1st Mar 2018 07:00
Blue Star Capital plc
("Blue Star" or the "Company")
Final Results for the year ended 30 September 2017
Blue Star Capital plc (AIM: BLU) is pleased to announce its final results for the year ended 30 September 2017.
Highlights:
· Net assets of £3,513,262 (2016: £1,757,165)
· Loss for the period of £188,713 (2016: loss of £165,005)
· Acquired a 31% shareholding in SatoshiPay Ltd, a blockchain business focused on nanopayments
· Cash position at 30 September 2017 of £37,970 (2016: 51,184)
· The Company raised £500,000 before expenses through a further issue of equity shortly after the year end
The Annual Report and notice of Annual General Meeting ("AGM") will be posted to shareholders shortly and will be available to view on the Company's website http://www.bluestarcapital.co.uk.
The AGM will be held at the offices of Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, Cheyne House, Crown Court, 62-63 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6AX on 26 March 2018 at 12.00 p.m.
Tony Fabrizi Chief Executive Officer of Blue Star Capital plc, commented:
"The last year has seen the Company make considerable progress with the acquisition of a sizeable shareholding in SatoshiPay. The Board is confident that SatoshiPay has the potential to deliver significant value for Blue Star shareholders and it looks forward to working with SatoshiPay's management in unlocking that value."
For further information, please contact:
Blue Star Capital plc
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Tony Fabrizi | +44 (0) 777 178 2434 |
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP | +44 (0) 20 7213 0880 |
(Nominated Adviser) | |
Emma Earl/Jo Turner | |
Smaller Company Capital Limited | +44 (0) 203 651 2911 |
(Broker) Rupert Williams/Jeremy Woodgate
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|
Chairman's Statement
The last financial year has been one of considerable progress for the Company. A substantial shareholding has been accumulated in a blockchain business called SatoshiPay. In addition, the Company has seen solid progress with Sthaler, which has successfully raised money at a higher valuation and some of DTL's investments are also making progress, most notably VNU and Freeformers. Unfortunately, we have also had the sad news of Graham Parr's sudden death last year; he is greatly missed.
Financials
The Company reported a loss for the period of £188,713 compared to a loss of £165,005 in the corresponding period. We posted an unrealised a gain on Sthaler but incurred much higher transaction fees during the year, arising from several investments in SatoshiPay and a number of fund raising exercises.
Net assets have increased to £3,513,262 at 30 September 2017, changing from £1,757,165 at30 September 2016. Blue Star's cash position at 30 September 2017 was £37,970 compared to a balance of £51,184 at 30 September 2016. The Company raised £500,000 before expenses through a further issue of equity shortly after the year end.
Portfolio Review
Disruptive Tech Limited ('DTL')
Company description
DTL is a Gibraltar based investing company. DTL has five current investments, the most important of which are its 14% shareholding, on a fully diluted basis, in VNU Group LLC, a speciality online direct retailer of premium goods paid for through an instant credit facility a 10.20% interest in Freeformers which helps companies fulfil the employee aspects of their digital strategies and an 8.4% stake in Nektan plc, a leading international B2B mobile gaming company.
In 2016, DTL informed investors that it would seek to exit all the shareholdings in the five portfolio companies during the course of the next 3 years and would disperse the proceeds back to DTL's shareholders. Disbursement of proceeds is expected to be either through the distribution of shares if a company is listed on a public market (post any lock in period and stability in the share price) or cash from the sale of DTL's positions. At this stage DTL has not commenced its strategy of disbursing its investments but the Board of Blue Star is hopeful of progress this year.
Blue Star's shareholding in DTL
Blue Star's £300,000 investment in DTL was made in 2007. Since its original investment, DTL has raised money at significantly higher valuations and while the Company's percentage shareholding has fallen to 2.1%, the value of the investment has increased to its current carrying value of £1.597 million.
Sthaler Limited ("Sthaler")
Company description
In June 2015 the Company invested £50,000 in Sthaler Limited, an early stage identity and payments technology business which enables a consumer to identify themselves and pay using just their finger at retail points of sale. In May 2017, Sthaler announced that it had raised £3 million of new equity on a pre-money valuation of approximately £19 million.
Sthaler jointly developed Fingopay in conjunction with Hitachi. Fingopay uses a unique finger vein ID process that is considered by Sthaler to be more secure than finger print readers and faster than chip and pin operations. The technology is widely adopted in Japan and it is Sthaler's aim to commercialise the technology in the area of payments globally.
It is the Directors' understanding that Sthaler is having ongoing discussions with a large number of organisations regarding the commercialisation of its technology. Whilst there is no guarantee that these discussions will result in commercial sales in the short term or at all, the Directors remain optimistic of an exciting future for Sthaler. Further details regarding Sthaler are available at its website www.sthaler.com.
Blue Star's shareholding in Sthaler
The Company's shareholding in Sthaler is currently 1%, valuing the Company's stake at £227,000.
SatoshiPay Ltd ("SatoshiPay")
Company description
SatoshiPay is developing a two-way payment platform, which enables online content providers to monetise their digital content through the acceptance of nanopayments. Using the SatoshiPay platform, online media companies are able to process nanopayments with minimal transaction fees.
SatoshiPay believe its technology, which is based on blockchain, will provide a direct alternative to paywalls and subscriptions, currently adopted by some media companies, and should instead enable users to pay for consumption on a per article, per song or per download basis; or for content to be consumed and paid for on an incremental basis (payment per paragraph or minute of audio or video content). SatoshiPay works without software download or sign-up for the user (save for creation/top up of an online wallet). Payments are instant and the user's wallet balance is available on each website that integrates the SatoshiPay software.
In July 2016, SatoshiPay announced collaboration with Visa Europe's innovation department relating to a proof of concept project to develop the capability to deliver a trusted top-up service to a digital wallet, using just a Visa card. Following the successful conclusion of that project, SatoshiPay's primary focus moved on to making its website "widget" more appealing and compatible to the mass markets by adding payment methods like credit cards for topping up credit without the need for website users to hold Bitcoins. In May 2017, SatoshiPay announced that it had launched PayPal support allowing top-ups of its SatoshiPay online wallet via PayPal. In December 2017 SatoshiPay announced that consumers would be able to top up their SatoshiPay account using credit cards. In December 2017 SatoshiPay also switched from using the Bitcoin blockchain for settlements to the Stellar distributed ledger network and entered into a strategic partnership with the Stellar Development Foundation.
The Directors believe the sizeable investment in SatoshiPay has the potential to generate significant returns for the Company's shareholders and are excited by this opportunity. Further details regarding SatoshiPay are available at its website www.satoshipay.io
Blue Star's shareholding in SatoshiPay
The Company's shareholding in SatoshiPay is currently 31% and is valued at cost of £1.672 million.
Outlook
The Board believes the Company's portfolio has been significantly improved as a result of the significant shareholding in SatoshiPay. At the same time, the running costs have remained low and are kept under strict control. Overall, the Directors believe the Company is now far better positioned to examine opportunities to enhance shareholder value and the Board views the future outlook with confidence.
Strategic Report
Review of Business and Analysis Using Key Performance Indicators
The full year's pre-tax loss was £188,713 compared to a pre-tax loss of £165,005 for the year ended 30 September 2016.
The increased loss reflected the significantly higher transaction fees incurred during the year as a result of the investments in SatoshiPay and fund raising exercises.
Net assets have increased to £3,513,262 at 30 September 2017, changing from £1,757,165 at30 September 2016, primarily due to the investments in SatoshiPay.
The cash position at the end of the year decreased to £37,970 from £51,184 as at 30 September 2016.
Key Performance Indicators
The Board monitors the activities and performance of the Company on a regular basis. The indicators set out below have been used by the Board to assess performance over the year to 30 September 2017. The main KPIs for the Company are listed as follows:
2017 | 2016 | |
Valuation of investments | £3,496,864 | £1,706,237 |
Cash and cash equivalents | £37,970 | £51,184 |
Net current assets | £16,398 | £50,928 |
Loss before tax | £188,713 | £165,005 |
Investing Policy
Assets or Companies in which the Company can invest
The Company can invest in assets or companies in the following sectors:
· Technology;
· Gaming; and
· Media.
The Company's geographical range is mainly UK companies but considers opportunities in the mainland EU and will actively co-invest in larger deals.
The Company can take positions in investee companies by way of equity, debt or convertible or hybrid securities.
Whether investments will be active or passive investments
The Company's investments are passive in nature but may be actively managed. The Company may be represented on, or observe, the boards of its investee companies.
Holding period for investments
The Company's investments are likely to be illiquid and consequently are to be held for the medium to long term.
Spread of investments and maximum exposure limits, Policy in relation to cross-holdings and Investing Restrictions
The Company does not have any maximum exposure limits, limits on cross-holdings or other investing restrictions. Under normal circumstances, it is the Directors intention not to invest more than 10% of the Company's gross assets in any individual company (calculated at the time of investment). The Company has accumulated a 31% stake in SatoshiPay, which the Board believes represents a rare opportunity to generate significant shareholder value.
Policy in relation to gearing
The Directors may exercise the powers of the Company to borrow money and to give security over its assets. The Company may also be indirectly exposed to the effects of gearing to the extent that investee companies have outstanding borrowings.
Returns and Distribution Policy
It is anticipated that returns from the Company's investment portfolio will arise upon realisation or sale of its investee companies, rather than from dividends received. Whilst it is not possible to determine the timing of exits, the Board will seek to return capital to shareholders when appropriate.
Life of the Company
The Company has an indefinite life dependent on obtaining sufficient funding.
Future Developments
The Company is continuing to develop an investment portfolio with the capacity for substantial growth and increases in value.
Principal risks and uncertainties
The Company seeks investments in late stage venture capital and early stage private equity opportunities, which by their very nature allow a diverse portfolio of investments within different sectors and geographic locations.
The Company's primarily risk is loss or impairment of investments. This is mitigated by careful management of the investment and in particular, only continuing to support those investments which demonstrate potential to achieve a positive exit and decisively determining those which do not. Portfolio and capital management techniques are fully applied according to industry standard practice.
It will be necessary to raise additional funds in the future by a further issue of new Ordinary Shares or by other means. However, the ability to fund future investments and overheads in Blue Star Capital Plc as well as the ability of investments to return suitable profit cannot be guaranteed, particularly in the current economic climate.
The Company may not be able to identify suitable investment opportunities and there is no guarantee that investment opportunities will be available, and the Company may incur costs in conducting due diligence into potential investment opportunities that may not result in an investment being made.
The value of companies similar to those in Blue Star Capital's portfolio and in particular those at an early stage of development, can be highly volatile. The price at which investments are made, and the price which the Company may realise for its investment, will be influenced by a large number of factors, some specific to the Company and its operations and some which may affect the sector.
Independent Auditor's Report
Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 30 September 2017
| Notes | 2017 £ | 2016 £ | ||
Revenue | - | - | |||
Fair valuation movements in financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss | 10 | 118,300 | 8,700 | ||
Loss on disposal of investments | - | (20,445) | |||
118,300 | (11,745) | ||||
Administrative expenses | (307,021) | (154,760) | |||
Operating loss | 3 | (188,721) | (166,505) | ||
Finance income | 4 | 8 | 1,500 | ||
Loss before and after taxation and total comprehensive loss for the year | (188,713) | (165,005) |
Loss per ordinary share:
Basic and diluted loss per share on loss for the year | 9 |
(0.02p) | (0.03p) |
Statement of Financial Position
For the year ended 30 September 2017
| Notes | 2017 £ | 2016 £ | |
Non-current assets | ||||
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss | 10 | 3,496,864 | 1,706,237 | |
Current assets | ||||
Trade and other receivables | 11 | 11,766 | 30,925 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | 12 | 37,970 | 51,184 | |
Total current assets | 49,736 | 82,109 | ||
Total assets | 3,546,600 | 1,788,346 | ||
| ||||
Current liabilities | ||||
Trade and other payables | 13 | 33,338 | 31,181 | |
Total liabilities | 33,338 | 31,181 | ||
Net assets | 3,513,262 | 1,757,165 | ||
| ||||
Shareholders' equity | ||||
Share capital | 14 | 1,702,901 | 500,163 | |
Share premium account | 8,382,647 | 7,704,765 | ||
Other reserves | 64,190 | 36,327 | ||
Retained earnings | (6,636,476) | (6,484,090) | ||
Total shareholders' equity | 3,513,262 | 1,757,165 |
Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 30 September 2017
Share capital | Share premium | Other reserves | Retained earnings | Total | |||||
£ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
Year ended 30 September 2016 | |||||||||
At 1 October 2015 | 471,663 | 7,688,265 | 36,327 | (6,319,085) | 1,877,170 | ||||
Loss for the year and total comprehensive income | - | - | - | (165,005) | (165,005) | ||||
Shares issued in year | 28,500 | 16,500 | - | - | 45,000 | ||||
At 30 September 2016 | 500,163 | 7,704,765 | 36,327 | (6,484,090) | 1,757,165 | ||||
Year ended 30 September 2017 | |||||||||
At 1 October 2016 | 500,163 | 7,704,766 | 36,327 | (6,484,090) | 1,757,166 | ||||
Loss for the year and total comprehensive income | - | - | - | (188,713) | (188,713) | ||||
Shares issued in year | 1,202,738 | 772,381 | - | - | 1,975,119 | ||||
Share issue costs | - | (94,500) | - | - | (94,500) | ||||
Lapsed warrants | - | - | (36,327) | 36,327 | - | ||||
Share based payments | - | - | 64,190 | - | 64,190 | ||||
At 30 September 2017 | 1,702,901 | 8,382,647 | 64,190 | (6,636,476) | 3,513,262 | ||||
Cash Flow Statement
For the year ended 30 September 2017
2017 | 2016 | |||
Note | £ | £ | ||
Operating activities | ||||
Loss for the year | (188,713) | (165,005) | ||
Adjustments: | ||||
Finance income | (8) | (1,500) | ||
Fair value gains | (118,300) | (8,700) | ||
Loss on disposal | - | 20,445 | ||
Share based payments | 22,887 | - | ||
Working capital adjustments | ||||
Decrease in trade and other receivables | 19,159 | 576 | ||
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables | 2,158 | (43,605) | ||
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|
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities | (262,817) | (197,789) | ||
Investing activities | ||||
Purchase of investments | (1,205,905) | - | ||
Loan issued | - | (25,000) | ||
Interest received | 8 | 1,500 | ||
Proceeds from sale of investments | - | 200,000 | ||
Net cash (used by)/generated from investing activities | (1,205,897) | 176,500 | ||
Financing activities | ||||
Proceeds from issue of equity | 1,550,000 | 45,000 | ||
Share issue costs | (94,500) | - | ||
Net cash generated from financing activities | 1,455,500 | 45,000 | ||
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents | (13,214) | 23,711 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents at start of the year | 12 | 51,184 | 27,473 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year | 12 | 37,970 | 51,184 |
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 September 2017
1. Accounting policies
General information
Blue Star Capital Plc (the Company) invests principally in the media, technology and gaming sectors.
The Company is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The address of its registered office is Griffin House, 135 High Street, Crawley RH10 1DQ.
The Company is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange plc.
Basis of preparation
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below. The policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, International Accounting Standards and Interpretations (collectively IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) as adopted by the European Union ("adopted IFRSs") and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.
The historical cost convention has been applied as modified by the revaluation of assets and liabilities held at fair value.
Associates are those entities in which the Company has significant influence, but no control, over the financial and operating policies. Investments that are held as part of the Company's investment portfolio are carried in the statement of financial position at fair value even though the Company may have significant influence over those companies. This treatment is permitted by IAS 28 Investment in Associates, which requires investments held by venture capital organisations to be excluded from its scope where those investments are designated, upon initial recognition, as at fair value through profit or loss and accounted for in accordance with IAS 39, with changes in fair value recognised in the statement of comprehensive income in the period of the change. The Company has no interests in associates through which it carries on its business.
Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, which assumes that the Company will be able to meet its liabilities as they fall due.
At 30 September 2017, the Company had cash balances of £37,970 and net current assets of £16,398. During the year the Company has raised £1,550,000 before expenses.
On 24 October 2017 the Company placed 178,571,429 Ordinary shares in the Company at a price of 0.28 pence per share raising gross proceeds of £500,000.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is possible that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue can be reliably measured. The Company provides consulting services and recognises revenue in the period in which the services are provided. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received, excluding value added taxes.
Financial assets
The Company classifies its financial assets into one of the categories discussed below, depending on the purpose for which the asset was acquired. The Company has not classified any of its financial assets as held to maturity or available for sale.
The Company's accounting policy for each category is as follows:
Fair value through profit or loss
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are financial assets designated upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss.
Financial assets designated at fair value through the profit or loss are those that have been designated by management upon initial recognition. Management designated the financial assets, comprising equity shares and warrants, at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition due to these assets being part of the Company's financial assets, which are managed and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis.
Financial assets at fair value through the profit or loss are recorded in the statement of financial position at fair value. Changes in fair value are recorded in "Fair valuation movements in financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss".
Financial assets, comprising equity shares and warrants, are valued in accordance with the "Guidelines for the valuation and disclosure of venture capital portfolios" published by the British Venture Capital Association on the following basis:
(a) Early stage investments: these are investments in immature companies, including seed, start-up and early stage investments. Such investments are valued at cost less an provision considered necessary, until no longer viewed as an early stage or unless significant transactions involving an independent third party arm's length, values the investment at a materially different value:
(b) Development stage investments: such investments are in mature companies having a maintainable trend of sustainable revenue and from which an exit, by way of floatation or trade sale, can be reasonably foreseen. An investment of this stage is periodically re-valued by reference to open market value. Valuation will usually be by one of five methods as indicated below:
I. At cost for at least one period unless such basis is unsustainable;
II. On a third party basis based on the price at which a subsequent significant investment is made involving a new investor;
III. On an earnings basis, but not until at least a period since the investment was made, by applying a discounted price/earnings ratio to the profit after tax, either before or after interest; or
IV. On a net asset basis, again applying a discount to reflect the illiquidity of the investment.
V. In a comparable valuation by reference to similar businesses that have objective data representing their equity value.
(c) Quoted investments: such investments are valued using the quoted market price, discounted if the shares are subject to any particular restrictions or are significant in relation to the issued share capital of a small quoted company.
At each balance sheet date, a review of impairment in value is undertaken by reference to funding, investment or offers in progress after the balance sheet date and provisions is made accordingly where the impairment in value is recognised.
The Company uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:
Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
For the purpose of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and cash equivalents as defined above, net of outstanding bank overdrafts.
Financial liabilities
The Company classifies its financial liabilities in the category of financial liabilities measured at amortised cost. The Company does not have any financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss.
Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost
Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost include:
Trade payables and other short-term monetary liabilities, which are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method
Finance income
Finance income relates to interest income arising on cash and cash equivalents held on deposit and interest accrued on loans receivable. Finance income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable.
Operating loss
Operating loss is stated after crediting all items of operating income and charging all items of operating expense.
Deferred taxation
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised where the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the balance sheet differs from its tax base.
Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to those instances where it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the difference can be utilised.
The amount of the asset or liability is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the deferred tax liabilities/ (assets) are settled/ (recovered).
Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Company will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. When a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of the cash flows (when the effect of the time value of money is material).
When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, a receivable is recognised as an asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.
Present obligations under onerous leases are recognised and measured as provisions. An onerous contract is considered to exist where the Company has a contract under which the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received from the contract.
Standards, Amendments and Interpretations in issue not yet effective
The Company has not applied the following new and revised IFRSs that have been issued but are not yet effective:
Effective date for accounting period beginning on or after | ||
IFRS 2 | Amendments to clarify the classification and measurement of share-based payment transactions | 1 January 2018 |
IFRS 3, IFRS 11 | Amendments resulting from Annual Improvements 2015-2017 Cycle (remeasurement of previously held interest) | 1 January 2019 |
IFRS 9 | Finalised version, incorporating requirements for classification and measurement, impairment, general hedge accounting and derecognition | 1 January 2018 |
IFRS 9 | Amendments regarding prepayment features with negative compensation and modifications of financial liabilities | 1 January 2019 |
IFRS 12 | Amendments resulting from Annual Improvements 2014-2016 Cycle (clarifying scope) | 1 January 2017 |
IAS 7 | Amendments as result of the Disclosure initiative | 1 January 2017 |
IAS 12 | Amendments regarding the recognition of deferred tax assets for unrealised losses | 1 January 2017 |
IAS 12 | Amendments resulting from Annual Improvements 2015-2017 Cycle (income tax consequences of dividends) | 1 January 2019 |
IAS 19 | Amendments regarding plan amendments, curtailments or settlements | 1 January 2019 |
IAS 23 | Amendments resulting from Annual Improvements 2015-2017 Cycle (intended use or sale) | 1 January 2019 |
IAS 28 | Amendments resulting from Annual Improvements 2014-2016 Cycle (clarifying certain fair value measurements) | 1 January 2018 |
The Directors anticipate that the adoption of these standards and interpretations in future periods will have no material impact on the financial statements other than in terms of presentation and additional disclosure requirements for "investment entities".
Share-based payments
All services received in exchange for the grant of any share based remuneration are measured at their fair values. These are indirectly determined by reference to the fair value of the share options/warrants awarded. Their value is appraised at the grant date and excludes the impact of any non-market vesting conditions (for example, profitability and sales growth targets).
Share based payments are ultimately recognised as an expense in the Statement of Comprehensive Income with a corresponding credit to other reserves in equity, net of deferred tax where applicable. If vesting periods or other vesting conditions apply, the expense is allocated over the vesting period, based on the best available estimate of the number of share options/warrants expected to vest. Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options/warrants that are expected to become exercisable. Estimates are subsequently revised, if there is any indication that the number of share options/warrants expected to vest differs from previous estimates. No adjustment is made to the expense or share issue cost recognised in prior periods if fewer share options ultimately are exercised than originally estimated.
Upon exercise of share options, the proceeds received net of any directly attributable transaction costs up to the nominal value of the shares issued are allocated to share capital with any excess being recorded as share premium.
Where share options are cancelled, this is treated as an acceleration of the vesting period of the options. The amount that otherwise would have been recognised for services received over the remainder of the vesting period is recognised immediately within the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
2. Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The Company makes certain estimates and assumptions regarding the future. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. In the future, actual experience may differ from these estimates and assumptions. The 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 those in relation to:
Fair value of financial instruments
The Company holds investments that have been designated at fair value through profit or loss on initial recognition. The Company determines the fair value of these financial instruments that are not quoted, using valuation techniques, contained in the IPEVC guidelines. These techniques are significantly affected by certain key assumptions. Other valuation methodologies such as discounted cash flow analysis assess estimates of future cash flows and it is important to recognise that in that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot always be substantiated by comparison with independent markets and, in many cases, may not be capable of being realised immediately.
In certain circumstances, where fair value cannot be readily established, the Company is required to make judgements over carrying value impairment, and evaluate the size of any impairment required.
The methods and assumptions applied, and the valuation techniques used, are disclosed in note 11.
Share based payments
The calculation of the fair value of equity-settled share based awards and the resulting charge to the statement of comprehensive income requires assumptions to be made regarding future events and market conditions. These assumptions include the future volatility of the Company's share price. These assumptions are then applied to a recognised valuation model in order to calculate the fair value of the awards. Details of these assumptions are set out in note 5.
3. Operating loss
2017£ | 2016 £ | |||
This is stated after charging: | ||||
Auditor's remuneration - statutory audit fees | 11,679 | 11,280 |
4. Finance income
2017£ | 2016£ | ||
Interest received on short term deposits | 8 | 1,500 | |
8 | 1,500 |
5. Share based payments
Share warrants
On 4 July 2017, the Company granted 25,000,000 warrants to Director Anthony Fabrizi at an exercise price of 0.25p and 42,500,000 warrants at an exercise price of 0.6p and 42,500,000 warrants at an exercise price of 0.8p to Coinsilium Group Limited, each of which can be exercised up until June 2020. The charge to the profit and loss account was £22,887 (2016: £nil). The charge to the cost of investment in Satoshipay was £41,303 (2016: £nil).
2017 Weighted average exercise price (p) | 2017
Number | 2016 Weighted average exercise price (p) | 2016
Number | ||||
Outstanding at the beginning of the year | 1.24 | 33,000,000 | 1.24 | 33,000,000 | |||
Lapsed during year | (1.24) | (33,000,000) | - | - | |||
Issued during year | 0.6 | 110,000,000 | - | - | |||
Outstanding at the end of the year | 0.6 | 110,000,000 | 1.24 | 33,000,000 |
The contracted average remaining life of warrants at the year end was 2.92 years (2016: 0.02 years).
The following information is relevant in the determination of the fair value of warrants granted during the year under the equity share based remuneration schemes operated by the Company.
Date of grant | 4 July 2017 | 4 July 2017 | 4 July 2017 |
Option pricing model used | Black-Scholes | Black-Scholes | Black-Scholes |
Share price at date of grant (in pence) | 0.22p | 0.22p | 0.22p |
Exercise price (in pence) | 0.6p | 0.8p | 0.25p |
Contractual life (years) | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Expected volatility | 85% | 85% | 85% |
Risk free interest rate | 0.32% | 0.32% | 0.32% |
Fair value per warrant | 0.05p | 0.04p | 0.09p |
The volatility assumption, measured at the standard deviation of expected share price returns, is based on a statistical analysis of daily share prices over a one year period.
The Black-Scholes valuation technique was adopted because, in the opinion of the Directors, the market based vesting conditions were not materially sensitive to the valuation.
6. Staff costs, including Directors
2017£ | 2016 £ | |||
Wages and salaries | 61,111 | 65,000 | ||
Social security costs | 6,453 | 4,489 | ||
67,564 | 69,489 |
During the year the Company had an average of 2 employees who were management (2016: 3).
The employees were both Directors and key management personnel of the Company.
7. Directors' and key management personnel
2017 | 2016 | |||
Director | Total | Total | ||
Anthony Fabrizi | Emoluments | 35,000 | 30,000 | |
Warrants | 22,887 | - | ||
Graham Parr | Fees | 9,862 | 20,000 | |
William Henbrey | Emoluments | 16,250 | 15,000 | |
83,999 | 65,000 | |||
Included in the above amounts is £nil of accrued but unpaid emoluments at 30 September 2017 (30 September 2016 - £16,249).
8. Taxation
The tax assessed on loss before tax for the year differs to the applicable rate of corporation tax in the UK for small companies of 19.5% (2016: 20%). The differences are explained below:
2017£ | 2016 £ | ||
Loss before tax | (188,713) | (165,005) | |
(Loss)/profit before tax multiplied by effective rate of corporation tax of 19.5% (2016 - standard rate of 20%) | (36,799) |
| (33,001) |
Effect of: | |||
(Profit)/loss on disposal of investments | (79) |
| 14,089 |
Capital losses / (unrealised gains) carried forward | (23,068) |
| (11,740) |
Capital gains | - |
| 5,430 |
Capital allowances | (463) |
| (579) |
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes | 9,271 |
| - |
Losses carried forward | 51,138 |
| 25,801 |
Tax charge in the income statement | - |
| - |
The Company has incurred tax losses for the year and a corporation tax expense is not anticipated. The amount of the unutilised tax losses has not been recognised in the financial statements as the recovery of this benefit is dependent on future profitability, the timing of which cannot be reasonably foreseen. The unrecognised and revised deferred tax asset at 30 September 2017 is £574,857 (2016: £557,417).
9. Loss per ordinary share
The earnings and number of shares used in the calculation of loss/earnings per ordinary share are set out below:
2017 | 2016 | ||
Basic: | |||
Loss for the financial period | £ (188,713) | £ (165,005) | |
Weighted average number of shares | 1,082,876,693 | 493,181,749 | |
Loss per share (pence) | (0.02) | (0.03) | |
Fully Diluted: | |||
Loss for the financial period | £ (188,713) | £ (165,005) | |
Weighted average number of shares | 1,082,876,693 | 493,181,749 | |
Loss per share (pence) | (0.02) | (0.03) |
As at the end of the financial period there were 110,000,000 share warrants in issue, which had an anti-dilutive effect on the weighted average number of shares.
10. Financial assets held at fair value through profit of loss
2017 £ | 2016 £ | ||
At start of year | 1,706,237 | 1,917,982 | |
Additions | 1,672,327 | - | |
Disposals | - | (220,445) | |
Net fair value gain for the year | 118,300 | 8,700 | |
At end of year | 3,496,864 | 1,706,237 |
Fair value gain during the year relates to a gain in the value of £118,300 in respect of the Company's investment in Sthaler Limited.
Unquoted investments | Class of shares/investment | Book valueand fair value £ |
Satoshipay | Ordinary 1p | 1,672,327 |
Disruptive Tech. Limited | Ordinary 1p | 1,597,537 |
Sthaler | Ordinary 1p | 227,000 |
3,496,864 |
All of the above investments are incorporated in the United Kingdom with the exception of Disruptive Tech. Limited which is based in Gibraltar. The methods used to value these unquoted investments are described below.
Fair value
The fair value of unquoted investments is established using valuation techniques. These include the use of recent arm's length transactions, the Black-Scholes option pricing model and discounted cash flow analysis. Where a fair value cannot be estimated reliably the investment is reported at the carrying value at the previous reporting date in accordance with International Private Equity and Venture Capital ("IPEVC") guidelines.
The Company assesses at each balance sheet date whether there is any objective evidence that the unquoted investments are impaired. The unquoted investments are deemed to be impaired, if and only if, there is objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events that have occurred after the initial recognition of the asset (an incurred 'loss event') and that loss event (or events) has an impact on the estimated future fair value of the investments that can be reliably measured.
11. Trade and other receivables
2017 £ | 2016 £ | ||
Loan issued | - | 25,000 | |
Prepayments | 783 | - | |
Social security and other taxes | 10,983 | 5,925 | |
| 11,766 | 30,925 |
A loan of £25,000 was made to Oxford Real Time Limited ("ORT"). Graham Parr became a director of ORT as a condition of the loan. Interest of 5% per annum was payable on the loan. ORT's business model failed to develop as hoped and the loan was written off during the year.
The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and other receivables approximates to the fair value.
12. Cash and cash equivalents
2017 £ | 2016 £ | ||
Cash at bank and in hand | 37,970 | 51,184 | |
| 37,970 | 51,184 |
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and other short-term highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. The Directors consider that the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates to their fair value.
13. Trade and other payables
2017 £ | 2016 £ | ||
Trade payables | 12,233 | 4,926 | |
Accruals | 21,100 | 26,250 | |
Other payables | 5 | 5 | |
| 33,338 | 31,181 |
All trade and other payables fall due for payment within one year. The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value.
14. Share capital
Issued and fully paid |
| |||||||
2017 Number | 2017 £ | 2016 Number | 2016 £ | |||||
At 1 October | 500,162,623 | 500,163 | 471,662,623 | 471,663 | ||||
Shares issued in the year | 1,202,737,690 | 1,202,738 | 28,500,000 | 28,500 | ||||
At 30 September | 1,702,900,313 | 1,702,901 | 500,162,623 | 500,163 | ||||
During the year the following shares were issued:
| Number |
| £ |
| Issue price per share |
19 January 2017 | 466,666,667 |
| 466,667 |
| 0.15p |
4 April 2017 | 268,213,880 |
| 268,214 |
| 0.1585p |
31 May 2017 | 142,857,143 |
| 142,857 |
| 0.14p |
21 July 2017 | 325,000,000 |
| 325,000 |
| 0.2p |
1,202,737,690 |
| 1,202,738 |
|
|
During 2016 the following shares were issued:
| Number |
| £ |
| Issue price per share |
6 October 2015 | 12,500,000 |
| 12,500 |
| 0.2p |
3 March 2016 | 16,000,000 |
| 16,000 |
| 0.125p |
28,500,000 |
| 28,500 |
|
|
15. Financial instruments
Categories of financial assets and liabilities
The following tables set out the categories of financial instruments held by the Company:
Financial assets | Loans and receivables | |||||
Note | 2017 | 2016 | ||||
£ | £ | |||||
Trade and other receivables | 11 | 11,766 | 30,925 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | 12 | 37,970 | 51,184 | |||
49,736 | 82,109 |
Designated upon initial recognition | ||||||
Note | Held for trading | Fair value through profit or loss | Total | |||
£ | £ | £ | ||||
Investments | 10 | |||||
At 30 September 2017 | - | 3,496,864 | 3,496,864 | |||
At 30 September 2016 | - | 1,706,237 | 1,706,237 |
Fair value measurement | ||||||
Note | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||
£ | £ | £ | ||||
Investments | 10 | |||||
At 30 September 2017 | - | 3,496,864 | - | |||
At 30 September 2016 | - | 1,706,237 | - |
Financial liabilities | Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost | |||||
Note | 2017 | 2016 | ||||
£ | £ | |||||
Trade payables | 13 | 12,233 | 4,926 | |||
Accruals | 13 | 21,100 | 26,250 | |||
Other payables | 13 | 5 | 5 | |||
33,338 | 31,181 |
The Company's financial instruments comprise investments held for trading, cash and cash equivalents and trade payables that arise directly from the Company's operations. The main purpose of these instruments is to invest in portfolio companies. Investments held for trading and other investments have been held at fair value through profit and loss. The main risks arising from holding these financial instruments is market risk and credit risk.
Interest rate risk
The Company's exposure to changes in interest rates relate primarily to cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents is held either on current or on short term deposits at floating rates of interest determined by the relevant bank's prevailing base rate. The Company seeks to obtain a favourable interest rate on its cash balances through the use of bank treasury deposits. Any reasonable change in interest rate would not have a material impact on finance income that the Company could receive in the course of a year, based on the current level of cash and cash equivalents either held in current accounts or short term deposits.
Market risk
All trading instruments are subject to market risk, the potential that future changes in market conditions may make an instrument less valuable, due to fluctuations in security prices, as well as interest and foreign exchange rates. Market risk is directly impacted by the volatility and liquidity in the markets in which the related underlying assets are traded.
Sensitivity analysis
The following table looks at the impact on net result and net assets based on a given movement in the fair value of all the investments;
10% movement either way will result in £349,686 profit or (loss) (2016: £170,624 profit or (loss))
20% movement either way will result in £699,373 profit or (loss) (2016: £341,248 profit or (loss))
30% movement either way will result in £1,049,059 profit or (loss) (2016: £511,872 profit or (loss))
Borrowing facilities
The operations to date have been financed through the placing of shares and investor loans. It is Board policy to keep borrowing to a minimum, where possible.
Liquidity risks
The Company seeks to manage liquidity risk by ensuring sufficient liquid assets are available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest liquid funds safely and profitably. All cash balances are immediately accessible and the Company holds no trades payable that mature in greater than 3 months, hence a contractual maturity analysis of financial liabilities has not been presented. Since these financial liabilities all mature within 3 months, the Directors believe that their carrying value reasonably equates to fair value.
Credit risk
The Company's credit risk is attributable to cash held on deposit at financial institutions.
Cash is deposited with reputable financial institutions with a high credit rating. The maximum credit risk relating to cash and cash equivalents and trade and other receivables is equal to their carrying value of £49,736 (2016: £82,109).
Capital Disclosure
As in previous years, the Company defines capital as issued capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in statement of changes in equity. The Company manages its capital to ensure that the Company will be able to continue to pursue strategic investments and continue as a going concern. The Company does not have any externally imposed financial requirements.
16. Related party transactions
On 4 July 2017 the company granted CEO Anthony Fabrizi warrants over 25 million Ordinary shares exercisable at a price of 0.25 pence per Ordinary shares, over a period of 3 years. Mr Fabrizi also subscribed to 5,242,041 Placing shares at a price of 0.2 pence per share.
17. Operating lease commitments
At the balance sheet date, the Company had no outstanding commitments under operating leases.
18. Ultimate Controlling Party
The Company considers that there is no ultimate controlling party.
19. Post Balance Sheet Events
On 24 October 2017 the Company placed 178,571,429 Ordinary shares in the Company at a price of 0.28 pence per share raising gross proceeds of £500,000.
On 1 December 2017 the Company subscribed for €200,000 convertible loan notes issued by Satoshipay Limited. The loan notes are redeemable in cash on 31 December 2018 together with interest accrued at 4% per annum. Alternatively, the Company may elect to redeem the loan notes early in full upon completion by SatoshiPay of a fundraising in excess of €750,000 or in the event of certain circumstances including SatoshiPay being in financial distress.
The Company may also convert the outstanding loan notes into fully paid ordinary shares in SatoshiPay ("SatoshiPay Shares") in the event that:
i. SatoshiPay completes a fundraising of at least €750,000; or
ii. in the event of a change of control of SatoshiPay; or
iii. at any time after 30 June 2018.
In the event of conversion of the loan notes into SatoshiPay Shares ("Conversion"), the outstanding loan notes would be converted at a 15% discount to the valuation of the relevant equity fundraise undertaken by SatoshiPay on or prior to the date of Conversion or the valuation of SatoshiPay at the time of a change of control of SatoshiPay. For illustrative purposes, conversion at a 15% discount to the valuation of SatoshiPay of approximately €6million (being the valuation at the time of SatoshiPay's fundraise in January 2017) would result in the Company increasing its holding in SatoshiPay by approximately 3.8%.
Related Shares:
Blue Star