FastForward Innovations Limited Investee Company Update: Schoold (9665N)

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RNS Number : 9665N

FastForward Innovations Limited

15 August 2017

15 August 2017

FastForward Innovations Limited

("FastForward")

Investee Company Update:

Schoold and Lingo Media agree to merge

Further to the 3 July 2017 announcement, FastForward is pleased to announce that investee company, Vested Finance inc (trading as Schoold Inc ("Schoold" or "the Company")) in which FastForward has an equity interest of 11.6%, has announced that it has now approved a definitive agreement dated August 10, 2017 (the "Agreement") to combine in a merger of equals through an all-stock transaction (the "Transaction") with Lingo Media Corporation (TSX-V: LM; OTCQB: LMDCF; FSE: LIMA) ("Lingo Media". Schoold is a privately held company, that is the leading mobile app for getting trusted advice on applying to university in the United States and Lingo Media is a global EdTech company involved in developing and marketing products for learners of English. Shareholders should note that the Transaction remains conditional on certain conditions being satisfied as set out below.

Extracts of the news release made by both Lingo Media and Schoold is set out below:

'The merger brings together the proven student-focused English Language Learning capabilities of Lingo and the "must-have" app-based mobile messaging and coaching services of Schoold. The combination of the two complementary companies creates a global platform for engaging, recruiting and coaching students, as well as helping colleges to ensure international students succeed in English. The operational efficiencies and scale that are expected to result from the merger include the ability to provide best-in-class English language learning resources to students through Schoold's network of over 3,000 universities.

"This deal will accelerate the individual commercial success of each company," said Lorne Abony, Fast Forward's CEO. "By combining technology platforms and the ability to engage a broad range of both domestic and international students, the new company will have even more to offer university programs that face increasing competition for applicants."

"This is about enabling thousands of traditional, brick-and-mortar colleges and universities to focus on what they do best: instruction," said Joe Ross, CEO of Schoold. "College applicants and undergrads today discover, communicate and inform themselves on mobile devices - and organize their days around apps and mobile messaging. When it comes to finding and retaining engaged learners - especially those for whom English is a second language - colleges need help of the kind Lingo and Schoold are best qualified to provide."

The Mobile Marketplace for Higher Education

Schoold is the leading mobile app for getting trusted advice on applying to university in the United States. With over one million served and thousands of rave reviews, the Schoold app functions as a higher education marketplace, connecting prospective students with colleges and universities. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a "must-have" app for international students, Schoold is democratizing access to higher education and helping students everywhere get smart about investing in their future. Schoold is available worldwide on iPhone, Android, and Kindle devices. Schoold is a Delaware corporation with its head office in San Francisco, California.

The following table sets out selected financial information of Schoold as at and for the periods indicated:

 
 Statement of Profit             Year Ended      Three-Months 
  and Loss Data                                      Ended 
  (US$)                          December 31,       March 31, 
                                     2016             2017 
                                  (audited)        (unaudited, 
                                                  not reviewed) 
----------------------------  ---------------  ---------------- 
 Revenue                              $19,307           $30,197 
----------------------------  ---------------  ---------------- 
 Expenses                          $5,000,438          $763,940 
----------------------------  ---------------  ---------------- 
 Net Loss Before Other 
  Income and Expenses            ($4,981,131)        ($733,742) 
----------------------------  ---------------  ---------------- 
 Net Loss and Comprehensive 
  Loss                           ($4,980,226)        ($941,618) 
----------------------------  ---------------  ---------------- 
 
 Balance Sheet Data                As at             As at 
   (US$)                         December 31,       March 31, 
                                     2016             2017 
                                  (audited)        (unaudited, 
                                                  not reviewed) 
----------------------------  ---------------  ---------------- 
 Assets                              $737,662           $26,463 
----------------------------  ---------------  ---------------- 
 Current Liabilities                 $205,665          $298,415 
----------------------------  ---------------  ---------------- 
 Liabilities                       $4,730,665        $1,141,616 
----------------------------  ---------------  ---------------- 
 

Transaction Highlights

-- It is expected that the Transaction will be completed by way of three-corned merger under Delaware General Corporate Law between Schoold and a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Lingo Media

-- All stock, merger of equals transaction: Lingo Media security holders 50%, Schoold security holders 50%

-- Lingo currently has 35,529,132 common shares ("Lingo Shares") issued and outstanding and an additional 3,199,500 stock options ("Lingo Options") issued and outstanding, which are exercisable into an additional 3,199,500 Lingo Shares, for an aggregate of 38,728,632 Lingo Shares outstanding on a fully-diluted basis

-- Lingo Media will issue Lingo Shares and Lingo Options to current Schoold stockholders and Schoold option holders equal to an aggregate of 38,728,632 Lingo Shares on a fully-diluted basis

-- Lingo Media will pay, subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"), a finder's fee equal to 1% of the value of the Transaction up to a maximum of $140,000, as consideration for efforts made in introducing the parties and facilitating the Transaction. The finder's fee will be satisfied by way of issuance of Lingo Shares (the "Finder Fee Shares") at a price per Finder's Fee Share equal to the deemed issue price of any Lingo Shares being issued as consideration for the Transaction

-- In connection with the Transaction, Lingo Media will seek shareholder approval at a meeting of its shareholders (the "Lingo Meeting") for the following: (i) a change of its name to a name mutually agreeable to the parties (the "Name Change"), (ii) an increase of the size of its board of directors from six to seven directors, the re-election of three current members of the board and the election of four new board members who will take office upon completion of the Transaction ("Board Changes"); (iii) a new stock option plan ("New Stock Option Plan"); and (iv) all such other ancillary matters as may be required. The Name Change, Board Changes and New Stock Option Plan being referred to as the Lingo Approval Matters

-- The Transaction is subject to, among other things, receipt of the requisite shareholder approval of Schoold, receipt of the requisite approval of the Lingo Media shareholders of the Lingo Approval Matters, completion of the Financing, sufficient lock-up and leak out agreements being entered into by security holders of both Schoold and Lingo Media, approval of the TSXV and other standard closing conditions

-- The Transaction is an Arm's Length Transaction as defined in the policies of the TSXV and no relationships exist between or among Schoold and the principals of Lingo or between or among Lingo and the principals of Schoold

Concurrent Financing

-- Schoold intends to complete a financing (the "Financing") of subscription receipts (the "Subscription Receipts") and convertible debt for minimum aggregate gross proceeds of $4,700,000, which amount is subject to increase at the mutual agreement of Schoold and Lingo and of which $850,000 has already been raised

-- Pursuant to the Financing, Schoold is expected to issue convertible debt and Subscription Receipts ultimately convertible into Lingo Shares at a minimum price of $0.40 per Lingo Share

-- Each Subscription Receipt shall be deemed to be exercised immediately prior to the completion of the Transaction, without payment of any additional consideration and without further action on the part of the holder thereof

Resulting Issuer Capitalization (upon completion of the Transaction)

-- Based on the current number of issued and outstanding shares, it is anticipated that the Lingo will have approximately 77,192,924 Lingo Shares issued and outstanding assuming completion of the Financing on the terms set out above (and including the issuance of the Finder Fee Shares), of which current Lingo shareholders will continue to hold 35,529,132 Lingo Shares, 31,738,667 Lingo Shares will be issued to current Schoold shareholders, 350,000 Lingo Shares will be issued as Finder Fee Shares and 9,575,125 Lingo Shares will be issued to participants in the Financing. On a fully-diluted basis, current Lingo stockholders and current Schoold stockholders will each, as a group, hold an aggregate of 38,728,632 Lingo Shares upon completion of the Transaction.

-- It is also anticipated that there will be an aggregate of 10,189,465 stock options of the Company outstanding, exercisable into 10,189,465 Lingo Shares

About Lingo Media

Lingo Media is a global EdTech company that is 'Changing the way the world learns English', developing and marketing products for learners of English through various life stages, from classroom to boardroom. By integrating education and technology, the company empowers English language educators to easily transition from traditional teaching methods to digital learning.

Lingo Media provides both online and print-based solutions through two distinct business units: ELL Technologies and Lingo Learning. ELL Technologies provides online training and assessment for English language learning, while Lingo Learning is a print-based publisher of English language learning programs in China.

Lingo Media has formed successful relationships with key government and industry organizations internationally, with a particularly strong presence in Latin America and China, and continues to both extend its global reach and expand its product offerings.'

Assuming the completion of the Financing at the minimum price, it is expected that Fast Forward will be issued with Lingo Shares representing approximately 6.99% of the issued and outstanding shares Lingo.

For further information please visit www.fstfwd.co or contact:

 
FastForward Innovations Limited [e-mail] 
 Josh Epstein/ Ian Burns 
------------------------------------------------------------ 
Beaumont Cornish Limited (Nomad) Tel: [phone] 
 James Biddle / Roland Cornish 
------------------------------------------------------------ 
Optiva Securities Limited (Broker) Tel: [phone] 
 Ed McDermott 
------------------------------------------------------------ 
 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

The AIM Market of London Stock Exchange plc does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential values, the future plans and objectives of FastForward Innovations Ltd. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, achievable or recognizable in the near term.

Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. FastForward Innovations assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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August 15, 2017 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)