As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2002
Registration Statement No. 333-_______
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT of 1933
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant in its Charter)
Colorado 84-1176672
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)
18 East 50th Street, 10th Floor
New York, New York 10022
(212) 758-6622
(Address and telephone number of principal
executive offices and principal place of business)
David J. Mitchell, Chairman of the Board
Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc.
18 East 50th Street, 10th Floor
New York, New York 10022
(212) 758-6622
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Copies to: Stanley F. Freedman, Esq.
Krys Boyle Freedman Graham Sawyer Terry & Moore, P.C.
600 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2700 South
Denver, Colorado 80202-5427
(303) 893-2300
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933 check the following box. [ ]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] _______________
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ] _____________
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall
file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration
statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a)of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section
8(a), may determine.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
=============================================================================
Proposed Proposed
Maximum Maximum
Title of Each Class Offering Aggregate Amount of
of Securities to be Amount to be Price Per Offering Registration
Registered Registered Share Price Fee
_____________________________________________________________________________
Common Stock, 805,309 $4.07 $3,277,607.63 $301.54
no par value (1) (2) (2)
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(1) To be distributed to the shareholders of Centerpoint Corporation.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of registration
fee based on the average of the closing bid and ask prices of our Common
Stock on the OTC Bulletin Board on August 8, 2002 which was $4.07 a
share.
PROSPECTUS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED AUGUST 12, 2002
____________________________________________________________________________
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The
securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an
offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
805,309 Shares of Common Stock
to be Distributed to the
Shareholders of Centerpoint Corporation
We have prepared this prospectus to provide you with information
regarding the distribution of the shares of our Common Stock currently held by
Centerpoint Corporation ("Centerpoint") to the shareholders of Centerpoint.
We currently own 57.615% of Centerpoint's outstanding stock. Centerpoint
currently owns 1,900,000 shares of our Common Stock. Since we currently own
57.615% of Centerpoint's shares, 1,094,691 of the shares will be returned to
us as a Centerpoint shareholder and cancelled. The remaining 805,309 shares
will be distributed on a pro rata basis to the other shareholders of
Centerpoint of record on __________, 2002. Certificates evidencing the Common
Stock will be distributed by mail within a reasonable time after the
distribution date, currently anticipated to be on or about ___________, 2002.
Our Common Stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol
"BNET." On August 9, 2002, the reported closing price for our Common Stock
was $4.00.
____________________________
Ownership of our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. SEE "RISK
FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 4.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the
adequacy or accuracy of the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is
a criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus is __________, 2002
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY ......................................... 3
RISK FACTORS ............................................... 4
AVAILABLE INFORMATION ...................................... 9
COMPANY INFORMATION ........................................ 10
USE OF PROCEEDS ............................................ 10
RECENT MATERIAL CHANGES IN OUR BUSINESS ................... 10
THE DISTRIBUTION ........................................... 13
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK ................................ 16
EXPERTS .................................................... 18
LEGAL MATTERS .............................................. 18
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION OF
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS ......... .......................... 19
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE ............ 19
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following is a summary of the pertinent information regarding the
distribution of our shares being made to the shareholders of Centerpoint.
This summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and
financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus. The Prospectus should be read in its entirety, as this summary
does not contain all the facts necessary to make an investment decision.
The Company
-----------
Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc. ("Bion," "we," "us" or "our") is an
environmental services company focused on the needs of confined animal feeding
operations (CAFO's). We are engaged in two main areas of activity: waste
stream remediation and organic soil and fertilizer production. Our waste
remediation service business provides CAFO's, primarily in the swine and dairy
industries, with treatment for animal waste outputs. In this regard, we treat
the entire waste stream in a manner which cleans and reduces the waste stream
thereby mitigating pollution of the air, water and soil, while creating value-
added organic soil and fertilizer products. Bion's soil and fertilizer
products are being used for a variety of applications including school
athletic fields, golf courses and home and garden applications.
On July 8, 2002, we effected a one for ten reverse split of the
outstanding shares of our Common Stock. All share amounts in this prospectus
give effect to the reverse split.
Our principal offices are located at 18 East 50th Street, 10th Floor, New
York, New York 10022, and our phone number is (212) 758-6622.
The Distribution
----------------
The following summary answers certain questions you may have with respect
to Centerpoint's distribution of our Common Stock and highlights selected
information from this prospectus that is important to you. We encourage you
to read the entire prospectus.
Q. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE DISTRIBUTION?
A. Centerpoint will distribute our Common Stock on the basis of 0.31639
shares of our Common Stock for each share of Centerpoint common stock
outstanding on the record date. The shares distributed to us as a
result of our ownership of 3,459,997 shares of Centerpoint will be
cancelled. No fractional shares will be distributed. Instead,
fractions will be rounded up or down to the nearest full share. In
the event that there any is overage created by rounding, the number
of shares to be issued to Bion will be reduced.
Q. WHY IS CENTERPOINT MAKING THE DISTRIBUTION?
A. At the time we purchased our controlling interest in Centerpoint in
exchange for 1,900,000 shares of our Common Stock, we agreed to register
these shares for distribution to Centerpoint's shareholders so that the
Centerpoint shareholders, as opposed to Centerpoint itself, would own
the shares of our stock. In this way, each Centerpoint shareholder will
be able to make an individual decision as to whether to hold or sell the
Bion shares they receive in the distribution.
Q. DO I HAVE TO PAY FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON THE RECEIPT OF BION COMMON
STOCK?
A. You may be required to pay federal income taxes on receipt of shares of
our common stock. As a result of the distribution, each holder of
Centerpoint's common stock will be considered to have received a taxable
dividend includable in income in an amount equal to the fair market
value of the shares of our Common Stock received in the distribution
only to the extent of his or her pro rata share of Centerpoint's current
earnings and profits and accumulated earnings and profits, if any. Any
portion of the fair market value of the shares of our Common Stock in
excess of Centerpoint's current and accumulated earnings and profits
allocable to your shares of Centerpoint's common stock will be treated
as a return of capital to the extent and in reduction of your adjusted
tax basis for the shares of Centerpoint's common stock owned by you. If
the fair market value of shares of our Common Stock then exceeds the
basis of your shares of Centerpoint's common stock as so adjusted, the
excess value will result in a long-term or short-term capital gain
depending on the length of time that you have held Centerpoint's common
stock prior to the distribution of shares of our Common Stock. See "The
Distribution - Material Federal Income Tax Consequences."
Q. WHERE IS BION COMMON STOCK TRADED?
A. Our Common Stock is currently traded on the OTC Bulletin Board
under the symbol "BNET."
Q. WHEN WILL THE DISTRIBUTION OCCUR?
A. We expect the distribution to occur on or about _____________, 2002.
RISK FACTORS
The shares of Bion Common Stock being distributed are speculative in
nature and involve a high degree of risk. Following is a summary discussion
of the risk factors applicable to an investment in the securities. You should
thoroughly consider all of the risk factors discussed below and should
understand that there is substantial risk they will lose all or part of your
investment.
1. WE HAVE A VERY LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY.
We have developed an innovative new wastewater treatment process that
still remains unproven in the marketplace. For the first several years of our
existence we stayed in the development stage while we were initially trying to
develop our wastewater treatment system to a point where it could be sold into
the agricultural market. We then marketed and sold some of our systems to
farmers for a short time and were able to generate some limited revenues, but
never at a level that was sufficient to pay our operating expenses. After we
received outside funding in late 1999, we decided to make several significant
improvements to our systems so that they would work better. In connection
with that decision, we essentially stopped our commercial operations to focus
on research and development activities associated with the development of our
second generation system. The second generation system now appears to be
completed and we are again attempting to commence marketing and selling
efforts. One problem we have encountered with our innovative new process is
that it is difficult for us to know when it is sufficiently developed because
it is unique in its operation and can be refined continuously. Another
problem we have encountered, which we believe is typical for many new
enterprises, is that it is difficult to move from the product development
stage to the stage of conducting successful commercial operations. Even today
we face intense competition from existing and more established companies in
the wastewater, waste management, environmental control and soils products
businesses as we attempt to enter the market to sell our second generation
systems. Investors are cautioned that we have never achieved successful
commercial operations or significant revenues, both of which will be necessary
in order for our stock to increase in value.
2. WE HAVE INCURRED SUBSTANTIAL LOSSES AND MAY NEVER ACHIEVE
PROFITABILITY.
From inception to date, neither we nor our subsidiaries have ever
sustained any profitable operations. During the year ended June 30, 2001 we
had a net loss of $15,553,223 and through June 30, 2001 we had total losses
from our inception of $39,380,101. Although we expect to eventually generate
sufficient revenues from sales of our systems and the related BionSoil(R) to
pay our future operating expenses, there can be no assurance that profitable
operations will ever be achieved or sustained. We are still dependent upon
infusions of capital from investors and proceeds from loans to enable us to
continue in business. There is no assurance that these sources of financing
will continue to be available. Any failure on our part to do so will have a
material adverse impact on us and may cause us to cease operations. In the
event we are unable to achieve sustained profitable operations in the future,
it is likely that any investment in our Common Stock will ultimately be lost.
3. WE MAY NEED ADDITIONAL WORKING CAPITAL; THE REPORT OF OUR ACCOUNTANTS
CONTAINS A "GOING CONCERN" QUALIFICATION.
We have incurred losses from our inception totaling $55,476,385 at March
31, 2002, and we have thus far failed to generate adequate working capital
from operations. As of March 31, 2002, we had working capital of $2,488,517.
We believe that we have sufficient working capital to continue our operations
through the end of the calendar year 2002. However, we expect that we will
need to obtain additional working capital for future operations. Our auditors
have included an explanatory paragraph in their report, noting that there is
substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. Our
audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001 have been
prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern. Our continued
losses without additional equity capital raise substantial doubt about our
ability to continue in business after the calendar year 2002.
4. OUR ABILITY TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL FUNDS MAY BE LIMITED BY SOME OF OUR
EXISTING AGREEMENTS.
At the time we acquired control of Centerpoint Corporation, we issued
1,900,000 shares of our Common Stock to Centerpoint and 100,000 shares to
Centerpoint's former parent, OAM, S.p.A. at a value of $7.50 per share. Under
the terms of the related agreements, until such time as we receive cumulative
equity investments from third parties unaffiliated with either Centerpoint or
OAM equal to at least $5 million, we will be required to issue additional
shares to Centerpoint and OAM at no additional cost if we sell or transfer any
of our equity securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for
equity securities, at a price which reflects or implies a price per share of
our Common Stock less than $7.50 per share, or if we amend, modify, or waive
any terms of any outstanding security to that security implies or reflects
that price. We also have outstanding warrants that contain similar
anti-dilution provisions using the $7.50 per share level. Our stock price is
currently substantially below $7.50 per share. The existence of these
contractual provisions was a significant factor in deterring us from
completing one financing because we did not want to suffer the dilution that
would result, and they may deter us from completing additional financings in
the future.
5. OUR FUTURE OPERATIONS WILL DEPEND ON THE EFFORTS OF OUR MANAGEMENT
TEAM AND OUR BUSINESS WILL SUFFER IF WE LOSE THE SERVICES OF ANY KEY
EMPLOYEES.
We are completely dependent upon the efforts and abilities of our team of
officers and directors to manage our business. We do not currently carry any
"key man" life insurance coverage on any of our employees. Although none of
our officers or directors has experience in the management of any profitable
entity that has engaged in our area of business, the loss of the services of
any of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our business,
results of operations and financial condition. We have lost several members
of our management team in the past year, including Jon Northrop, an officer
and director, Mark Smith, an officer and director, Bart Chilton, an officer,
and Joseph Wright, a director. However, Messrs. Northrop and Smith still
assist Bion on an advisory basis. We do not believe that the loss of these
persons has had a significant effect on our operations.
6. OUR MANAGEMENT BENEFICIALLY OWNS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF OUR STOCK
AND CAN CONTROL OUR COMPANY, INCLUDING THE ELECTION OF OUR DIRECTORS.
Present management beneficially controls in excess of 33% of our
outstanding Common Stock and can control the election of our directors and
control our affairs and operations. Such control by management could result
in management taking actions that are in the best interests of management and
not of all of the shareholders. Mark A. Smith and several other principal
shareholders are parties to a shareholders' agreement which, among other
things, allows D2 to designate three board members and, with our consent,
nominate a fourth. Our Articles of Incorporation do not provide for
cumulative voting. Mark Smith and certain entities related to him which own
shares of our Common Stock (the "Smith Shares") have entered into a voting
agreement that gives David Mitchell, our Chairman, President and CEO, the
power to vote all of the Smith Shares as to most matters. D2 is currently
deemed to be the beneficial owner of 1,886,089 shares as a result of its
direct and indirect ownership of shares and its right to make voting
decisions.
7. OUR MANAGEMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE OF OUR
STOCK IN THE FUTURE, WHICH MAY HURT THE MARKET PRICE.
On December 23, 1999, we entered into a management agreement with D2
pursuant to which D2 provides us with specific management and consulting
services and David J. Mitchell has been appointed to serve as our Chief
Executive Officer, Chairman of our Executive Committee and as one of our
Directors. Effective December 1, 2000, the Company amended the D2 management
agreement by, among other things, agreeing to pay an annual base compensation
of $500,000 in calendar year 2001, $600,000 in calendar year 2002, and
$750,000 in calendar year 2003, substantially all of which is currently being
paid in shares of our Common Stock on a quarterly basis. In addition, as a
result of the transactions involving Centerpoint Corporation, in accordance
with the terms of an existing agreement with D2CO, LLC, Southview, Inc. and
Atlantic Partners, LLC, all of which are affiliates of David Mitchell, our
President and CEO, we amended the SV1 and SV2 Warrants held by D2 so that
warrants now provide for the purchase, in the aggregate, of 1,037,343 shares
of our common stock at a purchase price of $7.50. D2 also holds J Warrants to
purchase an additional 3,000 shares at $6.00 per share. The magnitude of the
possible issuances of Common Stock to D2 could be adversely perceived by
investors because of the potential resale of such shares in the future and
could hurt the market price of our shares.
8. THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN LIMITED TO A FEW MARKETS;
WE MAY NOT ATTRACT ENOUGH CUSTOMERS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
Our wastewater treatment systems to date have been developed and marketed
to certain agricultural and food processing applications and have not yet been
expanded into other markets. We have not yet completed the development of all
of the wastewater treatment system applications that will be necessary to
address targeted market applications and geographic areas and we anticipate a
continuing need for the development of additional applications. During the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2001, we invested substantially in developing our
second generation system. This upgraded system is designed to operate using
significantly lower water volume and less energy. Although management
believes that our existing technology is sufficient to support development of
additional commercial applications, no assurance can be given that new
applications can be developed or that existing and/or new applications will
achieve commercially viable sales levels. We have not conducted formal market
studies with respect to our technology and services. We anticipate that the
achievement of any significant degree of market acceptance for our wastewater
treatment systems and products will require substantial marketing efforts and
the expenditure of significant amounts of funds to inform potential customers
of the distinctive characteristics and benefits of such products. We cannot
give any assurances that our targeted customers will accept our proposed
products. We also cannot give any assurance that we will ever realize
substantial revenues from the sale of our products.
9. WE FACE INTENSE COMPETITION WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE.
Although we believe that our systems offer many significant advantages
over other competing technologies/systems, competition in the biological
wastewater treatment industry is intense. We are in direct competition with
local, regional and national engineering and environmental consulting firms
and soils products companies. Some of our competitors may be capable of
developing soils products or waste and wastewater treatment systems similar to
ours or based on other competitive technologies. Many of our competitors are
well-established and have greater financial and other resources than we do.
10. OUR PRODUCTS COULD BECOME OBSOLETE; WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO KEEP UP
WITH CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY.
Our business is susceptible to changing technology. Although we intend
to continue to develop and improve our treatment systems, there is no
assurance that funds for such expenditures will be available or that our
competitors will not develop similar or superior capabilities.
11. OUR PATENT AND TRADE SECRET PROTECTION EFFORTS MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE
TO PROTECT OUR TECHNOLOGY.
We have limited patent protection on our soils products and also on
certain aspects of our wastewater treatment systems technology. We also
possess certain proprietary processes. We intend to obtain additional patents
or other appropriate protection for our technology. Additionally, we use
nondisclosure contract provisions and license arrangements which prohibit the
disclosure of our proprietary processes. However, there can be no assurance
that we can effectively protect against unauthorized duplication or the
introduction of substantially similar products. Our ability to compete with
other companies is materially dependent upon the proprietary nature of our
patents and technologies. We cannot give assurances that we will be able to
obtain any additional key patents or other protection for our technology. In
addition, if any of our key patents or proprietary rights were invalidated,
there could be an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and
financial condition.
12. OUR BUSINESS IS AFFECTED BY GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS WHICH CHANGE.
We are a provider of systems and services that result in the reduction of
pollution and, therefore, we are not under direct enforcement or regulatory
pressure. We are involved, however, in waste and wastewater treatment and are
impacted by environmental regulations in at least three different ways: (1)
our marketing and sales success depends, to a substantial degree, on the
pollution clean-up requirements of various governmental agencies, from the
Environmental Protection Agency at the federal level to state and local
agencies; (2)our system design and performance criteria must be responsive to
the changes in federal, state and local environmental agencies' effluent
standards and other requirements; and (3) our system installations and
operations require governmental permits or approvals in many jurisdictions.
We are also a manufacturer and provider of BionSoil(R) products such as
potting soils, soil amendments and fertilizers. Some state and federal
regulatory agencies have standards these products must meet to be sold as soil
amendment or fertilizer products in various markets. The production and sales
of our BionSoil(R) products currently meet relevant federal and state
requirements. These regulations can change which creates a level of
unpredictability. We are continually reviewing current regulations and
potential changes that may affect our business and are making necessary
compliance efforts in all jurisdictions in which we do business. We believe
that Bion is currently in compliance with all applicable federal, state and
local regulations.
We are in the business of helping our customers solve problems associated
with their discharge of wastewater into the environment, and most of our
systems and services are subject to federal, state and local government
regulation, and many are subject to extensive testing procedures. The effects
of rulings of regulatory bodies could delay our marketing efforts for a long
time and ultimately could prevent the completion of projects. The regulations
pertaining to the environment which may impact our systems are continually
changing. While we believe that such regulatory changes are favorable to our
business since such regulations may require the use of our systems, there can
be no assurance that, in the future, such regulations will not cause us
additional economic expense or be a materially adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition.
13. WE FACE RISKS OF LITIGATION RESULTING FROM IMPROPER OPERATION OF OUR
SYSTEMS.
In order for our waste and waste water treatment systems to function
properly, the systems must be operated in accordance with our specifications.
In the event that our systems are not operated properly and environmental
violations or other problems occur as a result, it is possible that we could
be named as a defendant in litigation brought by governmental agencies and/or
individuals. Such litigation could seek, among other things, damages,
equitable remedies, punitive damages and penalties. In fact, we were named as
a defendant, along with the owners of one of our first generation systems, in
just such an action filed by the Attorney General of the State of Illinois
alleging environmental violations associated with the operation of a hog farm.
While we were able to settle that litigation for approximately $9,000, there
can be no assurance that similar litigation will not occur in the future.
Litigation of this nature could damage our reputation.
14. RESALES OF OUTSTANDING RESTRICTED SHARES COULD HURT THE MARKET PRICE
OF OUR STOCK.
A significant number of our outstanding shares are "restricted
securities" which may in the future be sold in compliance with Rule 144
adopted under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Generally, Rule 144
provides that a person holding "restricted securities" for a period of at
least one year may sell every three months, in brokerage transactions, an
amount equal to the greater of one percent of our outstanding shares of Common
Stock or the average weekly reported volume of trading for the securities.
There is no limitation on the amount of "restricted securities" which may be
sold by a person who has been the beneficial owner of such restricted
securities for more than two years, and has not been an "affiliate" for at
least 90 days prior to the date of such sales. Investors should be aware that
such sales under Rule 144 may, in the future, cause the price of our Common
Stock to drop, and the potential of such sales is expected to have a
depressive effect on the market for our Common Stock.
15. THE MARKET FOR OUR SHARES IS VERY LIMITED AND MAY NOT BE MAINTAINED
WHICH COULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO RESELL SHARES.
Investors should be aware that our Common Stock is quoted on the OTC
Bulletin Board, that there is currently only an extremely limited and "thin"
trading market in our Common Stock, and there is no assurance that it will
continue or that any active trading will occur. Holders of our shares may find
it difficult to resell their shares if they desire to do so.
16. OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS MAY BE AFFECTED BY NON-CASH CHARGES.
During the year ended June 30, 2001 we recorded $10,659,214 in non-cash
charges. During the nine months ended March 31, 2002 we recorded an
additional $13,189,183 in non-cash charges. We may also incur such charges in
the future. These charges are related to transactions in which stock options
or warrants are used, and are likely to be incurred on a one-time or sporadic
basis. Results of operations could be materially adversely affected by these
non-cash charges.
17. EXERCISE OF WARRANTS WILL REDUCE THE OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE OF
EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS.
The exercise of outstanding warrants will result in a significant
reduction in the respective percentage interests of Bion and voting power held
by the shareholders, other than those participating in the exercise. As of
July 31, 2002, we had warrants to purchase 1,393,400 shares of our Common
Stock outstanding. We expect to issue additional shares of our Common Stock,
warrants and options in connection with further financings.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance therewith file reports and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such reports and
other information filed by us can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities of the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Requests for copies should be
directed to the Commission's Public Reference Section, Judiciary Plaza, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-
0330 for more information on the public reference rooms. The Commission
maintains a Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and
information statements and other information regarding registrants that file
electronically.
We have filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-2 of
which this Prospectus constitutes a part, under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in
the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance
with the rules of the Commission. For further information pertaining to us,
reference is made to the Registration Statement. Statements contained in this
Prospectus or any document incorporated herein by reference concerning the
provisions of documents are necessarily summaries of such documents, and each
such statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the
applicable document filed with the Commission. Copies of the Registration
Statement are on file at the offices of the Commission, and may be inspected
without charge at the offices of the Commission, the addresses of which are
set forth above, and copies may be obtained from the Commission at prescribed
rates. The Registration Statement has been filed electronically through the
Commission's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System and may
be obtained through the Commission's Web site (http://www.sec.gov).
COMPANY INFORMATION
This Prospectus is accompanied by a copy of our Annual Report on Form
10-KSB for our fiscal year ended June 30, 2001 and our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended March 31, 2002, which reports are
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus in their entirety.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any proceeds from the distribution of the Common
Stock by Centerpoint to its shareholders.
RECENT MATERIAL CHANGES IN OUR BUSINESS
There have been no material changes in our business since June 30, 2001,
that have not been reported in our Reports on Form 10-QSB, except as set forth
below:
Changes in our Management.
The following changes in our management were either adopted or ratified
by us on September 6, 2001:
- We accepted the resignation of Ron Cullis as a member of our
Board of Directors. The options held by Mr. Cullis will
continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. His
resignation was not the result of any disagreement with us on any
matter relating to our operations, policies or practices.
- We accepted the resignation of Jon Northrop as an officer and
director of our company and as an officer and director of each of
our subsidiaries. Mr. Northrop will continue to serve us as a
consultant and will also serve as a member of our Advisory Board.
His resignation was not the result of any disagreement with us on
any matter relating to our operations, policies or practices.
- Mark Smith resigned as Chairman of our Board and was replaced in
that capacity by David Mitchell, our President.
- Mr. Mitchell will serve as the President of both of our
subsidiaries.
- The resignation of Bart Chilton as our Senior Vice President in
August 2001 to continue his career with the United States
government was ratified.
Severance Agreements.
We entered into severance agreements with Jon Northrop and the only other
employee that remained in our Denver, Colorado office. As a result, we no
longer have any employees in Denver and substantially all of our business
operations are conducted out of our office in New York City.
Restructuring of Notes to Related Parties and Cancellation of Options and
Warrants.
In August 2001, we amended the terms of certain notes that we owe to
certain related parties and these persons agreed to cancel certain outstanding
options and warrants held by them. The notes were amended in order to
simplify our capital structure and to provide for uniform conversion
provisions by which we could eliminate this debt. The accrued amounts due
under notes that we amended were as follows:
Amount of Accrued Debt
Holder (Accrued to January 15, 2002)
------ -----------------------------
Jon Northrop $ 544,974
Jere Northrop $ 504,461
Northrop Family Trust $ 138,342
Edward A. Hennig $ 161,783
M. Duane Stutzman $ 184,021
William J. Crossetta $ 283,685
S. Craig Scott $ 50,606
Dublin Holding Ltd. $3,682,944
Mark Smith Rollover IRA $ 393,556
Kelly Smith Rollover IRA $ 339,870
TOTAL $6,284,242
The terms of the notes that were amended related to the maturity date,
the terms under which the notes would automatically be converted into common
stock, and the conversion rate that would be applied. The new conversion
terms allowed us to provide for the conversion of these notes into shares of
common stock and avoid having to pay these notes in cash. The holders of the
notes agreed to cancel certain options and warrants in consideration for the
amendments to the notes and to assist the Company in simplifying its capital
structure.
Under the terms of the amended notes, all of this debt was converted into
an aggregate of 837,900 shares of Common Stock in January 2002 because the
transactions involving Centerpoint triggered their conversion. A portion of
the shares that were issued on conversion are being registered for resale by
one of the holders in a separate registration statement.
Changes in Our Officers and Directors.
The following changes in our management at the Board of Directors level
were either adopted or ratified by us at our Board of Directors meetings in
December 2001 and January 2002:
. We accepted the resignation of Joseph Wright as a member of our Board
of Directors. His resignation was not the result of any disagreement
with us on any matter relating to our operations, policies or
practices.
. Mark Smith resigned from our Board of Directors and as our
Secretary, effective January 31, 2002. His resignation was not the
result of any disagreement with us on any matter relating to our
operations, policies or practices. Mr. Smith will continue to
provide consulting services to us from time to time as requested by
our management.
. We added Howard Chase to our Board of Directors.
Changes in the "Line" Management.
The following additional changes have been made in the day-to-day
management of Bion and its subsidiaries:
. Effective February 1, 2002, James Morris became the Chief
Technical Officer of the Company and he received an option to
purchase 12,000 shares at an exercise price of $11.00 per share
until December 31, 2004.
. Effective February 1, 2002, George Bloom became the Chief
Operating Officer of our Bion Technologies, Inc. subsidiary, and he
also received an option to purchase 12,000 shares at an exercise
price of $11.00 per share until December 31, 2004.
. Effective February 1, 2002, Dominic Bassani became Director of
Product Development and Planning for our Bion Technologies, Inc.
subsidiary, and also will continue to serve as the Vice President of
Operations in our BionSoil, Inc. subsidiary.
. From January 15, 2002 to July 31, 2002, Craig Scott rejoined us as a
full time employee in the capacity of our Director of Shareholder
Relations. An existing 16,945 options held by him were extended
until December 31, 2003, with a reduced exercise price of $12.50 per
share. Additionally, Mr. Scott was granted an option to purchase
600 shares at $15.00 per share, an option to purchase 1,200 shares
at $20.00 per share and an option to purchase 1,200 shares at $25.00
per share, all of which are exercisable until December 31, 2003.
Agreement with Scotts.
On December 12, 2001, we entered into an agreement with The Scotts
Company ("Scotts") under which we have agreed to give Scotts an exclusive
right to evaluate our technologies in the worldwide consumer lawns and gardens
markets for a period of twelve months. During this period, Scotts will
conduct efficacy testing; research and development and/or consumer research on
our technologies, and if the testing and research are satisfactory to Scotts,
will work with Bion to develop a business plan for selling products using our
technologies in the referenced markets.
Joint Venture to Develop Dairy Complexes.
In June 2002, our newly formed Dairy Park LLC subsidiary entered into a
non-binding agreement with Dr. Michael J. McCloskey and Timothy C. den Dulk to
develop, own and operate a number of large diary facilities.
Bion anticipates that two to four complexes, ranging in size from 10,000
to 50,000 animals, will be developed by the joint venture over the next three
years. The complexes will be turnkey, state-of-the-art facilities and will be
made available to dairy producers. Bion plans to provide its technology for
waste management, secure financing for the facilities, develop the financial
lease terms and provide independent management. The primary responsibilities
of the McCloskey/den Dulk partnership are expected to be site selection and
development, lease terms and recruitment of tenants, and management of the
facilities.
Employment of Chief Financial Officer.
Effective July 29, 2002, Lawrence R. Danziger became our Chief Financial
Officer. Mr. Danziger served as Corporate Controller of Internet Commerce
Corporation, a publicly-held company, from April 1999 to July 2002. Prior to
joining Internet Commerce Corporation, Mr. Danziger was Supervisor at the
accounting firm of Richard A. Eisner & Company L.L.P. Mr. Danziger received a
Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the Univerity of Albany, State
University of New York. Mr. Danziger is also a Certified Public Accountant.
THE DISTRIBUTION
REASONS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION
The distribution is being made pursuant to a Registration Rights
Agreement between Bion and Centerpoint which was entered into in connection
with Centerpoint's purchase of 1,900,000 shares our Common Stock on January
15, 2002. Centerpoint paid $8.5 million in cash and assigned certain rights
to Bion in exchange for the shares. In a related transaction on that date,
Bion acquired 3,459,997 shares of Centerpoint common stock, which currently
represents approximately 57.6% of Centerpoint's outstanding common stock.
At the time of the purchase of the 1,900,000 shares of Bion's Common
Stock by Centerpoint, it was intended that the shares would be distributed to
Centerpoint's shareholders. The distribution is being made to fulfill this
intent.
MANNER OF EFFECTING THE DISTRIBUTION
The distribution will be effected by a stock dividend paid to each holder
of record of Centerpoint common stock. The shares issued to Bion will be
cancelled. The distribution ratio will be 0.31639 shares of our Common Stock
for every one share of Centerpoint common stock outstanding on the record
date. No fractional shares will be issued. Instead, fractions will be rounded
up or down to the nearest full share. In the event of any overage due to
rounding, the number of shares to be distributed to Bion will be reduced.
Centerpoint shareholders will not be required to pay for shares of our Common
Stock received in the distribution. Additionally, Centerpoint shareholders
will not need to surrender or exchange Centerpoint common stock in order to
receive shares of our Common Stock. All shares of our Common Stock received
by Centerpoint shareholders in connection with the distribution will be fully
paid and non-assessable. Centerpoint shareholders do not have any appraisal
rights in connection with the distribution.
In order to be entitled to receive shares of our Common Stock in the
distribution, Centerpoint shareholders must be holders of record of
Centerpoint common stock at 5:00 p.m., Denver time on the distribution
effective date, which is expected to be _____________, 2002.
The payment agent is Corporate Stock Transfer, Inc. Corporate Stock
Transfer, Inc. will commence mailing our Common Stock certificates on the
distribution date.
RESULTS OF THE DISTRIBUTION
Following the distribution, we will continue to be a publicly-traded
company and continue our business.
Following the distribution, Centerpoint will have only minimal assets and
will continue to evaluate business opportunities available to it. The
distribution will not affect the number of outstanding shares of Centerpoint
common stock or any rights of Centerpoint shareholders.
AGREEMENTS BETWEEN BION AND CENTERPOINT AND
RELATIONSHIP AFTER THE DISTRIBUTION
On March 14, 2002, Centerpoint and Bion entered in an agreement effective
January 15, 2002 pursuant to which Centerpoint will pay $12,000 a month for
management services, support staff and office space. In addition, Bion will
advance to Centerpoint sums needed to bring its filings with the SEC current,
distribute Bion shares to its shareholders, to locate and acquire new business
opportunities and for on-going expenses. Bion has no obligation to make any
advances in excess of $500,000. All sums due Bion are evidenced by a
convertible revolving promissory note. As additional consideration, Bion
received a warrant to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Centerpoint's common
stock at $3.00 per share until March 14, 2007. As of June 30, 2002 Bion had
advanced Centerpoint a total of $186,257.
MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
Tax Treatment of Distribution. Centerpoint has not applied for, nor has
it obtained, a private letter ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service
nor has it received an opinion of legal counsel as to the federal and state
income tax consequences to our shareholders of the distribution by Centerpoint
of the shares of Bion Common Stock. However, Centerpoint believes that such
distribution will be treated as a taxable distribution of property under
Section 301 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which for
convenience is referred to as the "Code." For purposes of Code Section 301,
the distribution of shares of stock of another corporation is considered a
distribution of property.
While the distributions of the shares of Bion Common Stock will result in
a partial liquidation of Centerpoint's assets, the transaction will not
qualify for capital gains treatment as provided under the partial liquidation
rules of Code Section 302(b)(4) due to the fact that Centerpoint's
shareholders are not being requested to surrender any of their shares of
Centerpoint common stock in exchange for the shares of the Bion Common Stock,
nor are Centerpoint's shareholders being requested to approve a plan of
redemption of their stock or otherwise approve the proposed distribution.
Nevertheless, the proposed distribution under the dividend rules of Code
Sections 301(c) and 316(a) may have similar tax results for non-corporate
shareholders of Centerpoint as those accorded to shareholders receiving a
distribution of property which would otherwise be treated as a partial
liquidation.
Code Sections 301(c) and 316(a) require that the portion of a
distribution which is made to the extent of
. earnings and profits accumulated since the inception of Centerpoint;
or
. earnings and profits for Centerpoint's current taxable year (without
reduction for any distributions made during the current taxable year)
without taking into account the amount of earnings and profits at the
time the distribution was made
will be treated as a "dividend" and taxable as ordinary income and not at the
more favorable tax rates accorded to long-term capital gains for those non-
corporate shareholders who have held Centerpoint stock for more than one year.
As of December 31, 2001, Centerpoint had an accumulated deficit on a
consolidated basis of $5,103,000. From January 1, 2002 to March 31, 2002,
Centerpoint had income of $1,819,000. If the fair market value of the shares
of the Bion Common Stock on the date of distribution to Centerpoint's
shareholders had exceeded Centerpoint's tax basis (cost) for such shares,
under Code Section 312(b), Centerpoint's earnings and profits for the current
year would have been increased by the amount of such excess. Because
Centerpoint's total tax basis in the shares of Bion Common Stock exceeds the
current fair market value of such shares, we do not expect that the
distribution of such shares will result in generating any earnings and profits
for the current year. However, Centerpoint cannot be certain whether or not
it will have current earnings and profits, on a consolidated basis, by the end
of the current taxable year, as a result of its current activities or the
activities of any corporation which may merge with Centerpoint or a subsidiary
of it during the current year.
Therefore, if Centerpoint does have any current earnings and profits by
the end of the taxable year, the distribution of the shares of Bion Common
Stock will be taxable as a dividend at ordinary tax rates to the extent of
such current earnings and profits. If Centerpoint does not have any current
earnings and profits as determined at the end of the current year, the
distribution will not be taxable at ordinary rates.
To the extent that the distribution is not made out of earnings and
profits, the portion of the fair market value of the shares of Bion Common
Stock not attributable to earnings and profits will be treated as a return of
each shareholder's capital and as such will reduce the adjusted tax basis of
the Centerpoint common stock owned by him or her. To the extent that the fair
market value of the shares of Bion Common Stock distributed to each
shareholder exceeds the adjusted tax basis of the Centerpoint common stock
owned by him or her, such portion will be treated as a gain from the sale or
exchange of property and will be entitled to long-term capital gain treatment
if the Centerpoint shares are held by an individual or non-corporate
shareholder as a capital asset (i.e., held for investment and not as dealer
inventory) for a period of more than one (1) year.
If any portion of the distributions is treated as a dividend taxable at
ordinary rates to the extent previously discussed, that portion received by a
domestic corporate shareholder will be eligible for the dividend received
deduction under Code Section 243. If a domestic corporate shareholder owns
less than 20% of Centerpoint stock, the deduction will be 70% of the amount
received as a dividend [80% if the domestic corporate shareholder owns 20% or
more of Centerpoint's stock (by vote and value)].
Tax Basis. Under Code Section 301(d), your tax basis in the shares of
Bion Common Stock received by you will be equal to the fair market value of
these shares as determined on the date of distribution.
Holding Period. Your holding period for the shares of Bion Common Stock
received in the distribution will begin on the date that these shares are
distributed to you.
Subsequent Sale of Bion Stock. If you sell your shares of Bion Common
Stock at any time subsequent to the date you receive such shares, you will
recognize gain or loss in the amount equal to the difference between the
amount of proceeds received from the sale and the tax basis allocated to the
shares sold by you. The gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss provided
the shares are held by you as a capital asset (provided that you hold the Bion
shares as an investor and not as a dealer). If the shares of Bion Common
Stock are held by you for more than one year after the date of the
distribution, such gain or loss will be taxable as a long-term capital gain or
loss.
State, Local and Foreign Tax Consequences. You should consult your own
tax advisor regarding the state, local and foreign tax consequences of your
receipt of shares of Bion Common Stock.
Tax Return Statement. Code Section 6042 and the U.S. Treasury
Regulations adopted under that provision require Centerpoint to prepare and
file with the Internal Revenue Service a detailed statement on Form 1099-DIV
setting forth certain information regarding the distribution and to furnish
you this statement on or before January 31, 2003, to enable you to report the
distribution on your U.S. federal income tax return for 2002, the year in
which the distribution of the shares of Bion Common Stock occurs. Centerpoint
may be required to withhold 31% of any payment made to you if you fail or have
failed to furnish your taxpayer identification number to us, or the IRS
notifies Centerpoint that your number is incorrect or informs us that you are
subject to backup withholding because you failed to report interest or
dividends in prior taxable years or you fail to certify that you are not
subject to backup withholding when certification is required.
The summary of U.S. federal income tax consequences set forth above is
for general information purposes only and may not be applicable to
shareholders who are not citizens or residents of the United States or who are
otherwise subject to special treatment under the Code. All shareholders
should consult their own tax advisors as to the particular tax consequences to
them of the stock distribution, including the state, local and (if applicable)
foreign tax consequences.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
We are authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of our no par value Common
Stock, of which 5,307,395 shares were issued and outstanding as of July 31,
2002. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to cast one vote for each share
held of record on all matters presented to shareholders. Shareholders do not
have cumulative rights; hence, the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
Common Stock can elect all directors.
We have reserved approximately 2,113,621 shares of our Common Stock for
issuance under outstanding options, warrants, rights and convertible
securities.
Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. In
the event of liquidation, holders of Common Stock will share pro rata in any
distribution of our assets after payment of all liabilities. We do not
anticipate that any dividends on Common Stock will be declared or paid in the
foreseeable future. Holders of Common Stock do not have any rights of
redemption or conversion or preemptive rights to subscribe to additional
shares if issued by us. All of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock are
fully paid and nonassessable.
Penny Stock and NASD Sales Practices Rules
Our Common Stock is currently defined as a "penny stock" under the
Exchange Act and rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Exchange Act and such penny stock rules generally impose additional sales
practices and disclosure requirements on broker-dealers who sell our
securities to persons other than "accredited investors" or in transactions not
recommended by the broker-dealer. For transactions covered by the penny stock
rules, the broker-dealer must make a written suitability determination for
each purchaser and receive the purchaser's written agreement prior to the
sale. In addition, the broker-dealer must make certain required disclosures
in penny stock transactions, including the actual sale or purchase price and
actual bid and offer quotations, and the compensation to be received by the
broker-dealer and certain associated persons, provide monthly account
statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in a customer's
account, and deliver certain standardized risk disclosures required by the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Consequently, the penny stock rules
affect the ability of broker-dealers to make a market in or trade our shares
and may also affect the ability of purchasers of shares to resell those shares
in the public market.
In addition to the "penny stock" rules described above, the NASD has
adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a
broker-dealer have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is
suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced
securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must take
reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customers' financial
status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under
interpretations of these rules, the NASD believes that there is a high
probability that speculative low priced securities will not be suitable for at
least some customers. The NASD requirements make it more difficult for
broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our Common Stock, and
this has an adverse effect on the market for our shares.
EXPERTS
The June 30, 2001 financial statements incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus have been audited by BDO Seidman, LLP, independent certified public
accountants, to the extent and for the periods set forth in their report
(which contains an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company's ability to
continue as a going concern) incorporated herein by reference, and are
incorporated herein in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of
said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the issuance of the Common Stock offered hereby will be
passed upon for us by Krys Boyle Freedman Graham Sawyer Terry & Moore, P.C.,
Denver, Colorado. Officers, directors and employees of this law firm own an
aggregate of approximately 12,000 shares of our Common Stock.
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN
THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY
SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER
TO BUY ANY COMMON STOCK IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY
SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION
THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN OUR AFFAIRS SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED BY REFERENCE HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT
TO ITS DATE.
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR
SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the small business issuer pursuant to the forgoing provisions, or otherwise,
the small business issuer has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents that we have filed with the Commission shall be
deemed to be incorporated in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof:
1. Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2001.
2. Amendments on Form 10-KSB/A to the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001.
3. Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended September 30,
2001.
4. Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 6, 2001.
5. Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 12, 2001.
6. Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated December 12, 2001.
7. Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for quarter ended December 31, 2001.
8. Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended March 31, 2002.
9. Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB/A for the quarter ended March 31,
2002.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein
shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent
that a statement contained in this Prospectus or in any other subsequently
filed document which is also incorporated herein by reference modifies or
replaces such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
this Prospectus.
We will provide without charge to each person to whom this Prospectus is
delivered, on written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all
documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. Requests for such
copies should be directed to Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc., 18 East
50th Street, 10th Floor, New York, New York 10022, or (212) 758-6622.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
______________________________________
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following table itemizes our estimated expenses in connection with
the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby.
SEC Registration Fee.................... $ 301
Transfer Agent Fees..................... 5,000
Legal Fees and Expenses................. 9,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses............ 5,000
Miscellaneous........................... 699
-------
Total .............................. $20,000
=======
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The Colorado Business Corporation Act generally provides that a
corporation may indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents
against liabilities and reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees)
incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit
or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and
whether formal or informal (a "Proceeding"), by reason of being or having been
a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of the Corporation, if such
person acted in good faith and reasonably believed that his conduct in his
official capacity with the Corporation was in the best interests of the
Corporation (or, with respect to employee benefit plans, was in the best
interests of the participants in or beneficiaries of the plan), and in all
other cases his conduct was at least not opposed to the Corporation's best
interests. In the case of a criminal proceeding, the director, officer,
employee or agent must have had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. The Corporation may not indemnify a director, officer, employee or
agent in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation if
such person is adjudged liable to the Corporation, or in a proceeding in which
such person is adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit.
Unless limited by the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, the Corporation
shall be required to indemnify a director or officer of the Corporation who is
wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any proceeding to
which he was a party, against reasonable expenses incurred by him in
connection with the proceeding. The foregoing indemnification is not exclusive
of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under
applicable law, the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws,
agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
The Corporation's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws generally provide
for indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents to the
fullest extent allowed by law.
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ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number Description of Exhibit
-------- ----------------------
5.1 Opinion of Krys Boyle Freedman Graham Sawyer Terry & Moore, P.C.
regarding legality.*
23.1 Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP.*
23.2 Consent of Krys Boyle Freedman Graham Sawyer Terry & Moore, P.C.-
Contained in Exhibit 5.1.*
______________
* Filed herewith electronically.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned Company hereby undertakes:
(1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to the registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
or any material change to such information in the registration
statement.
(2) That for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination
of the offering.
II-2
(4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by
reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering.
(5) That, insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Company in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Company will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-2 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on
August 12, 2002.
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:/s/ David J. Mitchell
----------------------------------
David J. Mitchell, Chief Executive
Officer, President and Chairman
(Principal Executive Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date(s) indicated.
Signatures Title Date
/s/ David J. Mitchell
------------------------- Chief Executive Officer, August 12, 2002
David J. Mitchell President and Chairman
/s/ David Fuller
------------------------- Principal Accounting August 12, 2002
David Fuller Officer
/s/ Lawrence R. Danziger
------------------------- Chief Financial Officer August 12, 2002
Lawrence R. Danziger
/s/ Jere Northrop
------------------------- Chief Technical Officer August 12, 2002
Jere Northrop and Director
------------------------- Director
Salvatore J. Zizza
/s/ Andrew G. Gould
------------------------- Director August 12, 2002
Andrew G. Gould
/s/ Howard E. Chase
------------------------- Director August 12, 2002
Howard E. Chase