Seed Innovations
Ltd / AIM: SEED / Sector: Closed End Investments
19 June 2024
SEED Innovations
Limited
("SEED" or the
"Company")
Final Results
SEED Innovations Ltd, the AIM-quoted
investment company offering exposure to disruptive, high-growth,
life sciences and technology ventures typically inaccessible to
everyday investors, is pleased to announce its Final Results for
the year ended 31 March 2024. A copy of the Report & Accounts
will be available on the Company's website,
https://seedinnovations.co/investor-centre/financial-reports.
OVERVIEW
·
Shares currently trading at c.70% discount to 31 March 2024
NAV.
·
Strong cash position of approximately £3.9 million as at the
date of this announcement (representing approximately the Company's
current market capitalisation).
·
Recent programme of building and returning value to
shareholders:
o Completed a
buyback share programme of 19.8 million Ordinary Shares for £0.5
million as a reflection of strong financial position.
o Paid a maiden
special dividend of 1.0 pence (£0.01) per SEED share post period
end following sale of Leap Gaming.
·
Following write-downs and sales of underperforming
investments, the portfolio is rationalised to a tighter group of
more established and capitalised investments.
·
Appreciation of value of Avextra showing upward trend of £0.8
million over the period.
·
Clean Food Group continues to scale up its precise
fermentation technology, attract non-dilutive capital in the form
of grants and welcome Clean Growth Fund as a new investor raising
£2.5 million.
·
Optimistic about the outlook for its portfolio companies and
agile to capitalise on emerging trends and other investment
opportunities.
CHAIRMAN'S
STATEMENT
SEED continues to operate within the dynamic
landscape of the small-cap health and wellness sector, which has
undergone a challenging market and economic environment. Our
strategy remains focused on identifying disruptive, high-growth
opportunities within these markets, which we believe present
significant potential for innovation and shareholder value
creation. Often the best time to buy quality companies is when
their market sector is unloved by the market in general.
Accordingly, we are optimistic about the outlook for our portfolio
companies and remain ready to capitalise on emerging trends and
investment catalysts in the market.
We remain frustrated that the market does not
understand the value and quality of our Net Asset Value (NAV). We
have taken proactive measures during the year aimed at addressing
the persistent, significant discount of the Company's market cap
compared to NAV and to reflect its financial strength and
commitment to shareholder value, including the Share Buyback
programme and Special Dividend described below.
In the latter half of the financial year, we
implemented a Share Buyback programme, which completed in May 2024,
whereby Ordinary Shares were repurchased below net asset value. In
total, £513,536 (including fees) was spent on the purchase of
19,797,500 shares at an average price per share of £0.0258 (2.58
pence). The programme has been funded from existing cash resources.
The decision to initiate this programme was made considering
shareholder feedback and the significant 56.9% discount in share
price at that time relative to reported NAV, alongside robust cash
and receivables of £7.1 million as of 11 September 2023.
We were also delighted to announce a maiden
Special Dividend of 1.0 pence (£0.01) per SEED Share, post period
end on 16 April 2024, following the successful completion of the
realisation of the investment in our portfolio company Fralis LLC,
trading as Leap Gaming, which was sold in April 2023. SEED's
proceeds from this sale totalled €5.8 million (£5.1 million), which
was received in two tranches: €3 million (£2.7 million) upon
completion; and the remaining €2.8 million (£2.4 million) on 12
April 2024.
In tandem with the Share Buyback and Special
Dividend, we have focused on utilising other strategic initiatives
to enhance investor perception and communicate our intrinsic value
proposition to the market. These include live investor events and
leveraging digital and social media platforms to augment
communication and connectivity with our shareholders and the market
generally.
Looking ahead, we remain optimistic about
SEED's current investment portfolio. The sector of the markets we
invest in has undoubtedly had a tough time, which means that there
are some investment opportunities available at historically low
prices and, with approximately £3.9 million in cash post dividend,
we are positioned to pursue opportunities that we anticipate will
yield substantial returns for our shareholders.
We look forward to providing further updates
on our portfolio in the near future.
Ian
Burns
Non-Executive
Chairman
18 June
2024
REPORT OF THE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
During the period, we have seen appreciation
in one of our larger assets, Avextra AG, showing positive growth
and Juvenescence maintaining stability. However, it is important to
address some disappointing outcomes experienced with certain
investments, namely Northern Leaf, OTO International Limited (OTO),
and Inveniam Capital Partners, Inc. (Inveniam), which have faced
notable challenges stemming from down rounds and struggling
business models and listed positions in Portage and Little Green
Pharma which have seen poor market price performance on their
respective exchanges; such occurrences are unfortunately not
uncommon across the market. Our investment pipeline remains robust,
and we are actively seeking new opportunities.
It is evident that investors, both listed and
private, remain risk-averse, particularly towards smaller,
developing companies. This sentiment has affected the share price
performance of funds like SEED. Despite these challenges, we
believe that SEED is undervalued, trading (2.1 pence as at 31 May
2024) at a 69% discount to the Company's NAV as at 31 March 2024
(and still a 64% discount after adjustment for buy backs since 1
April 2024 and the Special Dividend payment).
As of 31 May 2024, SEED share price of £0.021
(2.1 pence) was up 9% compared to 31 March 2023 (and up 66.5% when
comparing the adjusted close price which adjusts for the dividend
payment), while the FTSE AIM All-Share Index was down 1% and the
Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index was up 43.5% over the same
period.
Regarding our financial position, we ended the
period with a healthy cash balance of £3.8 million, augmented by
the final £2.4 million tranche received just a few days later on
the 12 April 2024 from the sale of Leap Gaming announced in
December 2022. After accounting for a Special Dividend and share
buyback initiatives, we retain approximately £3.9 million for new
and follow-on investments as at the publication of this report.
Holding cash in the current economic climate, where interest rates
remain high, provides us with flexibility and strategic
advantage.
SEED remains committed to rewarding our
shareholders through various initiatives, including our Share
Buyback programme, and recently announced Special Dividend. We aim
to replenish the funds expended on these initiatives through future
NAV increases on our investments as they realise their
potential.
Additionally, we have enhanced our visibility
in the market through increased news flow and the dissemination of
G-Force short videos on social media platforms. We have also hosted
in-person events, including a shareholder event in November 2023,
along with appearances by our team at Proactive Investors and
Master Investor events.
In conclusion, SEED is committed to enhancing
shareholder engagement and value through diverse strategies. With
our enviable cash position and robust investment pipeline, we are
well-positioned to deliver new investments and drive growth in the
foreseeable future.
The NAV of the Company at 31 March 2024 was
£13,604,000 (2023: £16,032,000), equal to net assets of 6.73p per
Ordinary Share (2023: 7.54p per Ordinary Share).
Ed
McDermott
CEO
18 June
2024
INVESTMENT
PORTFOLIO REPORT
The table below lists the Company's holdings
at 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2023.
Holding
|
Category
|
Valuation
at
31 March 2023
£'000
|
Valuation
at
31 March 2024
£'000
|
% of NAV
|
Juvenescence Limited
|
Biotech
|
2,556
|
2,509
|
18.4%
|
Avextra AG*
|
Biotech/ Cannabis
|
4,436
|
2,740
|
20.1%
|
Clean Food Group Ltd**
|
Biotech
|
965
|
1,182
|
8.7%
|
Little Green
Pharma
|
Biotech/ Cannabis
|
715
|
529
|
3.9%
|
Inveniam Capital Partners
Inc.
|
Fintech
|
596
|
344
|
2.5%
|
Portage Biotech
Inc.
|
Biotech
|
94
|
17
|
0.1%
|
OTO International
Ltd (SWB)***
|
CBD
Wellness
|
590
|
-
|
-
|
Northern Leaf Ltd
|
Biotech/ Cannabis
|
960
|
-
|
-
|
Leap Gaming
|
Gaming
|
5,106
|
-
|
-
|
Total Investment Value
|
16,019
|
7,321
|
53.8%
|
Cash and receivables, net of payables and
accruals
|
14
|
6,283
|
46.2%
|
Net Asset Value
|
16,032
|
13,604
|
100%
|
*Avextra movement in value follows
the sale of 55% of this position for £2.45 million - for further
information see the Avextra section
below.
**Clean Food Group includes
£216,000 further investment - see Clean Food Group section below
for additional information
***Includes CLN due from
SWB
Avextra AG
(formally Eurox) ('Avextra')
Avextra is one of Europe's leading vertically
integrated medical cannabis operators focused on the development
and production of regulator-approved medicines. Founded in 2019 and
based out of Germany, the company works in close collaboration with
doctors and pharmacists to develop and produce precisely formulated
cannabis-based medicines. Avextra controls the entire value chain -
from cultivation in Portugal to EU-GMP certified extraction and
manufacturing in Germany. Avextra operates across continental
Europe through an expansive distribution network of multiple
channels and strategically developed assets for these key
markets.
Avextra remains focused on the German medical
market, which is expected to expand following changes in German
law-making medical cannabis a more mainstream medical treatment.
Within the reporting period, Avextra exported EU-GMP standardised
cannabis extracts manufactured at its German facility to its
distribution partner in Italy, increasing its European footprint
and validating its extract focused business strategy. It also
announced a collaboration with the German Pain Association (DGS) to
support patients suffering from Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic
pain and announced an investment over the next five years of up to
€15 million in the development of new medical cannabis research in
partnership with the Portuguese Instituto Universitário de Ciências
da Saúde-Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário
(IUCS-CESPU).
During the reporting period, SEED sold 55% of
its holding in Avextra, amounting to 2,900 shares at €1,000 per
share and realising €2.9 million (£2.45 million) in proceeds. It
continues to hold 2,242 shares valued at £2.74 million (€3.21
million) as of 31 March 2024. The value of these remaining shares
increased by approximately €1 million during the period. The
carrying value of the remaining shares, priced at €1,430 each,
represents a 13% discount to Avextra's latest equity raise price of
€1,650 per share. This discount reflects the likelihood that the
realisable value of the remaining stake in Avextra, if sold, would
be at a discount to the latest equity raise price per
share.
Juvenescence
Ltd ('Juvenescence')
Juvenescence is a life sciences company
developing therapies to modify aging and increase healthy human
lifespan. It was founded by Jim Mellon, Dr. Greg Bailey, and Dr.
Declan Doogan. The Juvenescence team consists of highly experienced
drug developers, entrepreneurs, marketers, and investors with a
significant history of success in pharmaceutical drug development,
synthetic biology, and tissue and cellular engineering.
Juvenescence has a broad portfolio of products
in development and is driving innovation, with a focus on
discovering and developing these therapies to modify the aging
process, through prevention and by regenerating damage, to support
healthy aging and increase health span.
Juvenescence has undergone a strategic refocus
towards a pharmaceutical-oriented offering, with funding raised at
its subsidiary JuvRX to support drug development initiatives. SEED
maintains exposure to the original company and JuvRX through its
existing investment in JuvVentures (formerly known as Juvenescence
Ltd). The valuation of this investment remains broadly unchanged
from the prior period.
As well as JuvRx, Juvenescence has various
other investments, which continue to develop. These include
LyGenesis, which early in the year formed a research partnership
with Imagine Pharma to develop novel cell therapies for patients
with type 1 diabetes; raised +US$19 million in a Series A-2
financing round to complete its Phase 2a clinical trial and advance
its pipeline of cell therapies; and post period end, dosed its
first patient in its Phase 2a clinical trial of a first-in-class
regenerative cell therapy for patients with end-stage liver
disease.
Meanwhile, Serina Therapeutics. focused on
Parkinson's and other neurological diseases, entered into a merger
agreement with AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American: AGE), and
Chrysea formed a partnership with Chalmers University of Technology
to make/discover medicinal compounds called Benzylisoquinoline
alkaloids (BIAs) using yeast and synthetic biology, and
strengthened its capabilities in synthetic biology and
biopharmaceutical products development with the acquisition of
Rodon Biologics in February this year.
Fralis LLC,
trading as Leap Gaming
In April 2023, Leap Gaming was sold to IMG
Arena US, LLC, securing approximately €5.8 million in cash to SEED
over a two-year period, with initial proceeds of €2.8 million and
repayment of a term loan totalling €268,000. SEED announced the
receipt of the remaining circa £2.4 million (€2.76 million) post
period end in April 2024.
Clean Food
Group Limited ('CFG')
CFG was co-founded by CEO Alex Neves and
Co-Chairman (and SEED CEO) Ed McDermott in 2022 with the aim of
becoming the leading sustainable oils and fats solutions provider
to global food and cosmetics manufacturers. Its focus is on
developing a scalable, non-GMO yeast technology that uses food
waste as its food source, to deliver sustainable alternatives to
traditional oil and fat ingredients. Oil plants, such as Palm and
Soy are ubiquitous in food and cosmetics and remain in massive (and
growing) demand despite the negative environmental impact when
produced using traditional agricultural methods. To this end, Clean
Food Group has brought together a knowledgeable board and advisory
team, with deep and broad experience with biotechnology, life
sciences and high-growth industries.
In the first half of the reporting period,
SEED invested a further £216,000 in CFG alongside other investors
and industrial food specialists such as AIM-listed Agronomics,
Doehler Group, and Alianza Team. CFG raised an additional £2.5
million in March 2024 from the Clean Growth Fund, which will be
used to accelerate the commercialisation of its sustainable oils
and fats technology. CFG was also awarded £1 million in grant
funding from the UK Government.
CFG and Roberts Bakery have formed a
collaboration to use manufactured bread waste from Robert's as a
feedstock for the production of CFG's oils and fats, pioneering
sustainable practices and establishing a circular ecosystem to
address food system challenges in the UK. Another strategic
collaboration within the period was with Latin American food
technology specialist Alianza Team to accelerate the market
availability of healthy and sustainable oils and fats for global
food manufacturers, combining CFG's microbial oils expertise with
Alianza Team's experience in developing functional oils and
fats.
SEED recognises the significant potential for
further capital growth at CFG as it demonstrates the commercial
scalability of its technology in the precision fermentation space,
which is both exciting and fast-growing. There is a genuine
possibility that this technology could have a transformative impact
on the world, as well as creating significant further value for
CFGs investors including SEED.
Little Green
Pharma ('LGP')
Little Green Pharma is an Australian
ASX-Listed (Ticker: LGP) global, vertically integrated, and
geographically diverse medical cannabis business with operations
from cultivation and production through to manufacturing and
distribution.
Recent results for LGP in the quarter ended 31
March 2024 have been strong, with highlights including record
quarterly cash receipts of A$8.1 million, up over 20% on previous
corresponding period; record quarterly revenue of A$7.3 million
(unaudited), up over 36% on previous corresponding period; record
revenue of A$25.6 million (unaudited) for FY24, up nearly 30% on
previous financial year; and cash in bank of A$5.0 million at 31
March 2024, up from A$3.7 million at 31 December 2023.
News generated during the period included
significant findings from a large-scale cannabis study showing
substantial improvements in pain, quality of life, and fatigue,
strengthening its board structure, and the awarding of various
contracts, which have expanded its footprint in Europe.
During the financial accounting period, LGP
attempted to spin out RESET Mind Sciences, which was ultimately
unsuccessful, partly due to SEED's regulatory constraints in the UK
that prevented support. SEED continues to engage with LGP and
closely monitor the RESET situation.
SEED views LGP as significantly undervalued
compared to peers, with the ASX lagging behind the US and Canada in
its support for medical cannabis stocks' recovery. SEED hopes that
Australia will follow suit in due course, with LGP potentially
pursuing a secondary listing elsewhere to lift its value in line
with its improved trading results.
Inveniam
Capital Partners ('Inveniam')
Inveniam is a private fintech company, which
built Inveniam.io, a technology platform that uses big data, AI and
blockchain technology to provide surety of data and
high-functioning use of that data in a distributed data ecosystem.
Despite a small position held after recent fundraising rounds, the
valuation has decreased but remains at a 25% premium to the issue
price of SEED's shares. We anticipate further fundraisings and the
development of exciting blockchain technologies that support the
tokenisation and potential future trading of diverse private market
assets. Past performance of similar companies suggests that
Inveniam could experience a significant rerating and valuation
increase in the future if its technology can lead the race in
providing these solutions.
OTO
International Limited ('OTO')
OTO is an omni-channel premium CBD, wellness,
and skincare brand.
SEED held 71,502 shares in OTO, representing
approximately 0.44% of the issued share capital of this privately
held company. Unfortunately, OTO experienced a cash flow crisis in
2023, leading to a down round equity raise later that year at £0.24
per share, a substantial discount compared to previous equity
raises and the initial issue price of OTO shares to SEED (£5.91 per
share) when OTO acquired SEED's investee company South West Brands
('SWB').
As of 31 March 2024, SEED valued its
investment in OTO at £nil amid concerns regarding OTO's solvency
and ability to continue operations.
Portage
Biotech, Inc ('Portage')
NASDAQ listed Portage (Ticker: PRTG) is a
clinical-stage immuno-oncology company advancing multi-targeted
therapies to extend survival and significantly improve the lives of
patients with cancer. The company is focused on advancing its
potentially best-in-class adenosine antagonists in the ADPORT-601
trial of PORT-6 (adenosine 2A inhibitor) and PORT-7 (adenosine 2B
inhibitor). These programmes are being advanced using innovative
trial designs and translational data to identify the patient
populations most likely to benefit from treatment. Its unique
business model leverages a strong network of academic experts and
large pharma partners to rapidly and efficiently advance multiple
products.
SEED holds a small position in Portage and
continues to monitor its share price with the intention to sell as
appropriate.
Northern Leaf
Ltd ('Northern Leaf')
Northern Leaf was focused on becoming a key
player in the European medical cannabis supply chain, having
already built a secure operational facility in Jersey.
Following the failure of its IPO ambition, a
disappointing emergency fundraise at a down round in late
2023/early 2024, and unsuccessful merger with AQUIS-listed Voyager,
SEED has written down its investment to a £nil valuation due to
uncertainties regarding Northern Leaf's ability to recover and
raise sufficient funds to sustain operations.
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
|
|
|
|
Year ended
|
|
Year ended
|
|
|
31 March
|
|
31 March
|
|
Note
|
2024£'000
|
|
2023£'000
|
Net realised gain/(loss) on
disposal of financial assets at fair value through profit
|
|
|
|
|
and loss
|
12
|
1,077
|
|
(836)
|
Net unrealised loss on revaluation
of financial assets at fair value through profit
|
|
|
|
|
and loss
|
12
|
(2,296)
|
|
(3,056)
|
Interest income on financial
assets at fair value through profit and loss
|
|
-
|
|
102
|
Total investment loss
|
|
(1,219)
|
|
(3,790)
|
Other income
|
|
|
|
|
Bank Interest income
|
|
114
|
|
3
|
Arrangement fee
|
|
-
|
|
9
|
Total other income
|
|
114
|
|
12
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
Directors' remuneration and
expenses
|
7
|
(385)
|
|
(340)
|
Recognition of Directors share
based expense
|
|
-
|
|
(30)
|
Provision for loss on receivables
|
14
|
(108)
|
|
-
|
Legal and professional
fees
|
|
(132)
|
|
(77)
|
Other Expenses
|
8
|
(207)
|
|
(183)
|
Administration fees
|
|
(44)
|
|
(41)
|
Adviser and broker's fees
|
|
(76)
|
|
(73)
|
Total expenses
|
|
(952)
|
|
(744)
|
Net loss before losses and gains on foreign currency
exchange
|
|
(2,057)
|
|
(4,522)
|
Net foreign currency exchange
(loss)/gain
|
|
(63)
|
|
63
|
Total comprehensive loss for the year
|
|
(2,120)
|
|
(4,459)
|
Loss per Ordinary share - basic and diluted
|
10
|
(1.01p)
|
|
(2.10p)
|
The Company has no recognised
gains or losses other than those included in the results
above.
All the items
in the
above statement
are derived
from continuing
operations.
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
|
Note
|
31
March 2024
£'000
|
|
31
March 2023
£'000
|
Non-current assets
Financial assets at fair value
through profit or loss
|
12
|
7,321
|
|
16,019
|
Current assets
|
|
7,321
|
|
16,019
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
3,885
|
|
30
|
Other receivables
|
14
|
2,426
|
|
50
|
|
|
6,311
|
|
80
|
Total assets
|
|
13,632
|
|
16,099
|
Current liabilities
Payables and accruals
|
15
|
(28)
|
|
(67)
|
|
|
(28)
|
|
(67)
|
Net assets
|
|
13,604
|
|
16,032
|
Financed by
Share capital
|
16
|
2,020
|
|
2,127
|
Other distributable reserve
|
|
11,584
|
|
13,905
|
|
|
13,604
|
|
16,032
|
Net assets per Ordinary share
|
17
|
6.73
|
|
7.54
|
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
|
Share Capital
|
Employee
share
option
reserve
|
Other
distributable
reserve
|
Total
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Balance as at 1 April 2022
|
Note
|
2,127
|
212
|
18,122
|
20,461
|
Total comprehensive loss for the
year
|
|
-
|
-
|
(4,459)
|
(4,459)
|
Transactions with shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee share scheme - value of
employee services
|
7
|
-
|
30
|
-
|
30
|
Transfer of value of lapsed
options
|
|
|
(242)
|
242
|
-
|
Balance as at 31 March 2023
|
|
2,127
|
-
|
13,905
|
16,032
|
Balance as at 1 April 2023
|
|
2,127
|
-
|
13,905
|
16,032
|
Total comprehensive loss for the
year
|
|
-
|
-
|
(2,120)
|
(2,120)
|
Transactions with shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Share buyback
|
|
(107)
|
|
(201)
|
(308)
|
Balance as at 31 March 2024
|
|
2,020
|
-
|
11,584
|
13,604
|
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
|
Notes
|
Year ended 31 March 2024
£'000
|
|
Year ended 31 March 2023
£'000
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive loss for the
year
|
|
(2,120)
|
|
(4,459)
|
Adjustments for:
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealised loss on fair value
adjustments on financial assets at FVTPL
|
12
|
2,296
|
|
3,056
|
Realised (gain)/loss on disposal
of financial assets at FVTPL
|
12
|
(1,077)
|
|
836
|
Foreign exchange movement
|
|
63
|
|
(63)
|
Directors' share based payment
expense
|
|
-
|
|
30
|
Finance income
|
|
-
|
|
(102)
|
Changes in working capital:
|
|
|
|
|
(Increase)/Decrease in other
receivables and prepayments
|
14
|
(2,376)
|
|
7
|
(Decrease)/Increase in other
payables and accruals
|
15
|
(39)
|
|
25
|
Net cash outflow from operating activities
|
|
(3,253)
|
|
(670)
|
Cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition of financial assets at
fair value through profit or loss
|
12
|
(216)
|
|
(443)
|
Disposal of financial assets at
fair value through profit or loss
|
12
|
7,694
|
|
158
|
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities
|
|
7,478
|
|
(285)
|
Cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Share buyback
|
16
|
(308)
|
|
-
|
Net cash outflow from financing activities
|
|
(308)
|
|
-
|
Movement in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
3,917
|
|
(955)
|
Cash and cash equivalents brought
forward
|
|
30
|
|
922
|
Foreign exchange movement
|
|
(63)
|
|
63
|
Cash and cash equivalents carried forward
|
|
3,885
|
|
30
|
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. General Information
SEED Innovations Limited (the
"Company")is an authorised closed-ended
investment scheme. The Company is domiciled and incorporated as a
limited liability company in Guernsey. The registered office of the
Company is PO Box 343, Obsidian House, La Rue D'Aval, Vale, GY6
8LB.
The Company's objective is to
invest in disruptive technologies with significant intellectual
property rights which they are seeking to exploit, principally
within the technology sector (including digital and content focused
businesses), life sciences sectors (including biotech and
pharmaceuticals) and health and wellness sectors. This includes
investing in the cannabinoid sector where there has been increased
investor momentum due to regulation changes, and as companies' profiles grow and investment in the sector
becomes more mainstream. The Company's
main geographical focus will be in North America and Europe though
investments may also be considered in other regions to the extent
that the Board considers that valuable opportunities exist, and
positive returns can be achieved. The objective of the Company is
to also provide its investors with exposure to disruptive growth
opportunities, with a mix of liquid, pre-liquid and longer term
investments, which taken together greatly reduces the risk of the
portfolio whilst giving much clearer visibility on potential
returns.
The Company's Ordinary Shares are quoted on AIM, a market
operated by the London Stock Exchange and is authorised as a
Closed-ended investment scheme by the Guernsey Financial Services
Commission (the "GFSC") under Section 8 of the Protection of
Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2020 and the Authorised
Closed-Ended Investment Schemes Guidance and Rules 2021.
2. Basis of Preparation
The financial statements of the
Company have been prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting
Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board ("IASB") and applicable
legal and regulatory requirements of the Companies (Guernsey) Law,
2008. The financial statements have been prepared under the
historical cost convention except for financial assets at fair
value through profit or loss.
The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain
critical accounting estimates. The areas involving a higher degree
of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and
estimates are significant to the financial statements, are
disclosed in Note 4.
In the current year, the Company
has adopted all the applicable new and revised standards and
interpretations issued by the IASB and the International Financial
Reporting Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC") of the IASB that are
relevant to its operations and effective for annual reporting
periods beginning on or after 1 April 2023. The adoption of the
standards and interpretations has not had a significant impact on
the content or presentation of these financial statements; refer
below for additional consideration.
(a) Standards and amendments to
existing standards effective 1 April 2023
There are no standards, amendments
to standards or interpretations that are effective for the annual
period beginning on or after 1 April 2023 that have a material
effect on the financial statements of the Company.
(b) New standards, amendments
and interpretations effective after 1 April 2023 and have not been
early adopted
A number of new standards,
amendments to standards and interpretations are effective for the
annual periods beginning on or after 1 April 2023 and have not been
early adopted in preparing these financial statements. None of
these are expected to have a material effect on the financial
statements of the Company.
3. Material Accounting
Policies
The material accounting policies
applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set
out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the
years presented, unless otherwise stated.
a)
Investment Income
Investment income is recognised on
an accruals basis using the effective interest method and includes
bank interest and interest from debt securities. Dividend income
from investments designated at fair value through profit or loss is
recognised through the Statement of Comprehensive Income within
dividend income when the Company's right to receive payments is
established.
b) Expenses
All expenses are accounted for on
an accruals basis and, with the exception of share issue and share
buyback costs, are charged through the Statement of Comprehensive
Income in the period in which they are incurred. Costs of issuing
and buying back equity instruments are accounted for as a deduction
from equity, net of any related income tax benefit.
c) Taxation
The Company is exempt from
taxation in Guernsey. However, in some jurisdictions, investment
income and capital gains are subject to withholding tax deducted at
the source of the income. The Company presents the withholding tax
separately from the gross investment income, if any, in the
Statement of Comprehensive Income. For the purpose of the Statement
of Cash Flows, cash inflows from financial assets are presented net
of withholding taxes when applicable.
d) Financial instruments
Financial instruments are
classified into financial assets and financial liabilities.
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the
Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the
financial instrument.
(i) Recognition and initial measurement
Financial assets at fair value
through profit or loss are recognised initially on the trade date,
which is the date on which the Company becomes a party to the
contractual provisions of the instrument. Other financial assets
and liabilities are recognised on the date they are
originated.
Financial assets at fair value
through profit or loss are initially recognised at fair value, with
transaction costs recognised in profit or loss. Financial assets or
financial liabilities not at fair value through profit or loss are
initially recognised at fair value plus transaction costs that are
directly attributable to its acquisition or issue.
(ii) Classification
Business model assessment
On initial recognition, the
Company classifies financial assets as measured at amortised cost
or fair value through profit or loss ("FVTPL").
A financial asset is measured at
amortised cost if it meets both of the following conditions and is
not designated as at FVTPL:
• it is held within a business model whose objective is to hold
assets to collect contractual cash flows; and
• the contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash
flows that are solely payments of principal and interest
("SPPI").
All other financial assets are
classified as measured at FVTPL.
In making an assessment of the
objective of the business model in which a financial asset is held,
the Company considers all of the relevant information about how the
business is managed, including:
• the documented investment strategy and the execution of this
strategy in practice. This includes whether the investment
strategy
focuses on earning contractual
interest income, maintaining a particular interest rate profile,
matching the duration of the financial assets to the duration of
any related liabilities or expected cash outflows or realising cash
flows through the sale of the assets;
• how the performance of the portfolio is evaluated and
reported to the Company's management;
• the risks that affect the performance of the business model
(and the financial assets held within that business model) and how
those risks are managed;
• how the Investment Manager is compensated: e.g. whether
compensation is based on the fair value of the assets managed or
the
contractual cash flows collected;
and
• the frequency, volume and timing of sales of financial assets
in prior periods, the reasons for such sales and expectations about
future sales activity.
Transfers of financial assets to
third parties in transactions that do not qualify for derecognition
are not considered sales for this purpose, consistent with the
Company's continuing recognition of the assets.
The Company has determined that it
has two business models:
• Held-to-collect business model: this includes cash and cash
equivalents and other receivables. These financial assets are held
to collect contractual cash flows; and
• Other business model: this includes investment in unquoted
securities that were not held for trading purposes. These
financial
assets are managed and their
performance is evaluated, on a fair value basis.
(iii) Assessment whether contractual cash flows are SPPI
For the purpose of this
assessment, 'principal' is defined as the
fair value of the financial asset on initial recognition.
'Interest' is defined as consideration for
the time value of money and for the credit risk associated with the
principal amount outstanding during a particular period of time and
for other basic lending risks and costs (e.g. liquidity risk and
administrative costs), as well as profit margin.
In assessing whether the
contractual cash flows are SPPI, the Company considers the
contractual terms of the instrument. This includes assessing
whether the financial asset contains a contractual term that could
change the timing or amount of contractual cash flows such that it
would not meet this condition.
In making the assessment, the
Company considers:
• contingent events that would change the amount and timing of
cash flows;
• leverage features;
• prepayment and extension terms;
• terms that limit the Company's claim to cash flows from
specified assets (e.g. non-recourse loans); and
• features that modify consideration of the time value of money
(e.g. periodical reset of interest rates).
(iv) Reclassification
Financial assets are not
reclassified subsequent to their initial recognition unless the
Company was to change its business model for managing financial
assets, in which case all affected financial assets would be
reclassified on the first day of the first reporting period
following the change in the business model.
(v) Subsequent measurement
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
These assets are subsequently
measured at fair value. Net gains and losses, excluding any
interest or dividend income and including foreign exchange gains
and losses are recognised in profit or loss in the Statement of
Comprehensive Income.
Financial assets at amortised cost
These assets are subsequently
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Interest income is recognised in 'interestincome on financial assets at fair value
through profit or loss', foreign exchange
gains and losses are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive
Income. Any gain or loss on derecognition is also recognised in
profit or loss.
(vi) Financial liabilities - classification and subsequent
measurement
Non - derivative financial liabilities
The Company initially recognises
debt securities issued and subordinated liabilities on the date
that they are originated. All other financial liabilities
(including liabilities designated as at fair value through profit
or loss) are recognised initially on the trade date, which is the
date that the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions
of the instrument. The Company derecognises a financial liability
when its contractual obligations are discharged, cancelled or
expired.
The Company classifies
non-derivative financial liabilities into the other financial
liabilities category. Such financial liabilities are recognised
initially at fair value less any directly attributable transaction
costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, these financial
liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective
interest method. Other liabilities include other payables and
accruals.
(vii) Fair value measurements
Fair value is the price that would
be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an
orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement
date. The fair value of financial assets and liabilities traded in
active markets (such as publicly traded derivatives and trading
securities) are based on quoted market prices at the close of
trading on the reporting date. The Company utilises the last traded
market price for both financial assets and financial liabilities
where the last traded price falls within the bid-ask spread. In
circumstances where the last traded price is not within the bid-ask
spread, management will determine the point within the bid-ask
spread that is most representative of fair value.
If a significant movement in fair
value occurs subsequent to the close of trading up to midnight on
the year end date, valuation techniques will be applied to
determine the fair value. A significant event is any event that
occurs after the last market price for a security, close of market
or close of the foreign exchange, but before the Company's valuation time that materially affects the
integrity of the closing prices for any security, instrument,
currency or securities affected by that event so that they cannot
be considered 'readily available' market quotations.
The fair value of financial assets
and liabilities that are not traded in an active market is
determined using valuation techniques in accordance with the
International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation (IPEV)
Guidelines. The Company uses a variety of methods and makes
assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at each
reporting date. Valuation techniques used include the use of
comparable recent ordinary transactions between market
participants, reference to other instruments that are substantially
the same, discounted cash flow analysis, option pricing models and
other valuation techniques commonly used by market participants
making the maximum use of market inputs and relying as little as
possible on entity-specific inputs.
Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy
Where transfers between levels of
the fair value hierarchy occur, they are deemed to have occurred at
the beginning of the reporting period.
(viii) Amortised cost measurement
The amortised cost of a financial
asset or financial liability is the amount at which the financial
asset or financial liability is measured at initial recognition,
minus principal repayments, plus or minus the cumulative
amortisation using the effective interest method of any difference
between the initial amount recognised and the maturity amount and
for financial assets adjusted for any loss allowance.
The effective interest method is a
method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset or a
financial liability and of allocating the interest income or
interest expense over the relevant year. The effective interest
rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash
payments or receipts through the expected life of the financial
instrument or, when appropriate, a shorter period to the net
carrying amount of the financial asset or financial liability at
initial recognition. When calculating the effective interest rate,
the Company estimates the future cash flows considering all
contractual terms of the financial instruments but not the future
credit losses.
(ix) Impairment
The Company recognises loss
allowances for Expected Credit Losses ("ECL") on financial assets
measured at amortised cost.
The Company measures loss
allowances at an amount equal to lifetime ECLs, except for the
following, which are measured at 12-month ECLs:
• Financial assets that are determined to have low credit risk
at the reporting date; and
• Other financial assets and bank balances for which credit
risk (i.e. the risk of default occurring over the expected life of
the asset) has not increased significantly since initial
recognition.
When determining whether the
credit risk of a financial asset has increased significantly since
initial recognition and when estimating ECLs, the Company considers
reasonable and supportable information that is relevant and
available without undue cost or effort. This includes both
quantitative and qualitative information and analysis, based on the
Company's historical experience and
informed credit assessment and including forward-looking
information.
The Company assumes that the
credit risk on a financial asset has increased significantly if it
is more than 30 days past due. The Company considers a financial
asset to be in default:
• when the borrower is unlikely to pay its credit obligations
to the Company in full, without recourse by the Company to actions
such as realising assets (if any is held); or
• the financial asset is more than 90 days past due.
Lifetime ECLs are the ECLs that
result from all possible default events over the expected life of a
financial instrument. 12-month ECLs are the portion of ECLs that
result from default events that are possible within the 12 months
after the reporting date (or a shorter period if the expected life
of the instrument is less than 12 months).
The maximum period considered when
estimating ECLs is the maximum contractual period over which the
Company is exposed to credit risk.
Measurement of
ECLs
ECLs are a probability-weighted
estimate of credit losses. Credit losses are measured as the
present value of all cash shortfalls (i.e. the difference between
the cash flows due to the entity in accordance with the contract
and the cash flows that the Company expects to receive).
ECLs are discounted at the
effective interest rate of the financial asset.
Credit-impaired financial assets
At each reporting date, the
Company assesses whether financial assets carried at amortised cost
are credit-impaired. A financial asset is 'credit-impaired' when one or more events that have a
detrimental impact on the estimated future cash flows of the
financial asset have occurred.
Evidence that a financial asset is
credit-impaired includes the following observable data:
• significant financial difficulty of the borrower or
issuer;
• it is probable that the
borrower will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganisation;
• the underlying project is put on hold; and
• breach of contract such as a default or being more than 90
days past due.
Presentation of allowance for ECLs in the statement of
financial position
Loss allowances for financial
assets measured at amortised cost are deducted from the gross
carrying amount of the assets. Impairment losses including
reversals of impairment losses and gains are disclosed separately
in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive
income.
Write-off
The gross carrying amount of a
financial asset is written off when the Company has no reasonable
expectations of recovering a financial asset in its entirety or a
portion thereof.
(x) Derecognition
A financial asset (or, where
applicable a part of a financial asset or part of a group of
similar financial assets) is derecognised where:
• The rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired;
or
• The Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows
from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received
cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under a
'pass-through' arrangement; and
• Either (a) the Company has transferred substantially all the
risks and rewards of the asset; or
(b) the Company has neither
transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of
the asset but has transferred control of the asset.
When the Company has transferred
its rights to receive cash flows from an asset or has entered into
a pass-through arrangement and has neither transferred nor retained
substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset nor
transferred control of the asset, the asset is recognised to the
extent of the Company's continuing
involvement in the asset. The Company derecognises a financial
liability when the obligation under the liability is discharged,
cancelled or has expired.
(xi) Offsetting
Financial assets and financial
liabilities are offset and the net amount presented in the
statement of financial position when, and only when, the Company
has a legal right to offset the amounts and it intends either to
settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the
liability simultaneously.
Income and expenses are presented
on a net basis for gains and losses from financial instruments at
fair value through profit or loss and foreign exchange gains and
losses.
e)
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash comprises of cash at bank.
Cash equivalents are short-term highly liquid investments that are
readily convertible to known amounts of cash, are subject to an
insignificant risk of changes in value and are held for the purpose
of meeting short-term cash commitments rather than for investment
or other purposes.
f)
Foreign currency translation
Functional and presentation currency
The Company's Ordinary Shares are denominated in Sterling
and are traded on AIM in Sterling. The primary activity of the
Company is detailed in the Investing Policy on page 10. The
performance of the Company is measured and reported to the
investors in Sterling and the majority of the expenses incurred by
the Company are in Sterling. Consequently, the Board of Directors
considers that Sterling is the currency that most faithfully
represents the effects of the underlying transactions, events and
conditions. The financial statements are presented in Sterling,
which is the Company's functional and presentation currency. All
amounts are rounded to the nearest thousand.
Transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are
translated into the functional currency using rates approximating
to the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions.
Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of
such transactions and from the translation at year end exchange
rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies are recognised through the Statement of Comprehensive
Income. Translation differences on non-monetary financial assets
and liabilities, such as financial assets designated at fair value
through profit or loss, are recognised through the Statement of
Comprehensive Income within the net unrealised change in fair value
of investments.
g)
Net assets per share
The net assets per Ordinary Share
disclosed on the face of the Statement of Financial Position is
calculated by dividing the net assets of the Company as at the
year-end by the number of Ordinary Shares in issue at the year
end.
h) Earnings/(Loss) per share
Basic earnings/(loss) per share
Basic earnings/(loss) per share is
calculated by dividing:
• the profit or loss attributable to owners of the Company,
excluding any costs of servicing equity other than ordinary shares;
and
• by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding
during the financial year, adjusted for bonus elements, if any, in
ordinary shares issued during the year and excluding treasury
shares.
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share
adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic
earnings/(loss) per share to take into account:
• the after tax effect of interest and other financing costs
associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares; and
• the weighted average number of additional ordinary shares
that would have been outstanding assuming the conversion of all
dilutive potential ordinary shares.
i) Transaction costs
Transaction costs are the
incremental costs that are directly attributable to the
acquisition, issue or disposal of a financial asset or financial
liability. An incremental cost is one that would not have been
incurred if the entity had not acquired, issued or disposed of the
financial instrument. Transaction costs are legal and professional
fees incurred to structure a deal to acquire the investments
designated as financial assets at fair value through profit or
loss. They include the upfront fees and commissions paid to agents,
advisers, brokers and dealers and due diligence fees.
j) Equity
Share Capital
Ordinary shares are classified as
equity. Where the Company purchases its own equity share (e.g. as
the result of a share buyback), the consideration paid, including
any directly attributable incremental costs, is deducted from
equity attributable to the owners of the Company as Treasury Shares
until the shares are cancelled or reissued. The Company will
present any Treasury Shares acquired in the Statement of Changes in
Equity as a deduction from Ordinary Shares.
Employee Share Option Reserve
Employee share options are valued
when they are granted using the current accounting standard's fair
value technique. However, the value of the options may be
calculated at the conclusion of the vesting period or when they are
exercised.
Other Distributable
Reserve
The Company's cumulative profits
and losses are known as distributable reserves. From time to time,
the Company may transfer any sum that it considers to be realised
to the distributable reserve (for example, if ordinary shares are
sold for more than their par value, the excess will be moved to
other distributable reserves).
k) Going concern
After making reasonable enquiries,
and assessing all data relating to the Company's liquidity, the Directors have a reasonable
expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in
operational existence for the foreseeable future and do not
consider there to be any threat to the going concern status of the
Company. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern
basis in preparing the financial statements.
The Directors note that the
Company has sufficient cash and cash equivalent resources to meet
its obligations for at least one year after the approval of these
financial statements.
4. Critical Accounting
Estimates and Judgements
The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with IFRS requires the Board to make
judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application
of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated
assumptions are based on historical experience and various other
factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances,
the results of which form the basis of making the judgements about
carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily
apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these
estimates.
The Board makes estimates and
assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting
estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual
results.
The Directors believe that the
underlying assumptions are appropriate and that the financial
statements are fairly presented. Estimates and assumptions that
have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the
carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next
financial year are outlined below:
Judgements
Assessment as an investment
entity
In determining the Company meeting
the definition of an investment entity in accordance with IFRS 10,
it has considered the following:
• the Company has raised the commitments from a number of
investors in order to raise capital to invest and to provide
investor management services with respect to these private equity
investments;
• the Company intends to generate capital and income returns
from its investments which will, in turn, be distributed to the
investors;
and
• the Company evaluates its investment performance on a fair
value basis, in accordance with the policies set out in these
financial statements.
Although the Company met all three
defining criteria, management has also assessed the business
purpose of the Company, the investment strategies for the private
equity investments, the nature of any earnings from the private
equity investments and the fair value model. Management made this
assessment in order to determine whether any additional areas of
judgement exist with respect to the typical characteristics of an
investment entity versus those of the Company. Management have
therefore concluded that from the assessments made, the Company
meets the criteria of an investment entity within IFRS
10.
Part of the assessment in relation
to meeting the business purpose aspects of the IFRS 10 criteria
also requires consideration of exit strategies. Given that the
Company does not intend to hold investments indefinitely,
management have determined that the Company's investment plans support its business
purpose as an investment entity.
The Board has also concluded that
the Company meets the additional characteristics of an investment
entity, in that: it holds more than one investment; the investments
will predominantly be in the form of equities, derivatives and
similar securities; it has more than one investor and the majority
of its investors are not related parties.
Estimates and assumptions
Fair value of securities not quoted
in an active market.
The Company may value positions by
using its own models or commissioning valuation reports from
professional third-party valuers. The models used in either case
are based on valuation methods and techniques generally recognised
as standard within the industry and in accordance with
International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation (IPEV)
Guidelines. The inputs into these models are primarily revenue or
earnings multiples and discounted cash flows. The inputs in the
revenue or earnings multiple models include observable data, such
as the earnings multiples of comparable companies to the relevant
portfolio company, and unobservable data, such as forecast earnings
for the portfolio company. In discounted cash flow models,
unobservable inputs are the projected cash flows of the relevant
portfolio company and the risk premium for liquidity and credit
risk that are incorporated into the discount rate. In some
instances, the cost of an investment is the best measure of fair
value in the absence of further information. Models are calibrated
by back-testing to actual results/exit prices achieved to ensure
that outputs are reliable, where possible.
Models use observable data, to the
extent practicable. However, areas such as credit risk (both own
and counterparty), volatilities and correlations require management
to make estimates. Changes in assumptions about these factors could
affect the reported fair value of financial instruments. The
sensitivity to unobservable inputs is based on management's expectation of reasonable possible shifts
in these inputs, taking into consideration historical volatility
and estimations of future market movements.
The determination of what
constitutes 'observable' requires
significant judgement by the Company. The Company considers
observable data to be market data that is readily available,
regularly distributed or updated, reliable and verifiable, not
proprietary, and provided by independent sources that are actively
involved in the relevant market.
5. Segmental Information
The Chief Operating Decision
Maker, which is the Board, is of the opinion that the Company is
engaged in a single segment of business, through its portfolio of
investments in early stage businesses, with the aim of providing
capital appreciation. The financial information used by the Chief
Operating Decision Maker to manage the Company presents the
business as a single segment.
Segment information is measured on
the same basis as that used in the preparation of the Company's
Financial Statements.
The Company receives no revenues
from external customers. Other than its investments, the Company
holds no non-current assets in any geographical area other than
Guernsey.
6. Administration
Fees
Obsidian Fund Services Limited
("Obsidian")was the Administrator of the
Company during the year and was entitled to an administration fee
of
£40,000 per annum with an
additional fee of £500 per Board or Committee meeting above the
eight meetings covered by the administration fee.
In the year ended 31 March 2024, a
total of £43,628 (2023: £40,759) was charged to the Statement of Comprehensive
Income for Obsidian, of which £4,033 was payable at the financial
reporting date (2023: £3,333).
The Administrator is also entitled
to recover by way of reimbursement from the Company, transaction
costs associated with the provision of specific services and
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of
its services to include any of the Administrator'sapproved services.
7. Directors' Remuneration
The Board agreed the following
compensation packages for the Directors of the Company.
•
Ian Burns is entitled to an annual remuneration
of £36,000 (2023: £36,000).
•
Ed McDermott is entitled to an annual
remuneration of £161,063 (2023: £161,760).
•
Lance De Jersey is entitled to an annual
remuneration of £106,000 (2023: £106,000).
•
Luke Cairns is entitled to an annual remuneration
of £36,000 (2023: £36,000).
•
Alfredo Pascual is entitled to an annual
remuneration of €106,000 (£90,598) (2023: Nil).
Additional information on
Directors' Remuneration is noted in related parties. Refer to note
18.
Year ended 31 March 2024
|
|
|
|
|
Recognition
|
|
|
|
|
of share
|
|
|
Directors' Remuneration
|
Discretionary
Bonus
|
based
expense
|
Total
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Ian Burns
|
36
|
-
|
-
|
36
|
Ed McDermott
|
161
|
-
|
-
|
161
|
Lance De
Jersey
|
106
|
-
|
-
|
106
|
Luke Cairns
|
36
|
-
|
-
|
36
|
Alfredo Pascual
|
46
|
-
|
-
|
46
|
|
385
|
-
|
-
|
385
|
Year ended 31 March 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recognition
|
|
|
|
Discretionary
|
of share
|
|
|
Directors' Remuneration
|
Bonus
|
based
expense
|
Total
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Ian Burns
|
36
|
-
|
-
|
36
|
Ed McDermott
|
162
|
-
|
30
|
192
|
Lance De
Jersey
|
106
|
-
|
-
|
106
|
Luke Cairns
|
36
|
-
|
-
|
36
|
Alfredo Pascual
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
340
|
-
|
30
|
370
|
8. Other Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended
|
|
Year ended
|
|
|
31
March 2024
£'000
|
|
31
March 2023
£'000
|
Regulatory and listing
fees
|
|
26
|
|
27
|
Directors' and Officers' liability
insurance
|
|
37
|
|
10
|
IT Costs
|
|
6
|
|
7
|
Consultancy fees
|
|
36
|
|
43
|
Salaries and Wages
|
|
26
|
|
84
|
Other expenses
|
|
76
|
|
12
|
|
|
207
|
|
183
|
9. Tax effects of other comprehensive
income
The Income Tax Authority of
Guernsey has granted the Company exemption from Guernsey income tax
under the Income Tax (Exempt Bodies) (Guernsey) (Amendment)
Ordinance, 2012 and the income of the Company may be distributed or
accumulated without deduction of Guernsey income tax. Exemption
under the above mentioned Ordinance entails payment by the Company
of an annual fee of £1,200for the calendar
year ended 31 December 2023 and £1,600
from 1 January 2024 for each year in which the exemption is
claimed. It should be noted, however, that interest and dividend
income accruing from the Company's investments may be subject to
withholding tax in the country of origin.
There were no tax effects arising
from the other comprehensive income disclosed in the Statement of
Comprehensive Income (2023: £Nil).
10. (Loss)/Earnings per Ordinary
Share
The loss per Ordinary Share of
1.01p (2023: loss per Ordinary Share of 2.10p) is based on the loss
for the year of £2,119,521(2023:
loss
£4,458,743) and on a weighted
average number of 208,840,402 Ordinary Shares in issue during the
year (2023: 212,747,395 Ordinary Shares).
There are no dilutive effects on
earnings per Ordinary Shares as all issued Options and Warrants
expired without exercise during the prior year.
11. Dividends
During the year ended 31 March
2024, no dividend was paid to shareholders (2023: £Nil). The Directors do not propose a final dividend
for the year ended 31 March 2024 (2023: £Nil).
Post year-end on 16 April 2024,
the Company declared a special dividend of 1.0 pence (£0.01) per
Ordinary Share.
12. Financial Assets designated at
fair value through profit or loss
|
|
|
31
March 2024
£'000
|
31
March 2023
£'000
|
Fair value of investments brought
forward
|
16,019
|
19,524
|
Purchases during the year
|
216
|
443
|
Proceeds from disposals during the
year
|
(7,694)
|
(158)
|
Interest capitalised on
convertible loan notes held
|
-
|
102
|
Realised gains/(losses) on
disposals during the year
|
1,077
|
(836)
|
Net unrealised loss on revaluation
of investments
|
(2,296)
|
(3,056)
|
|
7,321
|
16,019
|
13. Fair value of financial
instruments
|
|
|
IFRS 13 requires the Company to
classify financial instruments at fair value using a fair value
hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in
making the measurement. The fair value hierarchy has the following
levels:
· Level
1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical
assets or liabilities that the Company can access at the year-end
date;
· Level
2 - Those involving inputs other than quoted prices included within
Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either
directly (as prices) or indirectly (derived from prices);
and
· Level
3 - Those with inputs for the asset or liability that are not based
on observable market data (unobservable inputs).
The level in the fair value
hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is categorised in
its entirety is determined on the basis of the lowest level input
that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
For this purpose, the significance of an input is assessed against
the fair value measurement in its entirety.
If a fair value measurement uses
observable inputs that require significant adjustment based on
unobservable inputs, that measurement is a Level 3 measurement.
Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value
measurement in its entirety requires judgement, considering factors
specific to the asset or liability.
The determination of what
constitutes 'observable' requires
judgement by the Company. The Company considers observable data to
be that market data that is readily available, regularly
distributed or updated, reliable and verifiable, not proprietary,
and provided by independent sources that are actively involved in
the relevant market.
The valuations used to determine
fair values are validated and periodically reviewed by experienced
personnel, in most cases this validation and review is undertaken
by members of the Board, however professional third-party valuation
firms are used for some valuations and the Company also has access
to a network of industry experts by virtue of the personal networks
of the directors and substantial shareholders. The valuations
prepared by the Company or received from third parties are in
accordance with the IPEV Guidelines. The valuations, when relevant,
are based on a mixture of:
• Market
approach (utilising EBITDA or Revenue multiples, industry value
benchmarks and available market prices approaches);
• Income
approach (utilising Discounted Cash Flow, Replacement Cost and Net
Asset approaches);
• Price
of a recent transaction when transaction price/cost is considered
indicative of fair value; and
• Proposed sale price.
As at 31 March 2024, 2 investments
were valued as Level 1 investments within the fair value hierarchy,
with the value being taken from the published bid price available
as at that date (2023: 2 investments).
The remaining six investments were
included within the Level 3 category and subject to a Level 3
valuation approach.
Where investments are considered
to be Level 3 investments for valuation purposes, it is required
under IFRS 13 that information be provided about the significant
unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement. In the case
of the Company a balance is necessary in providing commentary on
such inputs, whilst at the same time not disclosing information
about these private companies which they have indicated cannot be
published (primarily for competitive reasons). The table below
provides a summary of the valuations subject to unobservable inputs
across the Company's investment portfolio,
split by valuation methodology and an indicative aggregate value of
the effect of either a more positive or negative valuation
approach, without publication of specific metrics which could be
identified as relating to any one investee company.
Valuation Basis
|
Aggregate Valuation
|
Range
|
(input)
|
Sensitivity
|
Effect on fair value
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Price of recent transaction (deal
price)
|
6,773
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
-25% / 25%
|
(1,693)
|
1,693
|
Cost
|
-
|
|
Quoted price
|
548
|
Total
|
7,321
|
A reconciliation of the opening
and closing balances of assets designated at fair value through
profit or loss classified as Level 1 is shown below:
|
31
March 2024
|
31
March 2023
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Fair value of investments brought
forward
|
811
|
2,632
|
Purchases during the year
|
-
|
-
|
Disposals proceeds during the
year
|
-
|
(104)
|
Realised gains on disposals during
the year
|
-
|
4
|
Net unrealised change in fair
value
|
(263)
|
(1,721)
|
Fair value of investments carried
forward
|
548
|
811
|
A reconciliation of the opening
and closing balances of assets designated at fair value through
profit or loss classified as Level 3 is shown below:
|
31
March 2024
£'000
|
31
March 2023
£'000
|
Fair value of investments brought
forward
|
15,208
|
16,892
|
Purchases during the year
|
216
|
443
|
Disposals proceeds during the
year
|
(7,694)
|
(54)
|
Capitalised interest on
loan
|
-
|
102
|
Realised gains/(losses) on
disposals during the year
|
1,077
|
(840)
|
Net unrealised change in fair
value
|
(2,034)
|
(1,335)
|
Fair value of investments carried
forward
|
6,773
|
15,208
|
|
31
March 2024
£'000
|
31
March 2023
£'000
|
Level 1
|
548
|
811
|
Level 2
|
-
|
-
|
Level 3
|
6,773
|
15,208
|
Total
|
7,321
|
16,019
|
14. Other receivables
|
|
|
|
31
March 2024
£'000
|
31
March 2023
£'000
|
Prepaid expenses
|
43
|
50
|
Other receivables
|
2,383
|
-
|
|
2,426
|
50
|
The Company has made a provision
at a default rate of 100% for £108,314(2023: £Nil)for an
outstanding receivable due from a loan note issued to SWB. See Note
21 for further details.
15. Payables and accruals
|
|
|
31
March 2024
£'000
|
31
March 2023
£'000
|
Administration fees
|
4
|
3
|
Audit fees
|
18
|
30
|
Legal & professional
fees
|
3
|
6
|
Other accrued expenses
|
3
|
28
|
|
28
|
67
|
16. Share Capital, Warrants,
Options, Treasury shares and Other distributable reserves
Authorised:
1,910,000,000 Ordinary Shares of
1p (2023: 1,910,000,000 Ordinary Shares)
|
|
31
March 2024
£'000
19,100
|
|
31
March 2023
£'000
19,100
|
100,000,000 Deferred Shares of
0.9p
|
|
900
|
|
900
|
(2023: 100,000,000 Deferred
Shares)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
20,000
|
Allotted, called up and fully paid:
|
|
|
|
|
202,032,895 Ordinary Shares of 1p
(2023:
212,747,395 Ordinary Shares)
|
(i)
|
2,020
|
|
2,127
|
Nil Deferred Shares of 0.9p (2023:
Nil)
|
(ii)
|
-
|
|
-
|
Share options
|
(iii)
|
-
|
|
-
|
Warrants
|
(vi)
|
-
|
|
-
|
Treasury Shares:
|
|
|
|
|
13,186.946 Treasury Shares of
1p
(2023: 2,472,446)
|
(v)
|
132
|
|
25
|
(i) Ordinary Shares
During the year 10,714,500
Ordinary Shares were bought by the Company as part of a share
buyback programme.
(ii) Deferred Shares
There were no changes to the
number of deferred shares during the year.
(iii) Options
There are no
options outstanding.
(iv) Directors' Authority
to Allot
Shares
The Directors are generally and
unconditionally authorised to exercise all the powers of the
Company to allot relevant securities. The Directors may determine
up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of 50% of the issued share
capital during the period until the following Annual General
Meeting. The Guernsey Companies Law does not limit the power of
Directors to issue shares or impose any pre-emption rights on the
issue of new shares.
(v) Shares held in Treasury
As part of a share buyback
programme, share repurchases in the year saw the number of Ordinary
Shares held as Treasury shares increase to 13,186,946 (2023:
2,472,446).
(vi) Warrants
There are
no warrants outstanding.
|
|
(vii) Other Distributable
Reserves
|
|
31
March 2024
£'000
|
31
March 2023
£'000
|
Opening balance as at 1
April
|
13,905
|
18,122
|
Total comprehensive loss for the
year
|
(2,120)
|
(4,459)
|
Ordinary Share buyback
|
(201)
|
-
|
Transfer of value of lapsed
options
|
-
|
242
|
Closing Balance as at 31
March
|
11,584
|
13,905
|
17. Net Assets per Ordinary
Share
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
The basic and diluted net asset
value per Ordinary Share is based on the net assets attributable to
equity shareholders of £13,604,000
(2023:
£16,032,000) and on 202,032,895 Ordinary Shares (2023: 212,747,395
Ordinary Shares) in issue at the end of the year. As all Warrants
and Options expired unexercised during the prior year there was no
dilutive effect as at 31 March 2024.
18. Related Parties
(i) Directors' remuneration
The Directors'remuneration for the year ended 31 March
2024 is disclosed in note 7. The Directors consider that there is
no immediate or ultimate controlling party.
Ian Burns
Mr Burns is the legal and
beneficial owner of Smoke Rise Holdings Limited, which held
1,674,024 (0.83%) Ordinary Shares (2023: 1,674,024) in the Company
at 31 March 2024 and the date of signing this report.
Mr Burns received an annual
remuneration of £36,000(2023: £36,000)with no discretionary bonus for the year
(2023: Nil). There was no payable at the financial reporting date
(2023: nil).
Ed McDermott
Mr McDermott held 4,680,000
(2.32%) Ordinary Shares (2023: 4,680,000) in the Company at 31
March 2024 and at the date of signing this report.
Mr McDermott is entitled to an annual remuneration of £160,000 effective 1
April 2021.
Mr McDermott received annual
remuneration of £161,063 (2023:
£161,760) which included pension
contributions of 1.1% of salary. There was no discretionary bonus
(2023: Nil). There was no payable at the financial reporting date
(2023: £13,168).
Mr McDermott is Co-chairman of
Clean Food Group as disclosed in the Investment Portfolio Report on
page 7 of the Report &
Accounts.
Lance De Jersey
Mr De Jersey, Finance Director of
the Company held 400,000 ordinary shares in the Company as at 31
March 2024 and at the date of signing of this report.
Mr De Jersey received annual
remuneration of £106,000 (2023:
£106,000). There was no discretionary
bonus (2023: Nil). There was no payable at the financial reporting
date of (2023: nil).
Luke Cairns
Mr Cairns, Non-Executive Director
of the Company is entitled to annual remuneration of £36,000per annum, effective from the date of his
appointment on 3 January 2020.
Mr Cairns received annual
remuneration of £36,000(2023: £36,000)with no discretionary bonus (2023: Nil). There
was no payable at the financial reporting date (2023:
nil).
Alfredo
Pascual
Mr Pascual, Executive Director of
the Company is entitled to annual remuneration of€106,000
(£90,598) per annum, effective from the
date of his appointment on 1 September 2023.
Mr Pascual received annual
remuneration of £71,781(2023: £63,833)with no discretionary bonus (2023: Nil). There
was no payable at the financial reporting date (2023:
nil).
(ii) Administrator of the
Company
Obsidian Fund Services Limited
("Obsidian")was the Administrator of the
Company during the year and was entitled to an administration fee
of
£40,000 per annum with an
additional fee of £500 per Board or Committee meeting above the
eight meetings covered by the administration fee.
In the year ended 31 March 2024, a
total of £43,628 (2023: £40,759) was charged to the Statement of Comprehensive
Income for Obsidian, of which £4,033 was payable at the financial
reporting date (2023: £3,333).
(iii) Digital Marketing
During the year the Company
contracted with G-Force Media, a digital content creator and
digital marketer. Ed McDermott, a Director of the Company, is a one
third shareholder of G-Force Media. During the year the Company
paid £12,000 (2023: Nil) to G-Force Media.
19. Financial Risk Management
The main risks arising from the
Company's financial instruments are credit
risk, liquidity risk and market risk, and are set out below,
together with the policies currently applied by the Board for their
management. Market risk comprises three types of financial risk,
being interest rate risk, currency risk and other price risk, being
the risk that the fair value or future cash flows will fluctuate
because of changes in market prices other than from interest rate
and currency risks.
Treasury policies
The objective of the Company's treasury policies is to manage the
Company's financial risk, secure cost
effective funding for the Company'soperations and to minimise the adverse
effects of fluctuations in the financial markets on the value of
the Company's financial assets and
liabilities on reported profitability and on cash flows of the
Company.
The Company finances its
activities with cash, short-term deposits with maturities of three
months or less and market traded securities. Other financial assets
and liabilities, such as receivables and payables, arise directly
from the Company's operating activities.
Derivative instruments may be used to change the economic
characteristics of financial instruments in accordance with the
Company's treasury policies.
The financial assets and
liabilities of the Company were:
|
|
|
31
March 2024
£'000
|
31
March 2023
£'000
|
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
|
|
|
Investments
|
7,321
|
16,019
|
Financial assets at amortised cost
|
|
|
Other receivables
|
2,383
|
-
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
3,885
|
30
|
|
6,268
|
30
|
Financial liabilities at amortised cost
|
|
|
Other payables
|
28
|
67
|
Prepayments of £42,900 (2023:
£50,000) have been excluded from financial assets.
Credit risk
The Company takes on exposure to
credit risk, which is the risk that one party will cause a
financial loss for the other party by failing to discharge an
obligation.
The Company's credit risk is primarily attributable to its
cash and cash equivalents, other receivables, short term loans and
convertible loan notes to investees. In order to mitigate credit
risk, the Company seeks to trade only with reputable counterparties
that the management believe to be creditworthy.
The credit risk on cash and cash
equivalents is limited by using banks with high credit ratings
assigned by international credit-rating agencies. At the year end,
an amount of cash and cash equivalents of £3,728,206was placed with HSBC Bank plc (2023:
£22,977).The Moody'scounterparty risk rating for HSBC Bank plc was
A3 as at 31 March 2024.
At the year end the Company held
convertible loan notes with a face value of £150,000. In the year £12,500
had been repaid and a provision made on the remaining outstanding
such that the carrying amount at the year end was £Nil (2023:
£167,095).
The Company's activities may give rise to settlement risk.
'Settlement risk' is the risk of loss due
to the failure of an entity to honour its obligations to deliver
cash, securities or other assets as contractually agreed. For the
majority of transactions, the Company mitigates this risk by
conducting settlements through a broker to ensure that a trade is
settled only when both parties have fulfilled their contractual
settlement obligations. Settlement limits form part of the credit
approval and limit monitoring processes by the Board.
The investment in these debt
instruments is considered to be of an equal risk to the equity
investments held in other Level 3 investments as disclosed in Note
13.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that
the Company may not be able to generate sufficient cash resources
to settle its obligations in full as they fall due or can only do
so on terms that are materially disadvantageous. The Company
invests in private equities, which, by their very nature, are
illiquid. The Company incurs a range of fixed expenses for which it
can budget.
As such it can appropriately plan
as to how to maintain a sufficient cash balances to meet its
working capital requirements.
Should it be identified that
additional cash resources are required, the Company would propose
to issue further equity to the market or to sell part of the
investment(s) held in market traded securities.
The contractual undiscounted cash
flows of the Company's financial
liabilities, which are equal to the fair value of the Company's financial liabilities, comprise of payable
within one year to the sum of £28,000
(2023: £57,000). The Company has no
contractual commitment to invest further in any of its existing
investments.
Market risk
(i) Price
risk
The Company's private equity investments are susceptible
to price risk arising from uncertainties about future values of the
private equity investments or derivative financial instruments.
This price risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash
flows will fluctuate because of changes in market prices, whether
those changes are caused by factors specific to the individual
investment or financial instrument or its holder or factors
affecting all similar financial instruments or investments traded
in the market, if any. Investments that are exposed to price risk
are disclosed under level 1 in note 13.
Given the higher levels of market
volatility in the current year, the Directors consider 30% (2023:
30%) best represents the margin of price risk associated with the
Company risk. A 30% (2023: 30%) increase/decrease in the fair value
of investments would result in a £163,875
(2023:
£242,580) increase/decrease in the
net asset value.
ii) Currency risk
The Company regularly holds assets
(both monetary and non-monetary) denominated in currencies other
than the functional currency (Sterling). It is therefore exposed to
currency risk, as the value of the financial instruments
denominated in other currencies will fluctuate due to changes in
exchange rates.
Foreign currency risk, as defined
in IFRS 7, arises as the values of recognised monetary assets and
monetary liabilities denominated in other currencies fluctuate due
to changes in foreign exchange rates. IFRS 7 considers the foreign
exchange exposure relating to non-monetary assets and liabilities
to be a component of market price risk, not foreign currency risk.
The Company monitors the exposure on all foreign-currency-
denominated assets and liabilities.
The Company monitors its exposure
to foreign exchange rates and, where exposure is considered
significant, appropriate measures would be adopted to minimise
these exposures. The proportion of the net financial assets of the
Company were denominated in currencies other than Sterling as
follows:
|
|
|
31
March 2024
£'000
|
|
31
March 2023
£'000
|
US Dollar
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
5
|
|
4
|
Financial assets at fair value
through profit and loss
|
2,870
|
|
3,247
|
Euro
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
2,582
|
|
22
|
Financial assets at fair value
through profit and loss
|
2,740
|
|
9,542
|
Canadian dollar
|
|
|
|
Financial assets at fair value
through profit and loss
|
-
|
|
-
|
Australian Dollar
|
|
|
|
Financial assets at fair value
through profit and loss
|
529
|
|
715
|
Net currency exposure
|
8,727
|
|
13,529
|
At 31 March 2024, if the exchange
rate of the US Dollar had strengthened/weakened by 10% against the
Sterling, with all other variables remaining constant, the
increase/(decrease) in the profit for the year would amount to +/-
£261,341 (2023: +/- £325,061).
At 31 March 2024, if the exchange
rate of the Euro had strengthened/weakened by 10% against the
Sterling, with all other variables remaining constant, the
increase/(decrease) in the profit for the year would amount to +/-
£483,873 (2023: +/- £956,365).
At 31 March 2024, if the exchange
rate of the Australian Dollar had strengthened/weakened by 10%
against the Sterling, with all other variables remaining constant,
the increase/(decrease) in the profit for the year would amount to
+/- £48,133 (2023: £71,475).
iii) Interest rate
risk
The Company currently funds its
operations through the use of equity. Cash at bank, the majority of
which was in Euros at the year end, is held at variable rates. At
the year end, the Company's financial liabilities did not suffer
interest and thus were not subject to any interest rate
risk.
20. Capital Management Policy and
Procedures
The Company's capital structure is
derived solely from the issue of Ordinary Shares.
The Company does not currently
intend to fund any investments through debt or other borrowings but
may do so if appropriate. Investments in early stage assets are
expected to be mainly in the form of equity, with debt potentially
being raised later to fund the development of such assets.
Investments in later stage assets are more likely to include an
element of debt to equity gearing. The Company may also offer new
Ordinary Shares as consideration as well as cash, thereby helping
to preserve the Company's cash for working capital and as a reserve
against unforeseen contingencies including, for example, delays in
collecting accounts receivable, unexpected changes in the economic
environment and operational problems.
The Board monitors and reviews the
structure of the Company's capital on an ad hoc basis. This review
includes:
· The
need to obtain funds for new investments, as and when they
arise;
· The current
and future levels
of gearing;
· The
need to buy back Ordinary Shares for cancellation or to be held in
treasury, which takes account of the difference between the net
asset value per Ordinary Share and the Ordinary Share
price;
· The current
and future dividend
policy; and
· The current and future return of capital
policy.
The Company is not subject to any
externally imposed capital requirements.
21. Events after the Financial
Reporting Date
On 21 May 2024 the Company
received information that the majority equity holding in OTO was
being marketed for sale due to concern around the liquidity and
viability of OTO without further investment. The Company treated
this as an adjusting event and revalued OTO to £Nil (2023:
£423,292). The Company also made a provision at a default rate of 100%
for £108,314 (2023: £Nil) for an outstanding receivable due from a loan
note issued to SWB being repaid by OTO following the sale of SWB to
OTO in April 2023.
On 16 April the Company declared a
special dividend of 1.0 pence (£0.01) per
SEED Share (the "Special Dividend"). This follows the Company's
realisation of its investment in Leap Gaming as originally
announced on 7 December 2022. The Special Dividend was funded from
existing cash reserves and was paid on 13 May 2024 to SEED
Shareholders on the register of members of the Company on 26 April
2024 (the "Record Date"), with the SEED Shares being marked ex
dividend on 25 April 2024.
On 12 April the Company received
in full second and final instalment of monies from the sale of
Fralis LLC (Leap Gaming) of EUR 2,766,048 (GBP
2,364,345).
The Share Buyback programme of
Ordinary Shares announced on 29 September 2023 which commenced on 2
October 2023 ended on 31 May 2024. In total the Company purchased
19,797,500 shares at a volume weighted price of £0.0258 (2.58
pence).
- Ends -
For further information visit:
www.seedinnovations.co or contact:
Ed McDermott
Lance de Jersey
|
SEED Innovations
Ltd
|
info@seedinnovations.co
|
James Biddle
Roland Cornish
|
Beaumont Cornish Limited,
Nomad
|
(0)20 7628 3396
|
Isabella Pierre
Damon Heath
|
Shard Capital Partners
LLP
Broker
|
(0)20 7186 9927
|
Ana Ribeiro
Isabel de Salis
Isabelle Morris
|
St Brides Partners
Ltd,
Financial PR
|
seed@stbridespartners.co.uk
|
Notes
Seed Innovations Ltd is an AIM quoted
investment company offering exposure to disruptive, high-growth,
life sciences and technology ventures typically inaccessible to
everyday investors. Its strategy focuses on identifying early-stage
opportunities with upcoming investment catalysts, alongside more
mature investments providing near-term liquidity. With a portfolio
of such investments and cash reserves, the company is agile and
poised to capitalise swiftly on new investment
opportunities.