text: LGC to Expand into Italy with Investment in Evolution Bnk, an Emerging Cannabis Grower | Markets Insider
  LGC to Expand into Italy with Investment in Evolution Bnk, an Emerging Cannabis Grower
  Mar. 12, 2018, 01:42 PM
  Symbol: TSX-V: LG
  MONTREAL, March 12, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - LGC Capital Ltd. (TSXV: LG) ("LGC") is pleased to announce the signing of a Letter of Intent ("LOI") with Evolution Bnk ATM S.p.A ("Evolution Bnk") for a secured loan by LGC in an amount of € 3 million (approximately CAD $4.7 million), convertible in certain circumstances into a 49% equity interest in Evolution Bnk. The LOI also provides that LGC will acquire a 5% royalty on Evolution Bnk's net sales.
  Evolution Bnk is establishing a new Cannabis cultivation operational division, with the first 5,000 m2 currently under construction in the famous flower-growing region of Sanremo on Italy's Mediterranean coast. Evolution Bnk is also generating revenues from Bitcoin mining and Bitcoin ATM machines, which have been and are being added into the Italian market.
  Mazen Haddad, LGC's Co-Chairman commented; "We see Europe as a very important and fast-growing market for the legalized Cannabis sector. LGC is reviewing a number of very exciting cash-flowing opportunities in Europe and the Evolution Bnk deal will see LGC enter the European legalized cannabis market and Bitcoin sector in a very significant way and potentially provide us with strong cash flow and growth opportunities going forward. LGC has chosen to invest in Evolution Bnk due to its integrated approach combining energy efficiency and heat transfer technology which should significantly lower costs for both operations. A patent is in the process of being filed for this application and more information on this technology will be disclosed in the future."
  Sanremo is Italy's leading floricultural center and flowers have been a primary export for the region. The Mediterranean coastal climate is ideal for the cultivation of Cannabis, and Sanremo has significant greenhouse surplus that offers ample human resources rich in horticultural experience.
  Medical Cannabis has been legal in Italy since January 2013 and is available for medical-only use in hospitals and pharmacies. "Low THC" (0.2% THC by law) Cannabis Light is sold in Italian tobacconists.
  In the next four to five months, Evolution Bnk intends to complete the construction of its first Cannabis cultivation facility on 5,000 m2 (54,000 square feet) in Sanremo, where it is converting existing greenhouses. In addition, Evolution Bnk has one retail location in Sanremo serving as both a dispensary and housing a Bitcoin ATM. Evolution Bnk has also contracted a further four locations in Italy. This marks another near-term revenue generating Cannabis investment.
  Evolution Bnk believes that the first phase of greenhouse conversion should produce about 7,500 kg of cannabis production per year.
  Evolution Bnk is planning the conversion and commissioning of another 15,000 m2 (160,000 sq. ft.) of greenhouse space in the Sanremo area during the year. There is significant margin to further increase this growing capacity.
  Evolution Bnk's Bitcoin division is actively rolling out its first Bitcoin ATMs in the Sanremo area, having successfully installed two ATMs in the past two weeks, and plans to install a further 700 Bitcoin ATMs throughout Italy and other selected European countries during the next year. Evolution Bnk has advised LGC that its Bitcoin division has already generated € 280,000 in revenues (approximately CAD $445,000) for the three months ended February 28, 2018 with a trading profit of € 80,000 (approximately CAD $126,500).
  At the closing of the loan transaction, LGC will pay a finder's fee to an arm's-length third party in an amount equal to 6% of the value of the transaction, payable 50% in cash and 50% in LGC shares. LGC will issue the shares at a price per share equal to the closing price of its shares on the TSX Venture Exchange immediately prior to the closing of the loan transaction.
  The LOI provides that LGC will lend €3 million (approximately CAD $4.7 million) to Evolution Bnk. The loan will have a four-year term, bear interest at an annual rate of 10% and be secured by first-ranking security on all of the assets of Evolution Bnk. LGC will advance the funds in tranches in accordance with budgets and timetables provided by Evolution Bnk, all to the satisfaction of LGC. Evolution Bnk will use the proceeds from the loan for the realization of its business plan, to LGC's satisfaction. The loan will be convertible into Evolution Bnk shares at LGC's discretion at the time of a liquidity event. In the event that the loan is converted in full, LGC will acquire 49% of the then-issued and outstanding shares of Evolution Bnk. As consideration for providing the loan, LGC will receive a 5% royalty on Evolution Bnk's net sales, payable to LGC on a quarterly basis.
  Closing of the transaction with Evolution Bnk is subject to satisfactory due diligence on the part of LGC, which is expected to take approximately one month, the parties entering into definitive agreements, standard closing conditions, and regulatory approval, including that of the TSX Venture Exchange.
  Note: On March 9, 2018, the Bank of Canada's daily exchange rate for the Euro was € 1.00 = CAD $1.58.
  About LGC (http://www.lgc-capital.com)
  LGC Capital Ltd. is a Canadian incorporated public company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: LG). LGC's objective is to become a diversified business group with core business divisions that provide shareholders with exposure to a diverse range of businesses, products and services.
  About Evolution Bnk ATM S.p.A (www.evolutionbnk.com)
  Evolution Bnk ATM S.p.A is a company based in Bulgaria, which has a statute for the marketing and trading of cryptocurrency and crypto-value mining and Bitcoin distribution and installation. Its goal is to become a leader in cryptocurrency and ATM management connected to a network of its own (bidirectional satellite intranet) and becoming a leader in Italy for the production and distribution of industrial Cannabis produced in greenhouses using its own propriety patents.
  Information Relating to Evolution Bnk ATM S.p.A.
  All information contained in this press release relating to Evolution Bnk ATM S.p.A. has been provided to LGC by Evolution Bnk ATM S.p.A. LGC has relied upon this information without having made independent inquiries as to its accuracy or completeness and assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracy or incompleteness of such information.
  This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to LGC Capital Ltd. ("LGC") and Evolution Bnk ATM S.p.A. ("Evolution Bnk"), and their respective operations, strategy, investments, financial performance and condition. These statements generally can be identified by use of forward- looking words such as "may", "will", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intends", "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The actual results and performance of LGC and Evolution Bnk could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Some important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, among other things, general economic and market factors, competition, government regulation and the factors described under "Risk Factors and Risk Management" in LGC's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, as filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). The cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to LGC and persons acting on its behalf. Unless otherwise stated, all forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and neither LGC nor Evolution Bnk has any obligation to update such statements, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.
  SOURCE LGC Capital Ltd
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