Clever Leaves Expands Partnership With Cansativa; Cansativa Raises Up to $15 Million in Financing Led by Casa Verde

Rhea-AI Summary

Clever Leaves announces a three-year supply agreement with German distributor Cansativa, reinforcing its presence in the medicinal cannabis market. This partnership includes a minimum purchase of €2 million worth of high-THC cannabis flower from Clever Leaves' facilities. Cansativa is set to raise up to $15 million, which will bolster its position in the cannabis industry. Clever Leaves will also partially sell its stake in Cansativa for approximately €2.3 million, reducing its ownership to around 9%. The supply agreement is expected to start by late 2022, pending regulatory certifications.

Positive

• Three-year supply agreement with Cansativa, increasing market access in Germany.
• Cansativa's Series B capital raise of up to $15 million enhances growth potential.
• Expected €2 million minimum cannabis purchase strengthens revenue stream.
• Partial sale in Cansativa expected to generate €2.3 million, providing non-dilutive capital.

Negative

• Supply agreement contingent upon EU GMP certification, introducing regulatory uncertainty.
• Post-sale ownership in Cansativa reduced to approximately 9%, potentially impacting influence.

Clever Leaves enters three-year commercial supply agreement with German distributor and wholesaler to enhance access into medicinal cannabis market

BOCA RATON, Fla. and FRANKFURT, Germany, Feb. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clever Leaves Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: CLVR, CLVRW) (“Clever Leaves” or the “Company”), a leading multinational operator and licensed producer of pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids, today announced the expansion of its partnership with German cannabis distributor and wholesaler Cansativa GmbH (“Cansativa”). At the same time, Cansativa announced a Series B fundraise, enhancing Cansativa’s ability to grow, capitalize on the existing medical cannabis market and prepare for entry to the potential German recreational market.

Cansativa Series B Capital Raise of up to $15 Million

Casa Verde Capital, LLC (“Casa Verde”), a cannabis-focused venture capital firm, has agreed to lead an investment round into Cansativa of up to $15 million, followed by other additional investors. This financing round will assist Cansativa in capitalizing on its strong position in the German cannabis market, as well as preparing for the potential German recreational market.

Clever Leaves Sales Agreement with Cansativa

In connection with Cansativa’s Series B capital raise, Clever Leaves’ indirect, wholly owned subsidiary, Clever Leaves Portugal Unipessoal, Lda. (“Clever Leaves Portugal”), and Cansativa entered a three-year commercial supply agreement. Subject to its terms and conditions, the supply agreement provides that Cansativa will purchase a minimum of €2 million of high-THC cannabis flower from Clever Leaves Portugal’ Portuguese facilities.

Throughout 2022, Clever Leaves will continue to develop its relationship with Cansativa and the German cannabis market by providing safe, reliable, pharmaceutical-grade products through Cansativa’s distribution network, which includes thousands of authorized German pharmacies. The supply agreement is expected to be initiated around the end of 2022, contingent upon Clever Leaves Portugal receiving EU GMP certification as well as the closing of Cansativa’s fundraise and other conditions.

Clever Leaves Generates Liquidity Through Partial Sale of Cansativa Ownership

In connection with Cansativa’s Series B capital raise, Clever Leaves’ indirect, wholly owned subsidiary will sell a portion of its Cansativa holdings, which is expected to generate approximately €2.3 million of pre-tax proceeds and reduce Clever Leaves’ expected ownership to approximately 9%.

“Having imported and distributed over 1,000 kg of cannabis flower in 2021, combined with its national exclusivity in Germany for distributing all domestically-produced cannabis, Cansativa plays a critical role in expanding distribution for many cannabis companies. With this supply agreement, that list now includes Clever Leaves, so that we are aligned with their success,” said Andrés Fajardo, President and incoming CEO of Clever Leaves. “The expansion of our partnership will help strengthen our foothold in Germany and address the patient demand for premium, medical-grade products. With the additional investment from Casa Verde, we believe Cansativa is well-positioned to benefit from current and prospective regulatory tailwinds in the German market. We look forward to leveraging our strong partnerships to enhance our product portfolio for patients throughout Germany, and eventually the EU as a whole. We are also pleased to continue maximizing value for our shareholders through the sale of a portion of our investment in Cansativa, generating some additional non-dilutive capital which may be used to further augment our commercialization efforts.”

About Clever Leaves Holdings Inc.
Clever Leaves is a leading multinational operator and licensed producer of pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids. Its operations in Colombia and Portugal produce cannabinoid active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and finished products ​in flower and extract form to a growing base of B2B customers around the globe. Clever Leaves aims to disrupt the traditional cannabis production industry by leveraging environmentally sustainable, ESG-friendly, industrial-scale and low-cost production methods, with the world’s most stringent pharmaceutical quality certifications. For more information, please visit https://cleverleaves.com/en/home/ and follow Clever Leaves on Twitter and LinkedIn.

For more information, visit https://cleverleaves.com/en/home/ and follow Clever Leaves on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Clever Leaves Press Contacts:
Rich DiGregorio
KCSA Strategic Communications
+1-856-889-7351
cleverleaves@kcsa.com 

Diana Sigüenza
Strategic Communications Director
+57-310-236-8830
diana.siguenza@cleverleaves.com

Clever Leaves Commercial Inquiries:
Andrew Miller
Vice President Sales - EMEA, North America, and Asia-Pacific
+1-416-817-1336
andrew.miller@cleverleaves.com

Clever Leaves Investor Inquiries:
Cody Slach and Jackie Keshner
Gateway Group
+1-949-574-3860
CLVR@gatewayir.com

 

FAQ

What is the recent supply agreement between Clever Leaves and Cansativa?

Clever Leaves has entered a three-year supply agreement with Cansativa to sell a minimum of €2 million of high-THC cannabis flower, enhancing its presence in the German market.

How much is Cansativa raising in its Series B funding round?

Cansativa is looking to raise up to $15 million in its Series B funding round.

What financial impact does the partial sale of Cansativa holdings have on Clever Leaves?

Clever Leaves expects to generate approximately €2.3 million from the partial sale of its Cansativa holdings, reducing its ownership to around 9%.

When is the supply agreement between Clever Leaves and Cansativa expected to start?

The supply agreement is expected to initiate around the end of 2022, pending regulatory approvals.

What are the implications of the supply agreement for Clever Leaves investors?

The agreement could strengthen Clever Leaves' revenue and market position in Germany, though it carries regulatory risks.