AGIG 8-K
Abundia Global Impact Group, Inc. (AGIG)
United States
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Committed Equity Financing
On July 10, 2025 (the “Closing Date”), Houston American Energy Corp. (the “Company”) entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “ELOC Purchase Agreement”), with an institutional investor (the “ELOC Investor”), providing for a committed equity financing facility, pursuant to which, upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions contained in the ELOC Purchase Agreement, the ELOC Investor has committed to purchase, at the Company’s direction in its sole discretion, up to an aggregate of $100,000,000 (the “Total Commitment”) of the shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), subject to certain limitations set forth in the ELOC Purchase Agreement, from time to time during the term of the ELOC Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Shares”). Concurrently with the execution of the ELOC Purchase Agreement, the Company and the ELOC Investor also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2025 (the “ELOC Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) one or more registration statements, to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the offer and resale by the ELOC Investor of all of the Purchase Shares that may be issued and sold by the Company to the ELOC Investor from time to time under the ELOC Purchase Agreement.
Sales of Purchase Shares by the Company to the ELOC Investor under the ELOC Purchase Agreement, if any, may occur, from time to time at the Company’s sole discretion, over a period commencing upon the initial satisfaction of all conditions to the ELOC Investor’s purchase obligations set forth in the ELOC Purchase Agreement (the “Commencement,” and the date on which the Commencement occurs, the “Commencement Date”), including that the initial Registration Statement the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement is declared effective by the SEC, and ending on the first day of the month next following the 24-month anniversary of the Closing Date, unless the ELOC Purchase Agreement is terminated earlier under its terms.
From and after the Commencement Date, the Company will have the right, but not the obligation, from time to time at the Company’s sole discretion, to direct the ELOC Investor to purchase amounts of Purchase Shares that are specified by the Company to the ELOC Investor in writing, subject to certain maximum amounts calculated pursuant to the ELOC Purchase Agreement (each such purchase, a “VWAP Purchase”). The purchase price per share to be paid by the ELOC Investor for Purchase Shares that the Company may elect to sell to the ELOC Investor will be equal to 96% of the lowest daily volume-weighted average price (the “VWAP”) of the Common Stock during the three trading days immediately following the date that the purchase notice with respect to the particular VWAP Purchase (each, a “VWAP Purchase Notice”) is timely delivered from the Company to the ELOC Investor, provided that (i) the Company may not deliver more than one VWAP Purchase Notice to the ELOC Investor on any single trading day, (ii) at least three trading days have elapsed since the trading day on which the most recent VWAP Purchase Notice was delivered by the Company to the ELOC Investor, (iii) the closing sale price of the Common Stock on such date is not lower than $0.10, as adjusted for stock splits and similar transactions, and (iv) all Purchase Shares subject to all prior VWAP Purchases by the ELOC Investor under the ELOC Purchase Agreement have been received by the ELOC Investor electronically as set forth in the ELOC Purchase Agreement. The maximum number of Purchase Shares that may be required to be purchased pursuant to a VWAP Purchase Notice will be equal to the lowest of: (i) 100% of the average daily trading volume in the Common Stock for the five consecutive trading day period ending on (and including) the trading day immediately preceding the applicable day the ELOC Investor receives a VWAP Purchase Notice; (ii) the product obtained by multiplying (A) the daily trading volume in the Common Stock on the applicable day the ELOC Investor receives a VWAP Purchase Notice and (B) 0.40; and (iii) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) $2,000,000 by (B) the VWAP of the Common Stock on the trading day immediately preceding the applicable day the ELOC Investor receives a VWAP Purchase Notice. There are no upper limits on the price per share that the Investor must pay for Purchase Shares the Company directs the ELOC Investor to purchase in a VWAP Purchase under the ELOC Purchase Agreement. The purchase price per Purchase Share that the Company directs the ELOC Investor to purchase in a VWAP Purchase under the ELOC Purchase Agreement will be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction during the period used to determine the purchase price to be paid by the ELOC Investor for such shares in such VWAP Purchase.
The ELOC Investor has no right to require the Company to sell any Purchase Share to the ELOC Investor, but the ELOC Investor is obligated to make purchases of Purchase Shares as directed by the Company, subject to the satisfaction of conditions set forth in the ELOC Purchase Agreement at Commencement and thereafter at each time that the Company may direct the ELOC Investor to purchase the Purchase Shares under the ELOC Purchase Agreement. Actual sales of Purchase Shares by the Company to the ELOC Investor under the ELOC Purchase Agreement, if any, will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by the Company in its sole discretion from time to time, including, among others, market conditions, the trading price of the Common Stock and determinations by the Company as to the appropriate sources of funding for the Company and its operations.
The Company may not issue or sell any shares of its Common Stock to the ELOC Investor under the ELOC Purchase Agreement which, when aggregated with all other shares of Common Stock then beneficially owned by the ELOC Investor and its affiliates (as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 13d-3 promulgated thereunder), would result in the ELOC Investor beneficially owning more than 9.99% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock.
Under the applicable rules of the NYSE American LLC (the “NYSE American”), in no event may the Company issue to the ELOC Investor and any of its affiliates under the ELOC Purchase Agreement, or otherwise, more than 6,703,597 shares of Common Stock, which number of shares represents 19.9% of the shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the execution of the Purchase Agreement (the “Exchange Cap”), unless the Company obtains stockholder approval to issue shares of Common Stock to the ELOC Investor and any of its affiliates in excess of the Exchange Cap under the Purchase Agreement, or otherwise, and in accordance with applicable NYSE American listing rules. The Exchange Cap will not be applicable to limit the number of shares of Common Stock that the Company may sell to the ELOC Investor in any VWAP Purchase that the Company effects pursuant to the ELOC Purchase Agreement (if any), to the extent the purchase price per share paid by the ELOC Investor for the shares of Common Stock in such VWAP Purchase is equal to or greater than the greater of book or market value of the Common Stock (calculated in accordance with the applicable listing rules of the NYSE American) at the time the Company delivers the VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase to the ELOC Investor, adjusted as required by the NYSE American to take into account the Company’s payment of the Commitment Fee (as defined below) to the ELOC Investor and the amount paid as reimbursement for the legal fees and disbursements of the ELOC Investor’s counsel in connection with this committed equity financing, each as described in more detail below, and otherwise as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the applicable rules of the NYSE American. In any event, the ELOC Purchase Agreement specifically provides that the Company may not issue or sell any shares of Common Stock under the ELOC Purchase Agreement if such issuance or sale would breach any applicable rules or regulations of NYSE American.
The net proceeds from sales, if any, under the ELOC Purchase Agreement to the Company will depend on the frequency and prices at which the Company sells shares of its Common Stock to the ELOC Investor. The Company expects that any proceeds received by the Company from such sales to the ELOC Investor will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.
There are no restrictions on future financings, rights of first refusal, participation rights, penalties or liquidated damages in the ELOC Purchase Agreement or ELOC Registration Rights Agreement, other than (i) a prohibition (with certain limited exceptions) on the Company entering into specified “Variable Rate Transactions” (as such term is defined in the ELOC Purchase Agreement), and (ii) a prohibition during the VWAP Purchase Valuation Period (as defined in the ELOC Purchase Agreement), to (i) issue, enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (as defined in the ELOC Purchase Agreement) or (ii) file any registration statement or any amendment or supplement thereto, in each case other than as contemplated pursuant to the ELOC Registration Rights Agreement. Such Variable Rate Transactions include, among others, the issuance of convertible securities with a conversion or exercise price that is based upon or varies with the trading price of the Common Stock after the date of issuance, or the Company effecting or entering into an agreement to effect an “equity line of credit,” an “at the market offering” or other similar continuous offering with a third party, in which the Company may offer, issue or sell Common Stock or any securities exercisable, exchangeable or convertible into Common Stock at future determined prices. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the ELOC Purchase Agreement such restrictions shall remain in effect for a period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on first day of the month next following the 24-month anniversary of the Closing Date. During the term of the ELOC Purchase Agreement, the ELOC Investor covenanted not to enter into or effect, in any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, any short sales of the Common Stock or hedging transaction which establishes a net short position with respect to the Common Stock.
As consideration for the ELOC Investor’s commitment to purchase the Purchase Shares upon the terms of and subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, the Company will issue a total of 300,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate, consisting of 156,000 shares of restricted Common Stock that were issued at Closing (the “Initial Commitment Fee Shares”), and an additional 144,000 shares of Common Stock that will be issued upon the earlier of (i) a prepayment advance against a commitment or (ii) the effectiveness of the Registration Statement (as defined in the ELOC Purchase Agreement) as declared by the SEC (collectively, the “Commitment Fee”). In addition, as required under the ELOC Purchase Agreement, the Company has reimbursed the ELOC Investor for the reasonable legal fees and disbursements of the ELOC Investor’s legal counsel in the amount of $75,000.
The ELOC Purchase Agreement will automatically terminate upon the earliest of (i) the first day of the month next following the 24-month anniversary of the Closing Date, (ii) the ELOC Investor’s purchase of Purchase Shares having an aggregate purchase price equal to Total Commitment under the ELOC Purchase Agreement, or (iii) the occurrence of certain other events set forth in the ELOC Purchase Agreement. The Company has the right to terminate the ELOC Purchase Agreement at any time after Commencement, at no cost or penalty, upon five trading days’ prior written notice to the ELOC Investor, subject to certain conditions and the survival of certain provisions of the ELOC Purchase Agreement and the ELOC Registration Rights Agreement. The ELOC Investor may terminate the ELOC Purchase Agreement upon five trading days’ prior written notice after the occurrence of certain events, including the occurrence of a Material Adverse Effect or a Fundamental Transaction (as such terms are defined in the ELOC Purchase Agreement) or upon the occurrence of certain other events as set forth in the ELOC Purchase Agreement. Neither the Company nor the ELOC Investor may assign or transfer their respective rights and obligations under the ELOC Purchase Agreement, and no provision of the ELOC Purchase Agreement or the ELOC Registration Rights Agreement may be modified or waived by the Company or the ELOC Investor.
The ELOC Purchase Agreement and the ELOC Registration Rights Agreement contain customary representations, warranties, conditions and indemnification obligations of the parties. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in such agreements were made only for purposes of such agreements and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreements and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties.
The foregoing descriptions of the ELOC Purchase Agreement and the ELOC Registration Rights Agreement do not purport to be complete and each is qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the ELOC Purchase Agreement and the ELOC Registration Rights Agreement, respectively, the forms of which are filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
Senior Secured Convertible Note Financing
On July 10, 2025, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with an institutional investor (the “Note Investor”), pursuant to which the Company sold, and the Note Investor purchased, a senior secured convertible note issued by the Company (the “Note,” and such financing, the “Convertible Note Financing”) in the original principal amount of $5,434,783 (the “Principal Amount”), which is convertible into shares of Common Stock. The Convertible Note Financing closed on July 10, 2025 (the “Closing Date”).
The gross proceeds to the Company from the Convertible Note Financing, prior to the payment of legal fees and transaction expenses, was $5,000,000. The Company used the net proceeds from the Convertible Note Financing to close the purchase a 25-acre site (the “Property”) located within Cedar Port Industrial Park in the Baytown area of Houston, Texas, which closing occurred on July 11, 2025.
The Securities Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, and covenants of the Company and the Investor.
Description of the Note
The Note was issued with an original issue discount of 8.0% and accrues interest at a rate of 7.0% per annum. The Note matures on July 10, 2026 (the “Maturity Date”), unless extended pursuant to the terms thereof. Interest on the Note is guaranteed through the Maturity Date regardless of whether the Note is earlier converted or redeemed. The Note is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all the assets of the Company and, pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, will be secured by a first-lien mortgage encumbering the Property within 30 days of the purchase of the Property.
The Note is convertible (in whole or in part) by the holder of the Note at any time prior to the Maturity Date into the number of shares of Common Stock equal to (x) the sum of (i) the portion of the principal amount to be converted or redeemed, (ii) all accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such principal amount, and (iii) all accrued and unpaid late charges with respect to such principal and interest amounts, if any, divided by (y) a conversion price of $10.92 per share (“Initial Conversion Price”), which price is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances (such shares issuable upon conversion of the Note, the “Conversion Shares”).
The Company is required to prepay, redeem or convert one quarter (1/4) of the initial principal and interest of the Note by each three (3) month anniversary of the Closing Date, failure of which will result in an Event of Default (as defined in the Note).
At no time may the Investor hold or be required to take more than 4.99% (or up to 9.99% at the election of the Note Investor pursuant to the Note) of the outstanding Common Stock.
In addition, if an Event of Default has occurred under the Note, the Note Investor may elect to convert all or a portion of the Note into shares of Common Stock at a price equal to the lower of (i) the conversion price then in effect, and (ii) 85% of the lowest volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the shares of Common Stock during the ten (10) consecutive trading day period ending and including the trading day immediately preceding the delivery or deemed delivery of the applicable conversion notice.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Company is required to deliver written notice to the Note Investor within one business day (an “Event of Default Notice”). At any time after the earlier of (a) the Note Investor’s receipt of an Event of Default Notice, and (b) the Note Investor becoming aware of an Event of Default, the Note Investor may require the Company to redeem all or any portion of the Note. Upon an Event of Default, the Note shall bear interest at a rate of 18.0% per annum.
In connection with a “Change of Control” (as defined in the Note), the Note Investor shall have the right to require the Company to redeem all or any portion of the Note in cash at a price equal to the sum of (i) the portion of the principal amount to be converted or redeemed, (ii) all accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such principal amount, (iii) a “make-whole” amount to ensure that, if paid, the Note Investor will have received the guaranteed interest pursuant to the Note and (iv) all accrued and unpaid late charges with respect to the amounts described in (i), (ii) and (iii), if any.
Registration Rights Agreement
On the Closing Date, in connection with the Company’s entry into the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Note Investor (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has agreed to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), within thirty (30) days following the Closing Date, a registration statement covering the resale of the Conversion Shares. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to have such registration statement declared effective by the SEC within the time period set forth tin the Registration Rights Agreement.
Security Agreement and Subsidiary Guarantee
On the Closing Date, the Company entered into a security agreement (the “Security Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company granted to the Note Investor a security interest in all of the assets of the Company, and a subsidiary of the Company entered into a subsidiary guarantee (the “Subsidiary Guarantee”), in each case to secure the Company’s payment obligations under the Note.
The foregoing summaries of the terms of the various documents described above do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by, the full text of such documents or forms of documents, which are attached as exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.
Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
On July 11, 2025, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company completed the purchase of the Property from TGS Cedar Port Partners LP, a Texas limited partnership, for a total purchase price of approximately $8.5 million, in cash.
The disclosure required by this Item in connection with the closing of the purchase of the Property and included in Item 1.01 of this Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information provided in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.
Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
The applicable information set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02.
The Initial Commitment Fee Shares were, and the Purchase Shares, the rest of the Commitment Fee shares, and the Conversion Shares will be offered and sold, pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
This Current Report on Form 8-K shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On July 11, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of the committed equity financing, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated by reference herein.
On July 11, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of the Convertible Note Financing, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2, which is incorporated by reference herein.
On July [*], 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of the purchase of the Property, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.3, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| HOUSTON AMERICAN ENERGY CORP. | ||
| Dated: July 16, 2025 | ||
| By: | /s/ Edward Gillespie | |
| Name: | Edward Gillespie | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
Exhibit 4.1
NEITHER THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS NOTE NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THIS NOTE IS CONVERTIBLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (A) IN THE ABSENCE OF (I) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (II) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE HOLDER (IF REQUESTED BY THE COMPANY), IN A FORM REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (B) UNLESS SOLD OR ELIGIBLE TO BE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OR RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THE SECURITIES. ANY TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE SHOULD CAREFULLY REVIEW THE TERMS OF THIS NOTE, INCLUDING SECTION 3(c)(iii) AND SECTION 18(a) HEREOF. THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT REPRESENTED BY THIS NOTE AND, ACCORDINGLY, THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION HEREOF MAY BE LESS THAN THE AMOUNTS SET FORTH ON THE FACE HEREOF PURSUANT TO SECTION 3(c)(iii) OF THIS NOTE.
THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT. PURSUANT TO TREASURY REGULATION §1.1275-3(b)(1), A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY, SHALL, BEGINNING NO LATER THAN TEN (10) DAYS AFTER THE ISSUANCE DATE OF THIS NOTE, PROMPTLY MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE HOLDERS UPON REQUEST THE INFORMATION DESCRIBED IN TREASURY REGULATION §1.1275-3(b)(1)(i).
HOUSTON AMERICAN ENERGY CORP.
SENIOR SECURED CONVERTIBLE NOTE
| Issuance Date: July 10, 2025 | Original Principal Amount: $5,434,783 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Houston American Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby promises to pay to the order of [●], a Delaware limited partnership, or its registered assigns (the “Holder”) the amount set forth above as the Original Principal Amount (as reduced pursuant to the terms hereof pursuant to redemption, conversion or otherwise, the “Principal”) and all interest accrued hereunder (“Interest”) at the Interest Rate (as defined below) when due, whether upon the Maturity Date (as defined below), on any Installment Date (as defined below) with respect to the Interest due on such Installment Date, or upon acceleration, conversion, redemption or otherwise (in each case in accordance with the terms hereof) and, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), to pay Interest on any outstanding Principal at the Default Rate (as defined below), from the date set forth above as the Issuance Date (the “Issuance Date”) until the same becomes due and payable, whether upon the Maturity Date, on any Installment Date with respect to the Interest due on such Installment Date, or upon acceleration, conversion, redemption or otherwise (in each case in accordance with the terms hereof). This Senior Convertible Note (including all Senior Convertible Notes issued in exchange, transfer or replacement hereof, this “Note”) is one of several Senior Convertible Notes issued pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”), as of July 10, 2025 (the “Subscription Date”), by and among the Company and the investors referred to therein, as amended from time to time (collectively, the “Notes,” and such other Convertible Notes, the “Other Notes”). Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section 31 and capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement. This Note is secured to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Transaction Documents (including, without limitation, the Security Agreement).
1. PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL.
(a) On the Maturity Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder an amount in cash representing all outstanding Principal, accrued and unpaid Interest (including Default Interest, if applicable), accrued and unpaid Late Charges on such Principal and Interest and the Make-Whole Amount. Other than as specifically permitted by this Note under Section 1(b) below, the Company may not prepay any portion of the outstanding Principal, accrued and unpaid Interest, accrued and unpaid Late Charges on Principal and Interest, if any, or Make-Whole Amount.
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(b) This Note shall be deemed paid in full and cancelled upon (i) the delivery of a written notice by the Company to the Holder stating the Company’s intent to make a prepayment on a specified date (the “Prepayment Date”), which date shall be ten (10) or more Trading Days after the receipt of the notice, and (ii) the payment of immediately available funds to the Holder in an amount equal to the product of (A) 105%, multiplied by (B) the sum of all outstanding Principal, accrued and unpaid Interest (including Default Interest (as defined below), as applicable), Make-Whole Amount, if any, and accrued and unpaid Late Charges (as defined below), in each case as of the Prepayment Date.
2. INTEREST; INTEREST RATE.
(a) This Note was issued with an eight percent (8%) original issue discount as described in the Securities Purchase Agreement. This Note shall bear interest at the rate of seven percent (7%) per annum (the “Interest Rate”) except upon the occurrence (and during the continuance) of an Event of Default, in which case this Note shall bear interest at a rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum (the “Default Rate” and all such Interest accrued at the Default Rate, the “Default Interest”) of the then-outstanding Principal. In the event that such Event of Default is subsequently cured or waived in accordance with the terms of this Note (and no other Event of Default then exists (including, without limitation, as a result of the Company’s failure to pay Interest at the Default Rate on the applicable Interest Date in connection with such Event of Default)), Interest hereunder at the Default Rate shall cease to accrue as of the calendar day immediately following the date on which such Event of Default is cured or waived (and shall instead revert to the Interest Rate); provided that the Interest as calculated and unpaid during the continuance of such Event of Default shall continue to apply to the extent relating to the days after the occurrence of such Event of Default through and including the date of such cure or waiver of such Event of Default.
(b) Interest on this Note shall commence accruing on the Issuance Date. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and twelve 30-day months. Interest shall be due and payable upon the entire Original Principal Amount through and including the Maturity Date (including any extensions thereof). On each Installment Date, interest shall be payable to the Holder in cash unless the Holder converts any portion of such amount into shares of Common Stock under Section 3.
3. CONVERSION OF NOTES.
At any time after the Issuance Date, this Note shall be convertible into shares of Common Stock on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 3.
(a) Conversion Right. Subject to the provisions of Section 3(d), at any time or times on or after the Issuance Date, the Holder shall be entitled to convert all or any portion of the outstanding and unpaid Conversion Amount (as defined below) into validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable shares of Common Stock in accordance with Section 3(c), at the Conversion Rate (as defined below). The Company shall not issue any fraction of a share of Common Stock upon any conversion. If the issuance would result in the issuance of a fraction of a share of Common Stock, the Company shall round such fraction of a share of Common Stock up to the nearest whole share. The Company shall pay any and all transfer, stamp, issuance and similar taxes, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent (as defined below)) that may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of any Conversion Amount.
(b) Conversion Rate. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of any Conversion Amount pursuant to Section 3(a) shall be determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) the Conversion Price (the “Conversion Rate”).
(i) “Conversion Amount” means the sum of (x) the portion of the Principal to be converted, redeemed or otherwise with respect to which this determination is being made, (y) the Make-Whole Amount, if any (and without duplication of the Interest set forth in subsection (z) of this provision) and (z) all accrued and unpaid Interest with respect to such portion of such Principal, and accrued and unpaid Late Charges with respect to such portion of such Principal and such Make-Whole Amount and Interest, if any.
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(ii) “Conversion Price” means, as of any Conversion Date (as defined below) or other date of determination, $10.92, subject to adjustment as provided herein.
(c) Mechanics of Conversion.
(i) Optional Conversion. To convert any Conversion Amount into shares of Common Stock on any date (a “Conversion Date”), the Holder shall deliver (whether via electronic mail or otherwise), for receipt on or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York time, on such date, a copy of an executed conversion notice in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I (the “Conversion Notice”) to the Company. If required by Section 3(c)(iii), within two (2) Trading Days following a conversion of this Note, the Holder shall surrender this Note to a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for delivery to the Company (or an indemnification undertaking with respect to this Note in the case of its loss, theft or destruction as contemplated by Section 18(b)). On or before the first (1st) Trading Day following the date of receipt of a Conversion Notice, the Company shall transmit via electronic mail an acknowledgment of receipt of such Conversion Notice to the Holder and the Company’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”), and instruct the Transfer Agent to process such Conversion Notice in accordance with the terms herein and provide confirmation as to whether such shares of Common Stock may then be resold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”) or an effective registration statement. On or before the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date on which the Company has received a Conversion Notice (or such earlier date as required pursuant to the Exchange Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation for the settlement of a trade initiated on the applicable Conversion Date of such shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such Conversion Notice) (the “Share Delivery Deadline”), the Company shall (I) if the Transfer Agent is participating in The Depository Trust Company’s (“DTC”) Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program (“FAST”), credit such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled pursuant to such conversion to the Holder’s (or its designee’s) account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system, or (II) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST, upon the request of the Holder, issue and deliver (via nationally recognized overnight delivery service) to the address as specified in the Conversion Notice, a certificate, registered in the name of the Holder (or its designee), evidencing the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled pursuant to such conversion. If this Note is physically surrendered for conversion pursuant to Section 3(c)(iii) and the outstanding Principal is greater than the Principal portion of the Conversion Amount being converted, then the Company shall, as soon as practicable, and in no event later than two (2) Business Days after receipt of this Note and at its own expense, issue and deliver to the Holder (or its designee) a new Note (in accordance with Section 18(d)) representing the outstanding Principal not converted. The Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on the Conversion Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Note or the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), within five (5) days after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), the Company shall cause the Transfer Agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to the Holder (or its designee) in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) with respect to which the Holder has entered into a contract for sale, and delivered a copy of the prospectus included as part of the particular Registration Statement to the extent applicable, and for which the Holder has not yet settled.
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(ii) Company’s Failure to Timely Convert. If the Company shall fail, for any reason or for no reason, on or prior to the applicable Share Delivery Deadline, either (I)(1) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST, to issue and deliver to the Holder (or its designee) a certificate for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company’s share register or, (2) if the Transfer Agent is participating in FAST, to credit the account of the Holder (or its designee) with DTC for such number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s conversion of this Note, as the case may be, or (II) if the Registration Statement covering the resale of the shares of Common Stock that are the subject of the Conversion Notice (the “Unavailable Conversion Shares”) is not available for the resale of such Unavailable Conversion Shares and the Company fails to promptly, but in no event later than as required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (x) so notify the Holder and (y) deliver the shares of Common Stock electronically without any restrictive legend by crediting such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such conversion to the Holder’s (or its designee’s) account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian system (the event described in the immediately foregoing clause (II) is hereinafter referred to as a “Notice Failure” and together with the event described in clause (I) above, a “Conversion Failure”), then, in addition to all other remedies available to the Holder, (1) the Company shall pay in cash to the Holder on each day after such Share Delivery Deadline that the issuance of such shares of Common Stock is not timely effected an amount equal to 0.05% of the product of (x) the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock not issued to the Holder on or prior to the Share Delivery Deadline and to which the Holder is entitled, multiplied by (y) any trading price of the shares of Common Stock selected by the Holder in writing as in effect at any time during the period beginning on the applicable Conversion Date and ending on the applicable Share Delivery Deadline, and (2) the Holder, upon written notice to the Company, may void its Conversion Notice with respect to, and retain or have returned (as the case may be) any portion of this Note that has not been converted pursuant to such Conversion Notice, provided that the voiding of a Conversion Notice shall not affect the Company’s obligations to make any payments which have accrued prior to the date of such notice pursuant to this Section 3(c)(ii) or otherwise. In addition to the foregoing, if on or prior to the Share Delivery Deadline either (A)(1) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST, the Company shall fail to issue and deliver to the Holder (or its designee) a certificate and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company’s share register or, (2) if the Transfer Agent is participating in FAST, the Transfer Agent shall fail to credit the account of the Holder (or its designee) with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s conversion hereunder or pursuant to the Company’s obligation pursuant to clause (II) below, or (B) a Notice Failure occurs, and if on or after such Share Delivery Deadline the Holder purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock corresponding to all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion that the Holder is entitled to receive from the Company and has not received from the Company in connection with, or as a result of, such Conversion Failure or Notice Failure, as applicable (a “Buy-In”), then, in addition to all other remedies available to the Holder, the Company shall, within two (2) Business Days after receipt of the Holder’s request and in the Holder’s sole discretion, either: (I) pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased (including, without limitation, by any other Person in respect, or on behalf, of the Holder) (the “Buy-In Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to so issue and deliver such certificate (and to issue such shares of Common Stock), or credit the account of such Holder (or its designee) with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be) (and to issue such shares of Common Stock) shall terminate, or (II) promptly honor its obligation to so issue and deliver to the Holder a certificate representing such shares of Common Stock or credit the account of such Holder (or its designee) with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be) and pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (x) such number of shares of Common Stock multiplied by (y) the lowest Closing Sale Price of the shares of Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the applicable Conversion Notice and ending on the date of such issuance and payment under this clause (II) (the “Buy-In Payment Amount”). Nothing in this Section 3(c)(ii) shall limit the Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, whether at law or in equity, including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver a certificate representing shares of Common Stock, or to electronically deliver such shares of Common Stock, upon the conversion of this Note as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
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(iii) Registration; Book-Entry. The Company shall maintain a register (the “Register”) for the recordation of the names and addresses of the holders of each Note and the principal amount of the Notes held by such holders (the “Registered Notes”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The Company and the holders of the Notes shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as the owner of a Note for all purposes (including, without limitation, the right to receive payments of Principal, Make-Whole Amount and Interest hereunder) notwithstanding notice to the contrary. A Registered Note may be assigned, transferred or sold in whole or in part only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register. Upon its receipt of a written request to assign, transfer or sell all or part of any Registered Note by the holder thereof, the Company shall record the information contained therein in the Register and issue one or more new Registered Notes in the same aggregate principal amount as the principal amount of the surrendered Registered Note to the designated assignee or transferee pursuant to Section 18, provided that if the Company does not so record an assignment, transfer or sale (as the case may be) of all or part of any Registered Note within two (2) Business Days of such a request, then the Register shall be automatically deemed updated to reflect such assignment, transfer or sale (as the case may be). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 3, following conversion of any portion of this Note in accordance with the terms hereof, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Note to the Company unless (A) the full Conversion Amount represented by this Note is being converted (in which event this Note shall be delivered to the Company following conversion thereof as contemplated by Section 3(c)(i)), or (B) the Holder has provided the Company with prior written notice (which notice may be included in a Conversion Notice) requesting reissuance of this Note upon physical surrender of this Note. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records confirming the Principal, Make-Whole Amount, Interest and Late Charges converted and/or paid (as the case may be) and the dates of such conversions, and/or payments (as the case may be) or shall use such other method, reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and the Company, so as not to require physical surrender of this Note upon conversion. If the Company does not update the Register to record such Principal, Make-Whole Amount, Interest and Late Charges converted and/or paid (as the case may be) and the dates of such conversions, and/or payments (as the case may be) within two (2) Business Days of such occurrence, then the Register shall be automatically deemed updated to reflect such occurrence.
(iv) Pro Rata Conversion; Disputes. In the event that the Company receives a Conversion Notice from more than one holder of Notes for the same Conversion Date and the Company can convert some, but not all, of such portions of the Notes submitted for conversion, the Company, subject to Section 3(d), shall convert from each holder of Notes electing to have Notes converted on such date a pro rata amount of such holder’s portion of its Notes submitted for conversion based on the principal amount of Notes submitted for conversion on such date by such holder relative to the aggregate principal amount of all Notes submitted for conversion on such date. In the event of a dispute as to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable to the Holder in connection with a conversion of this Note, the Company shall issue to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock not in dispute and resolve such dispute in accordance with Section 23.
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(d) Limitations on Conversions (Beneficial Ownership Cap). The Company shall not effect the conversion of any portion of this Note, and the Holder shall not have the right to convert any portion of this Note pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Note and any such conversion shall be null and void and treated as if never made, to the extent that after giving effect to such conversion, the Holder together with the other Attribution Parties collectively would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (the “Maximum Percentage”) of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and the other Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock held by the Holder and all other Attribution Parties plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (A) conversion of the remaining, nonconverted portion of this Note beneficially owned by the Holder or any of the other Attribution Parties and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any convertible notes, convertible preferred stock or warrants) beneficially owned by the Holder or any other Attribution Party subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained in this Section 3(d). For purposes of this Section 3(d), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act. For purposes of determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock the Holder may acquire upon the conversion of this Note without exceeding the Maximum Percentage, the Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (x) the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company’s most recent quarter report on Form 10-Q or another public filing with the SEC, as the case may be, (y) a more recent public announcement by the Company, or (z) any other more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent, if any, setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (the “Reported Outstanding Share Number”). If the Company receives a Conversion Notice from the Holder at a time when the actual number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is less than the Reported Outstanding Share Number, the Company shall notify the Holder in writing of the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding and, to the extent that such Conversion Notice would otherwise cause the Holder’s beneficial ownership, as determined pursuant to this Section 3(d), to exceed the Maximum Percentage, the Holder must notify the Company of a reduced number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to such Conversion Notice. For any reason at any time, upon the written request of the Holder, the Company shall, within one (1) Business Day of such request, via electronic mail to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Note, by the Holder and any other Attribution Party since the date as of which the Reported Outstanding Share Number was reported. In the event that the issuance of shares of Common Stock to the Holder upon conversion of this Note results in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties being deemed to beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than the Maximum Percentage of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (as determined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), the number of shares so issued by which the Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties’ aggregate beneficial ownership exceeds the Maximum Percentage (the “Excess Shares”) shall be deemed null and void and shall be cancelled ab initio, and the Holder shall not have the power to vote or transfer the Excess Shares. Upon delivery of a written notice to the Company, the Holder may from time to time increase or decrease the Maximum Percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% as specified in such notice; provided that (i) any such increase in the Maximum Percentage shall not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company and (ii) any such increase or decrease shall apply only to the Holder and the other Attribution Parties and not to any other holder of Notes that is not an Attribution Party of the Holder. For purposes of clarity, the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of this Note in excess of the Maximum Percentage shall not be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Holder for any purpose including for purposes of Section 13(d) or Rule 16a-1(a)(1) of the Exchange Act. No prior inability to convert this Note pursuant to this paragraph shall have any effect on the applicability of the provisions of this paragraph with respect to any subsequent determination of convertibility. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 3(d) to the extent necessary to correct this paragraph (or any portion of this paragraph) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended beneficial ownership limitation contained in this Section 3(d) or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitation contained in this paragraph may not be waived and shall apply to a successor holder of this Note.
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(e) Limitation on Conversions (Exchange Rules). The Company shall not issue any shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of any portion of this Note if the issuance of such shares of Common Stock (and the conversion of the Other Notes or otherwise pursuant to the terms of the Notes) would exceed the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which the Company may issue upon conversion of the Notes or otherwise pursuant to the terms of the Note and without breaching the Company’s obligations under the rules or regulations of the Principal Market, except that such limitation shall not apply in the event that the Company (A) obtains Stockholder Approval (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) as required by the applicable rules of the Principal Market for issuances of shares of Common Stock in excess of such amount or (B) obtains a written opinion from outside counsel to the Company that such approval is not required, which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Holder.
4. RIGHTS UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT.
(a) Event of Default. Each of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default” and each of the events in clauses (vii), (viii) and (ix) shall constitute a “Bankruptcy Event of Default”:
(i) the suspension from trading or the failure of the shares of Common Stock to be listed for trading on an Eligible Market for a period of five (5) consecutive Trading Days;
(ii) the Company’s (A) failure to cure a Conversion Failure by delivery of the required number of shares of Common Stock within five (5) Trading Days after the applicable Conversion Date or exercise date (as the case may be) or (B) notice, written or oral, to any holder of the Notes, including, without limitation, by way of public announcement or through any of its agents, at any time, of its intention not to comply, as required, with a request for conversion of any Notes into shares of Common Stock that is requested in accordance with the provisions of the Notes, other than pursuant to Section 3(d);
(iii) except to the extent the Company is in compliance with Section 10(b) below, at any time following the fifteenth (15th) consecutive day that the Holder’s Authorized Share Allocation (as defined in Section 10(a) below) is less than the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock that the Holder would be entitled to receive upon a conversion of the full Conversion Amount of this Note (without regard to any limitations on conversion set forth in Section 3(d) or otherwise);
(iv) the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s failure to pay to the Holder any amount of Principal, Make-Whole Amount, Interest, Late Charges or other amounts when and as due under this Note (including, without limitation, the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s failure to pay any redemption payments or amounts hereunder) or any other Transaction Document (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) or any other agreement, document, certificate or other instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except, in the case of a failure to pay Interest and Late Charges when and as due, in which case only if such failure remains uncured for a period of at least ten (10) Trading Days;
(v) the Company fails to remove any restrictive legend on any certificate or any shares of Common Stock issued to the Holder upon conversion of any Notes acquired by the Holder under the Securities Purchase Agreement as and when required by such Notes or the Securities Purchase Agreement, and any such failure remains uncured for at least ten (10) days;
(vi) the occurrence of any default under, redemption of or acceleration prior to maturity of at least an aggregate of $500,000 of Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than with respect to any Other Notes;
(vii) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or liquidation proceedings or other proceedings for the relief of debtors shall be instituted by or against the Company or any Subsidiary and, if instituted against the Company or any Subsidiary by a third party, shall not be dismissed within forty-five (45) days of their initiation;
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(viii) the commencement by the Company or any Subsidiary of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree, order, judgment or other similar document in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal, state or foreign law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the execution of a composition of debts, or the occurrence of any other similar federal, state or foreign proceeding, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, the taking of corporate action by the Company or any Subsidiary in furtherance of any such action or the taking of any action by any Person to commence a Uniform Commercial Code foreclosure sale or any other similar action under federal, state or foreign law;
(ix) the entry by a court of (A) a decree, order, judgment or other similar document in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary of a voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, (B) a decree, order, judgment or other similar document adjudging the Company or any Subsidiary as bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary under any applicable federal, state or foreign law, or (C) a decree, order, judgment or other similar document appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree, order, judgment or other similar document or any such other decree, order, judgment or other similar document unstayed and in effect for a forty-five (45) consecutive days;
(x) a final judgment or judgments for the payment of money aggregating in excess of $500,000 are rendered against the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries and which judgments are not, within forty-five (45) days after the entry thereof, bonded, discharged, settled or stayed pending appeal, or are not discharged within forty-five (45) days after the expiration of such stay;
(x) the Company and/or any Subsidiary, individually or in the aggregate, either (i) fails to pay, when due, or within any applicable grace period, any payment with respect to any Indebtedness in excess of $500,000 due to any third party or is otherwise in breach or violation of any agreement for monies owed or owing in an amount in excess of $500,000, which breach or violation permits the other party thereto to declare a default or otherwise accelerate amounts due thereunder, or (ii) suffer to exist any other circumstance or event that would, with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice, result in a default or event of default under any agreement binding the Company or any Subsidiary, which default or event of default would or is likely to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, operations (including results thereof), liabilities, properties, condition (including financial condition) or prospects of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, individually or in the aggregate;
(xi) the failure of the applicable Registration Statement to be filed with the SEC on or prior to the date that is five (5) Trading Days after the applicable Filing Deadline (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) or the failure of the applicable Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the date that is five (5) Trading Days after the Effectiveness Deadline (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement);
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(xii) other than as specifically set forth in another clause of this Section 4(a), the Company or any Subsidiary breaches any representation or warranty, or any covenant or other term or condition of any Transaction Document, subject to any applicable grace period set forth therein where any such breach would result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(xiv) a false or inaccurate representation or certification by the Company as to whether any Event of Default has occurred;
(xiii) any breach by the Company or any Subsidiary of, or failure to comply with, any provision of Section 13 of this Note;
(xiv) any Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) occurs;
(xv) any provision of any Transaction Document shall at any time for any reason (other than pursuant to the express terms thereof) cease to be valid and binding on or enforceable against the parties thereto, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested by any party thereto, or a proceeding shall be commenced by the Company or any Subsidiary or any governmental authority having jurisdiction over any of them, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof, or the Company or any Subsidiary shall deny in writing that it has any liability or obligation purported to be created under any Transaction Document;
(xvi) the Company fails to prepay, redeem or convert one quarter of the initial Principal and Interest on this Note by each three (3) month anniversary of the Issuance Date;
(xvii) the failure of the Company to effect the issuance and sale of at least $1 million in gross proceeds of any Subsequent Placement (including sales (“ATM Sales”) as a result of any “at-the-market” or “equity-line-of-credit” transactions) in any consecutive twenty (20) Trading Day period; provided, that, the Company shall not sell shares of Common Stock pursuant to any ATM Sale in excess of 20% of the aggregate daily dollar trading volume (as reported on Bloomberg) of the shares of Common Stock on the Principal Market on any Trading Day during such measuring period;
(xviii) any Event of Default (as defined in the Other Notes) occurs with respect to any Other Notes.
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(b) Event of Default Notice; Redemption or Conversion Upon Event of Default. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to this Note (or any Other Note), the Company shall, within one (1) Business Day deliver written notice thereof via electronic mail and overnight courier to the Holder (an “Event of Default Notice”). At any time after the earlier of the Holder’s receipt of an Event of Default Notice and the Holder becoming aware of an Event of Default, the Holder may (i) either require the Company to redeem (regardless of whether such Event of Default has been cured) all or any portion of this Note by delivering written notice thereof (the “Event of Default Redemption Notice”) to the Company, which Event of Default Redemption Notice shall indicate the portion of this Note the Holder is electing to redeem, (ii) or convert all or any portion of this Note by delivering a Conversion Notice to the Company pursuant to the procedure set forth in Section 3(c)(i), at a price equal to the Event of Default Conversion Price. Each portion of this Note subject to redemption or conversion by the Company pursuant to this Section 4(b) shall be redeemed or converted by the Company at a price equal to the greater of (i) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount to be redeemed multiplied by (B) the Redemption Premium and (ii) the product of (X) the quotient of (a) the Conversion Amount to be redeemed divided by (b) the Event of Default Conversion Price multiplied by (Y) the product of (1) the Redemption Premium multiplied by (2) the greatest Closing Sale Price of the shares of Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date immediately preceding such Event of Default and ending on the date the Company makes the entire payment required to be made under this Section 4(b) (the “Event of Default Redemption Price”). “Event of Default Conversion Price” means, with respect to any Event of Default, that price which shall be the lowest of (i) the applicable Conversion Price in effect on the date of Event of Default, and (ii) the lesser of eighty-five percent (85%) of the lowest VWAP of the shares of Common Stock during the ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period ending and including the Trading Day immediately preceding the delivery of the Conversion Notice. All determinations prices shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or similar transaction that proportionately decreases or increases the shares of Common Stock during the period the prices of shares of Common Stock are measured. Redemptions required by this Section 4(b) shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 11. Conversions required to be made by this Section 4(b) shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 3. To the extent redemptions required by this Section 4(b) are deemed or determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be prepayments of this Note by the Company, such redemptions shall be deemed to be voluntary prepayments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4(b), but subject to the beneficial ownership limitation in Section 3(d), until the Event of Default Redemption Price (together with any Late Charges thereon and Make-Whole Amount) is paid in full, the Conversion Amount submitted for redemption under this Section 4(b) (together with any Late Charges thereon and Make-Whole Amount) may be converted, in whole or in part, by the Holder into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms of this Note. In the event of the Company’s redemption of any portion of this Note under this Section 4(b), the Holder’s damages would be uncertain and difficult to estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates and the uncertainty of the availability of a suitable substitute investment opportunity for the Holder. Accordingly, any redemption premium due under this Section 4(b) is intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, a reasonable estimate of the Holder’s actual loss of its investment opportunity and not as a penalty. Any redemption of this Note upon an Event of Default shall not constitute an election of remedies by the Holder, and all other rights and remedies of the Holder shall be preserved.
(c) Mandatory Redemption Upon Bankruptcy Event of Default. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, and notwithstanding any conversion that is then required or in process, upon any Bankruptcy Event of Default, whether occurring prior to or following the Maturity Date, the Company shall immediately pay to the Holder an amount in cash representing (i) all outstanding Principal, accrued and unpaid Interest (including Default Interest, as applicable), Make-Whole Amount and accrued and unpaid Late Charges on such Principal, Make-Whole Amount and Interest, multiplied by (ii) the Redemption Premium, in addition to any and all other amounts due hereunder, without the requirement for any notice or demand or other action by the Holder or any other person or entity, provided that the Holder may, in its sole discretion, waive such right to receive payment upon a Bankruptcy Event of Default, in whole or in part, and any such waiver shall not affect any other rights of the Holder hereunder, including any other rights in respect of such Bankruptcy Event of Default, any right to conversion, and any right to payment of the Event of Default Redemption Price or any other Redemption Price, as applicable.
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5. RIGHTS UPON FUNDAMENTAL TRANSACTION.
(a) Assumption. The Company shall not enter into or be party to a Fundamental Transaction unless (i) the Successor Entity assumes in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Note and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5(a) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder prior to such Fundamental Transaction, including agreements to deliver to each Holder, in exchange for such Notes, a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to the Notes, including, without limitation, having a principal amount and interest rate equal to the Principal then outstanding and the Interest Rate of the Notes held by the Holder, having similar conversion rights as the Notes and having similar ranking and security to the Notes, and satisfactory to the Holder, and (ii) the Successor Entity (or its Parent Entity, as applicable) is a publicly traded corporation whose shares of common stock is quoted on or listed for trading on an Eligible Market. Upon the occurrence of any Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Note and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Note and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein. Upon consummation of a Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall deliver to the Holder confirmation that there shall be issued upon conversion or redemption of this Note at any time after the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, in lieu of the shares of Common Stock (or other securities, cash, assets or other property (except for such items issuable under Sections 6 and 15, which shall continue to be receivable thereafter)) issuable upon the conversion or redemption of the Notes prior to such Fundamental Transaction, such shares of the publicly traded shares of common stock (or their equivalent) of the Successor Entity (or its Parent Entity, as applicable) which the Holder would have been entitled to receive upon the happening of such Fundamental Transaction had this Note been converted immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitations on the conversion of this Note), as adjusted in accordance with the provisions of this Note. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Holder may elect, at its sole option, by delivery of written notice to the Company to waive this Section 5(a) to permit the Fundamental Transaction without the assumption of this Note. The provisions of this Section 5 shall apply similarly and equally to successive Fundamental Transactions and shall be applied without regard to any limitations on the conversion of this Note.
(b) Notice of a Change of Control; Redemption Right. No later than ten (10) Trading Days prior to the consummation of a Change of Control (the “Change of Control Date”), but not prior to the public announcement of such Change of Control, the Company shall deliver written notice thereof via electronic mail and overnight courier to the Holder (a “Change of Control Notice”). At any time during the period beginning after the Holder’s receipt of a Change of Control Notice or the Holder becoming aware of a Change of Control if a Change of Control Notice is not delivered to the Holder in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence (as applicable) and ending ten (10) Trading Days after the later of (A) the date of consummation of such Change of Control, (B) the date of receipt of such Change of Control Notice or (C) the date of the announcement of such Change of Control, the Holder may require the Company to redeem all or any portion of this Note by delivering written notice thereof (“Change of Control Redemption Notice”) to the Company, which Change of Control Redemption Notice shall indicate the Conversion Amount the Holder is electing to redeem. The portion of this Note subject to redemption pursuant to this Section 5 shall be redeemed by the Company in cash at a price equal to the product of (x) the Change of Control Redemption Premium multiplied by (y) the Conversion Amount being redeemed (the “Change of Control Redemption Price”). Redemptions required by this Section 5 shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 11 and shall have priority to payments to stockholders in connection with such Change of Control. To the extent redemptions required by this Section 5(b) are deemed or determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be prepayments of this Note by the Company, such redemptions shall be deemed to be voluntary prepayments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5, but subject to Section 3(d), until the Change of Control Redemption Price (together with any Late Charges thereon and Make-Whole Amount) is paid in full, the Conversion Amount submitted for redemption under this Section 5(b) (together with any Late Charges thereon) may be converted, in whole or in part, by the Holder into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 3. In the event of the Company’s redemption of any portion of this Note under this Section 5(b), the Holder’s damages would be uncertain and difficult to estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates and the uncertainty of the availability of a suitable substitute investment opportunity for the Holder. Accordingly, any redemption premium due under this Section 5(b) is intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, a reasonable estimate of the Holder’s actual loss of its investment opportunity and not as a penalty.
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6. RIGHTS UPON ISSUANCE OF PURCHASE RIGHTS AND OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS.
(a) Purchase Rights. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 7 below, if at any time the Company grants, issues, or sells any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to all or substantially all of the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder shall be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of this Note (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of this Note (pursuant to Section 3(d) or otherwise)) immediately prior to the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights, provided, however, that to the extent the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to the extent of the Maximum Percentage (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right (and beneficial ownership) to the extent of any such excess) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance (and, if such Purchase Right has an expiration date, maturity date or other similar provision, such term shall be extended by such number of days held in abeyance, if applicable) for the benefit of the Holder until such time or times, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times the Holder shall be granted such right (and any Purchase Right granted, issued or sold on such initial Purchase Right or on any subsequent Purchase Right held similarly in abeyance (and, if such Purchase Right has an expiration date, maturity date or other similar provision, such term shall be extended by such number of days held in abeyance, if applicable)) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation.
(b) Other Corporate Events. In addition to, and not in substitution for, any other rights hereunder, prior to the consummation of any Fundamental Transaction pursuant to which holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive securities or other assets with respect to or in exchange for shares of Common Stock (a “Corporate Event”), the Company shall make appropriate provision to ensure that the Holder shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon a conversion of this Note, at the Holder’s option (i) in addition to the shares of Common Stock receivable upon such conversion, such securities or other assets to which the Holder would have been entitled with respect to such shares of Common Stock had such shares of Common Stock been held by the Holder upon the consummation of such Corporate Event (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of this Note pursuant to Section 3(d) or otherwise), or (ii) in lieu of the shares of Common Stock otherwise receivable upon such conversion, such securities or other assets received by the holders of shares of Common Stock in connection with the consummation of such Corporate Event in such amounts as the Holder would have been entitled to receive had this Note initially been issued with conversion rights for the form of such consideration (as opposed to shares of Common Stock) at a conversion rate for such consideration commensurate with the Conversion Rate. Provision made pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be in a form and substance satisfactory to the Holder. The provisions of this Section 6 shall apply similarly and equally to successive Corporate Events and shall be applied without regard to any limitations on the conversion or redemption of this Note.
7. RIGHTS UPON ISSUANCE OF OTHER SECURITIES.
(a) Record Date. If the Company takes a record of the holders of shares of Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them (A) to receive a dividend or other distribution payable in shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities, or (B) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock, preferred stock of the Company, Options, or Convertible Securities, then such record date shall be deemed to be the date of the issuance or sale of the shares of Common Stock deemed to have been issued or sold upon the declaration of such dividend or the making of such other distribution or the date of the granting of such right of subscription or purchase (as the case may be).
(b) Adjustment of Conversion Price upon Subdivision or Combination of shares of Common Stock. Without limiting any provision of Section 6, Section 7(a) or Section 15, if the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision shall be proportionately reduced. Without limiting any provision of Section 6, Section 7(a) or Section 15, if the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date combines (by any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such combination shall be proportionately increased. Any adjustment pursuant to this Section 7(b) shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such stock split, stock dividend, stock combination or similar transaction. If any event requiring an adjustment under this Section 7(b) occurs during the period that a Conversion Price is calculated hereunder, then the calculation of such Conversion Price shall be adjusted appropriately to reflect the occurrence of such event.
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(c) Subsequent Equity Sales. If, at any time while this Note is outstanding, the Company or any Subsidiary, as applicable, sells or grants any Option to purchase, or sells or grants any right to reprice, or otherwise disposes of or issues (or announces any sale, grant or any Option to purchase or other disposition), any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) entitling any Person to acquire shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is lower than the Conversion Price (such lower price, the “Base Conversion Price” and such issuances, collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) (if the holder of the shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, Options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is lower than the Conversion Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Conversion Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance), then simultaneously with the consummation (or, if earlier, the announcement) of each Dilutive Issuance, the Conversion Price shall be reduced to equal the Base Conversion Price (subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, recapitalizations and similar transactions following the date of the Securities Purchase Agreement). The Company shall notify the Holder in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents subject to this Section 7(c) indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 7(c) upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to receive a number of Conversion Shares based upon the Conversion Price on or after the date of such Dilutive Issuance, regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Conversion Price in the Conversion Notice.
(d) Share Combination Event Adjustments. If at any time and from time to time on or after the Issuance Date there occurs any share split, share dividend, share combination recapitalization or other similar transaction involving the shares of Common Stock (each, a “Share Combination Event”, and such date thereof, the “Share Combination Event Date”) and the Event Market Price is less than the Conversion Price then in effect (after giving effect to the adjustment in Section 7(b) above), then on the sixteenth (16th) Trading Day immediately following such Share Combination Event Date, the Conversion Price then in effect on such sixteenth (16th) Trading Day (after giving effect to the adjustment in Section 7(b) above) shall be reduced (but in no event increased) to the Event Market Price. For the avoidance of doubt, if the adjustment in the immediately preceding sentence would otherwise result in an increase in the Conversion Price hereunder, no adjustment shall be made.
(e) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 7 shall be made by rounding to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as applicable. The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any given time shall not include shares owned or held by or for the account of the Company, and the disposition of any such shares shall be considered an issue or sale of shares of Common Stock.
(f) Voluntary Adjustment by Company. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Principal Market, the Company may at any time during the term of this Note, with the prior written consent of the Required Holders (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), reduce (but not increase) the then current Conversion Price of each of the Notes to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the board of directors of the Company.
8. RESERVED.
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9. NONCIRCUMVENTION.
The Company hereby covenants and agrees that the Company shall not, by amendment of its Charter (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), Bylaws (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, scheme of arrangement, dissolution, issue or sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Note, and shall at all times in good faith carry out all of the provisions of this Note and take all action as may be required to protect the rights of the Holder of this Note. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other provision of this Note or the other Transaction Documents, the Company (a) shall not increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon conversion of this Note above the Conversion Price then in effect, and (b) shall take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of this Note. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if after sixty (60) days following the Issuance Date, the Holder is not permitted to convert this Note in full for any reason (other than pursuant to restrictions set forth in Section 3(d) hereof), the Company shall use its best efforts to promptly remedy such failure, including, without limitation, obtaining such consents or approvals as necessary to permit such conversion into shares of Common Stock.
10. RESERVATION OF AUTHORIZED SHARES.
(a) Reservation. So long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Company shall at all times reserve at least 300% of the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the conversion of all of the Notes then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on conversions and assuming such Notes remain outstanding until the Maturity Date) at the Conversion Price then in effect (the “Required Reserve Amount”). The Required Reserve Amount (including, without limitation, each increase in the number of shares so reserved) shall be allocated pro rata among the holders of the Notes based on the Original Principal Amount of the Notes held by each Holder on the Issuance Date or increase in the number of reserved shares, as the case may be (the “Authorized Share Allocation”). In the event that a Holder shall sell or otherwise transfer any of such holder’s Notes, each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of such Holder’s Authorized Share Allocation. Any shares of Common Stock reserved and allocated to any Person which ceases to hold any Notes shall be allocated to the remaining holders of Notes, pro rata based on the principal amount of the Notes then held by such holders.
(b) Insufficient Authorized Shares. If, notwithstanding Section 10(a), and not in limitation thereof, at any time while any of the Notes remain outstanding, the Company does not have a sufficient number of authorized and unreserved shares of Common Stock to satisfy its obligation to reserve for issuance upon conversion of the Notes at least a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Required Reserve Amount (an “Authorized Share Failure”), then the Company shall immediately take all action necessary to increase the Company’s authorized shares of Common Stock to an amount sufficient to allow the Company to reserve the Required Reserve Amount for the Notes then outstanding. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, as soon as practicable after the date of the occurrence of an Authorized Share Failure, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the occurrence of such Authorized Share Failure, the Company shall hold a meeting of its stockholders for the approval of an increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. In connection with such meeting, the Company shall provide each stockholder with a proxy statement and shall use its best efforts to solicit its stockholders’ approval of such increase in authorized shares of Common Stock and to cause its board of directors to recommend to the stockholders that they approve such proposal. In the event that the Company is prohibited from issuing shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms of this Note due to the failure by the Company to have sufficient shares of Common Stock available out of the authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock (such unavailable number of shares of Common Stock, the “Authorized Failure Shares”), in lieu of delivering such Authorized Failure Shares to the Holder, the Company shall pay cash in exchange for the redemption of such portion of the Conversion Amount convertible into such Authorized Failure Shares at a price equal to the sum of (i) the product of (x) such number of Authorized Failure Shares and (y) the greatest Closing Sale Price of the shares of Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date the Holder delivers the applicable Conversion Notice with respect to such Authorized Failure Shares to the Company and ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date the Company makes the entire payment required to be made under this Section 10(b); and (ii) to the extent the Holder purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of Authorized Failure Shares, any brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any, of the Holder incurred in connection therewith. Nothing contained in this Section 10 shall limit any obligations of the Company under any provision of the Securities Purchase Agreement.
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11. REDEMPTIONS.
(a) Mechanics. The Company shall deliver the applicable Event of Default Redemption Price to the Holder in cash within five (5) Business Days after the Company’s receipt of the Holder’s Event of Default Redemption Notice in accordance with Section 4(b). If the Holder has submitted a Change of Control Redemption Notice in accordance with Section 5(b), the Company shall deliver the applicable Change of Control Redemption Price to the Holder in cash concurrently with the consummation of such Change of Control if such notice is received prior to the consummation of such Change of Control, and within five (5) Business Days after the Company’s receipt of such notice otherwise. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in connection with any redemption hereunder at a time the Holder is entitled to receive a cash payment under any of the other Transaction Documents, at the option of the Holder delivered in writing to the Company, the applicable Redemption Price hereunder shall be increased by the amount of such cash payment owed to the Holder under such other Transaction Document and, upon payment in full or conversion in accordance herewith, shall satisfy the Company’s payment obligation under such other Transaction Document. In the event of a redemption of less than all of the Conversion Amount of this Note, the Company shall promptly cause to be issued and delivered to the Holder a new Note (in accordance with Section 18(d)) representing the outstanding Principal which has not been redeemed. In the event that the Company does not pay the applicable Redemption Price to the Holder within the time period required, at any time thereafter and until the Company pays such unpaid Redemption Price in full, the Holder shall have the option, in lieu of redemption, to require the Company to promptly return to the Holder all or any portion of this Note representing the Conversion Amount that was submitted for redemption (or for which the Company elected optional redemption) and for which the applicable Redemption Price (together with any Late Charges thereon and Make-Whole Amount) has not been paid. Upon the Company’s receipt of such notice, (x) the applicable Redemption Notice shall be null and void with respect to such Conversion Amount, (y) the Company shall immediately return this Note, or issue a new Note (in accordance with Section 18(d)), to the Holder, and in each case the principal amount of this Note or such new Note (as the case may be) shall be increased by an amount equal to the difference between (1) the applicable Redemption Price (as the case may be, and as adjusted pursuant to this Section 11, if applicable) minus (2) the Principal portion of the Conversion Amount submitted for redemption and (z) the Conversion Price of this Note or such new Notes (as the case may be) shall be automatically adjusted with respect to each conversion effected thereafter by the Holder to the lowest of (A) the Conversion Price as in effect on the date on which the applicable Redemption Notice is voided, (B) seventy-five percent (75%) of the lowest Closing Bid Price of the shares of Common Stock during the period beginning on and including the date on which the applicable Redemption Notice is delivered to the Company and ending on and including the date on which the applicable Redemption Notice is voided and (C) seventy-five percent (75%) of the quotient of (I) the sum of the two (2) lowest VWAPs of the shares of Common Stock during the ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period ending and including the applicable Conversion Date divided by (II) two (2) (it being understood and agreed that all such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction during such period). The Holder’s delivery of a notice voiding a Redemption Notice and exercise of its rights following such notice shall not affect the Company’s obligations to make any payments of Late Charges and Make-Whole Amount, which have accrued prior to the date of such notice with respect to the Conversion Amount subject to such notice.
(b) Redemption by Other Holders. Upon the Company’s receipt of notice from any of the holders of the Other Notes for redemption or repayment (each, an “Other Redemption Notice”), the Company shall immediately, but no later than one (1) Business Day of its receipt thereof, forward to the Holder via electronic mail a copy of such notice. If the Company receives a Redemption Notice and one or more Other Redemption Notices, during the seven (7) Business Day period beginning on and including the date which is two (2) Business Days prior to the Company’s receipt of the Holder’s applicable Redemption Notice and ending on and including the date which is two (2) Business Days after the Company’s receipt of the Holder’s applicable Redemption Notice and the Company is unable to redeem all principal, interest and other amounts designated in such Redemption Notice and such Other Redemption Notices received during such seven (7) Business Day period, then the Company shall redeem a pro rata amount from each holder of the Notes (including the Holder) based on the principal amount of the Notes submitted for redemption pursuant to such Redemption Notice and such Other Redemption Notices received by the Company during such seven (7) Business Day period.
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12. VOTING RIGHTS.
The Holder shall have no voting rights as the holder of this Note, except as required by law and as expressly provided in this Note.
13. COVENANTS.
Until all of the Notes have been converted, redeemed or otherwise satisfied in accordance with their terms:
(a) Rank. All payments due under this Note shall (i) rank pari passu with all Other Notes and (ii) be senior to all other Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries except for such debt that is set forth in Schedule 3(q) to the Securities Purchase Agreement.
(b) Incurrence of Indebtedness. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, (i) incur or guarantee, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness that is senior to Indebtedness under the Notes other than Permitted Indebtedness, or (ii) increase the amount owed under any existing Indebtedness, as set forth in Schedule 3(q) to the Securities Purchase Agreement.
(c) Existence of Liens. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, allow or suffer to exist any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or other encumbrance upon or in any property or assets (including accounts and contract rights) owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, “Liens”) other than Permitted Liens.
(d) Restricted Payments. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, redeem, defease, repurchase, repay or make any payments in respect of, by the payment of cash or cash equivalents (in whole or in part, whether by way of open market purchases, tender offers, private transactions or otherwise), all or any portion of any Indebtedness (other than the Notes) whether by way of payment in respect of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on, such Indebtedness if at the time such payment is due or is otherwise made or, after giving effect to such payment, (i) an event constituting an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) an event that with the passage of time and without being cured would constitute an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
(e) Restriction on Redemption and Cash Dividends. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, redeem, repurchase or declare or pay any cash dividend or distribution on any of its capital stock if at the time such payment is due or is otherwise made or, after giving effect to such payment, (i) an event constituting an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) an event that with the passage of time and without being cured would constitute an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
(f) Restriction on Transfer of Assets. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, spin-off, split-off, close, convey or otherwise dispose of any assets or rights of the Company or any Subsidiary owned or hereafter acquired whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, other than (i) sales, leases, licenses, assignments, transfers, conveyances and other dispositions of such assets or rights by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business consistent with its past practice and (ii) sales of inventory and product in the ordinary course of business.
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(g) Maturity of Indebtedness. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, permit any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to mature or accelerate prior to the Maturity Date (other than any Permitted Indebtedness).
(h) Change in Nature of Business. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by or publicly contemplated to be conducted by the Company and each of its Subsidiaries on the Subscription Date or any business substantially related or incidental thereto. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, modify its or their corporate structure or purpose.
(i) Preservation of Existence, Etc. The Company shall maintain and preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve, its existence, rights and privileges, and become or remain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to become or remain, duly qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of the properties owned or leased by it or in which the transaction of its business makes such qualification necessary.
(j) Maintenance of Properties, Etc. The Company shall maintain and preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve, all of its properties which are necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, at all times with the provisions of all leases to which it is a party as lessee or under which it occupies property, so as to prevent any loss or forfeiture thereof or thereunder.
(k) Maintenance of Intellectual Property. The Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, take all action necessary or advisable to maintain all of the Intellectual Property (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) of the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries that are necessary or material to the conduct of its business in full force and effect.
(l) Maintenance of Insurance. The Company shall maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance with responsible and reputable insurance companies or associations (including, without limitation, comprehensive general liability, hazard, rent and business interruption insurance) with respect to its properties (including all real properties leased or owned by it) and business, in such amounts and covering such risks as is required by any governmental authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto or as is carried generally in accordance with sound business practice by companies in similar businesses similarly situated.
(m) Transactions with Affiliates. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into, renew, extend or be a party to, any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease, transfer or exchange of property or assets of any kind or the rendering of services of any kind) with any affiliate, except transactions in the ordinary course of business in a manner and to an extent consistent with past practice and necessary or desirable for the prudent operation of its business, for fair consideration and on terms no less favorable to it or its Subsidiaries than would be obtainable in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an affiliate thereof.
(n) Restricted Issuances. The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, (i) issue any Notes (other than as contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Notes) or (ii) issue any other securities that would cause a breach or default under the Notes.
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(o) Independent Investigation. At the request of the Holder either (x) at any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (y) upon the occurrence of an event that with the passage of time or giving of notice would constitute an Event of Default or (z) at any time the Holder reasonably believes an Event of Default may have occurred or be continuing, the Company shall hire an independent, reputable investment bank selected by the Company and approved by the Holder to investigate as to whether any breach of this Note has occurred (the “Independent Investigator”). If the Independent Investigator determines that such breach of this Note has occurred, the Independent Investigator shall notify the Company of such breach and the Company shall deliver written notice to each holder of a Note regarding such breach. In connection with such investigation, the Independent Investigator may, during normal business hours, inspect all contracts, books, records, personnel, offices and other facilities and properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries and, to the extent available to the Company after the Company uses reasonable efforts to obtain them, the records of its legal advisors and accountants (including the accountants’ work papers) and any books of account, records, reports and other papers not contractually required of the Company to be confidential or secret, or subject to attorney-client or other evidentiary privilege, and the Independent Investigator may make such copies and inspections thereof as the Independent Investigator may reasonably request. The Company shall furnish the Independent Investigator with such financial and operating data and other information with respect to the business and properties of the Company as the Independent Investigator may reasonably request. The Company shall permit the Independent Investigator to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company with, and to make proposals and furnish advice with respect thereto to, the Company’s officers, directors, key employees and independent public accountants or any of them (and by this provision the Company authorizes said accountants to discuss with such Independent Investigator the finances and affairs of the Company and any Subsidiaries), all at such reasonable times, upon reasonable notice, and as often as may be reasonably requested.
(p) Most Favored Nation. In the event that the Company issues subsequent notes that are convertible to shares of Common Stock while this Note remains outstanding, and such subsequent convertible notes are issued on terms more favorable than those governing this Note, then the Company shall promptly advise the Holder of such fact (and the relevant terms and conditions) and, unless otherwise agreed by the Company and the Holder, this Note, without any further action of the Company or each Holder, shall be deemed automatically amended and modified to include such more favorable terms such that each Holder shall receive the benefit of such more favorable terms.
(q) Subsequent Placements. If, at any time while this Note is outstanding, the Company shall carry out one or more Subsequent Placements, the Company shall first use 40% of the net proceeds of such Subsequent Placement to redeem all or a portion of this Note at a price in cash equal to 105% multiplied by the sum of the principal amount subject to such redemption, plus accrued but unpaid Interest, plus the Make-Whole Amount, plus Late Charges, if any, plus liquidated damages, if any, and any other amounts, if any, then owing to the Holder in respect of this Note. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this paragraph shall not apply with respect to Excluded Securities, except that no securities issued in a Variable Rate Transaction (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) shall be Excluded Securities unless otherwise expressly stated in the Transaction Documents. For the avoidance of doubt, this paragraph shall apply to transactions effected pursuant to that certain Common Stock Purchase Agreement, by and between the Company and [●], dated as of July 10, 2025.
14. INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
15. DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS.
In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 7, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distributions of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to any or all holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (the “Distributions”), then the Holder shall be entitled to such Distributions as if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of this Note (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of this Note) immediately prior to the date on which a record is taken for such Distribution or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for such Distributions (provided, however, that to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the extent of the Maximum Percentage (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution (and beneficial ownership) to the extent of any such excess) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time or times, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times the Holder shall be granted such Distribution (and any Distributions declared or made on such initial Distribution or on any subsequent Distribution held similarly in abeyance) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation).
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16. AMENDING THE TERMS OF THIS NOTE.
Except for Section 3(d), which may not be amended, modified or waived by the parties hereto, the prior written consent of the Holder shall be required for any change, waiver or amendment to this Note.
17. TRANSFER.
This Note and any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of this Note may be offered, sold, assigned or transferred by the Holder without the consent of the Company, subject only to the provisions of Section 2(g) of the Securities Purchase Agreement.
18. REISSUANCE OF THIS NOTE.
(a) Transfer. If this Note is to be transferred, the Holder shall surrender this Note to the Company, whereupon the Company shall forthwith issue and deliver upon the order of the Holder a new Note to the transferee (in accordance with Section 18(d)), registered as the Holder may request, representing the outstanding Principal being transferred by the Holder and, if less than the entire outstanding Principal is being transferred, a new Note (in accordance with Section 18(d)) to the Holder representing the outstanding Principal not being transferred. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Note, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of Section 3(c)(iii) following conversion or redemption of any portion of this Note, the outstanding Principal represented by this Note may be less than the Principal stated on the face of this Note.
(b) Lost, Stolen or Mutilated Note. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Note (as to which a written certification and the indemnification contemplated below shall suffice as such evidence), and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of any indemnification undertaking by the Holder to the Company in customary and reasonable form and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of this Note, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Holder a new Note (in accordance with Section 18(d)) representing the outstanding Principal.
(c) Note Exchangeable for Different Denominations. This Note is exchangeable, upon the surrender hereof by the Holder at the principal office of the Company, for a new Note or Notes (in accordance with Section 18(d) and in principal amounts of at least $1,000) representing in the aggregate the outstanding Principal of this Note, and each such new Note shall represent such portion of such outstanding Principal as is designated by the Holder at the time of such surrender.
(d) Issuance of New Notes. Whenever the Company is required to issue a new Note pursuant to the terms of this Note, such new Note (i) shall be of like tenor with this Note, (ii) shall represent, as indicated on the face of such new Note, the Principal remaining outstanding (or in the case of a new Note being issued pursuant to Section 18(a) or Section 18(c), the Principal designated by the Holder which, when added to the principal represented by the other new Notes issued in connection with such issuance, does not exceed the Principal remaining outstanding under this Note immediately prior to such issuance of new Notes), (iii) shall have an issuance date, as indicated on the face of such new Note, which is the same as the Issuance Date of this Note, (iv) shall have the same rights and conditions as this Note, and (v) shall represent accrued and unpaid Make-Whole Amount, Interest and Late Charges on the Principal, Interest and Make-Whole Amount of this Note, from the Issuance Date.
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19. REMEDIES, CHARACTERIZATIONS, OTHER OBLIGATIONS, BREACHES AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF.
The remedies provided in this Note shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Note and any of the other Transaction Documents at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), and nothing herein shall limit the Holder’s right to pursue actual and consequential damages for any failure by the Company to comply with the terms of this Note. No failure on the part of the Holder to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise by the Holder of any right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. In addition, the exercise of any right or remedy of the Holder at law or equity or under this Note or any of the documents shall not be deemed to be an election of Holder’s rights or remedies under such documents or at law or equity. The Company covenants to the Holder that there shall be no characterization concerning this instrument other than as expressly provided herein. Amounts set forth or provided for herein with respect to payments, conversion and the like (and the computation thereof) shall be the amounts to be received by the Holder and shall not, except as expressly provided herein, be subject to any other obligation of the Company (or the performance thereof). The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder shall cause irreparable harm to the Holder and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate. The Company therefore agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, the Holder shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to specific performance and/or temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive or other equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages and without posting a bond or other security. The Company shall provide all information and documentation to the Holder that is requested by the Holder to enable the Holder to confirm the Company’s compliance with the terms and conditions of this Note (including, without limitation, compliance with Section 7).
20. PAYMENT OF COLLECTION, ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER COSTS.
If (a) this Note is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection or enforcement or is collected or enforced through any legal proceeding or the Holder otherwise takes action to collect amounts due under this Note or to enforce the provisions of this Note or (b) there occurs any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership of the Company or other proceedings affecting Company creditors’ rights and involving a claim under this Note, then the Company shall pay the costs incurred by the Holder for such collection, enforcement or action or in connection with such bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership or other proceeding, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements. The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that no amounts due under this Note shall be affected, or limited, by the fact that the purchase price paid for this Note was less than the original Principal amount hereof.
21. CONSTRUCTION; HEADINGS.
This Note shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and the initial Holder and shall not be construed against any such Person as the drafter hereof. The headings of this Note are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Note. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Note instead of just the provision in which they are found. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, all section references are to sections of this Note. Terms used in this Note and not otherwise defined herein, but defined in the other Transaction Documents, shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms on the Closing Date in such other Transaction Documents unless otherwise consented to in writing by the Holder.
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22. FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER.
No failure or delay on the part of the Holder in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 22 shall permit any waiver of any provision of Section 3(d).
23. DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
(a) Submission to Dispute Resolution.
(i) In the case of a dispute relating to a Closing Bid Price, a Closing Sale Price, a Conversion Price, a VWAP or a fair market value or the arithmetic calculation of a Conversion Rate, or the applicable Redemption Price (as the case may be) (including, without limitation, a dispute relating to the determination of any of the foregoing), the Company or the Holder (as the case may be) shall submit the dispute to the other party via electronic mail (A) if by the Company, within two (2) Business Days after the occurrence of the circumstances giving rise to such dispute or (B) if by the Holder at any time after the Holder learned of the circumstances giving rise to such dispute. If the Holder and the Company are unable to promptly resolve such dispute relating to such Closing Bid Price, such Closing Sale Price, such Conversion Price, such VWAP or such fair market value, or the arithmetic calculation of such Conversion Rate or such applicable Redemption Price (as the case may be), at any time after the second (2nd) Business Day following such initial notice by the Company or the Holder (as the case may be) of such dispute to the Company or the Holder (as the case may be), then the Holder may, at its sole option, select an independent, reputable investment bank to resolve such dispute.
(ii) The Holder and the Company shall each deliver to such investment bank (A) a copy of the initial dispute submission so delivered in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 23 and (B) written documentation supporting its position with respect to such dispute, in each case, no later than 5:00 p.m. (New York time) by the fifth (5th) Business Day immediately following the date on which the Holder selected such investment bank (the “Dispute Submission Deadline”) (the documents referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (A) and (B) are collectively referred to herein as the “Required Dispute Documentation”) (it being understood and agreed that if either the Holder or the Company fails to so deliver all of the Required Dispute Documentation by the Dispute Submission Deadline, then the party who fails to so submit all of the Required Dispute Documentation shall no longer be entitled to (and hereby waives its right to) deliver or submit any written documentation or other support to such investment bank with respect to such dispute and such investment bank shall resolve such dispute based solely on the Required Dispute Documentation that was delivered to such investment bank prior to the Dispute Submission Deadline). Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by both the Company and the Holder or otherwise requested by such investment bank, neither the Company nor the Holder shall be entitled to deliver or submit any written documentation or other support to such investment bank in connection with such dispute (other than the Required Dispute Documentation).
(iii) The Company and the Holder shall cause such investment bank to determine the resolution of such dispute and notify the Company and the Holder of such resolution no later than ten (10) Business Days immediately following the Dispute Submission Deadline. The fees and expenses of such investment bank shall be borne solely by the Company, and such investment bank’s resolution of such dispute shall be final and binding upon all parties absent manifest error.
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(b) Miscellaneous. The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that (i) this Section 23 constitutes an agreement to arbitrate between the Company and the Holder (and constitutes an arbitration agreement) under § 7501, et seq. of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (“CPLR”) and that the Holder is authorized to apply for an order to compel arbitration pursuant to CPLR § 7503(a) in order to compel compliance with this Section 23, (ii) a dispute relating to a Conversion Price includes, without limitation, disputes as to (A) whether an issuance or sale or deemed issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock occurred under Section 7(a), (B) the consideration per share at which an issuance or deemed issuance of shares of Common Stock occurred, and (C) whether an agreement, instrument, security or the like constitutes and Option or Convertible Security, (iii) the terms of this Note and each other applicable Transaction Document shall serve as the basis for the selected investment bank’s resolution of the applicable dispute, such investment bank shall be entitled (and is hereby expressly authorized) to make all findings, determinations and the like that such investment bank determines are required to be made by such investment bank in connection with its resolution of such dispute and in resolving such dispute such investment bank shall apply such findings, determinations and the like to the terms of this Note and any other applicable Transaction Documents, (iv) the Holder (and only the Holder), in its sole discretion, shall have the right to submit any dispute described in this Section 23 to any state or federal court sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan in lieu of utilizing the procedures set forth in this Section 23 and (v) nothing in this Section 23 shall limit the Holder from obtaining any injunctive relief or other equitable remedies (including, without limitation, with respect to any matters described in this Section 23).
24. NOTICES; CURRENCY; PAYMENTS.
(a) Notices. Whenever notice is required to be given under this Note, unless otherwise provided herein, such notice shall be given in accordance with Section 9(f) of the Securities Purchase Agreement. The Company shall provide the Holder with prompt written notice of all actions taken pursuant to this Note, including in reasonable detail a description of such action and the reason therefore. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall give written notice to the Holder (i) immediately upon any adjustment of the Conversion Price, setting forth in reasonable detail, and certifying, the calculation of such adjustment and (ii) at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date on which the Company closes its books or takes a record (A) with respect to any dividend or distribution upon the shares of Common Stock, (B) with respect to any grant, issuances, or sales of any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property to holders of shares of Common Stock or (C) for determining rights to vote with respect to any Fundamental Transaction, dissolution or liquidation, provided in each case that such information shall be made known to the public prior to or in conjunction with such notice being provided to the Holder.
(b) Currency. All dollar amounts referred to in this Note are in United States Dollars (“U.S. Dollars”), and all amounts owing under this Note shall be paid in U.S. Dollars. All amounts denominated in other currencies (if any) shall be converted into the U.S. Dollar equivalent amount in accordance with the Exchange Rate on the date of calculation. “Exchange Rate” means, in relation to any amount of currency to be converted into U.S. Dollars pursuant to this Note, the U.S. Dollar exchange rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the relevant date of calculation (it being understood and agreed that where an amount is calculated with reference to, or over, a period of time, the date of calculation shall be the final date of such period of time).
(c) Payments. Whenever any payment of cash is to be made by the Company to any Person pursuant to this Note, unless otherwise expressly set forth herein, such payment shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America by a certified check drawn on the account of the Company and sent via overnight courier service to such Person at such address as previously provided to the Company in writing (which address, in the case of each of the Holders, shall initially be as set forth on the Schedule of Buyers attached to the Securities Purchase Agreement), provided that the Holder may elect to receive a payment of cash via wire transfer of immediately available funds by providing the Company with prior written notice setting out such request and the Holder’s wire transfer instructions. Whenever any amount expressed to be due by the terms of this Note is due on any day which is not a Business Day, the same shall instead be due on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day. Any amount of Principal or other amounts due under the Transaction Documents which is not paid when due shall result in a late charge being incurred and payable by the Company in an amount equal to interest on such amount at the rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum from the date such amount was due until the same is paid in full (“Late Charge”).
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25. CANCELLATION.
After all Principal, accrued Interest, Late Charges, Make-Whole Amount and other amounts at any time owed on this Note have been paid in full, this Note shall automatically be deemed canceled, shall be surrendered to the Company for cancellation and shall not be reissued.
26. WAIVER OF NOTICE.
To the extent permitted by law, the Company hereby irrevocably waives demand, notice, presentment, protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note and the Securities Purchase Agreement.
27. GOVERNING LAW.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Note shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Except as otherwise required by Section 23, the Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein (i) shall be deemed or operate to preclude the Holder from bringing suit or taking other legal action against the Company in any other jurisdiction to collect on the Company’s obligations to the Holder, to realize on any collateral or any other security for such obligations, or to enforce a judgment or other court ruling in favor of the Holder or (ii) shall limit, or shall be deemed or construed to limit, any provision of Section 23. THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS NOTE OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. The choice of the laws of the State of New York as the governing law of this Note is a valid choice of law and would be recognized and given effect to in any action brought before a court of competent jurisdiction under New York law except for those laws (i) which such court considers to be procedural in nature, (ii) which are revenue or penal laws or (iii) the application of which would be inconsistent with public policy, as such term is interpreted under the laws of the State of New York. The Company or any of their respective properties, assets or revenues does not have any right of immunity under New York law, from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from the giving of any relief in any such legal action, suit or proceeding, from set-off or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of New York or United States federal court, from service of process, attachment upon or prior to judgment, or attachment in aid of execution of judgment, or from execution of a judgment, or other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of a judgment, in any such court, with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any other matter under or arising out of or in connection with this Note; and, to the extent that the Company, or any of its properties, assets or revenues may have or may hereafter become entitled to any such right of immunity in any such court in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, the Company hereby waives such right to the extent permitted by law and hereby consents to such relief and enforcement as provided in this Note and the other Transaction Documents.
28. JUDGMENT CURRENCY.
(a) If for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against the Company in any court in any jurisdiction it becomes necessary to convert into any other currency (such other currency being hereinafter in this Section 28 referred to as the “Judgment Currency”) an amount due in U.S. dollars under this Note, the conversion shall be made at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Trading Day immediately preceding:
(i) the date actual payment of the amount due, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of New York or in the courts of any other jurisdiction that shall give effect to such conversion being made on such date; or
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(ii) the date on which the foreign court determines, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of any other jurisdiction (the date as of which such conversion is made pursuant to this Section 28(a)(ii) being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Conversion Date”).
(b) If in the case of any proceeding in the court of any jurisdiction referred to in Section 28(a)(ii) above, there is a change in the Exchange Rate prevailing between the Judgment Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the applicable party shall pay such adjusted amount as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the date of payment, shall produce the amount of US dollars which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial order at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Judgment Conversion Date.
(c) Any amount due from the Company under this provision shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other amounts due under or in respect of this Note.
29. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Note is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Note so long as this Note as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s).
30. MAXIMUM PAYMENTS.
Without limiting Section 9(d) of the Securities Purchase Agreement, nothing contained herein shall be deemed to establish or require the payment of a rate of interest or other charges in excess of the maximum permitted by applicable law. In the event that the rate of interest required to be paid or other charges hereunder exceed the maximum permitted by such law, any payments in excess of such maximum shall be credited against amounts owed by the Company to the Holder and thus refunded to the Company.
31. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Note, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, it being understood for purposes of this definition that “control” of a Person means the power directly or indirectly either to vote 10% or more of the stock having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person or direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise.
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(b) “Approved Stock Plan” means any stock incentive plan or other benefit plan which has been approved by the board of directors of the Company prior to or subsequent to the Subscription Date, which provides for the grant of equity awards to any employee, officer or director for services provided to the Company in their capacity as such.
(c) “Attribution Parties” means, collectively, the following Persons and entities: (i) any investment vehicle, including, any funds, feeder funds or managed accounts, currently, or from time to time after the Issuance Date, directly or indirectly managed or advised by the Holder’s investment manager or any of its Affiliates or principals, (ii) any direct or indirect Affiliates of the Holder or any of the foregoing, (iii) any Person acting or who could be deemed to be acting as a Group together with the Holder or any of the foregoing and (iv) any other Persons whose beneficial ownership of the Company’s shares of Common Stock would or could be aggregated with the Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act. For clarity, the purpose of the foregoing is to collectively subject the Holder and all other Attribution Parties to the Maximum Percentage.
(d) “Bloomberg” means Bloomberg, L.P.
(e) “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
(f) “Change of Control” means any Fundamental Transaction other than (i) any merger of the Company or any of its, direct or indirect, wholly-owned Subsidiaries with or into any of the foregoing Persons, (ii) any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of the shares of Common Stock in which holders of the Company’s voting power immediately prior to such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification continue after such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification to hold publicly traded securities and, directly or indirectly, are, in all material respects, the holders of the voting power of the surviving entity (or entities with the authority or voting power to elect the members of the board of directors (or their equivalent if other than a corporation) of such entity or entities) after such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification, or (iii) pursuant to a migratory merger effected solely for the purpose of changing the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(g) “Change of Control Redemption Premium” means one hundred percent (100%).
(h) “Closing Bid Price” and “Closing Sale Price” means, for any security as of any date, the last closing bid price and last closing trade price, respectively, for such security on the Principal Market, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market begins to operate on an extended hours basis and does not designate the closing bid price or the closing trade price (as the case may be) then the last bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security prior to 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg, or if the foregoing do not apply, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, is reported for such security by Bloomberg, the average of the bid prices, or the ask prices, respectively, of any market makers for such security as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. If the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price (as the case may be) of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder. If the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 23. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions during such period.
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(i) “Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement, which date is the date the Company initially issued Notes pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement.
(j) “Common Stock” means (i) the Company’s shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and (ii) any capital stock into which such shares of common stock shall have been changed or any share capital resulting from a reclassification of such shares of common stock.
(k) “Convertible Securities” means any stock or other security (other than Options) that is at any time and under any circumstances, directly or indirectly, convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for, or which otherwise entitles the holder thereof to acquire, any shares of Common Stock.
(l) “Current Subsidiary” means any Person in which the Company, as of the Subscription Date, directly or indirectly, (i) owns any of the outstanding capital stock or holds any equity or similar interest of such Person, or (ii) controls or operates all or any part of the business, operations or administration of such Person, and all of the foregoing, collectively, “Current Subsidiaries.”
(m) “Eligible Market” means the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market, The New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE American, or any successor to any of the foregoing.
(n) “Event Market Price” means, with respect to any Share Combination Event Date, the quotient determined by dividing (x) the sum of the VWAP of the shares of Common Stock for each of the five (5) Trading Days with the lowest VWAP of the shares of Common Stock during the fifteen (15) consecutive Trading Day period ending and including the Trading Day immediately preceding the sixteenth (16th) Trading Day after such Share Combination Event Date, divided by (y) five (5).
(o) “Excluded Securities” means (i) shares of Common Stock or standard Options to purchase shares of Common Stock to directors, officers or employees of the Company in their capacity as such pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan (as defined below), provided that (A) all such issuances (taking into account the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Options) after the Subscription Date pursuant to this clause do not, in the aggregate, exceed ten percent (10%) of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Subscription Date, and (B) the exercise price of any such Options is not lowered, none of such Options are amended to increase the number of shares issuable thereunder and none of the terms or conditions of any such Options are otherwise materially changed in any manner that adversely affects any of the Buyers (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement); (ii) shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion or exercise of Convertible Securities (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) or Options (other than standard Options to purchase shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (i) above) issued prior to the Subscription Date, provided that the conversion, exercise, or other method of issuance (as the case may be) of any such Convertible Security or Option is made solely pursuant to the conversion, exercise, or other method of issuance (as the case may be) provisions of such Convertible Security or Option that were in effect on the date immediately prior to the Subscription Date, the conversion, exercise, or issuance price of any such Convertible Securities or Options (other than standard Options to purchase shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (i) above) is not lowered, none of such Convertible Securities or Options (other than standard Options to purchase shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (i) above) are amended to increase the number of shares issuable thereunder, and none of the terms or conditions of any such Convertible Securities or Options (other than standard Options to purchase shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (i) above) are otherwise materially changed in any manner that adversely affects any of the Buyers; (iii) the Conversion Shares; and (iv) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions, divestitures, licenses, partnerships, collaborations, or strategic transactions approved by the Company’s board of directors or a majority of the members of a committee of directors established for such purpose, provided that any such issuance shall only be to a Person (or to the equity holders of a Person) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities.
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(p) “Fundamental Transaction” means (A) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, (i) consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) another Subject Entity, or (ii) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its “significant subsidiaries” (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) to one or more Subject Entities, or (iii) make, or allow one or more Subject Entities to make, or allow the Company to be subject to or have its shares of Common Stock be subject to or party to one or more Subject Entities making, a purchase, tender or exchange offer that is accepted by the holders of at least either (x) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entities making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer, become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iv) consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with one or more Subject Entities whereby all such Subject Entities, individually or in the aggregate, acquire, either (x) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all the Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such stock purchase agreement or other business combination were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that the Subject Entities become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (v) reorganize, recapitalize or reclassify its shares of Common Stock, (B) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, allow any Subject Entity individually or the Subject Entities in the aggregate to be or become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, whether through acquisition, purchase, assignment, conveyance, tender, tender offer, exchange, reduction in outstanding shares of Common Stock, merger, consolidation, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, scheme of arrangement, reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification or otherwise in any manner whatsoever, of either (x) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock not held by all such Subject Entities as of the date of this Note calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all such Subject Entities were not outstanding, or (z) a percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company sufficient to allow such Subject Entities to effect a statutory short form merger or other transaction requiring other stockholders of the Company to surrender their shares of Common Stock without approval of the stockholders of the Company or (C) directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, the issuance of or the entering into any other instrument or transaction structured in a manner to circumvent, or that circumvents, the intent of this definition in which case this definition shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this definition to the extent necessary to correct this definition or any portion of this definition which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended treatment of such instrument or transaction.
(q) “Group” means a “group” as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and as defined in Rule 13d-5 thereunder.
(r) “Indebtedness” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
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(s) “Initial Installment Date” means the date that is the earlier of (A) the Effective Date (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), and (B) the date that is 60 days from the Issuance Date of this Note.
(t) “Installment Date” means (A) with respect to the first such date, the Initial Installment Date, and (B) with respect to all such dates subsequent to the Initial Installment Date, the same day every three (3) months subsequent to the Initial Installment Date until the Maturity Date.
(u) “Interest Date” means, with respect to any given calendar month ending after the Issuance Date and prior to the Maturity Date, the first Trading Day of such calendar month.
(v) “Make-Whole Amount” means, as of any given date and in connection with any conversion, redemption or other repayment hereunder, an amount equal to the amount of additional Interest that would accrue under this Note at the Interest Rate then in effect assuming for calculation purposes that the Principal of this Note as of the Issuance Date remained outstanding through and including the Maturity Date.
(w) “Maturity Date” means the date that is 12 months from the Issuance Date; provided, however, the Maturity Date may be extended at the option of the Holder (i) in the event that, and for so long as, an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or any event shall have occurred and be continuing that with the passage of time and the failure to cure would result in an Event of Default or (ii) through the date that is twenty (20) Business Days after the consummation of a Fundamental Transaction in the event that a Fundamental Transaction is publicly announced or a Change of Control Notice is delivered prior to the Maturity Date, provided further that if a Holder elects to convert some or all of this Note pursuant to Section 3 hereof, and the Conversion Amount would be limited pursuant to Section 3(d) hereunder, the Maturity Date shall automatically be extended until such time as such provision shall not limit the conversion of this Note.
(x) “New Subsidiary” means, as of any date of determination, any Person in which the Company, following the Subscription Date, directly or indirectly, (i) owns or acquires any of the outstanding capital stock or holds any equity or similar interest of such Person or (ii) controls or operates all or any part of the business, operations or administration of such Person, and all of the foregoing, collectively, “New Subsidiaries.”
(y) “Options” means any rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities.
(z) “Parent Entity” of a Person means an entity that, directly or indirectly, controls the applicable Person and whose common stock or equivalent equity security is quoted or listed on an Eligible Market, or, if there is more than one such Person or Parent Entity, the Person or Parent Entity with the largest public market capitalization as of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction.
(aa) “Permitted Indebtedness” means (i) Indebtedness evidenced by this Note and the Other Notes, (ii) Indebtedness secured by Permitted Liens or unsecured but as described in clauses (iv) and (v) of the definition of Permitted Liens, and (iii) Indebtedness described in the SEC Documents (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) and otherwise disclosed on Schedule 3(q) to the Securities Purchase Agreement.
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(bb) “Permitted Liens” means (i) any Lien for taxes not yet due or delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards, (ii) any statutory Lien arising in the ordinary course of business by operation of law with respect to a liability that is not yet due or delinquent, (iii) any Lien created by operation of law, such as materialmen’s liens, mechanics’ liens and other similar liens, arising in the ordinary course of business with respect to a liability that is not yet due or delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (iv) Liens (A) upon or in any equipment acquired or held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to secure the purchase price of such equipment or Indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition or lease of such equipment, or (B) existing on such equipment at the time of its acquisition, provided that the Lien is confined solely to the property so acquired and improvements thereon, and the proceeds of such equipment, in either case, with respect to Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000, (v) Liens incurred in connection with the extension, renewal or refinancing of the Indebtedness secured by Liens of the type described in clause (iv) above, provided that any extension, renewal or replacement Lien shall be limited to the property encumbered by the existing Lien and the principal amount of the Indebtedness being extended, renewed or refinanced does not increase, (vi) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payments of custom duties in connection with the importation of goods, (vii) Liens arising from judgments, decrees or attachments in circumstances not constituting an Event of Default under Section 4(a)(x) and (viii) any Liens in respect of Permitted Indebtedness.
(cc) “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity, or a government or any department or agency thereof.
(dd) “Principal Market” means the NYSE American.
(ee) “Redemption Notices” means, collectively, the Change of Control Redemption Notices and the Event of Default Redemption Notices, and each of the foregoing, individually, a “Redemption Notice.”
(ff) “Redemption Premium” means one hundred percent (100%).
(gg) “Redemption Prices” means, collectively, the Change of Control Redemption Prices and the Event of Default Redemption Prices, and each of the foregoing, individually, a “Redemption Price.”
(hh) “SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or the successor thereto.
(ii) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(jj) “Securities Purchase Agreement” means that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of the Subscription Date, by and among the Company and the initial Holders pursuant to which the Company issued the Notes, as may be amended from time to time.
(kk) “Subsidiaries” means, as of any date of determination, collectively, all Current Subsidiaries and all New Subsidiaries, and each of the foregoing, individually, a “Subsidiary.”
(ll) “Subject Entity” means any Person, Persons or Group or any Affiliate or associate of any such Person, Persons or Group.
(mm) “Subsequent Placement” means any issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents for cash consideration, Indebtedness or a combination of units thereof from the date hereof until this Note is no longer outstanding, in a bona fide capital raise, including any “at-the-market” and “equity-line-of-credit” transactions.
(nn) “Successor Entity” means the Person (or, if so elected by the Holder, the Parent Entity) formed by, resulting from or surviving any Fundamental Transaction or the Person (or, if so elected by the Holder, the Parent Entity) with which such Fundamental Transaction shall have been entered into.
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(oo) “Trading Day” means, as applicable, (x) with respect to all price or trading volume determinations relating to the shares of Common Stock, any day on which the shares of Common Stock are traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the shares of Common Stock, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the shares of Common Stock are then traded, provided that “Trading Day” shall not include any day on which the shares of Common Stock are scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the shares of Common Stock are suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time) unless such day is otherwise designated as a Trading Day in writing by the Holder or (y) with respect to all determinations other than price determinations relating to the shares of Common Stock, any day on which The New York Stock Exchange (or any successor thereto) is open for trading of securities.
(pp) “Transaction Documents” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
(qq) “VWAP” means, for any security as of any date, the dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the Principal Market (or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for such security, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which such security is then traded), during the period beginning at 9:30 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “VAP” function (set to 09:30 start time and 16:00 end time) or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security during the period beginning at 9:30 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for such security by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest closing bid price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for such security as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. If the VWAP cannot be calculated for such security on such date on any of the foregoing bases, the VWAP of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder. If the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 23. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction during such period.
32. DISCLOSURE.
Upon delivery by the Company to the Holder (or receipt by the Company from the Holder) of any notice in accordance with the terms of this Note, unless the Company has in good faith determined that the matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company shall on or prior to 9:30 am, New York city time on the Business Day immediately following such notice delivery date, publicly disclose such material, non-public information on a Current Report on Form 8-K or otherwise. In the event that the Company believes that a notice contains material, non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company so shall indicate to the Holder explicitly in writing in such notice (or immediately upon receipt of notice from the Holder, as applicable), and in the absence of any such written indication in such notice (or notification from the Company immediately upon receipt of notice from the Holder), the Holder shall be entitled to presume that information contained in the notice does not constitute material, non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
33. ABSENCE OF TRADING AND DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS.
The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Holder is not a fiduciary or agent of the Company and that the Holder shall have no obligation to (a) maintain the confidentiality of any information provided by the Company or (b) refrain from trading any securities while in possession of such information in the absence of a written non-disclosure agreement signed by an officer of the Holder that explicitly provides for such confidentiality and trading restrictions. In the absence of such an executed, written non-disclosure agreement, the Company acknowledges that the Holder may freely trade in any securities issued by the Company, may possess and use any information provided by the Company in connection with such trading activity, and may disclose any such information to any third party.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Convertible Note to be duly executed as of the Issuance Date set out above.
| HOUSTON AMERICAN ENERGY CORP. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Edward Gillespie | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
[Signature Page to Senior Secured Convertible Note]
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Exhibit 10.1
Execution Version
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
by and between
houston american energy CORP.
and
[●]
Dated as of July 10, 2025
Table of Contents
| Page | |||
| ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS | 1 | ||
| ARTICLE II PURCHASE AND SALE OF COMMON STOCK | 1 | ||
| Section 2.1. | Purchase and Sale of Stock | 1 | |
| Section 2.2. | Closing Date; Settlement Dates | 2 | |
| Section 2.3. | Initial Public Announcements and Required Filings | 2 | |
| ARTICLE III PURCHASE TERMS | 3 | ||
| Section 3.1. | VWAP Purchases | 3 | |
| Section 3.2. | Settlement | 4 | |
| Section 3.3. | Compliance with Rules of Trading Market | 5 | |
| Section 3.4. | Beneficial Ownership Limitation | 6 | |
| ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE INVESTOR | 7 | ||
| Section 4.1. | Organization and Standing of the Investor | 7 | |
| Section 4.2. | Authorization and Power | 7 | |
| Section 4.3. | No Conflicts | 7 | |
| Section 4.4. | Investment Purpose | 8 | |
| Section 4.5. | Accredited Investor Status | 8 | |
| Section 4.6. | Reliance on Exemptions | 8 | |
| Section 4.7. | Information | 8 | |
| Section 4.8. | No Governmental Review | 8 | |
| Section 4.9. | No General Solicitation | 9 | |
| Section 4.10. | Not an Affiliate | 9 | |
| Section 4.11. | No Prior Short Sales | 9 | |
| Section 4.12. | Statutory Underwriter Status | 9 | |
| Section 4.13. | Resales of Shares | 9 | |
| ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY | 10 | ||
| Section 5.1. | Organization, Good Standing and Power | 10 | |
| Section 5.2. | Authorization, Enforcement | 10 | |
| Section 5.3. | Capitalization | 10 | |
| Section 5.4. | Issuance of Shares | 11 | |
| Section 5.5. | No Conflicts | 11 | |
| Section 5.6. | Commission Documents, Financial Statements; Disclosure Controls and Procedures; Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting; Accountant | 12 | |
| Section 5.7. | Subsidiaries | 14 | |
| Section 5.8. | No Material Adverse Effect or Material Adverse Change | 15 | |
| Section 5.9. | No Undisclosed Liabilities | 15 | |
| Section 5.10. | No Material Defaults on Indebtedness | 15 | |
| Section 5.11. | Solvency | 15 | |
| Section 5.12. | Title to Real and Personal Property | 15 | |
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| Section 5.13. | Litigation | 16 | |
| Section 5.14. | Compliance With Laws | 16 | |
| Section 5.15. | Certain Fees | 16 | |
| Section 5.16. | Disclosure | 16 | |
| Section 5.17. | Material Permits | 17 | |
| Section 5.18. | Environmental Matters | 17 | |
| Section 5.19. | Intellectual Property Rights | 17 | |
| Section 5.20. | Material Contracts | 18 | |
| Section 5.21. | Transactions With Affiliates | 18 | |
| Section 5.22. | Labor Relations | 19 | |
| Section 5.23. | Use of Proceeds | 19 | |
| Section 5.24. | Investment Company Act Status | 19 | |
| Section 5.25. | Tax Matters | 19 | |
| Section 5.26. | Insurance | 19 | |
| Section 5.27. | Exemption from Registration | 20 | |
| Section 5.28. | No General Solicitation or Advertising | 20 | |
| Section 5.29. | No Integrated Offering | 20 | |
| Section 5.30. | Dilutive Effect | 20 | |
| Section 5.31. | Manipulation of Price | 20 | |
| Section 5.32. | Securities Act | 21 | |
| Section 5.33. | Listing and Maintenance Requirements; DTC Eligibility | 21 | |
| Section 5.34. | Application of Takeover Protections | 21 | |
| Section 5.35. | Foreign Corrupt Practices | 21 | |
| Section 5.36. | Office of Foreign Assets Control | 22 | |
| Section 5.37. | Money Laundering | 22 | |
| Section 5.38. | ERISA | 22 | |
| Section 5.39. | IT Systems | 23 | |
| Section 5.40. | Privacy Laws | 23 | |
| Section 5.41. | [Reserved] | 24 | |
| Section 5.42. | Margin Rules | 24 | |
| Section 5.43. | [Reserved] | 24 | |
| Section 5.44. | Smaller Reporting Company Status | 24 | |
| Section 5.45. | No Disqualification Events | 24 | |
| Section 5.46. | Acknowledgement Regarding Investor’s Acquisition of Shares | 24 | |
| ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL COVENANTS | 25 | ||
| Section 6.1. | Securities Compliance | 25 | |
| Section 6.2. | Reservation of Common Stock | 25 | |
| Section 6.3. | Registration and Listing | 25 | |
| Section 6.4. | Compliance with Laws | 26 | |
| Section 6.5. | Keeping of Records and Books of Account; Due Diligence | 26 | |
| Section 6.6. | No Frustration; No Variable Rate Transactions; Subsequent Equity Sales | 26 | |
| Section 6.7. | Corporate Existence | 27 | |
| Section 6.8. | Fundamental Transaction | 27 | |
| Section 6.9. | Selling Restrictions | 27 | |
| Section 6.10. | Effective Registration Statement | 28 | |
| ii |
| Section 6.11. | Blue Sky | 28 | |
| Section 6.12. | Non-Public Information | 28 | |
| Section 6.13. | Broker-Dealer | 28 | |
| Section 6.14. | Disclosure Schedule | 29 | |
| Section 6.15. | Delivery of Compliance Certificates and Bring-Down Opinion/Negative Assurance Letters Upon Occurrence of Certain Events | 29 | |
| ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS TO CLOSING, COMMENCEMENT AND VWAP PURCHASES | 30 | ||
| Section 7.1. | Conditions Precedent to Closing | 30 | |
| Section 7.2. | Conditions Precedent to Commencement | 31 | |
| Section 7.3. | Conditions Precedent to Purchases after Commencement Date | 34 | |
| ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION | 38 | ||
| Section 8.1. | Automatic Termination | 38 | |
| Section 8.2. | Other Termination | 38 | |
| Section 8.3. | Effect of Termination | 39 | |
| ARTICLE IX INDEMNIFICATION | 40 | ||
| Section 9.1. | Indemnification of Investor | 40 | |
| Section 9.2. | Indemnification Procedures | 41 | |
| ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS | 42 | ||
| Section 10.1. | Certain Fees and Expenses; Commitment Fee; Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions | 42 | |
| Section 10.2. | Specific Enforcement, Consent to Jurisdiction, Waiver of Jury Trial | 44 | |
| Section 10.3. | Entire Agreement | 45 | |
| Section 10.4. | Notices | 45 | |
| Section 10.5. | Waivers | 46 | |
| Section 10.6. | Amendments | 46 | |
| Section 10.7. | Headings | 46 | |
| Section 10.8. | Construction | 46 | |
| Section 10.9. | Binding Effect | 46 | |
| Section 10.10. | No Third Party Beneficiaries | 47 | |
| Section 10.11. | Governing Law | 47 | |
| Section 10.12. | Survival | 47 | |
| Section 10.13. | Counterparts | 47 | |
| Section 10.14. | Publicity | 47 | |
| Section 10.15. | Severability | 47 | |
| Section 10.16. | Further Assurances | 47 | |
| Annex I. Definitions | I-1 | ||
| iii |
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of July 10, 2025 (this “Agreement”), by and between [●], a Delaware limited liability company (the “Investor”), and Houston American Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).
RECiTALS
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth herein, the Company may issue and sell to the Investor, from time to time as provided herein, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company, up to the lesser of (i) $100,000,000 in aggregate gross purchase price of newly issued shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and (ii) the Exchange Cap (to the extent applicable under Section 3.3);
WHEREAS, such sales of Common Stock by the Company to the Investor will be made in reliance upon the provisions of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act (“Section 4(a)(2)”) and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act (“Regulation D”), and upon such other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act as may be available with respect to any or all of the sales of Common Stock to the Investor to be made hereunder;
WHEREAS, the parties hereto are concurrently entering into a Registration Rights Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company shall register under the Securities Act the resale of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) by the Investor, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;
WHEREAS, in consideration for the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to the Investor the Commitment Fee, pursuant to, at such time and in such manner and form(s) as set forth in Section 10.1(ii) of this Agreement; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Annex I hereto, and hereby made a part hereof, or as otherwise set forth in this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
PURCHASE AND SALE OF COMMON STOCK
Section 2.1. Purchase and Sale of Stock. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, during the Investment Period, the Company, in its sole discretion, shall have the right, but not the obligation, to issue and sell to the Investor, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company, up to the lesser of (i) $100,000,000 (the “Total Commitment”) in aggregate gross purchase price of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock and (ii) the Exchange Cap, to the extent applicable under Section 3.3 (such lesser amount of shares of Common Stock, the “Aggregate Limit”), by the delivery to the Investor of VWAP Purchase Notices as provided in Article III.
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Section 2.2. Closing Date; Settlement Dates. This Agreement shall become effective and binding (the “Closing”) upon (a) the delivery of counterpart signature pages of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement executed by each of the parties hereto and thereto, and (b) the delivery of all other documents, instruments and writings required to be delivered at the Closing, in each case as provided in Section 7.1(iv), to the offices of Sullivan & Worcester LLP, at 1251 Avenue of the Americas, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10020, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Closing Date. In consideration of and in express reliance upon the representations, warranties and covenants contained in, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions of, this Agreement, during the Investment Period, the Company, at its sole option and discretion, may issue and sell to the Investor, and, if the Company elects to so issue and sell, the Investor shall purchase from the Company, the Shares in respect of each VWAP Purchase. The delivery of Shares in respect of each VWAP Purchase, and the payment for such Shares, shall occur in accordance with Section 3.2.
Section 2.3. Initial Public Announcements and Required Filings. The Company shall, not later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Trading Day immediately after the date of this Agreement, file with the Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing the execution of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement by the Company and the Investor and describing the material terms thereof, and attaching as exhibits thereto copies of each of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and, if applicable, any press release issued by the Company disclosing the execution of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement by the Company (including all exhibits thereto, the “Current Report”). The Company shall provide the Investor a reasonable opportunity to comment on a draft of the Current Report prior to filing the Current Report with the Commission and shall give due consideration to all such comments. From and after the filing of the Current Report with the Commission, the Company shall have publicly disclosed all material, nonpublic information delivered to the Investor (or the Investor’s representatives or agents) by the Company, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives (if any) in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Investor covenants that until such time as the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement are publicly disclosed by the Company as described in this Section 2.3, the Investor shall maintain the confidentiality of all disclosures made to it in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (including the existence and terms of the transactions contemplated thereby), except that the Investor may disclose the terms of such transactions to its financial, accounting, legal and other advisors (provided that the Investor directs such Persons to maintain the confidentiality of such information). Not later than 15 calendar days following the Closing Date, the Company shall file a Form D with respect to the issuance and sale of the Shares in accordance with Regulation D and shall provide a copy thereof to the Investor promptly after such filing. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the applicable Filing Deadline, file with the Commission the Initial Registration Statement and any New Registration Statement covering only the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the Securities Act and the Registration Rights Agreement. At or before 8:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement and any New Registration Statement (or any post-effective amendment thereto), the Company shall file with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act the final Prospectus to be used in connection with resales of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to such Registration Statement (or post-effective amendment thereto).
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ARTICLE III
PURCHASE TERMS
Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article VII, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 3.1. VWAP Purchases. Upon the initial satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in Section 7.2 (the “Commencement” and the date of initial satisfaction of all of such conditions, the “Commencement Date”) and from time to time thereafter, subject to the satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in Section 7.3 and in this Section 3.1, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to direct the Investor, by its timely delivery to the Investor of a VWAP Purchase Notice on a VWAP Purchase Exercise Date to purchase the VWAP Purchase Share Amount set forth by the Company therein, not to exceed the applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount, at the VWAP Purchase Price therefor (as confirmed in the applicable VWAP Purchase Confirmation) in accordance with this Agreement (each such purchase, a “VWAP Purchase”). The Company may deliver a VWAP Purchase Notice to the Investor on any Trading Day selected by the Company as the VWAP Purchase Exercise Date for a VWAP Purchase, provided that (i) the Company may not deliver more than one VWAP Purchase Notice to the Investor on any single Trading Day, (ii) at least three (3) Trading Days has elapsed since the Trading Day on which most recent prior VWAP Purchase Notice was delivered by the Company to the Investor pursuant to and in accordance with this Agreement, (iii) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on such VWAP Purchase Exercise Date is not less than the Threshold Price, and (iv) all Shares subject to all prior VWAP Purchase Notices for VWAP Purchases that have been properly delivered by the Company to the Investor under this Agreement (as applicable) have theretofore been received by the Investor or its Broker-Dealer as DWAC Shares, prior to the Company’s delivery of such VWAP Purchase Notice to the Investor on such VWAP Purchase Exercise Date. The Investor is obligated to accept each VWAP Purchase Notice prepared and timely delivered by the Company in accordance with the terms of and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions contained in this Agreement. If the Company delivers any VWAP Purchase Notice directing the Investor to purchase a VWAP Purchase Share Amount in excess of the applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount that the Company is then permitted to include in such VWAP Purchase Notice, such VWAP Purchase Notice shall be void ab initio to the extent of the amount by which the VWAP Purchase Share Amount set forth in such VWAP Purchase Notice exceeds such applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount, and the Investor shall have no obligation to purchase, and shall not purchase, such excess Shares pursuant to such VWAP Purchase Notice; provided, however, that the Investor shall remain obligated to purchase the applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount pursuant to such VWAP Purchase Notice. At or prior to 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately following the VWAP Purchase Valuation Period for each VWAP Purchase (each, a “VWAP Purchase Settlement Date”), the Investor shall provide to the Company a written confirmation for such VWAP Purchase setting forth the applicable VWAP Purchase Share Amount and the applicable VWAP Purchase Price (both on a per Share basis and the total aggregate VWAP Purchase Price to be paid by the Investor for such applicable VWAP Purchase Share Amount) with respect to such VWAP Purchase (each, a “VWAP Purchase Confirmation”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not deliver any VWAP Purchase Notices to the Investor during the PEA Period or during any Allowable Grace Period.
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Section 3.2. Settlement. The Shares constituting the applicable VWAP Purchase Share Amount to be purchased by the Investor in a VWAP Purchase shall be delivered to the Investor as DWAC Shares not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the VWAP Purchase Settlement Date. For each VWAP Purchase, the Investor shall pay to the Company an amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the total number of Shares purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase (as confirmed in the applicable VWAP Purchase Confirmation) and (ii) the VWAP Purchase Price for such Shares (as confirmed in the applicable VWAP Purchase Confirmation), as full payment for such Shares, via wire transfer of immediately available funds not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the VWAP Purchase Settlement Date for such VWAP Purchase, provided the Investor shall have timely received, as DWAC Shares, all of such Shares purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase on such VWAP Purchase Settlement Date in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 3.2, it being hereby acknowledged and agreed that if any of such Shares are received by the Investor after 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable VWAP Purchase Settlement Date, then the Company’s receipt of the funds representing the VWAP Purchase Price for such Shares in its designated bank account shall occur on the Trading Day next following the Trading Day on which the Investor shall have received all of such Shares as DWAC Shares. If the Company or its transfer agent shall fail for any reason, other than a failure of the Investor or its Broker-Dealer to set up a DWAC and required instructions, to electronically transfer any Shares as DWAC Shares in respect of a VWAP Purchase within one (1) Trading day following the VWAP Purchase Settlement Date, and if on or after such Trading Day the Investor purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Investor of such Shares that the Investor anticipated receiving from the Company in respect of such VWAP Purchase, then the Company shall, within two (2) Trading Days after the Investor’s request, either (1) pay cash to the Investor in an amount equal to the Investor’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased (the “Cover Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to deliver such Shares as DWAC Shares shall terminate, or (ii) promptly honor its obligation to deliver to the Investor such Shares as DWAC Shares and pay cash to the Investor in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Cover Price over the total purchase price paid by the Investor pursuant to this Agreement for all of the Shares to be purchased by the Investor in connection with such VWAP Purchase. The Company shall not issue any fraction of a share of Common Stock upon any VWAP Purchase. If the issuance would result in the issuance of a fraction of a share of Common Stock, the Company shall round such fraction of a share of Common Stock up or down to the nearest whole share. All payments made under this Agreement shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account as the Company may from time to time designate by written notice in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Whenever any amount expressed to be due by the terms of this Agreement is due on any day that is not a Trading Day, the same shall instead be due on the next succeeding day that is a Trading Day.
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Section 3.3. Compliance with Rules of Trading Market.
(a) Exchange Cap. Subject to Section 3.3(b), the Company shall not issue or sell any shares of Common Stock to Investor or any of its Affiliates pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, and the Investor or any of its Affiliates shall not purchase or acquire any shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect thereto, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that would be issued pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, and the transactions contemplated hereby would exceed 6,703,597 shares of Common Stock (such number of shares equal to 19.9% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement), which number of shares shall be reduced, on a share-for-share basis, by the number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any transaction or series of transactions that may be aggregated with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under applicable rules of the NYSE American LLC (such maximum number of shares of Common Stock, the “Exchange Cap”), unless the Company’s stockholders have approved the issuance of Common Stock to the Investor or any of its Affiliates pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, in excess of the Exchange Cap in accordance with the applicable rules of the NYSE American LLC. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the stockholder approval to issue such number of shares of its Common Stock in excess of the Exchange Cap as may be necessary; provided, that if such stockholder approval is not obtained, the Exchange Cap shall be applicable for all purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby at all times during the term of this Agreement (except as set forth in Section 3.3(b)).
(b) At-Market Transaction. Notwithstanding Section 3.3(a) above, the Exchange Cap shall not be applicable to any Shares that are issued and sold by the Company to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement at a price per Share equal to or greater than the applicable Base Price for such Shares (calculated immediately prior to the Company’s timely delivery of the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice relating to such Shares to the Investor pursuant to and in accordance with this Agreement). For purposes of this Agreement, “Base Price” shall mean, with respect to each Share to be sold to the Investor pursuant to a VWAP Purchase Notice timely delivered by the Company to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement, a price per Share equal to the sum of (i) the applicable Minimum Price for such Shares and (ii) $0.24 (subject to adjustment (a) for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction or (b) as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the applicable rules of the NYSE American LLC, including Section 713(a) of the NYSE American LLC Company Guide); and “Minimum Price” shall mean, with respect to each Share to be sold to the Investor pursuant to a VWAP Purchase Notice timely delivered by the Company to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement, the last Closing Sale Price of a share of Common Stock on the Trading Market immediately prior to the Company’s timely delivery of such VWAP Purchase Notice relating to such Shares to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that if the book value of a share of Common Stock at such time is greater than such last Closing Sale Price (in each case as calculated in accordance with the applicable rules of the NYSE American LLC, including Section 713(a) of the NYSE American LLC Company Guide), then the “Minimum Price” for each Share to be sold to the Investor pursuant to such VWAP Purchase Notice relating to such Shares shall mean a price that is the lower of: (i) the Official Closing Price immediately preceding the signing of the Agreement; or (ii) the average Official Closing Price for the five Trading Days immediately preceding the signing of the Agreement. For purposes of calculating the Minimum Price, the “Official Closing Price” of the Company’s Common Stock means the official closing price on the Trading Market as reported to the consolidated tape immediately preceding the signing of the Agreement to issue the securities. For example, if the transaction is signed after the close of the regular session at 4:00 pm Eastern Standard Time on a Tuesday, then Tuesday’s official closing price is used. If the transaction is signed at any time between the close of the regular session on Monday and the close of the regular session on Tuesday, then Monday’s official closing price is used.
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(c) General. The Company shall not issue or sell any shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement if such issuance or sale would reasonably be expected to result in (A) a violation of the Securities Act or (B) a breach of the rules of the NYSE American LLC (or, if the Common Stock is listed on an Eligible Market, a breach of the rules of such Eligible Market). The provisions of this Section 3.3 shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 3.3 only if necessary to ensure compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules of the NYSE American LLC (including Section 713(a) of the NYSE American LLC Company Guide) or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, to ensure compliance with the applicable rules of such Eligible Market.
Section 3.4. Beneficial Ownership Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not issue or sell, and the Investor shall not purchase or acquire, any shares of Common Stock under this Agreement which, when aggregated with all other shares of Common Stock then beneficially owned by the Investor and its Affiliates (as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-3 promulgated thereunder), would result in the beneficial ownership by the Investor of more than 9.99% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). Upon the written request of the Investor, the Company shall promptly (but not later than the next business day on which the Company’s transfer agent is open for business) confirm orally or in writing to the Investor the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. The Investor and the Company shall each cooperate in good faith in the determinations required under this Section 3.4 and the application of this Section 3.4. The Investor’s written certification to the Company of the applicability of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the resulting effect thereof hereunder at any time, shall be conclusive with respect to the applicability thereof and such result absent manifest error. The provisions of this Section 3.4 shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 3.4 to the extent necessary to properly give effect to the limitations contained in this Section 3.4.
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ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND
COVENANTS OF THE INVESTOR
The Investor hereby makes the following representations, warranties and covenants to the Company:
Section 4.1. Organization and Standing of the Investor. The Investor is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
Section 4.2. Authorization and Power. The Investor has the requisite limited liability company power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and to purchase or acquire the Shares in accordance with the terms hereof. The execution, delivery and performance by the Investor of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action, and no further consent or authorization of the Investor, its Board of Directors or its members is required. Each of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Investor and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Investor enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation, conservatorship, receivership, or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditor’s rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general application (including any limitation of equitable remedies).
Section 4.3. No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Investor of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and the consummation by the Investor of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and shall not (i) result in a violation of such Investor’s certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or other applicable organizational instruments, (ii) conflict with, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) under, or give rise to any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any material agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, indenture, note, bond, license, lease agreement, instrument or obligation to which the Investor is a party or is bound, (iii) create or impose any lien, charge or encumbrance on any property of the Investor under any agreement or any commitment to which the Investor is party or under which the Investor is bound or under which any of its properties or assets are bound, or (iv) result in a violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, rule, or regulation, or any order, judgment or decree of any court or governmental agency applicable to the Investor or by which any of its properties or assets are bound or affected, except, in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), for such conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, acceleration, cancellations and violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, prohibit or otherwise interfere with, in any material respect, the ability of the Investor to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. The Investor is not required under any applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, rule or regulation to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement or to purchase or acquire the Shares in accordance with the terms hereof; provided, however, that for purposes of the representation made in this sentence, the Investor is assuming and relying upon the accuracy of the relevant representations and warranties and the compliance with the relevant covenants and agreements of the Company in the Transaction Documents to which it is a party.
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Section 4.4. Investment Purpose. The Investor is acquiring the Shares for its own account, for investment purposes and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof, except pursuant to sales registered under or exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act; provided, however, that by making the representations herein, the Investor does not agree, or make any representation or warranty, to hold any of the Shares for any minimum or other specific term and reserves the right to dispose of the Shares at any time in accordance with, or pursuant to, a registration statement filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or an applicable exemption under the Securities Act. The Investor does not presently have any agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any Person to sell or distribute any of the Shares.
Section 4.5. Accredited Investor Status. The Investor is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D.
Section 4.6. Reliance on Exemptions. The Investor understands that the Shares are being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of U.S. federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Investor’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Investor set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Investor to acquire the Shares.
Section 4.7. Information. All materials relating to the business, financial condition, management and operations of the Company and materials relating to the offer and sale of the Shares which have been requested by the Investor have been furnished or otherwise made available to the Investor or its advisors, including, without limitation, the Commission Documents. The Investor understands that its investment in the Shares involves a high degree of risk. The Investor is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Shares and has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of a proposed investment in the Shares. The Investor and its advisors have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of the Company concerning the financial condition and business of the Company and other matters relating to an investment in the Shares. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by the Investor or its advisors, if any, or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect the Investor’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement. The Investor has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to its acquisition of the Shares. The Investor understands that it (and not the Company) shall be responsible for its own tax liabilities that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 4.8. No Governmental Review. The Investor understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Shares or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Shares nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Shares.
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Section 4.9. No General Solicitation. The Investor is not purchasing or acquiring the Shares as a result of any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares.
Section 4.10. Not an Affiliate. The Investor is not an officer, director or an Affiliate of the Company. As of the Closing Date, the Investor did not beneficially own any shares of Common Stock or securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock, and during the Restricted Period, Investor will not acquire beneficial ownership of any shares of the Company’s capital stock (including shares of Common Stock or securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock) other than pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or be deemed to prohibit the Investor from purchasing, in an open market transaction or otherwise, shares of Common Stock necessary to make delivery by the Investor in satisfaction of a sale by the Investor of Shares that the Investor anticipated receiving from the Company in connection with the settlement of a VWAP Purchase, if the Company or its transfer agent shall have failed for any reason (other than a failure of Investor or its Broker-Dealer to set up a DWAC and required instructions) to timely electronically transfer all of the Shares subject to such VWAP Purchase to the Investor on the applicable VWAP Purchase Settlement Date by crediting the Investor’s or its designated Broker-Dealer’s account at DTC through its DWAC delivery system in compliance with Section 3.2 of this Agreement.
Section 4.11. No Prior Short Sales. At no time prior to the date of this Agreement has any of the Investor, its agents, representatives or Affiliates engaged in or effected, in any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, any (i) “short sale” (as such term is defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act) of the Common Stock or (ii) hedging transaction, which establishes a net short position with respect to the Common Stock.
Section 4.12. Statutory Underwriter Status. The Investor acknowledges that it will be disclosed as an “underwriter” and a “selling stockholder” with respect to Registrable Securities in each Registration Statement and in any Prospectus contained therein to the extent required by applicable law and to the extent the Prospectus is related to the resale of Registrable Securities.
Section 4.13. Resales of Shares. The Investor represents, warrants and covenants that it will resell Shares purchased or acquired by the Investor from the Company pursuant to this Agreement only pursuant to the Registration Statement in which the resale of such Shares is registered under the Securities Act and the Prospectus contained therein, in a manner described under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in such Registration Statement and Prospectus, and in a manner in compliance with all applicable U.S. federal and applicable state securities laws, rules and regulations.
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ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES
AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
Except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to the Investor (which is hereby incorporated by reference in, and constitutes an integral part of, this Agreement) (the “Disclosure Schedule”) or in the Commission Documents, the Company hereby makes the following representations, warranties and covenants to the Investor:
Section 5.1. Organization, Good Standing and Power. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation nor default of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and no Proceeding has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification.
Section 5.2. Authorization, Enforcement. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to issue the Shares in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. Except for approvals of the Company’s Board of Directors or a committee thereof as may be required in connection with any issuance and sale of Shares to the Investor hereunder (which approvals shall be obtained prior to the delivery of any VWAP Purchase Notice), the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and no further consent or authorization of the Company, its Board of Directors or its stockholders is required. Each of the Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation, conservatorship, receivership or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditor’s rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general application (including any limitation of equitable remedies).
Section 5.3. Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the Company and the shares thereof issued and outstanding were as set forth in the Commission Documents as of the dates reflected therein. All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, there are no agreements or arrangements under which the Company is obligated to register the sale of any securities under the Securities Act. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, no shares of Common Stock are entitled to preemptive rights and there are no outstanding debt securities and no contracts, commitments, understandings, or arrangements by which the Company is or may become bound to issue additional shares of the capital stock of the Company or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for, any shares of capital stock of the Company other than those issued or granted in the ordinary course of business pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive and/or compensatory plans or arrangements. Except for customary transfer restrictions contained in agreements entered into by the Company to sell restricted securities or as set forth in the Commission Documents, the Company is not a party to, and it has no Knowledge of, any agreement restricting the voting or transfer of any shares of the capital stock of the Company. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, there are no securities or instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents or the consummation of the transactions described herein or therein. The Company has filed with the Commission true and correct copies of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and in effect on the Closing Date (the “Charter”), and the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended and in effect on the Closing Date (the “Bylaws”).
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Section 5.4. Issuance of Shares. The Shares to be issued under this Agreement have been, or with respect to Shares to be purchased by the Investor pursuant to a particular VWAP Purchase Notice, will be, prior to the delivery to the Investor hereunder of such VWAP Purchase Notice, duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. The Shares, when issued and sold against payment therefor in accordance with this Agreement, shall be validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all liens, charges, taxes, security interests, encumbrances, rights of first refusal, preemptive or similar rights and other encumbrances with respect to the issue thereof, and the Investor shall be entitled to all rights accorded to a holder of Common Stock. An aggregate number of 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and initially reserved by the Company for issuance and sale to the Investor as Shares pursuant to VWAP Purchases under this Agreement. If at any time the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to this Agreement is not sufficient for the issuance of Shares to the Investor pursuant to one or more VWAP Purchases that may be effected under this Agreement, the Company will duly authorize by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company the reservation of such additional number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued as Shares to the Investor pursuant to VWAP Purchases.
Section 5.5. No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and shall not (i) result in a violation of any provision of the Company’s Charter or Bylaws, (ii) result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) under, or give rise to any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any material agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, indenture, note, bond, license, lease agreement, instrument or obligation to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or is bound, (iii) create or impose a lien, charge or encumbrance on any property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any agreement or any commitment to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of their respective properties or assets is subject, or (iv) result in a violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are bound or affected (including federal and state securities laws and regulations and the rules and regulations of the Trading Market or applicable Eligible Market), except, in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), for such conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, acceleration, cancellations, liens, charges, encumbrances and violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement and as required under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, the Company is not required under any federal, state, local or foreign law, rule or regulation to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency (including, without limitation, the Trading Market) in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, or to issue the Shares to the Investor in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof (other than such consents, authorizations, orders, filings or registrations as have been obtained or made prior to the Closing Date); provided, however, that, for purposes of the representation made in this sentence, the Company is assuming and relying upon the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Investor in this Agreement and the compliance by it with its covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
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Section 5.6. Commission Documents, Financial Statements; Disclosure Controls and Procedures; Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting; Accountant.
(a) The Company has timely filed (giving effect to permissible extensions in accordance with Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act) all Commission Documents for the twelve months preceding the date of this Agreement. The Company has delivered or made available to the Investor via EDGAR or otherwise true and complete copies of the Commission Documents filed with or furnished to the Commission prior to the Closing Date (including, without limitation, the 2024 Form 10-K). No Subsidiary of the Company is required to file or furnish any report, schedule, registration, form, statement, information or other document with the Commission. As of its filing date (or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the Closing Date, on the date of such amended or superseded filing), each Commission Document filed with or furnished to the Commission prior to the Closing Date (including, without limitation, the 2024 Form 10-K) complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable. Each Registration Statement, on the date it is filed with the Commission, on the date it is declared effective by the Commission and on each VWAP Purchase Exercise Date shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act (including, without limitation, Rule 415 under the Securities Act) and shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, except that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions from such Registration Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Investor furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use therein. The Prospectus and each Prospectus Supplement required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement after the Closing Date, when taken together, on its date and on each VWAP Purchase Exercise Date, shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act (including, without limitation, Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act) and shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Investor furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use therein. Each Commission Document (other than the Initial Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement, or the Prospectus included therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto) to be filed with or furnished to the Commission after the Closing Date and incorporated by reference in the Initial Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement, or the Prospectus included therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement (including, without limitation, the Current Report), when such document is filed with or furnished to the Commission and, if applicable, when such document becomes effective, as the case may be, shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable. The Company has delivered or made available to the Investor via EDGAR or otherwise true and complete copies of all comment letters and substantive correspondence received by the Company from the Commission relating to the Commission Documents filed with or furnished to the Commission as of the Closing Date, together with all written responses of the Company thereto in the form such responses were filed via EDGAR. There are no outstanding or unresolved comments or undertakings in such comment letters received by the Company from the Commission. The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
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(b) The financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Commission Documents, together with the related notes and schedules, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments which will not be material, either individually or in the aggregate) and have been prepared in compliance with the published requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis (except (i) for such adjustments to accounting standards and practices as are noted therein and (ii) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements) during the periods involved. The pro forma financial statements or data included or incorporated by reference in the Commission Documents, if any, comply with the requirements of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act, including, without limitation, Article 11 thereof, and the assumptions used in the preparation of such pro forma financial statements and data are reasonable, the pro forma adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the circumstances referred to therein and the pro forma adjustments have been properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those statements and data. The other financial and statistical data with respect to the Company contained or incorporated by reference in the Commission Documents, if any, are accurately and fairly presented and prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements and books and records of the Company. There are no financial statements (historical or pro forma) that are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the Commission Documents that are not included or incorporated by reference as required. All disclosures contained or incorporated by reference in the Commission Documents, if any, regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply in all material respects with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, to the extent applicable.
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(c) The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company and the Subsidiaries have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and the Subsidiaries and designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the end of the period covered by the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act (such date, the “Evaluation Date”). The Company presented in its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the Evaluation Date. Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no changes in the internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act) of the Company and the Subsidiaries that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting of the Company and the Subsidiaries.
(d) Marcum LLP (the “Accountant”), whose report on the financial statements of the Company is to be filed with the Commission as part of the Initial Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein, are and, during the periods covered by their report, were independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). To the Company’s Knowledge, the Accountant is not in violation of the auditor independence requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) with respect to the Company.
(e) There is no failure on the part of the Company or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply in all material respects with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith that are applicable to the Company or its directors or officers in their capacities as directors or officers of the Company.
Section 5.7. Subsidiaries. All Subsidiaries of the Company are duly organized and in good standing under the laws of the place of organization or incorporation, and each Subsidiary is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to qualify would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 5.8. No Material Adverse Effect or Material Adverse Change. Except as otherwise disclosed in any Commission Documents, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year: (i) the Company has not experienced or suffered any Material Adverse Effect, and there exists no current state of facts, condition or event which would have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) there has not occurred any material adverse change, or any development that would reasonably be expected to result in a prospective material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company from that set forth in the Commission Documents; (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, nor entered into any material transaction; (iv) the Company has not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its capital stock other than ordinary and customary dividends; and (v) there has not been any material change in the capital stock, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company.
Section 5.9. No Undisclosed Liabilities. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities, obligations, claims or losses (whether liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) that would be required to be disclosed on a balance sheet of the Company or any Subsidiary (including the notes thereto) in conformity with GAAP and are not disclosed in the Commission Documents, other than those incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries respective businesses since December 31, 2024 and which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.10. No Material Defaults on Indebtedness. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, there has been no existing or continuing default or event of default in respect of any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 5.11. Solvency. The Company has not taken any steps, and does not currently expect to take any steps, to seek protection pursuant to any Bankruptcy Law, nor does the Company have any Knowledge that its creditors intend to initiate involuntary bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or liquidation proceedings or other proceedings for relief under any Bankruptcy Law. The Company is financially solvent and is generally able to pay its debts as they become due.
Section 5.12. Title to Real and Personal Property. The Company or one of its Subsidiaries has good and valid title in fee simple to all items of real property and good and valid title to all personal property described in the Commission Documents as being owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries that are material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and claims, except those that would reasonably be expected to not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Any real property described in the Commission Documents as being leased by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries is held by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries under valid, existing and enforceable leases, except those that would not be reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 5.13. Litigation. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, there is no Proceeding pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that, if adversely decided or resolved, would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, neither the Company, its Subsidiaries, nor any director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, is or has been the subject of any Proceeding involving a claim of violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, there has not been, and to the Knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the Commission involving the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any current or former director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 5.14. Compliance With Laws. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been and is presently being conducted in compliance with all applicable Laws, except for such non-compliance which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any Order applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except in all cases for any such violations which could not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.15. Certain Fees. Except as set forth in Section 5.15 of the Disclosure Schedules, no brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Investor shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees of a type contemplated in this Section 5.15 incurred by the Company that may be due or payable in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
Section 5.16. Disclosure. The Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided the Investor or any of its agents, advisors or counsel with any information that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to constitute material, nonpublic information concerning the Company, other than the existence of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Company understands and confirms that the Investor will rely on the foregoing representations in effecting resales of Shares under the Registration Statement. All disclosure provided to Investor regarding the Company, its business and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (including, without limitation, the representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Transaction Documents to which it is a party (as modified by the Disclosure Schedule)) furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Company for purposes of or in connection with the Transaction Documents, taken together, is true and correct in all material respects on the date on which such information is dated or certified, and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading at such time. Each press release issued by the Company during the 12 months preceding the Closing Date did not at the time of release (or, if amended or superseded by a later dated press release issued by the Company prior to the Closing Date or by a later dated Commission Document filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company prior to the Closing Date, at the time of issuance of such later dated press release or filing or furnishing of such Commission Document, as applicable) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
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Section 5.17. Material Permits. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, the Company and its Subsidiaries have all Permits that are required to own, lease or operate its properties and assets and to conduct its business as currently conducted, except for such Permits that are not, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (the “Material Permits”). Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Material Permit is in full force and effect in accordance with its terms, (ii) no written notice of revocation, cancellation or termination of any Material Permit has been received by the Company and (iii) there are, and have been, no Proceedings pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened relating to the suspension, revocation or material and adverse modification of any of such Material Permit. This Section 5.17 does not relate to environmental matters, such items being the subject of Section 5.18.
Section 5.18. Environmental Matters. The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with all federal, state, local and foreign laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), including laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) into the environment, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials, as well as all authorizations, codes, decrees, demands, or demand letters, injunctions, judgments, licenses, notices or notice letters, orders, permits, plans or regulations, issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder (“Environmental Laws”); (ii) have received all permits licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval where in each clause (i), (ii) and (iii), the failure to so comply could be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.19. Intellectual Property Rights. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, the Company and its Subsidiaries have, or have rights to use, the patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions, copyrights, licenses and other intellectual property rights and similar rights it believes are necessary or required for use in connection with or development of the product of their respective businesses as described in the Commission Documents and which the failure to so have could have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”). To the knowledge of the Company, the product of the Company as described in the Commission Documents is not now infringing, any valid claim of any issued patents, copyrights or trademarks of others. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, the Company has not conducted a “freedom to operate” study. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a notice (written or otherwise) that any of the Intellectual Property Rights has expired, terminated or been abandoned, or is expected to expire or terminate or be abandoned, within two (2) years from the date of this Agreement, except where such action would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Other than as described in the Commission Documents, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the Commission Documents, a written notice of a claim or otherwise has any knowledge that the Company’s products or planned products as described in the Commission Documents violate or infringe upon the rights of any Person, except as could not have or reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, to the knowledge of the Company, all of the Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, the Company and the Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their intellectual properties, except where failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 5.20. Material Contracts. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, the descriptions in the Commission Documents of the material Contracts therein described present fairly in all material respects the information required to be shown, and there are no material Contracts of a character required to be described in the Commission Documents or to be filed as exhibits thereto which are not described or filed as required; all material Contracts between the Company and third parties expressly referenced in the Commission Documents are legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each other contracting party thereto, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles, and except where the failure of any such Contract to be enforceable in accordance with its terms would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.21. Transactions With Affiliates. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, none of the officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, providing for the borrowing of money from or lending of money to or otherwise requiring payments to or from, any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee, stockholder, member or partner, in each case in excess of $120,000 other than for (i) payment of salary or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and (iii) other employee benefits, including stock option agreements under any stock option plan of the Company.
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Section 5.22. Labor Relations. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, no labor dispute exists or, to the Knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any of the employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, none of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ employees is a member of a union that relates to such employee’s relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company believes that its relationships with its employees are good. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Laws relating to employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where the failure to be in compliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.23. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the Company to Investor shall be used by the Company in the manner as will be set forth in the Prospectus included in any Registration Statement (and any post-effective amendment thereto) and any Prospectus Supplement thereto filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
Section 5.24. Investment Company Act Status. The Company is not, and as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares as will be set forth in the Prospectus included in any Registration Statement (and any post-effective amendment thereto) and any Prospectus Supplement thereto filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement the Company will not be required to register as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section 5.25. Tax Matters. Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company (i) has made or filed all United States federal, state and local income and all foreign income and franchise tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject as and when due subject to any applicable extensions, (ii) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, whether or not shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the Company has no Knowledge of any basis for any such claim.
Section 5.26. Insurance. The Company and its Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the business in which the Company and its Subsidiaries are engaged, including, but not limited to, directors and officers insurance coverage. The Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business without a significant increase in cost.
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Section 5.27. Exemption from Registration. Subject to, and in reliance on, the representations, warranties and covenants made herein by the Investor, the offer and sale of the Shares by the Company to the Investor in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D; provided, however, that at the request of and with the express agreement of the Investor (including, without limitation, the representations, warranties and covenants of Investor set forth in Sections 4.10 through 4.13), the Shares to be issued from and after Commencement to or for the benefit of the Investor pursuant to this Agreement shall be issued to the Investor or its designee only as DWAC Shares and will not bear legends noting restrictions as to resale of such securities under federal or state securities laws, nor will any such securities be subject to stop transfer instructions.
Section 5.28. No General Solicitation or Advertising. Neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares.
Section 5.29. No Integrated Offering. None of the Company or any of its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of the offer, issuance and sale by the Company to the Investor of any of the Shares under the Securities Act, whether through integration with prior offerings or otherwise, or cause this offering of the Shares to require approval of stockholders of the Company under any applicable stockholder approval provisions, including, without limitation, under the rules and regulations of the Trading Market. None of the Company, its Affiliates nor any Person acting on their behalf will take any action or steps referred to in the preceding sentence that would require registration of the offer, issuance and sale by the Company to the Investor of any of the Shares under the Securities Act or cause the offering of any of the Shares to be integrated with any other offering of securities of the Company.
Section 5.30. Dilutive Effect. The Company is aware and acknowledges that issuance of the Shares could cause dilution to existing stockholders and could significantly increase the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Company further acknowledges that its obligation to issue the Shares pursuant to the terms of a VWAP Purchase Notice in accordance with this Agreement is, in each case, absolute and unconditional regardless of the dilutive effect that such issuance may have on the ownership interests of other stockholders of the Company.
Section 5.31. Manipulation of Price. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or Affiliates has, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no Person acting on their behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed or intended to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company, or which caused or resulted in, or which would in the future reasonably be expected to cause or result in, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company, in each case to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Shares, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Shares, or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or Affiliates will during the term of this Agreement, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no Person acting on their behalf will during the term of this Agreement, take any of the actions referred to in the immediately preceding sentence.
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Section 5.32. Securities Act. The Company has complied and shall comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws in connection with the offer, issuance and sale of the Shares hereunder, including, without limitation, the applicable requirements of the Securities Act. Each Registration Statement, upon filing with the Commission and at the time it is declared effective by the Commission, shall satisfy all of the requirements of the Securities Act to register the resale of the Registrable Securities included therein by the Investor in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement on a delayed or continuous basis under Rule 415 under the Securities Act at then-prevailing market prices, and not fixed prices. The Company is not currently, and has never been, an issuer identified in, or subject to, Rule 144(i)(1).
Section 5.33. Listing and Maintenance Requirements; DTC Eligibility. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its Knowledge is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration. The Company has not received notice from the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, from such Eligible Market) to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of the Trading Market (or of such Eligible Market, as applicable). The Company is in compliance with all applicable listing and maintenance requirements of the Trading Market. The Common Stock may be issued and transferred electronically to third parties via DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian (“DWAC”) delivery system. The Company has not received notice from DTC to the effect that a suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by DTC with respect to the Common Stock is being imposed or is contemplated.
Section 5.34. Application of Takeover Protections. The Company and its Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Company’s Charter or the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, that is or could become applicable to the Investor as a result of the Investor and the Company fulfilling their respective obligations or exercising their respective rights under the Transaction Documents (as applicable), including, without limitation, as a result of the Company’s issuance of the Shares and the Investor’s ownership of the Shares.
Section 5.35. Foreign Corrupt Practices. None of the Company and its Subsidiaries or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Company and its Subsidiaries or any other person acting on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries, has, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any money, gift or similar benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers in the ordinary course of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or agent of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any Governmental Authority (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or other Person who was, is, or may be in a position to help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist it in connection with any actual or proposed transaction) that (i) might subject the Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental litigation or proceeding, (ii) if not given in the past, might have had a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) if not continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets, business, operations or prospects of the Company. The Company has taken reasonable steps to ensure that its accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply in all material respects with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the “FCPA”).
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Section 5.36. Office of Foreign Assets Control. None of the Company and its Subsidiaries or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Company and its Subsidiaries or any other Person acting on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries, is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”), and the Company will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the sale of Shares to the Investor hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
Section 5.37. Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Authority (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no material action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened.
Section 5.38. ERISA. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, each employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and all stock purchase, stock option, stock-based severance, employment, change-in-control, medical, disability, fringe benefit, bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, employee loan and all other employee benefit plans, agreements, programs, policies or other arrangements, whether or not subject to ERISA, that is maintained, administered or contributed to by the Company or any of its Affiliates for employees or former employees, directors or independent contractors of the Company, or under which the Company has had or has any present or future obligation or liability, has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable federal, state, local and foreign Laws, including but not limited to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred which would result in a material liability to the Company with respect to any such plan excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption; no event has occurred (including a “reportable event” as such term is defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) and no condition exists that would subject the Company to any material tax, fine, lien, penalty, or liability imposed by ERISA, the Code or other applicable Law; and for each such plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, no “accumulated funding deficiency” as defined in Section 412 of the Code has been incurred, whether or not waived, and the fair market value of the assets of each such plan (excluding for these purposes accrued but unpaid contributions) exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such plan determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions.
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Section 5.39. IT Systems. (i) Except as otherwise described in the Commission Documents, and except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, (x) there has been no security breach or attack or other compromise of or relating to any of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ information technology and computer systems, networks, hardware, software, data (including the data of its customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and any third party data maintained by or on its behalf), equipment or technology (“IT Systems and Data”), and (y) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has not been notified of, and has no Knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any security breach, attack or compromise to its IT Systems and Data, (ii) the Company and its Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects, and are presently in material compliance with, all applicable Laws of any Governmental Authority and all industry guidelines, standards, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification and (iii) the Company and its Subsidiaries have implemented backup and disaster recovery technology consistent with industry standards and practice.
Section 5.40. Privacy Laws. To the Company’s Knowledge, the Company and its Subsidiaries are, and during the past three (3) years have been, in material compliance with all applicable data privacy and security Laws (“Privacy Laws”). The Company and its Subsidiaries have in place, complies with, and takes appropriate steps reasonably designed to ensure compliance in all material respects with its policies and procedures relating to data privacy and security and the collection, storage, use, disclosure, handling and analysis of Personal Data (the “Policies”). The Company and its Subsidiaries provide accurate notice of its Policies to their respective customers, employees, third party vendors and representatives. The Policies provide accurate and sufficient notice of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ then-current privacy practices relating to its subject matter and such Policies do not contain any material omissions of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ then-current privacy practices. “Personal Data” means (i) a natural persons’ name, street address, telephone number, email address, photograph, social security number, bank information, or customer or account number; (ii) any information which would qualify as “personally identifying information” under the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended; (iii) “personal data” as defined by GDPR; and (iv) any other piece of information that allows the identification of such natural person, or his or her family, or permits the collection or analysis of any data related to an identified person’s health or sexual orientation. None of such disclosures made or contained in any of the Policies have been inaccurate, misleading, deceptive or in violation of any Privacy Laws or Policies in any material respect. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents will not result in a breach of any Privacy Laws or Policies. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has received notice of any actual or potential liability under or relating to, or actual or potential violation of, any of the Privacy Laws, and has no Knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any such notice; (ii) is currently conducting or paying for, in whole or in part, any investigation, remediation or other corrective action pursuant to any Privacy Law; or (iii) is a party to any Order or agreement that imposed any obligation or liability under any Privacy Law.
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Section 5.41. [Reserved].
Section 5.42. Margin Rules. Neither the issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares nor the application of the proceeds thereof by the Company as described in the Commission Documents will violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board of Governors.
Section 5.43. [Reserved].
Section 5.44. Smaller Reporting Company Status. As of the Closing Date the Company was, and as of the Commencement Date the Company will be, a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Section 5.45. No Disqualification Events. None of the Company, any of its predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any director, executive officer, other officer of the Company participating in the offering contemplated hereby, any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting equity securities, calculated on the basis of voting power, nor any promoter (as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) connected with the Company in any capacity at the time of sale (each, an “Issuer Covered Person”) is subject to any of the “Bad Actor” disqualifications described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i) to (viii) under the Securities Act (a “Disqualification Event”), except for a Disqualification Event covered by Rule 506(d)(2) or (d)(3) under the Securities Act. The Company has exercised reasonable care to determine whether any Issuer Covered Person is subject to a Disqualification Event.
Section 5.46. Acknowledgement Regarding Investor’s Acquisition of Shares. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Investor is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s-length purchaser with respect to this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Company further acknowledges that the Investor is not acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and any advice given by the Investor or any of its representatives or agents in connection therewith is merely incidental to the Investor’s acquisition of the Shares. The Company further represents to the Investor that the Company’s decision to enter into the Transaction Documents to which it is a party has been based solely on the independent evaluation of the transactions contemplated thereby by the Company and its representatives. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Investor has not made and does not make any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents other than those specifically set forth in Article IV.
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ARTICLE VI
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
The Company covenants with the Investor, and the Investor covenants with the Company, as follows, which covenants of one party are for the benefit of the other party, during the Investment Period (and with respect to the Company, for the period following the termination of this Agreement specified in Section 8.3 pursuant to and in accordance with Section 8.3):
Section 6.1. Securities Compliance. The Company shall notify the Commission and the Trading Market, if and as applicable, in accordance with their respective rules and regulations, of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and shall take all necessary action, undertake all proceedings and obtain all registrations, permits, consents and approvals for the legal and valid issuance of the Shares to the Investor in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents, as applicable.
Section 6.2. Reservation of Common Stock. The Company has available and the Company shall reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive and other similar rights of stockholders, the requisite aggregate number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to enable the Company to timely effect the issuance, sale and delivery of all Shares to be issued, sold and delivered in respect of each VWAP Purchase effected under this Agreement, at least prior to the delivery by the Company to the Investor of the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice in connection with such VWAP Purchase. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, as of the date of this Agreement the Company has reserved, and as of the Commencement Date shall have continued to reserve, out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock solely for the purpose of issuing the Shares in connection with each VWAP Purchase solely for the purpose of issuing Shares pursuant to one or more VWAP Purchases that may be effected by the Company, in its sole discretion, from time to time from and after the Commencement Date under this Agreement. The number of shares of Common Stock so reserved for the purpose of effecting issuances of Shares pursuant to VWAP Purchases under this Agreement may be increased from time to time by the Company from and after the Commencement Date, and such number of reserved shares may be reduced from and after the Commencement Date only by the number of Shares actually issued, sold and delivered to the Investor pursuant to any VWAP Purchase effected from and after the Commencement Date pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 6.3. Registration and Listing. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Common Stock to continue to be registered as a class of securities under Sections 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and to comply with its reporting and filing obligations under the Exchange Act, and shall not take any action or file any document (whether or not permitted by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) to terminate or suspend such registration or to terminate or suspend its reporting and filing obligations under the Exchange Act or Securities Act, except as permitted herein. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to continue the listing and trading of its Common Stock and the listing of the Shares purchased or acquired by the Investor hereunder on the Trading Market (or another Eligible Market) and to comply with the Company’s reporting, filing and other obligations under the rules and regulations of the Trading Market (or other Eligible Market, as applicable). The Company shall not take any action which could be reasonably expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or other Eligible Market, as applicable). If the Company receives any final and non-appealable notice that the listing or quotation of the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or other Eligible Market, as applicable) shall be terminated on a date certain, the Company shall promptly (and in any case within 24 hours) notify the Investor of such fact in writing and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Common Stock to be listed or quoted on another Eligible Market.
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Section 6.4. Compliance with Laws.
(i) During the Investment Period, the Company shall comply with applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including Regulation M thereunder, applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws, and applicable listing rules of the Trading Market or Eligible Market, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, prohibit or otherwise interfere with the ability of the Company to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect or for Investor to conduct resales of Shares under the Registration Statement in any material respect.
(ii) The Investor shall comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders applicable to the performance by it of its obligations under this Agreement and its investment in the Shares, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, prohibit or otherwise interfere with the ability of the Investor to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect. Without limiting the foregoing, the Investor shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including Regulation M thereunder, and all applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
Section 6.5. Keeping of Records and Books of Account; Due Diligence.
(i) The Investor and the Company shall each maintain records showing the remaining Total Commitment, the remaining Aggregate Limit, and the dates and VWAP Purchase Share Amount for each VWAP Purchase.
(ii) Subject to the requirements of Section 6.12, from time to time from and after the Closing Date, the Company shall make available for inspection and review by the Investor during normal business hours and after reasonable notice, customary documentation reasonably requested by the Investor and/or its appointed counsel or advisors to conduct due diligence; provided, however, that after the Closing Date, the Investor’s continued due diligence shall not be a condition precedent to the Commencement or to the Investor’s obligation to accept each VWAP Purchase Notice timely delivered by the Company to the Investor in accordance with this Agreement.
Section 6.6. No Frustration; No Variable Rate Transactions; Subsequent Equity Sales.
(i) No Frustration. The Company shall not enter into, announce or recommend to its stockholders any agreement, plan, arrangement or transaction in or of which the terms thereof would restrict, materially delay, conflict with or impair the ability or right of the Company to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, including, without limitation, the obligation of the Company to deliver the Shares to the Investor in respect of a VWAP Purchase not later than the applicable VWAP Purchase Settlement Date for such VWAP Purchase in accordance with Section 3.2. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 6.6(i) shall in any way limit the Company’s right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.2 (subject in all cases to Section 8.3).
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(ii) No Variable Rate Transactions. From and after the date of this Agreement until the first day of the month next following the 24-month anniversary of the Closing Date, irrespective of any earlier termination of this Agreement, none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall effect or enter into an agreement to effect any issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) involving a Variable Rate Transaction, other than in connection with an Exempt Issuance. The Investor shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief against the Company and its Subsidiaries to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.
(iii) Subsequent Equity Sales. During the VWAP Purchase Valuation Period, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall (i) issue, enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or (ii) file any registration statement or any amendment or supplement thereto, in each case other than as contemplated pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
Section 6.7. Corporate Existence. The Company shall take all steps necessary to preserve and continue the corporate existence of the Company; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 6.8, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the Company from engaging in any Fundamental Transaction with another Person. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 6.7 shall in any way limit the Company’s right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.2 (subject in all cases to Section 8.3).
Section 6.8. Fundamental Transaction. If a VWAP Purchase Notice has been timely and properly delivered to the Investor for a VWAP Purchase under this Agreement, but the payment for, against issuance and delivery as DWAC Shares to the Investor of, all of the Shares constituting the full VWAP Purchase Share Amount purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase has not been fully settled in accordance with this Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 3.2 of this Agreement, the Company shall not effect any Fundamental Transaction until the expiration of three (3) Trading Days following the later of (i) the VWAP Purchase Settlement Date for the VWAP Purchase to which such VWAP Purchase Notice relates and (ii) such later Trading Day on which the payment for, against issuance and delivery as DWAC Shares to the Investor of, all of such Shares constituting the entire VWAP Purchase Share Amount purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase shall have been fully settled in accordance with this Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 3.2 of this Agreement.
Section 6.9. Selling Restrictions. The Investor covenants and agrees that commencing upon the execution of this Agreement on the Closing Date and ending on the date of any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 (the “Restricted Period”), neither the Investor nor any of its Affiliates nor any entity managed or controlled by the Investor (collectively, the “Restricted Persons” and each of the foregoing is referred to herein as a “Restricted Person”) shall, directly or indirectly, (i) engage in or effect any Short Sales of Common Stock or (ii) execute any stock pledge, forward sales contract, option, put, call, swap or similar hedging arrangement (including on a total return basis), which establishes a net short position with respect to the Common Stock. In addition to the foregoing, in connection with any resale of Shares by the Investor, each of the Restricted Persons shall comply in all respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, Regulation SHO, and all orders of any regulatory authority applicable to any Restricted Person.
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Section 6.10. Effective Registration Statement. During the Investment Period, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the continuous effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement and each New Registration Statement filed with the Commission under the Securities Act for the applicable Registration Period pursuant to and in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.
Section 6.11. Blue Sky. The Company shall take such action, if any, as is necessary by the Company in order to obtain an exemption for or to qualify the Shares for sale by the Company to the Investor pursuant to the Transaction Documents, and at the request of the Investor, the subsequent resale of Registrable Securities by the Investor, in each case, under applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws and shall provide evidence of any such action so taken to the Investor from time to time following the Closing Date; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 6.11, (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction.
Section 6.12. Non-Public Information. Neither the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents shall disclose any material non-public information about the Company to the Investor, unless a simultaneous public announcement thereof is made by the Company in the manner contemplated by Regulation FD. In the event of a breach of the foregoing covenant by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees and agents (as determined in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Investor), (i) the Investor shall promptly provide written notice of such breach to the Company and (ii) after such notice has been provided to the Company and, provided that the Company shall have failed to publicly disclose such material, non-public information within 24 hours following demand therefor by the Investor, in addition to any other remedy provided herein or in the other Transaction Documents, the Investor shall have the right to make a public disclosure, in the form of a press release, public advertisement or otherwise, of such material, non-public information without the prior approval by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents. The Investor shall not have any liability to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders or agents, for any such disclosure.
Section 6.13. Broker-Dealer. The Investor shall use one or more broker-dealers to effectuate all sales, if any, of the Shares that it may purchase or otherwise acquire from the Company pursuant to the Transaction Documents, as applicable, which shall be unaffiliated with the Investor and not then currently engaged or used by the Company, and shall be a DTC participant (collectively, the “Broker-Dealer”). The Investor shall, from time to time, provide the Company and its transfer agent with all information regarding the Broker-Dealer reasonably requested by the Company. The Investor shall be solely responsible for all fees and commissions of the Broker-Dealer, which shall not exceed customary brokerage fees and commissions.
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Section 6.14. Disclosure Schedule.
(i) The Company may, from time to time, update the Disclosure Schedule as may be required to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 7.2(i) and Section 7.3(i) (to the extent such condition set forth in Section 7.3(i) relates to the condition in Section 7.2(i) as of a specific VWAP Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time). For purposes of this Section 6.14, any disclosure made in a schedule to the Compliance Certificate shall be deemed to be an update of the Disclosure Schedule. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no update to the Disclosure Schedule pursuant to this Section 6.14 shall cure any breach of a representation or warranty of the Company contained in this Agreement and made prior to the update and shall not affect any of the Investor’s rights or remedies with respect thereto.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Disclosure Schedule or in this Agreement, the information and disclosure contained in any Schedule of the Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to be disclosed and incorporated by reference in any other Schedule of the Disclosure Schedule as though fully set forth in such Schedule for which applicability of such information and disclosure is readily apparent on its face. The fact that any item of information is disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule shall not be construed to mean that such information is required to be disclosed by this Agreement. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, such information and the thresholds (whether based on quantity, qualitative characterization, dollar amounts or otherwise) set forth herein shall not be used as a basis for interpreting the terms “material” or “Material Adverse Effect” or other similar terms in this Agreement.
Section 6.15. Delivery of Compliance Certificates and Bring-Down Opinion/Negative Assurance Letters Upon Occurrence of Certain Events. Within three (3) Trading Days immediately following: (i) each date on which the Company files with the Commission (A) an annual report on Form 10-K under the Exchange Act, (B) a Form 10-K/A containing amended (or restated) material financial information or a material amendment to a previously filed annual report on Form 10-K, or (C) a current report on Form 8-K containing amended (or restated) material financial information (other than information “furnished” pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or to provide disclosure pursuant to Item 8.01 of Form 8-K relating to the reclassification of certain properties as discontinued operations in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144) under the Exchange Act; and (ii) the Effective Date of (A) each post-effective amendment to the Initial Registration Statement, (B) each New Registration Statement and (C) each post-effective amendment to each New Registration Statement (each such time in clauses (i) and (ii), a “Representation Date”), the Company shall (I) deliver to the Investor a Compliance Certificate, dated the date of delivery to the Investor, and (II) cause to be furnished to the Investor the opinions and negative assurance letter from outside counsel to the Company, dated the date of delivery to the Investor, substantially in the forms mutually agreed to by the Company and the Investor prior to the date of this Agreement, modified, as necessary, to relate to a New Registration Statement or a post-effective amendment to the Initial Registration Statement or a New Registration Statement, and the Prospectus contained in a Registration Statement or post-effective amendment as then amended or supplemented by any Prospectus Supplement thereto as of the date of such letter, as applicable (each, a “Bring-Down Opinion/Negative Assurance Letter”). The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that if the Company has not timely provided the Investor with the documents identified in clauses (I) and (II) of the first sentence of this Section 6.15 following a Representation Date pursuant to this Section 6.15, the Company shall not deliver any VWAP Purchase Notices to the Investor during the period beginning on the Representation Date with respect to which such documents have not been provided to the Investor, and ending on the Trading Day on which the Investor has received each of the documents identified in clauses (I) and (II) of the first sentence of this Section 6.15, each such document dated the date on which the Investor has received all such documents.
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ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING, COMMENCEMENT AND VWAP PURCHASES
Section 7.1. Conditions Precedent to Closing. The Closing is subject to the satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in this Section 7.1 on the Closing Date.
(i) Accuracy of the Investor’s Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Investor contained in this Agreement (a) that are not qualified by “materiality” shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such other date and (b) that are qualified by “materiality” shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such other date.
(ii) Accuracy of the Company’s Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement (a) that are not qualified by “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such other date and (b) that are qualified by “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such other date.
(iii) Payment of Investor Expense Reimbursement; Payment of Commitment Fee. On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Investor on or prior to the date hereof, the Investor Expense Reimbursement in accordance with Section 10.1(i), all of which Investor Expense Reimbursement shall be fully earned and non-refundable as of the Closing Date, regardless of whether the Commencement shall occur, any VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement. Upon Closing, the Company shall issue 156,000 shares of restricted Common Stock as the Commitment Fee; provided, however, that the Company shall not issue any shares under the Commitment Fee before the Company has filed New York Stock Exchange Supplemental Listing Application. The Company shall issue an additional 144,000 shares of Common Stock as the Commitment Fee upon the earlier of (i) a prepayment advance against a commitment or (ii) the effectiveness of the Registration Statement as declared by the SEC. For the avoidance of doubt, the entire Commitment Fee shall be fully earned as of the Closing Date, regardless of whether the Commencement shall occur, any VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement.
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(iv) Closing Deliverables. At the Closing, counterpart signature pages of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement executed by each of the parties hereto shall be delivered as provided in Section 2.2. Simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, the Investor’s counsel shall have received (a) the opinions of outside counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the forms mutually agreed to by the Company and the Investor prior to the date of this Agreement, (b) a copy of the wire instructions executed by the Company directing payment of the Investor Expense Reimbursement by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Investor on or prior to the Closing Date, (c) the closing certificate from the Company, dated the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit B hereto, and (d) the irrevocable transfer agent instruction letter to issue the initial shares of the Commitment Fee.
Section 7.2. Conditions Precedent to Commencement. The right of the Company to commence delivering VWAP Purchase Notices under this Agreement, and the obligation of the Investor to accept VWAP Purchase Notices delivered to the Investor by the Company under this Agreement, are subject to the initial satisfaction, at Commencement, of each of the conditions set forth in this Section 7.2.
(i) Accuracy of the Company’s Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement (a) that are not qualified by “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall have been true and correct in all material respects when made and shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Commencement Date with the same force and effect as if made on such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such other date and (b) that are qualified by “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall have been true and correct when made and shall be true and correct as of the Commencement Date with the same force and effect as if made on such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such other date.
(ii) Performance of the Company. The Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to the Commencement. The Company shall deliver to the Investor on the Commencement Date the compliance certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Compliance Certificate”).
(iii) Initial Registration Statement Effective. The Initial Registration Statement covering the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities included therein required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 2(a) of the Registration Rights Agreement shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act by the Commission, and the Investor shall be permitted to utilize the Prospectus therein to resell all of the Shares included in such Prospectus.
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(iv) No Material Notices. None of the following events shall have occurred and be continuing: (a) receipt of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state Governmental Authority for any additional information relating to the Initial Registration Statement, the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto, or for any amendment of or supplement to the Initial Registration Statement, the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto; (b) the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state Governmental Authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement or prohibiting or suspending the use of the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto, or of the suspension of qualification or exemption from qualification of the Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or contemplated initiation of any proceeding for such purpose; or (c) the occurrence of any event or the existence of any condition or state of facts, which makes any statement of a material fact made in the Initial Registration Statement, the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto untrue or which requires the making of any additions to or changes to the statements then made in the Initial Registration Statement, the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto in order to state a material fact required by the Securities Act to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements then made therein (in the case of the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or which requires an amendment to the Initial Registration Statement or a supplement to the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto to comply with the Securities Act or any other law. The Company shall have no Knowledge of any event that would reasonably be expected to have the effect of causing the suspension of the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement or the prohibition or suspension of the use of the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto in connection with the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor.
(v) Other Commission Filings. The Current Report and the Form D shall have been filed with the Commission as required pursuant to Section 2.3. The final Prospectus included in the Initial Registration Statement shall have been filed with the Commission prior to Commencement in accordance with Section 2.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement. All reports, schedules, registrations, forms, statements, information and other documents required to have been filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, including all material required to have been filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to Commencement shall have been filed with the Commission.
(vi) No Suspension of Trading in or Notice of Delisting of Common Stock. Trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission, the Trading Market or FINRA (except for any suspension of trading of limited duration agreed to by the Company, which suspension shall be terminated prior to the Commencement Date), the Company shall not have received any final and non-appealable notice that the listing or quotation of the Common Stock on the Trading Market shall be terminated on a date certain (unless, prior to such date certain, the Common Stock is listed or quoted on any other Eligible Market), nor shall there have been imposed any suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by DTC with respect to the Common Stock that is continuing, the Company shall not have received any notice from DTC to the effect that a suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by DTC with respect to the Common Stock is being imposed or is contemplated (unless, prior to such suspension or restriction, DTC shall have notified the Company in writing that DTC has determined not to impose any such suspension or restriction).
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(vii) Compliance with Laws. The Company shall have complied with all applicable federal, state and local governmental laws, rules, regulations and ordinances in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the Company shall have obtained all permits and qualifications required by any applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws for the offer and sale of the Shares by the Company to the Investor and the subsequent resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor (or shall have the availability of exemptions therefrom).
(viii) No Injunction. No statute, regulation, order, decree, writ, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated, threatened or endorsed by any court or Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction which prohibits the consummation of or which would materially modify or delay any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
(ix) No Proceedings or Litigation. No action, suit or proceeding before any arbitrator or any court or Governmental Authority shall have been commenced, and no inquiry or investigation by any Governmental Authority shall have been commenced, against the Company or any Subsidiary, or any of the officers, directors or affiliates of the Company or any Subsidiary, seeking to restrain, prevent or change the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, or seeking material damages in connection with such transactions.
(x) Listing of Shares. All of the Shares that have been and may be issued pursuant to this Agreement shall have been approved for listing or quotation on the Trading Market (or on an Eligible Market) as of the Commencement Date, subject only to notice of issuance.
(xi) No Material Adverse Effect. No condition, occurrence, state of facts or event constituting a Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred and be continuing.
(xii) No Bankruptcy Proceedings. No Person shall have commenced a proceeding against the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law. The Company shall not have, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, (a) commenced a voluntary case, (b) consented to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (c) consented to the appointment of a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or (d) made a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors. A court of competent jurisdiction shall not have entered an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (I) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (II) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or (III) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
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(xiii) [Reserved].
(xiv) Delivery of Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions and Notice of Effectiveness. The Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions shall have been executed by the Company and delivered to and acknowledged in writing by the Company’s transfer agent, and the Notice of Effectiveness relating to the Initial Registration Statement shall have been executed by the Company’s outside counsel and delivered to the Company’s transfer agent, in each case directing the Company’s transfer agent to issue to the Investor or its designated Broker-Dealer all of the Shares included in the Initial Registration Statement as DWAC Shares in accordance with this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
(xv) Reservation of Shares. As of the Commencement Date, the Company shall have reserved out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock solely for the purpose of issuing Shares pursuant to VWAP Purchases that may be effected by the Company, in its sole discretion, from and after the Commencement Date under this Agreement.
(xvi) Opinions and Negative Assurances of Company Counsel. On the Commencement Date, the Investor shall have received the opinions and negative assurances from outside counsel to the Company, dated the Commencement Date, substantially in the forms mutually agreed to by the Company and the Investor prior to the date of this Agreement.
Section 7.3. Conditions Precedent to Purchases after Commencement Date. The right of the Company to deliver a VWAP Purchase Notice under this Agreement after the Commencement Date, and the obligation of the Investor to accept a VWAP Purchase Notice delivered to the Investor by the Company under this Agreement after the Commencement Date, are subject to the satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in this Section 7.3 at the applicable VWAP Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time for the VWAP Purchase to be effected by such VWAP Purchase Notice.
(i) Satisfaction of Certain Prior Conditions. Each of the conditions set forth in subsections (i), (ii), and (vii) through (xiii) set forth in Section 7.2 shall be satisfied at each VWAP Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time after the Commencement Date (with the terms “Commencement” and “Commencement Date” in the conditions set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) of Section 7.2 replaced with “applicable VWAP Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time”); provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to deliver the Compliance Certificate after the Commencement Date, except as provided in Section 6.15 and Section 7.3(x).
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(ii) Initial Registration Statement Effective. The Initial Registration Statement covering the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities included therein filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 2(a) of the Registration Rights Agreement, and any post-effective amendment thereto required to be filed by the Company with the Commission after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable VWAP Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, in each case shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act by the Commission and shall remain effective for the applicable Registration Period (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), and the Investor shall be permitted to utilize the Prospectus therein, and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, to resell all of the Shares included in the Initial Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto, that have been issued and sold to the Investor hereunder pursuant to all VWAP Purchase Notices delivered by the Company to the Investor prior to the delivery of the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice on the applicable VWAP Purchase Exercise Date, and (c) all of the Shares included in the Initial Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto, that are issuable pursuant to the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice delivered by the Company to the Investor for a VWAP Purchase in accordance with this Agreement.
(iii) Any Required New Registration Statement Effective. Any New Registration Statement covering the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities included therein, and any post-effective amendment thereto, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable VWAP Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time, in each case shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act by the Commission and shall remain effective for the applicable Registration Period, and the Investor shall be permitted to utilize the Prospectus therein, and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, to resell all of the Shares included in such New Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto, that have been issued and sold to the Investor hereunder pursuant to all VWAP Purchase Notices delivered by the Company to the Investor prior to the delivery of the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice on the applicable VWAP Purchase Exercise Date, and (c) all of the Shares included in such New Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto, that are issuable pursuant to the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice delivered by the Company to the Investor for a VWAP Purchase in accordance with this Agreement.
(iv) Delivery of Subsequent Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions and Notice of Effectiveness. With respect to any post-effective amendment to the Initial Registration Statement, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment to any New Registration Statement, in each case declared effective by the Commission after the Commencement Date, the Company shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to its transfer agent (a) irrevocable instructions in the form substantially similar to the Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions executed by the Company and acknowledged in writing by the Company’s transfer agent and (b) the Notice of Effectiveness, in each case modified as necessary to refer to such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment and the Registrable Securities included therein, to issue the Registrable Securities included therein as DWAC Shares in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
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(v) No Material Notices. None of the following events shall have occurred and be continuing: (a) receipt of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state Governmental Authority for any additional information relating to the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto, or for any amendment of or supplement to the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto; (b) the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state Governmental Authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or prohibiting or suspending the use of the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto, or of the suspension of qualification or exemption from qualification of the Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or contemplated initiation of any proceeding for such purpose; or (c) the occurrence of any event or the existence of any condition or state of facts, which makes any statement of a material fact made in the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto untrue or which requires the making of any additions to or changes to the statements then made in the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto in order to state a material fact required by the Securities Act to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements then made therein (in the case of the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or which requires an amendment to the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto to comply with the Securities Act or any other law (other than the transactions contemplated by the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice delivered by the Company to the Investor with respect to a VWAP Purchase to be effected hereunder). The Company shall have no Knowledge of any event that would reasonably be expected to have the effect of causing the suspension of the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the prohibition or suspension of the use of the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto in connection with the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor.
(vi) Other Commission Filings. The final Prospectus included in any post-effective amendment to the Initial Registration Statement, and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 2.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable VWAP Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Section 2.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement. The final Prospectus included in any New Registration Statement and in any post-effective amendment thereto, and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 2.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable VWAP Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Section 2.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement. All reports, schedules, registrations, forms, statements, information and other documents required to have been filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, including all material required to have been filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable VWAP Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time shall have been filed with the Commission and, if any Registrable Securities are covered by a Registration Statement on Form S-3, such filings shall have been made within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing under the Exchange Act.
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(vii) No Suspension of Trading in or Notice of Delisting of Common Stock. Trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission, the Trading Market or FINRA (except for any suspension of trading of limited duration agreed to by the Company, which suspension shall be terminated prior to the applicable VWAP Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time), the Company shall not have received any final and non-appealable notice that the listing or quotation of the Common Stock on the Trading Market shall be terminated on a date certain (unless, prior to such date certain, the Common Stock is listed or quoted on any other Eligible Market), nor shall there have been imposed any suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by DTC with respect to the Common Stock that is continuing, the Company shall not have received any notice from DTC to the effect that a suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by DTC with respect to the Common Stock is being imposed or is contemplated (unless, prior to such suspension or restriction, DTC shall have notified the Company in writing that DTC has determined not to impose any such suspension or restriction).
(viii) Certain Limitations. The issuance and sale of the Shares issuable pursuant to the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice shall not (a) exceed the applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount, (b) cause the Aggregate Limit or the Beneficial Ownership Limitation to be exceeded, or (c) cause the Exchange Cap (to the extent applicable under Section 3.3) to be exceeded, unless in the case of this clause (c), the Company’s stockholders have theretofore approved the issuance of Common Stock under this Agreement in excess of the Exchange Cap in accordance with the applicable rules of the Trading Market.
(ix) Shares Authorized and Delivered. All of the Shares issuable pursuant to the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice shall have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company. The Company shall have delivered to the Investor (or its designated Broker-Dealer), and the Investor (or its designated Broker-Dealer) shall have received, all Shares relating to all prior VWAP Purchase Notices as DWAC Shares.
(x) Bring-Down Opinion/Negative Assurance Letters; Compliance Certificates. The Investor shall have received (a) all Bring-Down Opinion/Negative Assurance Letters from outside counsel to the Company, which the Company was obligated to instruct its outside counsel to deliver to the Investor prior to the applicable VWAP Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time for the applicable VWAP Purchase, and (b) all Compliance Certificates from the Company that the Company was obligated to deliver to the Investor prior to the applicable VWAP Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time for the applicable VWAP Purchase, in each case in accordance with Section 6.15.
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ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION
Section 8.1. Automatic Termination. Unless earlier terminated as provided hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate automatically on the earliest to occur of (i) the first day of the month next following the 24-month anniversary of the Closing Date, (ii) the date on which the Investor shall have purchased the Total Commitment worth of Shares pursuant to this Agreement, (iii) the date on which the Common Stock shall have failed to be listed or quoted on the Trading Market or any Eligible Market, (iv) the thirtieth (30th) Trading Day next following the date on which, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, the Company commences a voluntary case or any Person commences a proceeding against the Company, in each case that is not discharged or dismissed prior to such thirtieth (30th) Trading Day, and (v) the date on which, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, a Custodian is appointed for the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or the Company makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors.
Section 8.2. Other Termination. Subject to Section 8.3, the Company may terminate this Agreement after the Commencement Date effective upon five (5) Trading Days’ prior written notice to the Investor in accordance with Section 10.4; provided, however, that (i) the Company shall have paid the entire Commitment Fee to the Investor in accordance with this Agreement and paid all fees and amounts to the Investor’s counsel required to be paid pursuant to Section 10.1 of this Agreement prior to such termination, and (ii) prior to issuing any press release, or making any public statement or announcement, with respect to such termination, the Company shall consult with the Investor and its counsel on the form and substance of such press release or other disclosure. Subject to Section 8.3, this Agreement may be terminated at any time by the mutual written consent of the parties, effective as of the date of such mutual written consent unless otherwise provided in such written consent. Subject to Section 8.3, the Investor shall have the right to terminate this Agreement effective upon five (5) Trading Days’ prior written notice to the Company in accordance with Section 10.4, if: (a) any condition, occurrence, state of facts or event constituting a Material Adverse Effect has occurred and is continuing; (b) a Fundamental Transaction shall have occurred; (c) the Initial Registration Statement and any New Registration Statement is not filed by the applicable Filing Deadline therefor or declared effective by the Commission by the applicable Effectiveness Deadline (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) therefor, or the Company is otherwise in breach or default in any material respect under any of the other provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, and, if such failure, breach or default is capable of being cured, such failure, breach or default is not cured within 10 Trading Days after notice of such failure, breach or default is delivered to the Company pursuant to Section 10.4; (d) while a Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto, is required to be maintained effective pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement and the Investor holds any Registrable Securities, the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto, lapses for any reason (including, without limitation, the issuance of a stop order by the Commission) or such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto otherwise becomes unavailable to the Investor for the resale of all of the Registrable Securities included therein in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, and such lapse or unavailability continues for a period of 20 consecutive Trading Days or for more than an aggregate of 45 Trading Days in any 365-day period, other than due to acts of the Investor; (e) trading in the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, trading in the Common Stock on such Eligible Market) shall have been suspended and such suspension continues for a period of three (3) consecutive Trading Days; or (f) the Company is in material breach or default of this Agreement, and, if such breach or default is capable of being cured, such breach or default is not cured within 10 Trading Days after notice of such breach or default is delivered to the Company pursuant to Section 10.4. Unless notification thereof is required elsewhere in this Agreement (in which case such notification shall be provided in accordance with such other provision), the Company shall promptly (but in no event later than 24 hours) notify the Investor (and, if required under applicable law, including, without limitation, Regulation FD promulgated by the Commission, or under the applicable rules and regulations of the Trading Market, the Company shall publicly disclose such information in accordance with Regulation FD and the applicable rules and regulations of the Trading Market) upon becoming aware of any of the events set forth in the immediately preceding sentence.
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Section 8.3. Effect of Termination. In the event of termination by the Company or the Investor (other than by mutual termination) pursuant to Section 8.2, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other party as provided in Section 10.4 and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be terminated without further action by either party. If this Agreement is terminated as provided in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2, this Agreement shall become void and of no further force and effect, except that (i) the provisions of Article V (Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company), Article IX (Indemnification), Article X (Miscellaneous) and this Article VIII (Termination) shall remain in full force and effect indefinitely notwithstanding such termination, (ii) the covenants and agreements of the Company and the Investor contained in Section 6.6(ii) shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination until the first day of the month next following the 24-month anniversary of the Closing Date; provided that such covenants and agreements of the Company and the Investor contained in Section 6.6(ii) shall be of no further force and effect in the event that this Agreement is terminated as provided in Section 8.1 solely as a result of the Investor having purchased the Total Commitment worth of Shares pursuant to this Agreement; and, (iii) so long as the Investor owns any Shares, the covenants and agreements of the Company contained in Article VI (Additional Covenants), other than Section 6.6(ii), shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination for a period of six (6) months following such termination. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no termination of this Agreement by any party shall (i) become effective prior to the fifth (5th) Trading Day immediately following the settlement date related to any pending VWAP Purchase that has not been fully settled in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement (it being hereby acknowledged and agreed that no termination of this Agreement shall limit, alter, modify, change or otherwise affect any of the Company’s or the Investor’s rights or obligations under the Transaction Documents with respect to any pending VWAP Purchase, and that the parties shall fully perform their respective obligations with respect to any such pending VWAP Purchase under the Transaction Documents), (ii) limit, alter, modify, change or otherwise affect the Company’s or the Investor’s rights or obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, all of which shall survive any such termination, (iii) affect the Commitment Fee payable to the Investor, or any rights of the Investor thereto, it being hereby acknowledged and agreed that the entire Commitment Fee shall be fully earned by the Investor as of the date of this Agreement, regardless of whether the Commencement shall have occurred, whether any VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement, or (iv) affect the Investor Expense Reimbursement payable or paid to the Investor, all of which Investor Expense Reimbursement shall be fully earned and non-refundable when paid on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 10.1(i), regardless of whether the Commencement shall have occurred, whether any VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement. Nothing in this Section 8.3 shall be deemed to release the Company or the Investor from any liability for any breach or default under this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, or to impair the rights of the Company and the Investor to compel specific performance by the other party of its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party.
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ARTICLE IX
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 9.1. Indemnification of Investor. In consideration of the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and acquiring the Shares hereunder and in addition to all of the Company’s other obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, subject to the provisions of this Section 9.1, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Investor, each of its directors, officers, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, agents and advisors (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding the lack of such title or any other title), each Person, if any, who controls the Investor (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act), and the respective directors, officers, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, agents and advisors (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding the lack of such title or any other title) of such controlling Persons (each, an “Investor Party”), from and against all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, contingencies, damages, costs and expenses (including all judgments, amounts paid in settlement, court costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of defense and investigation) (collectively, “Damages”) that any Investor Party may suffer or incur as a result of or relating to (a) any breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by the Company in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party or (b) any action, suit, claim or proceeding (including for these purposes a derivative action brought on behalf of the Company) instituted against such Investor Party arising out of or resulting from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of the Transaction Documents, other than claims for indemnification within the scope of Section 6 of the Registration Rights Agreement; provided, however, that (x) the foregoing indemnity shall not apply to any Damages to the extent, but only to the extent, that such Damages resulted directly and primarily from a breach of any of the Investor’s representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement, and (y) the Company shall not be liable under subsection (b) of this Section 9.1 to the extent, but only to the extent, that a court of competent jurisdiction shall have determined by a final judgment (from which no further appeals are available) that such Damages resulted directly and primarily from any acts or failures to act, undertaken or omitted to be taken by such Investor Party through its fraud, bad faith, gross negligence, or willful or reckless misconduct.
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The Company shall reimburse any Investor Party promptly upon demand (with accompanying presentation of documentary evidence) for all legal and other costs and expenses reasonably incurred by such Investor Party in connection with (i) any action, suit, claim or proceeding, whether at law or in equity, to enforce compliance by the Company with any provision of the Transaction Documents or (ii) any other any action, suit, claim or proceeding, whether at law or in equity, with respect to which it is entitled to indemnification under this Section 9.1; provided that the Investor shall promptly reimburse the Company for all such legal and other costs and expenses to the extent a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any Investor Party was not entitled to such reimbursement.
An Investor Party’s right to indemnification or other remedies based upon the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Company set forth in the Transaction Documents shall not in any way be affected by any investigation or knowledge of such Investor Party. Such representations, warranties, covenants and agreements shall not be affected or deemed waived by reason of the fact that an Investor Party knew or should have known that any representation or warranty might be inaccurate or that the Company failed to comply with any agreement or covenant. Any investigation by such Investor Party shall be for its own protection only and shall not affect or impair any right or remedy hereunder.
To the extent that the foregoing undertakings by the Company set forth in this Section 9.1 may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Damages which is permissible under applicable law.
Section 9.2. Indemnification Procedures. Promptly after an Investor Party receives notice of a claim or the commencement of an action for which the Investor Party intends to seek indemnification under Section 9.1, the Investor Party will notify the Company in writing of the claim or commencement of the action, suit or proceeding; provided, however, that failure to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from liability under Section 9.1, except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced by the failure to give notice. The Company will be entitled to participate in the defense of any claim, action, suit or proceeding as to which indemnification is being sought, and if the Company acknowledges in writing the obligation to indemnify the Investor Party against whom the claim or action is brought, the Company may (but will not be required to) assume the defense against the claim, action, suit or proceeding with counsel satisfactory to it. After the Company notifies the Investor Party that the Company wishes to assume the defense of a claim, action, suit or proceeding, the Company will not be liable for any further legal or other expenses incurred by the Investor Party in connection with the defense against the claim, action, suit or proceeding except that if, in the opinion of counsel to the Investor Party, it would be inappropriate under the applicable rules of professional responsibility for the same counsel to represent both the Company and such Investor Party. In such event, the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one separate counsel for all such Investor Parties promptly as such fees and expenses are incurred. Each Investor Party, as a condition to receiving indemnification as provided in Section 9.1, will cooperate in all reasonable respects with the Company in the defense of any action or claim as to which indemnification is sought. The Company will not be liable for any settlement of any action effected without its prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. The Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Investor Party, effect any settlement of a pending or threatened action with respect to which an Investor Party is, or is informed that it may be, made a party and for which it would be entitled to indemnification, unless the settlement includes an unconditional release of the Investor Party from all liability and claims which are the subject matter of the pending or threatened action.
The remedies provided for in this Article IX are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Investor Party at law or in equity.
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ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.1. Certain Fees and Expenses; Commitment Fee; Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions.
(i) Certain Fees and Expenses. Each party shall bear its own fees and expenses related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company shall pay, on or prior to the Closing Date, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Investor on or prior to the date of this Agreement, an aggregate amount up to $70,000 as reimbursement for the Investor’s reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including the Investor’s legal fees and expenses), in connection with the transaction contemplated by the Transaction Documents (the “Investor Expense Reimbursement”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Investor Expense Reimbursement shall be non-refundable when paid on the Closing Date, regardless of whether the Commencement shall occur, any VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement. The Company shall pay all U.S. federal, state and local stamp and other similar transfer and other taxes and duties levied in connection with issuance of the Shares pursuant hereto.
(ii) Commitment Fee. In consideration for the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will issue a total of 300,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate, consisting of 156,000 shares of restricted Common Stock that will be issued at Closing; provided, however, that the Company shall not issue any shares under the Commitment Fee before the Company has filed New York Stock Exchange Supplemental Listing Application, and an additional 144,000 shares of Common Stock that will be issued upon the earlier of (i) a prepayment advance against a commitment or (ii) the effectiveness of the Registration Statement as declared by the SEC. For the avoidance of doubt, the entire Commitment Fee shall be fully earned by the Investor as of the date of this Agreement, regardless of whether the Commencement shall occur, or any VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement.
(iii) Legends. The certificate(s) or book-entry statement(s) representing the Commitment Fee shares (if any) issued prior to the Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement, except as set forth below, shall bear a restrictive legend in substantially the following form (and stop transfer instructions may be placed against transfer of the Commitment Fee shares):
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO: (1) RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (2) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, IN A CUSTOMARY FORM, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing and for the avoidance of doubt, Commitment Fee shares, when the Initial Registration Statement is effective to cover the issuance or resale of the Commitment Fee shares, shall be issued free of legends and the legend shall be removed from the Commitment Fee shares already bearing the legend, and all Shares to be issued in respect of any VWAP Purchase Notice delivered to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement shall be issued to the Investor in accordance with Section 3.2 by crediting the Investor’s or its designees’ account at DTC as DWAC Shares, and the Company shall not take any action or give instructions to any transfer agent of the Company otherwise.
(iv) Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions; Notice of Effectiveness. On the Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement and prior to Commencement, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to its transfer agent (and thereafter, shall deliver or cause to be delivered to any subsequent transfer agent of the Company), (i) irrevocable instructions executed by the Company and acknowledged in writing by the Company’s transfer agent (the “Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions”) and (ii) the notice of effectiveness in the form attached as an exhibit to the Registration Rights Agreement (the “Notice of Effectiveness”) relating to the Initial Registration Statement executed by the Company’s outside counsel, in each case directing the transfer agent to issue to the Investor or its designated Broker-Dealer at which the account or accounts to be credited with the Shares being purchased by Investor are maintained any Registrable Securities included in the Initial Registration Statement as DWAC Shares, if and when such Registrable Securities are issued in accordance with this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. With respect to any post-effective amendment to the Initial Registration Statement, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment to any New Registration Statement, in each case declared effective by the Commission after the Commencement Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to its transfer agent (and thereafter, shall deliver or cause to be delivered to any subsequent transfer agent of the Company) (i) irrevocable instructions in the form substantially similar to the Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions executed by the Company and acknowledged in writing by the Company’s transfer agent and (ii) the Notice of Effectiveness, in each case modified as necessary to refer to such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment and the Registrable Securities included therein, to issue the Registrable Securities included therein as DWAC Shares in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, all Shares to be issued in respect of any VWAP Purchase Notice delivered to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement shall be issued to the Investor in accordance with Section 3.3 by crediting the Investor’s account at DTC as DWAC Shares, and the Company shall not take any action or give instructions to any transfer agent of the Company otherwise. The Company represents and warrants to the Investor that, while this Agreement is effective, no instruction other than those referred to in this Section 10.1(iii) will be given by the Company to its transfer agent, or any successor transfer agent of the Company, with respect to the Shares from and after Commencement, and the Registrable Securities covered by the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereof, or any New Registration Statement or post-effective amendment thereof, as applicable, shall otherwise be freely transferable on the books and records of the Company and no stop transfer instructions shall be maintained against the transfer thereof. The Company agrees that if the Company fails to fully comply with the provisions of this Section 10.1(iii) within three (3) Trading Days after the date on which the Investor has provided any deliverables that the Investor may be required to provide to the Company or its transfer agent (if any), the Company shall, at the Investor’s written instruction, purchase from the Investor all shares of Common Stock purchased or acquired by the Investor pursuant to this Agreement that contain any restrictive legend or that have any stop transfer orders maintained that prohibit or impede the transfer thereof in any respect at the greater of (i) the purchase price paid by the Investor for such shares of Common Stock (as applicable) and (ii) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the date of the Investor’s written instruction.
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Section 10.2. Specific Enforcement, Consent to Jurisdiction, Waiver of Jury Trial.
(i) The Company and the Investor acknowledge and agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that either party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement by the other party and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof (without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required), this being in addition to any other remedy to which either party may be entitled by law or equity.
(ii) Each of the Company and the Investor (a) hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court and other courts of the United States sitting in the State of New York for the purposes of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and (b) hereby waives, and agrees not to assert in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such court, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each of the Company and the Investor consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing in this Section 10.2 shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
(iii) EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE INVESTOR HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR DISPUTES RELATING HERETO. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE INVESTOR (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTY HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 10.2.
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Section 10.3. Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, negotiations and understandings between the parties, both oral and written, with respect to such matters. There are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by either party relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents. The Disclosure Schedule and all exhibits to this Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference in, and made a part of, this Agreement as if set forth in full herein.
Section 10.4. Notices. Any notice, demand, request, waiver or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be effective (a) upon hand delivery or electronic mail delivery at the address or number designated below (if delivered on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received), or the first business day following such delivery (if delivered other than on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received) or (b) on the second business day following the date of mailing by express courier service, fully prepaid, addressed to such address, or upon actual receipt of such mailing, whichever shall first occur. The address for such communications shall be:
If to the Company:
Houston American Energy Corp.
801 Travis Street, Suite 1425
Houston, TX 77002
Telephone Number:
Email:
Attention: Edward Gillespie
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Sullivan & Worcester LLP
1251 Avenue of the Americas, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10020
Telephone Number:
Email:
Attention: David E. Danovitch, Esq.
If to the Investor:
[●]
Either party hereto may from time to time change its address for notices by giving at least five (5) days’ advance written notice of such changed address to the other party hereto.
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Section 10.5. Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be waived by the parties from and after the date that is one (1) Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the Initial Registration Statement is initially filed with the Commission if such waiver would create a new investment decision for the Investor. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, no provision of this Agreement may be waived other than in a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought. No failure or delay in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercises thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company can request a larger amount than the VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount and the Investor can waive the limit in its discretion.
Section 10.6. Amendments. This agreement is intended to constitute a completed private placement. No provision of this Agreement may be amended by the parties from and after the date that is one (1) Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the Initial Registration Statement is initially filed with the Commission if such amendment would create a new investment decision for the Investor. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, no provision of this Agreement may be amended other than by a written instrument signed by both parties hereto.
Section 10.7. Headings. The article, section and subsection headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Agreement instead of just the provision in which they are found.
Section 10.8. Construction. The parties agree that each of them and their respective counsel has reviewed and had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of the Transaction Documents. In addition, each and every reference to share prices (including the Threshold Price) and number of shares of Common Stock in any Transaction Document shall, in all cases, be subject to adjustment for any stock splits, stock combinations, stock dividends, recapitalizations, reorganizations and other similar transactions that occur on or after the date of this Agreement. Any reference in this Agreement to “Dollars” or “$” shall mean the lawful currency of the United States of America. Any references to “Section” or “Article” in this Agreement shall, unless otherwise expressly stated herein, refer to the applicable Section or Article of this Agreement.
Section 10.9. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors. Neither the Company nor the Investor may assign this Agreement or any of their respective rights or obligations hereunder to any Person.
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Section 10.10. No Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as expressly provided in Article IX, this Agreement is intended only for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.
Section 10.11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal procedural and substantive laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any laws or rules of such state that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
Section 10.12. Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Company and the Investor contained in this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery hereof until the termination of this Agreement; provided, however, that (i) the provisions of Article V (Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company), Article VIII (Termination), Article IX (Indemnification) and this Article X (Miscellaneous) shall remain in full force and effect indefinitely notwithstanding such termination, (ii) the covenants and agreements of the Company and the Investor contained in Section 6.6(ii) shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination until the first day of the month next following the 24-month anniversary of the Closing Date; provided that such covenants and agreements of the Company and the Investor contained in Section 6.6(ii) shall be of no further force and effect in the event that this Agreement is terminated as provided in Section 8.1 solely as a result of the Investor having purchased the Total Commitment worth of Shares pursuant to this Agreement; and, (iii) so long as the Investor owns any Shares, the covenants and agreements of the Company and the Investor contained in Article VI (Additional Covenants), other than Section 6.6(ii), shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination for a period of six (6) months following such termination.
Section 10.13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party; provided that a facsimile signature or signature delivered by e-mail in a “.pdf” format data file, including any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com, www.echosign.adobe.com, etc., shall be considered due execution and shall be binding upon the signatory thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature were an original signature.
Section 10.14. Publicity. The Company shall afford the Investor and its counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon, shall consult with the Investor and its counsel on the form and substance of, and shall give due consideration to all such comments from the Investor or its counsel on, any press release, Commission filing or any other public disclosure made by or on behalf of the Company relating to the Investor, its purchases hereunder or any aspect of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby, prior to the issuance, filing or public disclosure thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not be required to submit for review any such disclosure (i) contained in periodic reports filed with the Commission under the Exchange Act if it shall have previously provided the same disclosure to the Investor or its counsel for review in connection with a previous filing or (ii) any Prospectus Supplement if it contains disclosure that does not reference the Investor, its purchases hereunder or any aspect of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby. The Company agrees and acknowledges that its failure to comply with this provision in all material respects constitutes a Material Adverse Effect for purposes of Section 7.2(xi).
Section 10.15. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and, in the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that any one or more of the provisions or part of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or part of a provision of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be reformed and construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision, or part of such provision, had never been contained herein, so that such provisions would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.
Section 10.16. Further Assurances. From and after the Closing Date, upon the request of the Investor or the Company, each of the Company and the Investor shall execute and deliver such instrument, documents and other writings as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to confirm and carry out and to effectuate fully the intent and purposes of this Agreement.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officer as of the date first above written.
| THE COMPANY: | ||
| HOUSTON AMERICAN ENERGY CORP.: | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Edward Gillespie | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| THE INVESTOR: | ||
| [●] | ||
| By: | [●] | |
| By: | ||
| Name: | [●] | |
| Title: | [●] | |
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ANNEX I TO THE
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
DEFINITIONS
“2024 Form 10-K” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Commission Documents.
“Accountant” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.6(d).
“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 144.
“Aggregate Limit” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.
“Allowable Grace Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar U.S. federal or state bankruptcy Law or any Law for the relief of debtors.
“Base Price” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.3(b).
“Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.4.
“Bloomberg” means Bloomberg, L.P.
“Bring-Down Opinion/Negative Assurance Letter” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.15.
“Broker-Dealer” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.13.
“Bylaws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.3.
“Charter” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.3.
“Closing” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.2.
“Closing Date” means the date of this Agreement.
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“Closing Sale Price” means, for the Common Stock as of any date, the last closing trade price for the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or if the Common Stock is then traded on an Eligible Market, on such Eligible Market), as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Trading Market (or such Eligible Market, as applicable) begins to operate on an extended hours basis and does not designate the closing trade price for the Common Stock, then the last trade price for the Common Stock prior to 4:00 p.m., New York City time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the foregoing do not apply, the last trade price for the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for the Common Stock as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no last trade price is reported for the Common Stock by Bloomberg, the average of the bid prices, or the ask prices, respectively, of any market makers for such security as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions during such period.
“Code” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.38.
“Commencement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1.
“Commencement Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1.
“Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.1(iv).
“Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor entity.
“Commission Documents” shall mean (1) all reports, schedules, registrations, forms, statements, information and other documents filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, including all material filed with or furnished to the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (the “2024 Form 10-K”), and which hereafter shall be filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company, including, without limitation, the Current Report, (2) each Registration Statement, as the same may be amended from time to time, the Prospectus contained therein and each Prospectus Supplement thereto and (3) all information contained in such filings and all documents and disclosures that have been and heretofore shall be incorporated by reference therein.
“Commitment Fee” means a total of 300,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate, consisting of 156,000 shares of restricted Common Stock that will be issued at signing of this Agreement, and an additional 144,000 shares of Common Stock that will be issued upon the earlier of (i) a prepayment advance against a commitment or (ii) the effectiveness of the Registration Statement as declared by the SEC.
“Common Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.
“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company which entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, rights, options, warrants or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.
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“Company” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.
“Compliance Certificate” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.2(ii).
“Contract” or “Contracts” means any written agreement, contract, license, lease, obligation, undertaking or other commitment or arrangement that is legally binding upon a Person or any of his, her or its properties or assets.
“Cover Price” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.2.
“Current Report” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3.
“Custodian” shall mean any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Damages” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.1.
“Disclosure Schedule” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to Article V.
“Disqualification Event” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.45.
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, a subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or any successor thereto.
“DWAC” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.33.
“DWAC Shares” means shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to this Agreement that are (i) issued in electronic form, (ii) freely tradable and transferable and without restriction on resale and without stop transfer instructions maintained against the transfer thereof, and (iii) timely credited by the Company to the Investor’s or its designee’s specified Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian (DWAC) account with DTC under its Fast Automated Securities Transfer (FAST) Program, or any similar program hereafter adopted by DTC performing substantially the same function.
“Effective Date” means, with respect to the Initial Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) of the Registration Rights Agreement (or any post-effective amendment thereto) or any New Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Registration Rights Agreement (or any post-effective amendment thereto), as applicable, the date on which the Initial Registration Statement (or any post-effective amendment thereto) or any New Registration Statement (or any post-effective amendment thereto) is declared effective by the Commission.
“Effectiveness Deadline” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
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“Eligible Market” means the New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Capital Market, The Nasdaq Global Market, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or the NYSE Arca (or any nationally recognized successor to any of the foregoing).
“Environmental Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.18.
“ERISA” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.38.
“Evaluation Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.6(c).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
“Exchange Cap” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.3(a).
“Exempt Issuance” means the issuance of (a) Common Stock, options or other equity incentive awards to employees, officers, directors, consultants or vendors of the Company pursuant to any equity incentive plan duly adopted for such purpose, by the Company’s Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of the Board of Directors established for such purpose, (b) (1) any Shares issued to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement, (2) any securities issued upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents held by the Investor or any of its Affiliates at any time, or (3) any securities issued upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any Common Stock Equivalents issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement, provided that such securities referred to in this clause (3) have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities, or (c) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions, divestitures, licenses, partnerships, collaborations or strategic transactions approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of directors established for such purpose, which acquisitions, divestitures, licenses, partnerships, collaborations or strategic transactions can have a Variable Rate Transaction component, provided that any such issuance shall only be to a Person (or to the equity holders of a Person) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities.
“FCPA” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.35.
“Filing Deadline” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
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“Fundamental Transaction” means that (i) the Company shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, (1) consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) another Person, with the result that the holders of the Company’s capital stock immediately prior to such consolidation or merger together beneficially own less than 50% of the outstanding voting power of the surviving or resulting corporation, or (2) sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company to another Person, or (3) take action to facilitate a purchase, tender or exchange offer by another Person that is accepted by the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (excluding any shares of Common Stock held by the Person or Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the Persons making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer), or (4) consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person whereby such other Person acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination), or (5) reorganize, recapitalize or reclassify its Common Stock, or (ii) any “person” or “group” (as these terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or shall become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding Common Stock.
“GAAP” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.6(b).
“GDPR” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.40.
“Governmental Authority” means any United States or non-United States (a) federal, state, local, municipal or other government, (b) governmental or quasi-governmental entity of any nature (including any governmental agency, branch, department, official, or entity and any court or other tribunal) or (c) body exercising or entitled to exercise any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory, or taxing authority or power of any nature, including any arbitral tribunal (public or private).
“Hazardous Materials” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.18.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person as of any time, without duplication, (a) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (b) all guaranties, endorsements, indemnities and other contingent obligations in respect of Indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (c) the present value of any lease payments due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.
“Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.2.
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“Initial Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Intellectual Property Rights” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.19.
“Investment Period” means the period commencing on the Commencement Date and expiring on the date this Agreement is subsequently terminated pursuant to Article VIII.
“Investor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.
“Investor Expense Reimbursement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.1(i).
“Investor Party” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.1.
“Issuer Covered Person” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.45.
“IT Systems and Data” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.39.
“Knowledge” means the actual knowledge of either of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, in each case after reasonable inquiry of all officers and employees of the Company under such Person’s direct supervision who would reasonably be expected to have knowledge or information with respect to the matter in question.
“Law” means any federal, state, provincial, local, foreign, national or supranational statute, law (including common law), act, statute, ordinance, treaty, rule, code, regulation or other binding directive issued, promulgated or enforced by a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over a given matter.
“Material Adverse Effect” means (i) any condition, occurrence, state of facts or event having, or insofar as reasonably can be foreseen would likely have, any material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) any condition, occurrence, state of facts or event having, or insofar as reasonably can be foreseen would likely have, any effect on the business, operations, properties or financial condition of the Company that is material and adverse to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and/or (iii) any condition, occurrence, state of facts or event that would, or insofar as reasonably can be foreseen would likely, prohibit or otherwise materially interfere with or delay the ability of the Company to perform any of its obligations under any of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party; provided, however, that no facts, circumstances, changes or effects exclusively and directly resulting from, relating to or arising out of the following, individually or in the aggregate, shall be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or insofar as reasonably can be foreseen would likely occur: (a) changes in conditions in the U.S. or global capital, credit or financial markets generally, including changes in the availability of capital or currency exchange rates, provided such changes shall not have affected the Company in a materially disproportionate manner as compared to other similarly situated companies; (b) changes generally affecting the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate, provided such changes shall not have affected the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in a materially disproportionate manner as compared to other similarly situated companies; (c) any effect of the announcement of, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents on the Company’s relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, vendors, bank lenders, strategic venture partners or employees; (d) changes arising in connection with earthquakes, hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or military actions or any escalation or material worsening of any such hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or military actions existing as of the date hereof; (e) any effect of COVID-19 or any Law, directive, pronouncement or guideline issued by a Governmental Authority, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization or industry group providing for business closures, changes to business operations, “sheltering-in-place” or other restrictions that relate to, or arise out of, an epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including the COVID-19 pandemic) or any change in such Law, directive, pronouncement or guideline or interpretation thereof following the date of this Agreement; (f) any action taken by the Investor with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (g) the effect of any changes in applicable laws or accounting rules, provided such changes shall not have affected the Company in a materially disproportionate manner as compared to other similarly situated companies.
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“Material Permits” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.17.
“Minimum Price” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.3(b).
“Money Laundering Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.37.
“New Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Notice of Effectiveness” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.1(iv).
“OFAC” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.36.
“Order” means any outstanding writ, order, judgment, injunction, decision, determination, award, ruling, subpoena, verdict or decree entered, issued or rendered by any Governmental Authority.
“PEA Period” means the period commencing at 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the fifth (5th) Trading Day immediately prior to the filing of any post-effective amendment to the Initial Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement, and ending at 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately following, the Effective Date of such post-effective amendment.
“Permits” means any approvals, authorizations, clearances, licenses, registrations, permits or certificates of a Governmental Authority.
“Person” means any person or entity, whether a natural person, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, business association, firm, joint venture or Governmental Authority.
“Personal Data” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.40.
| I-7 |
“Policies” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.40.
“Privacy Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.40.
“Proceeding” means any lawsuit, litigation, action, audit, investigation, examination, claim, complaint, charge, proceeding, suit, arbitration, investigation, or mediation (in each case, whether civil, criminal or administrative and whether public or private) pending by or before or otherwise involving any Governmental Authority.
“Prospectus” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Prospectus Supplement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Registrable Securities” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Registration Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Registration Rights Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereof.
“Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Regulation D” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.
“Representation Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.15.
“Restricted Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.9.
“Restricted Person” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.9.
“Restricted Persons” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.9.
| I-8 |
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect.
“Sarbanes-Oxley Act” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.6(d).
“Section 4(a)(2)” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
“Shares” shall mean the shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by the Investor under this Agreement pursuant to one or more VWAP Purchase Notices.
“Short Sales” shall mean “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act.
“Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation or other entity of which at least a majority of the securities or other ownership interest having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the time owned directly or indirectly by the Company and/or any of its other Subsidiaries.
“Threshold Price” means $0.10, which shall be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction and, effective upon the consummation of any such reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction, the “Threshold Price” shall mean the lower of (i) such adjusted price and (ii) $0.10.
“Total Commitment” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1.
“Trading Day” shall mean a full trading day (beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York City time, and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York City time) on the Trading Market or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, on such Eligible Market.
“Trading Market” means the NYSE American LLC (or any nationally recognized successor thereto).
“Transaction Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement (as qualified by the Disclosure Schedule) and the exhibits hereto, the Registration Rights Agreement, and the exhibits thereto, and each of the other agreements, documents, certificates and instruments entered into or furnished by the parties hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
| I-9 |
“Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any equity or debt securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price, exchange rate or other price that is based upon and/or varies with the trading prices of or quotations for the Common Stock at any time after the initial issuance of such equity or debt securities, or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such equity or debt security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock (including, without limitation, any “full ratchet” or “weighted average” anti-dilution provisions, but not including any standard anti-dilution protection for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction), (ii) issues or sells any equity or debt securities, including without limitation, Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, either (A) at a price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock (other than standard anti-dilution protection for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction), or (B) that are subject to or contain any put, call, redemption, buy-back, price-reset or other similar provision or mechanism (including, without limitation, a “Black-Scholes” put or call right, other than in connection with a “fundamental transaction”) that provides for the issuance of additional equity securities of the Company or the payment of cash by the Company, or (iii) enters into any agreement, including, but not limited to, an “equity line of credit” (other than with the Investor) or “at the market offering” or other continuous offering or similar offering of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, whereby the Company may sell Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at a future determined price.
“VWAP” means, for the Common Stock as of any Trading Day, the dollar volume-weighted average price for the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, on such Eligible Market) during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York City time, or such other time publicly announced by the Trading Market (or by such Eligible Market, as applicable) as the official open (or commencement) of trading on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) on such Trading Day, and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York City time, or such other time publicly announced by the Trading Market (or by such Eligible Market, as applicable) as the official close of trading on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) on such Trading Day, as reported by Bloomberg through its “AQR” function. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction during such period.
“VWAP Purchase” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1.
“VWAP Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately following the applicable VWAP Purchase Exercise Date for such VWAP Purchase.
“VWAP Purchase Confirmation” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1.
“VWAP Purchase Commencement Time” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, 9:30:01 a.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately following the applicable VWAP Purchase Exercise Date, or such other time publicly announced by the Trading Market as the official open (or commencement) of trading on the Trading Market on such Trading Day.
| I-10 |
“VWAP Purchase Ending Time” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, 4:00:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Trading Day following the applicable VWAP Purchase Exercise Date, or such other time publicly announced by the Trading Market as the official close of trading on the Trading Market on such third Trading Day following the applicable VWAP Purchase Exercise Date.
“VWAP Purchase Exercise Date” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, the Trading Day on which the Investor timely receives, after 4:00 p.m., New York City time, but prior to 6:30 p.m., New York City time, on such Trading Day, a valid VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase in accordance with this Agreement.
“VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, such number of shares of Common Stock equal to the lowest of: (i) 100% of the average daily trading volume in the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or, in the event the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, 100% of the average daily trading volume in the Common Stock on such Eligible Market) for the five (5) consecutive Trading Day period ending on (and including) the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable VWAP Purchase Exercise Date for such VWAP Purchase; (ii) the product (rounded up or down to the nearest whole number) obtained by multiplying (A) the daily trading volume in the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or Eligible Market, as applicable) on the applicable VWAP Purchase Exercise Date for such VWAP Purchase by (B) 0.40; and (iii) the quotient (rounded up or down to the nearest whole number) obtained by dividing (A) $2,000,000 by (B) the VWAP on the Trading Market (or Eligible Market, as applicable) on the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable VWAP Purchase Exercise Date for such VWAP Purchase (in each case to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction during the applicable period).
“VWAP Purchase Notice” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, an irrevocable written notice timely delivered by the Company to the Investor on a VWAP Purchase Exercise Date directing the Investor to purchase a VWAP Purchase Share Amount (such specified VWAP Purchase Share Amount subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 3.1 as necessary to give effect to the VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount), at the applicable VWAP Purchase Price therefor in accordance with this Agreement.
“VWAP Purchase Price” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, the purchase price per Share to be purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase, which shall equal the product obtained by multiplying (i) the lowest daily VWAP during the applicable VWAP Purchase Valuation Period for such VWAP Purchase by (ii) 0.96 (in each case to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction during the applicable period).
“VWAP Purchase Settlement Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1.
“VWAP Purchase Share Amount” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, the number of Shares to be purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase as specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice, which number of Shares shall not exceed the applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount.
“VWAP Purchase Valuation Period” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, the Trading Day period immediately following the applicable VWAP Purchase Exercise Date for such VWAP Purchase, beginning at the VWAP Purchase Commencement Time for such VWAP Purchase and ending at the applicable VWAP Purchase Ending Time for such VWAP Purchase.
| I-11 |
Exhibit 10.2
Execution Version
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of July 10, 2025, is by and between [●], a Delaware limited liability company (the “Investor”), and Houston American Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).
A. The Company and the Investor have entered into that certain Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company may issue, from time to time, to the Investor up to the lesser of (i) $100,000,000 in aggregate gross purchase price of newly issued shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), and (ii) the Exchange Cap (to the extent applicable under Section 3.3 of the Purchase Agreement), as provided for therein.
B. Pursuant to the terms of, and in consideration for the Investor entering into, the Purchase Agreement, and to induce the Investor to execute and deliver the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the Investor with certain registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities (as defined herein) as set forth herein.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein and in the Purchase Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and the Investor hereby agree as follows:
| 1. | Definitions. |
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.
“Allowable Grace Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3(p).
“Blue Sky Filing” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6(a).
“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
“Claims” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6(a).
“Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor entity.
“Common Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Company” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.
“Company Party” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6(b).
“Effective Date” means the date that the applicable Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission.
“Effectiveness Deadline” means (i) with respect to the Initial Registration Statement required to be filed to pursuant to Section 2(a), the earlier of (A) the forty-fifth (45th) calendar day immediately after the Filing Deadline with respect to the Initial Registration Statement, if such Initial Registration Statement is subject to review by the Commission, and (B) if the Company is notified (orally or in writing) by the Commission that the Initial Registration Statement will not be reviewed by the Commission, the fifth (5th) calendar day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that the Initial Registration Statement will not be reviewed by the Commission, and (ii) with respect to any New Registration Statements that may be required to be filed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the earlier of (A) the forty-fifth (45th) calendar day immediately after the Filing Deadline with respect to such New Registration Statement, if such New Registration Statement is subject to review by the Commission, and (B) if the Company is notified (orally or in writing) by the Commission that such New Registration Statement will not be reviewed by the Commission, the fifth (5th) calendar day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that such New Registration Statement will not be reviewed by the Commission.
“Filing Deadline” means (i) with respect to the Initial Registration Statement required to be filed to pursuant to Section 2(a), the fifteenth (15th) calendar day immediately after the date of this Agreement and (ii) with respect to any New Registration Statements that may be required to be filed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the fifteenth (15th) calendar day following the sale of substantially all of the Registrable Securities included in the Initial Registration Statement or the most recent prior New Registration Statement, as applicable, or such other date as permitted by the Commission.
“Indemnified Damages” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6(a).
“Initial Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(a).
“Investor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.
“Investor Party” and “Investor Parties” shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in Section 6(a).
“Legal Counsel” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(b).
“New Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(c).
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“Person” means any person or entity, whether a natural person, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, business association, firm, joint venture, governmental agency or authority.
“Prospectus” means the prospectus in the form included in the Registration Statement at the applicable Effective Date of the Registration Statement, as supplemented from time to time by any Prospectus Supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference therein.
“Prospectus Supplement” means any prospectus supplement to the Prospectus filed with the Commission from time to time pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, including the documents incorporated by reference therein.
“Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this Agreement.
“register,” “registered,” and “registration” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration Statements in compliance with the Securities Act and pursuant to Rule 415 and the declaration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the Commission.
“Registrable Securities” means all of (i) the Shares, (ii) any capital stock of the Company issued or issuable with respect to such Shares, including, without limitation, (1) as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise and (2) shares of capital stock of the Company into which the shares of Common Stock are converted or exchanged and shares of capital stock of a successor entity into which the shares of Common Stock are converted or exchanged, in each case until such time as such securities cease to be Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(f), and (iii) shares of Common Stock issued as the Commitment Fee.
“Registration Statement” means a registration statement or registration statements of the Company filed under the Securities Act covering the resale by the Investor of Registrable Securities, as such registration statement or registration statements may be amended and supplemented from time to time, including all documents filed as part thereof or incorporated by reference therein.
“Registration Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3(a).
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any other similar or successor rule or regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit the Investor to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration.
“Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any other similar or successor rule or regulation of the Commission providing for offering securities on a delayed or continuous basis.
“Staff” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(c).
“Violations” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6(a).
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| 2. | Registration. |
(a) Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare and, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Filing Deadline, file with the Commission the Initial Registration Statement on Form S-1 (or any successor form) covering the resale by the Investor of the maximum number of Registrable Securities as shall be permitted to be included thereon in accordance with applicable Commission rules, regulations and interpretations so as to permit the resale of such Registrable Securities by the Investor under Rule 415 under the Securities Act at then prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices) (the “Initial Registration Statement”). The Initial Registration Statement shall contain the “Selling Stockholder” and “Plan of Distribution” sections in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Initial Registration Statement declared effective by the Commission as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than the applicable Effectiveness Deadline.
(b) Legal Counsel. Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Investor shall have the right to select one legal counsel to review, solely on its behalf, any registration pursuant to this Section 2 (“Legal Counsel”), which shall be Sullivan & Worcester LLP, or such other counsel as thereafter designated by the Investor. Except as provided under Section 10.1(i) of the Purchase Agreement, the Company shall have no obligation to reimburse the Investor for any and all legal fees and expenses of the Legal Counsel incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
(c) Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. If at any time all Registrable Securities are not covered by the Initial Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) as a result of Section 2(e) or otherwise, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission one or more additional Registration Statements so as to cover all of the Registrable Securities not covered by the Initial Registration Statement, in each case, as soon as practicable (taking into account any position of the staff of the Commission (“Staff”) with respect to the date on which the Staff will permit such additional Registration Statement(s) to be filed with the Commission and the rules and regulations of the Commission) (each such additional Registration Statement, a “New Registration Statement”), but in no event later than the applicable Filing Deadline for such New Registration Statement(s). The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each such New Registration Statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable following the filing thereof with the Commission, but in no event later than the applicable Effectiveness Deadline for such New Registration Statement.
(d) No Inclusion of Other Securities. In no event shall the Company include any securities other than Registrable Securities on any Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(c).
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(e) Offering. If the Staff or the Commission seeks to characterize any offering pursuant to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement as constituting an offering of securities that does not permit such Registration Statement to become effective and be used for resales by the Investor on a delayed or continuous basis under Rule 415 at then-prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices), or if after the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(c), the Company is otherwise required by the Staff or the Commission to reduce the number of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement, then the Company shall reduce the number of Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration Statement (after consultation with the Investor and Legal Counsel as to the specific Registrable Securities to be removed therefrom) until such time as the Staff and the Commission shall so permit such Registration Statement to become effective and be used as aforesaid. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if after giving effect to the actions referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, the Staff or the Commission does not permit such Registration Statement to become effective and be used for resales by the Investor on a delayed or continuous basis under Rule 415 at then-prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices), the Company shall not request acceleration of the Effective Date of such Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly (but in no event later than 48 hours) request the withdrawal of such Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 477 under the Securities Act, and the Effectiveness Deadline shall automatically be deemed to have elapsed with respect to such Registration Statement at such time as the Staff or the Commission has made a final and non-appealable determination that the Commission will not permit such Registration Statement to be so utilized (unless prior to such time the Company has received assurances from the Staff or the Commission that a New Registration Statement filed by the Company with the Commission promptly thereafter may be so utilized). In the event of any reduction in Registrable Securities pursuant to this paragraph, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file one or more New Registration Statements with the Commission in accordance with Section 2(c) until such time as all Registrable Securities have been included in Registration Statements that have been declared effective and the Prospectuses contained therein are available for use by the Investor.
(f) Any Registrable Security shall cease to be a “Registrable Security” at the earliest of the following: (i) when a Registration Statement covering such Registrable Security becomes or has been declared effective by the Commission and such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of pursuant to such effective Registration Statement; (ii) when such Registrable Security is held by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries; and (iii) the date that is the later of (A) the first (1st) anniversary of the effective date of termination of the Purchase Agreement in accordance with Article VIII of the Purchase Agreement and (B) the first (1st) anniversary of the date of the last sale of any Registrable Securities by the Company to the Investor pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
| 3. | Related Obligations. |
The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, and, pursuant thereto, during the term of this Agreement, the Company shall have the following obligations:
(a) The Company shall promptly prepare and file with the Commission the Initial Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof and one or more New Registration Statements pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof with respect to the Registrable Securities, but in no event later than the applicable Filing Deadline therefor, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing, but in no event later than the applicable Effectiveness Deadline therefor. Subject to Allowable Grace Periods, the Company shall keep each Registration Statement effective (and the Prospectus contained therein available for use) pursuant to Rule 415 for resales by the Investor on a continuous basis at then-prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices) at all times until the earlier of (i) the date on which the Investor shall have sold all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement and (ii) the date of termination of the Purchase Agreement if as of such termination date the Investor holds no Registrable Securities (or, if applicable, the date on which such securities cease to be Registrable Securities after the date of termination of the Purchase Agreement) (the “Registration Period”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement (but subject to the provisions of Section 3(p) hereof), the Company shall ensure that, when filed and at all times while effective, each Registration Statement (including, without limitation, all amendments and supplements thereto) and the Prospectus (including, without limitation, all amendments and supplements thereto) used in connection with such Registration Statement shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of Prospectuses, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made) not misleading. The Company shall submit to the Commission, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date that the Company learns that no review of a particular Registration Statement will be made by the Staff or that the Staff has no further comments on a particular Registration Statement (as the case may be), a request for acceleration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement to a time and date as soon as reasonably practicable in accordance with Rule 461 under the Securities Act.
| - 5 - |
(b) Subject to Section 3(p) of this Agreement, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file with the Commission such amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) and supplements to each Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection with each such Registration Statement, which Prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act, as may be necessary to keep each such Registration Statement effective (and the Prospectus contained therein current and available for use) at all times during the Registration Period for such Registration Statement, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company required to be covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Investor. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company covenants and agrees that (i) at or before 8:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement and any New Registration Statement (or any post-effective amendment thereto), the Company shall file with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act the final Prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Registration Statement (or post-effective amendment thereto), and (ii) if the transactions contemplated by any one or more VWAP Purchases are material to the Company (individually or collectively), the material terms of which have not previously been described in the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement filed with the Commission under Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act (or in any periodic report, statement, schedule or other document filed by the Company with the Commission under the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus), or if otherwise required under the Securities Act (or the public written interpretive guidance of the Staff of the Commission relating thereto), in each case as reasonably and mutually determined by the Company and the Investor, then, no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the first (1st) Trading Day of the VWAP Purchase Valuation Period for such VWAP Purchase, the Company shall file with the Commission a Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act with respect to such VWAP Purchase(s) requiring such filing, disclosing the total number of Shares that are to be issued and sold to the Investor pursuant to such VWAP Purchase(s), the estimated total purchase price for the Shares subject thereto, the applicable purchases price(s) for such Shares and the estimated net proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of such Shares. To the extent not previously disclosed in the Prospectus or a Prospectus Supplement, the Company shall disclose in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in its Annual Reports on Form 10-K the information described in the immediately preceding sentence relating to all VWAP Purchase(s) effected and settled during the relevant fiscal quarter and shall file such Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K with the Commission within the applicable time period prescribed for such report under the Exchange Act. In the case of amendments and supplements to any Registration Statement on Form S-1 or Prospectus related thereto which are required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation, pursuant to this Section 3(b)) by reason of the Company filing a report on Form 8-K, Form 10-Q or Form 10-K or any analogous report under the Exchange Act, the Company shall have incorporated such report by reference into such Registration Statement and Prospectus, if applicable, or shall promptly file such amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus with the Commission, for the purpose of including or incorporating such report into such Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Company consents to the use of the Prospectus (including, without limitation, any supplement thereto) included in each Registration Statement in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act and with the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the jurisdictions in which the Registrable Securities may be sold by the Investor, in connection with the resale of the Registrable Securities and for such period of time thereafter as such Prospectus (including, without limitation, any supplement thereto) (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Securities Act) is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with resales of Registrable Securities.
| - 6 - |
(c) The Company shall (A) permit Legal Counsel an opportunity to review and comment upon (i) each Registration Statement at least two (2) Business Days prior to its filing with the Commission and (ii) all amendments and supplements to each Registration Statement (including, without limitation, the Prospectus contained therein) (except for Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any similar or successor reports or Prospectus Supplements the contents of which is limited to that set forth in such reports) within a reasonable number of days prior to their filing with the Commission, and (B) shall reasonably consider any comments of the Investor and Legal Counsel on any such Registration Statement or amendment or supplement thereto or to any Prospectus contained therein. The Company shall promptly furnish to Legal Counsel, without charge, (i) electronic copies of any correspondence from the Commission or the Staff to the Company or its representatives relating to each Registration Statement (which correspondence shall be redacted to exclude any material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), (ii) after the same is prepared and filed with the Commission, one (1) electronic copy of each Registration Statement and any amendment(s) and supplement(s) thereto, including, without limitation, financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by the Investor, and all exhibits and (iii) upon the effectiveness of each Registration Statement, one (1) electronic copy of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to furnish any document (other than the Prospectus, which may be provided in .PDF format) to Legal Counsel to the extent such document is available on EDGAR.
(d) Without limiting any obligation of the Company under the Purchase Agreement, the Company shall promptly furnish to the Investor, without charge, (i) after the same is prepared and filed with the Commission, at least one (1) electronic copy of each Registration Statement and any amendment(s) and supplement(s) thereto, including, without limitation, financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by the Investor, all exhibits thereto, (ii) upon the effectiveness of each Registration Statement, one (1) electronic copy of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as the Investor may reasonably request from time to time) and (iii) such other documents, including, without limitation, copies of any final Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, as the Investor may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by the Investor; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to furnish any document (other than the Prospectus, which may be provided in .PDF format) to the Investor to the extent such document is available on EDGAR.
(e) The Company shall take such action as is reasonably necessary to (i) register and qualify, unless an exemption from registration and qualification applies, the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities or “Blue Sky” laws of all applicable jurisdictions in the United States, (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(e), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify Legal Counsel and the Investor of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.
(f) The Company shall notify Legal Counsel and the Investor in writing of the happening of any event, as promptly as reasonably practicable after becoming aware of such event, as a result of which the Prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided that in no event shall such notice contain any material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), and, subject to Section 3(p), promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement and such Prospectus contained therein to correct such untrue statement or omission and deliver one (1) electronic copy of such supplement or amendment to Legal Counsel and the Investor (or such other number of copies as Legal Counsel or the Investor may reasonably request). The Company shall also promptly notify Legal Counsel and the Investor in writing (i) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to Legal Counsel and the Investor by facsimile or e-mail on the same day of such effectiveness), and when the Company receives written notice from the Commission that a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment will be reviewed by the Commission, (ii) of any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related Prospectus or related information, (iii) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate and (iv) of the receipt of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for any additional information relating to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto or any related Prospectus. The Company shall respond as promptly as reasonably practicable to any comments received from the Commission with respect to a Registration Statement or any amendment thereto. Nothing in this Section 3(f) shall limit any obligation of the Company under the Purchase Agreement.
| - 7 - |
(g) The Company shall (i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the use of any Prospectus contained therein, or the suspension of the qualification, or the loss of an exemption from qualification, of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible time and (ii) notify Legal Counsel and the Investor of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding.
(h) The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of information concerning the Investor provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement or is otherwise required to be disclosed in such Registration Statement pursuant to the Securities Act, (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning the Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to the Investor and allow the Investor, at the Investor’s expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.
(i) Without limiting any obligation of the Company under the Purchase Agreement, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts either to (i) cause all of the Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement to be listed on the Trading Market, (ii) secure designation and quotation of all of the Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement on another Eligible Market, or (iii) if, despite the Company’s commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy the preceding clauses (i) or (ii) the Company is unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding clauses (i) or (ii), without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to use its commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for at least two market makers to register with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) as such with respect to such Registrable Securities. In addition, the Company shall reasonably cooperate with the Investor and any Broker-Dealer through which the Investor proposes to sell its Registrable Securities in effecting a filing with FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110 as requested by the Investor. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 3(i).
| - 8 - |
(j) The Company shall cooperate with the Investor and, to the extent applicable, facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of Registrable Securities, as DWAC Shares, to be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such DWAC Shares to be in such denominations or amounts (as the case may be) as the Investor may reasonably request from time to time and registered in such names as the Investor may request. Investor hereby agrees that it shall cooperate with the Company, its counsel and its transfer agent in connection with any issuances of DWAC Shares, and hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Company that it will resell such DWAC Shares only pursuant to the Registration Statement in which such DWAC Shares are included, in a manner described under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in such Registration Statement, and in a manner in compliance with all applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, any applicable prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. At the time such DWAC Shares are offered and sold pursuant to the Registration Statement, such DWAC Shares shall be free from all restrictive legends and may be transmitted by the Company’s transfer agent to the Investor by crediting an account at DTC as directed in writing by the Investor.
(k) Upon the written request of the Investor, the Company shall as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of notice from the Investor and subject to Section 3(p) hereof, (i) incorporate in a Prospectus Supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the Investor reasonably requests to be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being offered or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) make all required filings of such Prospectus Supplement or post-effective amendment after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus Supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement or Prospectus contained therein if reasonably requested by the Investor.
(l) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.
(m) The Company shall make generally available to its security holders (which may be satisfied by making such information available on EDGAR) as soon as practical, but not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with, and in the manner provided by, the provisions of Rule 158 under the Securities Act) covering a twelve-month period beginning not later than the first day of the Company’s fiscal quarter next following the applicable Effective Date of each Registration Statement.
(n) The Company shall otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission in connection with any registration hereunder.
(o) Within one (1) Business Day after each Registration Statement which covers Registrable Securities is declared effective by the Commission, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investor) confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
| - 9 - |
(p) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein (but subject to the last sentence of this Section 3(p)), at any time after the Effective Date of a particular Registration Statement, the Company may, upon written notice to Investor, suspend Investor’s use of any prospectus that is a part of any Registration Statement (in which event the Investor shall discontinue sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, but shall settle any previously made sales of Registrable Securities) if the Company (x) is pursuing an acquisition, merger, tender offer, reorganization, disposition or other similar transaction and the Company determines in good faith that (A) the Company’s ability to pursue or consummate such a transaction would be materially adversely affected by any required disclosure of such transaction in such Registration Statement or other registration statement or (B) such transaction renders the Company unable to comply with Commission requirements, in each case under circumstances that would make it impractical or inadvisable to cause any Registration Statement (or such filings) to be used by Investor or to promptly amend or supplement any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement on a post effective basis, as applicable, or (y) has experienced some other material non-public event the disclosure of which at such time, in the good faith judgment of the Company, would materially adversely affect the Company (each, an “Allowable Grace Period”); provided, however, that in no event shall the Investor be suspended from selling Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement for a period that exceeds twenty (20) consecutive Trading Days or an aggregate of sixty (60) Trading Days in any 365-day period; and provided, further, the Company shall not effect any such suspension during (A) the first ten (10) consecutive Trading Days after the Effective Date of the particular Registration Statement or (B) the seven-Trading Day period commencing on the VWAP Purchase Exercise Date for each VWAP Purchase. Upon disclosure of such information or the termination of the condition described above, the Company shall provide prompt notice, but in any event within one Business Day of such disclosure or termination, to the Investor and shall promptly terminate any suspension of sales it has put into effect and shall take such other reasonable actions to permit registered sales of Registrable Securities as contemplated in this Agreement (including as set forth in the first sentence of Section 3(f) with respect to the information giving rise thereto unless such material, non-public information is no longer applicable). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3(p), the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver DWAC Shares to a transferee of the Investor in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which (i) the Company has made a sale to Investor and (ii) the Investor has entered into a contract for sale, and delivered a copy of the Prospectus included as part of the particular Registration Statement to the extent applicable, in each case prior to the Investor’s receipt of the notice of an Allowable Grace Period and for which the Investor has not yet settled.
| 4. | Obligations of the Investor. |
(a) At least five (5) Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of each Registration Statement (or such shorter period to which the parties agree), the Company shall notify the Investor in writing of the information that the Company requires from the Investor with respect to such Registration Statement. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of the Investor that the Investor shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it, as shall be reasonably required to effect and maintain the effectiveness of the registration of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request.
(b) The Investor, by its acceptance of the Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of each Registration Statement hereunder, unless the Investor has notified the Company in writing of the Investor’s election to exclude all of the Investor’s Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement.
| - 10 - |
(c) The Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(p) or the first sentence of 3(f), the Investor shall immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until the Investor’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(p) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) or receipt of notice that no supplement or amendment is required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4(c), the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver DWAC Shares to a transferee of the Investor in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which the Investor has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor’s receipt of a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(p) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) and for which the Investor has not yet settled.
(d) The Investor covenants and agrees that it shall comply with the prospectus delivery and other requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.
| 5. | Expenses of Registration. |
All reasonable expenses of the Company, other than sales or brokerage commissions and fees and disbursements of counsel for, and other expenses of, the Investor, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, shall be paid by the Company.
| 6. | Indemnification. |
(a) In the event any Registrable Securities are included in any Registration Statement under this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Investor, each of its directors, officers, stockholders, members, partners, employees, agents, advisors, representatives (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding the lack of such title or any other title) and each Person, if any, who controls the Investor within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and each of the directors, officers, stockholders, members, partners, employees, agents, advisors, representatives (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding the lack of such title or any other title) of such controlling Persons (each, an “Investor Party” and collectively, the “Investor Parties”), against any losses, obligations, claims, damages, liabilities, contingencies, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs (including, without limitation, court costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs of defense and investigation), amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several, (collectively, “Claims”) reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the Commission, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an Investor Party is or may be a party thereto (“Indemnified Damages”), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other “Blue Sky” laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered (“Blue Sky Filing”), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) or in any Prospectus Supplement or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being, collectively, “Violations”). Subject to Section 6(e), the Company shall reimburse the Investor Parties, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim by an Investor Party arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Investor Party for such Investor Party expressly for use in connection with the preparation of such Registration Statement, Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto (it being hereby acknowledged and agreed that the written information set forth on Exhibit C attached hereto is the only written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement); (ii) shall not be available to the Investor to the extent such Claim is based on a failure of the Investor to deliver or to cause to be delivered the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) made available by the Company (to the extent applicable), including, without limitation, a corrected Prospectus, if such Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) or corrected Prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d) and then only if, and to the extent that, following the receipt of the corrected Prospectus no grounds for such Claim would have existed; and (iii) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Investor Party and shall survive the transfer of any of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to Section 9.
| - 11 - |
(b) In connection with any Registration Statement in which the Investor is participating, the Investor agrees to severally and not jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (each, a “Company Party”), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case, to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information relating to the Investor furnished to the Company by the Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement, the Prospectus included therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto (it being hereby acknowledged and agreed that the written information set forth on Exhibit C attached hereto is the only written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement); and, subject to Section 6(e) and the below provisos in this Section 6(b), the Investor shall reimburse a Company Party any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Company Party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; and provided, further that the Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to the Investor as a result of the applicable sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement, Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Company Party and shall survive the transfer of any of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to Section 9.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including, without limitation, any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Investor Party or the Company Party (as the case may be); provided, however, an Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses of such counsel to be paid by the indemnifying party if: (i) the indemnifying party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses; (ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed promptly to assume the defense of such Claim and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) in any such Claim; or (iii) the named parties to any such Claim (including, without limitation, any impleaded parties) include both such Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) and the indemnifying party, and such Investor Party or such Company Party (as the case may be) shall have been advised by counsel that a conflict of interest is likely to exist if the same counsel were to represent such Investor Party or such Company Party and the indemnifying party in which case, if such Investor Party or such Company Party (as the case may be) notifies the indemnifying party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, then the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof on behalf of the indemnified party and such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party, provided further that in the case of clause (iii) above the indemnifying party shall not be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one (1) separate legal counsel for all Investor Parties or Company Parties (as the case may be). The Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be) shall reasonably cooperate with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or Claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be) which relates to such action or Claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be) reasonably apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written consent; provided, however, the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be), consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be) of a release from all liability in respect to such Claim or litigation, and such settlement shall not include any admission as to fault on the part of the Company Party. For the avoidance of doubt, the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to Sections 6(a) and 6(b) hereof. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be) with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is materially and adversely prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.
| - 12 - |
(d) No Person involved in the sale of Registrable Securities who is guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) in connection with such sale shall be entitled to indemnification from any Person involved in such sale of Registrable Securities who is not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation.
(e) The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred; provided that any Person receiving any payment pursuant to this Section 6 shall promptly reimburse the Person making such payment for the amount of such payment to the extent a court of competent jurisdiction determines that such Person receiving such payment was not entitled to such payment.
(f) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Company Party or Investor Party against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.
| 7. | Contributions. |
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however: (i) no contribution shall be made under circumstances where the maker would not have been liable for indemnification under the fault standards set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement, (ii) no Person involved in the sale of Registrable Securities which Person is guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) in connection with such sale shall be entitled to contribution from any Person involved in such sale of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (iii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the amount of net proceeds received by such seller from the applicable sale of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, the Investor shall not be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds actually received by the Investor from the applicable sale of the Registrable Securities subject to the Claim exceeds the amount of any damages that the Investor has otherwise been required to pay, or would otherwise be required to pay under Section 6(b), by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
| - 13 - |
| 8. | Reports Under the Exchange Act. |
With a view to making available to the Investor the benefits of Rule 144, the Company agrees to:
(a) use its commercially reasonable efforts to make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;
(b) use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that nothing herein shall limit any of the Company’s obligations under the Purchase Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144;
(c) furnish to the Investor so long as the Investor owns Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company, if true, that it has complied with the reporting, submission and posting requirements of Rule 144 and the Exchange Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company with the Commission if such reports are not publicly available via EDGAR, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investor to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration; and
(d) take such additional action as is reasonably requested by the Investor to enable the Investor to sell the Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144, including, without limitation, delivering all such legal opinions, consents, certificates, resolutions and instructions to the Company’s transfer agent as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the Investor and otherwise fully cooperate with Investor and Investor’s broker to effect such sale of securities pursuant to Rule 144.
| 9. | Assignment of Registration Rights. |
Neither the Company nor the Investor shall assign this Agreement or any of their respective rights or obligations hereunder; provided, however, that any transaction, whether by merger, reorganization, restructuring, consolidation, financing or otherwise, whereby the Company remains the surviving entity immediately after such transaction shall not be deemed an assignment.
| 10. | Amendment of Waiver. |
No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived by the parties from and after the date that is one (1) Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the Initial Registration Statement is initially filed with the Commission. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, no provision of this Agreement may be (i) amended other than by a written instrument signed by both parties hereto or (ii) waived other than in a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
| - 14 - |
| 11. | Miscellaneous. |
(a) Solely for purposes of this Agreement, a Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or more Persons with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from such record owner of such Registrable Securities.
(b) Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement shall be given in accordance with Section 10.4 of the Purchase Agreement.
(c) Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof. The Company and the Investor acknowledge and agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that either party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement by the other party and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof (without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required), this being in addition to any other remedy to which either party may be entitled by law or equity.
(d) All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any law or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
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(e) The Transaction Documents set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties solely with respect to the subject matter thereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, negotiations and understandings between the parties, both oral and written, solely with respect to such matters. There are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by either party relative to subject matter hereof not expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary and without implication that the contrary would otherwise be true, nothing contained in this Agreement shall limit, modify or affect in any manner whatsoever (i) the conditions precedent to a VWAP Purchase contained in Article VII of the Purchase Agreement or (ii) any of the Company’s obligations under the Purchase Agreement.
(f) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors. This Agreement is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any Person, other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and the Persons referred to in Sections 6 and 7 hereof.
(g) The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Agreement instead of just the provision in which they are found.
(h) This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party; provided that a facsimile signature or signature delivered by e-mail in a “.pdf” format data file, including any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com, www.echosign.adobe.com, etc., shall be considered due execution and shall be binding upon the signatory thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature were an original signature.
(i) Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(j) The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Investor and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
| THE COMPANY: | ||
| HOUSTON AMERICAN ENERGY CORP. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Edward Gillespie | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Investor and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
| THE INVESTOR: | ||
| [●] | ||
| By: | [●] | |
| By: | ||
| Name: | [●] | |
| Title: | [●] | |
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Exhibit 10.3
SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of July 10, 2025 (the “Subscription Date”), is by and among Houston American Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation with offices located at 801 Travis Street, Suite 1425, Houston, Texas 77002 (the “Company”), and each of the investors listed on the Schedule of Buyers attached hereto (the “Schedule of Buyers”) (individually, a “Buyer” and, collectively, the “Buyers” and, together with the Company, the “Parties”).
RECITALS
A. The Company and each Buyer are executing and delivering this Agreement in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D (“Regulation D”) as promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act.
B. The Company has authorized a new series of senior convertible notes of the Company in the aggregate original principal amount of up to $5,434,783, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Notes”), which Notes shall be convertible into shares of Common Stock (as defined below) in certain circumstances in accordance with the terms of the Note at an initial conversion price per share of $10.92 (the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of the Notes, the “Conversion Shares”).
C. Each Buyer desires to purchase, and the Company desires to issue and sell, upon the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement, a Note in the aggregate original principal amount set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (3) on the Schedule of Buyers.
D. At the Closing (as defined below), the Parties shall execute and deliver a registration rights agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company shall agree to provide certain registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and applicable state securities laws.
E. At the Closing, the Parties shall execute and deliver a Security Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Security Agreement”), reflecting the grant of security interests by the Company and its domestic subsidiaries in the Collateral (as described in the Security Agreement) to secure the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the other Transaction Documents.
F. At the Closing, the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined below) shall execute and deliver a subsidiary guarantee agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (the “Subsidiary Guarantee”), pursuant to which the Subsidiaries shall guaranty all of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each Buyer hereby agree as follows:
1. PURCHASE AND SALE OF NOTES.
(a) Purchase and Sale of Notes. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions set forth in Sections 6 and 7 below, the Company shall issue and sell to each Buyer, and each Buyer severally, but not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company on the Closing Date (as defined below) a Note in the original principal amount as is set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (3) on the Schedule of Buyers for the purchase price as set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (4) (the “Closing”).
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(b) Closing. The Closing shall take place electronically. The date and time of the Closing (the “Closing Date”) shall be 10:00 a.m., New York time, no later than the second (2nd) Business Day on which the conditions to the Closing set forth in Sections 6 and 7 are satisfied or waived (or such other date or time as is mutually agreed to by the Company and each Buyer). “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
(c) Purchase Price. The aggregate purchase price to be paid by each Buyer for the Notes in the Closing shall be the amount set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (4) on the Schedule of Buyers (the “Purchase Price”).
(d) Form of Payment. On the date hereof, each Buyer shall pay its respective Purchase Price (less, in the case of any Buyer, the amounts withheld pursuant to Section 4(g)) to the Company for the Notes to be issued and sold to such Buyer at the Closing by wire transfer of immediately available funds pursuant to the escrow agreement entered into as of the date hereof by and among the Company, Sullivan & Worcester LLP and the Buyers, in the form of Exhibit E attached hereto (the “Escrow Agreement”)1. Upon receipt of payment at the Closing pursuant to the Escrow Agreement and the Flow of Funds (as defined below), the Company shall deliver to each Buyer a Note in the aggregate original principal amount as is set forth opposite such Buyer’s name in column (3) of the Schedule of Buyers, duly executed by the Company and registered in the name of such Buyer or its designee.
2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYERS
Each Buyer, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to the Company with respect to only itself that, as of the Subscription Date and as of the Closing Date:
(a) Organization; Authority. Such Buyer is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization with the requisite power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (as defined below) to which it is a party and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder.
(b) No Public Sale or Distribution. Such Buyer (i) is acquiring the Note, and (ii) upon conversion of its Note shall acquire the Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion thereof, for its own account and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof in violation of applicable securities laws, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act; provided, however, by making the representations herein, such Buyer does not agree, or make any representation or warranty, to hold any of the Securities for any minimum or other specific term and reserves the right to dispose of the Securities at any time in accordance with or pursuant to a registration statement or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Such Buyer does not presently have any agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any Person to distribute any of the Securities in violation of applicable securities laws. For purposes of this Agreement, “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity and any Governmental Entity (as defined below) or any department or agency thereof.
(c) Accredited Investor Status. Such Buyer is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D.
(d) Reliance on Exemptions. Such Buyer understands that the Notes are being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and such Buyer’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of such Buyer set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of such Buyer to acquire the Securities.
1 NTD: [●] will fund Sullivan’s escrow account immediately and the funds will be released to the Company one business day prior to the scheduled closing of the real estate purchase pursuant to the Escrow Agreement.
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(e) Information. Such Buyer and its advisors, if any, have been furnished with all materials relating to the business, finances and operations of the Company and materials relating to the offer and sale of the Notes that have been requested by such Buyer. Such Buyer and its advisors, if any, have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Company. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by such Buyer or its advisors, if any, or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect such Buyer’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained herein. Such Buyer understands that its investment in the Securities involves a high degree of risk. Such Buyer has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to its acquisition of the Securities.
(f) No Governmental Review. Such Buyer understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Securities nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Securities.
(g) Transfer or Resale. Such Buyer understands that, except as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement and Section 4(h) hereof: (i) the Securities have not been and are not being registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred unless (A) subsequently registered thereunder, (B) such Buyer shall have delivered to the Company (if requested by the Company) an opinion of counsel, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company, to the effect that such Securities to be sold, assigned or transferred may be sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to an exemption from such registration, or (C) such Buyer provides the Company with reasonable assurance that such Securities can be sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act (or a successor rule thereto) (collectively, “Rule 144”); (ii) any sale of the Securities made in reliance on Rule 144 may be made only in accordance with the terms of Rule 144, and further, if Rule 144 is not applicable, any resale of the Securities under circumstances in which the seller (or the Person through whom the sale is made) may be deemed to be an underwriter (as that term is defined in the Securities Act) may require compliance with some other exemption under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder; and (iii) neither the Company nor any other Person is under any obligation to register the Securities under the Securities Act or any state securities laws or to comply with the terms and conditions of any exemption thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Securities may be pledged in connection with a bona fide margin account or other loan or financing arrangement secured by the Securities and such pledge of Securities shall not be deemed to be a transfer, sale or assignment of the Securities hereunder, and no Buyer effecting a pledge of Securities shall be required to provide the Company with any notice thereof or otherwise make any delivery to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, including, without limitation, this Section 2(g).
(h) Validity; Enforcement. This Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which such Buyer is a party, has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of such Buyer and shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Buyer enforceable against such Buyer in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and other similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies.
(i) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by such Buyer of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which such Buyer is a party, and the consummation by such Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall not (i) result in a violation of the organizational documents of such Buyer, or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which such Buyer is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws) applicable to such Buyer, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for such conflicts, defaults, rights or violations which could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of such Buyer to perform its obligations hereunder.
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3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.
The Company represents and warrants to each of the Buyers that, as of the Subscription Date and as of the Closing Date:
(a) Organization, Good Standing and Power. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries are entities duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation nor default of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents. Each of the Company and Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and no proceeding has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification. The Company has made available via the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”) true and correct copies of the Company’s certificate of incorporation as amended and/or restated as of the Subscription Date and the Closing Date, as applicable (the “Charter”). “Material Adverse Effect” means (i) any condition, occurrence, state of facts or event having, or insofar as reasonably can be foreseen would likely have, any material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) any condition, occurrence, state of facts or event having, or insofar as reasonably can be foreseen would likely have, any effect on the business, operations, properties, financial condition, or prospects of the Company that is material and adverse to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and/or (iii) any condition, occurrence, state of facts or event that would, or insofar as reasonably can be foreseen would likely, prohibit or otherwise materially interfere with or delay the ability of the Company to perform any of its obligations under the Transaction Documents; provided, however, that no facts, circumstances, changes or effects exclusively and directly resulting from, relating to or arising out of the following, individually or in the aggregate, shall be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or insofar as reasonably can be foreseen would likely occur: (A) changes in conditions in the U.S. or global capital, credit or financial markets generally, including changes in the availability of capital or currency exchange rates, provided such changes shall not have affected the Company in a materially disproportionate manner as compared to other similarly situated companies; (B) changes generally affecting the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate, provided such changes shall not have affected the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in a materially disproportionate manner as compared to other similarly situated companies; (C) any effect of the announcement of, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, the Transaction Documents on the Company’s relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, vendors, bank lenders, strategic venture partners or employees; (D) changes arising in connection with earthquakes, pandemics, hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or military actions or any escalation or material worsening of any such pandemic, hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or military actions existing as of the Subscription Date and the Closing Date, as applicable; (E) any action taken by the Buyers with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (F) the effect of any changes in applicable laws or accounting rules, provided such changes shall not have affected the Company in a materially disproportionate manner as compared to other similarly situated companies. “Subsidiaries” means any Person in which the Company, directly or indirectly, (x) owns any of the outstanding capital stock or holds any equity or similar interest of such Person or (y) controls or operates all or any part of the business, operations, or administration of such Person, and each of the foregoing, is individually referred to herein as a “Subsidiary.”
(b) Authorization; Enforcement; Validity. The Company has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and to offer, issue, and sell the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. Each Subsidiary has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by the Company and its Subsidiaries, and the consummation by the Company and its Subsidiaries of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, without limitation, the offer, issuance, and sale of the Securities and the reservation for issuance and issuance of the Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes) have been duly authorized by the Company’s board of directors and each of its Subsidiaries’ board of directors or other governing body, as applicable, and (other than the filing of a Form D with the SEC, the filing of one or more registration statements pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and any other filings as may be required by any state securities agencies) no further filing, consent or authorization is required by the Company, its Subsidiaries, their respective boards of directors or their stockholders or other governing body in connection with the offer, issuance, and sale of the Securities. This Agreement has been, and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party shall be, duly executed and delivered by the Company, and each constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies and except as rights to indemnification and to contribution may be limited by federal or state securities law. Prior to the Closing, the Transaction Documents to which each Subsidiary is a party shall be duly executed and delivered by each such Subsidiary, and shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each such Subsidiary, enforceable against each such Subsidiary in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies and except as rights to indemnification and to contribution may be limited by federal or state securities law. “Transaction Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Subsidiary Guarantee, the Escrow Agreement, the Mortgage (as defined below), the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions (as defined below) and each of the other agreements and instruments entered into or delivered by any of the Parties in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, as may be amended from time to time.
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(c) Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the Company and the shares thereof issued and outstanding were as set forth Schedule 3(c) as of the dates reflected therein. All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable. Except as set forth on Schedule 3(c), there are no agreements or arrangements under which the Company is obligated to register the sale of any securities under the Securities Act. Except as set forth in Schedule 3(c), no shares of Common Stock are entitled to preemptive rights and there are no outstanding debt securities and no contracts, commitments, understandings, or arrangements by which the Company is or may become bound to issue additional shares of the capital stock of the Company or rights, warrants, or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities (as defined below) (collectively, “Options”), calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for, any shares of capital stock of the Company other than those issued or granted in the ordinary course of business pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive and/or compensatory plans or arrangements. Except as set forth in Schedule 3(c) and except for customary transfer restrictions contained in agreements entered into by the Company to sell restricted securities, the Company is not a party to, and it has no Knowledge (as defined below) of, any agreement restricting the voting or transfer of any outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company. The offer and sale of all capital stock, Convertible Securities or Options of the Company issued prior to the Subscription Date or the Closing Date, as applicable, complied, in all material respects, with all applicable federal and state securities laws, and no stockholder has any right of rescission or damages or any “put” or similar right with respect thereto that would have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Schedule 3(c), there are no securities or instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that shall be triggered by this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions described herein or therein. “Common Stock” means (i) the Company’s shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and (ii) any capital stock into which such shares of common stock shall have been changed or any share capital resulting from a reclassification of such shares of common stock. “Knowledge” means the actual knowledge of any of (A) the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and (B) the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, in each case after reasonable inquiry of all officers, directors and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries under such Person’s direct supervision who would reasonably be expected to have knowledge or information with respect to the matter in question. “Convertible Securities” means any capital stock or other security of the Company that is at any time and under any circumstances directly or indirectly convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for, or which otherwise entitles the holder thereof to acquire, any capital stock or other security of the Company (including, without limitation, shares of Common Stock).
(d) Issuance of Conversion Shares. The Conversion Shares, when issued upon conversion of the Notes, shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights, mortgages, defects, claims, liens, pledges, charges, taxes, rights of first refusal, encumbrances, security interests and other encumbrances (collectively “Liens”) with respect to the issuance thereof, with the holders being entitled to all rights accorded to a holder of shares of Common Stock. As of the Closing, the Company shall have reserved from its duly authorized capital stock a number of shares of Common Stock not less than three hundred percent (300%) of the maximum number of Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes based on the Conversion Price then in effect (the “Required Reserve Amount”). Subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Buyers in this Agreement, the offer and issuance by the Company of the Notes is exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
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(e) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Transaction Documents and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Notes and the reservation for the Conversion Shares) do not and shall not (i) result in a violation of any provision of the Charter, (ii) result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) in any respect under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, (iii) create or impose a Lien, charge or encumbrance on any property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any agreement or any commitment to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of their respective properties or assets is subject, or (iv) result in a violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are bound or affected (including federal and state securities laws and regulations and the listing rules of NYSE American LLC (the “Trading Market”)), except, in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), for such conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, acceleration, cancellations, liens, charges, encumbrances and violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
(f) Consents. Other than (i) the filing with the SEC of one or more registration statements pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, (ii) the filing of a Form D with the SEC, and (iii) any other filings as may be required by any state securities agencies, (iii) any application or notification to the Trading Market required in connection with the issuance and sales of the Notes and (iv) the filing with the SEC of such reports under the Exchange Act as may be required in connection with the Transaction Documents and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, the Company nor any Subsidiary is required to obtain any consent from, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with any Governmental Entity (as defined below) or any regulatory or self-regulatory agency or any other Person in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its respective obligations under or contemplated by the Transaction Documents, in each case, in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof. All consents, authorizations, orders, filings and registrations which the Company or any Subsidiary is required to obtain on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the preceding sentence have been obtained or will be obtained on or prior to the Closing Date, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries are aware of any facts or circumstances which might prevent the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from obtaining or effecting any of the registration, application or filings contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Company is not in violation of the requirements of the Trading Market and has no Knowledge of any facts or circumstances which might lead to delisting or suspension of the shares of Common Stock. “Governmental Entity” means any nation, state, county, city, town, village, district, or other political jurisdiction of any nature, federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, or other government, governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental agency, branch, department, official, or entity and any court or other tribunal), multi-national organization or body; or body exercising, or entitled to exercise, any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory, or taxing authority or power of any nature or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, including any entity or enterprise owned or controlled by a government or a public international organization or any of the foregoing.
(g) Acknowledgment Regarding Buyer’s Purchase of Notes. The Company acknowledges and agrees that each Buyer is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s-length purchaser with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and that no Buyer is (i) an officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iii) to its Knowledge, a “beneficial owner” of more than ten percent (10%) of the shares of Common Stock (as defined for purposes of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act”)). The Company further acknowledges that no Buyer is acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and any advice given by a Buyer or any of its representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby is merely incidental to such Buyer’s purchase of the Notes. The Company further represents to each Buyer that the Company’s and each Subsidiary’s decision to enter into the Transaction Documents to which it is a party has been based solely on the independent evaluation by the Company, each Subsidiary and their respective representatives.
(h) Reserved.
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(i) No General Solicitation; Placement Agent Fees. Neither the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (as defined in the Notes), nor any Person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Notes. The Company shall be responsible for the payment of any placement agent fees, financial advisory fees, or brokers’ commissions (other than for Persons engaged by any Buyer or its investment advisor) relating to or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby, in connection with the sale of the Notes. The Company shall pay, and hold each Buyer harmless against, any liability, loss or expense (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses) arising in connection with any such claim. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged any placement agent or other agent in connection with the offer or sale of the Notes.
(j) No Integrated Offering. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates, nor any Person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, sold, offered for sale, or solicited any offers to buy or otherwise negotiated in respect of any security (as defined in the Securities Act) which shall be integrated with the sale of the Notes in a manner which would require registration of the Securities under the Securities Act, whether through integration with prior offerings or otherwise, or cause this offering of the Securities to require approval of stockholders of the Company for purposes of the Securities Act or under any applicable stockholder approval provisions, including, without limitation, under the listing rules of the Trading Market. None of the Company, the Subsidiaries, their Affiliates, nor any Person acting on their behalf shall take any action or steps that would require registration of the issuance of any of the Securities under the Securities Act or cause the offering of any of the Securities to be integrated with other offerings of securities of the Company.
(k) Dilutive Effect. The Company understands and acknowledges that the issuance of Securities may result in dilution of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, which dilution may be substantial under certain market conditions. The Company further acknowledges that the number of Conversion Shares shall increase in certain circumstances as described in the Notes, and that the Company has an unconditional and absolute obligation to issue the Conversion Shares in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Notes, without any right of set off, counterclaim, delay, or reduction, regardless of the dilutive effect that such issuance may have on the ownership interests of other stockholders of the Company, and regardless of any claim the Company may have against any Buyer.
(l) Application of Takeover Protections; Rights Agreement. The Company and its board of directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, interested stockholder, business combination, poison pill (including, without limitation, any distribution under a rights agreement), stockholder rights plan or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Charter or other organizational documents or the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or otherwise which is or could become applicable to any Buyer as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Company’s issuance of the Securities and any Buyer’s ownership of the Securities. The Company and its board of directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any stockholder rights plan or similar arrangement relating to accumulations of beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock or a change in control of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(m) SEC Documents; Financial Statements.
(i) For the twelve months preceding the date hereof , the Company has timely filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, including those required to be filed with or furnished to the SEC under Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (all of the foregoing filed prior to the Subscription Date or the Closing Date, as applicable, and all exhibits and appendices included therein and financial statements, notes and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein being hereinafter referred to as the “SEC Documents”). As of the Subscription Date or the Closing Date, as applicable, no Subsidiary of the Company is required to file or furnish any report, schedule, registration, form, statement, information or other document with the SEC. As of its filing date, each SEC Document filed with or furnished to the SEC complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and other federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations applicable to it, and, as of its filing date (or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the Subscription Date or the Closing Date, as applicable, on the date of such amended or superseded filing), such SEC Document did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each SEC Document to be filed with or furnished to the SEC after the Subscription Date or the Closing Date, as applicable, including, without limitation, the 8-K Filing (as defined below), when such document is filed with or furnished to the SEC and, if applicable, when such document becomes effective, as the case may be, shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and other federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations applicable to it, and shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. There are no outstanding or unresolved comments received by the Company from the SEC. The SEC has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
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(ii) The consolidated financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents filed with or furnished to the SEC, together with the related notes and schedules, present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and the consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity of the Company and the consolidated Subsidiaries for the periods specified (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments which shall not be material, either individually or in the aggregate) and have been prepared in compliance with the published requirements of the Securities Act and Exchange Act, as applicable, and in conformity with the generally accepted accounting principles of the United States (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis (except (A) for such adjustments to accounting standards and practices as are noted therein and (B) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements) during the periods involved. The pro forma financial statements or data included or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents filed with or furnished to the SEC comply with the requirements of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act, including, without limitation, Article 8 or Article 11 thereof, as applicable, and the assumptions used in the preparation of such pro forma financial statements and data are reasonable, the pro forma adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the circumstances referred to therein and the pro forma adjustments have been properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those statements and data. The other financial and statistical data with respect to the Company and Subsidiaries contained or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents filed with or furnished to the SEC, if any, are accurately and fairly presented and prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements and books and records of the Company. There are no financial statements (historical or pro forma) that are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents filed with or furnished to the SEC that are not included or incorporated by reference as required. The Company and Subsidiaries do not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations or any “variable interest entities” as that term is used in Accounting Standards Codification Paragraph 810-10-25-20), not described in the SEC Documents that are required to be described or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents. All disclosures contained in the SEC Documents, if any, regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC) comply in all material respects with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, to the extent applicable. The reserves, if any, established by the Company or the lack of reserves, if applicable, are reasonable based upon facts and circumstances known by the Company on the Subscription Date or the Closing Date, as applicable, and there are no loss contingencies that are required to be accrued by the Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board which are not provided for by the Company in its financial statements or otherwise. The Company is not currently contemplating to amend or restate any of the financial statements included in the SEC Documents (including, without limitation, any notes or any letter of the independent accountants of the Company with respect thereto), nor is the Company currently aware of facts or circumstances which would require the Company to amend or restate any such financial statements, in each case, in order for any of such financials statements to be in compliance with GAAP and the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Company has not been informed by its independent accountants that they recommend that the Company amend or restate any of the financial statements included in the SEC Documents or that there is any need for the Company to amend or restate any such financial statements.
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(iii) The Company and Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to Company assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company and Subsidiaries have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and Subsidiaries and designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. Since March 31, 2025, there have been no changes in the internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act) of the Company and its Subsidiaries that have materially adversely affected, or is reasonably likely to materially adversely affect, the internal control over financial reporting of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(iv) The Company has timely filed with the SEC and made available via EDGAR all certifications and statements required by (a) Rule 13a-14 or Rule 15d-14 under the Exchange Act or (b) 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOXA”)) with respect to all relevant SEC Documents. The Company and each Subsidiary is in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of SOXA applicable to it as of the Subscription Date or the Closing Date, as applicable. The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 under the Exchange Act; such controls and procedures are effective to ensure that all material information concerning the Company and its Subsidiaries is made known on a timely basis to the individuals responsible for the timely and accurate preparation of the SEC Documents and other public disclosure documents.
(v) Marcum LLP (the “Auditor”), whose report on the balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the related statement of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows each of the two years in the period ended December, 2025, and the related notes, is filed with the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, are and, during the periods covered by their report, were independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). To the Company’s Knowledge, the Auditor is not in violation of the auditor independence requirements of SOXA with respect to the Company.
(vi) There is no failure on the part of the Company or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply in all material respects with any applicable provisions of SOXA and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Each of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of the Company (or each former principal executive officer of the Company and each former principal financial officer of the Company as applicable) has made all certifications required by Sections 302 and 906 of SOXA with respect to all periodic reports required to be filed by it with the SEC during the past twelve (12) months. For purposes of the preceding sentence, “principal executive officer” and “principal financial officer” shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15.
(n) Subsidiaries. Schedule 3(n) identifies each Subsidiary of the Company as of the Subscription Date or the Closing Date, as applicable, other than those that may be omitted pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K. No Subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such Subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company, except as described or incorporate by reference in, or contemplated by, the SEC Documents, or as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(o) No Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 3(o), since March 31, 2025: (i) the Company has not experienced or suffered any Material Adverse Effect, and there exists no current state of facts, condition or event which would have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) there has not occurred any material adverse change, or any development that would reasonably be expected to result in a prospective material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company from that disclosed or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents; (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, nor entered into any material transaction; (iv) the Company has not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its capital stock other than ordinary and customary dividends; and (v) there has not been any material change in the capital stock, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company.
(p) No Undisclosed Liabilities, Events, or Circumstances. Except as set forth on Schedule 3(p), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities, obligations, claims or losses (whether liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) that would be required to be disclosed on a balance sheet of the Company or any Subsidiary (including the notes thereto) in conformity with GAAP, other than those incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ respective businesses since March 31, 2025 and which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No event, liability, development or circumstance has occurred or exists, or is reasonably expected to occur or exist, with respect to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, properties, liabilities, prospects, operations (including results thereof) or condition (financial or otherwise), that (i) would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws in the SEC Documents, which has not been disclosed or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents, or (ii) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(q) Indebtedness. Schedule 3(q) attached hereto sets forth, as of the Subscription Date or the Closing Date, as applicable, all outstanding secured and unsecured Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary, or for which the Company or any Subsidiary has commitments through such date. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Indebtedness” shall mean, with respect to any Person as of any time, without duplication, (a) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (b) all guaranties, endorsements, indemnities and other contingent obligations in respect of Indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (c) the present value of any lease payments due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP. Except as set forth on Schedule 3(q), there is no existing or continuing default or event of default in respect of any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Company has not taken any steps, and does not currently expect to take any steps, to seek protection pursuant to any bankruptcy law or law for the relief of debtors, nor does the Company have any Knowledge that its creditors intend to initiate involuntary bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or liquidation proceedings or other proceedings for relief under any bankruptcy law or any law for the relief of debtors. Upon the sale and purchase of the Notes, the Company is financially solvent and is generally able to pay its debts as they become due.
(r) Title to Assets. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them which is material to the business of the Company, in each case free and clear of all Liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in Schedule 3(r), or such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are held by it under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere in any material respect with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case except as described on Schedule 3(r).
(s) Actions Pending. There are no Actions (as defined below) pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary or their respective assets or properties (i) other than Actions accurately described in Schedule 3(s) and proceedings that would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or on the power or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (ii) that are required to be described in the SEC Documents and are not so described; and there are no statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the SEC Documents, or to be filed as exhibits to the SEC Documents, that are not so described or filed. “Action” means any action, lawsuit, complaint, claim, petition, suit, audit, examination, assessment, arbitration, mediation or inquiry, or any proceedings or investigation, by or before any Governmental Entity.
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(t) Compliance with Law. The business of the Company and Subsidiaries has been and is presently being conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign governmental laws, rules, regulations and ordinances, except as set forth in Schedule 3(t) and except for such non-compliance which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any judgment, decree or order or any statute, ordinance, rule or regulation of any Governmental Entity applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall conduct its business in violation of any of the foregoing, except in all cases for any such violations which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
(u) Certain Fees. No brokers, finders or financial advisory fees or commissions is or shall be payable by the Company or any Subsidiary (or any of their respective Affiliates) with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or the Buyers for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or other like payment in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any arrangements, agreements, understandings, payments or issuance with respect to the Company or any of its officers, directors, stockholders, partners, employees, Subsidiaries or Affiliates that may affect the determination by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) of the amount of compensation to be received by any FINRA member or person associated with any FINRA member in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No “items of value” (within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5110) have been received, and no arrangements have been entered into for the future receipt of any items of value, from the Company or any of its officers, directors, stockholders, partners, employees, Subsidiaries or Affiliates by any FINRA member or person associated with any FINRA member, during the period commencing one hundred and eighty (180) days immediately preceding the Subscription Date or the Closing Date, as applicable, and ending on the date this Agreement is terminated in accordance with the terms hereof, that may affect the FINRA’s determination of the amount of compensation to be received by any FINRA member or person associated with any FINRA member in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
(v) Operation of Business.
(i) The Company and the Subsidiaries possess or have obtained, all licenses, certificates, consents, orders, approvals, permits and other authorizations issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign Governmental Entity that are necessary for the ownership or lease of their respective properties or the conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted, as described in the SEC Documents (the “Permits”), except where the failure to possess, obtain or make the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received written notice of any proceeding relating to revocation or modification of any such Permit or has any reason to believe that such Permit shall not be renewed in the ordinary course, except where the failure to obtain any such renewal would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. This Section 3(v) does not relate to environmental matters, such items being the subject of Section 3(w).
(ii) The Company and its Subsidiaries own or possess adequate enforceable rights to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks (both registered and unregistered), trade names, trademark registrations, service marks, service mark registrations, Internet domain name registrations, copyrights, copyright registrations, licenses and know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures) (collectively, the “Intellectual Property”), necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as conducted as of the Subscription Date or the Closing Date, as applicable, except to the extent that the failure to own or possess adequate rights to use such Intellectual Property would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its Subsidiaries have not received any written notice of any claim of infringement or conflict which asserted Intellectual Property rights of others, which infringement or conflict, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, would result in a Material Adverse Effect. There are no pending, or to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened judicial proceedings or interference proceedings challenging the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ rights in or to or the validity of the scope of any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ Intellectual Property. No other Person has any right or claim in any of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Intellectual Property by virtue of any contract, license or other agreement entered into between such Person and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by any non-contractual obligation, other than by written licenses granted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of any claim challenging the rights of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in or to any Intellectual Property owned, licensed or optioned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, which claim, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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(w) Environmental Compliance. The Company and Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with any and all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules, regulations, decisions and orders relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (collectively, “Environmental Laws”); (ii) have received and are in compliance with all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses as described in the SEC Documents; and (iii) have not received notice of any actual or potential liability for the investigation or remediation of any disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, except, in the case of any of clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above, for any such failure to comply or failure to receive required permits, licenses, other approvals or liability as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
(x) Material Agreements. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company is a party to any written or oral contract, instrument, agreement, commitment, obligation, plan or arrangement, a copy of which would be required pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act to be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to an Annual Report on Form 10-K (collectively, “Material Agreements”). Each of the Material Agreements described in the SEC Documents filed with or furnished to the SEC conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained or incorporated by reference therein. Except as set forth in in the SEC Documents, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have performed in all material respects all the obligations then required to be performed by them under the Material Agreements, have received no notice of default or an event of default by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries thereunder and are not aware of any basis for the assertion thereof, and neither the Company or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other contracting party thereto are in default under any Material Agreement now in effect, the result of which would have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in in the SEC Documents, each of the Material Agreements is in full force and effect, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms against the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each other contracting party thereto, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation, conservatorship, receivership or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditor’s rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general application.
(y) Transactions with Affiliates. Except as set forth in Schedule 3(y), none of the officers or directors of the Company and, to the Knowledge of the Company, none of the Company’s stockholders, the officers or directors of any stockholder of the Company, or any family member or Affiliate of any of the foregoing, has either directly or indirectly any interest in, or is a party to, any transaction that is required to be disclosed as a related party transaction pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.
(z) Employees; Labor Laws. No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company exists, except as set forth in Schedule 3(z), or, to the Knowledge of the Company, is imminent; and the Company is not aware of any existing, threatened or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its principal suppliers, manufacturers or contractors that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of or has received notice of any violation with respect to any federal or state law relating to discrimination in the hiring, promotion or pay of employees, nor any applicable federal or state wage and hour laws, nor any state law precluding the denial of credit due to the neighborhood in which a property is situated, the violation of any of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(aa) Investment Company Act Status. The Company is not, and as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes pursuant to the Transaction Documents, shall not be, an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(bb) Reserved.
(cc) Taxes. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed through the Subscription Date or the Closing Date, as applicable, or have requested extensions thereof (except where the failure to file would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect) and have paid all taxes required to be paid thereon (except for cases in which the failure to file or pay would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or, except as currently being contested in good faith and for which reserves required by GAAP have been created in the financial statements of the Company), and no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which have had a Material Adverse Effect, nor does the Company have any notice or Knowledge of any tax deficiency which could reasonably be expected to be determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(dd) Insurance. The Company and Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and Subsidiaries are engaged, including, but not limited to, directors and officers insurance coverage. The Company has no reason to believe that it shall not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(ee) U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is, and so long as any of the Securities are held by the Buyers shall not become, a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code.
(ff) Listing and Maintenance Requirements; DTC Eligibility. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to promptly secure the listing of all of the shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Buyers hereunder on the Trading Market (subject to official notice of issuance) and shall use reasonable best efforts to maintain, so long as any share of Common Stock shall be so listed, such listing of all such shares of Common Stock from time to time issuable hereunder. The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to maintain the listing of the shares of Common Stock on the Trading Market and shall comply in all respects with the Company’s reporting, filing and other obligations under the bylaws or rules and regulations of the Trading Market. The Company shall not take any action that would reasonably be expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the shares of Common Stock on the Trading Market. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that the shares of Common Stock are eligible for participation in The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) book entry system and can be transferred electronically to third parties via DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian (“DWAC”) delivery system.
(gg) No Unlawful Payments. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any director or officer, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any employee, agent, representative or Affiliate of the Company, has taken within the past five (5) years any action in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization or approval of the payment or giving of money, property, gifts or anything else of value, directly or indirectly, to any “government official” (including any officer or employee of a government or government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office) to influence official action or secure an improper advantage (to the extent acting on behalf of or providing services to the Company); and the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses within the past five years in compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, any applicable law or regulation implementing the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, signed December 17, 1997, the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 and other applicable anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and anti-bribery laws, and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and with the representation and warranty contained herein.
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(hh) Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company are and have been conducted at all times within the past five (5) years in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes, including but not limited to, applicable federal, state, international, foreign or other laws, regulations or government guidance regarding anti-money laundering, including, without limitation, 18 U.S.C. Sections 1956 and 1957, the Patriot Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, and international anti-money laundering principles or procedures by an intergovernmental group or organization, such as the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, of which the United States is a member and with which designation the United States representative to the group or organization continues to concur, all as amended, and any executive order, directive, or regulation pursuant to the authority of any of the foregoing, or any orders or licenses issued thereunder, of jurisdictions where the Company conducts business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Entity (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or Governmental Entity, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best Knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(ii) OFAC. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, or employee thereof, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any agent, Affiliate or representative of the Company, is a Person that is, or is owned or controlled by a Person that is (i) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions (including, without limitation, Russia, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds from the sale of Shares under this Agreement, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person (a) to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any Person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions, or (b) in any other manner that shall result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise). During the past five (5) years, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have knowingly engaged in, or are now knowingly engaged in, any dealings or transactions with any Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions.
(jj) Disclosure. The Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided the Buyers or any of their agents, advisors or counsel with any information that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to constitute material, nonpublic information concerning the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company understands and confirms that the Buyers shall rely on the foregoing representations in effecting resales of the Securities pursuant to the terms hereof. All disclosure provided to the Buyers regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries, their businesses and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Section 3) furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for purposes of or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than forward-looking information and projections and information of a general economic nature and general information about the Company’s industry), taken together, is true and correct in all material respects on the date on which such information is dated or certified, and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading at such time. Each press release issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries during the twelve (12) months preceding the Subscription Date or the Closing Date, as applicable, did not, at the time of release, contain any misstatement of material fact.
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(kk) Bank Holding Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”) and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities or twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total equity of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve.
(ll) IT Systems. To the Knowledge of Company, (i)(A) there has been no security breach or other compromise of any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ information technology and computer systems, networks, hardware, software, data (including the data of their respective customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and any third party data maintained by or on behalf of them), equipment or technology (collectively, “IT Systems and Data”), and (B) the Company has not been notified of, and has no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any security breach or other compromise to the IT Systems and Data, except as would not, in the case of this clause (i), individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) the Company is presently in material compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or Governmental Entity, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification, except as would not, in the case of this clause (ii), individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) the Company has implemented backup and disaster recovery technology consistent with industry standards and practices.
(mm) Compliance with Data Privacy Laws. The Company and Subsidiaries are, and at all prior times were, in material compliance with all applicable data privacy and security laws and regulations of the applicable jurisdictions (collectively, the “Privacy Laws”). To ensure compliance with the Privacy Laws, the Company has in place, complies with, and takes appropriate steps to ensure compliance in all material respects with its policies and procedures relating to data privacy and security and the collection, storage, use, processing, disclosure, handling, and analysis of personal data and confidential data (the “Policies”). The Company has at all times made all disclosures to users or customers required by applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements, and none of such disclosures made or contained in any of its Policies have been inaccurate or in violation of any applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements in any material respect. The Company further certifies that neither it nor any Subsidiary: (a) has received notice of any actual or potential liability under or relating to, or actual or potential violation of, any of the Privacy Laws, and the Company has no Knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any such notice; (b) is currently conducting or paying for, in whole or in part, any investigation, remediation, or other corrective action pursuant to any Privacy Law; or (c) is a party to any order, decree, or agreement that imposes any obligation or liability under any Privacy Law.
(nn) Equity Incentive Plans. Each stock Option granted by the Company was granted (a) in accordance with the terms of the applicable equity incentive plan of the Company and (b) with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock on the date such stock Option would be considered granted under GAAP and applicable law. No stock Option granted under the Company’s equity incentive plan has been backdated. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no policy or practice of the Company to knowingly grant, stock Options prior to, or otherwise knowingly coordinate the grant of stock Options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or their financial results or prospects.
(oo) Manipulation of Price. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or Affiliates has, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no Person acting on their behalf has, (a) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed or intended to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company, or which caused or resulted in, or which would in the future reasonably be expected to cause or result in, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company, in each case to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, or (b) sold, bid for, purchased, or paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or Affiliates shall during the term of this Agreement, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no Person acting on their behalf shall during the term of this Agreement, take any of the actions referred to in the immediately preceding sentence.
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(pp) No Disqualification Events. With respect to Securities to be offered and sold hereunder in reliance on Rule 506(b) under the Securities Act (“Regulation D Securities”), none of the Company, any of its predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any director, executive officer, other officer of the Company participating in the offering contemplated hereby, any beneficial owner of twenty percent (20%) or more of the Company’s outstanding voting equity securities, calculated on the basis of voting power, nor any promoter (as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) connected with the Company in any capacity at the time of sale (each, an “Issuer Covered Person”) is subject to any of the “Bad Actor” disqualifications described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i) to (viii) under the Securities Act (a “Disqualification Event”), except for a Disqualification Event covered by Rule 506(d)(2) or (d)(3). The Company has exercised reasonable care to determine whether any Issuer Covered Person is subject to a Disqualification Event. The Company has complied, to the extent applicable, with its disclosure obligations under Rule 506(e), and has furnished to the Buyers a copy of any disclosures provided thereunder.
(qq) Other Covered Persons. The Company is not aware of any Person that has been or will be paid (directly or indirectly) remuneration for solicitation of Buyers or potential purchasers in connection with the sale of any Regulation D Securities.
(rr) Ranking of Notes. No Indebtedness of the Company at the Closing shall be senior to, or pari passu with, the Notes in right of payment, whether with respect to payment or redemptions, interest, damages, upon liquidation or dissolution or otherwise.
(ss) Acknowledgement Regarding Buyers’ Trading Activity. It is understood and acknowledged by the Company that (i) following the public disclosure of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, in accordance with the terms thereof, none of the Buyers have been asked by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to agree, nor has any Buyer agreed with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, to desist from effecting any transactions in or with respect to (including, without limitation, purchasing or selling, long and/or short) any securities of the Company, or “derivative” securities based on securities issued by the Company or to hold any of the Securities for any specified term; (ii) any Buyer, and counterparties in “derivative” transactions to which any such Buyer is a party, directly or indirectly, presently may have a “short” position in the shares of Common Stock which was established prior to such Buyer’s knowledge of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents; (iii) each Buyer shall not be deemed to have any affiliation with or control over any arm’s-length counterparty in any “derivative” transaction; and (iv) each Buyer may rely on the Company’s obligation to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes as and when required pursuant to the Transaction Documents for purposes of effecting trading in the shares of Common Stock. The Company further understands and acknowledges that following the public disclosure of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents pursuant to the 8-K Filing, as applicable, one or more Buyers may engage in hedging and/or trading activities (including, without limitation, the location and/or reservation of borrowable shares of Common Stock) at various times during the period that the Securities are outstanding, including, without limitation, during the periods that the value and/or number of the Conversion Shares deliverable are being determined and such hedging and/or trading activities (including, without limitation, the location and/or reservation of borrowable shares of Common Stock), if any, can reduce the value of the existing stockholders’ equity interest in the Company both at and after the time the hedging and/or trading activities are being conducted. The Company acknowledges that such aforementioned hedging and/or trading activities do not constitute a breach of this Agreement, the Notes or any other Transaction Document or any of the documents executed in connection herewith or therewith.
(tt) Reserved.
4. COVENANTS.
(a) Best Efforts. Each Buyer shall use its best efforts to timely satisfy each of the covenants hereunder and conditions to be satisfied by it as provided in Section 6 of this Agreement. The Company shall use its best efforts to timely satisfy each of the covenants hereunder and conditions to be satisfied by it as provided in Section 7 of this Agreement.
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(b) Form D and Blue Sky. The Company shall file a Form D with respect to the Securities as required under Regulation D and to provide a copy thereof to each Buyer promptly after such filing. The Company shall, on or before the Closing Date, take such action as the Company shall reasonably determine is necessary in order to obtain an exemption for, or to, qualify the Notes for sale to the Buyers at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the United States (or to obtain an exemption from such qualification), and shall provide evidence of any such action so taken to the Buyers on or prior to the Closing Date. Without limiting any other obligation of the Company under this Agreement, the Company shall timely make all filings and reports relating to the offer and sale of the Notes required under all applicable securities laws (including, without limitation, all applicable federal securities laws and all applicable “Blue Sky” laws), and the Company shall comply with all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws, statutes, rules, regulations and the like relating to the offering and sale of the Notes to the Buyers.
(c) Reporting Status. Until the date on which the Buyers shall have sold all of the Registrable Securities (the “Reporting Period”), the Company shall timely file all reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, and the Company shall not terminate its status as an issuer required to file reports under the Exchange Act even if the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder would no longer require or otherwise permit such termination.
(d) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use the proceeds from the sale of the Notes for the purchase of the Property and, if any surplus remains, for general corporate purposes.
(e) Financial Information. The Company agrees to send the following to each Buyer during the Reporting Period (i) unless the following are filed with the SEC through EDGAR and are available to the public through the EDGAR system, within one (1) Business Day after the filing thereof with the SEC, copies of its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, any interim reports or any consolidated balance sheets, income statements, shareholders’ equity statements and/or cash flow statements for any period other than annual, any current reports on Form 8-K and any registration statements (other than on Form S-8) or amendments filed pursuant to the Securities Act, (ii) unless the following are either filed with the SEC through EDGAR or are otherwise widely disseminated via a recognized news release service (such as PR Newswire), on the same day as the release thereof, e-mail copies of all press releases issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (iii) unless the following are filed with the SEC through EDGAR, copies of any notices and other information made available or given to the stockholders of the Company generally, contemporaneously with the making available or giving thereof to the stockholders.
(f) Listing. The Company shall maintain the shares of Common Stock listing or authorization for quotation (as the case may be) on the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, The New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE American, or any successors to any of the foregoing (each, an “Eligible Market”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action which would be reasonably expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the shares of Common Stock on an Eligible Market. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligations under this Section 4(f).
(g) Fees. The Company shall reimburse the lead Buyer for all costs and expenses incurred by it or its affiliates in connection with the preparation, structuring, documentation, negotiation and closing of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (including, without limitation, as applicable, all reasonable legal fees of counsel to the lead Buyer (“Lead Buyer Counsel”)), any other reasonable and documented fees and expenses in connection with the structuring, documentation, negotiation and closing of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and due diligence and regulatory filings in connection therewith) (collectively, the “Transaction Expenses”), the sum of which shall be deducted from each Buyer’s respective Purchase Price at the Closing in accordance with the Flow of Funds Letter. The Company shall be responsible for the payment of any placement agent fees, financial advisory fees, transfer agent fees, DTC fees or broker’s commissions (other than for Persons engaged by any Buyer) relating to or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company shall pay, and hold each Buyer harmless against, any liability, loss or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses) arising in connection with any claim relating to any such payment. Except as otherwise set forth in the Transaction Documents, each party to this Agreement shall bear its own expenses in connection with the sale of the Notes to the Buyers.
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(h) Pledge of Securities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company acknowledges and agrees that the Securities may be pledged by a Buyer in connection with a bona fide margin agreement or other loan or financing arrangement that is secured by the Securities. The pledge of Securities shall not be deemed to be a transfer, sale or assignment of the Securities hereunder, and no Buyer effecting a pledge of Securities shall be required to provide the Company with any notice thereof or otherwise make any delivery to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, including, without limitation, Section 2(g) hereof; provided that a Buyer and its pledgee shall be required to comply with the provisions of Section 2(g) hereof in order to effect a sale, transfer or assignment of Securities to such pledgee. The Company hereby agrees to execute and deliver such documentation as a pledgee of the Securities may reasonably request in connection with a pledge of the Securities to such pledgee by a Buyer.
(i) Disclosure of Transactions and Other Material Information.
(i) Disclosure of Transaction. On or before 9:30 a.m., New York time, on the first (1st) Business Day after the Subscription Date, the Company shall file a current report on Form 8-K describing all the material terms of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents in the form required by the Exchange Act and attaching all the material Transaction Documents (including, without limitation, this Agreement and the form of Notes) (including all attachments, the “8-K Filing”) From and after the filing of the 8-K Filing, the Company shall have disclosed all material, non-public information (if any) provided to any of the Buyers by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. In addition, effective upon the filing of the 8-K Filing, the Company acknowledges and agrees that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement, whether written or oral, between the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, affiliates, employees or agents, on the one hand, and any of the Buyers or any of their affiliates, on the other hand, shall terminate.
(ii) Limitations on Disclosure. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and each of its and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents not to, provide any Buyer with any material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from and after the Subscription Date without the express prior written consent of such Buyer (which may be granted or withheld in such Buyer’s sole discretion). In the event of a breach of any of the foregoing covenants or any of the covenants or agreements contained in any other Transaction Document, by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of its or their respective officers, directors, employees and agents (as determined in the reasonable good faith judgment of such Buyer), in addition to any other remedy provided herein or in the Transaction Documents, such Buyer shall have the right to make a public disclosure, in the form of a press release, public advertisement or otherwise, of such breach or such material, non-public information, as applicable, without the prior approval by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of its or their respective officers, directors, employees or agents. No Buyer shall have any liability to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of its or their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, stockholders or agents, for any such disclosure. To the extent that the Company delivers any material, non-public information to a Buyer without such Buyer’s consent, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that such Buyer shall not have any duty of confidentiality with respect to, or a duty not to trade on the basis of, such material, non-public information. Subject to the foregoing, neither the Company, its Subsidiaries nor any Buyer shall issue any press releases or any other public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, the Company shall be entitled, without the prior approval of any Buyer, to make any press release or other public disclosure with respect to such transactions (A) in substantial conformity with the 8-K Filing and contemporaneously therewith, and (B) as is required by applicable law and regulations (provided that in the case of clause (A) each Buyer shall be consulted by the Company in connection with any such press release or other public disclosure prior to its release). Without the prior written consent of the applicable Buyer (which may be granted or withheld in such Buyer’s sole discretion), the Company shall not (and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and affiliates to not) disclose the name of such Buyer in any filing, announcement, release or otherwise. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary and without implication that the contrary would otherwise be true, the Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that no Buyer shall have (unless expressly agreed to by a particular Buyer after the Subscription Date in a written definitive and binding agreement executed by the Company and such particular Buyer (it being understood and agreed that no Buyer may bind any other Buyer with respect thereto)), any duty of confidentiality with respect to, or a duty not to trade on the basis of, any material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
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(iii) Other Confidential Information. In addition to other remedies set forth in this Section 4(i), and without limiting anything set forth in any other Transaction Document, at any time after the Closing Date if the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents, provides any Buyer with material non-public information relating to the Company (each, the “Confidential Information”), the Company shall, on or prior to the applicable Required Disclosure Date (as defined below), publicly disclose such Confidential Information on a current report on Form 8-K or otherwise (each, a “Disclosure”). From and after such Disclosure, the Company shall have disclosed all Confidential Information provided to such Buyer by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. In addition, effective upon such Disclosure, the Company acknowledges and agrees that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement, whether written or oral, between the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, affiliates, employees or agents, on the one hand, and any of the Buyers or any of their affiliates, on the other hand, shall terminate. “Required Disclosure Date” means (1) if such Buyer authorized the delivery of such Confidential Information, either (x) if the Company and such Buyer have mutually agreed upon a date (as evidenced by an e-mail or other writing) of Disclosure of such Confidential Information, such agreed upon date or (y) otherwise, the seventh (7th) calendar day after the date such Buyer first received any Confidential Information, or (2) if such Buyer did not authorize the delivery of such Confidential Information, the first (1st) Business Day after such Buyer’s receipt of such Confidential Information.
(j) Reserved.
(k) Additional Issuance of Securities. So long as any Buyer beneficially owns any Securities, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Required Holders (as defined below), issue any Notes (other than to the Buyers as contemplated hereby) and the Company shall not issue any other securities that would cause a breach or default under the Notes. Each Buyer shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against the Company to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages.
(l) Reservation of Shares. So long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, the Company shall take all action necessary to at all times have authorized, and reserved for the purpose of issuance, no less than the Required Reserve Amount; provided that at no time shall the number of shares of Common Stock reserved pursuant to this Section 4(l) be reduced other than proportionally in connection with any conversion and/or redemption of the Notes. If at any time the number of shares of Common Stock authorized and reserved for issuance is not sufficient to meet the Required Reserve Amount, the Company shall promptly take all corporate action necessary to authorize and reserve a sufficient number of shares, including, without limitation, calling a special meeting of stockholders to authorize additional shares to meet the Company’s obligations pursuant to the Transaction Documents, in the case of an insufficient number of authorized shares, obtain stockholder approval of an increase in such authorized number of shares, and voting the management shares of the Company in favor of an increase in the authorized shares of the Company to ensure that the number of authorized shares of Common Stock is sufficient to meet the Required Reserve Amount.
(m) Conduct of Business. The business of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be conducted in violation of any law, ordinance or regulation of any Governmental Entity, except where such violations would not reasonably be expected to result, either individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.
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(n) Variable Rate Transactions. So long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Company and each Subsidiary shall be prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) involving a Variable Rate Transaction. “Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, shares of Common Stock. “Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any debt or equity securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive additional shares of Common Stock either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon and/or varies with the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of Common Stock at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities, or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for shares of Common Stock or (ii) enters into, or effects a transaction under, any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity line of credit, whereby the Company may issue securities at a future determined price regardless of whether shares pursuant to such agreement have actually been issued and regardless of whether such agreement is subsequently canceled. Any Buyer shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against the Company to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages. For purposes of this Section 4(n), an “at the market offering” and an “equity line of credit” shall not constitute a Variable Rate Transaction.
(o) Subsequent Equity Issuances. Beginning on the Subscription Date and ending on (x) if all of the Registrable Securities are registered on the Initial Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), the date that is thirty (30) Trading Days following the Effective Date (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), or (y) if not all of the Registrable Securities are registered on the Initial Registration Statement, the Effective Date of the Registration Statement that includes the remaining Registrable Securities, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall (i) issue, enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or (ii) file any registration statement or any amendment or supplement with respect thereto, other than (A) any Registration Statement pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, (B) any registration statement or any issuance, agreement for issuance or announcement of the issuance or proposed issuance of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents pursuant to any other agreements by and between the Company and a Buyer or any affiliate of such Buyer, and (C) any registration statement on Form S-8 in connection with any employee benefit plan. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 4(o) shall be deemed to prevent the Company from (a) filing a registration statement in connection with any registration rights obligations in existence prior to the date hereof or (b) performing its obligations under any of the Transaction Documents or pursuant to that certain Common Stock Purchase Agreement, by and between the Company and [●], dated as of July 10, 2025 (the “[●] Agreement”).
(p) Dilutive Issuances. So long as any Notes are outstanding and other than pursuant to the [●] Agreement, the Company shall not, in any manner, enter into or affect any Dilutive Issuance (as defined in the Notes) if the effect of such Dilutive Issuance is to cause the Company to be required to issue upon conversion of any Notes any shares of Common Stock in excess of that number of shares of Common Stock which the Company may issue upon conversion of the Notes without breaching the Company’s obligations under the rules or regulations of the Trading Market.
(q) Participation in Future Financing.
(i) Upon any issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents for cash consideration, indebtedness or a combination thereof that occurs during the one year period after the Closing Date (a “Subsequent Financing”), each Buyer shall have the right to participate in any Subsequent Financing up to an amount equal to 20% of such financing on the same terms, conditions and price provided to other investors in the applicable Subsequent Financing. The maximum amount calculated with the applicable percentage in the prior sentence is referred to as the “Participation Maximum.”
(ii) At least five (5) Trading Days prior to the closing of the Subsequent Financing, the Company shall deliver to each Buyer a written notice of its intention to effect a Subsequent Financing (“Pre-Notice”), which Pre-Notice shall ask such Buyer if it wants to review the details of such financing (such additional notice, a “Subsequent Financing Notice”). Upon the request of a Buyer, and only upon a request by such Buyer, for a Subsequent Financing Notice, the Company shall promptly, but no later than one (1) Trading Day after such request, deliver a Subsequent Financing Notice to such Buyer. The Subsequent Financing Notice shall describe in reasonable detail the proposed terms of such Subsequent Financing, the amount of proceeds intended to be raised thereunder and the Person or Persons through or with whom such Subsequent Financing is proposed to be effected and shall include a term sheet or similar document relating thereto as an attachment.
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(iii) Any Buyer desiring to participate in such Subsequent Financing must provide written notice to the Company by not later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Trading Day after all of the Buyers have received the Pre-Notice that such Buyer is willing to participate in the Subsequent Financing, the amount of such Buyer’s participation, and representing and warranting that such Buyer has such funds ready, willing, and available for investment on the terms set forth in the Subsequent Financing Notice. If the Company receives no such notice from a Buyer as of such fifth (5th) Trading Day, such Buyer shall be deemed to have notified the Company that it does not elect to participate.
(iv) If by 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Trading Day after all of the Buyers have received the Pre-Notice, notifications by the Buyers of their willingness to participate in the Subsequent Financing (or to cause their designees to participate) is, in the aggregate, less than the total amount of the Subsequent Financing, then the Company may effect the remaining portion of such Subsequent Financing on the terms and with the Persons set forth in the Subsequent Financing Notice.
(v) If by 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Trading Day after all of the Buyers have received the Pre-Notice, the Company receives responses to a Subsequent Financing Notice from Buyers seeking to purchase more than the aggregate amount of the Participation Maximum, each such Buyer shall have the right to purchase its Pro Rata Portion (as defined below) of the Participation Maximum. “Pro Rata Portion” means the ratio of (x) the aggregate Purchase Price of Notes purchased by a Buyer participating under this Section 4(q) and (y) the sum of the aggregate Purchase Price of Notes purchased by all Buyers participating under this Section 4(q).
(vi) The Company must provide the Buyers with a second Subsequent Financing Notice, and the Buyers will again have the right of participation set forth above in this Section 4(q), if the Subsequent Financing subject to the initial Subsequent Financing Notice is not consummated for any reason on the terms set forth in such Subsequent Financing Notice within thirty (30) Trading Days after the date of the initial Subsequent Financing Notice.
(vii) The Company and each Buyer agree that if any Buyer elects to participate in the Subsequent Financing, the transaction documents related to the Subsequent Financing shall not include any term or provision whereby such Buyer shall be required to agree to any restrictions on trading as to any of the Conversion Shares or be required to consent to any amendment to or termination of, or grant any waiver, release or the like under or in connection with, this Agreement, without the prior written consent of such Buyer.
(viii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4(q) and unless otherwise agreed to by such Buyer, the Company shall either confirm in writing to such Buyer that the transaction with respect to the Subsequent Financing has been abandoned or shall publicly disclose its intention to issue the securities in the Subsequent Financing, in either case in such a manner such that such Buyer will not be in possession of any material, non-public information, by the tenth (10th) Business Day following delivery of the Subsequent Financing Notice. If by such tenth (10th) Business Day, no public disclosure regarding a transaction with respect to the Subsequent Financing has been made, and no notice regarding the abandonment of such transaction has been received by such Buyer, such transaction shall be deemed to have been abandoned and such Buyer shall not be deemed to be in possession of any material, non-public information with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(ix) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4(q) shall not apply in respect of any Excluded Securities (as defined in the Notes).
(r) Passive Foreign Investment Company. The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to avoid classification as a passive foreign investment company within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code for any year.
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(s) Corporate Existence. So long as any Buyer beneficially owns any Notes, the Company shall not be party to any Fundamental Transaction (as defined in the Notes) unless the Company is in compliance with the applicable provisions governing Fundamental Transactions set forth in the Notes.
(t) Stock Splits. Until the date the last Note ceases to be outstanding and no Buyer holds any Conversion Shares issued under the Notes, the Company shall not effect any stock combination, reverse stock split or other similar transaction (or make any public announcement or disclosure with respect to any of the foregoing) without the prior written consent of the Required Holders.
(u) Conversion Procedures. The form of Conversion Notice (as defined in the Notes) included in the Notes sets forth the totality of the procedures required of the Buyers in order to convert or exercise the Notes. Except as provided in Section 5(d), no additional legal opinion, other information or instructions shall be required of the Buyers to convert or exercise their Notes. The Company shall honor conversions or exercises of the Notes and shall deliver the Conversion Shares in accordance with the terms, conditions and time periods set forth in the Notes.
(v) Regulation M. The Company shall not take any action prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act, in connection with the distribution of the Securities contemplated hereby.
(w) General Solicitation. None of the Company, any of its affiliates (as defined in Rule 501(b) under the Securities Act) or any person acting on behalf of the Company or such affiliate shall solicit any offer to buy or offer or sell the Securities by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Regulation D, including: (i) any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine or similar medium or broadcast over television or radio; and (ii) any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising.
(x) Integration. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective Affiliates, nor any Person acting on their behalf shall sell, offer for sale, or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in the Securities Act) which shall be integrated with the sale of the Notes in a manner which would require the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act or require stockholder approval under the rules and regulations of the Trading Market and the Company shall take all action that is appropriate or necessary to assure that its offerings of other securities shall not be integrated for purposes of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Trading Market, with the issuance of Securities contemplated hereby.
(y) Notice of Disqualification Events. The Company shall notify the Buyers in writing, prior to the Closing Date of (i) any Disqualification Event relating to any Issuer Covered Person, and (ii) any event that would, with the passage of time, become a Disqualification Event relating to any Issuer Covered Person.
(z) Compliance with Rules of Trading Market.
(i) General. The Company shall not issue or sell any shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement if such issuance or sale would reasonably be expected to result in (A) violation of the Securities Act or (B) breach of the rules of the Trading Market. The provisions of this Section 4(z) shall be implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 4(z) only if necessary to ensure compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules of the Trading Market. The limitations contained in this Section 4(z) may not be waived by the Company or any Buyer.
(ii) Exchange Cap. Subject to Sections 4(z)(iii) and 4(z)(iv), the Company shall not issue or sell any shares of Common Stock to the Buyers upon conversion or exercise of any Note, if, to the extent that after giving effect thereto, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that would be issued to Buyers or any of their affiliates pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise and the transactions contemplated hereby would exceed the number of shares equal to 19.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Subscription Date, which number of shares shall be reduced, on a share-for-share basis, by the number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to Buyers or any of their affiliates pursuant to any transaction or series of transactions that may be aggregated with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under applicable rules of the Trading Market (such maximum number of shares, the “Exchange Cap” and such limitation on the Company’s issuance of shares to the Buyers, the “Exchange Cap Limitation”).
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(iii) Exchange Cap Allocation. Until Stockholder Approval (as defined below) is obtained, the Company shall issue each Buyer in the aggregate, upon conversion of any of the Notes, shares of Common Stock in an amount no greater than the product of (A) the Exchange Cap multiplied by (B) the quotient of (1) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock initially convertible pursuant to the Notes held by such Buyer without regard for any limitations on conversion or exercise set forth therein divided by (2) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock initially convertible pursuant to the Notes held by all Buyers without regard to any limitations on exercise set forth therein (with respect to each Buyer, the “Exchange Cap Allocation”). In the event that any Buyer shall sell or otherwise transfer any of such Buyer’s Notes, the transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of such Buyer’s Exchange Cap Allocation with respect to such portion of such Notes so transferred, and the restrictions of the prior sentence shall apply to such transferee with respect to the portion of the Exchange Cap Allocation so allocated to such transferee. Upon conversion in full of the Notes, the difference (if any) between such Buyer’s Exchange Cap Allocation and the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued to such Buyer upon such Buyer’s conversion in full of such Notes shall be allocated to the respective Exchange Cap Allocations of the remaining Buyers on a pro rata basis in proportion to the shares of Common Stock underlying the Notes then held by each such Buyer.
(iv) Stockholder Approval. As soon as practicable after the Subscription Date, but in any event no later than ninety (90) days thereafter (the “Stockholder Meeting Deadline”), the Company shall hold a meeting of its stockholders to seek approval of (or, if permitted, obtain written consent of its stockholders to) a waiver of the Exchange Cap (approval of such proposal, the “Stockholder Approval”). In connection with such meeting, the Company shall provide each stockholder of the Company with a proxy statement in compliance with applicable SEC rules and regulations and shall use its best efforts to solicit the Stockholder Approval and to cause its board of directors to recommend to the Company’s stockholders that they approve such proposal(s). If the Company does not obtain the Stockholder Approval at meetings prior to the Stockholder Meeting Deadline, the Company shall call additional meetings every three (3) months thereafter to seek the Stockholder Approval until the date the Stockholder Approval is obtained. In the event the Company is prohibited from issuing shares of Common Stock pursuant to the conversion of the Notes due to the Exchange Cap Limitation and the Company fails to obtain Stockholder Approval as required by this Section 4(z)(iv), then, in lieu of issuing and delivering to each Buyer seeking to convert its Notes, such number of shares of Common Stock that is determined to be unavailable for issuance upon the conversion of Notes (the “Exchange Cap Excess Shares”), the Company shall pay cash to each such Buyer the sum of (x) the product of (A) such number of Exchange Cap Excess Shares and (B) the greatest Closing Sale Price (as defined in the Notes) of the shares of Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date the Buyer delivers the applicable Conversion Notice (as defined in the Notes) with respect to such Exchange Cap Excess Shares to the Company and ending on the date of such payment under this paragraph and (y) to the extent the Buyer purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Buyer of Exchange Cap Excess Shares, any brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any, of the Buyer incurred in connection therewith. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company is required to and fails to obtain Stockholder Approval, the Exchange Cap shall be applicable for all purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby at all times during the term of this Agreement.
(aa) Property Purchase; Post-Closing Mortgage. The Company agrees to complete, or cause a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company to complete, the purchase of the property located within the Cedar Port Industrial Park, in the Baytown area of Houston, Texas (the “Property”) as soon as reasonably practicable after the date hereof and in no event later than the date (the “Property Purchase Deadline”) that is 30 calendar days after the date hereof. On or prior to the 30th calendar day after the purchase date of the Property, the Company shall deliver, or cause such wholly owned subsidiary to deliver, a first-lien mortgage (the “Mortgage”) encumbering Property and securing the obligations under the Notes in form reasonably satisfactory to the Buyers. Upon payment in full of the obligations under the Notes, the Buyers, at the Company’s expense, shall release and discharge the Mortgage.
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5. REGISTER; TRANSFER AGENT INSTRUCTIONS; LEGEND.
(a) Register. The Company shall maintain at its principal executive offices (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice to each holder of Securities), a register for the Notes in which the Company shall record the name and address of the Person in whose name the Notes have been issued (including the name and address of each transferee), the principal amount of the Notes held by such Person and the number of Conversion Shares issuable pursuant to the terms of the Notes. The Company shall keep the register open and available at all times during business hours for inspection of any Buyer or its legal representatives.
(b) Transfer Agent Instructions. The Company shall issue irrevocable instructions to its transfer agent and any subsequent transfer agent (as applicable, the “Transfer Agent”) in a form acceptable to each of the Buyers (the “Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions”) to issue certificates or credit shares to the applicable balance accounts at DTC, registered in the name of each Buyer or its respective nominee(s), for the Conversion Shares in such amounts as specified from time to time by each Buyer to the Company upon conversion or exercise of the Notes. The Company represents and warrants that no instruction other than the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions referred to in this Section 5(b), and stop transfer instructions to give effect to Section 2(g) hereof, shall be given by the Company to its transfer agent with respect to the Securities, and that the Securities shall otherwise be freely transferable on the books and records of the Company, as applicable, to the extent provided in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. If a Buyer effects a sale, assignment or transfer of the Securities in accordance with Section 2(g), the Company shall permit the transfer and shall promptly instruct its transfer agent to issue one or more certificates or credit shares to the applicable balance accounts at DTC in such name and in such denominations as specified by such Buyer to effect such sale, transfer or assignment. In the event that such sale, assignment or transfer involves Conversion Shares sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement or in compliance with Rule 144, the Transfer Agent shall issue such shares to such Buyer, assignee or transferee (as the case may be) without any restrictive legend in accordance with Section 5(d). The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder shall cause irreparable harm to a Buyer. Accordingly, the Company acknowledges that the remedy at law for a breach of its obligations under this Section 5(b) shall be inadequate and agrees, in the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Company of the provisions of this Section 5(b), that a Buyer shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to an order and/or injunction restraining any breach and requiring immediate issuance and transfer, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required. The Company shall cause its counsel to issue the legal opinion referred to in the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions to the Transfer Agent on each Subscription Date. Any fees (with respect to the Transfer Agent, counsel to the Company or otherwise) associated with the issuance of such opinion or the removal of any legends on any of the Securities shall be borne by the Company.
(c) Legends. Each Buyer understands that the Securities have been issued (or shall be issued in the case of the Conversion Shares) pursuant to an exemption from registration or qualification under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, and except as set forth below, the Securities shall bear any legend as required by the “blue sky” laws of any state and a restrictive legend in substantially the following form (and a stop-transfer order may be placed against transfer of such stock certificates):
NEITHER THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THESE SECURITIES ARE CONVERTIBLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (B) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE HOLDER (IF REQUESTED BY THE COMPANY), IN A FORM REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR (II) UNLESS SOLD OR ELIGIBLE TO BE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OR RULE 144A UNDER SAID ACT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THE SECURITIES.
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(d) Removal of Legends. Certificates evidencing Securities shall not be required to contain the legend set forth in Section 5(c) above or any other legend (i) while a Registration Statement covering the resale of such Securities is effective under the Securities Act, (ii) following any sale of such Securities pursuant to Rule 144 (assuming the transferor is not an affiliate of the Company), (iii) if such Securities are eligible to be sold, assigned or transferred under Rule 144 (provided that a Buyer provides the Company with reasonable assurances that such Securities are eligible for sale, assignment or transfer under Rule 144 which shall not include an opinion of Buyer’s counsel), (iv) in connection with a sale, assignment or other transfer (other than under Rule 144), provided that such Buyer provides the Company with an opinion of counsel to such Buyer, in a generally acceptable form, to the effect that such sale, assignment or transfer of the Securities may be made without registration under the applicable requirements of the Securities Act or (v) if such legend is not required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including, without limitation, controlling judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the SEC). If a legend is not required pursuant to the foregoing, the Company shall no later than two (2) Trading Days (or such earlier date as required pursuant to the Exchange Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation for the settlement of a trade initiated on the date such Buyer delivers such legended certificate representing such Securities to the Company) following the delivery by a Buyer to the Company or the transfer agent (with notice to the Company) of a legended certificate representing such Securities (endorsed or with stock powers attached, signatures guaranteed, and otherwise in form necessary to affect the reissuance and/or transfer, if applicable), together with any other deliveries from such Buyer as may be required above in this Section 5(d), as directed by such Buyer, either: (A) provided that the Company’s transfer agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program (“FAST”) and such Securities are Conversion Shares, credit the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which such Buyer shall be entitled to such Buyer’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its DWAC system or (B) if the Company’s transfer agent is not participating in FAST, issue and deliver (via reputable overnight courier) to such Buyer, a certificate representing such Securities that is free from all restrictive and other legends, registered in the name of such Buyer or its designee (the date by which such credit is so required to be made to the balance account of such Buyer’s or such Buyer’s designee with DTC or such certificate is required to be delivered to such Buyer pursuant to the foregoing is referred to herein as the “Required Delivery Date,” and the date such shares of Common Stock are actually delivered without restrictive legend to such Buyer or such Buyer’s designee with DTC, as applicable, the “Share Delivery Date”). The Company shall be responsible for any transfer agent fees or DTC fees with respect to any issuance of Securities or the removal of any legends with respect to any Securities in accordance herewith.
(e) Failure to Timely Deliver; Buy-In. If the Company fails, for any reason or for no reason, to issue and deliver (or cause to be delivered) to a Buyer (or its designee) by the Required Delivery Date, either (i) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST, a certificate for the number of Conversion Shares to which such Buyer is entitled and register such Conversion Shares on the Company’s share register or, if the Transfer Agent is participating in FAST, to credit the balance account of such Buyer or such Buyer’s designee with DTC for such number of Conversion Shares submitted for legend removal by such Buyer pursuant to Section 5(d) above, or (ii) if the Registration Statement covering the resale of the Conversion Shares submitted for legend removal by such Buyer pursuant to Section 5(d) above (the “Unavailable Shares”) is not available for the resale of such Unavailable Shares and the Company fails to promptly, but in no event later than as required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, to notify such Buyer and deliver the Conversion Shares electronically without any restrictive legend by crediting such aggregate number of Conversion Shares submitted for legend removal by such Buyer pursuant to Section 5(d) above to such Buyer’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its DWAC system (the event described in the immediately foregoing clause (ii) is hereinafter referred as a “Notice Failure” and together with the event described in clause (i) above, a “Delivery Failure”), then, in addition to all other remedies available to such Buyer, the Company shall pay in cash to such Buyer on each day after the Share Delivery Date and during such Delivery Failure an amount equal to two percent (2%) of the product of (A) the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock not issued to such Buyer on or prior to the Required Delivery Date and to which such Buyer is entitled, and (B) any trading price of the shares of Common Stock selected by such Buyer in writing as in effect at any time during the period beginning on the date of the delivery by such Buyer to the Company of the applicable Conversion Shares and ending on the applicable Share Delivery Date. In addition to the foregoing, if on or prior to the Required Delivery Date either (I) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST, the Company shall fail to issue and deliver a certificate to a Buyer and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company’s share register or, if the Transfer Agent is participating in FAST, credit the balance account of such Buyer or such Buyer’s designee with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Buyer submitted for legend removal by such Buyer pursuant to Section 5(d) above (ii) below or (II) a Notice Failure occurs, and if on or after such Trading Day such Buyer purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Buyer of shares of Common Stock submitted for legend removal by such Buyer pursuant to Section 5(d) above that such Buyer is entitled to receive from the Company (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall, within two (2) Trading Days after such Buyer’s request and in such Buyer’s discretion, either (i) pay cash to such Buyer in an amount equal to such Buyer’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any, for the shares of Common Stock so purchased) (the “Buy-In Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to so deliver such certificate or credit such Buyer’s balance account shall terminate and such shares shall be cancelled, or (ii) promptly honor its obligation to so deliver to such Buyer a certificate or certificates or credit the balance account of such Buyer or such Buyer’s designee with DTC representing such number of shares of Common Stock that would have been so delivered if the Company timely complied with its obligations hereunder and pay cash to such Buyer in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (A) such number of shares of Conversion Shares that the Company was required to deliver to such Buyer by the Required Delivery Date multiplied by (B) the lowest Closing Sale Price of the shares of Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the delivery by such Buyer to the Company of the applicable Conversion Shares and ending on the date of such delivery and payment under this clause (ii). Nothing shall limit such Buyer’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity, including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver certificates representing shares of Common Stock (or to electronically deliver such shares of Common Stock) as required pursuant to the terms hereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to any given Notice Failure and/or Delivery Failure, this Section 5(e) shall not apply to the applicable Buyer the extent the Company has already paid such amounts in full to such Buyer with respect to such Notice Failure and/or Delivery Failure, as applicable, pursuant to the analogous sections of the Note held by such Buyer.
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(f) FAST Compliance. While any Notes remain outstanding, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to maintain a transfer agent that participates in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program.
6. CONDITIONS TO THE COMPANY’S OBLIGATION TO SELL.
The obligation of the Company hereunder to issue and sell the Notes to each Buyer at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, provided that these conditions are for the Company’s sole benefit and may be waived by the Company at any time in its sole discretion by providing each Buyer with prior written notice thereof:
(a) Such Buyer shall have executed each of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and delivered the same to the Company.
(b) Such Buyer and each other Buyer shall have delivered the Purchase Price (less, in the case of any Buyer, the amounts withheld pursuant to Section 4(g)) for the Notes being purchased by such Buyer pursuant to the Escrow Agreement and the Purchase Price shall have been delivered to the Company pursuant to the Escrow Agreement and the Flow of Funds at the Closing by wire transfer of immediately available funds.
(c) The representations and warranties of such Buyer shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as though originally made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct as of such specific date), and such Buyer shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by such Buyer at or prior to the Closing Date.
7. CONDITIONS TO EACH BUYER’S OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE.
The obligation of each Buyer hereunder to purchase its Notes at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, provided that these conditions are for each Buyer’s sole benefit and may be waived by such Buyer at any time in its sole discretion by providing the Company with prior written notice thereof:
(a) The Company, and each and every Subsidiary of the Company with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee, shall have duly executed and delivered to such Buyer each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the Company shall have duly executed and delivered to such Buyer a Note in such original principal amount as is set forth across from such Buyer’s name in column (3) of the Schedule of Buyers attached hereto.
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(b) The Company or a wholly owned subsidiary thereof shall have completed the purchase of the Property.
(c) The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer executed copies of the Registration Rights Agreement, Security Agreement and Subsidiary Guarantee, each dated as of the Closing Date.
(d) The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a copy of the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions, in the form acceptable to such Buyer, which instructions shall have been delivered to and acknowledged in writing by the Company’s transfer agent.
(e) The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certificate evidencing the formation and good standing of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries in each such entity’s jurisdiction of formation issued by the Secretary of State (or comparable office) of such jurisdiction of formation as of a date within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date.
(f) The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certificate evidencing the Company’s and each Subsidiary’s qualification as a foreign corporation and good standing issued by the Secretary of State (or comparable office) of each jurisdiction in which the Company and each Subsidiary conducts business and is required to so qualify, as of a date within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date where failure to so qualify would result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(g) The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certified copy of the Charter as certified by the Secretary of State (or comparable office) of its jurisdiction of incorporation within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date.
(h) Each Subsidiary shall have delivered to such Buyer a certified copy of its Certificate of Incorporation (or such equivalent organizational document) as certified by the Secretary of State (or comparable office) of such Subsidiary’s jurisdiction of incorporation within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date.
(i) The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a certificate, in the form acceptable to such Buyer, executed by an officer of the Company and dated as of the Closing Date, as to (i) the resolutions consistent with Section 3(b) as adopted by the Company’s board of directors in a form reasonably acceptable to such Buyer, (ii) the Charter of the Company and the organizational documents of each Subsidiary, and (iii) the bylaws of each Subsidiary, if applicable, each as in effect at the Closing.
(j) Each and every representation and warranty of the Company shall be true and correct as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as though originally made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct as of such specific date) and the Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to the Closing Date. Such Buyer shall have received a certificate, duly executed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, to the foregoing effect and as to such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Buyer in the form acceptable to such Buyer.
(k) The Company shall have delivered to such Buyer a letter from the Transfer Agent certifying the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Closing Date immediately prior to the Closing.
(l) The shares of Common Stock (i) shall be designated for quotation or listed (as applicable) on the Trading Market, and (ii) shall not have been suspended, as of the Closing Date, by the SEC or the Trading Market from trading on the Trading Market nor shall suspension by the SEC or the Trading Market have been threatened, as of the Closing Date, either (A) in writing by the SEC or the Trading Market, or (B) by falling below the minimum maintenance requirements of the Trading Market.
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(m) The Company shall have obtained all governmental, regulatory or third-party consents and approvals, if any, necessary for the sale of the Notes, including without limitation, those required by the Trading Market, if any.
(n) No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction that prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
(o) Since the date of execution of this Agreement, no event or series of events shall have occurred that reasonably would have or result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(p) The Company shall have obtained approval of the Trading Market to list or designate for quotation (as the case may be) the Conversion Shares.
(q) Such Buyer shall have received a letter on the letterhead of the Company, duly executed by an officer of the Company, setting forth the wire amounts of each Buyer and the wire transfer instructions of the Company (the “Flow of Funds Letter”).
(r) Such Buyer shall have received an officer’s certificate and compliance certificate, each in a form reasonably acceptable to the Buyer’s counsel; and
(s) The Company and its Subsidiaries shall have delivered to such Buyer such other documents, instruments or certificates relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as such Buyer or its counsel may reasonably request.
8. TERMINATION.
This Agreement shall automatically terminate as between the Company and a Buyer upon the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) the mutual written consent of the Company and such Buyer;
(b) the failure of the Company or a wholly owned subsidiary thereof to complete the purchase of the Property by the Property Purchase Deadline; and
(c) the later to occur of (i) the one year anniversary of the date hereof and (ii) the date when the last Note ceases to be outstanding.
Upon the termination of this Agreement prior to the Closing pursuant to Section 8(b) hereof, each Buyer’s respective Purchase Price shall be returned to such Buyer (less any amounts withheld) pursuant to the Escrow Agreement. Nothing contained in this Section 8 shall be deemed to release any Party from any liability for any breach by such Party of the terms and provisions of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or to impair the right of any Party to compel specific performance by any other Party of its obligations under this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents.
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9. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Trial. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. The Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, County of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or under any of the other Transaction Documents or with any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed or operate to preclude any Buyer from bringing suit or taking other legal action against the Company in any other jurisdiction to collect on the Company’s obligations to such Buyer or to enforce a judgment or other court ruling in favor of such Buyer. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.
(b) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by an e-mail which contains a portable document format (.pdf) file of an executed signature page, such signature page shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such signature page were an original thereof.
(c) Headings; Gender. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Agreement instead of just the provision in which they are found.
(d) Severability; Maximum Payment Amounts. If any provision of this Agreement is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Agreement so long as this Agreement as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the Parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the Parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the Parties. The Parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (and without implication that the following is required or applicable), it is the intention of the Parties that in no event shall amounts and value paid by the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries (as the case may be), or payable to or received by any of the Buyers, under the Transaction Documents (including without limitation, any amounts that would be characterized as “interest” under applicable law) exceed amounts permitted under any applicable law. Accordingly, if any obligation to pay, payment made to any Buyer, or collection by any Buyer pursuant the Transaction Documents is finally judicially determined to be contrary to any such applicable law, such obligation to pay, payment or collection shall be deemed to have been made by mutual mistake of such Buyer, the Company and its Subsidiaries and such amount shall be deemed to have been adjusted with retroactive effect to the maximum amount or rate of interest, as the case may be, as would not be so prohibited by the applicable law. Such adjustment shall be effected, to the extent necessary, by reducing or refunding, at the option of such Buyer, the amount of interest or any other amounts which would constitute unlawful amounts required to be paid or actually paid to such Buyer under the Transaction Documents. For greater certainty, to the extent that any interest, charges, fees, expenses or other amounts required to be paid to or received by such Buyer under any of the Transaction Documents or related thereto are held to be within the meaning of “interest” or another applicable term to otherwise be violative of applicable law, such amounts shall be pro-rated over the period of time to which they relate.
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(e) Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the schedules and exhibits attached hereto and thereto and the instruments referenced herein and therein supersede all other prior oral or written agreements between the Buyers, the Company, its Subsidiaries, their affiliates and Persons acting on their behalf, including, without limitation, any transactions by any Buyer with respect to the Securities, and the other matters contained herein and therein, and this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents, the schedules and exhibits attached hereto and thereto and the instruments referenced herein and therein contain the entire understanding of the Parties solely with respect to the matters covered herein and therein; provided, however, nothing contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall (or shall be deemed to) (i) have any effect on any agreements any Buyer has entered into with, or any instruments any Buyer has received from, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the Subscription Date with respect to any prior investment made by such Buyer in the Company or (ii) waive, alter, modify or amend in any respect any obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any rights of or benefits to any Buyer or any other Person, in any agreement entered into prior to the Subscription Date between or among the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries and any Buyer, or any instruments any Buyer received from the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the Subscription Date, and all such agreements and instruments shall continue in full force and effect. Except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither the Company nor any Buyer makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. For clarification purposes, the Recitals are part of this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by the Company and the Required Holders, and any amendment to any provision of this Agreement made in conformity with the provisions of this Section 9(e) shall be binding on all Buyers and holders of Securities, as applicable; provided that no such amendment shall be effective to the extent that it (A) applies to less than all of the holders of the Securities then outstanding or (B) imposes any obligation or liability on any Buyer without such Buyer’s prior written consent (which may be granted or withheld in such Buyer’s sole discretion). No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party, provided that the Required Holders may waive any provision of this Agreement, and any waiver of any provision of this Agreement made in conformity with the provisions of this Section 9(e) shall be binding on all Buyers and holders of Securities, as applicable, provided that no such waiver shall be effective to the extent that it (1) applies to less than all of the holders of the Securities then outstanding (unless a party gives a waiver as to itself only) or (2) imposes any obligation or liability on any Buyer without such Buyer’s prior written consent (which may be granted or withheld in such Buyer’s sole discretion). No consideration (other than reimbursement of legal fees) shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of any of the Transaction Documents unless the same consideration also is offered to all of the parties to the Transaction Documents, all holders of the Notes. From the Subscription Date and while any Notes are outstanding, the Company shall not be permitted to receive any consideration from a Buyer or a holder of Notes that is not otherwise contemplated by the Transaction Documents in order to, directly or indirectly, induce the Company or any Subsidiary (i) to treat such Buyer or holder of Notes in a manner that is more favorable than to other similarly situated Buyers or holders of Notes, as applicable, or (ii) to treat any Buyer(s) or holder(s) of Notes in a manner that is less favorable than the Buyer or holder of Notes that is paying such consideration; provided, however, that the determination of whether a Buyer has been treated more or less favorably than another Buyer shall disregard any securities of the Company purchased or sold by any Buyer. The Company has not, directly or indirectly, made any agreements with any Buyers relating to the terms or conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents except as set forth in the Transaction Documents. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company confirms that, except as set forth in this Agreement, no Buyer has made any commitment or promise or has any other obligation to provide any financing to the Company, any Subsidiary or otherwise. As a material inducement for each Buyer to enter into this Agreement, the Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that no due diligence or other investigation or inquiry conducted by a Buyer, any of its advisors or any of its representatives shall affect such Buyer’s right to rely on, or shall modify or qualify in any manner or be an exception to any of, the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, nothing contained in any of the SEC Documents shall affect such Buyer’s right to rely on, or shall modify or qualify in any manner or be an exception to any of, the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. “Required Holders” means (I) prior to the Closing Date, each Buyer entitled to purchase Notes at the Closing and (II) on or after the Closing Date, holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities as of such time (excluding any Registrable Securities held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of such time) issued or issuable hereunder or pursuant to the Notes.
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(f) Notices. Any notice, demand, request, waiver or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be effective (a) upon hand delivery or electronic mail delivery at the address or number designated below (if delivered on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received), or the first business day following such delivery (if delivered other than on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received) or (b) on the second business day following the date of mailing by express courier service, fully prepaid, addressed to such address, or upon actual receipt of such mailing, whichever shall first occur. The address for such communications shall be:
If to the Company:
Houston American Energy Corp.
801 Travis Street, Suite 1425
Houston, TX 77002
Telephone Number:
Attention: Edward Gillespie
Email:
With a copy of any notice (which copy shall not constitute notice) to:
Sullivan & Worcester, LLP
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Telephone Number:
Email:
Attention: David E. Danovitch, Esq.
If to the Transfer Agent:
Standard Registrar and Transfer Company
440 East 400 South Suite 200
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
If to a Buyer, to its address and e-mail address set forth on the Schedule of Buyers.
or to such other address or e-mail address and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) electronically generated by the sender’s e-mail containing the time, date, and recipient email address, or (C) provided by an overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service.
(g) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns, including any purchasers of any of the Notes. The Company shall not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Required Holders, including, without limitation, by way of a Fundamental Transaction (as defined in the Notes) (unless the Company is in compliance with the applicable provisions governing Fundamental Transactions set forth in the Notes). A Buyer may assign some or all of its rights hereunder in connection with any transfer of any of its Securities without the consent of the Company, in which event such assignee shall be deemed to be a Buyer hereunder with respect to such assigned rights.
(h) No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person, other than the Indemnitees referred to in Section 9(k).
(i) Survival. The representations, warranties, agreements and covenants shall survive the Closing. Each Buyer shall be responsible only for its own representations, warranties, agreements and covenants hereunder.
(j) Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
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(k) Indemnification. In consideration of each Buyer’s execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and acquiring the Securities thereunder and in addition to all of the Company’s other obligations under the Transaction Documents, the Company shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless each Buyer and each holder of any Securities and all of their stockholders, partners, members, officers, directors, employees and direct or indirect investors and any of the foregoing Persons’ agents or other representatives (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the “Indemnitees”) from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements (unless such action is solely based upon a material breach of such Indemnitee’s representations, warranties, or covenants under the Transaction Documents or any agreements or understandings such Indemnitee may have with any such stockholder or any violations by such Indemnitee of state or federal securities laws or any conduct by such Indemnitee which is finally judicially determined to constitute fraud, gross negligence, or willful misconduct) (the “Indemnified Liabilities”), incurred by any Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (i) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company or any Subsidiary in any of the Transaction Documents, (ii) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary contained in any of the Transaction Documents or (iii) any cause of action, suit, proceeding or claim brought or made against such Indemnitee by a third party (including for these purposes a derivative action brought on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary) or which otherwise involves such Indemnitee that arises out of or results from (A) the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents, (B) any transaction financed or to be financed in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of the issuance of the Securities, (C) any disclosure properly made by such Buyer pursuant to Section 4(i), or (D) the status of such Buyer or holder of the Securities either as an investor in the Company pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or as a party to this Agreement (including, without limitation, as a party in interest or otherwise in any action or proceeding for injunctive or other equitable relief). To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law.
(l) Construction. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party. No specific representation or warranty shall limit the generality or applicability of a more general representation or warranty. Each and every reference to share prices, shares of Common Stock and any other numbers in this Agreement that relate to the shares of Common Stock shall be automatically adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions that occur with respect to the shares of Common Stock after the Subscription Date.
(m) Remedies. Each Buyer and in the event of assignment by such Buyer of its rights and obligations hereunder, each holder of Securities, shall have all rights and remedies set forth in the Transaction Documents and all rights and remedies which such holders have been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such holders have under any law. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. Furthermore, the Company recognizes that in the event that it or any Subsidiary fails to perform, observe, or discharge any or all of its or such Subsidiary’s (as the case may be) obligations under the Transaction Documents, any remedy at law would inadequate relief to the Buyers. The Company therefore agrees that the Buyers shall be entitled to specific performance and/or temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive or other equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages and without posting a bond or other security. The remedies provided in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief).
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(n) Withdrawal Right. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in (and without limiting any similar provisions of) the Transaction Documents, whenever any Buyer exercises a right, election, demand or option under a Transaction Document and the Company or any Subsidiary does not timely perform its related obligations within the periods therein provided, then such Buyer may rescind or withdraw, in its sole discretion from time to time upon written notice to the Company or such Subsidiary (as the case may be), any relevant notice, demand or election in whole or in part without prejudice to its future actions and rights.
(o) Payment Set Aside; Currency. To the extent that the Company makes a payment or payments to any Buyer hereunder or pursuant to any of the other Transaction Documents or any of the Buyers enforce or exercise their rights hereunder or thereunder, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or exercise or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are required to be refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to the Company, a trustee, receiver or any other Person under any law (including, without limitation, any bankruptcy law, foreign, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause of action), then to the extent of any such restoration the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, all dollar amounts referred to in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are in United States Dollars (“U.S. Dollars”), and all amounts owing under this Agreement and all other Transaction Documents shall be paid in U.S. Dollars. All amounts denominated in other currencies (if any) shall be converted into the U.S. Dollar equivalent amount in accordance with the Exchange Rate on the date of calculation. “Exchange Rate” means, in relation to any amount of currency to be converted into U.S. Dollars pursuant to this Agreement, the U.S. Dollar exchange rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the relevant date of calculation.
(p) Judgment Currency.
(i) If for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against the Company in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document in any court in any jurisdiction it becomes necessary to convert into any other currency (such other currency being hereinafter in this Section 9(p) referred to as the “Judgment Currency”) an amount due in U.S. Dollars under this Agreement, the conversion shall be made at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Trading Day immediately preceding:
(A) the date actual payment of the amount due, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of New York or in the courts of any other jurisdiction that shall give effect to such conversion being made on such date: or
(B) the date on which the foreign court determines, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of any other jurisdiction (the date as of which such conversion is made pursuant to this Section 9(p)(i)(B) being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Conversion Date”).
(ii) If in the case of any proceeding in the court of any jurisdiction referred to in Section 9(p)(i)(B) above, there is a change in the Exchange Rate prevailing between the Judgment Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the applicable party shall pay such adjusted amount as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the date of payment, shall produce the amount of U.S. Dollars which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial order at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Judgment Conversion Date.
(iii) Any amount due from the Company under this provision shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other amounts due under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.
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(q) Independent Nature of Buyers’ Obligations and Rights. The obligations of each Buyer under the Transaction Documents are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Buyer, and no Buyer shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Buyer under any Transaction Document. Nothing contained herein or in any other Transaction Document, and no action taken by any Buyer pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Buyers as, and the Company acknowledges that the Buyers do not so constitute, a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of group or entity, or create a presumption that the Buyers are in any way acting in concert or as a group or entity, and the Company shall not assert any such claim with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or any matters, and the Company acknowledges that the Buyers are not acting in concert or as a group, and the Company shall not assert any such claim, with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The decision of each Buyer to purchase Securities pursuant to the Transaction Documents has been made by such Buyer independently of any other Buyer. Each Buyer acknowledges that no other Buyer has acted as agent for such Buyer in connection with such Buyer making its investment hereunder and that no other Buyer shall be acting as agent of such Buyer in connection with monitoring such Buyer’s investment in the Securities or enforcing its rights under the Transaction Documents. The Company and each Buyer confirms that each Buyer has independently participated with the Company and its Subsidiaries in the negotiation of the transaction contemplated hereby with the advice of its own counsel and advisors. Each Buyer shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including, without limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement or out of any other Transaction Documents, and it shall not be necessary for any other Buyer to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose. The use of a single agreement to effectuate the purchase and sale of the Securities contemplated hereby was solely in the control of the Company, not the action or decision of any Buyer, and was done solely for the convenience of the Company and its Subsidiaries and not because it was required or requested to do so by any Buyer. It is expressly understood and agreed that each provision contained in this Agreement and in each other Transaction Document is between the Company, each Subsidiary and a Buyer, solely, and not between the Company, its Subsidiaries and the Buyers collectively and not between and among the Buyers.
[Signature pages follow.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Agreement to be duly executed as of the Subscription Date.
Company: |
||
| Houston American Energy Corp. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Edward Gillespie | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Buyer and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Agreement to be duly executed as of the Subscription Date.
| Buyer: | ||
| [●] | ||
| By: | [●] | |
| By: | ||
| Name: | [●] | |
| Title: | [●] | |
Exhibit 10.4
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of July 10, 2025, is by and between [●], a Delaware limited partnership (the “Investor”), and Houston American Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).
RECITALS
A. The Company and the Investor have entered into that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2025 (the “Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Purchase Agreement, to issue and sell the Investor the Notes (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), which will be convertible into Conversion Shares (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) in accordance with the terms of the Notes.
B. Pursuant to the terms of, and in consideration for the Investor entering into, the Purchase Agreement, and to induce the Investor to execute and deliver the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the Investor with certain registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities (as defined herein) as set forth herein.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein and in the Purchase Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and the Investor hereby agree as follows:
| 1. | Definitions. |
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) “Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.
(b) “Allowable Grace Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3(p).
(c) “Blue Sky Filing” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6(a).
(d) “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
(e) “Claims” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6(a).
(f) “Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor entity.
(g) “Company” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.
(h) “Company Party” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6(b).
(i) “Effective Date” means the date that the applicable Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission.
(j) “Effectiveness Deadline” means (i) with respect to the Initial Registration Statement required to be filed to pursuant to Section 2(a), the earlier of (A) the sixtieth (60th) calendar day immediately after the applicable Filing Deadline, if such Initial Registration Statement is subject to review by the Commission, and (B) if the Company is notified (orally or in writing) by the Commission that the Initial Registration Statement will not be reviewed by the Commission, the fifth (5th) Trading Day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that the Initial Registration Statement will not be reviewed by the Commission, and (ii) with respect to any New Registration Statements that may be required to be filed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the earlier of (A) the thirtieth (30th) calendar day immediately after the Filing Deadline with respect to such New Registration Statement, if such New Registration Statement is subject to review by the Commission, and (B) if the Company is notified (orally or in writing) by the Commission that such New Registration Statement will not be reviewed by the Commission, the fifth (5th) Trading Day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that such New Registration Statement will not be reviewed by the Commission.
(k) “Filing Deadline” means (i) with respect to the Initial Registration Statement required to be filed to pursuant to Section 2(a), the thirtieth (30th) calendar day immediately after the date of this Agreement and (ii) with respect to any New Registration Statements that may be required to be filed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the thirtieth (30th) calendar day following the sale of substantially all of the Registrable Securities included in the Initial Registration Statement or the most recent prior New Registration Statement, as applicable, or such other date as permitted by the Commission.
(l) “Indemnified Damages” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6(a).
(m) “Initial Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(a).
(n) “Investor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.
(o) “Investor Party” and “Investor Parties” shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in Section 6(a).
(p) “Legal Counsel” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(b).
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(q) “New Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(c).
(r) “Person” means any person or entity, whether a natural person, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, business association, firm, joint venture, governmental agency or authority.
(s) “Prospectus” means the prospectus in the form included in the Registration Statement at the applicable Effective Date of the Registration Statement, as supplemented from time to time by any Prospectus Supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference therein.
(t) “Prospectus Supplement” means any prospectus supplement to the Prospectus filed with the Commission from time to time pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, including the documents incorporated by reference therein.
(u) “Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this Agreement.
(v) “register,” “registered,” and “registration” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration Statements in compliance with the Securities Act and pursuant to Rule 415 and the declaration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the Commission.
(w) “Registrable Securities” means all of the following, in each case assuming an aggregate principal amount of $5,434,783 of Notes purchased pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, (i) the maximum number of Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes (without regard to any conversion limitations therein), and (ii) any capital stock of the Company issued or issuable with respect to such shares, including, without limitation, (1) as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise and (2) shares of capital stock of the Company into which the shares of Common Stock are converted or exchanged and shares of capital stock of a successor entity into which the shares of Common Stock are converted or exchanged, in each case until such time as such securities cease to be Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(f).
(x) “Registration Statement” means a registration statement or registration statements of the Company filed under the Securities Act covering the resale by the Investor of Registrable Securities, as such registration statement or registration statements may be amended and supplemented from time to time, including all documents filed as part thereof or incorporated by reference therein.
(y) “Registration Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3(a).
(z) “Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any other similar or successor rule or regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit the Investor to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration.
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(aa) “Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any other similar or successor rule or regulation of the Commission providing for offering securities on a delayed or continuous basis.
(bb) “Staff” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(c).
(cc) “Violations” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6(a).
| 2. | Registration. |
(a) Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare and, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Filing Deadline, file with the Commission the Initial Registration Statement on Form S-1 (or any successor form and another appropriate form) covering the resale by the Investor of the maximum number of Registrable Securities as shall be permitted to be included thereon in accordance with applicable Commission rules, regulations and interpretations so as to permit the resale of such Registrable Securities by the Investor under Rule 415 under the Securities Act at then prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices) (the “Initial Registration Statement”). The Initial Registration Statement shall contain the “Selling Shareholder” and “Plan of Distribution” sections in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Initial Registration Statement declared effective by the Commission as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than the applicable Effectiveness Deadline.
(b) Legal Counsel. Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Investor shall have the right to select one legal counsel to review, solely on its behalf, any registration pursuant to this Section 2 (“Legal Counsel”). The Company shall reimburse the Investor for any and all reasonable legal fees and expenses of the Legal Counsel incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including the review of any Registration Statement.
(c) Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. If at any time all Registrable Securities are not covered by the Initial Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) as a result of Section 2(e) or otherwise, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission one or more additional Registration Statements so as to cover all of the Registrable Securities not covered by the Initial Registration Statement, in each case, as soon as practicable (taking into account any position of the staff of the Commission (“Staff”) with respect to the date on which the Staff will permit such additional Registration Statement(s) to be filed with the Commission and the rules and regulations of the Commission) (each such additional Registration Statement, a “New Registration Statement”), but in no event later than the applicable Filing Deadline for such New Registration Statement(s). The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each such New Registration Statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable following the filing thereof with the Commission, but in no event later than the applicable Effectiveness Deadline for such New Registration Statement.
(d) No Inclusion of Other Securities. The Company shall not include any securities other than Registrable Securities on any Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(c) without notifying the Investor prior to filing such Registration Statement.
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(e) Offering. If the Staff or the Commission seeks to characterize any offering pursuant to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement as constituting an offering of securities that does not permit such Registration Statement to become effective and be used for resales by the Investor on a delayed or continuous basis under Rule 415 at then-prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices), or if after the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(c), the Company is otherwise required by the Staff or the Commission to reduce the number of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement, then the Company shall reduce the number of Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration Statement (after consultation with the Investor and Legal Counsel as to the specific Registrable Securities to be removed therefrom) until such time as the Staff and the Commission shall so permit such Registration Statement to become effective and be used as aforesaid. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if after giving effect to the actions referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, the Staff or the Commission does not permit such Registration Statement to become effective and be used for resales by the Investor on a delayed or continuous basis under Rule 415 at then-prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices), the Company shall not request acceleration of the Effective Date of such Registration Statement and shall promptly (but in no event later than 48 hours) request the withdrawal of such Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 477 under the Securities Act, and the Effectiveness Deadline shall automatically be deemed to have elapsed with respect to such Registration Statement at such time as the Staff or the Commission has made a final and non-appealable determination that the Commission will not permit such Registration Statement to be so utilized (unless prior to such time the Company has received assurances from the Staff or the Commission that a New Registration Statement filed by the Company with the Commission promptly thereafter may be so utilized). In the event of any reduction in Registrable Securities pursuant to this paragraph, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file one or more New Registration Statements with the Commission in accordance with Section 2(c) until such time as all Registrable Securities have been included in Registration Statements that have been declared effective and the Prospectuses contained therein are available for use by the Investor.
(f) Any Registrable Security shall cease to be a “Registrable Security” at the earliest of the following: (i) when a Registration Statement covering such Registrable Security becomes or has been declared effective by the Commission and such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of pursuant to such effective Registration Statement; (ii) when such Registrable Security is held by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries; and (iii) the date that is the later of (A) the first (1st) anniversary of the effective date of termination of the Purchase Agreement in accordance with Article VIII of the Purchase Agreement and (B) the first (1st) anniversary of the date of the last sale of any Registrable Securities by the Company to the Investor pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
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| 3. | Related Obligations. |
The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, and, pursuant thereto, during the term of this Agreement, the Company shall have the following obligations:
(a) The Company shall promptly prepare and file with the Commission the Initial Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof and one or more New Registration Statements pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof with respect to the Registrable Securities, but in no event later than the applicable Filing Deadline therefor, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing, but in no event later than the applicable Effectiveness Deadline therefor. Subject to Allowable Grace Periods, the Company shall keep each Registration Statement effective (and the Prospectus contained therein available for use) pursuant to Rule 415 for resales by the Investor on a continuous basis at then-prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices) at all times until the earlier of (i) the date on which the Investor shall have sold all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement and (ii) the date of termination of the Purchase Agreement if as of such termination date the Investor holds no Registrable Securities (or, if applicable, the date on which such securities cease to be Registrable Securities after the date of termination of the Purchase Agreement) (the “Registration Period”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement (but subject to the provisions of Section 3(p) hereof), the Company shall ensure that, when filed and at all times while effective, each Registration Statement (including, without limitation, all amendments and supplements thereto) and the Prospectus (including, without limitation, all amendments and supplements thereto) used in connection with such Registration Statement shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of Prospectuses, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made) not misleading. The Company shall submit to the Commission, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date that the Company learns that no review of a particular Registration Statement will be made by the Staff or that the Staff has no further comments on a particular Registration Statement (as the case may be), a request for acceleration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement to a time and date as soon as reasonably practicable in accordance with Rule 461 under the Securities Act.
(b) Subject to Section 3(p) of this Agreement, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file with the Commission such amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) and supplements to each Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection with each such Registration Statement, which Prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act, as may be necessary to keep each such Registration Statement effective (and the Prospectus contained therein current and available for use) at all times during the Registration Period for such Registration Statement, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company required to be covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Investor. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company covenants and agrees that at or before 8:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the second (2nd) Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement and any New Registration Statement (or any post-effective amendment thereto), the Company shall file with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act the final Prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Registration Statement (or post-effective amendment thereto). In the case of amendments and supplements to any Registration Statement on Form S-1 or Prospectus related thereto which are required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation, pursuant to this Section 3(b)) by reason of the Company filing a report on Form 8-K, Form 10-Q or Form 10-K or any analogous report under the Exchange Act, the Company shall have incorporated such report by reference into such Registration Statement and Prospectus, if applicable, or shall promptly file such amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus with the Commission, for the purpose of including or incorporating such report into such Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Company consents to the use of the Prospectus (including, without limitation, any supplement thereto) included in each Registration Statement in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act and with the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the jurisdictions in which the Registrable Securities may be sold by the Investor, in connection with the resale of the Registrable Securities and for such period of time thereafter as such Prospectus (including, without limitation, any supplement thereto) (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Securities Act) is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with resales of Registrable Securities.
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(c) The Company shall (A) permit Legal Counsel an opportunity to review and comment upon (i) each Registration Statement at least two (2) Business Days prior to its filing with the Commission and (ii) all amendments and supplements to each Registration Statement (including, without limitation, the Prospectus contained therein) (except for Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, or Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any similar or successor reports or Prospectus Supplements the contents of which is limited to that set forth in such reports) within a reasonable number of days prior to their filing with the Commission, and (B) shall reasonably consider any comments of the Investor and Legal Counsel on any such Registration Statement or amendment or supplement thereto or to any Prospectus contained therein. The Company shall promptly furnish to Legal Counsel, without charge, (i) electronic copies of any correspondence from the Commission or the Staff to the Company or its representatives relating to each Registration Statement (which correspondence shall be redacted to exclude any material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), (ii) after the same is prepared and filed with the Commission, one (1) electronic copy of each Registration Statement and any amendment(s) and supplement(s) thereto, including, without limitation, financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by the Investor, and all exhibits and (iii) upon the effectiveness of each Registration Statement, one (1) electronic copy of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to furnish any document (other than the Prospectus, which may be provided in .PDF format) to Legal Counsel to the extent such document is available on EDGAR.
(d) Without limiting any obligation of the Company under the Purchase Agreement, the Company shall promptly furnish to the Investor, without charge, (i) after the same is prepared and filed with the Commission, at least one (1) electronic copy of each Registration Statement and any amendment(s) and supplement(s) thereto, including, without limitation, financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by the Investor, all exhibits thereto, (ii) upon the effectiveness of each Registration Statement, one (1) electronic copy of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as the Investor may reasonably request from time to time) and (iii) such other documents, including, without limitation, copies of any final Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, as the Investor may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by the Investor; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to furnish any document (other than the Prospectus, which may be provided in .PDF format) to the Investor to the extent such document is available on EDGAR.
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(e) The Company shall take such action as is reasonably necessary to (i) register and qualify, unless an exemption from registration and qualification applies, the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities or “Blue Sky” laws of all applicable jurisdictions in the United States, (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(e), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify Legal Counsel and the Investor of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.
(f) The Company shall notify Legal Counsel and the Investor in writing of the happening of any event, as promptly as reasonably practicable after becoming aware of such event, as a result of which the Prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided that in no event shall such notice contain any material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), and, subject to Section 3(p), promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement and such Prospectus contained therein to correct such untrue statement or omission and deliver one (1) electronic copy of such supplement or amendment to Legal Counsel and the Investor (or such other number of copies as Legal Counsel or the Investor may reasonably request). The Company shall also promptly notify Legal Counsel and the Investor in writing (i) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to Legal Counsel and the Investor by facsimile or e-mail on the same day of such effectiveness), and when the Company receives written notice from the Commission that a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment will be reviewed by the Commission, (ii) of any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related Prospectus or related information, (iii) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate and (iv) of the receipt of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for any additional information relating to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto or any related Prospectus. The Company shall respond as promptly as reasonably practicable to any comments received from the Commission with respect to a Registration Statement or any amendment thereto. Nothing in this Section 3(f) shall limit any obligation of the Company under the Purchase Agreement.
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(g) The Company shall (i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the use of any Prospectus contained therein, or the suspension of the qualification, or the loss of an exemption from qualification, of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible time and (ii) notify Legal Counsel and the Investor of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding.
(h) The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of information concerning the Investor provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement or is otherwise required to be disclosed in such Registration Statement pursuant to the Securities Act, (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning the Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to the Investor and allow the Investor, at the Investor’s expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.
(i) Without limiting any obligation of the Company under the Purchase Agreement, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts either to (i) cause all of the Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement to be listed on the Trading Market, (ii) secure designation and quotation of all of the Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement on another Eligible Market, or (iii) if, despite the Company’s commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy the preceding clauses (i) or (ii) the Company is unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding clauses (i) or (ii), without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to use its commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for at least two market makers to register with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) as such with respect to such Registrable Securities. In addition, the Company shall reasonably cooperate with the Investor and any Broker-Dealer through which the Investor proposes to sell its Registrable Securities in effecting a filing with FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110 as requested by the Investor. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 3(i).
(j) The Company shall cooperate with the Investor and, to the extent applicable, facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of Registrable Securities, as DWAC Shares, to be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such DWAC Shares to be in such denominations or amounts (as the case may be) as the Investor may reasonably request from time to time and registered in such names as the Investor may request. Investor hereby agrees that it shall cooperate with the Company, its counsel and its transfer agent in connection with any issuances of DWAC Shares, and hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Company that it will resell such DWAC Shares only pursuant to the Registration Statement in which such DWAC Shares are included, in a manner described under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in such Registration Statement, and in a manner in compliance with all applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, any applicable prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. At the time such DWAC Shares are offered and sold pursuant to the Registration Statement, such DWAC Shares shall be free from all restrictive legends and may be transmitted by the Company’s transfer agent to the Investor by crediting an account at DTC as directed in writing by the Investor.
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(k) Upon the written request of the Investor, the Company shall as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of notice from the Investor and subject to Section 3(p) hereof, (i) incorporate in a Prospectus Supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the Investor reasonably requests to be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being offered or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) make all required filings of such Prospectus Supplement or post-effective amendment after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus Supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement or Prospectus contained therein if reasonably requested by the Investor.
(l) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.
(m) The Company shall make generally available to its security holders (which may be satisfied by making such information available on EDGAR) as soon as practical, but not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with, and in the manner provided by, the provisions of Rule 158 under the Securities Act) covering a twelve-month period beginning not later than the first day of the Company’s fiscal quarter next following the applicable Effective Date of each Registration Statement.
(n) The Company shall otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission in connection with any registration hereunder.
(o) Within one (1) Business Day after each Registration Statement which covers Registrable Securities is declared effective by the Commission, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investor) confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission in the form reasonably satisfactory to the Investor.
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(p) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein (but subject to the last sentence of this Section 3(p)), at any time after the Effective Date of a particular Registration Statement, the Company may, upon written notice to Investor, suspend Investor’s use of any prospectus that is a part of any Registration Statement (in which event the Investor shall discontinue sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, but shall settle any previously made sales of Registrable Securities) if the Company (x) is pursuing an acquisition, merger, tender offer, reorganization, disposition or other similar transaction and the Company determines in good faith that (A) the Company’s ability to pursue or consummate such a transaction would be materially adversely affected by any required disclosure of such transaction in such Registration Statement or other registration statement or (B) such transaction renders the Company unable to comply with Commission requirements, in each case under circumstances that would make it impractical or inadvisable to cause any Registration Statement (or such filings) to be used by Investor or to promptly amend or supplement any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement on a post effective basis, as applicable, or (y) has experienced some other material non-public event the disclosure of which at such time, in the good faith judgment of the Company, would materially adversely affect the Company (each, a “Suspension Event”); provided, however, that in no event shall the Investor be suspended from selling Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement on more than two occasions or for a period that exceeds an aggregate of ninety (90) calendar days in any 365-day period without the Investors’ written consent. Upon disclosure of such information or the termination of the condition described above, the Company shall provide prompt notice, but in any event within one (1) Business Day of such disclosure or termination, to the Investor and shall promptly terminate any suspension of sales it has put into effect and shall take such other reasonable actions to permit registered sales of Registrable Securities as contemplated in this Agreement (including as set forth in the first sentence of Section 3(f) with respect to the information giving rise thereto unless such material, non-public information is no longer applicable) (each period between the Company providing notice of a Suspension Event to the Investor pursuant to the preceding sentence and the Company providing notice under this sentence, an “Allowable Grace Period”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3(p), the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver DWAC Shares to a transferee of the Investor in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which (i) the Company has made a sale to Investor and (ii) the Investor has entered into a contract for sale, and delivered a copy of the Prospectus included as part of the particular Registration Statement to the extent applicable, in each case prior to the Investor’s receipt of the notice of a Suspension Event and for which the Investor has not yet settled.
| 4. | Obligations of the Investor. |
(a) At least five (5) Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of each Registration Statement (or such shorter period to which the parties agree), the Company shall notify the Investor in writing of the information that the Company requires from the Investor with respect to such Registration Statement. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of the Investor that the Investor shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it, as shall be reasonably required to effect and maintain the effectiveness of the registration of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request.
(b) The Investor, by its acceptance of the Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of each Registration Statement hereunder, unless the Investor has notified the Company in writing of the Investor’s election to exclude all of the Investor’s Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement.
(c) The Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(p) or the first sentence of 3(f), the Investor shall immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until the Investor’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(p) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) or receipt of notice that no supplement or amendment is required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4(c), the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver DWAC Shares to a transferee of the Investor in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which the Investor has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor’s receipt of a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(p) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) and for which the Investor has not yet settled.
(d) The Investor covenants and agrees that it shall comply with the prospectus delivery and other requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.
| 5. | Expenses of Registration. |
All reasonable expenses of the Company, other than sales or brokerage commissions and fees and disbursements of counsel for, and other expenses of, the Investor, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, shall be paid by the Company.
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| 6. | Indemnification. |
(a) In the event any Registrable Securities are included in any Registration Statement under this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Investor, each of its directors, officers, stockholders, members, partners, employees, agents, advisors, representatives (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding the lack of such title or any other title) and each Person, if any, who controls the Investor within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and each of the directors, officers, stockholders, members, partners, employees, agents, advisors, representatives (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding the lack of such title or any other title) of such controlling Persons (each, an “Investor Party” and collectively, the “Investor Parties”), against any losses, obligations, claims, damages, liabilities, contingencies, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs (including, without limitation, court costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs of defense and investigation), amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several, (collectively, “Claims”) reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the Commission, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an Investor Party is or may be a party thereto (“Indemnified Damages”), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other “Blue Sky” laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered (“Blue Sky Filing”), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) or in any Prospectus Supplement or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being, collectively, “Violations”). Subject to Section 6(e), the Company shall reimburse the Investor Parties, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim by an Investor Party arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Investor Party for such Investor Party expressly for use in connection with the preparation of such Registration Statement, Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto (it being hereby acknowledged and agreed that the written information set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto is the only written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement); (ii) shall not be available to the Investor to the extent such Claim is based on a failure of the Investor to deliver or to cause to be delivered the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) made available by the Company (to the extent applicable), including, without limitation, a corrected Prospectus, if such Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) or corrected Prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d) and then only if, and to the extent that, following the receipt of the corrected Prospectus no grounds for such Claim would have existed; and (iii) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Investor Party and shall survive the transfer of any of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to Section 9.
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(b) In connection with any Registration Statement in which the Investor is participating, the Investor agrees to severally and not jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (each, a “Company Party”), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case, to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information relating to the Investor furnished to the Company by the Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement, the Prospectus included therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto (it being hereby acknowledged and agreed that the written information set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto is the only written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement); and, subject to Section 6(e) and the below provisos in this Section 6(b), the Investor shall reimburse a Company Party any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Company Party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; and provided, further that the Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to the Investor as a result of the applicable sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement, Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Company Party and shall survive the transfer of any of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to Section 9.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including, without limitation, any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Investor Party or the Company Party (as the case may be); provided, however, an Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses of such counsel to be paid by the indemnifying party if: (i) the indemnifying party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses; (ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed promptly to assume the defense of such Claim and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) in any such Claim; or (iii) the named parties to any such Claim (including, without limitation, any impleaded parties) include both such Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) and the indemnifying party, and such Investor Party or such Company Party (as the case may be) shall have been advised by counsel that a conflict of interest is likely to exist if the same counsel were to represent such Investor Party or such Company Party and the indemnifying party, in which case, if such Investor Party or such Company Party (as the case may be) notifies the indemnifying party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, then the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof on behalf of the indemnified party and such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party, provided further that in the case of clause (iii) above the indemnifying party shall not be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one (1) separate legal counsel for all Investor Parties or Company Parties (as the case may be). The Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be) shall reasonably cooperate with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or Claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be) which relates to such action or Claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be) reasonably apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written consent; provided, however, the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be), consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be) of a release from all liability in respect to such Claim or litigation, and such settlement shall not include any admission as to fault on the part of the Company Party. For the avoidance of doubt, the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to Sections 6(a) and 6(b) hereof. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be) with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is materially and adversely prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.
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(d) No Person involved in the sale of Registrable Securities who is guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) in connection with such sale shall be entitled to indemnification from any Person involved in such sale of Registrable Securities who is not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation.
(e) The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred; provided that any Person receiving any payment pursuant to this Section 6 shall promptly reimburse the Person making such payment for the amount of such payment to the extent a court of competent jurisdiction determines that such Person receiving such payment was not entitled to such payment.
(f) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Company Party or Investor Party against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.
| 7. | Contribution. |
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however: (i) no contribution shall be made under circumstances where the maker would not have been liable for indemnification under the fault standards set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement, (ii) no Person involved in the sale of Registrable Securities which Person is guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) in connection with such sale shall be entitled to contribution from any Person involved in such sale of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (iii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the amount of net proceeds received by such seller from the applicable sale of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, the Investor shall not be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds actually received by the Investor from the applicable sale of the Registrable Securities subject to the Claim exceeds the amount of any damages that the Investor has otherwise been required to pay, or would otherwise be required to pay under Section 6(b), by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
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| 8. | Reports Under the Exchange Act. |
With a view to making available to the Investor the benefits of Rule 144, the Company agrees to:
(a) use its commercially reasonable efforts to make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;
(b) use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that nothing herein shall limit any of the Company’s obligations under the Purchase Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144;
(c) furnish to the Investor so long as the Investor owns Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company, if true, that it has complied with the reporting, submission and posting requirements of Rule 144 and the Exchange Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company with the Commission if such reports are not publicly available via EDGAR, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investor to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration; and
(d) take such additional action as is reasonably requested by the Investor to enable the Investor to sell the Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144, including, without limitation, delivering all such legal opinions, consents, certificates, resolutions and instructions to the Company’s transfer agent as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the Investor and otherwise fully cooperate with Investor and Investor’s broker to effect such sale of securities pursuant to Rule 144.
| 9. | Assignment of Registration Rights. |
Neither the Company nor the Investor shall assign this Agreement or any of their respective rights or obligations hereunder; provided, however, that any transaction, whether by merger, reorganization, restructuring, consolidation, financing or otherwise, whereby the Company remains the surviving entity immediately after such transaction shall not be deemed an assignment.
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| 10. | Amendment or Waiver. |
No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived by the parties from and after the date that is one (1) Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the Initial Registration Statement is initially filed with the Commission. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, no provision of this Agreement may be (i) amended other than by a written instrument signed by both parties hereto or (ii) waived other than in a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
| 11. | Miscellaneous. |
(a) Solely for purposes of this Agreement, a Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or more Persons with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from such record owner of such Registrable Securities.
(b) Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement shall be given in accordance with Section 10.4 of the Purchase Agreement.
(c) Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof. The Company and the Investor acknowledge and agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that either party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement by the other party and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof (without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required), this being in addition to any other remedy to which either party may be entitled by law or equity.
(d) All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any law or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
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(e) The Transaction Documents set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties solely with respect to the subject matter thereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, negotiations and understandings between the parties, both oral and written, solely with respect to such matters. There are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by either party relative to subject matter hereof not expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary and without implication that the contrary would otherwise be true, nothing contained in this Agreement shall limit, modify or affect in any manner whatsoever any of the Company’s obligations under the Purchase Agreement.
(f) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors. This Agreement is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any Person, other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and the Persons referred to in Sections 6 and 7 hereof.
(g) The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Agreement instead of just the provision in which they are found.
(h) This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party; provided that a facsimile signature or signature delivered by e-mail in a “.pdf” format data file, including any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com, www.echosign.adobe.com, etc., shall be considered due execution and shall be binding upon the signatory thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature were an original signature.
(i) Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(j) The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Investor and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
| THE COMPANY: | ||
| HOUSTON AMERICA ENERGY CORP. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Edward Gillespie | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Investor and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
| THE INVESTOR: | ||
| [●] | ||
| By: | [●] | |
| By: | ||
| Name: | [●] | |
| Title: | [●] | |
Exhibit 10.5
SECURITY AGREEMENT
This SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of July 10, 2025 (this “Agreement”), is among Houston American Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), all of the domestic subsidiaries of the Company (such subsidiaries, the “Guarantors,” and together with the Company, the “Debtors”), the secured parties whose names appear on the signature pages hereto (the “Secured Parties”), and [●], in its capacity as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (the “Agent”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2025 (the “Purchase Agreement”), the Secured Parties have agreed to fund the Debtor with respect to that certain Senior Secured Convertible Notes issued by the Company to the Secured Parties (the “Notes,” and together with any other securities that may be issued from time-to-time (the “Securities”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to a certain Subsidiary Guarantee, dated as of the date hereof (the “Guarantee”), the Guarantors have jointly and severally agreed to guarantee and act as surety for payment of the Notes; and
WHEREAS, in order to induce the Secured Parties to extend the loans evidenced by the Notes, each Debtor has agreed to execute and deliver to the Secured Parties this Agreement and to grant the Secured Parties, pari passu with each other Secured Party and through the Agent, a security interest in certain property of such Debtor to secure the prompt payment, performance and discharge in full of all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and the Guarantors’ obligations under the Guarantee.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 1. Terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement that are defined in Article 9 of the UCC (such as “account”, “chattel paper”, “commercial tort claim”, “deposit account”, “document”, “equipment”, “fixtures”, “general intangibles”, “goods”, “instruments”, “inventory”, “investment property”, “letter-of-credit rights”, “proceeds” and “supporting obligations”) shall have the respective meanings given such terms in Article 9 of the UCC.
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(a) “Collateral” means the collateral in which the Secured Parties are granted a security interest by this Agreement and which shall include all of the assets of the Debtors, including the following personal property of the Debtors, whether presently owned or existing or hereafter acquired or coming into existence, wherever situated, and all additions and accessions thereto and all substitutions and replacements thereof, and all proceeds, products and accounts thereof, including, without limitation, all proceeds from the sale or transfer of the Collateral and of insurance covering the same and of any tort claims in connection therewith, and all dividends, interest, cash, notes, securities, equity interest or other property at any time and from time to time acquired, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, or in exchange for, any or all of the Pledged Securities (as defined below):
(i) All goods, including, without limitation, (A) all machinery, equipment, computers, motor vehicles, trucks, tanks, boats, ships, appliances, furniture, special and general tools, fixtures, test and quality control devices and other equipment of every kind and nature and wherever situated, together with all documents of title and documents representing the same, all additions and accessions thereto, replacements therefor, all parts therefor, and all substitutes for any of the foregoing and all other items used and useful in connection with any Debtor’s businesses and all improvements thereto; and (B) all inventory;
(ii) All contract rights and other general intangibles, including, without limitation, all partnership interests, membership interests, stock or other securities, rights under any of the Organizational Documents (as defined below), agreements related to the Pledged Securities, licenses, distribution and other agreements, computer software (whether “off-the-shelf”, licensed from any third party or developed by any Debtor), computer software development rights, leases, franchises, customer lists, quality control procedures, grants and rights, goodwill, Intellectual Property and income tax refunds;
(iii) All accounts, together with all instruments, all documents of title representing any of the foregoing, all rights in any merchandising, goods, equipment, motor vehicles and trucks which any of the same may represent, and all right, title, security and guaranties with respect to each account, including any right of stoppage in transit;
(iv) All documents, letter-of-credit rights, instruments and chattel paper;
(v) All commercial tort claims;
(vi) All deposit accounts and all cash (whether or not deposited in such deposit accounts);
(vii) All investment property;
(viii) All supporting obligations;
(ix) All files, records, books of account, business papers, and computer programs; and
(x) the products and proceeds of all of the foregoing Collateral set forth in clauses (i)-(ix) above.
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Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the “Collateral” shall include all investment property and general intangibles respecting ownership and/or other equity interests in each Guarantor, including, without limitation, the shares of capital stock and the other equity interests listed on Schedule H hereto (as the same may be modified from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof), and any other shares of capital stock and/or other equity interests of any other direct or indirect subsidiary of any Debtor obtained in the future, and, in each case, all certificates representing such shares and/or equity interests and, in each case, all rights, options, warrants, stock, other securities and/or equity interests that may hereafter be received, receivable or distributed in respect of, or exchanged for, any of the foregoing and all rights arising under or in connection with the Pledged Securities, including, but not limited to, all dividends, interest and cash.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall be deemed to constitute an assignment of any asset which, in the event of an assignment, becomes void by operation of applicable law or the assignment of which is otherwise prohibited by applicable law (in each case to the extent that such applicable law is not overridden by Sections 9-406, 9-407 and/or 9-408 of the UCC or other similar applicable law); provided, however, that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall create a valid security interest in such asset and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall create a valid security interest in the proceeds of such asset.
(b) “Intellectual Property” means the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including, without limitation, (i) all copyrights arising under the laws of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, whether registered or unregistered and whether published or unpublished, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including, without limitation, all registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Copyright Office, (ii) all letters patent of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, all reissues and extensions thereof, and all applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country and all divisions, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof, (iii) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade dress, service marks, logos, domain names and other source or business identifiers, and all goodwill associated therewith, now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, whether in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any State thereof or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, or otherwise, and all common law rights related thereto, (iv) all trade secrets arising under the laws of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, (v) all rights to obtain any reissues, renewals or extensions of the foregoing, (vi) all licenses for any of the foregoing, and (vii) all causes of action for infringement of the foregoing.
(c) “Majority in Interest” means, at any time of determination, the majority in interest (based on then-outstanding principal amounts of Notes at the time of such determination) of the Secured Parties.
(d) “Necessary Endorsement” means undated stock powers endorsed in blank or other proper instruments of assignment duly executed and such other instruments or documents as the Agent may reasonably request.
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(e) “Obligations” means all of the liabilities and obligations (primary, secondary, direct, contingent, sole, joint or several) due or to become due, or that are now or may be hereafter contracted or acquired, or owing to, of any Debtor to the Secured Parties, including, without limitation, all obligations under this Agreement, the Securities, the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), and any other instruments, agreements or other documents executed and/or delivered in connection herewith or therewith, in each case, whether now or hereafter existing, voluntary or involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with others, and whether or not from time to time decreased or extinguished and later increased, created or incurred, and all or any portion of such obligations or liabilities that are paid, to the extent all or any part of such payment is avoided or recovered directly or indirectly from any of the Secured Parties as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise as such obligations may be amended, supplemented, converted, extended or modified from time to time. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “Obligations” shall include, without limitation: (i) principal of, interest, and any other amounts owed on the Notes as set forth in the Notes; (ii) any and all obligations due under the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), (iii) any and all other fees, indemnities, costs, obligations and liabilities of the Debtors from time to time under or in connection with this Agreement, the Securities, the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) and any other instruments, agreements or other documents executed and/or delivered in connection herewith or therewith; and (iv) all amounts (including but not limited to post-petition interest) in respect of the foregoing that would be payable but for the fact that the obligations to pay such amounts are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving any Debtor.
(f) “Organizational Documents” means, with respect to any Debtor, the documents by which such Debtor was organized (such as articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership or articles of organization, and including, without limitation, any certificates of designation for preferred stock or other forms of preferred equity) and which relate to the internal governance of such Debtor (such as bylaws, a partnership agreement or an operating, limited liability or members agreement).
(g) “Permitted Liens” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Notes.
(h) “Pledged Interests” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4(j).
(i) “Pledged Securities” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4(i).
(j) “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York and any other applicable law of any state or states that has jurisdiction with respect to all, or any portion of, the Collateral or this Agreement, from time to time. It is the intent of the parties that defined terms in the UCC should be construed in their broadest sense so that the term “Collateral” will be construed in its broadest sense. Accordingly, if there are, from time to time, changes to defined terms in the UCC that broaden the definitions, they are incorporated herein and if existing definitions in the UCC are broader than the amended definitions, the existing ones shall be controlling.
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2. Grant of Security Interest in Collateral. As an inducement for the Secured Parties to fund the Debtor and to secure the complete and timely payment, performance and discharge in full, as the case may be, of all of the Obligations, each Debtor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably pledges, grants and hypothecates to the Secured Parties a perfected, first priority security interest in and to, a lien upon and a right of set-off against all of their respective right, title and interest of whatsoever kind and nature in and to, the Collateral (a “Security Interest” and, collectively, the “Security Interests”).
3. Delivery of Certain Collateral. Contemporaneously or prior to the execution of this Agreement, each Debtor shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Agent (a) any and all certificates and other instruments representing or evidencing the Pledged Securities, and (b) any and all certificates and other instruments or documents representing any of the other Collateral, in each case, together with all Necessary Endorsements. The Debtors are, contemporaneously with the execution hereof, delivering to Agent, or have previously delivered to the Agent, a true and correct copy of each Organizational Document governing any of the Pledged Securities.
4. Representations, Warranties, Covenants and Agreements of the Debtors. Except as set forth under the corresponding Section of the disclosure schedules delivered to the Secured Parties concurrently herewith (the “Disclosure Schedules”), which Disclosure Schedules shall be deemed a part hereof, each Debtor represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with, the Secured Parties as follows:
(a) Each Debtor has the requisite corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other power and authority to enter into this Agreement and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance by each Debtor of this Agreement and the filings contemplated therein have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Debtor and no further action is required by such Debtor. This Agreement has been duly executed by each Debtor. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Debtor, enforceable against such Debtor in accordance with its terms except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and similar laws of general application relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and by general principles of equity.
(b) The Debtors have no place of business or offices where their respective books of account and records are kept (other than temporarily at the offices of its attorneys or accountants) or places where Collateral is stored or located, except as set forth on Schedule A attached hereto. Except as specifically set forth on Schedule A, the Debtor is the record owner of the real property where such Collateral is located, and there exist no mortgages or other liens on any such real property except for Permitted Liens as set forth on Schedule A. Except as disclosed on Schedule A, none of such Collateral is in the possession of any consignee, bailee, warehouseman, agent or processor.
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(c) Except for Permitted Liens and as set forth on Schedule B attached hereto, the Debtors are the sole owner of the Collateral (except for non-exclusive licenses granted by any Debtor in the ordinary course of business), free and clear of any liens, security interests, encumbrances, rights or claims, and are fully authorized to grant the Security Interests. Except as set forth on Schedule C attached hereto, there is not on file in any governmental or regulatory authority, agency or recording office an effective financing statement, security agreement, license or transfer or any notice of any of the foregoing (other than those that will be filed in favor of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement) covering or affecting any of the Collateral. Except as set forth on Schedule C attached hereto and except pursuant to this Agreement, as long as this Agreement shall be in effect, the Debtors shall not execute and shall not knowingly permit to be on file in any such office or agency any other financing statement or other document or instrument (except to the extent filed or recorded in favor of the Secured Parties pursuant to the terms of this Agreement).
(d) No written claim has been received that any Collateral or any Debtor’s use of any Collateral violates the rights of any third party. There has been no adverse decision to any Debtor’s claim of ownership rights in or exclusive rights to use the Collateral in any jurisdiction or to any Debtor’s right to keep and maintain such Collateral in full force and effect, and there is no proceeding involving said rights pending or, to the best knowledge of any Debtor, threatened before any court, judicial body, administrative or regulatory agency, arbitrator or other governmental authority.
(e) Each Debtor shall at all times maintain its books of account and records relating to the Collateral at its principal place of business and its Collateral at the locations set forth on Schedule A attached hereto and may not relocate such books of account and records or tangible Collateral unless it delivers to the Secured Parties at least thirty (30) days prior to such relocation (i) written notice of such relocation and the new location thereof (which must be within the United States) and (ii) evidence that appropriate financing statements under the UCC and other necessary documents have been filed and recorded and other steps have been taken to perfect the Security Interests to create in favor of the Secured Parties a valid, perfected and continuing perfected first priority lien in the Collateral.
(f) This Agreement creates in favor of the Secured Parties a valid first priority security interest in the Collateral, subject only to Permitted Liens, securing the payment and performance of the Obligations. Upon making the filings described in the immediately following paragraph, all security interests created hereunder in any Collateral which may be perfected by filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements shall have been duly perfected. Except for (i) the filing of the Uniform Commercial Code financing statements referred to in the immediately following paragraph, (ii) the recordation of the Intellectual Property Security Agreement (as defined in Section 4(p) hereof) with respect to copyrights and copyright applications in the United States Copyright Office referred to in paragraph (mm), (iii) the recordation of the Intellectual Property Security Agreement (as defined in Section 4(p) hereof) with respect to patents and trademarks of each Debtor in the United States Patent and Trademark Office referred to in paragraph (oo), (iv) the execution and delivery of deposit account control agreements satisfying the requirements of Section 9-104(a)(2) of the UCC with respect to each deposit account of the Debtors, (v) if there is any investment property or deposit account included as Collateral that can be perfected by “control” through an account control agreement, the execution and delivery of securities account control agreements satisfying the requirements of 9-106 of the UCC with respect to each such investment property of each Debtor, and (vi) the delivery of the certificates and other instruments provided in Section 3, Section 4(aa) and Section 4(cc), no action is necessary to create, perfect or protect the Security Interests created hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except for the foregoing, no consent of any third parties and no authorization, approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is required for (x) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, (y) the creation or perfection of the Security Interests created hereunder in the Collateral or (z) the enforcement of the rights of the Agent and the Secured Parties hereunder.
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(g) Each Debtor hereby authorizes the Agent to file one or more financing statements under the UCC, with respect to the Security Interests, with the proper filing and recording agencies in any jurisdiction deemed proper by it.
(h) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Debtors does not (i) violate any of the provisions of any Organizational Documents of any Debtor or any judgment, decree, order or award of any court, governmental body or arbitrator or any applicable law, rule or regulation applicable to any Debtor or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing any Debtor’s debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which any Debtor is a party or by which any property or asset of the Debtor is bound or affected. If any, all required consents (including, without limitation, from stockholders or creditors of any Debtor) necessary for any Debtor to enter into and perform its obligations hereunder have been obtained.
(i) The capital stock and other equity interests listed on Schedule H hereto (the “Pledged Securities”) represent all capital stock and other equity interests owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company. All of the Pledged Securities are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and the Company is the legal and beneficial owner of the Pledged Securities, free and clear of any lien, security interest or other encumbrance except for the Security Interests created by this Agreement and other Permitted Liens.
(j) The ownership and other equity interests in partnerships and limited liability companies (if any) included in the Collateral (the “Pledged Interests”) by their express terms do not provide that they are securities governed by Article 8 of the UCC and are not held in a securities account or by any financial intermediary.
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(k) Except for Permitted Liens, each Debtor shall at all times maintain the liens and Security Interests provided for hereunder as valid and perfected, first priority liens and security interests in the Collateral in favor of the Secured Parties until this Agreement and the Security Interest hereunder shall be terminated pursuant to Section 14 hereof. Each Debtor hereby agrees to defend the same against the claims of any and all persons and entities. Each Debtor shall safeguard and protect all Collateral for the account of the Secured Parties. At the request of the Agent, each Debtor will sign and deliver to the Agent at any time or from time to time one or more financing statements pursuant to the UCC in form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and will pay the cost of filing the same in all public offices wherever filing is, or is deemed by the Agent to be, necessary or desirable to effect the rights and obligations provided for herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Debtor shall pay all fees, taxes and other amounts necessary to maintain the Collateral and the Security Interests hereunder, and each Debtor shall obtain and furnish to the Agent from time to time, upon demand, such releases and/or subordinations of claims and liens which may be required to maintain the priority of the Security Interests hereunder.
(l) No Debtor will transfer, pledge, hypothecate, encumber, license, sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral (except for non-exclusive licenses granted by a Debtor in its ordinary course of business, sales of inventory by a Debtor in its ordinary course of business and the replacement of worn-out or obsolete equipment by a Debtor in its ordinary course of business) without the prior written consent of the Agent.
(m) Each Debtor shall keep and preserve its equipment, inventory and other tangible Collateral in good condition, repair and order and shall not operate or locate any such Collateral (or cause to be operated or located) in any area excluded from insurance coverage.
(n) Each Debtor shall maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers, insurance with respect to the Collateral, including Collateral hereafter acquired, against loss or damage of the kinds and in the amounts customarily insured against by entities of established reputation having similar properties similarly situated and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by other such entities and otherwise as is prudent for entities engaged in similar businesses but in any event sufficient to cover the full replacement cost thereof. Each Debtor shall cause each insurance policy issued in connection herewith to provide, and the insurer issuing such policy to certify to the Agent, that (a) the Agent will be named as lender-loss-payee and additional insured under each such insurance policy; (b) if such insurance be proposed to be cancelled or materially changed for any reason whatsoever, such insurer will promptly notify the Agent and such cancellation or change shall not be effective as to the Agent for at least thirty (30) days after receipt by the Agent of such notice, unless the effect of such change is to extend or increase coverage under the policy; and (c) the Agent will have the right (but no obligation) at its election to remedy any default in the payment of premiums within thirty (30) days of notice from the insurer of such default. If no Event of Default (as defined in the Note) exists and if the proceeds arising out of any claim or series of related claims do not exceed $100,000, loss payments in each instance will be applied by the Debtor to the repair and/or replacement of property with respect to which the loss was incurred to the extent reasonably feasible, and any loss payments or the balance thereof remaining, to the extent not so applied, shall be payable to the Debtor; provided, however, that payments received by any Debtor after an Event of Default (as defined in the Note) or an Event of Default occurs and is continuing or in excess of $100,000 for any occurrence or series of related occurrences, upon approval by the Agent, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed, denied or conditioned, loss payments in each instance will be applied by the Debtor to the repair and/or replacement of property with respect to which the loss was incurred to the extent reasonably feasible, and any loss payments or the balance thereof remaining, to the extent not so applied, shall be paid to the Agent and, if received by such Debtor, shall be held in trust for the Agent and immediately paid over to the Agent unless otherwise directed in writing by the Agent. Copies of such policies or the related certificates, in each case, naming the Agent as lender-loss-payee and additional insured shall be delivered to the Agent at least annually and at the time any new policy of insurance is issued.
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(o) Each Debtor shall, within ten (10) days of obtaining knowledge thereof, advise the Secured Parties, in sufficient detail, of any material adverse change in the Collateral, and of the occurrence of any event that would have a material adverse effect on the value of the Collateral or on the Secured Parties’ Security Interest therein.
(p) Each Debtor shall promptly execute and deliver to the Agent such further deeds, mortgages, assignments, security agreements, financing statements or other instruments, documents, certificates and assurances and take such further action as the Agent may from time to time request and may in its sole discretion deem necessary to perfect, protect or enforce the Secured Parties’ security interest in the Collateral, including, without limitation, if applicable, the execution and delivery of a separate security agreement with respect to each Debtor’s Intellectual Property (“Intellectual Property Security Agreement”) in which the Secured Parties have been granted a security interest hereunder, substantially in a form reasonably acceptable to the Agent, which Intellectual Property Security Agreement, other than as stated therein, shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions hereof.
(q) Upon reasonable prior notice (so long as no Event of Default (as defined in the Note) or a breach under any of the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) has occurred or continuing, which in either such event, no prior notice is required), each Debtor shall permit the Agent and its representatives and agents to inspect the Collateral during normal business hours and to make copies of records pertaining to the Collateral as may be reasonably requested by the Agent from time to time.
(r) Each Debtor shall take all steps reasonably necessary to diligently pursue and seek to preserve, enforce and collect any rights, claims, causes of action and accounts receivable in respect of the Collateral.
(s) Each Debtor shall promptly notify the Secured Parties in sufficient detail upon becoming aware of any attachment, garnishment, execution or other legal process levied against any Collateral and of any other information received by such Debtor that may materially affect the value of the Collateral, the Security Interest or the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties hereunder.
(t) All information heretofore, herein or hereafter supplied to the Secured Parties by or on behalf of each Debtor with respect to the Collateral is accurate and complete in all material respects as of the date furnished.
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(u) Each Debtor shall at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect their respective valid existence and good standing and any rights and franchises material to its business.
(v) No Debtor will change its name, type of organization, jurisdiction of organization, organizational identification number (if it has one), legal or corporate structure, or identity, or add any new fictitious name unless it provides at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Secured Parties of such change and, at the time of such written notification, such Debtor provides any financing statements or fixture filings necessary to perfect and continue the perfection of the Security Interests granted and evidenced by this Agreement.
(w) Except in the ordinary course of business, no Debtor may consign any of its inventory or sell any of its inventory on bill-and-hold, sale-or-return, sale-on-approval, or other conditional terms of sale without the consent of the Agent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed, denied, or conditioned.
(x) No Debtor may relocate its chief executive office to a new location without providing thirty (30) days’ prior written notification thereof to the Secured Parties and so long as, at the time of such written notification, such Debtor provides any financing statements or fixture filings necessary to perfect and continue the perfection of the Security Interests granted and evidenced by this Agreement.
(y) Each Debtor was organized and remains organized solely under the laws of the state of Delaware.
(z) (i) The actual name of each Debtor is the name set forth in Schedule D attached hereto; (ii) no Debtor has trade names except as set forth on Schedule E attached hereto; (iii) no Debtor has used any name other than that stated in the preamble hereto or as set forth on Schedule E for the preceding five (5) years; and (iv) no entity has merged into any Debtor or been acquired by any Debtor within the past five years except as set forth on Schedule E.
(aa) At any time and from time to time that any Collateral consists of instruments, certificated securities or other items that require or permit possession by the Secured Parties to perfect the Security Interest created hereby, each Debtor shall deliver such Collateral to the Secured Parties.
(bb) Each Debtor, in its capacity as issuer, hereby agrees to comply with any and all orders and instructions of the Agent regarding the Pledged Interests consistent with the terms of this Agreement without the further consent of any Debtor as contemplated by Section 8-106 (or any successor section) of the UCC. Further, each Debtor agrees that it shall not enter into a similar agreement (or one that would confer “control” within the meaning of Article 8 of the UCC) with any other person or entity.
(cc) Each Debtor shall cause all tangible chattel paper constituting Collateral to be delivered to the Agent, or, if such delivery is not possible, then to cause such tangible chattel paper to contain a legend noting that it is subject to the Security Interest created by this Agreement. To the extent that any Collateral consists of electronic chattel paper, each Debtor shall cause the underlying chattel paper to be “marked” within the meaning of Section 9-105 of the UCC (or successor Section thereto).
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(dd) If there is any investment property or deposit account included as Collateral that can be perfected by “control” through an account control agreement, the applicable Debtor shall cause such an account control agreement, in form and substance in each case satisfactory to the Agent, to be entered into and delivered to the Agent.
(ee) To the extent that any Collateral consists of letter-of-credit rights, the applicable Debtor shall cause the issuer of each underlying letter of credit to consent to an assignment of the proceeds thereof to the Agent.
(ff) To the extent that any Collateral is in the possession of any third party, the applicable Debtor shall join with the Agent in notifying such third party of the Secured Parties’ Security Interest in such Collateral and shall use its best efforts to obtain an acknowledgement and agreement from such third party with respect to the Collateral, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.
(gg) If any Debtor shall at any time hold or acquire a commercial tort claim, such Debtor shall promptly notify the Secured Parties in a writing signed by such Debtor of the particulars thereof and grant to the Secured Parties in such writing a security interest therein and in the proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Secured Parties.
(hh) Each Debtor shall immediately provide written notice to the Secured Parties of any and all accounts that are equal to or in excess of $1 million and which arise out of contracts with any governmental authority and, to the extent necessary to perfect or continue the perfected status of the Security Interests in such accounts and proceeds thereof, shall execute and deliver to the Agent an assignment of claims for such accounts and cooperate with the Agent in taking any other steps required, in its judgment, under the Federal Assignment of Claims Act or any similar federal, state or local statute or rule to perfect or continue the perfected status of the Security Interests in such accounts and proceeds thereof.
(ii) Intentionally Deleted.
(jj) Each Debtor shall vote the Pledged Securities to comply with the covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement).
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(kk) Each Debtor shall register the pledge of the applicable Pledged Securities on the books of such Debtor. Each Debtor shall notify each issuer of Pledged Securities to register the pledge of the applicable Pledged Securities in the name of the Secured Parties on the books of such issuer. Further, except with respect to certificated securities delivered to the Agent, the applicable Debtor shall deliver to the Agent an acknowledgement of pledge (which, where appropriate, shall comply with the requirements of the relevant UCC with respect to perfection by registration) signed by the issuer of the applicable Pledged Securities, which acknowledgement shall confirm that: (a) it has registered the pledge on its books and records; and (b) at any time directed by the Agent during the continuation of an Event of Default, such issuer will transfer the record ownership of such Pledged Securities into the name of any designee of the Agent, will take such steps as may be necessary to effect the transfer, and will comply with all other instructions of the Agent regarding such Pledged Securities without the further consent of the applicable Debtor.
(ll) In the event that, upon an occurrence of an Event of Default, the Secured Parties shall sell all or any of the Pledged Securities to another party or parties (herein called the “Transferee”) or shall purchase or retain all or any of the Pledged Securities, each Debtor shall, to the extent applicable: (i) deliver to the Agent or the Transferee, as the case may be, the articles of incorporation, bylaws, minute books, stock certificate books, corporate seals, deeds, leases, indentures, agreements, evidences of indebtedness, books of account, financial records and all other Organizational Documents and records of such Debtor and their direct and indirect subsidiaries (but not including any items subject to the attorney-client privilege related to this Agreement or any of the transactions hereunder); (ii) use its best efforts to obtain resignations of the persons then serving as officers and directors of such Debtor and their direct and indirect subsidiaries, if so requested; and (iii) use its best efforts to obtain any approvals that are required by any governmental or regulatory body in order to permit the sale of the Pledged Securities to the Transferee or the purchase or retention of the Pledged Securities by the Agent and allow the Transferee or the Agent to continue the business of such Debtor and their direct and indirect subsidiaries.
(mm) Without limiting the generality of the other obligations of the Debtors hereunder, each Debtor shall promptly (i) cause to be registered at the United States Copyright Office all of its material copyrights, (ii) cause the Security Interest contemplated hereby with respect to all Intellectual Property registered at the United States Copyright Office or United States Patent and Trademark Office to be duly recorded at the applicable office, and (iii) give the Agent notice whenever it acquires (whether absolutely or by license) or creates any additional material Intellectual Property.
(nn) Each Debtor will from time to time, at the expense of such Debtor, promptly execute and deliver all such further instruments and documents, and take all such further action as may be necessary or desirable, or as the Agent may reasonably request, in order to perfect and protect any Security Interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or to enable the Agent to exercise and enforce their rights and remedies hereunder and with respect to any Collateral or to otherwise carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
(oo) Schedule F attached hereto lists all of the patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, registered copyrights, and domain names owned by any of the Debtors as of the date hereof. Schedule F lists all material licenses in favor of any Debtor for the use of any patents, trademarks, copyrights and domain names as of the date hereof. All material patents and trademarks of the Debtors have been duly recorded at the United States Patent and Trademark Office and all material copyrights of the Debtors have been duly recorded at the United States Copyright Office.
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(pp) Except as set forth on Schedule G attached hereto, none of the account debtors or other persons or entities obligated on any of the Collateral is a governmental authority covered by the Federal Assignment of Claims Act or any similar federal, state or local statute or rule in respect of such Collateral.
(qq) Until the Obligations shall have been paid and performed in full, the Company covenants that it shall promptly direct any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof to enter into the Guarantee in favor of the Secured Parties.
5. Effect of Pledge on Certain Rights. If any of the Collateral subject to this Agreement consists of nonvoting equity or ownership interests (regardless of class, designation, preference or rights) that may be converted into voting equity or ownership interests upon the occurrence of certain events (including, without limitation, upon the transfer of all or any of the other stock or assets of the issuer), it is agreed by each Debtor that the pledge of such equity or ownership interests pursuant to this Agreement or the enforcement of any of the Secured Parties’ rights hereunder shall not be deemed to be the type of event which would trigger such conversion rights notwithstanding any provisions in the Organizational Documents or agreements to which any Debtor is subject or to which any Debtor is party.
6. Defaults. The following events shall be “Events of Default”:
(a) The occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Note);
(b) The occurrence of an event of default or material breach under any Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement);
(c) Any representation or warranty of any Debtor in this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made;
(d) The failure by any Debtor to observe or perform any of its obligations hereunder for five (5) days after delivery to such Debtor of notice of such failure by or on behalf of a Secured Party unless such default is capable of cure but cannot be cured within such time frame and such Debtor is using commercially reasonable best efforts to cure same in a timely fashion; or
(e) If any provision of this Agreement shall at any time for any reason be declared to be null and void, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested by any Debtor, or a proceeding shall be commenced by any Debtor, or by any governmental authority having jurisdiction over any Debtor, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof, or any Debtor shall deny that such Debtor has any liability or obligation purported to be created under this Agreement.
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7. Duty to Hold in Trust.
(a) Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and at any time thereafter, the Debtor shall, upon receipt of any revenue, income, dividend, interest or other sums subject to the Security Interests, whether payable pursuant to the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) or otherwise, or of any check, draft, note, trade acceptance or other instrument evidencing an obligation to pay any such sum, hold the same in trust for the Secured Parties and shall forthwith endorse and transfer any such sums or instruments, or both, to the Secured Parties, pro-rata in proportion to their respective then-currently issued and outstanding Principal Amount (as defined in the Note) for application to the satisfaction of the Obligations.
(b) If the Debtor shall become entitled to receive or shall receive any securities or other property (including, without limitation, shares of Pledged Securities or instruments representing Pledged Securities acquired after the date hereof, or any options, warrants, rights or other similar property or certificates representing a dividend, or any distribution in connection with any recapitalization, reclassification or increase or reduction of capital, or issued in connection with any reorganization of the Debtor or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries) in respect of the Pledged Securities (whether as an addition to, in substitution of, or in exchange for, such Pledged Securities or otherwise), the Debtor agrees to (i) accept the same as the agent of the Secured Parties; (ii) hold the same in trust on behalf of and for the benefit of the Secured Parties; and (iii) to deliver any and all certificates or instruments evidencing the same to the Secured Parties on or before the close of business on the fifth (5th) business day following the receipt thereof by the Debtor, in the exact form received together with the Necessary Endorsements, to be held by the Agent subject to the terms of this Agreement as Collateral.
8. Rights and Remedies Upon Default.
(a) Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and at any time thereafter, the Secured Parties, acting through the Agent, shall have the right to exercise all of the remedies conferred hereunder and under the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), and the Secured Parties shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC. Without limitation, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and at any time thereafter, the Secured Parties, acting through the Agent, shall have the following rights and powers:
(i) The Agent shall have the right to take possession of the Collateral and, for that purpose, enter, with the aid and assistance of any person, any premises where the Collateral, or any part thereof, is or may be placed and remove the same, and each Debtor shall assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Agent at places which the Agent shall reasonably select, whether at such Debtor’s premises or elsewhere, and make available to the Agent, without rent, all of such Debtor’s respective premises and facilities for the purpose of the Agent taking possession of, removing or putting the Collateral in saleable or disposable form.
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(ii) Upon notice to the Debtor by the Agent, all rights of each Debtor to exercise the voting and other consensual rights which it would otherwise be entitled to exercise and all rights of each Debtor to receive the dividends and interest which it would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain, shall cease. Upon such notice, the Agent shall have the right to receive any interest, cash dividends or other payments on the Collateral and, at the option of the Agent, to exercise in its discretion all voting rights pertaining thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent shall have the right (but not the obligation) to exercise all rights with respect to the Collateral as it were the sole and absolute owner thereof, including, without limitation, to vote and/or to exchange, at its sole discretion, any or all of the Collateral in connection with a merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization or other readjustment concerning or involving the Collateral or any Debtor or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.
(iii) The Agent shall have the right to operate the business of the Debtor using the Collateral and shall have the right to assign, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of and deliver all or any part of the Collateral, at public or private sale or otherwise, either with or without special conditions or stipulations, for cash or on credit or for future delivery, in such parcel or parcels and at such time or times and at such place or places, and upon such terms and conditions as the Agent may deem commercially reasonable, all without (except as shall be required by applicable statute and cannot be waived) advertisement or demand upon or notice to the Debtor or right of redemption of a Debtor, which are hereby expressly waived. Upon each such sale, lease, assignment or other transfer of Collateral, the Agent may, unless prohibited by applicable law which cannot be waived, purchase all or any part of the Collateral being sold, free from and discharged of all trusts, claims, right of redemption and equities of any Debtor, which are hereby waived and released.
(iv) The Agent shall have the right (but not the obligation) to notify any account debtors and any obligors under instruments or accounts to make payments directly to the Agent and to enforce the Debtors’ rights against such account debtors and obligors.
(v) The Agent may (but are not obligated to) direct any financial intermediary or any other person or entity holding any investment property to transfer the same to the Agent or its designees.
(vi) The Agent may (but is not obligated to) transfer any or all Intellectual Property registered in the name of the Debtor at the United States Patent and Trademark Office and/or Copyright Office into the name of the Agent or any designee or any purchaser of any Collateral.
(b) The Agent shall comply with any applicable law in connection with a disposition of Collateral and such compliance will not be considered adversely to affect the commercial reasonableness of any sale of the Collateral. The Agent may sell the Collateral without giving any warranties and may specifically disclaim such warranties. If the Agent sells any of the Collateral on credit, the Debtors will only be credited with payments actually made by the purchaser. In addition, each Debtors waives (except as shall be required by applicable statute and cannot be waived) any and all rights that it may have to a judicial hearing in advance of the enforcement of the Agent’s rights and remedies hereunder, including, without limitation, its right following an Event of Default to take immediate possession of the Collateral and to exercise its rights and remedies with respect thereto.
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(c) For the purpose of enabling the Agent to further exercise rights and remedies under this Section 8 or elsewhere provided by agreement or applicable law, each Debtor hereby grants to the Agent an irrevocable, nonexclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty or other compensation to such Debtor) to use, license or sublicense following an Event of Default, any Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Debtor, and wherever the same may be located, and including in such license access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof.
9. Applications of Proceeds. The proceeds of any such sale, lease or other disposition of the Collateral hereunder or from payments made on account of any insurance policy insuring any portion of the Collateral shall be applied first, to the expenses of retaking, holding, storing, processing and preparing for sale, selling, and the like (including, without limitation, any taxes, fees and other costs incurred in connection therewith) of the Collateral, to the reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Agent in enforcing the rights of the Secured Parties hereunder and in connection with collecting, storing and disposing of the Collateral, and then to satisfaction of the Obligations pro rata among the Secured Parties (based on then issued and outstanding Securities at the time of any such determination), and to the payment of any other amounts required by applicable law, after which the Secured Parties shall pay to the applicable Debtor any surplus proceeds. If, upon the sale, license or other disposition of the Collateral, the proceeds thereof are insufficient to pay all amounts to which the Secured Parties are legally entitled, the Debtors will be liable for the deficiency, together with interest thereon, at the rate of 12.5% per annum or the lesser amount permitted by applicable law (the “Default Rate”), and the reasonable fees of any attorneys employed by the Secured Parties to collect such deficiency. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Debtor waives all claims, damages and demands against the Secured Parties arising out of the repossession, removal, retention or sale of the Collateral, unless due solely to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Secured Parties as determined by a final judgment (not subject to further appeal) of a court of competent jurisdiction.
10. Securities Law Provision. Each Debtor recognizes that the Agent may be limited in its ability to effect a sale to the public of all or part of the Pledged Securities by reason of certain prohibitions in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or other federal or state securities laws (collectively, the “Securities Laws”), and may be compelled to resort to one or more sales to a restricted group of purchasers who may be required to agree to acquire the Pledged Securities for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Debtor agrees that sales so made may be at prices and on terms less favorable than if the Pledged Securities were sold to the public, and that the Agent has no obligation to delay the sale of any Pledged Securities for the period of time necessary to register the Pledged Securities for sale to the public under the Securities Laws. Each Debtor shall cooperate with the Agent in its attempt to satisfy any requirements under the Securities Laws (including, without limitation, registration thereunder if requested by the Agent) applicable to the sale of the Pledged Securities by the Agent.
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11. Costs and Expenses. Each Debtor agrees to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with any filing required hereunder, including without limitation, any financing statements pursuant to the UCC, continuation statements, partial releases and/or termination statements related thereto, or any expenses of any searches reasonably required by the Agent. The Debtors shall also pay all other claims and charges which in the reasonable opinion of the Agent is reasonably likely to prejudice, imperil or otherwise affect the Collateral or the Security Interests therein. The Debtors will also, upon demand, pay to the Agent the amount of any and all reasonable expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel and of any experts and agents, which the Agent may incur in connection with the creation, perfection, protection, satisfaction, foreclosure, collection or enforcement of the Security Interest and the preparation, administration, continuance, amendment or enforcement of this Agreement and pay to the Agent the amount of any and all reasonable expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel and of any experts and agents, which the Agent may incur in connection with (i) the enforcement of this Agreement, (ii) the custody or preservation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any of the Collateral, or (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of the Secured Parties under the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement). Until so paid, any fees payable hereunder shall be added to the amounts owed under the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate.
12. Responsibility for Collateral. The Debtors assume all liabilities and responsibility in connection with all Collateral, and the Obligations shall in no way be affected or diminished by reason of the loss, destruction, damage or theft of any of the Collateral or its unavailability for any reason. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and except as required by applicable law, (a) neither the Agent nor any Secured Party (i) has any duty (either before or after an Event of Default) to collect any amounts in respect of the Collateral or to preserve any rights relating to the Collateral, or (ii) has any obligation to clean-up or otherwise prepare the Collateral for sale, and (b) each Debtor shall remain obligated and liable under each contract or agreement included in the Collateral to be observed or performed by such Debtor thereunder. Neither the Agent nor any Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under any such contract or agreement by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Agent or any Secured Party of any payment relating to any of the Collateral, nor shall the Agent or any Secured Party be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of any Debtor under or pursuant to any such contract or agreement, to make inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by the Agent or any Secured Party in respect of the Collateral or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party under any such contract or agreement, to present or file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to the Agent or any Secured Party or to which the Agent or any Secured Party may be entitled at any time or times.
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13. Security Interests Absolute. All rights of the Secured Parties and all obligations of the Debtors hereunder, shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of: (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement, the Securities, the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), or any agreement entered into in connection with the foregoing, or any portion hereof or thereof, against the Debtor; (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment or performance of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) or any other agreement entered into in connection with the foregoing; (c) any exchange, release or nonperfection of any of the Collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any other collateral for, or any guarantee, or any other security, for all or any of the Obligations; (d) any action by the Secured Parties to obtain, adjust, settle and cancel in their sole discretion any insurance claims or matters made or arising in connection with the Collateral; or (e) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute any legal or equitable defense available to a Debtor, or a discharge of all or any part of the Security Interests granted hereby. Until the Obligations shall have been paid and performed in full, the rights of the Secured Parties shall continue even if the Obligations are barred for any reason, including, without limitation, the running of the statute of limitations. Each Debtor expressly waives presentment, protest, notice of protest, demand, notice of nonpayment and demand for performance. In the event that at any time any transfer of any Collateral or any payment received by the Secured Parties hereunder shall be deemed by final order of a court of competent jurisdiction to have been a voidable preference or fraudulent conveyance under the bankruptcy or insolvency laws of the United States, or shall be deemed to be otherwise due to any party other than the Secured Parties, then, in any such event, each Debtor’s obligations hereunder shall survive cancellation of this Agreement, and shall not be discharged or satisfied by any prior payment thereof and/or cancellation of this Agreement, but shall remain a valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof. Each Debtor waives all right to require the Secured Parties to proceed against any other person or entity or to apply any Collateral which the Secured Parties may hold at any time, or to marshal assets, or to pursue any other remedy. Each Debtor waives any defense arising by reason of the application of the statute of limitations to any obligation secured hereby.
14. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate on the date on which all payments under the Securities and the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) (have been indefeasibly paid in full and all other Obligations have been paid or discharged; provided, however, that all indemnities of the Debtor contained in this Agreement shall survive and remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement.
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15. Power of Attorney; Further Assurances.
(a) Each Debtor authorizes the Agent, and does hereby make, constitute and appoint the Agent and its officers, agents, successors or assigns with full power of substitution, as such Debtor’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with power, in the name of the Agent or such Debtor, to, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, (i) endorse any note, checks, drafts, money orders or other instruments of payment (including payments payable under or in respect of any policy of insurance) in respect of the Collateral that may come into possession of the Agent; (ii) to sign and endorse any financing statement pursuant to the UCC or any invoice, freight or express bill, bill of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications and notices in connection with accounts, and other documents relating to the Collateral; (iii) to pay or discharge taxes, liens, security interests or other encumbrances at any time levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral; (iv) to demand, collect, receipt for, compromise, settle and sue for monies due in respect of the Collateral; (v) to transfer any Intellectual Property or provide licenses respecting any Intellectual Property; and (vi) generally, at the option of the Agent, and at the expense of the Debtors, at any time, or from time to time, to execute and deliver any and all documents and instruments and to do all acts and things which the Agent deems necessary to protect, preserve and realize upon the Collateral and the Security Interests granted therein in order to effect the intent of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) all as fully and effectually as the Debtors might or could do; and each Debtor hereby ratifies all that said attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable for the term of this Agreement and thereafter as long as any of the Obligations shall be outstanding. The designation set forth herein shall be deemed to amend and supersede any inconsistent provision in the Organizational Documents or other documents or agreements to which any Debtor is subject or to which any Debtor is a party. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Secured Party is specifically authorized to execute and file any applications for or instruments of transfer and assignment of any patents, trademarks, copyrights or other Intellectual Property with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office.
(b) On a continuing basis, each Debtor will make, execute, acknowledge, deliver, file and record, as the case may be, with the proper filing and recording agencies in any jurisdiction, including, without limitation, the jurisdictions indicated on Schedule C attached hereto, all such instruments, and take all such action as may reasonably be deemed necessary or advisable, or as reasonably requested by the Agent, to perfect the Security Interests granted hereunder and otherwise to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement, or for assuring and confirming to the Agent the grant or perfection of a perfected security interest in all the Collateral under the UCC.
(c) Each Debtor hereby irrevocably appoints the Agent as such Debtor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and instead of such Debtor and in the name of such Debtor, from time to time in the Agent’s discretion, to take any action and to execute any instrument which the Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including the filing, in its sole discretion, of one or more financing or continuation statements and amendments thereto, relative to any of the Collateral without the signature of such Debtor where permitted by law, which financing statements may (but need not) describe the Collateral as “all assets” or “all personal property” or words of like import, and ratifies all such actions taken by the Agent. This power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable for the term of this Agreement and thereafter as long as any of the Obligations shall be outstanding.
16. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be subject to the notice provision of the Purchase Agreement.
17. Other Security. To the extent that the Obligations are now or hereafter secured by property other than the Collateral or by the guarantee, endorsement or property of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, then the Agent shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to pursue, relinquish, subordinate, modify or take any other action with respect thereto, without in any way modifying or affecting any of the Secured Parties’ rights and remedies hereunder.
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18. Appointment of Agent. The Secured Parties hereby appoint the Agent to act as their agent for purposes of exercising any and all rights and remedies of the Secured Parties hereunder. The Agent, by its signature below, accepts such appointment. Such appointment shall continue until revoked in writing by a Majority in Interest, at which time a Majority in Interest shall appoint a new collateral agent, provided that the Agent may not be removed as collateral agent unless the Agent shall then hold less than $250,000 in principal amount of Notes; provided, further, that such removal may occur only if each of the other Secured Parties shall then hold not less than an aggregate of $500,000 in principal amount of Notes. The Agent shall have the rights, responsibilities and immunities set forth in Annex A hereto.
19. Miscellaneous.
(a) No course of dealing between the Debtors and the Secured Parties, nor any failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Secured Parties, any right, power or privilege hereunder or under the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
(b) All of the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties with respect to the Collateral, whether established hereby, the Securities or the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) or by any other agreements, instruments or documents or by law shall be cumulative and may be exercised singly or concurrently.
(c) This Agreement, together with the exhibits and schedules hereto, contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, which the parties acknowledge have been merged into this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified, supplemented or amended except in a written instrument signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Debtors, the Agent and the Secured Parties holding a Majority in Interest or more of the Principal Amount, as defined in the Notes, then issued and outstanding, or, in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom enforcement of any such waived provision is sought provided, however, that no such waiver, modification, supplement or amendment, as applied to any provision of this Agreement, shall, without the written consent of that particular Secured Party disproportionally and adversely affect any rights under this Agreement of such Secured Party.
(d) If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
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(e) No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right.
(f) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns. The Debtors may not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Secured Party (other than by merger). Any Secured Party may assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement to any Person (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) to whom such Secured Party assigns or transfers any Obligations, provided such transferee agrees in writing to be bound, with respect to the transferred Obligations, by the provisions of this Agreement that apply to the Secured Parties.
(g) Each party shall take such further action and execute and deliver such further documents as may be necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the provisions and purposes of this Agreement.
(h) Except to the extent mandatorily governed by the jurisdiction or situs where the Collateral is located, all questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Except to the extent mandatorily governed by the jurisdiction or situs where the Collateral is located, each Debtor agrees that all proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, New York. Except to the extent mandatorily governed by the jurisdiction or situs where the Collateral is located, each Debtor hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the State of New York for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such proceeding is improper. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
(i) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission, such signature shall create a valid binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) the same with the same force and effect as if such facsimile signature were the original thereof.
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(j) Intentionally Deleted.
(k) Each Debtor shall indemnify, reimburse and hold harmless the Secured Parties and their respective partners, members, shareholders, officers, directors, employees and agents (and any other persons with other titles that have similar functions) (collectively, “Indemnitees”) from and against any and all losses, claims, liabilities, damages, penalties, suits, costs and expenses, of any kind or nature, (including fees relating to the cost of investigating and defending any of the foregoing) imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnitee in any way related to or arising from or alleged to arise from this Agreement or the Collateral, except any such losses, claims, liabilities, damages, penalties, suits, costs and expenses which result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Indemnitee as determined by a final, non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction. This indemnification provision is in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other indemnification provision in the Purchase Agreement, the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), or any other agreement, instrument or other document executed or delivered in connection herewith or therewith.
(l) Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to subject the Agent or any Secured Party to liability as a partner in any Debtor or any if its direct or indirect subsidiaries that is a partnership or as a member in any Debtor or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries that is a limited liability company, nor shall the Agent or any Secured Party be deemed to have assumed any obligations under any partnership agreement or limited liability company agreement, as applicable, of any Debtor or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or otherwise, unless and until any such Secured Party exercises its right to be substituted for such Debtor as a partner or member, as applicable, pursuant hereto.
(m) To the extent that the grant of the Security Interest in the Collateral and the enforcement of the terms hereof require the consent, approval or action of any partner or member, as applicable, of any Debtor or any direct or indirect subsidiary of any Debtor or compliance with any provisions of any of the Organizational Documents, such Debtor hereby represents that all such consents and approvals have been obtained.
[SIGNATURE PAGE OF THE DEBTOR FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Security Agreement to be duly executed on the day and year first above written.
| COMPANY: | ||
| HOUSTON AMERICAN ENERGY CORP. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Edward Gillespie | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
GUARANTOR:
ABUNDIA GLOBAL IMPACT GROUP, LLC |
||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Edward Gillespie | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
[SIGNATURE PAGE OF SECURED PARTY FOLLOWS]
[SIGNATURE PAGE OF SECURED PARTY TO SECURITY AGREEMENT]
Name of Secured Party: [●]
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Secured Party: _________________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: [●]
Title of Authorized Signatory: [●]
Exhibit 10.6
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE, dated as of July 10, 2025 (this “Guarantee”), made by each of the signatories hereto (together with any other entity that may become a party hereto as provided herein, the “Guarantors”), in favor the Secured Parties (as defined in the Security Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “Security Agreement”) by and among Houston American Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Guarantors and the Secured Parties), which Secured Parties include [●].
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2025 (the “Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Company and the buyers signatory thereto (the “Buyers”), the Company has agreed to sell and issue to the Buyers, and the Buyers have agreed to purchase from the Company the Notes (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein; and
WHEREAS, the Security Agreement requires that the Guarantors execute and deliver to the Buyers a guaranty guaranteeing all of the obligations of the Company under the Purchase Agreement, the Notes and the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement); and
WHEREAS, each Guarantor will directly benefit from the extension of credit to the Company represented by the issuance of the Notes and from the issuance of the Warrants; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce the Buyers to enter into the Purchase Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby, each Guarantor hereby agrees with the Secured Parties as follows:
1. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Purchase Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Purchase Agreement. The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Guarantee shall refer to this Guarantee as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Guarantee, and Section and Schedule references are to this Guarantee unless otherwise specified. The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms. The following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Guarantee” means this Subsidiary Guarantee, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Obligations” means, in addition to all other costs and expenses of collection incurred by Secured Parties in enforcing any of such Obligations and/or this Guarantee, all of the liabilities and obligations (primary, secondary, direct, contingent, sole, joint or several) due or to become due, or that are now or may be hereafter contracted or acquired, or owing to, of the Company or any Guarantor to the Secured Parties, including, without limitation, all obligations under this Guarantee, the Notes, the Warrants, and any other instruments, agreements or other documents executed and/or delivered in connection herewith or therewith, in each case, whether now or hereafter existing, voluntary or involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with others, and whether or not from time to time decreased or extinguished and later increased, created or incurred, and all or any portion of such obligations or liabilities that are paid, to the extent all or any part of such payment is avoided or recovered directly or indirectly from any of the Secured Parties as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise as such obligations may be amended, supplemented, converted, extended or modified from time to time. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “Obligations” shall include, without limitation: (i) principal of, and interest on the Notes and the loans extended pursuant thereto; (ii) any and all other fees, indemnities, costs, obligations and liabilities of the Company or any Guarantor from time to time under or in connection with this Guarantee, the Notes, Warrants, and any other instruments, agreements or other documents executed and/or delivered in connection herewith or therewith; and (iii) all amounts (including but not limited to post-petition interest) in respect of the foregoing that would be payable but for the fact that the obligations to pay such amounts are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving the Company or any Guarantor.
2. Guarantee.
(a) Guarantee.
(i) The Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably, guarantee to the Secured Parties and their respective successors, indorsees, transferees and assigns, the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Obligations.
(ii) Anything herein or in any other Transaction Document to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum liability of each Guarantor hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents shall in no event exceed the amount which can be guaranteed by such Guarantor under applicable federal and state laws, including laws relating to the insolvency of debtors, fraudulent conveyance or transfer or laws affecting the rights of creditors generally (after giving effect to the right of contribution established in Section 2(b)).
(iii) Each Guarantor agrees that the Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the amount of the liability of such Guarantor hereunder without impairing the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or affecting the rights and remedies of any Secured Party hereunder.
(iv) The guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall remain in full force and effect until all the Obligations and the obligations of each Guarantor under the guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall have been satisfied by indefeasible payment in full.
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(v) No payment made by the Company, any of the Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person or received or collected by any Secured Party from the Company, any of the Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or appropriation or application at any time or from time to time in reduction of or in payment of the Obligations shall be deemed to release or otherwise affect the liability of any Guarantor hereunder which shall, notwithstanding any such payment (other than any payment made by such Guarantor in respect of the Obligations or any payment received or collected from such Guarantor in respect of the Obligations), remain liable for the Obligations up to the maximum liability of such Guarantor hereunder until the Obligations are indefeasibly paid in full.
(vi) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Guarantee, with respect to any defaulted non-monetary Obligations the specific performance of which by the Guarantors is not reasonably possible (e.g. the issuance of the Company’s Common Stock), the Guarantors shall only be liable for making the Secured Parties whole on a monetary basis for the Company’s failure to perform such Obligations in accordance with the Transaction Documents.
(b) Right of Contribution. Subject to Section 2(c), each Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that a Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made hereunder, such Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against any other Guarantor hereunder which has not paid its proportionate share of such payment. Each Guarantor’s right of contribution shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 2(c). The provisions of this Section 2(b) shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor the Secured Parties and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Secured Parties for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.
(c) No Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payment made by any Guarantor hereunder or any set-off or application of funds of any Guarantor by any Secured Party, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of any Secured Party against the Company or any other Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Secured Parties for the payment of the Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Company or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder, until all amounts owing to the Secured Parties by the Company on account of the Obligations are indefeasibly paid in full. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Secured Parties in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Guarantor to Secured Parties, if required), to be applied against the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as the Secured Parties may determine.
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(d) Amendments, Etc. With Respect to the Obligations. Each Guarantor shall remain obligated hereunder notwithstanding that, without any reservation of rights against any Guarantor and without notice to or further assent by any Guarantor, any demand for payment of any of the Obligations made by the Secured Parties may be rescinded by the Secured Parties and any of the Obligations continued, and the Obligations, or the liability of any other Person upon or for any part thereof, or any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released by the Secured Parties, and the Purchase Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and any other documents executed and delivered in connection therewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or in part, as the Secured Parties may deem advisable from time to time, and any collateral security, guarantee or right of offset at any time held by the Secured Parties for the payment of the Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or released. The Secured Parties shall have no obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien at any time held by them as security for the Obligations or for the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or any property subject thereto.
(e) Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional. Each Guarantor waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any of the Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by any Secured Party upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or acceptance of the guarantee contained in this Section 2; the Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2; and all dealings between the Company and any of the Guarantors, on the one hand, and any Secured Party, on the other hand, likewise shall be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2. Each Guarantor waives to the extent permitted by law diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment and notice of default or nonpayment to or upon the Company or any of the Guarantors with respect to the Obligations. Each Guarantor understands and agrees that the guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall be construed as a continuing, absolute and unconditional guarantee of payment and performance without regard to (a) the validity or enforceability of the Purchase Agreement or any other Transaction Document, any of the Obligations or any other collateral security therefor or guarantee or right of offset with respect thereto at any time or from time to time held by any Secured Party, (b) any defense, set-off or counterclaim (other than a defense of payment or performance or fraud by any Secured Party) which may at any time be available to or be asserted by the Company or any other Person against any Secured Party, or (c) any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of the Company or such Guarantor) which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of the Company for the Obligations, or of such Guarantor under the guarantee contained herein, in bankruptcy or in any other instance. When making any demand hereunder or otherwise pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against any Guarantor or any Secured Party may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar demand on or otherwise pursue such rights and remedies as they may have against the Company, any other Guarantor or any other Person or against any collateral security or guarantee for the Obligations or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by any Secured Party to make any such demand, to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from the Company, any other Guarantor or any other Person or to realize upon any such collateral security or guarantee or to exercise any such right of offset, or any release of the Company, any other Guarantor or any other Person or any such collateral security, guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve any Guarantor of any obligation or liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a matter of law, of any Secured Party against any Guarantor. For the purposes hereof, “demand” shall include the commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings.
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(f) Reinstatement. The guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by any Secured Party upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Company or any Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Company or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.
(g) Payments. Each Guarantor hereby guarantees that payments hereunder will be paid to the Secured Parties without set-off or counterclaim in U.S. dollars at the address set forth or referred to in the Signature Pages to the Purchase Agreement.
3. Representations and Warranties. Each Guarantor hereby makes the following representations and warranties as of the date hereof:
(a) Organization and Qualification. The Guarantor is a corporation or limited liability company, as applicable, duly incorporated or organized, as applicable, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction set forth on Schedule 1, with the requisite corporate or limited liability company power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. No Guarantor has any subsidiaries other than those identified as such on the Disclosure Schedules to the Purchase Agreement. Each Guarantor is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not, individually or in the aggregate, (x) adversely affect the legality, validity or enforceability of this Guaranty in any material respect, (y) have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, prospects, or financial condition of the Guarantor or (z) adversely impair in any material respect the Guarantor’s ability to perform fully on a timely basis its obligations under this Guaranty (a “Material Adverse Effect”).
(b) Authorization; Enforcement. Each Guarantor has the requisite corporate or limited liability company power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Guaranty, and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Guaranty by each Guarantor and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate or limited liability company action on the part of the Guarantor. This Guaranty has been duly executed and delivered by each Guarantor and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors’ rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general application.
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(c) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Guaranty by each Guarantor and the consummation by each Guarantor of the transactions contemplated thereby do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any provision of its certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents (each as applicable), or (ii) conflict with, constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Guarantor is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which any Guarantor is subject (including Federal and State securities laws and regulations), or by which any material property or asset of any Guarantor is bound or affected, except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, accelerations, cancellations and violations as could not, individually or in the aggregate, have or result in a Material Adverse Effect. The business of the Guarantor is not being conducted in violation of any law, ordinance or regulation of any governmental authority, except for violations which, individually or in the aggregate, do not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Consents and Approvals. No Guarantor is required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local, foreign or other governmental authority or other person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by such Guarantor of this Guaranty.
(e) Purchase Agreement. The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in the Purchase Agreement as they relate to such Guarantor, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, are true and correct as of each time such representations are deemed to be made pursuant to such Purchase Agreement, and any Secured Party shall be entitled to rely on each of them as if they were fully set forth herein, provided that each reference in each such representation and warranty to the Company’s knowledge shall, for the purposes of this Section 3, be deemed to be a reference to such Guarantor’s knowledge.
(f) Foreign Law. Each Guarantor has had the opportunity to consult with appropriate foreign legal counsel with respect to any of the above representations for which non-U.S. law is applicable.
4. Covenants.
(a) Each Guarantor covenants and agrees with the Secured Parties that, from and after the date of this Guarantee until the Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full, such Guarantor shall take, and/or shall refrain from taking, as the case may be, each commercially reasonable action that is necessary to be taken or not taken, as the case may be, so that no Event of Default (as defined in the Notes) is caused by the failure to take such action or to refrain from taking such action by such Guarantor.
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(b) So long as any of the Obligations are outstanding, each Guarantor will not directly or indirectly on or after the date of this Guarantee:
(i) Except as permitted under the Purchase Agreement, enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any indebtedness for borrowed money of any kind, including but not limited to, a guarantee, on or with respect to any of its property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom;
(ii) Except as permitted under the Purchase Agreement, enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any liens of any kind, on or with respect to any of its property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom;
(iii) Amend its certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents (each as applicable) so as to adversely affect any rights of any Secured Party;
(iv) repay, repurchase or offer to repay, repurchase or otherwise acquire more than a de minimis number of shares of its securities or debt obligations;
(v) pay cash dividends on any equity securities of the Company;
(vi) enter into any transaction with any Affiliate of the Guarantor which would be required to be disclosed in any public filing of the Company with the Commission, unless such transaction is made on an arm’s-length basis and expressly approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company (even if less than a quorum otherwise required for board approval); or
(vii) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing.
5. Miscellaneous.
(a) Amendments in Writing. None of the terms or provisions of this Guarantee may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in writing by the Secured Parties.
(b) Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon any Secured Party or any Guarantor hereunder shall be effected in the manner provided for in the Purchase Agreement, provided that any such notice, request or demand to or upon any Guarantor shall be addressed to such Guarantor at its notice address set forth on Schedule 5(b).
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(c) No Waiver By Course Of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies. The Secured Parties shall not by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 5(a)), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any default under the Transaction Documents or Event of Default (as defined in the Notes). No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Secured Party, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by any Secured Party of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which any Secured Party would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by law.
(d) Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification.
(i) Each Guarantor agrees to pay, or reimburse any Secured Party for, all its costs and expenses incurred in collecting against such Guarantor under the guarantee contained in Section 2 or otherwise enforcing or preserving any rights under this Guarantee and the other Transaction Documents to which such Guarantor is a party, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Secured Parties.
(ii) Each Guarantor agrees to pay, and to save any Secured Party harmless from, any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, any and all stamp, excise, sales or other taxes which may be payable or determined to be payable in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Guarantee.
(iii) Each Guarantor agrees to pay, and to save any Secured Party harmless from, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Guarantee to the extent the Company would be required to do so pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
(iv) The agreements in this Section shall survive repayment of the Obligations and all other amounts payable under the Purchase Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.
(e) Successor and Assigns. This Guarantee shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Secured Parties and their respective successors and assigns; provided that no Guarantor may assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Guarantee without the prior written consent of the Secured Parties.
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(f) Set-Off. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably authorizes any Secured Party at any time and from time to time while an Event of Default (as defined in the Notes) under the Notes or a default under any of the Transaction Documents shall have occurred and be continuing, without notice to such Guarantor or off and appropriate and apply any and all deposits, credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by any Secured Party to or for the credit or the account of such Guarantor, or any part thereof in such amounts as any Secured Party may elect, against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of such Guarantor to any Secured Party hereunder and claims of every nature and description of any Secured Party against such Guarantor, in any currency, whether arising hereunder, under the Purchase Agreement, any other Transaction Document or otherwise, as any Secured Party may elect, whether or not any Secured Party has made any demand for payment and although such obligations, liabilities and claims may be contingent or unmatured. Any Secured Party shall notify such Guarantor promptly of any such set-off and the application made by any Secured Party of the proceeds thereof, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of any Secured Party under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) which any Secured Party may have.
(g) Counterparts. This Guarantee may be executed by two or more of the parties to this Guarantee on any number of separate counterparts (including by telecopy), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
(h) Severability. Any provision of this Guarantee which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
(i) Section Headings. The Section headings used in this Guarantee are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.
(j) Integration. This Guarantee and the other Transaction Documents represent the agreement of the Guarantors and the Secured Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any Secured Party relative to subject matter hereof and thereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Transaction Documents.
(k) Governing Laws. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Guarantee shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each of the Company and the Guarantors agree that all proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Guarantee (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in New York County, State of New York. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in New York County, State of New York for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such proceeding is improper. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Guarantee and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guarantee or the transactions contemplated hereby.
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(l) Acknowledgements. Each Guarantor hereby acknowledges that:
(i) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Guarantee and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party;
(ii) the Secured Parties have no fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Guarantor arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee or any of the other Transaction Documents, and the relationship between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and any Secured Party, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and
(iii) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Transaction Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Guarantors and the Secured Parties.
(m) Additional
Guarantors. The Company shall cause each of its subsidiaries formed or acquired on or subsequent to the date hereof (each, an “Additional
Guarantor”) to become a Guarantor for all purposes of this Guarantee by executing and delivering an
Assumption Agreement in the form of Annex 1 hereto.
(n) Release of Guarantors. Each Guarantor will be released from all liability hereunder concurrently with the indefeasible repayment in full of all amounts owed under the Purchase Agreement, the Notes, Warrants, and the other Transaction Documents.
(o) Seniority. The Obligations of each of the Guarantors hereunder rank senior in priority to any other Indebtedness (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) of such Guarantor.
(p) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH GUARANTOR AND, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THE BENEFITS HEREOF, THE BUYERS, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS GUARANTEE AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Guarantee to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
| ABUNDIA GLOBAL IMPACT GROUP, LLC | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Edward Gillespie | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
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Exhibit 99.1
Houston American Energy Corp. Secures $100 Million Equity Line of Credit to Fuel Growth and Support Strategic Acquisitions
HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 11, 2025 – Houston American Energy Corp. (NYSE American: HUSA) (“HUSA” or the “Company”) today announced it has secured a Common Stock Purchase Agreement with an institutional investor, establishing an equity line of credit of up to $100 million. The Company intends to use the proceeds to accelerate its growth strategy, including strategic acquisitions, scaling operations, and expanding its presence in the low-carbon fuels and chemicals sector.
“This capital commitment is a significant milestone for Houston American Energy and a validation of our long-term vision,” said Ed Gillespie, CEO of the Company. “It provides us with enhanced flexibility to execute our growth strategy and advance our project pipeline.”
Under the terms of the 24-month agreement, HUSA has the right to sell up to $100 million of its common stock to an institutional investor. The timing and amount of sales will be at the Company’s discretion, subject to a $2 million cap per drawdown, trading and volume limitations and other conditions. Shares will be sold at a 4% discount to the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Company’s stock over a specified period.
“This agreement provides us with the financial agility to expand our operations, pursue strategic growth opportunities, and scale our business to meet the evolving needs of the energy sector,” added Gillespie.
The Company will file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to register the resale of shares. The agreement was structured as a committed equity facility under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D. Additional details regarding the agreement will be available in a Form 8-K to be filed by the company with the SEC.
About Houston American Energy Corp.
Houston American Energy Corp. (NYSE American: HUSA) is an independent energy company with a growing and diversified portfolio across both conventional and renewable sectors. Historically focused on the exploration and production of oil and natural gas, the Company is actively expanding into high-growth segments of the energy industry. In July 2025, HUSA acquired Abundia Global Impact Group, a technology-driven platform specializing in the conversion of waste plastics into low-carbon fuels and chemical feedstocks. This strategic acquisition reflects HUSA’s broader commitment to meeting global energy demands through a balanced mix of traditional and alternative energy solutions and positions the Company to capitalize on emerging opportunities in sustainable fuels and energy transition technologies.
This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking information”) within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking information generally is accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Forward-looking information is based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements about the future growth of the Company in the low-carbon fuels and chemicals sector as well as plans for strategic acquisitions and scaling operations. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: (i) risks and uncertainties impacting the Company’s business including, risks related to its current liquidity position and the need to obtain additional financing to support ongoing operations, the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, the Company’s ability to maintain the listing of its common stock on NYSE American, the Company’s ability to predict its rate of growth, the Company’s ability to hire, retain and motivate employees, the effects of competition on the Company’s business, including price competition, technological, regulatory and legal developments, developments in the economy and financial markets, risks related to whether the Company is able to sell any shares under the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, the timing of filing a registration statement with respect to the resale of such shares, and (iii) other risks as set forth from time to time in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company.
With respect to the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made numerous assumptions. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, market and social uncertainties and contingencies. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. A complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company’s business is disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC on www.sec.gov.
All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.
For additional information, view the company’s website at www.houstonamerican.com or contact Houston American Energy Corp. at (713) 222-6966.
Exhibit 99.2
Houston American Energy Secures $5 Million in Strategic Financing to Acquire Texas Gulf Coast Development Site
Proceeds to Fund Portion of Acquisition of 25-Acre Location at Cedar Port Industrial Park, Future Site of Plastics-to-Low-Carbon Fuels Hub
HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 11, 2025 – Houston American Energy Corp. (NYSE American: HUSA) (“HUSA” or the “Company”) today announced it has secured a Convertible Note from an institutional investor for $5 million. The Company intends to use the proceeds to fund a portion of the acquisition and development of a 25-acre site at the Cedar Port Industrial Park located in Baytown, Texas.
“The site at Cedar Port is in the largest rail and barge served industrial park in the United States with direct access to the Houston Ship Channel and the Port of Houston. It provides robust logistical advantages for the transportation of both feedstock and our low-carbon drop-in fuels and chemical products,” said Ed Gillespie, CEO of the Company.
The Senior Secured Convertible Note carries an 8% Original Issue Discount (“OID”) for a face amount of approximately $5.4 million and bears 7% interest with a maturity date of July 10, 2026. The Note includes standard rights for the institutional investor, including instalment payments, optional conversion, and certain default provisions. HUSA retains the right to prepay the Note at a premium prior to its maturity. The Note is convertible into common shares of HUSA at a price representing a 10% premium to a look-back price. The look-back price is defined as the lower of: (i) the closing price on the day prior to signing $11.00 on July 10, 2025, or (ii) the five-day average closing price prior to signing.
HUSA expects to close on the acquisition of the site in July 2025 for approximately $8.5 million. The site will support the foundational buildout of a plastics to fuels development hub, including research and development facilities, storage, roads and other related infrastructure.
About Houston American Energy Corp.
Houston American Energy Corp. (NYSE American: HUSA) is an independent energy company with a growing and diversified portfolio across both conventional and renewable sectors. Historically focused on the exploration and production of oil and natural gas, the Company is actively expanding into high-growth segments of the energy industry. In July 2025, HUSA acquired Abundia Global Impact Group, a technology-driven platform specializing in the conversion of waste plastics into low-carbon fuels and chemical feedstocks. This strategic acquisition reflects HUSA’s broader commitment to meeting global energy demands through a balanced mix of traditional and alternative energy solutions and positions the Company to capitalize on emerging opportunities in sustainable fuels and energy transition technologies.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information:
This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking information”) within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking information generally is accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Forward-looking information is based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements about the future growth of the Company in the low-carbon fuels and chemicals sector as well as plans for transportation of feedstock and drop-in fuels and chemical products. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: (i) risks and uncertainties impacting the Company’s business including, risks related to its current liquidity position and the need to obtain additional financing to support ongoing operations, the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, the Company’s ability to maintain the listing of its common stock on NYSE American, the Company’s ability to predict its rate of growth, the Company’s ability to hire, retain and motivate employees, the effects of competition on the Company’s business, including price competition, technological, regulatory and legal developments, developments in the economy and financial markets, risks related to the Company’s ability to repay the Senior Secured Convertible Note, the Company’s ability to complete the acquisition and development of the site at Cedar Port Industrial Park, and (iii) other risks as set forth from time to time in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company.
With respect to the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made numerous assumptions. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, market and social uncertainties and contingencies. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. A complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company’s business is disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC on www.sec.gov.
All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.
For additional information, view the company’s website at www.houstonamerican.com or contact Houston American Energy Corp. at (713) 222-6966.
Exhibit 99.3
Houston American Energy Closes Acquisition of Cedar Port Development Site in Baytown, Texas
25-Acre Site Provides Strategic Logistical Access in the U.S. Gulf Coast Energy Corridor; Will Serve as Future Low-Carbon Fuels and Innovation Hub
HOUSTON, TX / Globe Newswire / July 15, 2025 – Houston American Energy Corp. (NYSE American: HUSA) (“HUSA” or the “Company”) today announced it has closed the $8.5 million acquisition of a 25-acre site at the Cedar Port Industrial Park located in Baytown, Texas from TGS Cedar Port Partners (“TGS”).
HUSA plans to construct its first plastics recycling plant at the location, transforming plastic waste into pyrolysis oil. The strategically located site will be the foundation for a U.S. innovation hub dedicated to developing recycling, renewable and circular technologies supported by the industrial park’s robust infrastructure.
“The site at Cedar Port is in the largest master-planned rail and barge served industrial park in the United States with direct access to the Houston Ship Channel and the Port of Houston,” said Ed Gillespie, CEO of HUSA. “It provides robust logistical advantages for the transportation of both feedstock and our low-carbon drop-in fuels and chemical products. Critically, the region has a deep pool of engineering and operations talent. HUSA looks forward to working with local communities and adding economic growth in the Gulf Coast region.”
James Scott, President, Construction & Development for TGS stated, “We are excited to welcome Houston American Energy to Cedar Port Industrial Park. HUSA’s innovative approach to converting waste into low-carbon fuels aligns with our vision of supporting next-generation industries.”
TGS has a long track record of serving customers in the plastic resin industry with a 6,000 railcar SIT capacity and four world-class packaging facilities that combine to handle about 5 billion pounds of plastic resin annually. TGS is an Operation Clean Sweep Blue member, and it utilizes advanced technology to eliminate resin loss in the environment.
John F. Littman, Executive Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield, represented HUSA in the transaction.
A Strategic Hub to Grow Low-Carbon Fuels and Chemicals
The Cedar Port site offers HUSA multiple strategic advantages by placing its operations at the epicenter of the Gulf Coast energy corridor.
The industrial park has infrastructure engineered for heavy industry, including heavy-haul-rated roads, and Cedar Port Railroad interchanges more than 100,000 railcars annually with both Union Pacific and BNSF. The industrial park serves multiple industries, including petrochemical, retail distribution, refrigerated warehousing, steel and building materials, and the semiconductor and electric vehicles supply chains. For marine transport, the industrial park has access to two barge terminals on the Houston Ship Channel, providing flexibility for transporting feedstock and finished products.
The region boasts a large, skilled workforce with deep expertise in engineering, plant operations, safety and maintenance. This deep talent pool is a key strategic advantage as HUSA builds out its new facilities and scales its advanced pyrolysis operations.
About Houston American Energy Corp.
Houston American Energy Corp. (NYSE American: HUSA) is an independent energy company with a growing and diversified portfolio across both conventional and renewable sectors. Historically focused on the exploration and production of oil and natural gas, the Company is actively expanding into high-growth segments of the energy industry. In July 2025, HUSA acquired Abundia Global Impact Group, a technology-driven platform specializing in the conversion of waste plastics into low-carbon fuels and chemical feedstocks. This strategic acquisition reflects HUSA’s broader commitment to meeting global energy demands through a balanced mix of traditional and alternative energy solutions and positions the Company to capitalize on emerging opportunities in sustainable fuels and energy transition technologies.
About Trans Global Solutions
Trans Global Solutions (TGS) is a leading provider of transportation, logistics, and comprehensive heavy civil construction services. With diverse capabilities ranging from terminal development and third-party rail switching to engineering and new construction, TGS serves a wide array of industrial clients. The company’s services include track inspection and maintenance, locomotive leasing, and rail car storage, cleaning, and repair. TGS owns and operates the Cedar Port Industrial Park in Baytown, Texas, the largest master-planned rail-and-barge-served industrial park in the United States.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information:
This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking information”) within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking information generally is accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Forward-looking information is based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements about the future growth of the Company in the low-carbon fuels and chemicals sector as well as plans for transportation of feedstock and drop-in fuels and chemical products. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: (i) risks and uncertainties impacting the Company’s business including, risks related to its current liquidity position and the need to obtain additional financing to support ongoing operations, the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, the Company’s ability to maintain the listing of its common stock on NYSE American, the Company’s ability to predict its rate of growth, the Company’s ability to hire, retain and motivate employees, the effects of competition on the Company’s business, including price competition, technological, regulatory and legal developments, developments in the economy and financial markets, risks related to the Company’s ability to complete the development of the site at Cedar Port Industrial Park, and (ii) other risks as set forth from time to time in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company.
With respect to the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made numerous assumptions. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, market and social uncertainties and contingencies. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. A complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company’s business is disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC on www.sec.gov.
All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.
For additional information, view the company’s website at www.houstonamerican.com or contact Houston American Energy Corp. at (713) 222-6966.