build a well-rounded portfolio of products including regular as well as mushroom-based supplements targeted for everyday use, prenatal, athletes and beyond.

We plan to do this by using the net proceeds from the Offering in the following manner. Net proceeds are defined after deducting the estimated underwriter discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us, we expect to invest the net process of approximately $4,500,000.

Why do people on the spectrum need supplements?

Some on the spectrum are restrictive in what they will eat, preferring certain textures or colors over others. This can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies since they aren’t eating a wide variety of food types.

According to Grand View Research, there is evidence that people with autism may not absorb or metabolize nutrients in the way that persons without autism absorb or metabolize nutrients. This could mean that even if persons with autism are consuming the nutrients they need, their body cannot utilize them effectively.

Technology & Intellectual Property

On December 10, 2020, we were granted a licensing agreement from Hemptown Organics Corp. The licensing agreement, dated December 10, 2020, provides Functional Brands Inc. as licensee, a license to use the Hemptown USA and Hemptown Naturals brands and trademarks on a perpetual, non-exclusive, non-transferable basis, with no expiry date. This licensing agreement will be transferred to full ownership to Functional Brands upon the completion of the Offering, at which time HOC will dividend out the majority of the Company’s shares currently held by HOC.

The following is a list of our current trademark registrations:

Marketing

We market our products through various sales channels, primarily trade shows and through print and digital advertisements, focusing on several customer types. These customers include consumers, wholesalers, distributors, and those seeking private label products. We repeatedly test new marketing venues, platforms and approaches and measure results to improve the cost-effectiveness of our efforts.

Trade Shows

We participate in a variety of trade shows each year with differing attendee focuses. These include health and wellness shows, Autism conferences, OBGYN conferences, convenience and grocery stores, consumer product distribution, and private labels.

Digital and Printed Advertisements

We utilize sophisticated digital tools to place ads primarily through Google and Facebook (now Meta) that target potential customers and those showing interest in our products. In addition, we have recently begun to place traditional print ads in journals and magazines focused on convenience stores, distributors, and private label products.

In addition to new prospect acquisition programs, our marketing team produces newsletters that are distributed to our contacts with the goal of keeping our company top-of-mind, and this newsletter has historically resulted in conversion of contacts into current customers.

Customers and Markets

We sell our Kirkman branded supplements to 45 countries through international distributors that have partnered with the Kirkman brand for two decades. We have recurring consumers that purchase Kirkman brand products via our website at www.kirkmangroup.com, as well as through Amazon. Our core B2B customers are iHerb, Emerson and FullScript. We also have several hundred direct customers, classified as professionals, where we sell our supplements. These customers include doctors, chiropractors, and practitioners who sell our products to their patients. In addition, we plan to focus our commercial efforts for P2i by Kirkman prenatal to OBGYN’s and expectant mothers.

Our hemp related products are sold in the United States. We have several thousand customers on our e-commerce sites. For Hemptown Naturals, we have 3,189 subscribers and 6,355 non-investor emails in our database. For Kirkman, we have 36,762 active emails in our email database. As for our white/private label business, we have twelve customers who use us to manufacture white/private label products for them.

Competition

Facilities

We lease a 24,000 square foot facility located in Lake Oswego, OR. This facility houses our manufacturing operation, warehouse, back-end offices and fulfillment center. Although we are authorized to produce hemp derived products because we hold a hemp handler’s license, we currently do not grow any hemp, instead, we source our hemp derived products from registered growers in operation.

Employees

As of the date of this prospectus, we have 40 full-time employees and 1 part-time employee, and we consider our employee relations to be good. Our human capital resource objectives are designed to attract, and retain, highly motivated and well-qualified employees. We have worked diligently to provide a flexible and safe work environment. The health and safety of our employees and clientele is of the upmost importance to us.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business.

On May 25, 2021, True Health Medical Center, S.C. (“True Health”) amended an existing complaint against Kirkman Group, Inc. (“Kirkman”), James Hall and David Humphries to assert claims against HTO Nevada, Inc. and HTO Holdings, Inc. (collectively, HTO Nevada, Inc. and HTO Holdings, Inc. are referred to as the “HTO Parties”). Kirkman is the seller of certain assets to the HTO Parties and is a separate legal entity. Affiliates of the HTO Parties were first named in the lawsuit on September 23, 2020. The case is pending in the Circuit Court for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, DuPage County, Illinois. Kirkman had terminated a royalty agreement prior to selling its assets to the HTO Parties but the royalty agreement has a provision that allows True Health to continue to receive royalties after the termination of the agreement. True Health claims that Kirkman underpaid the royalties due to True Health prior to the sale of assets to the HTO Parties. There is no dispute that Kirkman stopped paying royalties to True Health around the time it terminated the agreement and that the HTO Parties have never paid royalties to True Health. True Health contends that as the purchaser of certain Kirkman assets, the HTO Parties should be bound by the terms of the royalty agreement. There is no certain amount at this time in connection with the alleged in the damages claim against the HTO Parties. It is not possible to predict the outcome of this proceeding at this time. To date, the parties have engaged in some discovery including a limited number of depositions. True Health has filed a motion for summary judgment that addresses its claims against Kirkman, but does not address any claim against the HTO Parties. Briefing is not yet complete on the summary judgment motion and a ruling is likely more than 60 days away. Regardless of how the court rules on summary judgment, there will be remaining claims in the case and it is likely that additional discovery will be conducted. No trial date has been scheduled at this time.

Regulation

Trade Regulations

Our suppliers generally source or manufacture finished goods in parts of the world that may be affected by the imposition of duties, tariffs or other import regulations by the United States. We believe that our redundant network of suppliers provides sufficient capacity to mitigate any dependency risks on a single supplier.

We buy necessary components or ingredients for our products from suppliers or factories both domestically and internationally. We do not depend on any single supplier. However, if we are unable to continue to obtain our finished products from international locations or if our suppliers are unable to source raw materials, it could significantly disrupt our business. Further, we are affected by economic, political and other conditions in the United States and internationally, including those resulting in the imposition or increase of import duties, tariffs and other import regulations and widespread health emergencies, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Laws and Regulations Relating to Our Products

Nutraceutical

The dietary supplement industry is regulated on a federal level in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) as well as by government agencies in each of the 50 states. FDA regulates both finished dietary supplement products and dietary ingredients. FDA regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering “conventional” foods and drug products. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA):

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as amended by DSHEA and FDA regulations. The FDA has the authority to take action against any adulterated or misbranded dietary supplement product after it reaches the market. Most dietary supplement manufacturing, labeling and marketing is covered by extensive regulations issued and enforced by the FDA and the FTC. The FDA has regulatory authority under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act as amended in 1994 by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) and in 2006 by the Dietary Supplement and Nonprescription Drug Consumer Protection Act. Under the DSHEA, dietary supplements are regulated as a category of food. The FDA regulates both finished dietary supplement products and dietary ingredients. By law, it is illegal to manufacture or market dietary supplement products that are adulterated or misbranded, and the FDA has regulatory authority to remove such products from the marketplace.

Key Regulations

Responsible companies in the dietary supplement industry abide by extensive regulations that cover manufacturing, labeling, quality control, safety, post-market surveillance and more.

New Dietary Ingredient Notifications

The Food Drug & Cosmetic Act, as amended by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), established that dietary supplements that were in commerce prior to 1994 have a history of safe use, and therefore, can remain on the market without additional safety review. All new ingredients marketed after that date, however, must submit a formal 75-day notice along with evidence that the product is reasonably expected to be safe. This is referred to as a new dietary ingredient (NDI) notification. If the FDA has concerns about the ingredient or its safety profile, the agency has clear authority to request more information or to reject the notification and deny the product’s entry into the market. 

Dietary Supplement Labeling Requirements

The following are the minimum labeling requirements:

The statement must include the product name and identify itself as a dietary supplement. Although you may replace the term dietary with the type of ingredients that are in the product, having one of them on the product label is a mandatory requirement. The product must be labeled either as conventional foods and beverages or dietary supplement based on its actuals.

The net quantity of content informs consumers of the amount of dietary supplement that is in the container or package. The net quantity of content must be located on the product label as a distinct item in the bottom 30 percent of the principal display panel in lines generally parallel to the base of the container.

The supplement facts must contain the list of names and quantities of dietary ingredients present in the product’s serving size and servings per container.

The list of ingredients must be displayed in descending order of predominance by weight. If all source ingredients are listed in the supplement facts panel, and there are no other ingredients, such as excipients or fillers, an ingredient statement is not needed.

Other details required include manufacturer, packer, or distributor name and address, and domestic U.S. mail address and phone number to which a consumer can report a serious adverse event. If an adverse event is reported, the company must notify the FDA.

Hemp and marijuana regulatory regimes in each state where we sell hemp derived products.

Good Manufacturing Practices

Good manufacturing practices (“GMPs”) for dietary supplements are specific rules for the manufacturing processes of vitamins, minerals, herbs and botanicals, amino acids and all other supplements. Finalized in 2007, these rigorous practices impose higher standards on dietary supplements than food GMPs applied to conventional foods. Dietary supplement GMPs include thorough requirements for identity testing for all ingredients as they arrive at the manufacturer’s site.  Manufacturers must qualify their suppliers before receiving goods, incoming ingredients must be quarantined until their identity is confirmed using scientifically valid methods of analysis, and all components of dietary supplements must meet specifications established by the manufacturer regardless of where the ingredient was sourced.

Manufacturers are accountable to the FDA for the manufacturing process as well as the ingredients. During an inspection, the FDA has access to all the manufacturers’ records, including access to the country of origin of all supplement ingredients. The existing bioterrorism law already requires all parties in the production and distribution of dietary ingredients to keep records of suppliers and customers (“one up and one down”) that permit the agency to trace the pedigree of ingredients back to their original source. In addition, the GMP rules examine sanitation, batch records for production, employee training, validation of the manufacturing procedures, and testing final products for conformance with the label.

Adverse Event Reporting

In 2006, Congress passed The Dietary Supplement and Nonprescription Drug Consumer Protection Act, commonly referred to as the “adverse event reporting law.” The passage of this law was strongly supported by CRN and others in the industry as it provides an important regulatory tool for the FDA to protect consumers. Under this law, dietary supplement companies are required to report serious adverse events to the FDA no later than 15 business days after the company receives the report.

This post-market surveillance program alerts the FDA to possible signals or potential patterns of a problem, enabling the agency to identify concerns with ingredient safety, manufacturing issues, contamination (of either raw ingredients or finished products), tampering, and even bioterrorism. However, adverse events do not demonstrate a causal relationship between the product and the event.

Since the law went into effect, the dietary supplement industry’s track record demonstrates a strong safety profile for the industry’s products both in comparison to other FDA-regulated industries and considering that more than 170 million Americans take dietary supplements. In 2016, the FDA announced it would make data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) public.

Additional Safety Protections

Once a dietary supplement enters the stream of commerce, the FDA may remove a product if it is “adulterated” or “misbranded.” A product is considered adulterated if it contains unlisted ingredients or is not prepared or packaged under good manufacturing conditions. It is misbranded if its labeling is false or misleading.  In either case, the agency has enforcement authority to seize and destroy the product, impose fines or even imprisonment. In addition, the FDA can remove a product from the market if it “presents a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury” under conditions of use recommended in its labeling. A separate provision gives the FDA authority to declare a product “an imminent hazard to public health or safety.” In less dramatic situations, the FDA can request manufacturers to modify products and claims or to provide warnings to consumers. The Food Safety & Modernization Act, signed into law in 2011, gave the FDA additional authority to issue a mandatory recall when a company fails to voluntarily recall an unsafe food (including dietary supplements) after being asked to by the FDA.

Food Safety Regulations

Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 111: Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements

This regulation applies to manufacturers, packagers, labelers, or holders and includes importers as well. The manufacturing facilities of certain types of human food including dietary supplements are required to have a production and process control system in place.

Hemp

The production, distribution and sale in the United States of many of our products are subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Lanham Act, state consumer protection laws, competition laws, federal, state and local workplace health and safety laws, various federal, state and local environmental protection laws, various other federal, state and local statutes applicable to the production, transportation, sale, safety, advertising, labeling and ingredients of such products, and rules and regulations adopted pursuant to these laws. Outside the United States, the distribution and sale of our many products and related operations are also subject to numerous similar and other statutes and regulations. We only sell our hemp derived products to states which permit this activity with certain restrictions such as the content of THC which differs depending on the state.

On December 20, 2018, the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, which is also known as the “2018 Farm Bill,” was enacted and, among other things, further legalized hemp under U.S. federal law, but with compliance still being required with all applicable state hemp laws. The 2018 Farm Bill includes certain benefits for the hemp industry in the United States, including: (i) the extension of the protections for hemp research and researchers and the conditions in which hemp research can be done, (ii) the protection of hemp farmers and hemp production under federal crop insurance programs, (iii) the permitting of the cultivation, interstate transportation and sale of hemp and hemp products in the U.S. in compliance with all other applicable federal and state laws, and (iv) the removal of hemp and hemp derived products from Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”).

As of August 1, 2024, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have legalized hemp

Our activities in the United States only involve legal hemp in compliance with the CSA. The hemp and the marijuana plants are both part of the same cannabis genus, except that hemp does not have more than 0.3% dry weight content of tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”).   While 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and cannabinoids extracted from hemp in the United States, such extracts remain subject to state laws and regulation by other U.S. federal agencies such as the FDA, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”). The same plant, with a higher THC content is marijuana, which is legal under certain state laws, but which is currently not legal under U.S. federal law. The similarities between these plants can cause confusion.

A California law known as Proposition 65 requires a specific warning to appear on any product containing a component listed by the state as having been found to cause cancer or birth defects. The state maintains lists of these substances and periodically adds other substances to these lists. Proposition 65 exposes all food and beverage producers to the possibility of having to provide warnings on their products in California because it does not provide for any generally applicable quantitative threshold below which the presence of a listed substance is exempt from the warning requirement. Consequently, the detection of even a trace amount of a listed substance can subject an affected product to the requirement of a warning label. However, Proposition 65 does not require a warning if the manufacturer of a product can demonstrate that the use of that product exposes consumers to a daily quantity of a listed substance that is:

In January 2019, New York State’s governor announced the “Consumer Right to Know Act,” a proposed law that would impose similar and potentially more stringent labeling requirements than California Proposition 65. The law has not yet been adopted, and to our knowledge California Proposition 65 remains the most onerous state-level chemical exposure labeling statutory scheme. However, due in part to the large size of California’s market, promotional products sold or distributed anywhere in the United States may be subject to California Proposition 65.

We are unable to predict whether a component found in a product that we assisted a client in producing might be added to the California list in the future. Furthermore, we are also unable to predict when or whether the increasing sensitivity of detection methodology may become applicable under this law and related regulations as they currently exist, or as they may be amended.

We are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations, including but not limited to, laws and regulations relating to labor and employment, U.S. customs and consumer product safety, including the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, or the “CPSIA.” The CPSIA created more stringent safety requirements related to lead and phthalates content in children’s products. The CPSIA regulates the future manufacture of these items and existing inventories and may cause us to incur losses if we offer for sale or sell any non-compliant items. Failure to comply with the various regulations applicable to us may result in damage to our reputation, civil and criminal liability, fines and penalties and increased cost of regulatory compliance. These current and any future laws and regulations could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Legal requirements apply in various jurisdictions in the United States and overseas requiring deposits or certain taxes or fees be charged for the sale, marketing and use of certain non-refillable beverage containers. The precise requirements imposed by these measures vary. Other types of beverage container-related deposit, recycling, tax and/or product stewardship statutes and regulations also apply in various jurisdictions in the United States and overseas. We anticipate additional, similar legal requirements may be proposed or enacted in the future at local, state and federal levels, both in the United States and elsewhere.

New legislation or regulation, the application of laws from jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to our business, or the application of existing laws and regulations to the Internet and e-commerce generally could result in significant additional taxes on our business. Further, we could be subject to fines or other payments for any past failures to comply with these requirements. The continued growth and demand for e-commerce is likely to result in more laws and regulations that impose additional compliance burdens on e-commerce companies.

Laws and Regulations Relating to Data Privacy

In the ordinary course of our business, we might collect and store in our internal and external data centers, cloud services and networks sensitive data, including our proprietary business information and that of our customers, suppliers and business collaborators, as well as personal information of our customers and employees. The secure processing, maintenance and transmission of this information is critical to our operations and business strategy. The number and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions that companies have experienced from third parties has increased over the past few years. Despite our security measures, it is impossible for us to eliminate this risk.

A number of states in the United States have enacted data privacy and security laws and regulations that govern the collection, use, disclosure, transfer, storage, disposal, and protection of personal information, such as social security numbers, financial information and other sensitive personal information. For example, all 50 states and several U.S. territories now have data breach laws that require timely notification to affected individuals, and at times regulators, credit reporting agencies and other bodies, if a company has experienced the unauthorized access or acquisition of certain personal information. Other state laws, particularly the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended (“CCPA”), among other things, contain disclosure obligations for businesses that collect personal information about residents in their state and afford those individuals new rights relating to their personal information that may affect our ability to collect and/or use personal information. The Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (“CDPA”) also establishes rights for Virginia consumers to control how companies use individuals’ personal data. The CDPA dictates how companies must protect personal data in their possession and respond to consumers exercising their rights, as prescribed by the law, regarding such personal data. The CDPA went into effect on January 1, 2023. Further, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) was recently voted into law by California residents. The CPRA significantly amends the CCPA and imposes additional data protection obligations on covered companies doing business in California, including additional consumer rights processes and opt outs for certain uses of sensitive data. It also creates a new California data protection agency specifically tasked to enforce the law, which would likely result in increased regulatory scrutiny of California businesses in the areas of data protection and security. The substantive requirements for businesses subject to the CPRA went into effect on January 1, 2023, and became enforceable on July 1, 2023. Meanwhile, several other states and the federal government have considered or are considering privacy laws like the CCPA. We will continue to monitor and assess the impact of these laws, which may impose substantial penalties for violations, impose significant costs for investigations and compliance, allow private class-action litigation and carry significant potential liability for our business.

Outside of the United States, data protection laws, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”), also might apply to some of our operations or business collaborators. Legal requirements in these countries relating to the collection, storage, processing and transfer of personal data/information continue to evolve. The GDPR imposes, among other things, data protection requirements that include strict obligations and restrictions on the ability to collect, analyze and transfer personal data/information of persons located in the European Union (EU), a requirement for prompt notice of data breaches to data subjects and supervisory authorities in certain circumstances, and possible substantial fines for any violations (including possible fines for certain violations of up to the greater of €20 million or 4% of total company revenue). Other governmental authorities around the world have enacted or are considering similar types of legislative and regulatory proposals concerning data protection.

The interpretation and enforcement of the laws and regulations described above are uncertain and subject to change, and may require substantial costs to monitor and implement and maintain adequate compliance programs. Failure to comply with United States and international data protection laws and regulations could result in government enforcement actions (which could include substantial civil and/or criminal penalties), private litigation and/or adverse publicity and could negatively affect our operating results and business.

Environmental Regulations

We use certain plastic, glass, fabric, metal and other products in our business which may be harmful if released into the environment. In view of the nature of our business, compliance with federal, state, and local laws regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, has had no material effect upon our operations or earnings, and we do not expect it to have a material impact in the foreseeable future.

Tax Laws and Regulations

Changes in tax laws or regulations in the jurisdictions in which we do business, including the United States, or changes in how the tax laws are interpreted, could further impact our effective tax rate, further restrict our ability to repatriate undistributed offshore earnings, or impose new restrictions, costs or prohibitions on our current practices and reduce our net income and adversely affect our cash flows.

We are also subject to tax audits in the United States and other jurisdictions and our tax positions may be challenged by tax authorities. Although we believe that our current tax provisions are reasonable and appropriate, there can be no assurance that these items will be settled for the amounts accrued, that additional tax exposures will not be identified in the future or that additional tax reserves will not be necessary for any such exposures. Any increase in the amount of taxation incurred as a result of challenges to our tax filing positions could result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Other Regulations

We are subject to international, federal, national, regional, state, local and other laws and regulations affecting our business, including those promulgated under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Flammable Fabrics Act, the Textile Fiber Product Identification Act, the rules and regulations of the Consumer Products Safety Commission, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA), various securities laws and regulations including but not limited to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, and the NASDAQ Rules, various labor, workplace and related laws, and environmental laws and regulations. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations may expose us to potential liability and have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

Set forth below is information regarding our directors and executive officers as of the date of this prospectus.

Eric Gripentrog, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Mr. Gripentrog combines over 30 years of experience in the Consumer-Packaged Goods industry (“CPG”). Previously, he worked with three other companies in the CPG space holding several positions including CEO, SVP, and other senior management positions including Board Member. From 1992 to 2018, Eric held multiple roles in the Kellogg Company, both domestically and internationally (Europe and Latin America) leading business units with P&L responsibility. His last two roles at the Kellogg Company were Vice President/General Manager of the Caribbean business unit from 2009 to 2014; and Vice President, Strategy and Operations for North America from 2014 - 2018. From 2018 to 2019, Mr. Gripentrog was the SVP and General Manager of Panera Bread’s Consumer Packaged Goods division. This senior management position led this business unit covering six different product categories. He grew this division double-digit in both top-line and bottom-line performance, and his CPG division outperformed all other Panera business units and functions. From 2019 to 2020, Eric was the CEO and board member for Gina Cucina, Inc, a company involved in manufacturing and selling fresh soup into the retail grocery outlets and direct-to-consumer. His expertise in leading a business, managing the P&L and identifying margin enhancing opportunities for both business-to-business and direct-to-consumer clientele is critically important for the current role. Since 2020 Eric has been acting as the CEO of Hemptown USA, a director of Functional Brands, and a director of HTO Nevada, dba Kirkman. Whether Eric is leading a multi-billion-dollar operation or a small start-up; his experience in developing strategic plans and policies to bring the company vision to reality, implementing supporting plans, budgeting and forecasting, communicating with the Board of Directors, tracking company performance and establishing a high performing working culture, will enable his success in his current CEO role. Eric has an undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University. 

Tariq Rahim, Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Rahim brings over 15 years of professional experience with over 10 years as a qualified Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA – Canada). Having worked in a wide variety of industries including cannabis, hemp, prop-tech, professional services spaces, among others. In addition to his current position as CFO at FBIC since April 2023 and VP, Finance since June 2021, his previous roles included Controller at Nobul (prop-tech startup) from June 2020 to June 2021 and Controller at Tokyo Smoke (cannabis start-up) from September 2018 to May 2020. Beginning his post-qualification careers in the Fall of 2011, he has held consistently progressive roles from a junior in public accounting leading up to the current position as an executive. Having worked with companies ranging in size from small to multi-million dollar publicly listed companies, he has tremendous experience in leveraging his financial skills to lead companies and clients through the full gamut of accounting and finance challenges – strategic planning, financial reporting, financial planning & analysis, budgeting & forecasting, to mention just a few. From 2018 onward, Mr. Rahim focused his career on startups and utilizing his experience to build and scale. Since 2021 Tariq has been serving as CFO of Hemptown USA, director of Functional Brands, and director of HTO Nevada, dba Kirkman. He has an Honors Bachelor of Accounting degree in Accounting from Brock University.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among any of our officers or directors.

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

To the best of our knowledge, except as described below, none of our directors or executive officers has, during the past ten years:

Corporate Governance

Governance Structure

We will choose to appoint a separate Chairman of the Board who is not our Chief Executive Officer. Our board of directors’ decision is based on the belief that an independent Chairman of the Board can act as a balance to the Chief Executive Officer, who also serves as a non-independent director.

The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The board of directors oversees that the assets of our company are properly safeguarded, that the appropriate financial and other controls are maintained, and that our business is conducted wisely and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and proper governance. Included in these responsibilities is the board’s oversight of the various risks facing our company. In this regard, our board seeks to understand and oversee critical business risks. Our board does not view risk in isolation. Risks are considered in virtually every business decision and as part of our business strategy. Our board recognizes that it is neither possible nor prudent to eliminate all risk. Indeed, purposeful and appropriate risk-taking is essential for our company to be competitive on a global basis and to achieve its objectives.

While the board oversees risk management, company management is charged with managing risk. Management communicates routinely with the board and individual directors on the significant risks identified and how they are being managed. Directors are free to, and indeed often do, communicate directly with senior management.

Our board administers its risk oversight function as a whole by making risk oversight a matter of collective consideration. Much of this work has been delegated to committees, which will meet regularly and report back to the full board. The audit committee oversees risks related to our financial statements, the financial reporting process, accounting and legal matters, the compensation committee evaluates the risks and rewards associated with our compensation philosophy and programs, and the nominating and corporate governance committee evaluates risk associated with management decisions and strategic direction.

Independent Directors

NASDAQ’s rules generally require that a majority of an issuer’s board of directors consist of independent directors. Our board of directors currently consists of three (3) directors, with ____ and _____considered independent within the meaning of NASDAQ’s rules. We have entered into independent director agreements with [●], pursuant to which [he/she] has been appointed to serve as an independent director of our company, whose tenure shall be effective and commence immediately on the date in which this the registration statement is declared effective by the SEC. As a result of these board changes, our board of directors will consist of ___ ( ) directors, ___ ( ) of which will be independent within the meaning of NASDAQ’s rules.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Our board has established an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and corporate governance committee, each with its own charter approved by the board. The committee charters have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Upon completion of this offering, we intend to make each committee’s charter available on our website at https://functionalbrandsinc.com/.

In addition, our board of directors may, from time to time, designate one or more additional committees, which shall have the duties and powers granted to it by our board of directors.

Audit Committee

[     ], [     ], and [     ], each of whom satisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and NASDAQ’s rules, will serve on our audit committee upon their appointment to the board, with [     ] serving as the chairman. Our board has determined that [     ] qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.” The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company.

The audit committee is responsible for, among other things: (i) retaining and overseeing our independent accountants; (ii) assisting the board in its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent auditors and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) reviewing and approving the plan and scope of the internal and external audit; (iv) pre-approving any audit and non-audit services provided by our independent auditors; (v) approving the fees to be paid to our independent auditors; (vi) reviewing with our chief executive officer and principal financial officer and independent auditors the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal controls; (vii) reviewing hedging transactions; and (viii) reviewing and assessing annually the audit committee’s performance and the adequacy of its charter.

Compensation Committee

[     ], [     ] and [     ], each of whom satisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act and NASDAQ’s rules, will serve on our compensation committee upon their appointment to the board, with [ ] serving as the chairman. The members of the compensation committee are also “outside directors” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The compensation committee assists the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation relating to our directors and executive officers.

The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things: (i) reviewing and approving the remuneration of our executive officers; (ii) making recommendations to the board regarding the compensation of our independent directors; (iii) making recommendations to the board regarding equity-based and incentive compensation plans, policies and programs; and (iv) reviewing and assessing annually the compensation committee’s performance and the adequacy of its charter.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

[     ] and [     ] each of whom satisfies the “independence” requirements of NASDAQ’s rules, will serve on our nominating and corporate governance committee upon their appointment to the board, with [     ] serving as the chairman. The nominating and corporate governance committee assists the board of directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees.

The nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for, among other things: (i) identifying and evaluating individuals qualified to become members of the board by reviewing nominees for election to the board submitted by shareholders and recommending to the board director nominees for each annual meeting of shareholders and for election to fill any vacancies on the board; (ii) advising the board with respect to board organization, desired qualifications of board members, the membership, function, operation, structure and composition of committees (including any committee authority to delegate to subcommittees), and self-evaluation and policies; (iii) advising on matters relating to corporate governance and monitoring developments in the law and practice of corporate governance; (iv) overseeing compliance with the our code of ethics; and (v) approving any related party transactions.

The nominating and corporate governance committee’s methods for identifying candidates for election to our board of directors (other than those proposed by our shareholders, as discussed below) will include the solicitation of ideas for possible candidates from a number of sources - members of our board of directors, our executives, individuals personally known to the members of our board of directors, and other research. The nominating and corporate governance committee may also, from time-to-time, retain one or more third-party search firms to identify suitable candidates.

In making director recommendations, the nominating and corporate governance committee may consider some or all of the following factors: (i) the candidate’s judgment, skill, experience with other organizations of comparable purpose, complexity and size, and subject to similar legal restrictions and oversight; (ii) the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the experience of other board members; (iii) the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the board and any committee thereof; (iv) whether or not the person has any relationships that might impair his or her independence; and (v) the candidate’s ability to contribute to the effective management of our company, taking into account the needs of our company and such factors as the individual’s experience, perspective, skills and knowledge of the industry in which we operate.

No person entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate votes to which such person is entitled, unless, at the time of such election, the corporation is subject to Section 2115(b) of the CGCL. During such time or times that the corporation is subject to Section 2115(b) of the CGCL, every stockholder entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate such stockholder’s votes and give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which such stockholder’s shares are otherwise entitled, or distribute the stockholder’s votes on the same principle among as many candidates as such stockholder thinks fit. No stockholder, however, shall be entitled to so cumulate such stockholder’s votes unless (i) the names of such candidate or candidates have been placed in nomination prior to the voting and (ii) the stockholder has given notice at the meeting, prior to the voting, of such stockholder’s intention to cumulate such stockholder’s votes. If any stockholder has given proper notice to cumulate votes, all stockholders may cumulate their votes for any candidates who have been properly placed in nomination. Under cumulative voting, the candidates receiving the highest number of votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, are elected.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Such code of ethics addresses, among other things, honesty and ethical conduct, conflicts of interest, compliance with laws, regulations and policies, including disclosure requirements under the federal securities laws, and reporting of violations of the code.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following discussion and analysis of compensation arrangements should be read together with the compensation tables and related disclosures that follow. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current plans and expectations regarding future compensation programs. Actual compensation programs that we adopt may differ materially from the programs summarized in this discussion. The following discussion may also contain statements regarding corporate performance targets and goals. These targets and goals are disclosed in the limited context of our compensation programs and should not be understood to be statements of management’s expectations or estimates of results or other guidance. We specifically caution investors not to apply these statements to other contexts. 

Summary Compensation Table – Years Ended December 31, 2023, and 2022

The following table sets forth information concerning all cash and non-cash compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the named persons for services rendered in all capacities during the noted periods. No other executive officers received total annual salary and bonus compensation in excess of $100,000.

Summary Compensation Table

Employment Agreements

We have entered into contractual agreements with our CEO and CFO.

Employment Agreement – Eric Gripentrog, CEO

Effective as of April 1, 2023, the employment agreement has an original term of 12 months subject to automatic renewal unless terminated for cause. In addition to the salary described above, the CEO will be issued 1,000,000 company restricted stock units with an exercise price and vesting period to be determined after the initial public offering. The CEO is also entitled to a performance-based bonus payout.

The bonus is based upon a combination of achieving the consolidated revenue targets as set forth in the chart below:

Employment Agreement – Tariq Rahim, CFO

Effective as of April 1, 2023, the employment agreement has an original term of 12 months subject to automatic renewal unless terminated for cause. In addition to the salary described above, the CFO will be issued 500,000 company restricted stock units with an exercise price and vesting period to be determined after the initial public offering and 3,500,000 stock options with an exercise price and date of issuance to be determined by the Company’s board of directors, with an expiration term of three years after termination of the employment agreement unless terminated for cause. The CFO is also entitled to a performance-based bonus payout.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

Except as described in the employment agreement above, no executive officer named above had any unexercised options, stock that has not vested or equity incentive plan awards outstanding as of December 31, 2023, and 2022.

Director Compensation