UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| Pre-commencements communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| The Stock Market LLC | ||||
| The Stock Market LLC |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check
mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting
standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Introductory Note
On December 13, 2024 (the “Closing Date”), the registrant consummated the previously announced business combination (the “Closing”) pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”), dated June 4, 2024, by and among Swiftmerge Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“Swiftmerge”), Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Swiftmerge (“HoldCo”), Swiftmerge Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of HoldCo (“Merger Sub” and, together with Swiftmerge and HoldCo, collectively, the “Swiftmerge Parties”), and AleAnna Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”). The transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are collectively referred to herein as the “Business Combination.”
Immediately prior to the Closing, on December 13, 2024, as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Swiftmerge became a Delaware corporation (the “Domestication”), upon which (i) Swiftmerge changed its name to “AleAnna, Inc.” (“Surviving PubCo”); (ii) each Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of Swiftmerge (“Swiftmerge Class A Ordinary Shares”) converted into one share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Surviving PubCo (“Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock”); (iii) each Class B ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of Swiftmerge (“Swiftmerge Class B Ordinary Shares” and together with the Swiftmerge Class A Ordinary Shares, the “Swiftmerge Ordinary Shares”) converted into one share of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Surviving PubCo; (iv) each warrant to purchase Swiftmerge Class A Ordinary Shares converted on a one-to-one basis into a warrant to acquire shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock on the same terms and conditions as the converted warrants; and (v) a series of Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Surviving PubCo (“Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock”) was authorized, each share of which has voting rights equal to a share of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock but which have no entitlement to earnings or distributions of Surviving PubCo.
Following the Domestication, on December 13, 2024, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (i) Surviving PubCo contributed to HoldCo (1) all of its assets (excluding its interests in HoldCo), including, for the avoidance of doubt, the available cash, and (2) a number of shares of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock equal to the number of Class C units of HoldCo (“Class C HoldCo Units”) designated to be issued to the equity holders of the Company (collectively, the “Company Members”), and (ii) HoldCo issued to Surviving PubCo a number of Class A units of HoldCo, which equaled the number of shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately after the Closing (the transactions described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, collectively, the “Pre-Closing Contribution”).
Following the Pre-Closing Contribution, Merger Sub merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company being the surviving company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of HoldCo.
The aggregate merger consideration issued to the Company Members immediately prior to the Closing was equal to 65,098,476 shares of a combination of (i) 39,104,076 shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock and (ii) 25,994,400 shares of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock (with one Class C HoldCo Unit to accompany each share of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock) (the “Merger Consideration”).
At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each membership unit of the Company issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger was cancelled and converted into and become the right to receive a portion of the Merger Consideration based on such unit holder’s right to certain distributions upon a sale of AleAnna in accordance with AleAnna’s operating agreement, as more particularly set forth in the Merger Agreement.
Prior to the extraordinary general meeting of Swiftmerge shareholders to approve the Business Combination and other related matters, holders of 1,158,556 Class A Ordinary Shares sold in Swiftmerge’s initial public offering properly exercised their right to have their shares redeemed for a pro rata portion of the trust account holding the proceeds from Swiftmerge’s initial public offering, calculated as of two business days prior to the Closing. As a result, on December 13, 2024, prior to the Domestication, Swiftmerge redeemed 1,158,556 Class A Ordinary Shares for $11.39 per share (the “public share redemptions”).
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As of the Closing Date, following the public share redemptions, the forfeiture of 2,535,001 Class A Ordinary Shares, 1,689,999 Class B Ordinary Shares and 9,350,000 Swiftmerge Private Warrants by the Sponsor, certain qualified institutional buyers or institutional accredited investors (the “Anchor Investors”) and certain unaffiliated third-party investors (the “NRA Parties”), as applicable, and the consummation of the Merger, there were (i) 40,560,433 shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding, (ii) 25,994,400 shares of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock issued and outstanding, and (iii) 11,250,000 warrants to acquire 11,250,000 shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock that will be outstanding following the Business Combination (the “Surviving PubCo Warrants”). The Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock and Surviving PubCo Warrants commenced trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Nasdaq”) under the symbols “ANNA” and “ANNAW,” respectively, on December 16, 2024.
Following the Closing, the registrant is organized in an “up-C” structure, such that Surviving PubCo and its subsidiaries hold and operate substantially all of the assets and business of the Company, and Surviving PubCo is a publicly listed holding company that holds equity interests in the Company through HoldCo.
Unless the context otherwise requires, in this Current Report on Form 8-K, the “registrant,” “Surviving PubCo,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Swiftmerge prior to the Closing and to AleAnna, Inc. and, where appropriate, its subsidiaries following the Closing.
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of HoldCo
On the Closing Date, HoldCo’s existing limited liability company agreement was amended and restated (the “A&R LLC Agreement”) to, among other things, reflect the Business Combination. Pursuant to the A&R LLC Agreement, Surviving PubCo serves as the sole managing member of HoldCo. The A&R LLC Agreement provides among other things, that each Class C HoldCo Unit will be exchangeable, subject to certain conditions, for one share of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock, and a corresponding share of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock will be cancelled in connection with such exchange, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the A&R LLC Agreement.
The foregoing description of the A&R LLC Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the A&R LLC Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.15 hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.
A&R Registration Rights Agreement
On the Closing Date, that certain Registration and Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated December 17, 2021 (the “IPO Registration Rights Agreement”), was amended and restated by Surviving PubCo, Swiftmerge Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Sponsor”), Nautilus Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and certain persons holding securities of Swiftmerge prior to the Closing (collectively, the “Reg Rights Holders”) (as amended and restated, the “A&R Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the A&R Registration Rights Agreement, within 60 days after Closing, Surviving PubCo shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (at Surviving PubCo’s sole cost and expense) a registration statement registering the resale of certain securities held by or issuable to the Reg Rights Holders (the “Resale Registration Statement”), and Surviving PubCo will use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Resale Registration Statement declared effective as soon as reasonably practicable after the filing thereof. In certain circumstances, the Reg Rights Holders can demand Surviving PubCo’s assistance with underwritten offerings and block trades, and the Reg Rights Holders are entitled to certain piggyback registration rights. The A&R Registration Rights Agreement does not provide for the payment of any cash penalties by Surviving PubCo if it fails to satisfy any of its obligations under the A&R Registration Rights Agreement.
The material terms of the A&R Registration Rights Agreement are described in the definitive proxy statement and final prospectus, dated November 21, 2024, and filed by Swiftmerge and Surviving PubCo with the SEC on November 21, 2024 (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) in the section beginning on page 160 titled “Proposal No. 1—The Business Combination Proposal—The Merger Agreement—Related Agreements—Registration Rights Agreement.” Such description is incorporated by reference in this Report and is qualified in its entirety by the text of the A&R Registration Rights Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.17 to this Report and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
The disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note” above is incorporated into this Item 2.01 by reference.
In addition, the material terms of the Business Combination are described in greater detail in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “The Business Combination Proposal—The Merger Agreement” beginning on page 147, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
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FORM 10 INFORMATION
Prior to the Closing, Surviving PubCo was a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), with no operations and was formed as a vehicle to effect a business combination with one or more operating businesses. After the Closing, Surviving PubCo became a holding company whose only assets consist of equity interests in HoldCo.
The information provided below relates to Surviving PubCo after the consummation of the Business Combination, unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K, including the information incorporated herein by reference, contains “forward-looking statements”. Statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts are forward-looking and usually identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “strategy,” “will,” “will likely result,” “would” and other similar words and expressions. Forward-looking statements may relate to the benefits of the Business Combination, the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, AleAnna’s future financial performance following the Business Combination, as well as AleAnna’s strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, targets, opinions and/or beliefs of Surviving PubCo, and such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors.
The risks and uncertainties that could cause those actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward looking statements include, but are not limited to: general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination and any transactions contemplated thereby, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of AleAnna to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its management and key employees; AleAnna’s need for additional capital to execute its business plan and support its anticipated growth; costs related to the Business Combination; the risks associated with the growth of AleAnna’s business and the timing of expected business milestones; AleAnna’s ability to identify, develop and operate new projects; the reduction or elimination of government economic incentives to the natural gas market; delays in acquisition, financing, construction and development of new projects; decline in public acceptance and support of renewable energy development and projects; the ability to obtain necessary regulatory and governmental permits and approvals; uncertainty regarding the EU’s clean energy transition, including existing regulations and changes to regulations and policies that affect AleAnna’s operations; the ability to maintain the listing of AleAnna’s securities on a national securities exchange; the effects of competition on AleAnna’s future business; and other risks and uncertainties indicated in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, including those under the section titled “Risk Factors,” and other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by Surviving PubCo.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Surviving PubCo assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Surviving PubCo gives no assurance that it will achieve its expectations.
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Business and Properties
The information set forth in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “AleAnna’s Business” beginning on page 224 is incorporated herein by reference.
Risk Factors
The information set forth in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 70 is incorporated herein by reference.
Financial Information
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of AleAnna Energy, LLC as of September 30, 2024 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 set forth in Exhibit 99.1 hereto have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and pursuant to SEC regulations. The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair statement of AleAnna Energy, LLC’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods indicated. The results reported for the interim period presented are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year. These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the historical audited financial statements of AleAnna Energy, LLC as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related notes, included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which are incorporated by reference herein.
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of Surviving PubCo as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and for the year ended December 31, 2023 is set forth in Exhibit 99.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
The information set forth in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of AleAnna” beginning on page 246 is incorporated herein by reference. The Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of AleAnna Energy, LLC for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is included in Exhibit 99.3 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth information known to Surviving PubCo regarding beneficial ownership of Surviving PubCo shares as of the Closing Date, following the public share redemptions and the Merger, by:
| ● | each person known by Surviving PubCo who will be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock or Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock that may be exchanged immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination; |
| ● | each of Surviving PubCo’s executive officers and directors; and |
| ● | all of Surviving PubCo’s executive officers and directors as a group. |
Except as otherwise noted herein, the number and percentage of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock and Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock beneficially owned is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rule, beneficial ownership includes any Surviving PubCo Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock as to which the holder has sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any Surviving PubCo Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock which the holder has the right to acquire within 60 days of through the exercise of any option, warrant or any other right, including shares of non-economic voting Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock that may be exchanged, together with Class C HoldCo Units, for Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock. Shares subject to warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Closing Date are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding such warrants for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
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Unless otherwise indicated and subject to community property laws and similar laws, Surviving PubCo believes that all parties named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them.
| Name of Beneficial Owner(1) | Number of Shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock | % of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock | Number of Shares of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock | % of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock | Combined Voting Power | |||||||||||||||
| 5% or Greater Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nautilus Resources LLC(2) | 30,478,724 | 75.14 | % | 25,994,400 | 100 | % | 84.85 | % | ||||||||||||
| John and Susan Wilder Foundation(3) | 6,655,470 | 16.41 | % | — | — | 9.99 | % | |||||||||||||
| Directors and Executive Officers | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Graham van’t Hoff | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| William K. Dirks | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Marco Brun | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Duncan Palmer | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Curtis Hébert | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Tristan Yopp | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Charles Roscopf | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| All executive officers and directors as a group (seven persons) | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| (1) | Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following entities and individuals is c/o AleAnna, Inc., 300 Crecent Court, Suite 1860 Dallas, Texas 75201. |
| (2) | The securities beneficially owned by Nautilus Resources LLC are indirectly beneficially owned by Charles John Wilder, Jr. and Susan Anne Wilder, as the managing members of JSW Interests LLC, which is the sole member of JSW Energy Holdings LLC, which is the general partner of JSW Energy Interests LP, which is the sole member of Bluescape Resources Investors LLC, which is the manager of Bluescape Resources Company LLC, which is the general partner of BRC Property Holdings LP, which is the manager of BRC-Oxy Marcellus Tax Partnership LLC, which is the sole member of BRC Exploration Holdings LLC, which is the sole member of Nautilus Resources LLC. Each individual and entity referenced herein disclaims the existence of a “group” and disclaims beneficial ownership of all AleAnna LLC Units, other than any AleAnna LLC Units or other securities reported herein as being owned by it, him or her, as the case may be. The address for each party referenced herein is 300 Crescent Court, Suite 1860 Dallas, Texas 75201. |
| (3) | The John and Susan Wilder foundation is managed and controlled by Charles John Wilder, Jr., together with his spouse. |
Directors and Executive Officers
At the extraordinary general meeting of Swiftmerge shareholders on December 12, 2024, (i) Duncan Palmer and Graham van’t Hoff were elected to serve as Class I directors with a term expiring at Surviving PubCo’s 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, (ii) Curtis Hébert and William K. Dirks were elected to serve as Class II directors with a term expiring at Surviving PubCo’s 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, and (iii) Marco Brun was elected to serve as a Class III director with a term expiring at Surviving PubCo’s 2027 annual meeting of stockholders, in each case, effective immediately in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination.
Mr. van’t Hoff has been appointed by the Board to serve as its chairperson.
Messrs. Van’t Hoff, Palmer and Hébert serve as members of the Audit Committee of the Board, with Mr. Palmer serving as its chairperson. Messrs. van’t Hoff, Dirks and Hébert serve as members of the Compensation Committee of the Board, with Mr. Hébert serving as its chairperson.
Information with respect to Surviving PubCo’s directors after the Closing, including biographical information, is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Management of AleAnna and Surviving PubCo Following the Business Combination” beginning on page 287, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
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On December 13, 2024, effective upon the Closing, the following persons were appointed to be executive officers of Surviving PubCo as set forth below:
| Name | Age | Position(s) | ||
| William K. Dirks | 67 | Executive Director | ||
| Marco Brun | 58 | Chief Executive Officer | ||
| Tristan Yopp | 38 | Chief Financial Officer and Secretary | ||
| Charles Roscopf | 36 | Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer |
Information with respect to Surviving PubCo’s executive officers after the Closing, including biographical information regarding these individuals, is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Management of AleAnna and Surviving PubCo Following the Business Combination” beginning on page 287, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of Surviving PubCo’s executive officers currently serve, or in the past year have served, as members of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on the Board.
Executive Compensation and Director Compensation
The compensation of AleAnna Energy, LLC’s named executive officers before the consummation of the Business Combination is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Executive and Director Compensation of AleAnna” beginning on page 295, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
The compensation of the managers who served on AleAnna Energy, LLC’s board of managers before the consummation of the Business Combination is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Executive and Director Compensation of AleAnna” beginning on page 295, which information is incorporated herein by reference. In connection with the Business Combination, Surviving PubCo expects to adopt a new executive compensation program as well as a non-employee director compensation program, both of which will be designed to provide competitive compensation necessary to attract and retain high quality executive officers and non-employee directors and to encourage ownership of Company stock to further align their interests with those of Surviving PubCo’s stockholders.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The information set forth in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” beginning on page 303 and the information in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Director Independence
After the Closing, Nautilus Resources LLC and its affiliates under common control beneficially own a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of Surviving PubCo’s common stock. As a result, Surviving PubCo is a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. Under the Nasdaq Listing Rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance standards, including the requirements (i) that a majority of its board of directors consist of independent directors, (ii) that its board of directors have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities and (iii) that director nominees must either be selected, or recommended for the board’s selection, either by independent directors constituting a majority of the board’s independent directors in a vote in which only independent directors participate, or a nominating and corporate governance committee comprised solely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities. Notwithstanding the availability of such exemptions, a majority of Surviving PubCo’s current Board members qualify as independent under applicable Nasdaq rules.
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Nasdaq rules generally require that independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s board of directors. Under the rules of Nasdaq, a director generally only qualifies as an “independent director” if the director and , in the opinion of that company’s board of directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director, subject to certain “bright-line” determinations that would result in a director not being deemed independent for purposes of Nasdaq rules. Based upon information requested from and provided by each proposed director concerning his or her background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, the Board has determined that Mr. van’t Hoff, Mr. Palmer and Mr. Hébert are “independent” as that term is defined under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing requirements and rules of Nasdaq.
Legal Proceedings
Information about legal proceedings is set forth in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “AleAnna’s Business—Legal Proceedings” on page 244, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Following the Closing, on December 16, 2024, the Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock and Surviving PubCo Warrants were listed on the Nasdaq under the symbols “ANNA” and “ANNAW,” respectively. The public units of Swiftmerge automatically separated into the component securities upon consummation of the Business Combination and, as a result, no longer trade as a separate security.
As of the Closing Date, there were approximately 41 holders of record of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock, one holder of record of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock and one holder of record of the Surviving PubCo Warrants. Such holder numbers do not include The Depository Trust Company participants or beneficial owners holding shares or Surviving PubCo Warrants through banks, brokers, other financial institutions or other nominees.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
The information set forth in Item 3.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Description of Surviving PubCo’s Securities
Information regarding the Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock and the Surviving PubCo Warrants is included in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “Description of Surviving PubCo’s Securities” beginning on page 308, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Information about the indemnification of Surviving PubCo’s directors and officers is set forth in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “Description of Surviving PubCo’s Securities—Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors” on page 317, which information is incorporated herein by reference, and in Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K under the heading “Indemnification Agreements,” which is also incorporated herein by reference.
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Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
The information set forth in Item 4.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Financial Statements, Supplementary Data and Exhibits
The information set forth in Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
The disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note” above is incorporated herein by reference. The shares of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Information regarding unregistered sales of Swiftmerge’s securities set forth in Part II, Item 5 of Swiftmerge’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024, is also incorporated herein by reference
Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
On the Closing Date, in connection with the Business Combination, Surviving PubCo filed a notice of de-registration with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies, together with the necessary accompanying documents, and filed a Delaware certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and adopted bylaws (the “Bylaws”). The material terms of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and the general effect upon the rights of holders of Surviving PubCo’s capital stock are included under the section titled “The Required Organizational Document Proposal” beginning on page 210 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the section titled “Comparison of Rights of Surviving PubCo Shareholders and SPAC Shareholders” beginning on page 319 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
The foregoing description of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant
(a) Dismissal of independent registered public accounting firm
On December 13, 2024, the Audit Committee of Surviving PubCo approved the dismissal of Marcum LLP (“Marcum”) as its independent registered public accounting firm, effective immediately (the “Auditor Change Effective Date”). The management of Surviving PubCo communicated the Audit Committee’s decision to Marcum on December 16, 2024.
Marcum’s report on Swiftmerge’s financial statements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, other than included an explanatory paragraph as to Swiftmerge’s ability to continue as a going concern.
During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the subsequent period through December 13, 2024, there were no “disagreements” (as that term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act, and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) with Marcum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosures or audited scope or procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to Marcum’s satisfaction would have caused Marcum to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its report. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the subsequent period through December 13, 2024, there have been no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act), other than the material weakness of Swiftmerge in its internal controls identified by its management related to the recording of unbilled amounts due to third-party service providers and interest income.
Surviving PubCo has provided Marcum with a copy of the disclosures made by Surviving PubCo in this Item 4.01 and requested that Marcum furnish Surviving PubCo with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the statements made by the registrant in this Item 4.01 and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. A letter from Marcum is attached hereto as Exhibit 16.1.
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(b) Engagement of new independent registered public accounting firm
On December 13, 2024, the Board approved the engagement of Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as its independent registered public accounting firm, effective upon the Auditor Change Effective Date. Deloitte previously served as the independent registered public accounting firm of AleAnna Energy, LLC prior to the Business Combination. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the subsequent period through December 13, 2024, neither Surviving PubCo, nor anyone on Surviving PubCo’s behalf consulted with Deloitte, on behalf of Surviving PubCo, regarding the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction (either completed or proposed), the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on Surviving PubCo’s financial statements, or any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, or a “reportable event,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
Item 5.01 Changes in Control of the Registrant.
The information set forth in the “Introductory Note” and in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
The information regarding Surviving PubCo’s directors and executive officers set forth under the headings “Directors and Executive Officers,” “Executive Compensation,” “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions,” “Director Independence” and “Indemnification of Directors and Officers” in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Further, in connection with the Business Combination, effective as of the Closing, George Jones resigned from his position as Swiftmerge’s Chairman of the Board, John “Sam” Bremner resigned from his positions as Swiftmerge’s Chief Executive Officer and Director, Christopher J. Munyan resigned from his position as Swiftmerge’s Chief Financial Officer, Aston Loch resigned from his positions as Swiftmerge’s Chief Operating Officer and Secretary and each of General (Ret.) Wesley K. Clark, Brett Conrad, Dr. Leonard Makowka, Dr. Courtney Lyder and Sarah Boatman resigned from their positions as directors of Swiftmerge.
On the Closing Date, in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, Surviving PubCo entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These indemnification agreements require Surviving PubCo to indemnify its directors and executive officers for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or executive officer in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of Surviving PubCo’s directors or executive officers or out of any services they provide at Surviving PubCo’s request to any other company or enterprise. The foregoing description of the indemnification agreements is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Form of Indemnification Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.18 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
The information set forth in Item 3.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.05 Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.
In connection with the Business Combination, on December 13, 2024, the Board approved and adopted a new code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of its directors, executive officers and other employees, which is available on Surviving PubCo’s website, www.aleannainc.com, under “Governance.”
Item 5.06 Change in Shell Company Status.
As a result of the Business Combination, Surviving PubCo ceased to be a shell company upon the Closing.
The disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note” above is incorporated into this Item 2.01 by reference. In addition, the material terms of the Business Combination are described in greater detail in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “The Business Combination Proposal—The Merger Agreement” beginning on page 147, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On December 13, 2024, Surviving PubCo issued a press release announcing the consummation of the Business Combination. A copy of the Press Release is furnished as Exhibits 99.1 to this Current Report.
The information in this Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.4 attached hereto is furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 8.01 Other Events.
The Sponsor, Anchor Investors and NRA Parties are each subject to certain lockup agreements entered into in connection with the Business Combination as further described below.
A&R Sponsor Letter Agreement
Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Swiftmerge, AleAnna and certain affiliates and representatives of Sponsor (including the officers and directors of Swiftmerge) (together with Sponsor, collectively, the “Sponsor Related Parties”) entered into amended and restated letter agreement (the “A&R Sponsor Letter Agreement”) pursuant to which each Sponsor Related Party agreed to, for a period of twelve months following the Closing, a customary restriction on the sale or transfer of such Sponsor Related Party’s shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock. Notwithstanding the lock-up provisions of the A&R Sponsor Letter Agreement, the Sponsor Related Parties may transfer shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock to (i) and of the Swiftmerge’s officers or directors, any affiliate or family member of any of the Swiftmerge’s officers or directors or any members of the Sponsor or any affiliates of the Sponsor; (ii) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of such individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such individual or to a charitable organization; (iii) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of such individual; (iv) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (v) by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware or the Sponsor’s limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of the Sponsor; or (vi) in the event of the Swiftmerge’s liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction which results in all of the Swiftmerge’s shareholders having the right to exchange their shares of Swiftmerge Ordinary Shares or Closing Shares (as defined therein) for cash, securities or other property subsequent to the Swiftmerge’s completion of the Transactions. Additionally, the lock-up provisions of the A&R Sponsor Letter Agreement may be waived with the consent of Swiftmerge and AleAnna.
Investor Letter Agreements
Additionally, concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Swiftmerge and Sponsor entered into the Investor Letter Agreements, pursuant to which each investor party thereto has agreed to, among other things, be bound by a customary restriction on the sale or transfer of such investor’s shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock for a period of twelve months following the Closing.
Sponsor Loan
On the Closing Date, that certain unsecured Promissory Note, dated as of September 15, 2023, issued by Swiftmerge in favor of Sponsor, as amended, with an aggregate balance outstanding of $1,527,000 was fully satisfied and discharged in connection with the Business Combination
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial statements of businesses or funds acquired.
The consolidated financial statements of AleAnna Energy, LLC, together with the notes thereto, included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus on pages F-61 through F-83 are incorporated by reference into this Current Report on Form 8-K.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements of AleAnna Energy, LLC as of September 30, 2024 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, together with the notes thereto, are filed as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Pro forma financial information.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of Surviving PubCo as of September 30, 2024 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and for the year ended December 31, 2023 is filed as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated herein by reference.
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(d) Exhibits.
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| † | Certain schedules or similar attachments to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to provide a copy of any omitted schedule or similar attachment to the SEC upon request. |
| + | Indicates management contract or compensatory plan. |
| * | Filed herewith. |
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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.
Dated: December 18, 2024
| AleAnna, Inc. | ||
| By: | /s/ Tristan Yopp | |
| Name: | Tristan Yopp | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
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Exhibit 3.1
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
of
ALEANNA, INC.
(a Delaware Corporation)
ARTICLE
I
NAME
The name of the corporation is AleAnna, Inc. (the “Corporation”).
ARTICLE
II
REGISTERED AGENT
The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808. The name of its registered agent at such address is: Corporation Service Company.
ARTICLE
III
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “General Corporation Law”). The Corporation is being incorporated in connection with the domestication of Swiftmerge Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“SPAC”), to a Delaware corporation, and this Certificate of Incorporation is being filed simultaneously with the Certificate of Corporate Domestication of SPAC.
ARTICLE
IV
STOCK
Section 4.1 Authorized Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 223,500,000 shares, consisting of (i) 222,500,000 shares of common stock, divided into (a) 150,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, with the par value of $0.0001 per share (“Class A Common Stock”); (b) 2,500,000 shares of Class B common stock, with the par value of $0.0001 per share (“Class B Common Stock”); and (c) 70,000,000 shares of Class C common stock, with the par value of $0.0001 per share (“Class C Common Stock” and, together with Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, “Common Stock”); and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with the par value of $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”).
Section 4.2 No Class Vote on Changes in Authorized Number of Shares of Stock. Subject to the rights of the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, the number of authorized shares of any class of Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased, in each case by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the General Corporation Law, and no vote of the holders of any class of Common Stock or Preferred Stock voting separately as a class will be required therefor. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, the number of authorized shares of any particular class may not be decreased below the number of shares of such class then outstanding, plus, in the case of Class A Common Stock, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable in connection with (x) the exchange of all outstanding Class C LLC Units (as defined below) (together with the surrender for cancellation of all outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock), pursuant to the HoldCo LLC Agreement (as defined below), and (y) the exercise of outstanding options, warrants, exchange rights, conversion rights or similar rights for Class A Common Stock.
Section 4.3 Automatic Conversion of Class B Common Stock. All of the shares of Class B Common Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (as defined in that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 4, 2024 (as amended by that certain First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 8, 2024), by and among the Corporation (f/k/a Swiftmerge Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company), HoldCo, Swiftmerge Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and AleAnna Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company) shall automatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis at the Effective Time.
Section 4.4 Common Stock.
| (a) | Voting Rights. |
| (i) | Each holder of Common Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote, except that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and subject to Section 4.4(a)(ii), holders of shares of each class of Common Stock, as such, will have no voting power with respect to, and will not be entitled to vote on, any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including any certificate of designations relating to any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, this “Certificate of Incorporation”) that relates solely to the terms of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such series of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as a separate class thereon under this Certificate of Incorporation or under the General Corporation Law. |
| (ii) | (1) The holders of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to vote separately as a single class upon any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including by merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event) that would alter or change the powers, preferences, special or other rights of Class A Common Stock in a manner that is disproportionately adverse as compared to the powers, preferences, special or other rights of Class C Common Stock and (2) the holders of the outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock shall be entitled to vote separately as a single class upon any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including by merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event) that would alter or change the powers, preferences, special or other rights of Class C Common Stock in a manner that is disproportionately adverse as compared to the powers, preferences, special or other rights of Class A Common Stock. |
| (iii) | Except as otherwise required in this Certificate of Incorporation or by applicable law, the holders of Common Stock will vote together as a single class on all matters (or, if any holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of Common Stock, as a single class with the holders of such one or more series of Preferred Stock). |
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| (b) | Dividends; Stock Splits or Combinations. |
| (i) | Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock or any other class or series of stock having a preference senior to or the right to participate with Class A Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends, dividends and other distributions of cash, stock or property may be declared and paid on Class A Common Stock out of the assets of the Corporation that are by law available therefor, at the times and in the amounts as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) in its discretion may determine. |
| (ii) | Except as provided in Section 4.4(b)(iii) with respect to a Stock Adjustment (as defined below), dividends of cash or property may not be declared or paid on shares of Class C Common Stock. |
| (iii) | In no event will any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, combination of stock, reclassification or recapitalization be declared or made on any class of Common Stock (each, a “Stock Adjustment”) unless (a) a corresponding Stock Adjustment for all other classes of Common Stock is made in the same proportion and the same manner and (b) a corresponding Stock Adjustment on the Class A LLC Units (as defined below) or the Class C LLC Units, as applicable, is made in the same proportion and in the same manner. Stock dividends with respect to each class of Common Stock may only be paid in shares of stock of the same class of Common Stock. |
| (c) | Liquidation. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and the payment of the preferential amounts, if any, to which the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding are entitled pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of all outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to receive, pari passu, an amount per share equal to the par value thereof, and thereafter the holders of all outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to receive the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock. Without limiting the rights of the holders of Class C Common Stock to exchange their Class C LLC Units (together with the surrender for cancellation of a corresponding number of shares of Class C Common Stock) for shares of Class A Common Stock in accordance with the HoldCo LLC Agreement, the holders of shares of Class C Common Stock, as such, will not be entitled to receive, with respect to such shares, any assets of the Corporation in excess of the par value thereof, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation. |
| (d) | Transfer of Class C Common Stock. The transfer of one or more Class C LLC Units by a holder thereof in accordance with the HoldCo LLC Agreement shall result in the automatic transfer of an equal number of shares of Class C Common Stock held by the same holder to the same transferee. No holder of Class C Common Stock shall transfer any share of Class C Common Stock other than with a corresponding Class C LLC Unit in accordance with the HoldCo LLC Agreement. If any outstanding share of Class C Common Stock ceases to be held by a holder of a corresponding Class C LLC Unit, such share shall automatically, and without further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of Class C Common Stock, be cancelled for no consideration. |
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| (e) | Exchange and Cancellation of Class C Common Stock. To the extent that a holder of Class C Common Stock exchanges its Class C LLC Units with a corresponding number of shares of Class C Common Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock in accordance with the HoldCo LLC Agreement, the shares of Class C Common Stock so exchanged shall automatically, and without further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of Class C Common Stock, be cancelled for no consideration. |
| (f) | Reservation of Shares of Class A Common Stock. The Corporation will at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of the issuance in connection with the exchange of Class C LLC Units and a corresponding number of shares of Class C Common Stock pursuant to the HoldCo LLC Agreement, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that are issuable upon exchange of all outstanding Class C LLC Units and all outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock pursuant to the HoldCo LLC Agreement. The Corporation covenants that all the shares of Class A Common Stock that are issued upon the exchange of such LLC Units and a corresponding number of shares of Class C Common Stock pursuant to the HoldCo LLC Agreement will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
| (g) | Taxes. The issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock upon the exercise by holders of Class C LLC Units of their right under the HoldCo LLC Agreement to exchange their Class C LLC Units and a corresponding number of shares of Class C Common Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock will be made without charge to such holders for any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties or other similar tax in respect of the issuance; provided, however, that if any such shares of Class A Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than that of the then record holder of the Class C LLC Units and the corresponding number of shares of Class C Common Stock being exchanged (or The Depository Trust Company or its nominee for the account of a participant of The Depository Trust Company that will hold the shares for the account of such holder), then such holder and/or the Person (as defined below) in whose name such shares are to be delivered shall pay to the Corporation the amount of any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or shall establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the Corporation that the tax has been paid or is not payable. |
Section 4.5 Preferred Stock. Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series of any number of shares, provided that the aggregate number of shares issued and not retired of any and all such series shall not exceed the total number of shares of Preferred Stock hereinabove authorized, and with such powers, including voting powers, if any, and the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special or other rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions, if any, thereof, all as shall hereafter be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the designation and issue of such shares of Preferred Stock from time to time adopted by the Board pursuant to authority so to do, which authority is hereby expressly vested in the Board. The powers, including voting powers, if any, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special or other rights, if any, of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, if any, thereof may differ from those of any and all other series of Preferred Stock at any time outstanding.
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ARTICLE
V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 5.1 Number of Directors.
| (a) | The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws of the Corporation (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Bylaws”) shall so require, the election of the directors of the Corporation (the “Directors”) need not be by written ballot. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.5 of this Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional Directors, the total number of Directors constituting the entire Board shall, (a) as of the date of this Certificate of Incorporation, be five (5) and (b) thereafter, shall be fixed exclusively by one or more resolutions adopted from time to time by the Board. |
| (b) | From and after the election of the initial Directors by the incorporator in accordance with Section 108(a) of the General Corporation Law (the “Classification Effective Time”) and until such time that the Corporation is no longer a “Controlled Company” pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5615(c)(1) (the “Trigger Date”), and subject to the succeeding provisions of this Section 5.1(b) and Section 5.1(d) of this Article V, the Directors (other than any Preferred Stock Directors (as defined below)) shall be divided into three classes designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Classes I and II shall initially consist of two (2) Directors each and Class III shall initially consist of one (1) Director. The Board is hereby expressly authorized to assign members of the Board (other than any Preferred Stock Directors) already in office to such classes at the Classification Effective Time. The initial Class I Directors shall serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the Classification Effective Time; the initial Class II Directors shall serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Classification Effective Time; and the initial Class III Director shall serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the Classification Effective Time. Directors elected to replace initial Class I, Class II or Class III Directors shall serve terms expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the year of their election. If the number of Directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of Directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, but in no case will a decrease in the number of Directors shorten the term of any incumbent Director. Immediately prior to the first annual meeting of stockholders following the Trigger Date, the classification of the Board shall terminate, and each Director shall be elected to serve a term of one year, with each Director’s term to expire at the next annual meeting of stockholders. |
| (c) | A Director shall hold office until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, disqualification or removal from office. Directors need not be stockholders. |
| (d) | During any period when the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock have the right to elect one or more Directors as provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (“Preferred Stock Directors”), upon the commencement, and for the duration, of the period during which such right continues: (i) the then-total authorized number of Directors shall automatically be increased by such specified number of Preferred Stock Directors, and the holders of the relevant series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect the relevant Preferred Stock Directors pursuant to the provisions of the Board’s designation for the series of Preferred Stock; and (ii) each such Preferred Stock Director shall serve until such Preferred Stock Director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such Preferred Stock Director’s right to hold such office terminates pursuant to such provisions, whichever occurs earlier, subject to his or her earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. Except as otherwise provided by this Certificate of Incorporation, whenever the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock having the right to elect one or more Preferred Stock Directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, the terms of office of all such Preferred Stock Directors elected by the holders of such series Preferred Stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such Preferred Stock Directors, shall forthwith terminate and the total and authorized number of Directors shall be reduced accordingly. |
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Section 5.2 Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships. Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law and the rights of the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors or any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum of the Board, and not by the stockholders. Any Director so chosen shall hold office until his or her successor shall be duly elected and qualified or until such Director’s earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of Directors shall shorten the term of any Director then in office.
Section 5.3 Resignations and Removal of Directors.
| (a) | Any Director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect upon delivery, unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or time or an effective date or time determined upon the happening of an event or events. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. |
| (b) | Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect and remove one or more Preferred Stock Directors, (i) prior to the Trigger Date, the Board or any individual Director may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at an election of Directors, and (ii) from and after the Trigger Date, any Director, or the entire Board, may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote at an election of Directors; provided, however, that in each case, whenever the holders of any class or series are entitled to elect one or more Directors pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Directors), with respect to the removal without cause of a Director or Directors so elected, the vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of that class or series and not the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole shall apply. |
ARTICLE
VI
STOCKHOLDER ACTION
Section 6.1 Action by Written Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected (i) at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation or (ii) until the Trigger Date, by an action by written consent in lieu of a meeting with the approval of the holders of outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation having not less than the minimum voting power that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
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Section 6.2 Meetings of Stockholders.
| (a) | An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of Directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held at such place, if any, on such date, and at such time as the Board shall determine. |
| (b) | Subject to any rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the chairperson of the Board, the chief executive officer of the Corporation, the Board pursuant to a written resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of Directors that the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies, or, prior to the Trigger Date, pursuant to a written resolution adopted by holders of a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class. Any business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting. |
| (c) | Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of Directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws. |
Section 6.3 No Cumulative Voting. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Directors.
ARTICLE
VII
LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 7.1 No Personal Liability. No Director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director or officer, as applicable, except to the extent such an exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the General Corporation Law as presently in effect or as the same may hereafter be amended. No amendment, modification, repeal or elimination of this Section 7.1 shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any Director or officer of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such Director or officer occurring prior to such amendment, modification, repeal or elimination.
Section 7.2 Right to Indemnification.
| (a) | To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation shall provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) Directors, officers, employees and agents of the Corporation (and any other persons to which applicable law permits the Corporation to provide indemnification) through Bylaw provisions, agreements with such Directors, officers, employees, agents or other persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise in excess of the indemnification and advancement otherwise permitted by such applicable law. Any amendment, repeal, modification or elimination of this Section 7.2 shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights or protections or increase the liability of any Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation (or any other person) under this Section 7.2(a) in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any act or omission to act giving rise to indemnification. |
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| (b) | This Section 7.2 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by applicable law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees. |
| (c) | The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage, on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Board, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law covering, among other things, violations of federal or state securities laws. |
Section 7.3 Amendment or Repeal. Any amendment, repeal, modification or elimination of this Article VII, or the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article VII, shall not affect its application with respect to an act or omission by a Director or officer occurring before such amendment, adoption, repeal, modification or elimination.
ARTICLE
VIII
AMENDMENT
Section 8.1 Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation. Subject to Sections 4.4 and 4.5, the Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the General Corporation Law, and all rights, preferences and privileges of whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, Directors or any other Persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended, are granted and held subject to this reservation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, and notwithstanding that a lesser percentage may be permitted from time to time by applicable law, prior to the Trigger Date no provision of Section 5.2, Section 5.3, Section 6.1, Section 6.2, Article VII, Section 8.2, Article IX or Article XI may be altered, amended or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision inconsistent therewith be adopted, unless in addition to any other vote required by this Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise required by applicable law, such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption is approved by, in addition to any other vote otherwise required by applicable law, the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class, at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose.
Section 8.2 Amendment of Bylaws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by law, the Board is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws by the Board shall require the approval of a majority of the authorized number of Directors. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class.
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ARTICLE
IX
FORUM FOR ADJUDICATION OF DISPUTES
Section 9.1 Forum. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (a) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by, or other wrongdoing by, any current or former Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, or a claim of aiding and abetting any such breach of fiduciary duty, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the General Corporation Law, this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, (iv) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, (v) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine or (vi) any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the General Corporation Law and (b) the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Article IX shall not apply to claims seeking to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or amended, or any other claim for which the U.S. federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article IX.
Section 9.2 Enforceability. If any provision of this Article IX shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article IX (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article IX containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable), and the application of such provision to other persons or entities or circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
ARTICLE
X
SEVERABILITY
If any provision or provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its Directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
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ARTICLE
XI
CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY
Section 11.1 Corporate Opportunities.
| (a) | In recognition and anticipation that (i) certain Directors, principals, officers, employees and/or other representatives of Bluescape Resources Company LLC (“Bluescape”) and its Affiliates (as defined below) may serve as Directors, officers, employees or agents of the Corporation, (ii) Bluescape and its Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, and (iii) members of the Board who are not employees of the Corporation (the “Non-Employee Directors”) and their respective Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, the provisions of this Article XI are set forth to regulate and define the conduct of certain affairs of the Corporation with respect to certain classes or categories of business opportunities as they may involve any of Bluescape, the Non-Employee Directors or their respective Affiliates and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Corporation and its Directors, officers and stockholders in connection therewith. |
| (b) | None of (i) Bluescape or any of its Affiliates or (ii) any Non-Employee Director or his or her Affiliates (the Persons identified in (i) and (ii) above being referred to, collectively, as “Identified Persons” and, individually, as an “Identified Person”) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have any duty to refrain from directly or indirectly (1) engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Corporation or any of its Affiliates now engages or proposes to engage or (2) otherwise competing with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no Identified Person shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Corporation for breach of any fiduciary duty solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person engages in any such activities. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Corporation hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity that may be a corporate opportunity for an Identified Person and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, except as provided in Section 11.1(c) of this Article XI. Subject to Section 11.1(c) of this Article XI, in the event that any Identified Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity that may be a corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, such Identified Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or other business opportunity to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Corporation for breach of any fiduciary duty as a stockholder, Director or officer of the Corporation solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself, or offers or directs such corporate opportunity to another Person. |
| (c) | Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article XI, the Corporation does not renounce its interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any Non-Employee Director if such opportunity is expressly offered to such Non-Employee Director solely in his or her capacity as a Director or officer of the Corporation, and the provisions of Section 11.1(b) of this Article XI shall not apply to any such corporate opportunity. |
| (d) | In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article XI, a corporate opportunity shall not be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for the Corporation if it is a business opportunity that (i) the Corporation is neither financially or legally able, nor contractually permitted to undertake, (ii) from its nature, is not in the line of the Corporation’s business or is of no practical advantage to the Corporation or (iii) is one in which the Corporation has no interest or reasonable expectancy. |
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Section 11.2 Amendments. Neither the amendment, modification, repeal or elimination of this Article XI, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article XI, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article XI in respect of any business opportunity first identified or any other matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article XI, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, modification, repeal, elimination or adoption. This Article XI shall not limit any protections or defenses available to, or indemnification or advancement rights of, any Director or officer of the Corporation under this Certificate, the Bylaws or applicable law.
ARTICLE
XII
SECTION 203 OF THE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
The Corporation shall not be governed by or subject to Section 203 of the General Corporation Law.
ARTICLE
XIII
DEFINITIONS
As used in this Certificate of Incorporation, unless the context otherwise requires or as set forth in another Article or Section of this Certificate of Incorporation, the term:
| (a) | “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person, provided that (i) neither the Corporation nor any of its subsidiaries will be deemed an Affiliate of any stockholder of the Corporation or any of such stockholders’ Affiliates unless and during such time that such stockholder holds a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class, and (ii) no stockholder of the Corporation will be deemed an Affiliate of any other stockholder of the Corporation, in each case, solely by reason of any investment in the Corporation (including any representatives of such stockholder serving on the Board). |
| (b) | “Class A LLC Unit” means a Class A Unit (as defined in the HoldCo LLC Agreement). |
| (c) | “Class C LLC Unit” means a Class C Unit (as defined in the HoldCo LLC Agreement). |
| (d) | “control” (including the terms “controlling” and “controlled”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of such subject Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise. |
| (e) | “HoldCo” means Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or any successor thereto. |
| (f) | “HoldCo LLC Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of HoldCo, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time. |
| (g) | “Person” means any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity. |
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ARTICLE
XIV
INCORPORATOR
The incorporator of the Corporation is Tristan Yopp, whose mailing address is 300 Crescent Court, Suite 1860, Dallas, Texas 75201.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Incorporation has been duly executed by the incorporator of the Corporation on this 13th day of December, 2024.
| /s/ Tristan Yopp | ||
| Name: | Tristan Yopp | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
Signature Page to Certificate of Incorporation of AleAnna, Inc.
Exhibit 3.2
BYLAWS
OF
ALEANNA, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
Article
I
CORPORATE OFFICES
Section 1.1 Registered Office. The registered office of AleAnna, Inc. (as such name may be changed in accordance with applicable law, the “Corporation”) shall be fixed in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including any certificate of designations relating to any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the “Certificate of Incorporation”).
Section 1.2 Other Offices. The Corporation may also have an office or offices, and keep the books and records of the Corporation, except as otherwise required by applicable law, at such other place or places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.
Article
II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 2.1 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders, for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms then expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before such meeting, shall be held at such place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall fix. The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board of Directors at any time in advance of such meeting.
Section 2.2 Special Meeting. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, special meetings of the stockholders may only be called in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, and except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may not be called by any other person or persons. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting.
Section 2.3 Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings.
(a) Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a timely notice in writing or by electronic transmission, given in the manner provided in Section 232 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), of the meeting, which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purposes for which the meeting is called shall be mailed to or transmitted electronically by the Secretary of the Corporation to each stockholder of record entitled to vote thereat as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. Unless otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the notice of any meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting.
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(b) When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place (including an adjournment taken to address a technical failure to convene or continue a meeting using remote communication), notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the place, if any, date and time thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are (i) announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, (ii) displayed, during the time scheduled for the meeting, on the same electronic network used to enable stockholders and proxyholders to participate in the meeting by means of remote communication or (iii) set forth in the notice of meeting given in accordance with subsection (a) of this section. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 7.5(a), and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.
Section 2.4 Organization.
(a) Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or in his or her absence, by the Chief Executive Officer or, in his or her absence, by another person designated by the Board of Directors. The Secretary of the Corporation, or in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary, or in the absence of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, a person whom the chairman of the meeting shall appoint, shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep a record of the proceedings thereof.
(b) The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders shall vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be announced at the meeting. The Board of Directors may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of any meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate, which need not be in writing. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of the meeting shall have the authority to adopt and enforce such rules and regulations for the conduct of any meeting of stockholders and the safety of those in attendance as, in the judgment of the chairman, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the conduct of the meeting. Subject to any rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of the meeting may convene and, for any or no reason, from time to time, adjourn and/or recess any meeting of stockholders pursuant to Section 2.7. The chairman of the meeting, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall have the power to declare that a nomination or other business was not properly brought before the meeting if the facts warrant (including if a determination is made, pursuant to Section 2.10(a)(ii)(C)(1) of these Bylaws, that a nomination or other business was not made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with Section 2.10 of these Bylaws), and if such chairman should so declare, such nomination shall be disregarded or such other business shall not be transacted.
Section 2.5 List of Stockholders. The Corporation shall prepare, no later than the 10th day before each meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting; provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the 10th day before the meeting date. Such list shall be arranged in alphabetical order and shall show the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this Section 2.5 shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of 10 days ending on the day before the meeting date: (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of meeting; or (b) during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this Section 2.5 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
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Section 2.6 Quorum. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, at any meeting of stockholders, a majority of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; provided, however, that where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority of the voting power of the stock of such class or series or classes or series outstanding and entitled to vote on that matter, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to such matter. If a quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of stockholders, then the chairman of the meeting, or a majority of the voting power of the stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, shall have power to adjourn or recess the meeting from time to time in accordance with Section 2.7, until a quorum is present or represented. Subject to applicable law, if a quorum initially is present at any meeting of stockholders, the stockholders may continue to transact business until adjournment or recess, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum, but if a quorum is not present at least initially, no business other than adjournment or recess may be transacted.
Section 2.7 Adjourned or Recessed Meeting. Any annual or special meeting of stockholders, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned or recessed for any or no reason from time to time by the chairman of the meeting, subject to any rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 2.4(b). Any such meeting may be adjourned for any or no reason (and may be recessed if a quorum is not present or represented) from time to time by a majority of the voting power of the stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. At any such adjourned or recessed meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
Section 2.8 Voting.
(a) Except as otherwise required by applicable law, in the event of a plurality pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof for the election of directors, or the Certificate of Incorporation, each holder of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share of such stock held of record by such holder that has voting power upon the subject matter in question.
(b) Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, at each meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present, all corporate actions to be taken by vote of the stockholders shall be authorized by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter, and where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, if a quorum of such class or series or classes or series is present, such act shall be authorized by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the stock of such class or series or classes or series present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot.
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Section 2.9 Proxies. Every stockholder entitled to vote for directors, or on any other matter, shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more persons authorized to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the Corporation generally. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the Secretary of the Corporation a revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date. If voting by proxy, such proxy must be compliant with Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Exchange Act, if solicited in support of a director nominee other than a nominee of the Board of Directors or the Corporation and such proxy must submitted in accordance with the procedures for the meeting. A proxy may be in the form of an electronic transmission which sets forth or is submitted with information from which it can be determined that the transmission was authorized by the stockholder. Any stockholder directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from other stockholders must use a proxy card color other than white, which shall be reserved for the exclusive use by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.10 Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.
(a) Annual Meeting.
(i) Nominations of one or more persons for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of business other than nominations to be considered by the stockholders at an annual meeting of stockholders may be made only: (A) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto); (B) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any authorized committee thereof); or (C) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 2.10(a) is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.10(a). For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing clause (C) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or propose other business at an annual meeting of stockholders (other than a proposal included in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).
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(ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (C) of the foregoing paragraph, (A) the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation, (B) the stockholder must have provided the information, agreements and questionnaires with respect to such stockholder and its candidate for nomination as required by this Section 2.10, including, without limitation, the completed and signed questionnaire required of all of the Corporation’s directors, (C) the stockholder must provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the manner required by this Section 2.10, and (D) in the case of business other than nominations, such business must be a proper subject for stockholder action under applicable law. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business (as defined in Section 2.10(c)(iv) below) on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 30 days after such anniversary date, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the date on which public announcement (as defined in Section 2.10(c)(iv)) of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall an adjournment or recess of an annual meeting, or a postponement of an annual meeting for which notice of the meeting has already been given to stockholders or a public announcement of the meeting date has already been made, commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at the annual meeting (or in the case of a stockholder giving the notice on behalf of a beneficial owner, the number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at the annual meeting on behalf of the beneficial owner) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such annual meeting. To be in proper form, such stockholder’s notice shall set forth:
(A) As to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (1) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies in support of such nomination to be brought before the meeting, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act; (2) a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement in a form provided by the Corporation, which form the stockholder must request from the Secretary of the Corporation in writing with no less than 7 days advance notice; (3) a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary of the Corporation upon written request) that such person (x) is not and will not become a party to (i) any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or (ii) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (y) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein, and (z) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation; (4) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past two (2) years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates or associates, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates or associates, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, and (5) such person’s written consent to serving as a director, if elected, for the full term for which such person is standing for election; provided, however, that, in addition to the information required in the stockholder’s notice pursuant to this Section 2.10(a)(ii)(A), such person shall also provide the Corporation such other information that the Corporation may reasonably request and that is necessary to permit the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such person to serve as a director of the Corporation, including information relevant to a determination whether such person can be considered an independent director;
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(B) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including, without limitation, the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any substantial interest (within the meaning of Item 5 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and (B) any other information relating to such item of business that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies in support of the business proposal to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act;
(C) as to the stockholder of record giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made or the other business is proposed:
(1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and the name and address of such beneficial owner;
(2) (A) the class or series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned of record by such stockholder or beneficial owner, (B) any option warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of stock of the Corporation or otherwise (a “Derivative Instrument”), directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder or beneficial owner and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation held by such stockholder or beneficial owner, each as of the date of the notice, (C) a complete and accurate description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding between or among such stockholder and such beneficial owner, on the one hand, and any other person or persons, on the other hand, in connection with such stockholder’s director nomination and the name and address of any other person(s) or entity or entities known to the stockholder to financially support such nomination, (D) a description of any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder or beneficial owner has a right to vote, directly or indirectly, any shares of the Corporation, (E) any short interest in any security of the Corporation held by such stockholder or beneficial owner (for purposes of these Bylaws, a person shall be deemed to have a “short interest” in a security of the Corporation if such person directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security), (F) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder or beneficial owner that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (G) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership, limited liability company or similar entity in which any such stockholder or beneficial owner (x) is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner of such general or limited partnership or (y) is the manager, managing member or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in the manager or managing member of such limited liability company or similar entity, (H) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder or beneficial owner is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, including, without limitation, any such interests held by members of such stockholder’s or such beneficial owner’s immediate family sharing the same household, (I) any material pending or threatened legal proceeding in which such stockholder or beneficial owner is a party or material participant involving the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any affiliate of the Corporation, and (J) a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date (provided that a public announcement of such record date is made on or before such record date) for such meeting of the class or series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record by such stockholder or beneficial owner as of the record date for the meeting;
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(3) any other information relating to such stockholder or such beneficial owner, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;
(4) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to bring such nomination or other business before the meeting;
(5) a representation as to whether or not such stockholder or such beneficial owner intends or is part of a group which intends (A) to deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, at least the percentage of the voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding stock reasonably believed by the stockholder or such beneficial owner, as the case may be, to be sufficient to elect such nominee or nominees, (B) otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such nomination or nominations and/or (C) to solicit proxies in support of any proposed nominee or nominees in accordance with Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and
(6) if the notice relates to any business other than a nomination or nominations of a director or directors that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, set forth (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest of such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, in such business, (B) the text of the proposal or business (including, without limitation, the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment), (C) a complete and accurate description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between or among such stockholder and such beneficial owner, if any, on the one hand, and any other person(s) (including, without limitation, the names and addresses of such other person(s) or entity or entities), on the other hand, in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and (D) any other information relating to such item of business that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies in support of the business proposal to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act;
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(iii) Notwithstanding anything in Section 2.10(a)(ii) above or Section 2.10(b) below to the contrary, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders is different from the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.10 shall set forth a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date (provided that a public announcement of such record date is made on or before such record date) for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, or by the opening of business on the date of the meeting (whichever is earlier), of the information required under this Section 2.10(a), and such information when provided to the Corporation shall be current as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting.
(iv) This Section 2.10(a) shall not apply to a proposal proposed to be made by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his, her or its intention to present the proposal at an annual or special meeting only pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and such proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such meeting.
(v) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.10(a) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least 10 days prior to the last day a stockholder may deliver a notice in accordance with (ii) above, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.10(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to a nominee nominees for any new position or positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made.
(b) Special Meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting: (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any authorized committee thereof) or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this clause (b) is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election and who delivers notice thereof in writing setting forth the information required by Section 2.10(a) above on a timely basis as provided in this Section 2.10(b); or (iii) in the case of a special meeting called by stockholders in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation, by any stockholder of the Corporation pursuant to Section 2.2. In the event a special meeting of stockholders is called (other than by stockholders in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation) for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the notice required by this clause (b) shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the date on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting and of the nominee or nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall an adjournment, recess or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
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(c) General.
(i) Except as otherwise required by applicable law, only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.10 shall be eligible to be elected at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as directors and only such other business shall be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.10. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, each of the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.10 (including, without limitation, whether a stockholder or beneficial owner solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in compliance with such stockholder’s representation as required by clause (a) (ii) (D) (4) of this Section 2.10). If any information or representation submitted pursuant to this Section 2.10 by any stockholder proposing a nominee or other business at a meeting of stockholders, including any information or representation from a nominee, shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information or representation may be deemed to not be not in compliance with this Section 2.10. In the event of such non-compliance, then except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting shall have the power to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such other business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.10, unless otherwise required by applicable law, or otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, if the stockholder does not provide the information required under this Section 2.10 to the Corporation within the time frames specified herein, any such nomination shall be disregarded and any such other business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.10, unless otherwise required by applicable law, or otherwise determined by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or other business (whether pursuant to the requirements of these Bylaws or in accordance with Rule 14a-8 or Rule 14a-9 under the Exchange Act), such nomination shall be disregarded and such other business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. To be considered a qualified representative of a stockholder pursuant to the preceding sentence, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder (or a reliable reproduction of the writing) delivered to the Corporation prior to the making of such nomination or proposal at such meeting (and in any event not fewer than five days before the meeting) stating that such person is authorized to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.10, unless otherwise required by applicable law, no stockholder shall solicit proxies in support of any nominees other than the Corporation’s nominees unless such stockholder has complied with Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Exchange Act in connection with the solicitation of such proxies. If (A) any stockholder provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act and (B) such stockholder subsequently fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2) or (3) under the Exchange Act (as determined by the Board of Directors or an officer designated thereby), then the nomination of each such person shall be disregarded and the Corporation shall disregard any proxies for any such nominee on the Corporation’s proxy card other than the Corporation’s nominees, notwithstanding that any such nominee is included as a nominee in the Corporation’s proxy statement, notice of meeting or other proxy material for such meeting and notwithstanding that proxies or votes in respect of the election of such nominee may have been received by the Corporation (which proxies and votes shall be disregarded). Upon request by the Corporation, if any stockholder provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act, such stockholder shall deliver to the Secretary of the Corporation, no later than five business days prior to the applicable meeting, reasonable evidence that the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) under the Exchange Act have been satisfied.
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(iii) For the avoidance of doubt, a stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a director shall have no right to (A) nominate a number of nominees that exceed the number of directors to be elected at the meeting or (B) substitute or replace any nominee nominated by such stockholder unless such substitute or replacement is nominated in accordance with this Article II (including the timely provision of all information and representations with respect to such substitute or replacement nominee in accordance with the deadlines set forth in this Article II). If the Corporation provides notice to a stockholder that the number of nominees proposed by such stockholder exceeds the number of directors to be elected at a meeting, the stockholder must provide written notice to the Corporation within five business days of the stockholder’s receipt of such notice stating the names of the nominees that have been withdrawn so that the number of nominees proposed by such stockholder no longer exceeds the number of directors to be elected at a meeting. If any person who is nominated in accordance with this Article II becomes unwilling or unable to serve on the Board of Directors, then the nomination with respect to such person shall no longer be valid and no votes may validly be cast for such person.
(iv) For purposes of this Section 2.10, the “close of business” shall mean 5:00 p.m. local time at the principal executive offices of the Corporation on any calendar day, whether or not the day is a business day, and a “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. For purposes of this Section 2.10, shares shall be treated as “beneficially owned” by a person if the person beneficially owns such shares, directly or indirectly, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Regulations 13D and 13G thereunder or has or shares pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing): (A) the right to acquire such shares (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the fulfillment of a condition or both); (B) the right to vote such shares, alone or in concert with others; and/or (C) investment power with respect to such shares, including the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such shares.
Section 2.11 Action by Written Consent.
(a) Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation or until such time as the Corporation is no longer a “Controlled Company” pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5615(c)(1), any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of the outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. To be effective, such a consent must be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with Section 228(d) of the DGCL; provided, however, that the Corporation has not designated, and shall not designate, any information processing system for receiving such consents. No consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the Corporation in accordance with this Section 2.11 within 60 days of the first date on which a consent is so delivered to the Corporation. Any person executing a consent may provide, whether through instruction to an agent or otherwise, that such a consent shall be effective at a future time (including a time determined upon the happening of an event), no later than 60 days after such instruction is given or such provision is made, if evidence of such instruction or provision is provided to the Corporation. Unless otherwise provided, any such consent shall be revocable prior to its becoming effective.
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(b) If action by consent in lieu of a meeting of stockholders has been taken by stockholders by less than unanimous consent, prompt notice of the taking of the action by consent shall be given to those stockholders as of the record date for the action by consent who have not consented and who would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the action had been taken at a meeting and the record date for notice of the meeting were the record date for the action by consent.
Section 2.12 Inspectors of Election. Before any meeting of stockholders, the Corporation may, and shall if required by applicable law, appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof and make a written report thereof. Inspectors may be employees of the Corporation. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may, and shall if required by applicable law, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. Inspectors need not be stockholders. No director or nominee for the office of director at an election shall be appointed as an inspector at such election.
Such inspectors shall:
(a) determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the validity of proxies and ballots;
(b) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors;
(c) count and tabulate all votes and ballots; and
(d) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting, and their count of all votes and ballots.
Section 2.13 Meetings by Remote Communications. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with Section 211(a)(2) of the DGCL. If authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication: (a) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and (b) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that: (i) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxyholder; (ii) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings; and (iii) if any stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.
Section 2.14 Delivery to the Corporation. Whenever this Article II requires one or more persons (including a record or beneficial owner of stock) to deliver a document or information to the Corporation or any officer, employee or agent thereof (including any notice, request, questionnaire, revocation, representation or other document or agreement), the Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, not be required to accept delivery of such document or information unless the document or information is in writing exclusively (and not in an electronic transmission) and delivered exclusively by hand (including, without limitation, overnight courier service) or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.
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Article
III
DIRECTORS
Section 3.1 Powers. Except as otherwise required by the DGCL or as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities these Bylaws expressly confer upon it, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 3.2 Number, Term of Office and Election.
(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, the number of directors shall initially be five (5) and thereafter shall be fixed from time to time solely by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors then authorized (hereinafter referred to as the “Whole Board”). The election and term of director shall be as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.
(b) Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares of stock entitled to vote in the election of directors at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present.
(c) Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, wherein other qualifications for directors may be prescribed.
Section 3.3 Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships. Subject to applicable law and the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, any newly created directorship that results from an increase in the number of directors or any vacancy on the Board of Directors that results from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of any director or from any other cause shall be filled in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 3.4 Resignations and Removal. Directors of the Corporation may be removed in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.
Section 3.5 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such place or places, within or without the State of Delaware, on such date or dates and at such time or times, as shall have been established by the Board of Directors; provided that any director who is absent when such a determination is made shall be given notice of the determination. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders.
Section 3.6 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the place, within or without the State of Delaware, date and time of such meetings. Notice of each such meeting shall be given to each director, if by mail, addressed to such director at his or her residence or usual place of business, at least five days before the day on which such meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to such director by electronic transmission, or be delivered personally or by telephone, in each case at least 24 hours prior to the time set for such meeting. A notice of special meeting need not state the purpose of such meeting, and, unless indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.
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Section 3.7 Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone. Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board of Directors or committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 3.8 Quorum and Voting. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, and the vote of a majority of the directors present at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. The chairman of the meeting or a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting to another time and place whether or not a quorum is present. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
Section 3.9 Board of Directors Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting, provided that all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action. After an action is taken, the consent or consents relating thereto shall be filed with the minutes or proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee in the same paper or electronic form as the minutes are maintained. Any person (whether or not then a director) may provide, whether through instruction to an agent or otherwise, that a consent to action shall be effective at a future time (including a time determined upon the happening of an event), no later than 60 days after such instruction is given or such provision is made and such consent shall be deemed to have been given at such effective time so long as such person is then a director and did not revoke the consent prior to such time. Any such consent shall be revocable prior to its becoming effective.
Section 3.10 Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at meetings of stockholders (unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors) and at meetings of directors and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. If the Chairman of the Board of Directors is not present at a meeting of the Board of Directors, another director chosen by the Board of Directors shall preside.
Section 3.11 Rules and Regulations. The Board of Directors shall adopt such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws for the conduct of its meetings and management of the affairs of the Corporation as the Board of Directors shall deem proper.
Section 3.12 Fees and Compensation of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, directors may receive such compensation, if any, for their services on the Board of Directors and its committees, and such reimbursement of expenses, as may be fixed or determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 3.13 Emergency Bylaws. This Section 3.13 shall be operative during any emergency condition as contemplated by Section 110 of the DGCL (an “Emergency”), notwithstanding any different or conflicting provisions in these Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL. In the event of any Emergency, the director or directors in attendance at a meeting of the Board of Directors thereof shall constitute a quorum. Such director or directors in attendance may further take action to appoint one or more of themselves or other directors to membership on any standing or temporary committees of the Board of Directors as they shall deem necessary and appropriate. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, during any Emergency, the Corporation and its directors and officers, may exercise any authority and take any action or measure contemplated by Section 110 of the DGCL.
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Article
IV
COMMITTEES
Section 4.1 Committees of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each such committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee to replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent permitted by applicable law and provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters: (a) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval; or (b) adopting, amending or repealing any bylaw of the Corporation. All committees of the Board of Directors shall keep minutes of their meetings and make such reports as the Board of Directors may from time to time request.
Section 4.2 Meetings and Action of Committees. Unless the Board of Directors provides otherwise by resolution, any committee of the Board of Directors may adopt, alter and repeal such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws for the conduct of its meetings as such committee may deem proper. A majority of the directors then serving on a committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the committee except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, and except as otherwise provided in a resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that in no case shall a quorum be less than one-third of the directors then serving on the committee. Unless the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or a resolution of the Board of Directors requires a greater number, the vote of a majority of the members of a committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee.
Article
V
OFFICERS
Section 5.1 Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors, each to have such authority, functions or duties as set forth in these Bylaws or as determined by the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office for such term as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors and until such person’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such person’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. The Board of Directors may require any officer, agent or employee to give security for the faithful performance of his or her duties.
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Section 5.2 Compensation. The salaries of the officers of the Corporation and the manner and time of the payment of such salaries shall be fixed and determined by the Board of Directors or by a duly authorized officer and may be altered by the Board of Directors from time to time as it deems appropriate, subject to the rights, if any, of such officers under any contract of employment.
Section 5.3 Removal, Resignation and Vacancies. Any officer of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors or by a duly authorized officer, without prejudice to the rights, if any, of such officer under any contract to which it is a party. Any officer may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation, without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which such officer is a party. If any vacancy occurs in any office of the Corporation, the Board of Directors may elect a successor to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term and until a successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 5.4 Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general supervision and direction of the business and affairs of the Corporation, shall be responsible for corporate policy and strategy, and shall report directly to the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws or determined by the Board of Directors, all other officers of the Corporation shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer or as otherwise determined by the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall, if present and in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, preside at meetings of the stockholders.
Section 5.5 Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall exercise all the powers and perform the duties of the office of the chief financial officer and in general have overall supervision of the financial operations of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time determine.
Section 5.6 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall supervise and be responsible for all the funds and securities of the Corporation, the deposit of all monies and other valuables to the credit of the Corporation in depositories of the Corporation, borrowings and compliance with the provisions of all indentures, agreements and instruments governing such borrowings to which the Corporation is a party, the disbursement of funds of the Corporation and the investment of its funds, and in general shall perform all of the duties incident to the office of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer may from time to time determine.
Section 5.7 Secretary. The powers and duties of the Secretary are: (i) to act as Secretary at all meetings of the Board of Directors, of the committees of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders and to record the proceedings of such meetings in a book or books to be kept for that purpose; (ii) to see that all notices required to be given by the Corporation are duly given; (iii) to act as custodian of the seal of the Corporation and affix the seal or cause it to be affixed to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws; (iv) to have charge of the books, records and papers of the Corporation and see that the reports, statements and other documents required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and (v) to perform all of the duties incident to the office of Secretary. The Secretary shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time determine.
Section 5.8 Additional Matters. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation shall have the authority to designate employees of the Corporation to have the title of Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary. Any employee so designated shall have the powers and duties determined by the officer making such designation. The persons upon whom such titles are conferred shall not be deemed officers of the Corporation unless elected by the Board of Directors.
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Section 5.9 Corporate Funds and Checks. The funds of the Corporation shall be kept in such depositories as shall from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors or its designees selected for such purposes. All checks or other orders for the payment of money shall be signed by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, a Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary or such other person or agent as may from time to time be authorized and with such countersignature, if any, as may be required by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.10 Contracts and Other Documents. The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the Secretary, or such other officer or officers as may from time to time be authorized by the Board of Directors or any committee thereof given specific authority in the premises by the Board of Directors during the intervals between the meetings of the Board of Directors, shall have power to sign and execute on behalf of the Corporation deeds, conveyances and contracts, and any and all other documents requiring execution by the Corporation.
Section 5.11 Ownership of Equity Interests or other Securities of Another Entity. Except with respect to Seiftmerge HoldCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and any successor thereto, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, a Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary, or such other officer or agent as shall be authorized by the Board of Directors, shall have the power and authority, on behalf of the Corporation, to attend and to vote at any meeting of securityholders of any entity in which the Corporation holds securities or equity interests and may exercise, on behalf of the Corporation, any and all of the rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities or equity interests at any such meeting, including the authority to execute and deliver proxies and consents on behalf of the Corporation.
Section 5.12 Delegation. The Board of Directors may by resolution delegate the powers and duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director, or to any other person whom it may select.
Article
VI
INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
Section 6.1 Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or an officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than the DGCL permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 6.4 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses or with respect to any compulsory counterclaim brought by such indemnitee, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
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Section 6.2 Right to Advancement of Expenses. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 6.1, an indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred in appearing at, participating in or defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition or in connection with a proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article VI (which shall be governed by Section 6.4) (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if the DGCL requires, or in the case of an advancement of expenses made in a proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement, an advancement of expenses to by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made solely upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified or entitled to advancement of expenses under Section 6.1 and Section 6.2 or otherwise.
Section 6.3 Indemnification for Successful Defense. To the extent that an indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any proceeding (or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein), such indemnitee shall be indemnified under this Section 6.3 against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such defense. Indemnification under this Section 6.3 shall not be subject to satisfaction of a standard of conduct, and the Corporation may not assert the failure to satisfy a standard of conduct as a basis to deny indemnification or recover amounts advanced, including in a suit brought pursuant to Section 6.4 (notwithstanding anything to the contrary therein); provided, however, that, any indemnitee who is not a current or former director or officer (as such term is defined in the final sentence of Section 145(c)(1) of the DGCL) shall be entitled to indemnification under Section 6.1 and this Section 6.3 only if such indemnitee has satisfied the standard of conduct required for indemnification under Section 145(a) or Section 145(b) of the DGCL.
Section 6.4 Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 is not paid in full by the Corporation within (i) sixty (60) days after a written claim for indemnification has been received by the Corporation or (ii) twenty (20) days after a claim for an advancement of expenses has been received by the Corporation, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim for indemnification or to obtain advancement of expenses, as applicable. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, if the indemnitee is successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VI or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.
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Section 6.5 Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article VI shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, or otherwise.
Section 6.6 Insurance. The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
Section 6.7 Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation. The Corporation may, to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law, and to the extent authorized from time to time, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation.
Section 6.8 Nature of Rights. The rights conferred upon indemnitees in this Article VI shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any amendment, alteration, repeal or elimination of this Article VI that adversely affects any right of an indemnitee or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit or eliminate any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment, alteration, repeal, or elimination.
Section 6.9 Settlement of Claims. Notwithstanding anything in this Article VI to the contrary, the Corporation shall not be liable to indemnify any indemnitee under this Article VI for any amounts paid in settlement of any proceeding effected without the Corporation’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Section 6.10 Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Article VI, the Corporation shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the indemnitee (excluding insurance obtained on the indemnitee’s own behalf), and the indemnitee shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Corporation effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.
Section 6.11 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VI shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article VI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not by themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities or circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article VI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent of the parties that the Corporation provide protection to the indemnitee to the fullest extent set forth in this Article VI.
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Article
VII
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 7.1 Certificates of Stock. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Corporation by any two authorized officers of the Corporation, including, without limitation, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Secretary, or an Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number and class of shares of stock owned by such stockholder in the Corporation. Any or all such signatures may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 7.2 Transfers of Stock. Except or otherwise required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, transfers of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation upon authorization by the registered holder thereof or by such holder’s attorney thereunto authorized by a power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation or a transfer agent for such stock, and if such shares are represented by a certificate, upon surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock transfer power and the payment of any taxes thereon; provided, however, that the Corporation shall be entitled to recognize and enforce any lawful restriction on transfer.
Section 7.3 Lost Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new share certificate or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or the owner’s legal representative to give the Corporation a bond (or other adequate security) sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it (including any expense or liability) on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares. The Board of Directors may adopt such other provisions and restrictions with reference to lost certificates, not inconsistent with applicable law, as it shall in its discretion deem appropriate.
Section 7.4 Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise required by applicable law.
Section 7.5 Record Date for Determining Stockholders.
(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by applicable law, not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjourned meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.
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(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than 60 days prior to such action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
(c) Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, in order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action without a meeting, when no prior action of the Board of Directors is required by law, shall be the first date on which a signed consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken was delivered to the Corporation in accordance with Section 2.11. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action without a meeting, if prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
Section 7.6 Regulations. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Board of Directors may make such additional rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of shares of stock of the Corporation.
Section 7.7 Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL or the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
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Article
VIII
GENERAL MATTERS
Section 8.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January of each year and end on the last day of December of the same year, or shall extend for such other 12 consecutive months as the Board of Directors may designate.
Section 8.2 Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal, containing the name of the Corporation, which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary of the Corporation. If and when so directed by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer.
Section 8.3 Reliance Upon Books, Reports and Records. Each director and each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any other person as to matters which such director or committee member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.
Section 8.4 Subject to Law and Certificate of Incorporation. All powers, duties and responsibilities provided for in these Bylaws, whether or not explicitly so qualified, are qualified by the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.
Section 8.5 Electronic Signatures, etc. Except as otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws (including, without limitation, as otherwise required by Section 2.14), any document, including, without limitation, any consent, agreement, certificate or instrument, required by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws to be executed by any officer, director, stockholder, employee or agent of the Corporation may be executed using a facsimile or other form of electronic signature to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. All other contracts, agreements, certificates or instruments to be executed on behalf of the Corporation may be executed using a facsimile or other form of electronic signature to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The terms “electronic mail,” “electronic mail address,” “electronic signature” and “electronic transmission” as used herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the DGCL.
Article
IX
AMENDMENTS
Section 9.1 Amendments. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, and in addition to any other vote required by law, the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal, or adopt any provision inconsistent with, any provision of these Bylaws.
The foregoing Bylaws were adopted by the Board of Directors on December 13, 2024.
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Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION VERSION
June 4, 2024
Swiftmerge Acquisition Corp.
2710 Rosebery Avenue
West Vancouver, BC V7V3A2
| Re: | Business Combination |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This amended and restated letter (this “Amended and Restated Letter Agreement”) is being delivered to you in accordance with that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Swiftmerge Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “SPAC”), Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC, a limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of SPAC (“HoldCo”), Swiftmerge Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Merger Sub”), and AleAnna Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”) (the Agreement and Plan of Merger, as it may be hereafter amended, the “Merger Agreement”), and hereby amends and restates in its entirety that certain letter agreement, dated December 17, 2021 (the “Prior Letter Agreement”), by and among the SPAC, Swiftmerge Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Sponsor”), and the other undersigned individuals (each, an “Insider” and collectively, the “Insiders”). Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in paragraph 1 hereof. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement.
In order to induce the SPAC and the Company to enter into the Merger Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each of the undersigned hereby agrees with the Company and SPAC as follows:
1. Definitions. As used herein, (i) “Business Combination” shall mean the business combination contemplated by the Merger Agreement; (ii) “SPAC Class B Ordinary Shares” shall mean the 2,250,000 Class B ordinary shares of the SPAC, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding prior to the consummation of the Transactions; (iii) “SPAC Private Warrants” shall mean the warrants acquired by the Sponsor and certain anchor investors in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO (including the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of such SPAC Private Warrants); (iv) “Public Shareholders” shall mean the holders of SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares, including those held by Sponsor; (v) “SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares” shall mean the 4,579,885 Class A ordinary shares of the SPAC (including shares underlying SPAC Units), par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding prior to the consummation of the Transactions (together with the SPAC Class B Ordinary Shares, the “SPAC Ordinary Shares”); (vi) “Trust Account” shall mean the trust account into which a portion of the net proceeds of the IPO and a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the SPAC Private Warrants were deposited simultaneously with the closing of the IPO; (vii) “Transfer” shall mean the (a) sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, with respect to any security, (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of an security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (a) or (b); and (viii) “SPAC Article of Association” shall mean the SPAC’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, as amended by those Amendments to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, dated June 15, 2023, and as further amended by those Amendments to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, dated March 15, 2024.
2. The Transactions.
(a) The undersigned hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees: (i) that at any duly called meeting of the shareholders of the SPAC (or any adjournment or postponement thereof), and in any action by written consent of the shareholders of SPAC requested by its board or undertaken in furtherance of the Transactions, the undersigned shall, if a meeting is held, appear at the meeting, in person or by proxy, or otherwise cause all of its, his or her SPAC Ordinary Shares to be counted as present thereat for purposes of establishing a quorum, and it, he or she shall vote or consent (or cause to be voted or consented, including in any action by written consent), in person or by proxy, all of its, his or her shares of SPAC Ordinary Shares: (1) in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval of the Transactions (and any actions required in furtherance thereof); (2) against any action, proposal, transaction or agreement that would reasonably be expected to result in a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, obligation or agreement of SPAC contained in the Merger Agreement; (3) in favor of any other SPAC Proposals set forth in SPAC’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed by SPAC with the SEC relating to the Transactions (including any amendment or supplements thereto, the “Form S-4”); and (4) against the following actions or proposals: (A) any Alternative Transaction or any proposal in opposition to approval of the Merger Agreement or in competition with or inconsistent with the Merger Agreement; (B) any change in the present capitalization of SPAC or any amendment of the SPAC Articles of Association, (C) any liquidation, dissolution or other change in SPAC’s corporate structure or business, (D) any action, proposal, transaction or agreement that would result in a breach in any material respect of any covenant, representation or warranty or other obligation or agreement of the Sponsor or such Insider under this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement or (E) any other action or proposal involving SPAC or any of its subsidiaries that is intended, or would reasonably be expected, to prevent, impede, interfere with, delay, postpone or adversely affect the Transactions; and (ii) not to redeem, elect to redeem or tender or submit any of the SPAC Ordinary Shares owned by it, him or her for redemption in connection with such shareholder approval or proposed Business Combination.
(b) Prior to any valid termination of the Merger Agreement, the undersigned shall take, or cause to be taken, all actions and do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary under applicable Laws to consummate the Transactions on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement and the undersigned shall be bound by and comply with Sections 8.03 (Access to Information; Confidentiality), 8.04 (Exclusivity) and 8.09 (Public Announcements) of the Merger Agreement (and any relevant definitions contained in any such sections) as if such person were a signatory to the Merger Agreement with respect to such provisions and each reference to “SPAC” contained in Section 8.04 of the Merger Agreement also referred to Sponsor and each Insider.
(c) If SPAC seeks to consummate the proposed Business Combination by engaging in a tender offer, the undersigned agrees that it, he or she will not sell or tender any SPAC Ordinary Shares owned by it, him or her in connection therewith.
(d) The obligations of the Sponsor specified in this paragraph 2 shall apply whether or not the Business Combination, any of the Transactions or any action described above is recommended by the SPAC Board.
3. Representations and Warranties. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to SPAC and the Company as follows:
| (a) | if such person is not an individual, it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, formed, organized or constituted, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby are within such person’s corporate, limited liability company or organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company or organizational actions on the part of such person; |
| (b) | if such person is an individual, such person has full legal capacity, right and authority to execute and deliver this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement and to perform his or her obligations hereunder; |
| (c) | this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such person and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties to this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement constitutes a legally valid and binding obligation of such person, enforceable against such person in accordance with the terms hereof (except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy Laws, other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights and general principles of equity affecting the availability of specific performance and other equitable remedies); |
| (d) | the execution and delivery of this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement by such person does not, and the performance by such person of its, his or her obligations hereunder will not: (i) if such person is not an individual, conflict with or result in a violation of the organizational documents of such person; or (ii) require any consent or approval that has not been given or other action that has not been taken by any third party (including under any contract binding upon such person or such person’s SPAC Ordinary Shares or SPAC Private Warrants, as applicable), in each case, to the extent such consent, approval or other action would prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by such person of its, his or her obligations under this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement; |
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| (e) | each of the undersigned, if applicable, has good and marketable right, title and interest (legal and beneficial) in and to all of its securities of the SPAC, free and clear of all liens, pledges, security interests, charges, claims, equity or encumbrances of any kind; |
| (f) | Sponsor hereby represents that (i) Exhibit A hereto is a true and correct list of all of the outstanding securities of the SPAC, including SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares, SPAC Class B Ordinary Shares and SPAC Private Warrants, owned of record or “beneficially owned” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) by the Insiders, NRA Parties, Anchor Investors and their respective controlled affiliates and (ii) each of the NRA Parties, Anchor Investors and their respective controlled affiliates that executed a letter agreement in connection with the Transactions (each, a “Surrender Investor”) is agreeing to surrender (i) a pro rata portion of the SPAC Class B Ordinary Shares it holds relative to its ownership percentage of such SPAC Class B Ordinary Shares as of the date hereof and (ii) all of Private Warrants it holds (as applicable) such that each such Surrender Investor is being treated equally on a pari-passu basis or better than Sponsor in connection with the Surrender and the Transactions; and |
| (g) | upon the Closing, the aggregate number of shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock owned of record or “beneficially owned” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) by the Sponsor, the Insiders, the Anchor Investors, the NRA Parties and their respective controlled affiliates, which shares are attributable to “founder shares” as defined in the SPAC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, does not exceed 1,400,000, and none of any such persons shall own any SPAC Private Warrants. |
4. Failure to Consummate a Business Combination; Trust Account Waiver.
(a) The Sponsor and each Insider hereby agree, with respect to itself, herself or himself, that in the event that the SPAC fails to consummate an initial business combination within the time period set forth in the Charter, the Sponsor and each Insider shall take all reasonable steps to cause the SPAC to (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than 10 business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the SPAC to pay income taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the SPAC’s remaining shareholders and the SPAC Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) to the SPAC’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and in all cases subject to the other requirements of applicable law. The Sponsor and each Insider agree not to propose any amendment to the SPAC Articles of Association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of the SPAC’s obligation to provide holders of the SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of the SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares if the SPAC does not complete an initial business combination within the required time period set forth in the SPAC Articles of Association or (B) with respect to any provision relating to the rights of holders of SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares unless the SPAC provides its Public Shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the SPAC to pay taxes, if any, divided by the number of then-outstanding SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares.
(b) The Sponsor and each Insider, with respect to itself, herself or himself, acknowledges that it, she or he has no right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account or any other asset of the SPAC as a result of any liquidation of the SPAC with respect to the SPAC Class B Ordinary Shares held by it, her or him, if any. The Sponsor and each of the Insiders hereby further waive, with respect to any SPAC Class B Ordinary Shares and SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares held by it, her or him, as applicable, any redemption rights it, she or he may have in connection with the consummation of an initial business combination, including, without limitation, any such rights available in the context of a shareholder vote to approve such initial business combination or a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to the SPAC Articles of Association (i) that would modify the substance or timing of the SPAC’s obligation to provide holders of the SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of the SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares if the SPAC has not consummated an initial business combination within the time period set forth in the SPAC Articles of Association or (ii) with respect to any provision relating to the rights of holders of SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares (although the Sponsor and the Insiders shall be entitled to liquidation rights with respect to any SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares they hold if the SPAC fails to consummate a Business Combination within the required time period set forth in the SPAC Articles of Association).
3
5. Surrender of SPAC Ordinary Shares and SPAC Private Warrants. Immediately prior to the Domestication and conditioned upon the Closing, each of the undersigned shall surrender the number of SPAC Ordinary Shares and SPAC Private Warrants held by it, him or her set forth on Exhibit A as a contribution to the capital of the SPAC (the “Surrender”) and shall, at the Effective Time, each shall own that number of shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock specified opposite its, his or her name on Exhibit A, which shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in paragraph 6 below (the “Closing Shares”).
6. Lock-up; Transfer Restrictions.
(a) Without limiting their obligations in clauses (b) or (c) below, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the earlier of (i) the valid termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms or (ii) the Effective Time, each of the undersigned shall not, without the prior written consent of the SPAC and the Company, Transfer any SPAC Ordinary Shares or SPAC Private Warrants owned by it, him or her.
(b) Each of the undersigned agrees that it, he or she shall not Transfer or cause to be transferred their Closing Shares issued in connection with the Merger until one year following the Effective Time.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in paragraphs 6(a) or 6(b), Transfers of the SPAC Ordinary Shares, SPAC Private Warrants and Closing Shares, as applicable, are permitted (i) to the SPAC’s officers or directors, any affiliate or family member of any of the SPAC’s officers or directors or any members of the Sponsor or any affiliates of the Sponsor; (ii) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of such individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such individual or to a charitable organization; (iii) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of such individual; (iv) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (v) by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware or the Sponsor’s limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of the Sponsor; or (vi) in the event of the SPAC’s liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction which results in all of the SPAC’s shareholders having the right to exchange their shares of SPAC Ordinary Shares or Closing Shares (as applicable) for cash, securities or other property subsequent to the SPAC’s completion of the Transactions; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (i) through (vi), these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement to be bound by the transfer restrictions herein and the other restrictions contained in this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement (including provisions relating to voting, the Trust Account and liquidating distributions).
7. Remedies. The Sponsor and each of the Insiders hereby agree and acknowledge that (i) each of the SPAC and the Company would be irreparably injured in the event of a breach by the Sponsor or such Insider of its, her or his obligations hereunder, (ii) monetary damages may not be an adequate remedy for such breach and (iii) the non-breaching party shall be entitled to injunctive relief, in addition to any other remedy that such party may have in law or in equity, in the event of such breach.
8. Transaction Expenses and Full Satisfaction. Sponsor shall be responsible for the payment of any and all SPAC Transaction Expenses, obligations owed by SPAC to Sponsor or other payments required by the SPAC for a successful Closing that are not paid by Surviving PubCo at Closing assuming that Surviving PubCo has complied with Section 8.12(a) of the Merger Agreement. For avoidance of doubt, Sponsor acknowledges that upon the payments by Surviving PubCo pursuant to this paragraph 8, together with the retention by Sponsor of its Closing Shares, all SPAC Liabilities, including all loans or other obligations owed by SPAC or Surviving PubCo to Sponsor, including any outstanding loans, shall be deemed paid in full, satisfied and terminated.
9. Payments by the SPAC. Except as disclosed in the Form S-4 and pursuant to the Merger Agreement, neither the Sponsor nor any affiliate of the Sponsor nor any director or officer of the SPAC nor any affiliate of the officers shall receive from the SPAC any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee, monies in respect of any payment of a loan or other compensation prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate the consummation of the Transactions.
10. Director and Officer Liability Insurance. The SPAC will maintain an insurance policy or policies providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, and the Insiders shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any of the Company’s directors or officers.
11. Termination. This Amended and Restated Letter Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of the (i) termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to its terms (in which case this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement shall be of no further for or effect) and shall revert to the terms of the Prior Letter Agreement or (ii) one year following the consummation of the Transactions.
4
12. Indemnification. In the event of the liquidation of the Trust Account upon the failure of the SPAC to consummate its initial business combination within the time period set forth in the SPAC Articles of Association, the Sponsor (the “Indemnitor”) agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the SPAC against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, whether pending or threatened) to which the SPAC may become subject as a result of any claim by (i) any third party for services rendered or products sold to the SPAC (except for the SPAC’s independent auditors) or (ii) any prospective target business with which the SPAC has discussed entering into a transaction agreement (a “Target”); provided, however, that such indemnification of the SPAC by the Indemnitor (x) shall apply only to the extent necessary to ensure that such claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the SPAC or a Target do not reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.10 per Public Share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account if less than $10.10 per Public Share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of interest that may be withdrawn to pay the SPAC’s tax obligations, (y) shall not apply to any claims by a third party or Target who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) and (z) shall not apply to any claims under the SPAC’s indemnity of the underwriters in the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Indemnitor shall have the right to defend against any such claim with counsel of its choice reasonably satisfactory to the SPAC if, within 15 days following written receipt of notice of the claim to the Indemnitor, the Indemnitor notifies the SPAC in writing that it shall undertake such defense.
13. Resignations. Each of the Insiders hereby agrees to resign his or her position with SPAC, effective as of or prior to the Closing.
14. Entire Agreement. This Amended and Restated Letter Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby. This Amended and Restated Letter Agreement may not be changed, amended, modified or waived (other than to correct a typographical error) as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto.
15. Assignment. No party hereto may assign either this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the SPAC and the Company. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee. This Amended and Restated Letter Agreement shall be binding on the Sponsor, each of the Insiders and each of their respective successors, heirs, personal representatives and assigns and permitted transferees and any such successor, heir, personal representative, assign or permitted transferee shall retain all obligations set forth hereunder.
16. Counterparts. This Amended and Restated Letter Agreement may be executed in any number of original or facsimile counterparts, and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
17. Effect of Headings. The paragraph headings herein are for convenience only and are not part of this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation thereof.
18. Severability. This Amended and Restated Letter Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable.
19. Governing Law. This Amended and Restated Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The parties hereto (i) all agree that any action, proceeding, claim or dispute arising out of, or relating in any way to, this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of New York City, in the State of New York, and irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction and venue, which jurisdiction and venue shall be exclusive, and (ii) waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and venue or that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.
20. Notices. Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this Amended and Restated Letter Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand delivery or facsimile transmission.
[Signature Page Follows]
5
| Sincerely, | ||
| SWIFTMERGE HOLDINGS, LP | ||
| By: | Swiftmerge Holdings GP, LLC, | |
| its general partner | ||
|
/s/ Aston Loch | ||
| Name: | Aston Loch | |
| Title: | Manager | |
|
/s/ George Jones | ||
| Name: | George Jones | |
|
/s/ John “Sam” Bremner | ||
| Name: | John “Sam” Bremner | |
|
/s/ Christopher J. Munyan | ||
| Name: | Christopher J. Munyan | |
|
/s/ Aston Loch | ||
| Name: | Aston Loch | |
|
/s/ General (Ret.) Wesley K. Clark | ||
| Name: | General (Ret.) Wesley K. Clark | |
|
/s/ Brett Conrad | ||
| Name: | Brett Conrad | |
|
/s/ Dr. Leonard Makowka | ||
| Name: | Dr. Leonard Makowka | |
|
/s/ Dr. Courtney Lyder | ||
| Name: | Dr. Courtney Lyder | |
|
/s/ Sarah Boatman | ||
| Name: | Sarah Boatman | |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement]
| Acknowledged and Agreed: | ||
| SWIFTMERGE ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
| By: |
/s/ John Bremner |
|
| Name: | John Bremner | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement]
|
Acknowledged and Agreed: |
||
| ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ William Dirks | |
| Name: | William Dirks | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Letter Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
Name | SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares Held (as of June 4, 2024) | SPAC Class B Ordinary Shares Held (as of June 4, 2024) | Surrendered SPAC Ordinary Shares | Surrendered SPAC Private Warrants | Shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock (Attributable to Founder Shares) as of Closing | |||||||||||||||
| Swiftmerge Holdings, LP | 3,069,604 | 0 | 2,305,616 | 6,350,000 | 763,988 | |||||||||||||||
| Antara Capital Total Return SPAC Master Fund LP | 0 | 225,000 | 169,000 | 300,000 | 56,000 | |||||||||||||||
| CaaS Capital Master Fund LP | 0 | 225,000 | 169,000 | 300,000 | 56,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Steppes Funding, LLC | 0 | 225,000 | 169,000 | 300,000 | 56,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Farallon Capital Partners, L.P. | 57,330 | 0 | 9,937 | 0 | 3,293 | |||||||||||||||
| Farallon Capital Institutional Partners, L.P. | 85,449 | 0 | 14,811 | 0 | 4,908 | |||||||||||||||
| Farallon Capital Institutional Partners II, L.P. | 19,578 | 0 | 3,394 | 0 | 1,124 | |||||||||||||||
| Farallon Capital Institutional Partners III, L.P. | 11,310 | 0 | 1,960 | 0 | 650 | |||||||||||||||
| Four Crossings Institutional Partners V, L.P. | 13,806 | 0 | 2,393 | 0 | 793 | |||||||||||||||
| Farallon Capital F5 Master I, L.P. | 26,988 | 0 | 4,678 | 0 | 1,550 | |||||||||||||||
| Farallon Capital (AM) Investors, L.P. | 5,499 | 0 | 953 | 0 | 316 | |||||||||||||||
| Farallon Capital Offshore Investors II, L.P. | 170,040 | 0 | 29,474 | 0 | 9,766 | |||||||||||||||
| Finepoint Capital Partners I, L.P. | 0 | 52,764 | 39,632 | 70,352 | 13,132 | |||||||||||||||
| Finepoint Capital Partners II, L.P. | 0 | 58,600 | 44,015 | 78,133 | 14,585 | |||||||||||||||
| NewGen Equity Long/Short Fund | 0 | 106,693 | 80,138 | 142,257 | 26,555 | |||||||||||||||
| TIFF Multi-Asset NewGen A/C I8DP | 0 | 6,943 | 5,215 | 9,258 | 1,728 | |||||||||||||||
| Meteora Special Opportunity Fund I, LP (f/k/a Glazer Special Opportunity Fund I, LP) | 0 | 67,500 | 50,700 | 90,000 | 16,800 | |||||||||||||||
| Meteora Capital Partners, LP | 13,854 | 157,500 | 120,701 | 210,000 | 39,996 | |||||||||||||||
| Meteora Select Trading Opportunities Master, LP | 6,280 | 0 | 1,088 | 0 | 361 | |||||||||||||||
| Kepos Alpha Master Fund L.P. | 0 | 165,800 | 124,534 | 221,100 | 41,266 | |||||||||||||||
| Kepos Special Opportunities Master Fund L.P. | 0 | 59,200 | 44,466 | 78,900 | 14,734 | |||||||||||||||
| Polar Multi-Strategy Mater Fund | 260,000 | 225,000 | 214,067 | 300,000 | 70,933 | |||||||||||||||
| Sandia Crest LP | 0 | 170,312 | 127,923 | 300,000 | 42,389 | |||||||||||||||
| Crestline Summit Master, SPC-Peak SP | 102,215 | 0 | 17,717 | 0 | 5,871 | |||||||||||||||
| Crestline Summit Master, SPC-Crestline Summit APEX SP | 60,285 | 0 | 10,449 | 0 | 3,463 | |||||||||||||||
| SCCO Anchor Acquisition, Ltd | 0 | 22,500 | 16,900 | 30,000 | 5,600 | |||||||||||||||
| SCEN Anchor Acquisition, Ltd | 0 | 22,500 | 16,900 | 30,000 | 5,600 | |||||||||||||||
| SCMD Anchor Acquisition, Ltd | 0 | 73,125 | 54,925 | 97,500 | 18,200 | |||||||||||||||
| Sculptor SC II, LP | 0 | 106,875 | 80,275 | 142,500 | 26,600 | |||||||||||||||
| Shaolin Capital Partners Master Fund Ltd | 0 | 94,500 | 70,980 | 126,000 | 23,520 | |||||||||||||||
| Atom Master Fund L.P. | 0 | 3,125 | 2,347 | 0 | 778 | |||||||||||||||
| BoothBay Absolute Return Strategies, LP | 0 | 18,750 | 14,083 | 0 | 4,667 | |||||||||||||||
| BoothBay Diversified Alpha Master Fund LP | 0 | 9,375 | 7,042 | 0 | 2,333 | |||||||||||||||
| Walleye Opportunities Master Fund Ltd | 100,110 | 15,625 | 11,736 | 0 | 3,889 | |||||||||||||||
| Walleye Investments Fund LLC | 50,000 | 7,813 | 5,868 | 0 | 1,945 | |||||||||||||||
| DS Liquid DIV RVA SCM, LLC | 0 | 49,500 | 37,180 | 66,000 | 12,320 | |||||||||||||||
| MAP 214 Segregated Portfolio, a segregated portfolio of LMA SPC | 0 | 81,000 | 60,840 | 108,000 | 20,160 | |||||||||||||||
| Camac Fund, LP | 325,000 | 0 | 56,333 | 0 | 18,667 | |||||||||||||||
| Exos Collateralized SPAC Holdings LP | 163,250 | 0 | 28,730 | 0 | 9,520 | |||||||||||||||
| TOTAL | 4,540,598 | 2,250,000 | 4,225,000 | 9,350,000 | 1,400,000 | |||||||||||||||
Exhibit 10.15
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC
A Delaware limited liability company
dated as of December 13, 2024
THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS IN SWIFTMERGE HOLDCO LLC HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE, OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS, AND HAVE BEEN OR ARE BEING ISSUED IN RELIANCE UPON EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS. SUCH INTERESTS MUST BE ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT ONLY AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, SOLD, ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED AT ANY TIME EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH (I) THE SECURITIES ACT, ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS; (II) THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT; AND (III) ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREED TO IN WRITING BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE APPLICABLE MEMBER. THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OF RECORD EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH LAWS, THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT, AND ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREED TO IN WRITING BY THE COMPANY AND THE APPLICABLE MEMBER. THEREFORE, PURCHASERS AND OTHER TRANSFEREES OF SUCH LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE RISK OF THEIR INVESTMENT OR ACQUISITION FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||
| Article I. GENERAL PROVISIONS | 1 | |
| Section 1.1 | Formation. | 1 |
| Section 1.2 | Name. | 1 |
| Section 1.3 | Principal Place of Business; Other Places of Business. | 1 |
| Section 1.4 | Designated Agent for Service of Process. | 1 |
| Section 1.5 | Term. | 2 |
| Section 1.6 | No State Law Partnership. | 2 |
| Section 1.7 | Business Purpose. | 2 |
| Section 1.8 | Powers. | 2 |
| Section 1.9 | Certificates; Filings. | 2 |
| Section 1.10 | Representations and Warranties by the Members. | 2 |
| Section 1.11 | LLC Agreement. | 4 |
| Section 1.12 | Liability. | 4 |
| Article II. UNITS; CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS | 4 | |
| Section 2.1 | Units. | 4 |
| Section 2.2 | Capital Contributions of the Members; No Deficit Restoration Obligation. | 4 |
| Section 2.3 | No Interest; No Return. | 5 |
| Section 2.4 | Issuances of Additional Units. | 5 |
| Section 2.5 | Additional Funds and Additional Capital Contributions | 6 |
| Article III. DISTRIBUTIONS | 8 | |
| Section 3.1 | Distributions Generally. | 8 |
| Section 3.2 | Tax Distributions. | 8 |
| Section 3.3 | Distributions in Kind. | 9 |
| Section 3.4 | Distributions to Reflect Additional Units. | 9 |
| Section 3.5 | Other Distribution Rules. | 9 |
| Article IV. MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS | 10 | |
| Section 4.1 | Management. | 10 |
| Section 4.2 | Tax Actions. | 13 |
| Section 4.3 | Compensation and Reimbursement of Manager. | 13 |
| Section 4.4 | Outside Activities. | 14 |
| Section 4.5 | Transactions with Affiliates. | 15 |
| Section 4.6 | Limitation on Liability. | 15 |
| Section 4.7 | Indemnification. | 16 |
| Article V. BOOKS AND RECORDS | 17 | |
| Section 5.1 | Books and Records. | 17 |
| Section 5.2 | Financial Accounts. | 17 |
| Section 5.3 | Inspection; Confidentiality. | 17 |
| Section 5.4 | Information to Be Provided by Manager to Members. | 17 |
| Article VI. TAX MATTERS, ACCOUNTING, AND REPORTING | 17 | |
| Section 6.1 | Tax Matters. | 17 |
| Section 6.2 | Accounting and Fiscal Year. | 18 |
i
| Article VII. UNIT TRANSFERS AND MEMBER WITHDRAWALS | 18 | |
| Section 7.1 | Transfer Generally Prohibited. | 18 |
| Section 7.2 | Conditions Generally Applicable to All Transfers. | 18 |
| Section 7.3 | Substituted Members. | 20 |
| Section 7.4 | Drag-Along Rights. | 20 |
| Section 7.5 | Withdrawal. | 21 |
| Section 7.6 | Restrictions on Termination Transactions. | 21 |
| Section 7.7 | Incapacity. | 22 |
| Section 7.8 | Legend. | 22 |
| Article VIII. ADMISSION OF ADDITIONAL MEMBERS | 23 | |
| Section 8.1 | Admission of Additional Members. | 23 |
| Section 8.2 | Limit on Number of Members. | 23 |
| Article IX. DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION | 23 | |
| Section 9.1 | Dissolution Generally. | 23 |
| Section 9.2 | Events Causing Dissolution. | 23 |
| Section 9.3 | Distribution upon Dissolution. | 24 |
| Section 9.4 | Rights of Members. | 25 |
| Section 9.5 | Termination. | 25 |
| Article X. PROCEDURES FOR ACTIONS AND CONSENTS OF MEMBERS; MEETINGS | 25 | |
| Section 10.1 | Actions and Consents of Members. | 25 |
| Section 10.2 | Procedures for Meetings and Actions of the Members. | 25 |
| Article XI. EXCHANGE RIGHTS | 27 | |
| Section 11.1 | Elective and Mandatory Exchanges. | 27 |
| Section 11.2 | Additional Terms Applying to Exchanges. | 27 |
| Section 11.3 | Exchange Consideration; Settlement. | 28 |
| Section 11.4 | Adjustment. | 29 |
| Section 11.5 | Class A Common Stock to Be Issued in Connection with an Exchange. | 29 |
| Section 11.6 | Tax Treatment. | 30 |
| Section 11.7 | Contribution by Manager. | 30 |
| Section 11.8 | Apportionment of Distributions. | 30 |
| Section 11.9 | Right of Manager to Acquire Exchangeable Units. | 30 |
| Article XII. MISCELLANEOUS | 30 | |
| Section 12.1 | Conclusive Nature of Determinations. | 30 |
| Section 12.2 | Company Counsel. | 30 |
| Section 12.3 | Appointment of Manager as Attorney-in-Fact. | 31 |
| Section 12.4 | Entire Agreement. | 31 |
| Section 12.5 | Further Assurances. | 32 |
| Section 12.6 | Notices. | 32 |
| Section 12.7 | Governing Law. | 32 |
| Section 12.8 | Jurisdiction and Venue. | 32 |
| Section 12.9 | Equitable Remedies. | 33 |
| Section 12.10 | Construction. | 33 |
| Section 12.11 | Counterparts. | 33 |
| Section 12.12 | Third-Party Beneficiaries. | 33 |
| Section 12.13 | Binding Effect. | 33 |
| Section 12.14 | Severability. | 33 |
| Section 12.15 | Survival. | 33 |
| Section 12.16 | Effect on Other Obligations of Members or the Company. | 34 |
| Section 12.17 | Confidentiality. | 34 |
| Section 12.18 | Creditors. | 34 |
| Section 12.19 | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. | 35 |
| Article XIII. DEFINED TERMS | 35 | |
| Section 13.1 | Definitions. | 35 |
| Section 13.2 | Interpretation. | 42 |
ii
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF SWIFTMERGE HOLDCO LLC
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) of Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), dated as of December 13, 2024, is entered into by and among the Members that are party hereto, AleAnna, Inc., a Delaware corporation (f/k/a Swiftmerge Acquisition Corp.) (the “Manager”), and each other Person as may become a Member from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Act.
WHEREAS, the Company was formed as a limited liability company pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. §§ 18-101, et seq. (as it may be amended from time to time, and any successor to such statute, the “Act”), under the name “Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC” by the filing of a Certificate of Formation (together with any amendments, the “Certificate of Formation”) of the Company in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 14, 2024;
WHEREAS, immediately prior to the adoption of this Agreement, the Company was governed by the Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2024 (the “Initial Operating Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, in connection with the Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among the Company, the Manager, Swiftmerge Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and AleAnna Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, dated as of June 4, 2024 (as further amended or modified in whole or in part from time to time in accordance with such agreement, the “Merger Agreement”), the Members and the Manager desire to amend and restate the Initial Operating Agreement in its entirety, with this Agreement superseding and replacing the Initial Operating Agreement in its entirety.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
Article
I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1.1 Formation. The Company was formed as a Delaware limited liability company by the filing of the Certificate of Formation, pursuant to the Act on May 14, 2024.
Section 1.2 Name. The name of the Company is “Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC.” The Company may also conduct business at the same time under one or more fictitious names in the discretion of the Manager. The Company may change its name, from time to time, in accordance with Law.
Section 1.3 Principal Place of Business; Other Places of Business. The principal business offices of the Company shall be in such location or locations as may be designated by the Manager from time to time. The Company may maintain offices and places of business at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the Manager deems advisable.
Section 1.4 Designated Agent for Service of Process. So long as required by the Act, the Company shall continuously maintain a registered office and a designated and duly qualified agent for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware. The address of the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be as set forth in the Certificate of Formation. The Company’s registered agent for service of process at such address shall also be as set forth in the Certificate of Formation.
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Section 1.5 Term. The term of the Company shall be perpetual unless and until the Company is dissolved in accordance with the Act or this Agreement. Notwithstanding the dissolution of the Company, the existence of the Company shall continue until its termination pursuant to this Agreement or as otherwise provided in the Act.
Section 1.6 No State Law Partnership. The Members intend that the Company shall not be a partnership (including a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Member shall be an agent, partner or joint venturer of any other Member, for any purposes other than for U.S. federal, and applicable state and local, income tax purposes, and this Agreement shall not be construed to suggest otherwise. Each Member hereby acknowledges and agrees that, except as expressly provided herein, in performing its obligations or exercising its rights under this Agreement, it is acting independently and is not acting in concert with, on behalf of, as agent for, or as joint venturer of, any other Member. Other than in respect of the Company, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as creating a corporation, association, joint stock company, business trust, or organized group of Persons, whether incorporated or not, among or involving any Member or its Affiliates, and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as creating or requiring any continuing relationship or commitment as between such parties other than as specifically set forth in this Agreement.
Section 1.7 Business Purpose. The purpose of the Company is to carry on any and all lawful businesses and activities permitted from time to time under the Act.
Section 1.8 Powers. The Company will possess and subject to any express limitations thereon in this Agreement, may exercise all of the powers and privileges granted to it by the Act, any other Law, or this Agreement, together with all powers incidental thereto, so far as such powers are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the purposes of the Company set forth in Section 1.7.
Section 1.9 Certificates; Filings. The Certificate of Formation was previously filed on behalf of the Company in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Act. The Manager shall take any and all other actions reasonably necessary to maintain the status of the Company under the Laws of the State of Delaware or any other state in which the Company shall do business. If requested by the Manager, the Members shall promptly execute all certificates and other documents consistent with the terms of this Agreement necessary for the Manager to accomplish all filing, recording, publishing, and other acts as may be appropriate to comply with all requirements for (a) the formation and operation of a limited liability company under the Laws of the State of Delaware, (b) if the Manager deems it advisable, the operation of the Company as a limited liability company, in all jurisdictions in which the Company proposes to operate, and (c) all other filings required (or determined by the Manager to be necessary or appropriate) to be made by the Company.
Section 1.10 Representations and Warranties by the Members.
(a) Individual-Member-Specific Representations. Each Member (including each Additional Member or Substituted Member as a condition to becoming an Additional Member or a Substituted Member) that is an individual represents and warrants to each other Member that (i) the execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be performed by such Member will not result in a breach or violation of any statute, regulation, order or other Law to which such Member is subject and (ii) this Agreement is binding upon, and enforceable against, such Member in accordance with its terms, except (A) to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (B) that the availability of equitable remedies, including specific performance, is subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding thereof may be brought.
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(b) Non-Individual-Member-Specific Representations. Each Member (including each Additional Member or Substituted Member as a condition to becoming an Additional Member or a Substituted Member) that is an individual represents and warrants to each other Member that (i) the execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be performed by such Member will not result in a breach or violation of any statute, regulation, order or other Law to which such Member is subject and (ii) this Agreement is binding upon, and enforceable against, such Member in accordance with its terms, except (A) to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (B) that the availability of equitable remedies, including specific performance, is subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding thereof may be brought.
(c) Securities Laws. Each Member (including each Additional Member or Substituted Member as a condition to becoming an Additional Member or Substituted Member) represents and warrants that it has acquired its interest in the Company for its own account and not for the purpose of, or with a view toward, the resale or distribution of all or any part thereof, and not with a view toward selling or otherwise distributing such interest or any part thereof at any particular time or under any predetermined circumstances. Each Member further represents and warrants that it is a sophisticated investor, able and accustomed to handling sophisticated financial matters for itself.
(d) ERISA. Each Member (including each Additional Member or Substituted Member as a condition to becoming an Additional Member or Substituted Member) represents and warrants that no interest in the Assets is being acquired by or on behalf of any entity that holds “plan assets” pursuant to the U.S. Department of Labor Regulations set forth at 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, for purposes of ERISA and/or Code Section 4975, or pursuant to any non-U.S., federal, state, or local laws or regulations that are similar in purpose and intent to ERISA and/or Code Section 4975 (“ERISA Similar Law”).
(e) Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties contained in Section 1.10(a), Section 1.10(b), Section 1.10(c), and Section 1.10(d) shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement by each Member (and, in the case of an Additional Member or a Substituted Member, the admission of such Additional Member or Substituted Member as a Member in the Company), and the dissolution, liquidation, and termination of the Company.
(f) No Representations as to Performance. Each Member (including each Additional Member or Substituted Member as a condition to becoming an Additional Member or Substituted Member) hereby acknowledges that no representations as to potential profit, cash flows, funds from operations or yield, if any, in respect of the Company or the Manager have been made by the Company or any Member or any employee or representative or Affiliate of the Company or any Member, and that projections and any other information, including financial and descriptive information and documentation, that may have been in any manner submitted to such Member shall not constitute any representation or warranty of any kind or nature, express or implied.
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(g) Modification of Representations and Warranties. The Manager may permit the modification of any of the representations and warranties contained in Section 1.10(a), Section 1.10(b), and Section 1.10(c), as applicable, to any Member (including any Additional Member or Substituted Member or any transferee of either); provided, that such representations and warranties, as modified, shall be set forth in either (i) a Unit Designation applicable to the Units held by such Member or (ii) a separate writing addressed to the Company.
Section 1.11 LLC Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the “limited liability company agreement” of the Company for purposes of the Act. The rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities of the Members shall be determined pursuant to the Act and this Agreement. To the extent that the rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities of any Member are different by reason of any provision of this Agreement than they would be under the Act in the absence of such provision, this Agreement shall control to the fullest extent permitted by the Act and other applicable Law.
Section 1.12 Liability. Except as otherwise provided by the Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Member shall be obligated personally (whether to the Company, any of the other Members, the creditors of the Company or any other third party) for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a Member.
Article
II.
UNITS; CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Section 2.1 Units.
(a) Generally. The interests of the Members in the Company are divided into, and represented by, the Units, each having the rights and obligations specified in this Agreement.
(b) Classes. The Units are initially divided into:
(i) “Class A Units,” which are issuable solely to the Manager and such other Persons as the Manager shall determine;
(ii) “Class C Units,” which are issuable to the Members as set forth on the Register and as otherwise provided in this Agreement; and
(iii) Other Classes of Units. The Company may issue additional Units or create additional classes, series, subclasses, or sub-series of Units in accordance with this Agreement.
Section 2.2 Capital Contributions of the Members; No Deficit Restoration Obligation.
(a) Capital Contributions. The Members made, shall be treated as having made, or have agreed to make, Capital Contributions to the Company and were issued the Units indicated on the Register. Except as provided by Law or in this Agreement, the Members shall have no obligation or, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or with the prior written consent of the Manager, right to make any other Capital Contributions or any loans to the Company.
(b) No Deficit Restoration Obligation. No Member shall have an obligation to make any contribution to the capital of the Company as the result of a deficit balance in its Capital Account, and any such deficit shall not be considered a Debt owed to the Company or to any other Person for any purpose whatsoever.
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Section 2.3 No Interest; No Return. No Member shall be entitled to interest on its Capital Contribution or on such Member’s Capital Account balance. Except as provided by this Agreement, any Unit Designation, or by Law, no Member shall have any right to demand or receive a withdrawal or the return of its Capital Contribution from the Company. Except to the extent provided in this Agreement or in any Unit Designation, no Member shall have priority over any other Member as to distributions or the return of Capital Contributions.
Section 2.4 Issuances of Additional Units. Subject to Section 2.5 and the rights of any Member set forth in a Unit Designation:
(a) General. The Company may issue additional Units for any Company purpose at any time or from time to time to the Members (including, subject to Section 2.4(b), the Manager) or any other Person and may admit any such Person as an Additional Member for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be established by the Company. Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, any additional Units may be issued in one or more classes or one or more series of any of such classes with such designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, rights to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption (including rights that may be senior or otherwise entitled to preference over existing Units) as shall be determined by the Manager in its sole discretion and set forth in a written document attached to and made an exhibit to this Agreement, which exhibit shall be an amendment to this Agreement and shall be incorporated into this Agreement by reference (each, a “Unit Designation”). Upon the issuance of any additional Unit, the Manager shall amend the Register and the books and records of the Company as appropriate to reflect such issuance. Except to the extent specifically set forth in any Unit Designation, a Unit of any class or series other than a Common Unit shall not entitle the holder thereof to vote on, or consent to, any matter. The Company may reissue any Units that have been repurchased or acquired by the Company. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement or other written agreement of the Company, no Person shall have any preemptive, preferential, participation or similar right or rights to subscribe for or acquire any Unit or Equivalent Unit in the Company.
(b) Issuances to the Manager. No additional Units shall be issued to the Manager unless at least one of the following conditions is satisfied:
(i) The additional Units are issued to all Members holding Common Units in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests in the Common Units;
(ii) The additional Units are (x) Class A Units (A) issued in connection with an issuance of Class A Common Stock or (B) issued with appropriate adjustments to the Exchange Rate, in the case of clause (B), in accordance with Section 11.4, or (y) Equivalent Units (other than Common Units) issued in connection with an issuance of Preferred Stock, New Securities, or other interests in the Manager (other than Common Stock), and, in each case, the Manager contributes to the Company the net proceeds (if any) received in connection with the issuance of such Class A Common Stock, Preferred Stock, New Securities, or other interests in the Manager;
(iii) There is a recapitalization of the Capital Stock of the Manager, including any stock split, stock dividend, reclassification or similar transaction;
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(iv) The additional Units are issued upon the conversion, redemption or exchange of Debt, Units or other securities issued by the Company and held by the Manager; or
(v) The additional Units are issued in accordance with the express terms of Section 2.5(g) or any of the other provisions of this Article II (other than Section 2.4(a)).
(c) Issuances of Class C Units. No additional Class C Units shall be issued except in the event of a recapitalization of the Capital Stock of the Manager, including any stock split, stock dividend, reclassification or similar transaction.
(d) No Preemptive Rights. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement or in any Unit Designation, no Person shall have any preemptive, preferential, participation or similar right or rights to subscribe for or acquire any Unit.
(e) Certificates. Initially, none of the Units will be represented by certificates. If the Manager determines to issue certificates representing the Units, certificates will be issued and the Units will be represented by those certificates, and this Agreement shall be amended as necessary or desirable by the Manager to reflect the issuance of certificated Units for purposes of the Uniform Commercial Code. Nothing contained in this Section 2.4(e) shall be deemed to authorize or permit any Member to Transfer its Units except as otherwise permitted under this Agreement.
Section 2.5 Additional Funds and Additional Capital Contributions
(a) General. The Company may, at any time and from time to time, determine that it requires additional funds (“Additional Funds”) for the acquisition or development of additional Assets, for the redemption of Units, or for such other purposes as the Company may determine. Additional Funds may be obtained by the Company in any manner provided in, and in accordance with, the terms of this Section 2.5 without the approval of any Member or any other Person.
(b) Additional Capital Contributions. The Company may obtain any Additional Funds by accepting Capital Contributions from any Members or other Persons. In connection with any such Capital Contribution, the Company is hereby authorized from time to time to issue additional Units (as set forth in Section 2.4) in consideration for such Capital Contribution.
(c) Loans by Third Parties. The Company may obtain any Additional Funds by incurring Debt payable to any Person upon such terms as the Company determines appropriate, including making such Debt convertible, redeemable, or exchangeable for Units; provided, however, that the Company shall not incur any such Debt if any Member would be personally liable for the repayment of all or any portion of such Debt unless that Member otherwise agrees in writing.
(d) Issuance of Securities by the Manager.
(i) Unless otherwise agreed to by the Members, after the completion of the SPAC Transaction, subject to Section 2.5(d)(ii), Section 2.5(d)(iii), and Article XI, the Manager shall not issue any additional Capital Stock or New Securities unless the Manager contributes the net proceeds received from the issuance of such additional Capital Stock or New Securities (as the case may be), and from the exercise of the rights contained in any such additional Capital Stock or New Securities to the Company in exchange for (i) in the case of an issuance of Class A Common Stock, Class A Units, or (ii) in the case of an issuance of Preferred Stock or New Securities, Equivalent Units. If at any time any Preferred Stock or New Securities are issued that are convertible into or exercisable for Class A Common Stock or another security of the Manager, then upon any such conversion or exercise, the corresponding Equivalent Unit shall be similarly converted or exercised, as applicable, and an equal number of Class A Units or other Equivalent Units shall be issued to the Manager. It is the intent of the parties that the Manager will always own Units equivalent in number and rights to its outstanding Capital Stock, except as provided pursuant to Section 11.4, and the parties hereby acknowledge that the Manager may make reasonable adjustments to its own capitalization, subject to applicable Law and the terms of any such outstanding Capital Stock, in order to effect such parity.
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(ii) New Securities that are derivative securities issued under any Incentive Compensation Plan of the Manager shall not require issuance of Equivalent Units by the Company until such time as such derivative securities are exercised for Capital Stock of the Manager.
(iii) Section 2.5(d)(i) shall not apply to the issuance and distribution to holders of shares of Class A Common Stock of rights to purchase Capital Stock or New Securities of the Manager under a “poison pill” or similar shareholders rights plan, but shall apply to the issuance of Capital Stock or New Securities of the Manager in connection with the exercise or settlement of such rights.
(e) Reimbursement of Issuance Expenses. If the Manager issues additional Capital Stock or New Securities and contributes the net proceeds (after deduction of any underwriters’ discounts and commissions) received from such issuance to the Company pursuant to Section 2.5(d), the Company shall reimburse or assume (on an after-tax basis) the Manager’s expenses associated with such issuance.
(f) Repurchase or Redemption of Capital Stock. If any shares of Capital Stock or New Securities are repurchased, redeemed or otherwise retired (whether by exercise of a put or call, automatically or by means of another arrangement) by the Manager, then the Manager shall cause the Company, immediately before such repurchase, redemption or retirement of such Capital Stock or New Securities, to redeem, repurchase or otherwise retire a corresponding number of Class A Units, Class C Units, or Equivalent Units held by the Manager, upon the same terms and for the same consideration as the Capital Stock or New Securities to be repurchased, redeemed, or retired.
(g) Reinvestment of Excess Cash. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Manager (i) receives Tax Distributions in an amount in excess of the amount necessary to enable the Manager to meet or pay its U.S. federal, state and local Tax obligations and any other operating expenses or (ii) holds any other excess cash amount, the Manager may, in its sole discretion, (A) distribute such excess cash amount to its shareholders or (B) contribute such excess cash amount to the Company in exchange for a number of Class A Units, and in the case of clause (B), the Manager may distribute to the holders of Class A Common Stock an amount of shares of Class A Common Stock corresponding to the Class A Units issued by the Company and with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Class A Units of the Company that were issued to the Manager.
(h) Redemptions of Units of the Manager. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company may redeem Units from the Manager for cash to fund any direct or indirect acquisition by the Manager of another Person; provided that, promptly after such redemption and acquisition, the Manager contributes or causes to be contributed, directly or indirectly, such Person or the material assets and liabilities of such Person to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in exchange for a number of Units equal to the number of Units so redeemed.
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Article III.
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 3.1 Distributions Generally.(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Article III and subject to the terms of any Unit Designation, the Company shall distribute an amount of Available Cash if, when, and as determined by the Manager to the Members pro rata in accordance with the number of their Units.
Section 3.2 Tax Distributions.
(a) Generally. If the amount distributed to a Member pursuant to Section 3.1, in respect of a Fiscal Year is less than that Member’s Assumed Tax Liability in respect of such Fiscal Year, the Company shall distribute an amount of Available Cash to the Members, pro rata in accordance with the number of Units owned (subject to any Unit Designation), such that each Member receives distributions of Available Cash in respect of each Fiscal Year in an amount at least equal to the Member’s Assumed Tax Liability for such Fiscal Year (each such distribution, a “Tax Distribution”); provided that notwithstanding any distributions pursuant to Section 3.1 or any other provision of this Agreement, the amounts required to be distributed as Tax Distributions under this Section 3.2(a) shall be an amount such that the Manager receives at least an amount equal to the Manager Tax-Related Liabilities with respect to such Fiscal Year. Except as provided in Section 3.2(d) and subject to any Unit Designation, all Tax Distributions shall be made pro rata in accordance with Units.
(b) Calculation of Assumed Tax Liability. For purposes of calculating the amount of each Member’s Tax Distributions under Section 3.2(a), a Member’s “Assumed Tax Liability” means an amount equal to the product of:
(i) the sum of (A) the net taxable income and gain allocated to that Member from the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the Fiscal Year and (B) to the extent (x) determined by the Company in its sole discretion and (y) attributable to the Company, the amount the Member is required to include in income by reason of Code Sections 707(c) (but not including guaranteed payments for services within the meaning of Code Sections 707(c)), 951(a), and 951A(a); multiplied by
(ii) unless otherwise determined by the Company, the combined effective U.S. federal, state, and local rate of tax applicable to the Manager for the Fiscal Year (such tax rate, the “Assumed Tax Rate”).
The calculation required by this Section 3.2(b) shall be made by taking into account (w) the character of the income or gain, (x) any allocations under Code Section 704(c), (y) any special basis adjustments resulting from any election under Section 754 of the Code, including adjustments under Code Sections 732, 734(b) or 743(b), and (z) any limitations on the use of deductions or credits allocable with respect to the Fiscal Year. In addition, the Company shall adjust a Member’s Assumed Tax Liability to the extent the Company reasonably determines is necessary or appropriate as a result of any differences between U.S. federal income tax law and the tax laws of other jurisdictions in which the Company has a taxable presence. The Company shall calculate the amount of any increase described in the preceding sentence by applying the principles of Section 3.2(b)(i) and (ii) replacing the words “U.S. federal” with a reference to the applicable jurisdiction.
(c) Timing of Tax Distributions. If reasonably practicable, the Company shall make distributions of the estimated Tax Distributions in respect of a Fiscal Year on a quarterly basis to facilitate the payment of quarterly estimated income taxes, taking into account amounts previously distributed by reason of this Section 3.2; provided that, if necessary for the Manager to timely satisfy any Manager Tax-Related Liabilities, the Company shall make estimated Tax Distributions on a more frequent basis. Not later than sixty (60) Business Days after the end of the Fiscal Year, the Company shall make a final Tax Distribution in an amount sufficient to fulfill the Company’s obligations under Section 3.2(a).
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(d) Impact of Insufficient Available Cash. If the amount of estimated or final Tax Distributions to be made exceeds the amount of the Available Cash as of the time of such estimated or final Tax Distribution, the Tax Distribution to which each Member is entitled pursuant to Section 3.2(a) shall be reduced in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.2(d) (the amount of such reduction with respect to each Member, such Member’s “Tax Distribution Shortfall Amount”), and Available Cash shall be distributed in the following order of priority:
(i) First, to the Manager in an amount equal to the full amount of its Tax Distribution; and
(ii) Second, to the Members other than the Manager pro rata in accordance with their Units (subject to any Unit Designation) in an aggregate amount such that each such Member has received distributions pursuant to this Section 3.2(d)(ii) that is not less than its Assumed Tax Liability.
Any Tax Distribution Shortfall Amounts will be carried forward to subsequent periods (in the event of estimated Tax Distributions) or Fiscal Years (in the event of final Tax Distributions), as applicable, and distributions will be made to resolve such amounts, in accordance with the foregoing order of priority when and to the extent that the Company has sufficient Available Cash (for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account any cash required to make Tax Distributions in respect of subsequent periods or Fiscal Years). Any outstanding Tax Distribution Shortfall Amounts must be resolved prior to making (or must be taken into account in making) any distribution under Section 3.1 or Section 9.3(a).
(e) Tax Distributions Treated as Advances. Any Tax Distributions made pursuant to this Section 3.2 shall be treated as an advance on distributions under Section 3.1 or Section 9.3(a)(iii).
(f) No Tax Distributions on Liquidation. No Tax Distributions shall be made in connection with a Liquidating Event or the liquidation of a Member’s Units in the Company.
Section 3.3 Distributions in Kind. No Member may demand to receive property other than cash as provided in this Agreement. The Company may make a distribution in kind of Assets to the Members, and if a distribution is made both in cash and in kind, such distribution shall be made so that, to the fullest extent practical, the percentage of the cash and any other Assets distributed to each Member entitled to such distribution is identical.
Section 3.4 Distributions to Reflect Additional Units. If the Company issues additional Units pursuant to the provisions of Article II, subject to the provisions of any Unit Designation, the Manager is authorized to make such revisions to this Article III and to Annex C as it determines are reasonably necessary or desirable to reflect the issuance of such additional Units, including making preferential distributions to certain classes of Units.
Section 3.5 Other Distribution Rules.
(a) Transfers. From and after the Transfer of a Unit, for purposes of determining the rights to distributions (including Tax Distributions) under this Agreement, distributions (including Tax Distributions) made to the transferor Member, along with any withholding or deduction in respect of any such distribution, shall be treated as having been made to the transferee unless otherwise determined by the Company.
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(b) Record Date for Distributions. The Company may designate a Record Date for purposes of calculating and giving effect to distributions. All distributions shall be made to the holders of record as of the applicable Record Date.
(c) Over-Distributions. If the amount of any distribution to a Member under the Agreement exceeds the amount to which the Member in entitled (e.g., by reason of an accounting error), the Member shall, upon written notice of the over-distribution delivered to the Member within one year of the over-distribution, promptly return the amount of such over-distribution to the Company.
(d) Reimbursements of Preformation Capital Expenditures. To the extent a distribution (or deemed distribution resulting from a reduction in a Member’s share of Company liabilities for federal tax purposes) otherwise would be treated as proceeds in a sale under Code Section 707(a)(2)(B), the Members intend such actual or deemed distribution to reimburse preformation capital expenditures under Treas. Reg. § 1.707-4(d) to the maximum extent permitted by Law.
(e) Limitation on Distributions. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not make a distribution to any Member to the extent such distribution would violate the Act or other Law or would result in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries being in default under any material agreement.
Article
IV.
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS
Section 4.1 Management.
(a) Authority of Manager.
(i) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Manager shall have full, exclusive, and complete discretion to manage and control the business and affairs of the Company, to make all decisions affecting the business and affairs of the Company and to do or cause to be done any and all acts, at the expense of the Company, as the Manager deems necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purposes and direct the affairs of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence and subject to this Section 4.1 and any other applicable provisions of this Agreement, the Manager may cause the Company, without the consent or approval of any other Member, to enter into any of the following in one or a series of related transactions: (i) any merger, (ii) any acquisition, (iii) any consolidation, (iv) any sale, lease or other transfer or conveyance of Assets, (v) any recapitalization or reorganization of outstanding securities, (vi) any merger, sale, lease, spin-off, exchange, transfer or other disposition of a Subsidiary, division or other business, (vii) any issuance of Debt or equity securities (subject to any limitations expressly provided for in this Agreement), or (viii) any incurrence of Debt.
(ii) The Manager shall have the exclusive power and authority to bind the Company and shall be an agent of the Company’s business. The actions of the Manager taken in such capacity and in accordance with this Agreement shall bind the Company. Except to the extent expressly delegated in writing by the Manager, no Member or Person other than the Manager shall be an agent for the Company or have any right, power or authority to transact any business in the name of the Company or act for or on behalf of or to bind the Company.
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(iii) Subject to the rights of any Member set forth in Section 4.1(f) or elsewhere in this Agreement, any determinations to be made by the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall be made by the Manager, and such determinations shall be final, conclusive and binding upon the Company and every Member.
(iv) The Manager shall constitute a “manager” (as that term is defined in the Act) of the Company.
(v) The Manager may not be removed as the Manager of the Company by the Members, with or without cause. AleAnna, Inc. shall not resign as, cease to be or be replaced as the Manager except in compliance with this Section 4.1(a)(iv). No removal, termination or resignation of AleAnna, Inc. as Manager shall be effective unless proper provision is made, in compliance with this Agreement, so that the obligations of AleAnna, Inc., its successor (if applicable) and any new Manager and the rights of all Members under this Agreement and applicable Law remain in full force and effect. No appointment of a Person other than AleAnna, Inc. (or its successor, as applicable) as Manager shall be effective unless AleAnna, Inc. (or its successor, as applicable) and the new Manager provide all other Members with contractual rights, directly enforceable by such other Members against AleAnna, Inc. (or its successor, as applicable) and the new Manager (as applicable), to cause (a) AleAnna, Inc. to comply with all of its obligations under this Agreement (including under Article XI) other than those that must necessarily be taken in its capacity as Manager and (b) the new Manager to comply with all the Manager’s obligations under this Agreement.
(b) Appointment of Officers. The Manager may, from time to time, appoint such officers and establish such management and/or advisory boards or committees of the Company as the Manager deems necessary or advisable, each of which shall have such powers, authority, and responsibilities as are delegated in writing by the Manager from time to time. Each such officer and/or board or committee member shall serve at the pleasure of the Manager. The initial Officers of the Company are set forth on Annex D attached to this Agreement.
(c) No Participation by Members. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or required by any non-waivable provision of the Act or other Law and subject to Section 4.1, no Member (acting in such capacity) shall (x) have any right to vote on or consent to any other matter, act, decision or document involving the Company or its business or any other matter, or (y) take part in the day-to-day management, or the operation or control, of the business and affairs of the Company. No Member, as such, shall have the power to bind the Company.
(d) Bankruptcy. Only the Manager may commence a voluntary case on behalf of, or an involuntary case against, the Company under a chapter of Title 11 U.S.C. by the filing of a “petition” (as defined in 11 U.S.C. 101(42)) with the United States Bankruptcy Court. Any such petition filed by any other Member, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, shall be deemed an unauthorized and bad faith filing, and all parties to this Agreement shall use their best efforts to cause such petition to be dismissed.
(e) Amendment of Agreement. All amendments to this Agreement must be approved by the Manager. Subject to the rights of any Member set forth in a Unit Designation and Section 4.1(f) and Section 4.1(g), the Manager shall have the power, without the consent or approval of any Member, to amend this Agreement as may be required to facilitate or implement any of the following purposes:
(i) To add to the obligations of the Manager or surrender any right or power granted to the Manager or any Affiliate of the Manager for the benefit of the Members;
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(ii) To reflect a change that is of an inconsequential nature or does not adversely affect the Members in any material respect, or to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision in this Agreement not inconsistent with Law or with other provisions, or make other changes with respect to matters arising under this Agreement that will not be inconsistent with Law or with the provisions of this Agreement;
(iii) To satisfy any requirements, conditions, or guidelines contained in any order, directive, opinion, ruling or regulation of a federal or state agency, or in federal or state Law;
(iv) To reflect the admission, substitution, or withdrawal of Members, the Transfer of any Units, the issuance of additional Units, or the termination of the Company in accordance with this Agreement, and to amend the Register in connection with such admission, substitution, withdrawal, or Transfer;
(v) To set forth or amend the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any additional Units issued pursuant to Article II;
(vi) If the Company is the Surviving Company in any Termination Transaction, to modify Section 10.1 or any related definitions to provide the holders of interests in the Surviving Company rights that are consistent with Section 7.6(b)(iii); and
(vii) To reflect any other modification to this Agreement as is reasonably necessary or appropriate for the business or operations of the Company or the Manager and that does not violate a Unit Designation, Section 4.1(f), or Section 4.1(g).
(f) Certain Amendments and Actions Requiring Member Consent.
(i) Notwithstanding anything in Section 4.1(e) or Article X to the contrary, this Agreement shall not be amended, and no action may be taken by the Manager or the Company without the consent of any Member holding Common Units that would be adversely affected by such amendment or action. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 4.1(f)(i), the Members holding Common Units will be deemed to be adversely affected by an amendment or action that would (A) adversely alter the rights of any Member to receive the distributions to which such Member is entitled pursuant to Article III or Section 9.3(a)(iii), (B) convert the Company into a corporation or cause the Company to be classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (other than in connection with a Termination Transaction), or (C) amend this Section 4.1(f)(i). Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding two sentences of this Section 4.1(f)(i), but subject to Section 4.1(f)(ii), the consent of any Member holding Common Units that would be adversely affected by an amendment or action shall not be required for any such amendment or action that affects all Members holding the same class or series of Units on a uniform or pro rata basis if such amendment or action is approved by a Majority-in-Interest of the Members of such class or series. If some, but not all, of the Members consent to such an amendment or action, the Company may, in its discretion, make such amendment or action effective only as to the Members that consented to it, to the extent it is practicable to do so.
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(ii) Notwithstanding anything in Section 4.1(e) or Article X to the contrary, this Agreement shall not be amended, and no action may be taken by the Manager or the Company without the consent of any Member holding Common Units (other than the Manager) that would be adversely affected by such amendment or action if such amendment or action would (A) increase the liabilities of any Member hereunder (including amendments of Section 4.6 or Section 4.7 that would increase liabilities or decrease protections for a Member), modify the limited liability of a Member or increase the obligation of a Member to make a Capital Contribution to the Company, (B) adversely alter a Member’s rights to Transfer Units pursuant to Article VII, (C) adversely alter the rights of any applicable Member to exchange Exchangeable Units pursuant to Article XI or Annex E, (D) adversely alter the rights of a Member pursuant to Section 2.4 and Section 2.5 or (E) amend this Section 4.1(f)(ii).
(g) Implementation of Amendments. Upon obtaining any Consent required under this Section 4.1 or otherwise required by this Agreement, and without further action or execution by any other Person, including any Member, (i) any amendment to this Agreement may be implemented and reflected in a writing executed solely by the Manager, and (ii) the Members shall be deemed a party to and bound by that amendment of this Agreement.
Section 4.2 Tax Actions. All tax-related actions, decisions, or determinations (or failure to take any available tax-related action, decision, or determination) by or with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company not expressly reserved for the Members shall be made, taken, or determined by the Manager; provided, however, any action, decision, or determination that could reasonably be expected to have a material consequence to the Class C Members that is disproportionately adverse to them as compared to the Manager shall not be taken without the prior written consent of the Company Unitholder Representative (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
Section 4.3 Compensation and Reimbursement of Manager.
(a) General. The Manager shall not receive any fees from the Company for its services in administering the Company, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.
(b) Reimbursement of Manager. The Company shall be liable for, and shall reimburse the Manager on an after-tax basis at such intervals as the Manager may determine, all:
(i) overhead, administrative expenses, insurance and reasonable legal, accounting and other professional fees and expenses of the Manager;
(ii) expenses of the Manager incidental to being a public reporting company (including, without limitation public reporting obligations, proxy statements, stockholder meetings, stock exchange fees, transfer agent fees, accounting fees, legal fees, SEC and FINRA filing fees and offering expenses);
(iii) fees and expenses related to the IPO or any subsequent public offering of equity securities of the Manager or private placement of equity securities of the Manager (including any reasonable fees and expenses related to the registration for resale of any such securities), whether or not consummated;
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(iv) franchise and similar taxes of the Manager and other fees and expenses in connection with the maintenance of the existence of the Manager;
(v) customary compensation and benefits payable by the Manager, and indemnities provided by the Manager on behalf of, the officers, directors, and employees of the Manager; and
(vi) reasonable expenses paid by the Manager on behalf of the Company; provided, however, that the amount of any reimbursement shall be reduced by any interest earned by the Manager with respect to bank accounts or other instruments or accounts held by it on behalf of the Company as permitted pursuant to Section 4.4. Such reimbursements shall be in addition to any reimbursement of the Manager as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 4.7.
Section 4.4 Outside Activities.
(a) Limitation on Outside Activities of Manager. The Manager shall not directly or indirectly enter into or conduct any business, other than in connection with (i) the ownership, acquisition, and disposition of Units, (ii) maintaining its legal existence (including the ability to incur and pay, as applicable, fees, costs, expenses and taxes relating to that maintenance), (iii) the management of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (iv) its operation as a reporting company with a class (or classes) of securities registered under the Exchange Act, (v) the offering, sale, syndication, private placement, or public offering of stock, bonds, securities, or other interests of the Manager, (vi) the financing or refinancing of any type related to the Company or its Assets or activities, (vii) receiving and paying dividends and distributions or making contributions to the capital of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (viii) filing tax reports and tax returns and paying taxes and other customary obligations in the ordinary course (and contesting any taxes), (ix) participating in tax, accounting, and other administrative matters with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries and providing administrative and advisory services (including treasury and insurance services, including maintaining directors’ and officers’ insurance on its behalf and on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries) to the Company and its Subsidiaries, (x) holding any cash or property (but not operating any property or business), (xi) indemnifying officers, directors, members of management, Managers, employees, consultants, or independent contractors of the Manager, the Company or their respective Subsidiaries, (xii) entering into any Termination Transaction or similar transaction in accordance with this Agreement, (xiii) preparing reports to governmental authorities and to its stockholders, (xiv) holding director and stockholder meetings, preparing organizational records, and other organizational activities required to maintain its separate organizational structure, (xv) complying with applicable Law, (xvi) engaging in activities relating to any management equity plan, stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan of the Manager, the Company or their respective Subsidiaries, and (xvii) engaging in activities that are incidental to clauses (i) through (xvi). The provisions of this Section 4.4 shall restrict only the Manager and its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) and shall not restrict the other Members or any Affiliate of the other Members (other than the Manager).
(b) Outside Activities of Members.
(i) Subject to (x) any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 4.5, and (y) any other agreements (including any employment agreement) entered into by a Member or any of its Affiliates with the Manager, the Company or a Subsidiary, any Member (but, with respect to the Manager, subject to Section 4.4(a)), or any officer, director, employee, agent, trustee, Affiliate, member or stockholder of any Member shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Company, including business interests and activities that are in direct or indirect competition with the Company or that are enhanced by the activities of the Company, and, in any such case, need not (A) first offer the Company or any of its Subsidiaries an opportunity to participate in such business interests or activities or (B) account to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to such business interests or activities.
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(ii) None of the Members, the Company or any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement or the relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any other Member or Person. Subject to any other agreements entered into by a Member or its Affiliates with the Manager, the Company or a Subsidiary, no Member (other than the Manager) or any such other Person shall have any obligation pursuant to this Agreement to offer any interest in any such business ventures to the Company, any Member, or any such other Person.
Section 4.5 Transactions with Affiliates. Subject to the provisions of Section 4.1(f) and Section 4.4, the Company may enter into any transaction or arrangement with the Manager or Subsidiaries of the Company or other Persons in which the Company has an equity investment on terms and conditions determined by the Manager. Without limiting the foregoing, but subject to Section 4.1(f) and Section 4.4, (a) the Company may (i) lend funds to, or borrow funds from, the Manager or to Subsidiaries of the Company or other Persons in which the Company has an equity investment and (ii) transfer Assets to joint ventures, limited liability companies, partnerships, corporations, business trusts or other business entities in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or thereby becomes a participant, and (b) the Manager may (i) propose and adopt on behalf of the employee benefit plans funded by the Company for the benefit of employees of the Manager, the Company, Subsidiaries of the Company or any Affiliate of any of them in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of the Manager, the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries and (ii) sell, transfer or convey any property to the Company, directly or indirectly.
Section 4.6 Limitation on Liability.
(a) General. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, no Indemnitee, in such capacity, shall be liable to the Company, any Member or any of their respective Affiliates, for any losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission of such Person if (i) either (A) the Indemnitee, at the time of such act or omission, determined in good faith that its, his or her course of conduct was in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company or (B) in the case of omission by the Indemnitee, the Indemnitee did not intend its, his or her inaction to be harmful or opposed to the best interests of the Company and (ii) the act or omission did not constitute fraud or intentional misconduct by the Indemnitee.
(b) Action in Good Faith. An Indemnitee acting under this Agreement shall not be liable to the Company for its, his, or her good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they expand, restrict, or eliminate the duties and liabilities of such Persons otherwise existing at Law or in equity, are agreed by the Members to replace fully and completely such other duties and liabilities of such Persons. Whenever the Manager or the Company is permitted or required to make a decision or take an action under this Agreement (i) in making such decisions, such Person shall be entitled to take into account its own interests as well as the interests of the Members as a whole or (ii) in its “good faith” or under another expressed standard, such Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standards.
(c) Outside Counsel. The Manager may consult with legal counsel, accountants and financial or other advisors, and any act or omission suffered or taken by the Manager on behalf of the Company or in furtherance of the interests of the Company in good faith in reliance upon and in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or financial or other advisors will be full justification for any such act or omission, and the Manager will be fully protected in so acting or omitting to act so long as such counsel or accountants or financial or other advisors were selected with reasonable care.
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(d) Duties of Members. Other than obligations of Members explicitly set forth in this Agreement, no Member (other than the Manager in its capacity as a manager), including any Member who may be deemed to be a controlling Member under applicable Law (other than the Manager in its capacity as a manager), shall owe any duty (of loyalty, care or otherwise) to the Company or to any other Member solely by reason of being a Member. With respect to each matter requiring approval of a Majority-in-Interest of the Members, each Member having voting rights may grant or withhold such Member’s vote under this Agreement, in such Member’s sole judgment, as directed or otherwise determined by such Member, without regard to the interests of any other Member or of the Company, and no Member shall have any duty to represent or act in the best interests of the Company or any other Member.
Section 4.7 Indemnification.
(a) General. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee (and such Person’s heirs, successors, assigns, executors or administrators) to the full extent permitted by Law and to the same extent and in the same manner provided by the provisions of Article VI of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Manager applicable to officers and directors as if such provisions were set forth herein, mutatis mutandis, and applied to each such Indemnitee.
(b) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Section 4.7 shall not be exclusive of any other right that any Person may have or hereafter acquire under any law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, provisions of a certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or otherwise.
(c) Nature of Rights. The rights conferred upon Indemnitees in this Section 4.7 shall be contract rights and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be the Manager, an Affiliate of the Manager, the Tax Representative, the Designated Individual, or an officer or director of the Manager, the Company, or their respective Affiliates. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Section 4.7 or of Article VI of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Manager that would adversely affect any right of an Indemnitee or its successors shall apply prospectively only and shall not limit or eliminate any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place before such amendment, alteration or repeal.
(d) Breaches. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 4.7 will (i) limit or waive any claims against, rights to sue or other remedies or recourse the Company, any Member or any other Person may have against an Indemnitee for a breach of contract claim relating to any binding agreement to which any Indemnitee is a party (including, where applicable, this Agreement) or (ii) entitle any such Indemnitee to be indemnified or advanced expenses with respect to such a breach.
(e) Severability. If this Section 4.7 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify and hold harmless each applicable Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 4.7 to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Section 4.7 that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law.
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Article
V.
BOOKS AND RECORDS
Section 5.1 Books and Records.
(a) General. The Company shall maintain in its principal business office, or any other place as may be determined by the Company, the books and records of the Company.
(b) Specific Records. In particular, the Company shall maintain:
(i) A register containing the name, address, and number and class of Units (including Equivalent Units) of each Member, and such other information as the Manager may deem necessary or desirable and attached to this Agreement as Annex A (as may be amended or updated from time to time, the “Register”). The Manager shall from time to time update the Register as necessary to ensure the Register is accurate, including as a result of any sales, exchanges, or other Transfers, or any redemptions, issuances, or similar events involving Units. Except as required by Law, no Member shall be entitled to receive a copy of the Register or of the information set forth in the Register relating to any Member other than itself.
(ii) A copy of the Certificate of Formation and this Agreement and all amendments thereto.
Section 5.2 Financial Accounts. At all times during the continuance of the Company, the Company shall prepare and maintain separate books of account for the Company for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis, in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.
Section 5.3 Inspection; Confidentiality. The Manager may keep confidential from the Members (or any of them) for such period of time as the Manager determines to be reasonable, any information (a) that the Manager believes to be in the nature of trade secrets, (b) the disclosure of which the Manager in good faith believes is not in the best interests of the Company or the Manager, or (c) that the Company or the Manager is required by Law, agreement, or customary commercial practice to keep confidential. Subject to the provisions of the previous sentence, the Members (personally or through an authorized representative) may, for purposes reasonably related to their respective interests in the Company, examine and copy (at their own cost and expense) the books and records of the Company at all reasonable business hours upon reasonable prior notice.
Section 5.4 Information to Be Provided by Manager to Members. The Company shall deliver (or otherwise make accessible) to each Member a copy of any information mailed or delivered electronically to all of the common stockholders of the Manager as soon as practicable after such mailing or electronic delivery.
Article
VI.
TAX MATTERS, ACCOUNTING, AND REPORTING
Section 6.1 Tax Matters.
(a) Tax Returns. The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause to be prepared and timely filed (taking into account available extensions) all federal, state, and local, and non-U.S. tax returns of the Company for each year for which such returns are required to be filed and shall determine the appropriate treatment of each tax item of the Company and make all other determinations with respect to such tax returns.
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(b) Other Tax-Related Matters. Each of the provisions of Annex C, which address various tax-related matters, is incorporated into and shall constitute a part of this Agreement.
Section 6.2 Accounting and Fiscal Year. Unless otherwise determined by the Company or required by Code Section 706, the fiscal year of the Company (the “Fiscal Year”) shall be the calendar year ending December 31st, or, in the case of the last Fiscal Year of the Company, the fraction thereof ending on the date on which the winding up of the Company is completed.
Article
VII.
UNIT TRANSFERS AND MEMBER WITHDRAWALS
Section 7.1 Transfer Generally Prohibited. No Units shall be Transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article VII and Article X. Any Transfer or purported Transfer of a Unit not made in accordance with this Article VII or Article X shall be null and void ab initio. Units shall not be subject to the claims of any creditor, spouse for alimony or support, or legal process and may not be voluntarily or involuntarily alienated or encumbered except as may be specifically provided for in this Agreement.
Section 7.2 Conditions Generally Applicable to All Transfers. All Transfers are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) Transfers by Members Other than the Manager.
(i) Consent of Manager. No Member other than the Manager shall Transfer all or any portion of its Units to any transferee without the prior written consent of the Manager unless the Transfer is a Related-Party Transfer.
(ii) Assumption of Obligations; No Relief from Obligations. Any transferee of all or a portion of a Unit (whether or not admitted as a Substituted Member) shall take subject to and assume, by operation of Law or express agreement, all of the obligations of the transferor Member under this Agreement with respect to such Transferred Unit. No Transfer (other than pursuant to a statutory merger or consolidation pursuant to which all obligations and liabilities of the transferor Member are assumed by a successor corporation by operation of Law) shall relieve the transferor Member of its obligations under this Agreement without the approval of the Manager.
(iii) No Rights as Member. No transferee, whether by a voluntary Transfer, by operation of Law or otherwise, shall have any rights under this Agreement unless and until admitted as a Substituted Member.
(b) Transfers by the Manager.
(i) Consent of Members. The Manager may not Transfer any of its Units without the consent of a Majority-in-Interest of the Members, except in connection with an Applicable Sale or Termination Transaction or to a wholly owned subsidiary in accordance with Section 7.2(b)(ii).
(ii) Transfer to Subsidiary. Subject to compliance with the other provisions of this Article VII, the Manager may Transfer all of its Units at any time to any Person that is, at the time of such Transfer, a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Manager without the consent of any Member and may designate the transferee to become the new Manager for all purposes of this Agreement.
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(c) Withholding with Respect to a Transfer of Units. A Member making a Transfer permitted by this Agreement shall comply with Section 4.10(b) of Annex C.
(d) Other Restrictions on Transfer. In addition to any other restrictions on Transfer in this Agreement, no Member may Transfer a Unit (including by way of acquisition of Units by the Manager or any other acquisition of Units by the Company) if the Manager determines:
(i) Such Transfer (A) would result in the Company having more than 100 partners, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1)(ii) (determined taking into account the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3)), or (B) would create an undue risk that the Company be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code or a successor provision or otherwise classified as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal, state, or local income tax purposes; provided, that a Transfer by a Member shall not be prohibited under Section 7.2(d)(i)(B) if the Member obtains a tax opinion on which the Manager and the Company can rely from nationally recognized tax counsel that the Transfer will not result in the Company being treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code or a successor provision or otherwise classified as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal, state, or local income tax purposes;
(ii) That the Transfer would be to any Person or entity that lacks the legal right, power or capacity to own a Unit;
(iii) That the Transfer would be in violation of Law;
(iv) That the Transfer would be of any fractional or component portion of a Unit or rights to distributions, separate and apart from all other components of a Unit;
(v) That the Transfer would create a material risk that the Company would engage in a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” under Section 406 of ERISA or Code Section 4975(c) or result in a violation of any ERISA Similar Law;
(vi) That the Transfer would create a material risk that any portion of the Assets would constitute “plan assets” subject to ERISA, Code Section 4975, or any ERISA Similar Law;
(vii) That the Transfer would require the registration of such Unit pursuant to any applicable federal or state securities Laws;
(viii) That such Transfer would create a material risk that the Company would become a reporting company under the Exchange Act; or
(ix) That the Transfer would subject the Company to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 or ERISA, each as amended.
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Section 7.3 Substituted Members.
(a) Admission as Member. A transferee of Units of a Member, other than a Related-Party Transferee, may be admitted as a Substituted Member only with the consent of the Company. A Related-Party Transferee shall be admitted as a Substituted Member without the consent of the Company, subject to compliance with Section 7.3(b). The failure or refusal by the Company to permit a transferee of Units to become a Substituted Member shall not give rise to any cause of action against the Company or the Manager. A transferee who has been admitted as a Substituted Member in accordance with this Article VII shall have all the rights and powers and be subject to all the restrictions and liabilities of a Member under this Agreement.
(b) Documents to Be Provided by Transferee. No transferee shall be admitted as a Substituted Member until and unless it furnishes to the Manager (i) evidence of acceptance, in form and substance satisfactory to the Manager, of all the terms, conditions and applicable obligations of this Agreement, (ii) a counterpart signature page to this Agreement executed by such transferee and (iii) such other documents and instruments as the Manager may require to effect such transferee’s admission as a Substituted Member, including a certification from the transferee or an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company in respect of any of the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 7.2(d) (which certification or opinion may be waived, in whole or in part, in the sole discretion of the Company).
(c) Amendment of Books and Records. In connection with, and as evidence of, the admission of a Substituted Member, the Manager or Company shall amend the Register and the books and records of the Company to reflect the name, address and number of Units of such Substituted Member and to eliminate or adjust, if necessary, the name, address and number of Units of the predecessor of such Substituted Member.
Section 7.4 Drag-Along Rights.
(a) If at any time the Manager and/or its Affiliates (excluding, for purposes of this Section 7.4, the Company and its Subsidiaries) desire to Transfer in one or more transactions a sufficient portion of its and/or their Units (or any beneficial interest therein) to constitute a Change of Control to a bona fide third party that is not an Affiliate of the Manager (an “Applicable Sale”), the Manager may require each other Member either (i) to sell the same ratable share of its Units as is being sold by the Manager and such Affiliates (based upon the total Units held by the Manager and its Affiliates at such time) on the same terms and conditions and/or (ii) to exchange its Units pursuant to Section 10.2(b) (each, a “Drag-Along Right”). The Manager may in its sole discretion elect to cause the Manager and/or the Company to structure the Applicable Sale as a merger or consolidation or as a sale of the Company’s Assets.
(b) No Member shall have any dissenters’ rights, appraisal rights or similar rights in connection with any Applicable Sale, and no Member may object to any subsequent liquidation or other distribution of the proceeds from an Applicable Sale that is a sale of Assets. Each Member agrees to consent to, and raise no objections against, an Applicable Sale. In the event of the exercise by the Manager of its Drag-Along Right pursuant to this Section 7.4, each Member shall take all reasonably necessary and desirable actions approved by the Manager in connection with the consummation of the Applicable Sale, including the execution of such agreements and such instruments and other actions reasonably necessary to provide customary and reasonable representations, warranties, indemnities, covenants, conditions and other agreements relating to such Applicable Sale and to otherwise effect the transaction; provided, however, that (A) such Members shall not be required to give disproportionately greater or more onerous representations, warranties, indemnities, or covenants than the Manager or its Affiliates, (B) such Members shall not be obligated to bear any share of the out-of-pocket expenses, costs, or fees (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Company or its Affiliates in connection with such Applicable Sale unless and to the extent that such expenses, costs, and fees were incurred for the benefit of the Company or all of its Members, (C) such Members shall not be obligated or otherwise responsible for more than their proportionate shares of any indemnities or other liabilities incurred by the Company and the Members as sellers in respect of such Applicable Sale, (D) any indemnities or other liabilities approved by the Manager shall be limited, in respect of each Member, to such Member’s share of the proceeds from the Applicable Sale, and (E) such Members shall not be required to enter into any non-compete agreement in connection with such Applicable Sale.
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(c) At least five (5) Business Days before consummation of an Applicable Sale, the Manager shall (i) provide the Members written notice (the “Applicable Sale Notice”) of the Applicable Sale, which notice shall contain (A) the name and address of the third-party purchaser, (B) the proposed purchase price, terms of payment, and other material terms and conditions of the purchaser’s offer, together with a copy of any binding agreement with respect to the Applicable Sale and (C) notification of whether the Manager has elected to exercise its Drag-Along Right and (ii) promptly notify the Members of all proposed changes to the material terms and keep the Members reasonably informed as to all material terms relating to the Applicable Sale or contribution, and promptly deliver to the Members copies of all final material agreements relating to the Applicable Sale not already provided in accordance with this Section 7.4(b) or otherwise. The Manager shall provide the Members written notice of the termination of an Applicable Sale within five (5) Business Days following such termination, which notice shall state that the Applicable Sale Notice served with respect to such Applicable Sale is rescinded.
Section 7.5 Withdrawal.
(a) Permissible Withdrawals. Subject to any Unit Designation, no Member may withdraw from the Company other than:
(i) As a result of a Transfer of all of such Member’s Units in accordance with this Article VII or Article X with respect to which the transferee becomes a Substituted Member;
(ii) Pursuant to an acquisition by the Manager or Subsidiary of the Manager of all of its Units; or
(iii) With the prior written consent of the Company.
(b) Consequences of Withdrawal. Any Member who Transfers all of its Units in a Transfer (i) permitted pursuant to this Article VII where such transferee was admitted as a Substituted Member or (ii) to the Manager, whether or not pursuant to Section 10.1, shall cease to be a Member but shall continue to have the obligations of a former Member that are expressly set forth in this Agreement.
Section 7.6 Restrictions on Termination Transactions.
(a) General. Except as provided in Section 7.6(b), neither the Company nor the Manager shall engage in, or cause or permit, a Termination Transaction.
(b) Consent. The Company or Manager may engage in, cause, or permit a Termination Transaction only if at least one of the following conditions is satisfied:
(i) A Majority-in-Interest of the Members give Consent;
(ii) In connection with any such Termination Transaction, each holder of Common Units (other than the Manager and its wholly owned Subsidiaries) will receive, or will have the right to elect to receive, for each Common Unit an amount of cash, securities or other property equal to the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property that the holder of Common Units would have received had it exercised its right to Exchange pursuant to Article X and received Class A Common Stock in exchange for its Common Units immediately before such Termination Transaction; or
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(iii) All of the following conditions are met: (1) substantially all of the Assets directly or indirectly owned by the Company before the announcement of the Termination Transaction are, immediately after the Termination Transaction, owned directly or indirectly by the Company or another limited partnership or limited liability company that is the survivor of a merger, consolidation or combination of assets with the Company (in each case, the “Surviving Company”); (2) the Surviving Company is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and each of its Subsidiaries has the same classification for U.S. federal, state, and local tax purposes immediately after the Termination Transaction that each Subsidiary had immediately before the Termination Transaction; (3) the rights of such Members with respect to the Surviving Company are at least as favorable as those of Members holding Units immediately before the consummation of such Termination Transaction (except to the extent that any such rights are consistent with clause (4) of this Section 7.6(b)(iii) and as those applicable to any other limited partners or non-managing members of the Surviving Company); and (4) such rights include the right to cause their interests in the Surviving Company to be redeemed at any time or times for cash in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of such interest at the time of redemption, as determined at least once every calendar quarter by an independent appraisal firm of recognized national standing retained by the Surviving Company.
Section 7.7 Incapacity. If a Member is subject to Incapacity, the executor, administrator, trustee, committee, guardian, conservator, or receiver of such Member’s estate (a “Member Representative”) shall have the same rights as the Incapacitated Member possessed to Transfer its Units. The Incapacity of a Member, in and of itself, shall not dissolve or terminate the Company. Unless a Member or Member Representative informs the Company in writing of the Member’s Incapacity, the Company shall have the right to assume each Member is not Incapacitated. The Company shall have no obligation to determine whether or not a Member is Incapacitated.
Section 7.8 Legend. Each certificate representing a Unit, if any, will be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.
THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM UNDER SUCH ACT.
THE TRANSFER AND VOTING OF THESE SECURITIES IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC DATED AS OF December 13, 2024, AMONG THE MEMBERS LISTED THEREIN, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED, SUPPLEMENTED AND/OR RESTATED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND NO TRANSFER OF THESE SECURITIES WILL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO COST BY WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES.”
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Article
VIII.
ADMISSION OF ADDITIONAL MEMBERS
Section 8.1 Admission of Additional Members.
(a) Requirements for Admission. A Person (other than a then-existing Member) who makes a Capital Contribution to the Company in exchange for Units and in accordance with this Agreement shall be admitted to the Company as an Additional Member only upon furnishing to the Manager (i) evidence of acceptance, in form and substance satisfactory to the Manager, of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the power of attorney granted in Section 11.1, (ii) a counterpart signature page to this Agreement executed by such Person, and (iii) such other documents or instruments as may be required by the Manager in order to effect such Person’s admission as an Additional Member. In connection with, and as evidence of, the admission of an Additional Member, the Manager shall amend the Register and the books and records of the Company to reflect the name, address, number and type of Units of such Additional Member.
(b) Consent of the Company Required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8.1, no Person shall be admitted as an Additional Member without the consent of the Company. The admission of any Person as an Additional Member shall become effective on the date determined by the Company (but in no case earlier than the satisfaction of all the conditions set forth in Section 8.1(a)).
Section 8.2 Limit on Number of Members. Unless otherwise permitted by the Manager, no Person shall be admitted to the Company after the date of this Agreement as an Additional Member if the effect of such admission would be to cause the Company to have a number of Members (including as Members for this purpose those Persons indirectly owning an interest in the Company through another partnership, a limited liability company, a subchapter S corporation or a grantor trust) that would cause the Company to become a reporting company under the Exchange Act.
Article
IX.
DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION
Section 9.1 Dissolution Generally.
(a) Dissolution Only in Accordance with This Agreement. The Company shall not be dissolved by the substitution of Members or the admission of Additional Members in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Company may be dissolved, liquidated and terminated only pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, and the Members hereby irrevocably waive any and all other rights they may have to cause a dissolution of the Company or a sale or partition of any or all of the Company’s Assets.
(b) Termination of Members. The death, retirement, resignation, expulsion, Bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution of a Member or the occurrence of any other event that terminates the continued membership of a Member in the Company shall not in and of itself cause dissolution of the Company.
Section 9.2 Events Causing Dissolution.
(a) Actions by Members. No Member shall take any action to dissolve, terminate or liquidate the Company, or require apportionment, appraisal or partition of the Company or any of its Assets, or file a bill for an accounting, except as specifically provided in this Agreement, and each Member, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, waives any rights to take any such actions under Law, including any right to petition a court for judicial dissolution under Section 18-802 of the Act.
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(b) Liquidating Events. The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs shall be wound up upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each, a “Liquidating Event”):
(i) an election to dissolve the Company made by the Manager, with the Consent of a Majority-in-Interest of the Members;
(ii) a dissolution of the Company under Section 18-801(4) of the Act, unless the Company is continued without dissolution pursuant thereto; or
(iii) the entry of a judicial decree under Section 18-802 of the Act.
Section 9.3 Distribution upon Dissolution.
(a) Order of Distributions. Upon the dissolution of the Company pursuant to Section 9.2, the Manager (or, in the event that the Manager has dissolved, become Bankrupt or ceased to operate, any Person elected by a Majority-in-Interest of the Members (the Manager or such other Person, the “Liquidator”)) shall be responsible for overseeing the winding up and dissolution of the Company and shall take full account of the Company’s Assets and liabilities, and the Company’s Assets shall be liquidated as promptly as is consistent with obtaining the fair value thereof, and the proceeds therefrom (which may, to the extent determined by the Manager, include shares of stock in the Manager) shall be applied and distributed in the following order:
(i) First, to the satisfaction of all of the Company’s Debts and liabilities to creditors, including Members who are creditors (other than with respect to liabilities owed to Members in satisfaction of liabilities for previously declared distributions), whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof;
(ii) Second, to the satisfaction of all of the Company’s liabilities to the Members in satisfaction of liabilities for previously declared distributions, whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof; and
(iii) The balance, if any, to the Members, in accordance with Section 3.1.
(b) Discretion of Liquidator and Manager.
(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.3(a) that require liquidation of the Assets, but subject to the order of priorities set forth therein, if before or upon dissolution of the Company, the Liquidator determines that an immediate sale of part or all of the Company’s Assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Members, the Liquidator may, in its sole discretion, defer for a reasonable time the liquidation of any Assets except those necessary to satisfy liabilities of the Company (including to those Members as creditors) and/or distribute to the Members, in lieu of cash, as tenants-in-common and in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.3(a), undivided interests in such Company Assets as the Liquidator deems not suitable for liquidation. Any such distributions in kind shall be subject to such conditions relating to the disposition and management of such properties as the Liquidator deems reasonable and equitable and any agreements governing the operation of such properties at such time. The Liquidator shall determine the Fair Market Value of any property distributed in kind using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.
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(ii) In the sole discretion of the Manager, a pro rata portion of the distributions that would otherwise be made to the Members pursuant to this Article IX may be:
(A) Distributed to a trust established for the benefit of the Manager and the Members for the purpose of liquidating Company Assets, collecting amounts owed to the Company, and paying any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Company or of the Manager arising out of or in connection with the Company and/or Company activities. The assets of any such trust shall be distributed to the Members, from time to time, in the reasonable discretion of the Manager, in the same proportions and amounts as would otherwise have been distributed to the Members pursuant to this Agreement; or
(B) Withheld or escrowed to provide a reasonable reserve for Company liabilities (contingent or otherwise) and to reflect the unrealized portion of any installment obligations owed to the Company, provided, that such withheld or escrowed amounts shall be distributed to the Members in the manner and order of priority set forth in Section 9.3(a) as soon as practicable.
Section 9.4 Rights of Members. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and subject to the rights of any Member set forth in a Unit Designation, (a) each Member shall look solely to the Assets for the return of its Capital Contribution, (b) no Member shall have the right or power to demand or receive property other than cash from the Company, and (c) no Member shall have priority over any other Member as to the return of its Capital Contributions or distributions.
Section 9.5 Termination. On completion of the winding up of the Company as provided herein, the Manager (or such other Person or Persons as the Act may require or permit) shall file a certificate of cancellation of the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of Delaware, cancel any other filings made pursuant to this Agreement that should be canceled and take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the existence of the Company. The Company shall continue in existence for all purposes of this Agreement until it is terminated pursuant to this Section 9.5.
Article
X.
PROCEDURES FOR ACTIONS AND CONSENTS
OF MEMBERS; MEETINGS
Section 10.1 Actions and Consents of Members. The actions requiring Consent of any Member pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise pursuant to Law are subject to the procedures set forth in this Article X.
Section 10.2 Procedures for Meetings and Actions of the Members.
(a) Time; Quorum; Consent. Meetings of the Members may be called only by the Manager and shall state the nature of the business to be transacted. Notice of any such meeting shall be given to all Members entitled to act at the meeting not less than two (2) days nor more than ninety (90) days before the date of such meeting. Members may vote in Person or by proxy at such meeting. Unless approval by a different number or proportion of the Members is required by this Agreement or any Unit Designation, the affirmative vote of a Majority-in-Interest of the Members shall be sufficient to approve such proposal at a meeting of the Members. Whenever the Consent of any Members is permitted or required under this Agreement, such Consent may be given at a meeting of Members or in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Section 10.2(b).
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(b) Written Consents. Any action requiring the Consent of any Member or a group of Members pursuant to this Agreement or that is required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Members may be taken without a meeting if a Consent in writing or by electronic transmission and filed with the Manager setting forth the action so taken or consented to is given by Members whose affirmative vote would be sufficient to approve such action or provide such Consent at a meeting of the Members. Such Consent may be in one or several instruments and shall have the same force and effect as the affirmative vote of such Members at a meeting of the Members. An action so taken shall be deemed to have been taken at a meeting held on the effective date so certified. For purposes of obtaining a Consent in writing or by electronic transmission, the Manager may require a response within a reasonable specified time, and failure to respond in such time period shall constitute a Consent that is consistent with the Manager’s recommendation with respect to the proposal.
(c) Proxy. Each Member entitled to act at a meeting of Members may authorize any Person or Persons to act for it by proxy on all matters in which a Member is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. Each proxy must be signed by the Member or its attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy (or there is receipt of a proxy authorizing a later date). Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Member executing it, such revocation to be effective upon the Company’s receipt of written notice of such revocation from the Member executing such proxy, unless such proxy states that it is irrevocable and is coupled with an interest.
(d) Record Date for Meetings and Other Purposes.
(i) The Manager may set, in advance, a Record Date (x) for the purpose of determining the identities of the Members entitled to Consent to any action or entitled to receive notice of or vote at any meeting of the Members or (y) to make a determination of Members for any other proper purpose. Any such date shall not be before the close of business on the day the Record Date is fixed and shall be not more than ninety (90) days and, in the case of a meeting of the Members, not less than two (2) days, before the date on which the meeting is to be held.
(ii) If no Record Date is set, the Record Date for the determination of Members entitled to notice of or vote at a meeting of the Members shall be at the close of business on the day on which the notice of the meeting is sent, and the Record Date for any other determination of Members shall be the effective date of such Member action, distribution or other event. When a determination of the Members entitled to vote at any meeting of the Members has been made as provided in this Section 10.2(d)(ii), such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.
(e) Conduct of Meetings. Each meeting of Members shall be conducted by the Manager or such other Person as the Manager may appoint pursuant to such rules for the conduct of the meeting as the Manager or such other Person deems appropriate.
(f) Waivers. Any time period for notice with respect to meetings or consents of the Members may be waived by a Member as to such Member.
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Article
XI.
EXCHANGE RIGHTS
Section 11.1 Elective and Mandatory Exchanges.
(a) Elective Exchanges. Subject to the Policy Regarding Exchanges set forth in Annex E, as amended from time to time by the Company (the “Policy Regarding Exchanges”), an Exchangeable Unit Member shall have the right, from time to time, to surrender Exchangeable Units, along with an equal number of shares of Class C Common Stock (in each case, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, rights of first refusal and similar restrictions, except for those arising under this Agreement), to the Company and to thereby cause the Company to deliver to such Exchangeable Unit Member (or its designee) the Exchange Consideration as set forth in Section 11.3 (an “Elective Exchange”). Any amendments of the Policy Regarding Exchanges will be subject to Section 4.1(f) herein to the same extent as if the same was part of this Agreement.
(b) Mandatory Exchange Events. Units are subject to Mandatory Exchange in each of the following circumstances:
(i) pursuant to Section 7.4, if an Applicable Sale is determined to be a Mandatory Exchange event in the sole discretion of the Manager; or
(ii) in the discretion of the Manager, with the consent of Members whose Class C Units represent fifty percent (50%) of the Class C Units of all Members in the aggregate, all Members will be required to exchange all Exchangeable Units then held by the Members.
(c) Mandatory Exchange Notices and Dates. Upon the occurrence of any of the circumstances set out in Section 11.1(b), the Manager may exercise its right to cause a mandatory exchange of a Member’s Exchangeable Units and an equal number of shares of Class C Common Stock (a “Mandatory Exchange”) by delivering to each Member a written notice pursuant to the notice provisions in Section 12.6 (a “Mandatory Exchange Notice”). A Mandatory Exchange Notice will specify the basis for the Mandatory Exchange, the Exchangeable Units of the Company to which the Mandatory Exchange applies, the Exchange Consideration and the effective date of such Mandatory Exchange (the “Mandatory Exchange Date”), which shall be no earlier than ten (10) Business Days after delivery of the Mandatory Exchange Notice. The Member receiving the Mandatory Exchange Notice shall use its reasonable best efforts to deliver the Certificates, as applicable, representing the applicable Exchangeable Units and corresponding shares of Class C Common Stock (free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, rights of first refusal and similar restrictions, except for those arising under this Agreement and the organizational documents of the Manager) no later than one (1) Business Day before the Mandatory Exchange Date. Upon the Mandatory Exchange Date, the Manager will effect the Mandatory Exchange.
Section 11.2 Additional Terms Applying to Exchanges.
(a) Rights of Exchangeable Unit Member. On an Exchange Date, all rights of the Exchangeable Unit Member as a holder of the Exchangeable Units and, if the applicable Exchangeable Units are Class C Units, shares of Class C Common Stock held by the holder of the Class C Units that are subject to the Exchange, shall cease, and the Manager shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the transfer agent or registrar of the Manager to update the stock register of the Manager such that such Exchangeable Unit Member (or its designee) becomes the record holder of the shares of Class A Common Stock to be received by the Exchangeable Unit Member in respect of such Exchange.
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(b) Expenses. Subject to the other terms of this Section 11.2(b), except as otherwise agreed by the Company, the Manager and an Exchangeable Unit Member, the Company, the Manager, and each Exchangeable Unit Member shall bear their own expenses in connection with the consummation of any Exchange, whether or not any such Exchange is ultimately consummated. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Manager (or the Company, at the Manager’s direction) shall bear any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of, any Exchange; provided, however, that if any shares of Class A Common Stock are to be delivered pursuant to an Elective Exchange in a name other than that of the Exchangeable Unit Member that requested the Exchange (or The Depository Trust Company or its nominee for the account of a participant of The Depository Trust Company that will hold the shares for the account of such Exchangeable Unit Member), then such Exchangeable Unit Member or the Person in whose name such shares are to be delivered shall pay to the Manager (or the Company, at the Manager’s direction) the amount of any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of, such Exchange or shall establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the Manager that such tax has been paid or is not payable.
(c) Concurrent Delivery of Class C Common Stock. No Exchange of Class C Units may be made without a concurrent delivery of an equal number of shares of Class C Common Stock. Any shares of Class C Common Stock surrendered in an Exchange shall automatically be deemed retired without any action on the part of any Person, including the Manager. Any such retired shares of Class C Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding, all rights with respect to such shares shall automatically cease and terminate, and such shares shall return to the status of authorized but unissued shares of the Manager.
Section 11.3 Exchange Consideration; Settlement.
(a) Generally. On an Exchange Date, provided the Exchangeable Unit Member has satisfied its obligations under the Policy Regarding Exchanges and not validly retracted such proposed Exchange, the Manager shall deliver or cause to be delivered the Exchange Consideration to such Exchangeable Unit Member (or its designee), at the address set forth on the applicable Exchange Notice. Except as otherwise determined by the Manager, if such Exchange would, but for this Section 11.3(a), result in the Exchangeable Unit Member’s receipt of a fractional share of Class A Common Stock, then the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be received by the Exchangeable Unit Member shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares and the amount of the reduction shall be paid in cash. For purposes of determining the cash to be paid in settlement of a fractional share of Class A Common Stock, the price per share of Class A Common Stock shall be determined as the arithmetic average of the volume-weighted average prices for a share of Class A Common Stock on the principal U.S. securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system on which the Class A Common Stock trades, as reported by The Wall Street Journal or its successor, for each of the three (3) consecutive full Business Days ending on and including the last full Business Day immediately before the Exchange Date, in each case subject to appropriate and equitable adjustment for any stock splits, reverse splits, stock dividends or similar events affecting the Class A Common Stock. If, at the time of determination, the Class A Common Stock no longer trades on a securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, then the price per share of Class A Common Stock shall be determined in good faith by a committee of the Board of Directors composed of a majority of the directors of the Manager that do not have an interest in the Exchangeable Unit.
(b) Settlement through Depository Trust Company. To the extent the Class A Common Stock is settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, the Manager will, upon the written instruction of an Exchangeable Unit Member, deliver the shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable to such Exchangeable Unit Member through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company to the account of the participant of The Depository Trust Company designated by such Exchangeable Unit Member in the Exchange Notice.
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(c) Obligations of Manager. Upon any Exchange, the Manager shall take such actions as (A) may be required to ensure that such Exchangeable Unit Member receives the shares of Class A Common Stock that such Exchangeable Unit Member is entitled to receive in connection with such Exchange pursuant to Section 11.3(a), and (B) may be reasonably within its control that would cause such Exchange to be treated as a direct exchange between the Manager and the Member for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes.
Section 11.4 Adjustment. To the extent not reflected in an adjustment to the Exchange Rate, if there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the Class A Common Stock is converted or changed or exchanged into or for another security, securities or other property, then, upon any subsequent Exchange, an Exchangeable Unit Member shall be entitled to receive the amount of such security, securities or other property that such Exchangeable Unit Member would have received if such Exchange had occurred immediately before the effective date of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction, taking into account any adjustment as a result of any subdivision (by any split, distribution or dividend, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of such security, securities or other property that occurs after the effective time of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, if there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the Class A Common Stock is converted or changed or exchanged into or for another security, securities or other property, this Section 11.4 shall continue to be applicable, mutatis mutandis, with respect to such security or other property.
Section 11.5 Class A Common Stock to Be Issued in Connection with an Exchange.
(a) Class A Common Stock Reserve. The Manager shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon an Exchange, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall be deliverable under this Agreement upon all such Exchanges; provided, however, that the Manager may satisfy its obligations in respect of any such Exchange by delivery of unencumbered purchased shares of Class A Common Stock (which may or may not be held in the treasury of the Manager or any subsidiary thereof).
(b) Rule 16(b) Exemption. The Manager has taken and will take all such steps as may be required to cause to qualify for exemption under Rule 16b-3(d) or (e), as applicable, under the Exchange Act, and be exempt for purposes of Section 16(b) under the Exchange Act, any acquisitions or dispositions of equity securities of the Manager (including derivative securities with respect thereto) and any securities that may be deemed to be equity securities or derivative securities of the Manager for such purposes that result from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, by each director or officer of the Manager (including directors-by-deputization) who may reasonably be expected to be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to the Manager upon the registration of any class of equity security of the Manager pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
(c) Validity of Class A Common Stock. The Manager covenants that all shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to any preemptive right of stockholders of the Manager or any right of first refusal or other right in favor of any Person.
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Section 11.6 Tax Treatment. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Exchangeable Unit Member and the Manager, it is intended that, for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes, each Exchange be treated as direct exchange between the Manager and the Exchangeable Unit Member that is a taxable transaction to the Exchangeable Unit Member. All applicable parties shall treat each Exchange consistently with the intended treatment for all U.S. federal and applicable state and local tax purposes unless otherwise required by a “determination” within the meaning of Code Section 1313(a) or a change in Law.
Section 11.7 Contribution by Manager. Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.9, on the Exchange Date (i) the Manager shall contribute to the Company the shares of Class A Common Stock that the Manager has elected to deliver and that the Exchangeable Unit Member is entitled to receive in the applicable Exchange and (ii) the Company shall issue to the Manager a number of Class A Units equal to the number of Exchangeable Units (and corresponding number of shares of Class C Common Stock) surrendered by the Exchangeable Unit Member.
Section 11.8 Apportionment of Distributions. Distributions with a Record Date on or before the Exchange Date shall be made to the Exchangeable Unit Member.
Section 11.9 Right of Manager to Acquire Exchangeable Units. With respect to Units surrendered in an Elective Exchange or subject to a Mandatory Exchange, the Manager shall have the right but not the obligation to have the Manager (in lieu of the Company) acquire Exchangeable Units and, if the applicable Exchangeable Units are Class C Units, an equal number of shares of Class C Common Stock held by the holder of those Class C Units, directly from an Exchangeable Unit Member for the Exchange Consideration. If the Manager acquires Exchangeable Units as described in the preceding sentence, those Exchangeable Units shall be automatically recapitalized into the same number of Class A Units as the Exchangeable Units. The applicable provisions of this Article XI shall apply to any such direct exchange, mutatis mutandis.
Article
XII.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.1 Conclusive Nature of Determinations. All determinations, interpretations, calculations, adjustments and other actions of the Manager, the Company, the Board of Directors (or a committee to which the Board of Directors has delegated such authority), or a designee of any of the foregoing that are within such Person’s authority under this Agreement shall be binding and conclusive on a Member absent manifest error. In connection with any such determination, interpretation, calculation, adjustment, or other action, the Manager, the Company, the Board of Directors (or a committee to which the Board of Directors has delegated such authority), or the designee of any of the foregoing shall be entitled to resolve any ambiguity with respect to the manner in which such determination, interpretation, calculation, adjustment or other action is to be made or taken, and shall be entitled to interpret the provisions of this Agreement in such a manner as such Person determines to be fair and equitable, and such resolution or interpretation shall be binding and conclusive on a Member absent manifest error.
Section 12.2 Company Counsel. THE COMPANY, THE MANAGER AND AFFILIATED ENTITIES MAY BE REPRESENTED BY THE SAME COUNSEL. THE ATTORNEYS, ACCOUNTANTS AND OTHER EXPERTS WHO PERFORM SERVICES FOR THE COMPANY MAY ALSO PERFORM SERVICES FOR THE MANAGER AND AFFILIATES THEREOF. THE MANAGER MAY, WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE MEMBERS, EXECUTE ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY ANY CONSENT TO THE REPRESENTATION OF THE COMPANY THAT COUNSEL MAY REQUEST PURSUANT TO THE NEW YORK RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OR SIMILAR RULES IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE COMPANY HAS INITIALLY SELECTED HAYNES AND BOONE, LLP (“COMPANY COUNSEL”) AS LEGAL COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY. EACH MEMBER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT COMPANY COUNSEL DOES NOT REPRESENT ANY MEMBER IN ITS CAPACITY AS SUCH IN THE ABSENCE OF A CLEAR AND EXPLICIT WRITTEN AGREEMENT TO SUCH EFFECT BETWEEN SUCH MEMBER AND COMPANY COUNSEL (AND THEN ONLY TO THE EXTENT SPECIALLY SET FORTH IN SUCH AGREEMENT), AND THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY SUCH AGREEMENT COMPANY COUNSEL SHALL OWE NO DUTIES TO ANY MEMBER. EACH MEMBER FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT, WHETHER OR NOT COMPANY COUNSEL HAS IN THE PAST REPRESENTED OR IS CURRENTLY REPRESENTING SUCH MEMBER WITH RESPECT TO OTHER MATTERS, UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY AGREED BY COMPANY COUNSEL, COMPANY COUNSEL HAS NOT REPRESENTED THE INTERESTS OF ANY MEMBER IN THE PREPARATION AND/OR NEGOTIATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.
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Section 12.3 Appointment of Manager as Attorney-in-Fact.
(a) Execution of Documents. Each Member, including each Additional Member and Substituted Member that is a Member, irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Manager, any Liquidator, and authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact of each, and each of those acting singly, in each case with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power and authority in its name, place and stead to execute, acknowledge, deliver, swear to, file and record at the appropriate public offices such documents as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Agreement, including:
(i) All certificates and other instruments (including counterparts of this Agreement), and all amendments thereto, that the Manager deems appropriate to form, qualify, continue or otherwise operate the Company as a limited liability company (or other entity in which the Members will have limited liability comparable to that provided in the Act) in the jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business or in which such formation, qualification or continuation is, in the opinion of the Manager, necessary or desirable to protect the limited liability of the Members.
(ii) All amendments to this Agreement adopted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and all instruments that the Manager deems appropriate in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(iii) All conveyances of Company Assets and other instruments that the Manager reasonably deems necessary in order to complete a dissolution and termination of the Company pursuant to this Agreement.
(b) Power and Interest. The appointment by all Members of the Manager as attorney-in-fact shall be deemed to be a power coupled with an interest in recognition of the fact that each of the Members under this Agreement will be relying upon the power of the Manager to act as contemplated by this Agreement in any filing and other action by it on behalf of the Company, shall survive the Incapacity of any Person hereby giving such power and the Transfer of all or any portion of such Person’s Units, and shall not be affected by the subsequent Incapacity of the Person.
Section 12.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Certificate of Incorporation of the Manager, in each case, as amended, supplemented or restated in accordance with its terms, and the other documents contemplated hereby and thereby, constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and fully supersede any and all prior or contemporaneous agreements or understandings between the parties to this Agreement pertaining to the subject matter hereof, including the Initial Operating Agreement.
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Section 12.5 Further Assurances. Each of the parties to this Agreement does hereby covenant and agree on behalf of itself, its successors, and its assigns, without further consideration, to prepare, execute, acknowledge, file, record, publish, and deliver such other instruments, documents and statements, and to take such other action as may be required by Law or reasonably necessary to effectively carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.
Section 12.6 Notices. Any notice, consent, payment, demand, or communication required or permitted to be given by any provision of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be (a) delivered personally to the Person or an officer of the Person to whom the same is directed, (b) sent by facsimile, overnight mail or registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (c) (except with respect to notice to the Company or the Manager) sent by email, with electronic, written or oral confirmation of receipt, in each case addressed as follows:
(i) if to the Company or the Manager:
c/o AleAnna Energy, LLC
300 Crescent Court, Suite 1860
Dallas, TX 75201
Attn: William Dirks
E-mail: [****]
with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Haynes Boone LLP
2801 N. Harwood St, Suite 2300
Dallas, TX 75201
Attn: Jennifer Wisinski; J. Brent Beckert
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
or to such other address as the Company may from time to time specify by notice to the Members
(ii) if to any Member, to: the address, email, or facsimile number of such Member set forth in the records of the Company.
Any such notice shall be deemed to be delivered, given and received for all purposes as of: (A) the date so delivered, if delivered personally, (B) upon receipt, if sent by facsimile or email, or (C) on the date of receipt or refusal indicated on the return receipt, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage and charges prepaid and properly addressed.
Section 12.7 Governing Law. This Agreement, including its existence, validity, construction, and operating effect, and the rights of each of the parties to this Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware without regard to otherwise governing principles of conflicts of Law.
Section 12.8 Jurisdiction and Venue. The parties to this Agreement agree that any suit, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (whether brought by any party or any of its Affiliates or against any party or any of its Affiliates) shall be brought in the Delaware Chancery Court, or, if such court shall not have jurisdiction, any federal court located in the State of Delaware or other Delaware state court (the “Selected Courts”), and each of the parties hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the Selected Courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any Selected Court. Without limiting the foregoing, each party agrees that service of process on such party in the manner provided for notice in Section 12.6 shall be deemed effective service of process on such party.
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Section 12.9 Equitable Remedies. The parties to this Agreement agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties to this Agreement shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions and other equitable remedies to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any of the Selected Courts, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at Law or in equity. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with respect to such remedy are hereby waived by each of the parties to this Agreement. Each party further agrees that, in the event of any action for an injunction or other equitable remedy in respect of such breach or enforcement of specific performance, it will not assert the defense that a remedy at Law would be adequate.
Section 12.10 Construction. This Agreement shall be construed as if all parties to this Agreement prepared this Agreement.
Section 12.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart shall for all purposes be deemed an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same agreement.
Section 12.12 Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in Section 4.6 and Section 4.7, nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended or shall be construed to give any Person other than the parties to this Agreement (or their respective legal representatives, successors, heirs and distributees) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of any agreement or provision contained herein, it being the intention of the parties to this Agreement that this Agreement is for the sole and exclusive benefit of such parties (or such legal representatives, successors, heirs and distributees) and for the benefit of no other Person.
Section 12.13 Binding Effect. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding on, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the Members, their heirs, executors, administrators, successors and all other Persons hereafter holding, having or receiving an interest in the Company, whether as Substituted Members or otherwise.
Section 12.14 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement as applied to any party or any circumstance shall be adjudged by a court to be void, unenforceable or inoperative as a matter of Law, then the same shall in no way affect any other provision in this Agreement, the application of such provision in any other circumstance or with respect to any other party, or the validity or enforceability of the Agreement as a whole.
Section 12.15 Survival. The provisions of Section 4.6 (Limitation on Liability), Section 4.7 (Indemnification), Section 12.1 (Conclusive Nature of Determinations), Section 12.3 (Appointment of Manager as Attorney-in-Fact), Section 12.4 (Entire Agreement), Section 12.5 (Further Assurances), Section 12.6 (Notices), Section 12.7 (Governing Law), Section 12.8 (Jurisdiction and Venue), Section 12.18 (Creditors), Section 12.19 (Waiver of Jury Trial), Section 4.8 (Survival of Obligations) of Annex C, and this Section 12.15 (Survival) (and any other provisions of this Agreement necessary for the effectiveness of the enumerated sections) shall survive the termination of the Company and/or the termination of this Agreement.
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Section 12.16 Effect on Other Obligations of Members or the Company. Nothing in this Agreement shall modify, amend, terminate or supersede any obligations or rights of any Member or the Company under any agreement between or among Member(s) and/or the Company (other than the Initial Operating Agreement) that is in effect as of the date hereof.
Section 12.17 Confidentiality. Each Member recognizes and acknowledges that it has and may in the future receive certain confidential and proprietary information and trade secrets of the Company (including its predecessors), including confidential information of the Company (and its predecessors) regarding identifiable, specific and discrete business opportunities being pursued by the Company (the “Confidential Information”). Except as otherwise consented to by the Manager in writing, each Member (other than the Manager), on behalf of itself (and, to the extent that such Member would be responsible for the acts of the following Persons under principles of agency Law, its managers, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees, representatives and agents) agrees that, during the term of this Agreement, whether directly or indirectly through an Affiliate or otherwise, it (a) will use the same degree of care as it uses to protect its own confidential information to keep confidential any Confidential Information furnished to such Member; (b) will not intentionally use any of the Confidential Information for any purpose other than monitoring its investment in the Company; and (c) will not disclose such Confidential Information to any third party for any reason or purpose whatsoever, except that each Member may disclose such information (i) to authorized directors, officers, employees, representatives and agents of the Company or the Manager and as otherwise may be proper in the course of performing such Member’s obligations or enforcing its rights under this Agreement and the agreements expressly contemplated hereby; (ii) to such Member’s (or any of its Affiliates’) Affiliates, auditors, accountants, attorneys or other agents who are informed of the Member’s obligations hereunder; (iii) to any bona fide prospective purchaser of the equity or assets of such Member or its Affiliates or the Units held by such Member, or prospective merger partner of such Member or its Affiliates, provided that such purchaser or merger partner agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 12.17 or other confidentiality agreement approved by the Manager; or (iv) as is required to be disclosed by any Law, by any governmental authority or stock exchange or by any listing or trading agreement concerning a Member or its Affiliates; provided that the Member required to make such disclosure pursuant to clause (iv) above shall provide to the Company prompt notice of such disclosure to enable the Company to seek an appropriate protective order or confidential treatment. It is acknowledged and agreed that a Member’s review of Confidential Information will inevitably enhance its knowledge and understanding of the Company’s industry in a way that cannot be separated from its other knowledge, and it shall not be a violation of Section 12.17(b) if such Member’s overall knowledge and understanding are used for purposes other than monitoring its investment in the Company. For purposes of this Section 12.17, the term “Confidential Information” shall not include any information which (x) such Person learns from a source other than the Company or the Manager, or any of their respective representatives, employees, agents or other service providers, and in each case who is not bound by a confidentiality obligation, (y) is disclosed in a prospectus, in other documents or in any other manner for dissemination to the public (in each case, not in violation of this Section 12.17), or (z) is independently developed by the disclosing Member without violating any requirement hereunder. Nothing in this Section 12.17 shall in any way limit or otherwise modify any confidentiality covenants entered into by any Member pursuant to any other agreement entered into with the Company or the Manager.
Section 12.18 Creditors. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditors of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and no creditor who makes a loan to the Company or any of its Affiliates may have or acquire (except pursuant to the terms of a separate agreement executed by the Company in favor of such creditor) at any time as a result of making the loan any direct or indirect interest in profits, losses, distributions, capital or property of the Company other than as a secured creditor.
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Section 12.19 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW THAT CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE), ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE OR ACTION, CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION OR SUIT (IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE), INQUIRY, PROCEEDING OR INVESTIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF ANY MEMBER IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INFORMED BY THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO THAT THIS SECTION 12.19 CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT UPON WHICH IT IS RELYING AND WILL RELY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
Article
XIII.
DEFINED TERMS
Section 13.1 Definitions. Unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the following definitions shall be applied to the terms used in this Agreement:
“Act” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Additional Funds” is defined in Section 2.5(a).
“Additional Member” means a Person who is admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to the Act and Section 8.1, who is shown as such on the books and records of the Company, and who has not ceased to be a Member pursuant to the Act and this Agreement.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person; provided, however, that (i) none of the Members or their parent companies or Affiliates shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any other Member or its parent company or Affiliates and (ii) none of the Members or their parent companies or Affiliates shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Affiliates. With respect to any Person who is an individual, “Affiliate” shall also include, without limitation, any Family Member of such Person.
“Applicable Sale” is defined in Section 7.4(a).
“Applicable Sale Notice” is defined in Section 7.4(c).
“Asset Value” is defined in Annex C.
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“Assets” means any assets and property of the Company.
“Assumed Tax Liability” is defined in Section 3.2(b).
“Assumed Tax Rate” is defined in Section 3.2(b)(ii).
“Available Cash” means, after taking into account amounts determined by the Manager to be reasonably necessary or advisable to be retained by the Company to meet actual or anticipated, direct or indirect, expenses, capital investments, working capital needs or liabilities (actual, contingent or otherwise) of the Company, including the payment of any Imputed Underpayment or for the operation of the business of the Company, or to create reasonable reserves for any of the foregoing, cash (in United States dollars) of the Company that the Manager determines is available for distribution to the Members.
“Bankruptcy” means, with respect to any Person, the occurrence of any event specified in Section 18-304 of the Act with respect to such Person, and the term “Bankrupt” has a correlative meaning.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Manager.
“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by Law to close.
“Capital Account” is defined in Annex C.
“Capital Contribution” means, with respect to any Member, the aggregate amount of money and the initial Asset Value of property (other than money) in such form as may be permitted by the Act that the Member contributes (or is treated as contributing) to the Company.
“Capital Stock” means a share of any class or series of stock of the Manager now or hereafter authorized.
“Certificate of Formation” is defined in the recitals of this Agreement.
“Certificates” means (A) if certificated, any certificates representing Exchangeable Units, (B) if certificated, any stock certificates representing the shares of Class C Common Stock required to be surrendered in connection with an Exchange of Class C Units, and (C) such other information, documents or instruments as either the Manager (or the Manager’s transfer agent) or the Company may reasonably require in connection with an Exchange. If any certificate or other document referenced in the immediately preceding sentence is alleged to be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Exchangeable Unit Member shall cooperate with and respond to the reasonable requests of the Manager (or the Manager’s transfer agent) and the Company and, if required by the Manager or the Company, furnish an affidavit of loss and/or an indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Manager or the Company on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate or other document.
“Change of Control” means, as of any date of determination, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, the Transfer of Units (or any beneficial interest therein) of the Company representing more than fifty (50) percent of the outstanding Common Units as of such date of determination.
“Class A Common Stock” means, as applicable, (a) the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Manager, or (b) following any consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event involving the Manager, any shares or other securities of the Manager or any other Person or cash or other property that become payable in consideration for the Class A Common Stock or into which the Class A Common Stock is exchanged or converted as a result of such consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar events.
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“Class A Unit” is defined in Section 2.1(b)(i).
“Class C Common Stock” means, as applicable, (a) the Class C Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Manager, or (b) following any consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event involving the Manager, any shares or other securities of the Manager or any other Person or cash or other property that become payable in consideration for the Class C Common Stock or into which the Class C Common Stock is exchanged or converted as a result of such consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar events.
“Class C Member” means any Member holding Class C Units and includes any Person admitted as an additional Class C Member after the date hereof or a substitute Class C Member.
“Class C Unit” is defined in Section 2.1(b)(ii).
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. All references in this Agreement to sections of the Code shall include any corresponding provision or provisions of succeeding Law.
“Common Stock” means the Class A Common Stock or the Class C Common Stock (and shall not include any additional series or class of the Manager’s common stock created after the date of this Agreement).
“Common Unit” means a Class A Unit, a Class C Unit, and any other Unit designated as a Common Unit by the Company.
“Company” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Company Counsel” is defined in Section 12.2.
“Consent” means the consent to, approval of, or vote in favor of a proposed action by a Member given in accordance with Article X.
“control,” including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, as general partner or managing member, by contract or otherwise, including the ownership, directly or indirectly, of securities having the power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors or similar body governing the affairs of such Person.
“de minimis” shall mean an amount small enough as to make not accounting for it commercially reasonable or accounting for it administratively impractical, in each case as determined by the Manager.
“Debt” means, as to any Person, as of any date of determination, (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of property or services; (ii) all amounts owed by such Person to banks or other Persons in respect of reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments guaranteeing payment or other performance of obligations by such Person; and (iii) obligations of such Person as lessee under capital leases.
“Designated Individual” is defined in Annex C.
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“Drag-Along Right” is defined in Section 7.4(a).
“Elective Exchange” is defined in Section 11.1(a).
“Elective Exchange Date” means the effective date of an Elective Exchange.
“Elective Exchange Notice” is defined in Annex (B).
“Equivalent Units” means Units with preferences, conversion and other rights (other than voting rights), restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications, terms and conditions of redemption (the “Terms”) that are (a) relative to the Common Units and the other classes and series of Units that correspond to classes and series of Capital Stock, and (b) substantially the same as (or corresponding to) the Terms that any new Capital Stock or New Securities have relative to the Common Stock and other classes and series of Capital Stock or New Securities. The foregoing shall not apply to matters such as voting for members of the Board of Directors that are not applicable to the Company. In comparing the economic rights of any Preferred Stock with the economic rights of any Units, the effect of taxes may be taken into account.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“ERISA Similar Law” is defined in Section 1.10(d).
“Exchange” means any Elective Exchange or Mandatory Exchange.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
“Exchange Consideration” shall mean, in the case of any Exchange, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that is equal to the product of the number of Exchangeable Units surrendered in the Exchange multiplied by the Exchange Rate, plus an amount that is equal to $0.0001 multiplied by the number of shares of Class C Common Stock included in the Exchange.
“Exchange Date” means an Elective Exchange Date or Mandatory Exchange Date.
“Exchange Rate” means, in respect of any Exchange, subject to Section 11.4, a ratio, expressed as a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding immediately before the Exchange and the denominator of which shall be the number of Class A Units owned by the Manager immediately before the Exchange. On the date of this Agreement, the Exchange Rate shall be 1.
“Exchangeable Unit” means each Class C Unit and any other Unit designated as an Exchangeable Unit by the Company.
“Exchangeable Unit Member” means (i) each Member, other than the Manager and any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries, that holds an Exchangeable Unit or (ii) each holder of an interest in a Member that holds an Exchangeable Unit pursuant to Article X.
“Fair Market Value” of Units or other property, means the cash price that a third party would pay to acquire all of such Units (computed on a fully diluted basis after giving effect to the exercise of any and all outstanding conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants and options) or other property, as the case may be, in an arm’s-length transaction. Unless otherwise determined by the Company, the following assumptions will be made when determining the Fair Market Value of Units:
(a) that the Company was being sold in a manner reasonably designed to solicit all possible participants and permit all interested Persons an opportunity to participate and achieve the best value reasonably available to the Members at the time; and
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(b) that all existing circumstances are taken into account, including the terms and conditions of all agreements (including this Agreement) to which the Company is then a party or by which it is otherwise benefited or affected, determined.
“Family Members” means, as to a Person that is an individual, such Person’s spouse, ancestors (whether by blood or by adoption), descendants (whether by blood or by adoption), brothers and sisters (whether by blood or by adoption) and inter vivos or testamentary trusts of which only such Person and his spouse, ancestors (whether by blood or by adoption), descendants (whether by blood or by adoption), brothers and sisters (whether by blood or adoption) are beneficiaries.
“Fiscal Year” is defined in Section 6.2.
“Incapacity” or “Incapacitated” means, (i) as to any Member who is an individual, death, total physical disability or entry by a court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating such Member incompetent to manage his or her Person or his or her estate; (ii) as to any Member that is a corporation or limited liability company, the filing of a certificate of dissolution, or its equivalent, for the corporation or the revocation of its charter; (iii) as to any Member that is a partnership, the dissolution and commencement of the winding up of the partnership; (iv) as to any Member that is an estate, the distribution by the fiduciary of the estate’s entire interest in the Company; (v) as to any trustee of a trust that is a Member, the termination of the trust (but not the substitution of a new trustee); or (vi) as to any Member, the Bankruptcy of such Member.
“Incentive Compensation Plan” means any plan, agreement or other arrangement that provides for the grant or issuance of equity or equity-based awards and that is now in effect or is hereafter adopted by the Company or the Manager for the benefit of any of their respective employees or other service providers (including directors, advisers and consultants), or the employees or other services providers (including directors, advisers and consultants) of any of their respective Affiliates or Subsidiaries.
“Indemnitee” means the Manager, each Affiliate of the Manager, the Tax Representative, the Designated Individual and each officer, manager, or director of the Manager, the Company or their respective Affiliates, in all cases in such capacity.
“Initial Operating Agreement” is defined in the recitals of this Agreement.
“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service, or, if applicable, a state or local taxing agency.
“Law” means any applicable statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, executive order, injunction, judgment, decree or order of any governmental authority. The term “Lawful” has a correlative meaning.
“Liquidating Event” is defined in Section 9.2(b).
“Liquidator” is defined in Section 9.3(a).
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“Majority-in-Interest of the Members” means Members (excluding the Manager in its capacity as a Member) entitled to vote on or consent to any matter holding more than fifty percent (50%) of all outstanding Common Units held by all Members (excluding the Manager in its capacity as a Member) entitled to vote on or consent to such matter.
“Manager” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Manager Tax-Related Liabilities” means any U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax obligations (including any Imputed Underpayment Share for which the Manager is liable hereunder) owed by the Manager (other than any obligations to remit any withholdings withheld from payments to third parties).
“Mandatory Exchange” is defined in Section 11.1(c).
“Mandatory Exchange Date” is defined in Section 11.1(c).
“Mandatory Exchange Notice” is defined in Section 11.1(c).
“Member” means any Person named as a member of the Company on the Register of this Agreement (as amended from time to time) and any Person admitted as an Additional Member of the Company or a Substituted Member of the Company, in each case, in such Person’s capacity as a member of the Company, until such time as such Person has ceased to be a Member. For the avoidance of doubt, the Manager shall be deemed to be a Member with respect to any Units it holds.
“Member Representative” is defined in Section 7.7.
“Merger Agreement” is defined in the recitals of this Agreement.
“New Securities” means any equity security as defined in Rule 3a11-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, excluding grants under the Incentive Compensation Plans, including (i) rights, options, warrants, or convertible or exchangeable securities that entitle the holder thereof to subscribe for or purchase, convert such securities into, or exchange such securities for, Common Stock or Preferred Stock and (ii) any Debt issued by the Manager that provides any of the rights described in clause (i).
“Percentage Interest” means, with respect to each Member, as to any class or series of relevant Units, the fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate number of Units of such class or series held by such Member and the denominator of which is the total number of Units of such class or series held by all Members, in each case determined as of the date of determination. If not otherwise specified, “Percentage Interest” shall be deemed to refer to Common Units.
“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, joint venture, syndicate, person, trust, association, organization or other entity, including any governmental authority, and including any successor, by merger or otherwise, of any of the foregoing.
“Policy Regarding Exchanges” is defined in Section 11.1(a).
“Preferred Stock” means shares of preferred stock of the Manager now or hereafter authorized or reclassified that has dividend rights, or rights upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, that are superior or prior to the Common Stock.
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“Record Date” means the record date established by the Company for the purpose of determining the Members entitled to notice of or vote at any meeting of Members or to consent to any matter, or to receive any distribution or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of Members for any other proper purpose, which, in the case of a record date fixed for the determination of Members entitled to receive any distribution, shall (unless otherwise determined by the Company) generally be the same as the record date established by the Manager for a distribution to the Members of its Capital Stock of some or all of its portion of such distribution.
“Register” is defined in Section 5.1(b)(i).
“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, effective on or about the date hereof, among the Manager and the other Persons party thereto, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.
“Regulations” means the income tax regulations, including temporary regulations and, to the extent taxpayers are permitted to rely on them, proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations). References to “Treas. Reg. §” are to the sections of the Regulations.
“Related-Party Transfer” means a Transfer by a Member of all or part of its Units to any Related-Party Transferee.
“Related-Party Transferee” means, with respect to a Member, (i) any Family Member of that Member, (ii) any direct or indirect member or equityholder of that Member or any Affiliate of that Member, (iii) any Family Member of any direct or indirect member or equityholder described in (ii), (iv) a transferee by operation of the laws of descent, by will or intestacy, (v) a transferee that is a charitable organization by gift, (vi) a transferee to whom Transfer is required pursuant to an order of a court or regulatory agency (including pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order), (vii) another existing Member or any Affiliates of another existing Member, (viii) in the case of an entity, a transferee by virtue of the laws of the state of the entity’s organization and the entity’s organizational documents upon dissolution of the entity, or (ix) the Manager.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
“Selected Courts” is defined in Section 12.8.
“SPAC Transactions” means the series of transactions effectuated pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other entity if a majority of (i) the voting power of the voting equity securities or (ii) the outstanding equity interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.
“Substituted Member” means a Person who is admitted as a Member to the Company pursuant to Section 7.3.
“Surviving Company” is defined in Section 7.6(b)(iii).
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“Tax Distribution” is defined in Section 3.2(a).
“Tax Distribution Shortfall Amount” is defined in Section 3.2(d).
“Termination Transaction” means any direct or indirect Transfer of all or any portion of the Manager’s Units in connection with, or the other occurrence of, (a) a merger, consolidation or other combination involving the Manager, on the one hand, and any other Person, on the other, (b) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Manager not in the ordinary course of its business, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, (c) a reclassification, recapitalization or change of the outstanding Class A Common Stock (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or as a result of a stock split or reverse stock split, stock dividend or similar subdivision), or (d) the adoption of any plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Manager.
“Terms” is defined in the definition of “Equivalent Units.”
“Transfer” means, in respect of any Units, property or other assets, any sale, assignment, hypothecation, lien, encumbrance, transfer, distribution or other disposition thereof or of a participation therein, or other conveyance of legal or beneficial interest therein, including rights to vote and receive dividends or other income with respect thereto, whether voluntarily or by operation of Law, or any agreement or commitment to do any of the foregoing. An Exchange shall not constitute a Transfer under this Agreement.
“Unit” means a fractional share of the limited liability company interest in the Company, which may be a Class A Unit or Class C Unit and shall be deemed to include any equity security received in connection with any recapitalization, merger, consolidation, or other reorganization, or by way of any distribution in respect of Units, in any such case, after the date of this Agreement.
“Unit Designation” is defined in Section 2.4(a).
Section 13.2 Interpretation. In this Agreement and in the exhibits to this Agreement, except to the extent that the context otherwise requires:
(a) the headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement;
(b) defined terms include the plural as well as the singular and vice versa;
(c) words importing gender include all genders;
(d) a reference to any statute or statutory provision shall be construed as a reference to the same as it may have been or may from time to time be amended, extended, re-enacted or consolidated and all statutory instruments or orders made under it;
(e) any reference to a “day” or “Business Day” means the whole of such day, being the period of 24 hours running from midnight to midnight;
(f) references to Articles, Sections, subsections, clauses and Exhibits are references to Articles, Sections, subsections, clauses and Exhibits to this Agreement;
(g) the words “including” and “include” and other words of similar import shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”; and
(h) unless otherwise specified, references to any party to this Agreement or any other document or agreement shall include its successors and permitted assigns.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.
| MANAGER: | ||
| AleAnna, Inc. | ||
| By: | /s/ Tristan Yopp | |
| Name: | Tristan Yopp | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
| MEMBERS: | ||
| AleAnna, Inc. | ||
| By: | /s/ Tristan Yopp | |
| Name: | Tristan Yopp | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
| NAUTILUS RESOURCES, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Tristan Yopp | |
| Name: | Tristan Yopp | |
| Title: | Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |
Signature Page to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.
| SWIFTMERGE HOLDCO LLC | ||
| By: | AleAnna, Inc., its manager | |
| By: | /s/ Tristan Yopp | |
| Name: | Tristan Yopp | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
Signature Page to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC
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ANNEX A: INITIAL UNITS
| Member | Class A Units | |||
| AleAnna, Inc. | 40,560,433 | |||
| Member | Class C Units | |||
| Nautilus Resources LLC | 25,994,400 | |||
A-1
ANNEX B: FORM OF ELECTIVE EXCHANGE NOTICE
ELECTIVE EXCHANGE NOTICE
AleAnna, Inc.
300 Crescent Court, Suite 1860
Dallas, TX 75201
Attention: Tristan Yopp
Email: Chief Financial Officer
Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC
4318 Forman Ave
Toluca Lake, CA 91602
Attention: John Bremner
Email: Chief Executive Officer
This elective exchange notice (“Elective Exchange Notice”) is delivered by the undersigned Exchangeable Unit Member pursuant to Section 11.1 of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC, dated as of December 13, 2024 (the “LLC Agreement”), by and among AleAnna, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Manager”), and the other members that are party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the LLC Agreement.
The undersigned hereby transfers the number of Class C Units plus shares of Class C Common Stock set forth below (together, the “Paired Interests”) in exchange for the Exchange Consideration as set forth in the LLC Agreement.
Legal Name of Holder:
Address:
Number of Class C Units:
Number of Class C Common Stock:
Brokerage Account Details:
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that (i) the undersigned has full legal capacity to execute and deliver this Elective Exchange Notice and to perform the undersigned’s obligations hereunder; (ii) this Elective Exchange Notice has been duly executed and delivered by the undersigned and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the undersigned enforceable against it in accordance with the terms thereof or hereof, as the case may be, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and the availability of equitable remedies; (iii) the Paired Interests subject to this Elective Exchange Notice are being transferred to the Manager or the Company, as applicable, free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest, encumbrance, equities or claim; and (iv) no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of any third party or with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the undersigned or the Paired Interests subject to this Elective Exchange Notice is required to be obtained by the undersigned for the transfer of such Paired Interests to the Manager or the Company, as applicable.
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The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints any officer of the Manager or of the Company as the attorney of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in the premises, to do any and all things and to take any and all actions that may be necessary to transfer to the Manager or the Company, as applicable, the Paired Interests subject to this Elective Exchange Notice and to deliver to the undersigned the Exchange Consideration to be delivered in exchange therefor.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Elective Exchange Notice to be executed and delivered by the undersigned or by its duly authorized attorney.
| Name: | |||
| Dated: |
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ANNEX C: TAX MATTERS
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
“Asset Value” means, with respect to any Asset, the adjusted basis of such Asset for U.S. federal income tax purposes; provided, however, that:
(i) the initial Asset Value of any Asset (other than cash) contributed or deemed contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the gross Fair Market Value of such Asset as determined by the Company;
(ii) the Asset Values of all Assets shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross Fair Market Values as determined by the Company as of the following times: (A) the acquisition of an additional interest in the Company by any new or existing Member, in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution; (B) the distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of property as consideration for an interest in the Company; (C) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g); (D) the grant of an interest in the Company (other than a de minimis interest) as consideration for the provision of services to the benefit of the Company by an existing Member acting in a Member capacity or by a new Member acting in a Member capacity or in anticipation of becoming a Member; or (E) any other instance in which such adjustment is permitted under Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv); provided, however, that any adjustment pursuant to clause (A), (B), (D), or (E) above shall be made only if the Company determines that such adjustment is necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Members in the Company;
(iii) the Asset Value of any Asset distributed to any Member shall be the gross Fair Market Value of such Asset on the date of distribution, as determined by the Company; and
(iv) the Asset Values of all Assets shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such Assets pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m); provided, however, that Asset Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this paragraph (iv) to the extent that the Company determines that an adjustment pursuant to paragraph (ii) of this definition of Asset Value is necessary or appropriate in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this paragraph (iv).
If the Asset Value of an Asset has been determined or adjusted to paragraph (i), (ii), or (iv) of this definition of Asset Value, then such Asset Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such Asset for purposes of computing Net Profits and Net Losses.
“Audit” is defined in Section 4.4(a) of this Annex C.
“Company Minimum Gain” has the meaning set forth as “partnership minimum gain” in Treas. Reg. § 1.704-2(b)(2) and is computed in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.704-2(d).
“Company Unitholder Representative” means Nautilus Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
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“Depreciation” means, for each Fiscal Year or other period, an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction allowable for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to an Asset for such Fiscal Year or other period; provided, however, that if the Asset Value of an Asset differs from its adjusted basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such Fiscal Year or other period, Depreciation shall be determined in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g)(3), or Treas. Reg. § 1.704-3(d)(2), as appropriate.
“Designated Individual” is defined in Section 4.3(a)(ii) of this Annex C.
“Imputed Underpayment” is defined in Section 4.4(d) of this Annex C.
“Imputed Underpayment Share” is defined in Section 4.4(e)(i) of this Annex C.
“Member Nonrecourse Debt” has the meaning given to the term “partner nonrecourse debt” in Treas. Reg. § 1.704-2(b)(4).
“Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” means, with respect to each Member Nonrecourse Debt, an amount equal to the Company Minimum Gain that would result if such Member Nonrecourse Debt were treated as a Nonrecourse Liability, determined in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.704-2(i)(3).
“Member Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning given to the term “partner nonrecourse deduction” in Treas. Reg. §§ 1.704-2(i)(l) and 1.704-2(i)(2).
“Net Profits” and “Net Losses” mean, for each Fiscal Year or other period, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such Fiscal Year or other period, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) and, where appropriate (but including in taxable income or loss, for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1)), with the following adjustments:
(i) any income of the Company exempt from U.S. federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Profits or Net Losses pursuant to this definition shall be added to such taxable income or loss;
(ii) any expenditures of the Company described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) (or treated as expenditures described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) pursuant to Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i)) and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Profits or Net Losses pursuant to this definition shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss;
(iii) in the event the Asset Value of any Asset of the Company is adjusted in accordance with paragraph (ii), paragraph (iii), or paragraph (v) of the definition of “Asset Value,” the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such Asset for purposes of computing Net Profits or Net Losses;
(iv) gain or loss resulting from any disposition of any Asset with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Asset Value of the Asset disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such Asset differs from its Asset Value;
(v) in lieu of the depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such Fiscal Year;
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(vi) to the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) is required pursuant to Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Member’s interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the Asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases the basis of the Asset) from the disposition of the Asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Net Profits and Net Losses;
(vii) notwithstanding any other provision of this definition of Net Profits and Net Losses, any items that are specially allocated pursuant to Section 3.2 and Section 3.3 of this Annex C shall not be taken into account in computing Net Profits or Net Losses, but shall be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in paragraphs (i) through (vi) above; and
(viii) where appropriate, references to Net Profits and Net Losses shall refer to specific items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit comprising or otherwise comprising Net Profits or Net Losses.
“Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Treas. Reg. § 1.704-2(b)(1).
“Nonrecourse Liability” has the meaning set forth in Treas. Reg. § 1.752-1(a)(2).
“Push Out Election” means the election under Code Section 6226 (or any similar provision of state or local law) to “push out” an adjustment to the Members or former Members, including filing IRS Form 8988 (Election for Alternative to Payment of the Imputed Underpayment), or any successor or similar form, and taking any other action necessary to give effect to such election.
“Revised Partnership Audit Provisions” means Code Sections 6221 through 6241, as in effect for taxable years of the Company beginning after December 31, 2017, together with any subsequent amendments thereto, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and published administrative interpretations thereof, and any comparable provisions of state or local tax law.
“Specified Audit” is defined in Section 4.4(b) of this Annex C.
“Tax Representative” means, as applicable, and including the Designated Individual as the context requires, (a) the Member or other Person (including the Company) designated as the “partnership representative” of the Company under Code Section 6223, and/or (b) the Member or other Person serving in a similar capacity under any similar provisions of state, local or non-U.S. Laws, in each case, acting solely at the direction of the Company to the maximum extent permitted under Law.
ARTICLE II
MEMBER’S CAPITAL ACCOUNTS.
The Company or the Manager shall establish and maintain a capital account for each Member in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b) (2)(iv) (each, a “Capital Account”). The Company may maintain Capital Account subaccounts for different classes of Units, and any provisions of this Agreement pertaining to Capital Account maintenance shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to those subaccounts.
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ARTICLE III
ALLOCATIONS
Section 3.1 Allocations Generally. Each Fiscal Year, after adjusting each Member’s Capital Account for all contributions and distributions with respect to such Fiscal Year and after giving effect to the allocations under Section 3.2 of this Annex C for the Fiscal Year, Net Profits and Net Losses shall be allocated among the Members in a manner such that, after such allocations have been made, each Member’s Capital Account balance (which may be a positive, negative, or zero balance) will equal (proportionately) (a) the amount that would be distributed to each such Member, determined as if the Company were to (i) sell all of its Assets for their Asset Values, (ii) satisfy all of its liabilities in accordance with their terms with the proceeds from such sale (limited, with respect to Nonrecourse Liabilities, to the Asset Values of the Assets securing such liabilities), and (iii) distribute the remaining proceeds pursuant to the applicable provision of this Agreement, minus (b) the sum of (x) such Member’s share of the Company Minimum Gain and Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain and (y) the amount, if any (without duplication of any amount included under clause (x)), that such Member is obligated (or is deemed for U.S. tax purposes to be obligated) to contribute, in its capacity as a Member, to the capital of the Company as of the last day of such Fiscal Year.
Section 3.2 Priority Allocations.
(a) Minimum Gain Chargeback, Qualified Income Offset, and Stop Loss Provisions. Each of (i) the “minimum gain chargeback” provision of Treas. Reg. § 1.704-2(f), (ii) the “chargeback of partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain” provision of Treas. Reg. § 1.704-2(i)(4), (iii) the “qualified income offset” provision of Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(3), and (iv) the requirement in the flush language immediately following Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(3) that an allocation “not cause or increase a deficit balance” in a Member’s Capital Account is hereby incorporated by reference as a part of this Agreement. The Company shall make such allocations as are necessary to comply with those provisions and shall make any determinations with respect to such allocations (to the extent consistent with clauses (i) – (iv) of the preceding sentence).
(b) Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with their Units, unless otherwise determined by the Company.
(c) Member Nonrecourse Deductions. Any Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year shall be specially allocated to the Member who bears the economic risk of loss (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. § 1.752-2) with respect to the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.704-2(i)(l).
(d) Special Basis Adjustments. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Asset under Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required, pursuant to Treas. Reg. §§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as the result of a distribution to a Member in complete liquidation of such Member’s interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment to Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the Asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Members in accordance with their interests in the Company in the event Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) applies, or to the Member to whom such distribution was made in the event Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) (m)(4) applies.
(e) Ameliorative Allocations. Any allocations made (as well as anticipated reversing or offsetting regulatory allocations to be made) pursuant to Section 3.2(a) – (d) of this Annex C shall be taken into account in computing subsequent allocations pursuant to this Agreement, so that the net amount for any item so allocated and all other items allocated to each Member pursuant to this Agreement shall be equal, to the extent possible, to the net amount that would have been allocated to each Member pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement if those allocations had not occurred.
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Section 3.3 Other Allocation Rules.
(a) In General. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3.3 of this Annex C, for income tax purposes under the Code and the Regulations, each Company item of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit shall be allocated among the Members in the same manner as its correlative item of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit (as calculated in accordance with the definitions of “Net Profits” and “Net Loss”) is allocated pursuant to Section 3.1 and Section 3.2 of this Annex C.
(b) Section 704(c) Allocations. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.3(a) of this Annex C to the contrary, in accordance with Code Section 704(c)(1)(A) (and the principles of those provisions) and Treas. Reg. § 1.704-3, Company items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the Company, or after Company property has been revalued under Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) or (s), shall, solely for U.S. federal, state and local tax purposes, be allocated among the Members so as to take into account any variation between the adjusted basis of such Company property to the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes and its value as so determined at the time of the contribution or revaluation of Company property. The Company shall use the “traditional method” with respect to any property contributed to the Company in connection with the SPAC Transactions. With respect to property contributed or Section 704(c) amounts arising from revaluations made after the SPAC Transactions, the Company may use any method permitted under Treas. Reg. § 1.704-3. Allocations pursuant to Section 3.3(a) and this Section 3.3(b) of this Annex C are solely for U.S. federal, state, and local tax purposes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Member’s Capital Account or share of profit, loss, or other items, pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.
(c) Allocations in Respect of Varying Interests. If any Member’s interest in the Company varies (within the meaning of Code Section 706(d)) within a Fiscal Year, whether by reason of a Transfer of a Unit, redemption of a Unit by the Company, or otherwise, Net Profits and Net Losses for that Fiscal Year will be allocated so as to take into account such varying interests in accordance with Code Section 706(d) using the daily proration method and/or such other permissible method, methods, or conventions selected by the Company.
(d) Timing and Amount of Allocations of Net Profits and Net Loss. Net Profits and Net Loss of the Company shall be determined and allocated with respect to each Fiscal Year as of the end of each such year, or at such other time or times determined by the Company.
(e) Modification of Allocations. The allocations set forth in Section 3.1 and Section 3.2 of this Annex C are intended to comply with certain requirements of the Regulations. The Company shall be authorized to make, in its reasonable discretion, appropriate modifications to the allocations of Net Profits and Net Losses pursuant to this Agreement in order to comply with Code Section 704 or applicable Regulations. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Company reasonably determines an allocation other than the allocations that would otherwise be made pursuant to this Agreement would more appropriately reflect the Members’ interests in the Company, the Company may in its discretion make appropriate adjustments to such allocations.
(f) Allocation of Liabilities under Code Section 752. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no Member will take, or permit any Affiliate to take, any action that would change the allocation of liabilities for purposes of Code Section 752 without the consent of the Company.
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(g) Adjustment for Non-Compensatory Options. If the Company issues Units or other securities that are treated as “non-compensatory options”, as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.721-2, the Manager shall make such adjustments to the Asset Value of the Company’s Assets, allocation of Net Profits and Net Losses, Capital Accounts and allocations of items for income tax purposes as it reasonably determines may be necessary to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.721-2 and Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2) (iv)(s) or any successor provisions relating thereto and to properly reflect the economic sharing arrangement associated with the non-compensatory options.
ARTICLE IV
CERTAIN TAX MATTERS
Section 4.1 Provision of Information.
(a) Information to Be Provided by Company to Members. No later than thirty (30) days after the filing by the Company of the Company’s federal tax return (IRS Form 1065), the Company shall provide to each Member a copy of Schedule K-1 of IRS Form 1065 reporting that Member’s allocable share of items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit for such Fiscal Year, and such additional information as is required to be provided on Schedule K-1 or as such Member may reasonably request for tax purposes, each as determined by the Company. The Member hereby consents to receive each Schedule K-1 in respect of the Member’s ownership interest in the Company through electronic delivery.
(b) Information to Be Provided by Members to Company.
(i) Notice of Audit or Tax Examination. Each Member shall notify the Company within five (5) days after receipt of any notice regarding an audit or tax examination of the Company and upon any request for material information related to the Company by U.S. federal, state, local, or other tax authorities.
(ii) Other Relevant Tax Information. Each Member shall provide to the Company upon request tax basis information about Assets contributed by it to the Company and such other tax information as reasonably requested by the Company and necessary for it to prepare its financial reports or any tax returns and such other information and/or tax forms as the Company reasonably requests.
(c) No Right to Member Tax Returns. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any right to information under the Act, with respect to the financial statements or tax returns of a Member or its Affiliates, none of the Company, the other Members, such other Member’s Affiliates or any of their respective representatives, will be entitled to review such financial statements or tax returns for any purpose, including in connection with any proceeding or other dispute (whether involving the Company, between the Members, or involving any other Persons).
Section 4.2 Tax Elections. The Company shall have in effect (and shall cause each Subsidiary that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes to have in effect) an election pursuant to Code Section 754 (and any similar provisions of applicable U.S. state or local law) for the Company for the Fiscal Year that includes the date of the SPAC Transactions and each Fiscal Year in which a sale or exchange (whether partial or complete) occurs. The Company shall determine whether to make any other available election pursuant to the Code or Regulations that is not otherwise expressly provided for or prohibited in this Agreement, and the Members hereby consent to all such elections.
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Section 4.3 Tax Representative.
(a) Appointment and Replacement of Tax Representative.
(i) Tax Representative. The Manager shall act as the Tax Representative, but the Manager may designate another Person to act as the Tax Representative and may remove, replace, or revoke the designation of that Person, or require that Person to resign. For any jurisdiction with respect to which the Manager cannot serve as the Tax Representative, however, the Manager may designate another Person to act as the Tax Representative.
(ii) Designated Individual. If the Tax Representative is not an individual, the Manager shall appoint a “designated individual” for each taxable year (as described in Treas. Reg. § 301.6223-1(b)(3)(ii)) (a “Designated Individual”).
(iii) Approval by Members. Each Member agrees to execute, certify, acknowledge, deliver, swear to, file, and record at the appropriate public offices such documents as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to evidence the appointments described in Section 4.3(a)(i) and Section 4.3(a)(ii) of this Annex C, including statements required to be filed with the tax returns of the Company in order to effect the designation of the Tax Representative or Designated Individual (and any successor).
(b) Authority of the Tax Representative; Delegation of Authority. The Tax Representative shall have all of the rights, duties, powers, and obligations provided for under the Code, Regulations, or other applicable guidance; provided that, if a Person other than the Manager is the Tax Representative, such Person shall in all cases act solely at the direction of the Manager; provided further that, if the Tax Representative appoints a Designated Individual, such Designated Individual shall in all cases act solely at the direction of the Tax Representative.
(c) Costs and Indemnification of Tax Representative and Designated Individual. Without duplication of the provisions of Section 4.3(b) of this Annex C, the Company shall pay, or to the extent the Tax Representative or Designated Individual pays, indemnify and reimburse, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the Tax Representative or Designated Individual for all costs and expenses, including legal and accounting fees (as such fees are incurred) and any claims incurred in connection with any tax audit or judicial review proceeding with respect to the tax liability of the Company.
Section 4.4 Tax Audits.
(a) Subject to this Section 4.4, the Tax Representative shall have the sole authority to act on behalf of the Company in connection with, make all relevant decisions regarding application of, and to exercise the rights and powers provided for in the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions, including making any elections under the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions or any decisions to settle, compromise, challenge, litigate or otherwise alter the defense of any action, audit or examination before the IRS or any other tax authority (each, an “Audit”), and to expend Company funds for professional services and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith.
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(b) Without limiting the foregoing, the Tax Representative shall give prompt written notice to the Company Unitholder Representative of the commencement of any Audit of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries the resolution of which would reasonably be expected to have a disproportionate (compared to the Manager) and adverse effect on the Class C Members (a “Specified Audit”). The Tax Representative shall (i) keep the Company Unitholder Representative reasonably informed of the material developments and status of any such Specified Audit, (ii) permit the Company Unitholder Representative (or its designee) to participate (including using separate counsel), in each case at the Class C Members’ sole cost and expense, in any such Specified Audit, and (iii) promptly notify the Company Unitholder Representative of receipt of a notice of a final partnership adjustment (or equivalent under applicable Laws) or a final decision of a court or IRS Independent Office of Appeals panel (or equivalent body under applicable Laws) with respect to such Specified Audit. The Tax Representative shall promptly provide the Company Unitholder Representative with copies of all material correspondence between the Tax Representative or the Company (as applicable) and any governmental entity in connection with such Specified Audit and shall give the Company Unitholder Representative a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any material correspondence, submission (including settlement or compromise offers) or filing in connection with any such Specified Audit. Additionally, the Tax Representative shall not settle, compromise or abandon any Specified Audit in a manner that would reasonably be expected to have a disproportionate (compared to the Manager) and material adverse effect on the Class C Members without the Company Unitholder Representative’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned). The Tax Representative shall obtain the prior written consent of the Company Unitholder Representative (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) before (i) making a Push Out Election or (ii) taking any other material action under the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions that, in each case, would reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the Class C Members that is disproportionately adverse to them as compared to the Manager; provided, however, the Tax Representative may cause the Company to make a Push Out Election in its sole discretion (without the prior written consent of the Company Unitholder Representative) to the extent not making such Push Out Election would reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the Manager that is disproportionately adverse to it as compared to the Class C Members.
(c) The Company, the Tax Representative, the Company Unitholder Representative and the Members expressly agree to be bound by the terms of Section 8.14(a) of the Merger Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in the event of any conflict between Section 8.14(a) of the Merger Agreement and this Agreement, Section 8.14(a) of the Merger Agreement shall control.
(d) Determinations with Respect to Elections. Subject to the provisions of this Annex C (including Section 4.4(b) hereof), the Tax Representative shall have the sole authority to determine whether to cause the Company to make a Push Out Election with respect to any adjustment that could result in an imputed underpayment (within the meaning of Code Section 6225) (an “Imputed Underpayment”).
(e) Responsibility for Payment of Tax; Former Members.
(i) Imputed Underpayment Share. To the extent the Company is liable for any Imputed Underpayment, the Company shall determine the liability of the Members for a share of such Imputed Underpayment, taking into account the Members’ Units and the status and actions of the Members (including those described in Code Section 6225(c)) (such share, an “Imputed Underpayment Share”).
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(ii) Payment of Imputed Underpayment Share. The Company may (A) require a Member who is liable for an Imputed Underpayment Share to pay the amount of its Imputed Underpayment Share to the Company within ten (10) days after the date on which the Company notifies the Member (and in the manner required by the notice) and/or (B) reduce future distributions to the Member, such that the amount determined under clauses (A) and (B) equals the Member’s Imputed Underpayment Share; provided, however, that no Member shall have an obligation to make any contribution to the capital of the Company with respect to any Imputed Underpayment. If a Member fails to pay any amount that it is required to pay the Company in respect of an Imputed Underpayment Share within such ten (10) day period, that amount shall be treated as a loan to the Member, bearing interest at ten (10) percent annually (which interest shall increase the Member’s Imputed Underpayment Share). Such loan shall be repayable upon demand by the Company. If the Member fails to repay the loan upon demand, the full balance of the loan shall be immediately due (including accrued but unpaid interest) and the Company shall have the right to collect the balance in any manner it determines, including by reducing future distributions to that Member; provided, however, that no Member may have any Imputed Underpayment Share treated as a loan to the extent it would violate Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Any Member not permitted to treat its Imputed Underpayment Share as a loan due to the provisions of the previous sentence shall pay any Imputed Underpayment Share within ten (10) days after the date of the notice referred to in the first sentence of this Section 4.4(e)(ii) of this Annex C.
Section 4.5 No Independent Actions or Inconsistent Positions. Except as required by Law or previously authorized in writing by the Company (which authorization may be withheld in the sole discretion of the Company), no Member shall (i) independently act with respect to tax matters (including, but not limited to, audits, litigation and controversies) affecting or arising from the Company, or (ii) treat any Company item inconsistently on such Member’s income tax return with the treatment of the item on the Company’s tax return and/or the Schedule K-1 (or other written information statement) provided to such Member. Solely to the extent required by Law, this Section 4.5 of this Annex C shall not apply with respect to any “special enforcement matter” described in Code Section 6241(11).
Section 4.6 United States Person. Except as permitted by the Company, each Member represents and covenants that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it is and will at all times remain a “United States Person,” within the meaning of Code Section 7701, or is a disregarded entity the assets of which are treated as owned by a United States Person under Treas. Reg. §§ 301.7701-1, 301.7701-2, and 301.7701-3.
Section 4.7 State, Local, and Non-U.S. Tax Law. The provisions of this Agreement with respect to U.S. federal income tax shall apply, mutatis mutandis, with respect to any similar provisions of state, local, or non-U.S. tax law as determined by the Company.
Section 4.8 Survival of Obligations. For purposes of this Article IV of this Annex C, the term “Member” shall include a former Member unless otherwise determined by the Company. The rights and obligations of each Member and former Member under this Article IV of this Annex C shall survive the Transfer by such Member of its Units (or withdrawal by a Member or redemption or Exchange of a Member’s Units) and the dissolution of the Company until ninety (90) days after the applicable statute of limitations. Section 4.3 (Tax Representative), Section 4.4 (Tax Audits), and this Section 4.8 (Survival of Obligations) of this Annex C shall not be amended without the prior written consent of any Member or former Member that would be disproportionately and adversely impacted by such amendment.
Section 4.9 Tax Classification. The parties intend that the Company shall be classified as a partnership for United States federal, state, and local tax purposes. The parties intend that the Subsidiaries of the Company currently classified either as disregarded entities or as partnerships for United States federal, state, and local tax purposes as of the date of this Agreement shall remain classified either as disregarded entities or as partnerships for United States federal, state, and local tax purposes. No Person shall take any action inconsistent with such classifications.
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Section 4.10 Withholding.
(a) Withholding Generally. Each Member acknowledges and agrees that the Company may be required by Law to deduct and withhold taxes or to fulfill other similar obligations of such Member on any amount paid, distributed, disbursed, or allocated by the Company to that Member, including upon liquidation, and any transferee of a Member’s interest or a Substituted Member shall, by reason of such Transfer or substitution, acknowledge, and agree to any such withholding by the Company, including withholding to discharge obligations of the Company with respect to prior distributions, allocations, or an Imputed Underpayment Share (to the extent not otherwise borne by the transferor Member pursuant to Section 4.4 of this Annex C). Taxes withheld by third parties from payments to the Company in respect of the Company shall be treated as an expense of the Company, unless such withholding is attributable to a specific Member, in which case, amounts so withheld shall be allocated to such Member and the Company may deduct and withhold such amounts from the Member. All amounts withheld pursuant to this Section 4.10 of this Annex C shall, except as otherwise determined by the Company pursuant to Section 4.4(e)(ii) of this Annex C, be treated as amounts distributed to such Person pursuant to the provision of this Agreement that would have applied if such amount had actually been distributed.
(b) Additional Provisions with Respect to a Transfer of Units. A Member Transferring Units permitted by this Agreement shall, unless otherwise determined by the Company, (i) deliver to the Company, between ten (10) days and thirty (30) days before the Transfer, an affidavit of non-foreign status with respect to such transferor Member that satisfies the requirements of Code Section 1446(f)(2) or other documentation establishing a valid exemption from withholding pursuant to Code Section 1446(f) (including IRS Form W-9) or (ii) ensure that, contemporaneously with the Transfer, the transferee of such interest properly withholds and remits to the IRS the amount of tax required to be withheld upon the Transfer by Code Section 1446(f) (and promptly provide evidence to the Company of such withholding and remittance).
(c) Additional Provisions with Respect to an Exchange of Units.
(i) Withholding of Cash or Class A Common Stock Permitted. If the Company or the Manager shall be required to withhold any amounts by reason of any federal, state, local, or non-U.S. tax Laws in respect of any Exchange, the Company, or the Manager, as the case may be, shall be entitled to take such action as it deems appropriate in order to ensure compliance with such withholding requirements, including, at its option, withholding shares of Class A Common Stock with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of any taxes that the Company or the Manager, as the case may be, may be required to withhold with respect to such Exchange. To the extent that amounts are (or property is) so withheld and paid over to the appropriate taxing authority, such withheld amounts (or property) shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid (or delivered) to the applicable Member.
(ii) Notice of Withholding. If the Company or the Manager determines that any amounts by reason of any federal, state, local, or non-U.S. tax laws or regulations are required to be withheld in respect of any Exchange, the Company or the Manager, as the case may be, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly notify the Exchangeable Unit Member and shall consider in good faith any positions or alternative arrangements that such Member raises (reasonably in advance of the date on which the Company or the Manager believes withholding is required) as to why withholding is not required or that may avoid the need for such withholding, provided, that neither the Company nor the Manager is required to incur additional costs as a result of such obligation, and this Section 4.10(c)(ii) of this Annex C shall not in any manner limit the authority of the Company or the Manager to withhold taxes with respect to an Exchangeable Unit Member pursuant to Section 4.10(c)(i) of this Annex C.
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(iii) Reimbursement of Taxes by Exchangeable Unit Member. If, within the two-year period beginning at the date of an Exchange, (i) the Manager withholds or otherwise pays any amount on account of taxes in respect of exchanged Units, which amount is attributable to the two-year period ending at the end of the date of such Exchange, and (ii) the Manager or any person other than the Exchangeable Unit Member otherwise would bear the economic burden of such withholding or other payment (including by reason of such amount being treated as having been distributed to the Manager in respect of the Exchangeable Units pursuant to Section 4.10 of this Annex C), the Exchangeable Unit Member shall, upon notice by the Company and/or the Manager, promptly reimburse the Company and/or the Manager for such amount; provided, however, that the Exchangeable Unit Member’s reimbursement obligation under this Section 4.10(c)(iii) of this Annex C shall not exceed the amount of the Exchange Consideration received by the Exchangeable Unit Member in connection with such Exchange. Unless otherwise required by Law, any amount paid by an Exchangeable Unit Member pursuant to this Section 4.10(c)(iii) of this Annex C shall be treated as an adjustment to the proceeds received by the Exchangeable Unit Member in respect of the applicable Exchange. The Company and the Manager shall have the right to reduce any amounts due to such Exchangeable Unit Member from the Manager or any of its Affiliates by the amount owed by such Exchangeable Unit Member under this Section 4.10(c)(iii) of this Annex C.
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ANNEX D: SCHEDULE OF OFFICERS
Name |
Title | |
| William Dirks | Executive Director | |
| Marco Brun | Chief Executive Officer | |
| Tristan Yopp | Chief Financial Officer |
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ANNEX E: POLICY REGARDING EXCHANGES
Effective as of December 13, 2024
This Policy Regarding Exchanges (the “Policy”) of Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC (the “Company”) sets forth certain rules applicable to the exchange of Exchangeable Units for shares of Class A Common Stock of AleAnna, Inc. (the “Common Stock”) and/or cash, at the option of the Manager (each, an “Exchange”), pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “Agreement”). Capitalized terms that are not defined in this Policy have the meanings given to them in the Agreement. This Policy is made pursuant to, and supplements the provisions of, Article XI of the Agreement.
ARTICLE I
EXCHANGE DATES; PROVISIONS REGARDING EXCHANGEABLE AMOUNT
Section 1.1 Quarterly Exchange Date. There shall be at least one (1) date per quarter of each Fiscal Year on which an Elective Exchange may occur (each, a “Quarterly Exchange Date”) for a holder of Exchangeable Units (each holder, an “Exchanging Holder”). The Quarterly Exchange Date for Exchanging Holders that are required to file reports pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act may be different than the Quarterly Exchange Date for Exchanging Holders that are not required to file reports pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to notify the applicable Exchanging Holders at least forty-five (45) days before a relevant Quarterly Exchange Date (such notice, a “Quarterly Exchange Date Notice”).
Section 1.2 Minimum Exchangeable Amount. The Company may set a minimum number or dollar value of Exchangeable Units that may be exchanged by Exchanging Holders on a Quarterly Exchange Date, which minimum amount shall be the same for all holders of Exchangeable Units (the “Minimum Exchangeable Amount”) and shall include the applicable Minimum Exchangeable Amount in the applicable Quarterly Exchange Date Notice. If an Exchanging Holder delivers an Elective Exchange Notice pursuant to Section 3.1 requesting to exchange all of its Exchangeable Units, the number or dollar value, as applicable, of the Exchanging Holder’s Exchangeable Units shall be deemed to satisfy the Minimum Exchangeable Amount requirement.
Section 1.3 Maximum Exchangeable Amount. The Company may set a maximum aggregate number or dollar value of Exchangeable Units that may be exchanged by the Exchanging Holders on a Quarterly Exchange Date (the “Maximum Exchangeable Amount”) and shall include the applicable Maximum Exchangeable Amount in the applicable Quarterly Exchange Date Notice. If the aggregate number or dollar value of Exchangeable Units that the Exchanging Holders propose to exchange on the Quarterly Exchange Date (as set forth on the Elective Exchange Notices) exceeds the Maximum Exchangeable Amount, then the number or dollar value of Exchangeable Units that each Exchanging Holder specified in its Elective Exchange Notice shall be reduced by the same percentage by which the aggregate number or dollar value of Exchangeable Units of all Exchanging Holders is reduced so that the aggregate number or dollar value of Exchangeable Units does not exceed the Maximum Exchangeable Amount.
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ARTICLE II
ADDITIONAL RIGHTS TO EXCHANGE
Section 2.01 Rights to Exchange.
(a) Right to Exchange Before Certain Transactions. If the Company or the Manager consolidates, merges, combines or consummates any other transaction in which shares of Class A Common Stock are exchanged for or converted into other stock or securities, or the right to receive cash and/or any other property, no other provisions of this Policy shall limit the right of any Exchangeable Unit Member to effect an Elective Exchange in order to receive Class A Common Stock in advance of consummation of any such consolidation, merger, combination or other such transaction unless in connection with any such consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction each Class C Unit shall be entitled to be exchanged for or converted into the stock, cash, securities or other property that such holder of a Class C Unit would have received had it exercised its right to Exchange pursuant to this Policy and received Class A Common Stock in exchange for its Class C Units immediately before such consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction (subject to any differences in the kind and amount of stock or securities, cash and/or any other property as are intended (as determined by the Company in good faith) to maintain the relative voting power of each share of Class C Common Stock relative to each share of Class A Common Stock in effect before such transaction). This Article II shall not apply to any action or transaction (including any consolidation, merger, or combination) approved by a Majority-in-Interest of the Members.
(b) Right to Exchange Before an Applicable Sale or Termination Transaction. Upon the occurrence of an Applicable Sale or a Termination Transaction, no other provisions of this Policy shall limit the right of any Exchangeable Unit Member to effect an Elective Exchange in order to receive Class A Common Stock in advance of consummation of any such Applicable Sale or Termination Transaction.
ARTICLE III
ELECTIVE EXCHANGE NOTICE
Section 3.1 Timing of Elective Exchange Notice.
(a) Elective Exchange Notice. Each holder that elects to Exchange some or all of its Exchangeable Units must deliver notice of an election in respect of the Exchangeable Units to be exchanged (an “Elective Exchange Notice”) to the Company, in a method determined by the Company at least thirty (30) days before the relevant Quarterly Exchange Date. The Company shall provide to each Exchangeable Unit Holder the form of Elective Exchange Notice and the means for delivery of that Elective Exchange Notice.
(b) Acceptance of Elective Exchange Notice. After the Elective Exchange Notice has been delivered to the Company, and unless the Company or Manager, as applicable, has refused to honor the request in full pursuant to Section 1.2 (Minimum Exchangeable Amount), Section 1.3 (Maximum Exchangeable Amount), Section 3.1(c) (Cancellation of Quarterly Exchange Window), Section 3.2(c) (Post-Retraction Limitation on Exchange), or Article IV (Other Restrictions), in each case, as applicable, the Company or Manager, as applicable, will effect the Elective Exchange on the applicable Quarterly Exchange Date in accordance with this Policy.
(c) Cancellation of Quarterly Exchange Date. The Company may at any time, in its sole discretion, cancel a Quarterly Exchange Date for any or no reason. If the Company cancels a Quarterly Exchange Date, then no holder of Exchangeable Units shall be permitted to Exchange those Exchangeable Units on the cancelled Quarterly Exchange Date.
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Section 3.2 Retraction of Elective Exchange Notice.
(a) Ability to Retract; Retraction Deadline. If, at any time between the close of business on the date of delivery of an Elective Exchange Notice and the close of trading on the date that is two (2) Business Days before the applicable effective date of such Elective Exchange (the “Elective Exchange Date”), the reported closing trading price of a share of the Common Stock on the principal United States securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system on which the Common Stock trades decreases by five (5) percent or more, an Exchanging Holder may retract or amend its Elective Exchange Notice by delivering a notice to the Company in a manner determined by the Company not later than the Retraction Deadline (a “Retraction Notice” and the Exchangeable Units that were the subject of the Retraction Notice, the “Retracted Units”) not later than the close of trading on the date that is two (2) Business Days before the applicable Elective Exchange Date (the “Retraction Deadline”) pursuant to Section 3.2(b). The Company shall have no obligation to notify the Exchanging Holders of any decrease in the Common Stock trading price.
(b) Retraction Notice. An Exchanging Holder wishing to retract must retract at least fifty percent (50%) of its Exchangeable Units that were the subject of the retracted Elective Exchange Notice. If the revised Elective Exchange Notice does not satisfy the Minimum Exchangeable Amount, the Exchanging Holder will be deemed to retract the full amount of Exchangeable Units that were the subject of the retracted Elective Exchange Notice. An Exchanging Holder’s delivery of a Retraction Notice shall be irrevocable and all actions taken to effect the Elective Exchange contemplated by that retracted Elective Exchange Notice shall be deemed rescinded and void with respect to the Retracted Units. Subject to the applicable Minimum Exchangeable Amount and Maximum Exchangeable Amount, if any, if a Retraction Notice does not retract all of the Exchangeable Units that were the subject of an Elective Exchange Notice, the Exchangeable Units that are not Retracted Units will be exchanged on the relevant Quarterly Exchange Date.
(c) Post-Retraction Limitation on Exchange. If an Exchanging Holder delivers a Retraction Notice for a Quarterly Exchange Date pursuant to Section 3.2(b), the retracting Exchanging Holder shall not be entitled to participate in the Exchange on the Quarterly Exchange Date for which the Retraction Notice was delivered with respect to the Retracted Units.
(d) Certain Provisions for Common Stock Settlement. (1) Any Exchange may be conditioned (including as to timing) by the Exchanging Holder on the closing of an underwritten distribution of the shares of Class A Common Stock that may be issued in connection with such proposed Exchange, subject to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement and (2) an Exchanging Holder shall be entitled to revoke its Elective Exchange Notice or delay the consummation of an Exchange if any of the following conditions exists: (i) any registration statement pursuant to which the resale of the Class A Common Stock to be registered for such Exchanging Holder at or immediately following the consummation of the Exchange shall have ceased to be effective pursuant to any action or inaction by the SEC or no such resale registration statement has yet become effective; (ii) the Manager shall have failed to cause any related prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement necessary to effect such Exchange; (iii) if applicable, the Manager shall have exercised a contractual right to defer, delay or suspend the filing or effectiveness of a registration statement and such deferral, delay or suspension shall affect the ability of such Exchanging Holder to have its Class A Common Stock registered at or immediately following the consummation of the Exchange; (iv) the Exchanging Holder is in possession of any material non-public information concerning the Manager, the receipt of which results in such Exchanging Holder being prohibited or restricted from selling Class A Common Stock at or immediately following the Exchange without disclosure of such information (and the Manager does not permit disclosure of such information); (v) any stop order relating to the registration statement pursuant to which the Class A Common Stock was to be registered by such Exchanging Holder at or immediately following the Exchange shall have been issued by the SEC; (vi) there shall have occurred a material disruption in the securities markets generally or in the market or markets in which the Class A Common Stock is then traded; (vii) there shall be in effect an injunction, a restraining order or a decree of any nature of any governmental authority that restrains or prohibits the Exchange; (viii) the Manager shall have failed to comply in all material respects with its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, and such failure shall have affected the ability of such Exchanging Holder to consummate the resale of Class A Common Stock to be received upon such Exchange pursuant to an effective registration statement; or (ix) the Exchange Date would occur three (3) Business Days or less prior to, or during, a black-out period effected by the Manager. If an Exchanging Holder delays the consummation of an Exchange pursuant to this Section 3.2(d), the date of the Exchange shall occur on the fifth (5) Business Day following the date on which the condition(s) giving rise to such delay cease to exist (or such other day as the Manager, the Company and such Exchanging Holder may agree in writing).
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ARTICLE IV
OTHER RESTRICTIONS
Notwithstanding any provision of this Policy to the contrary (including the provisions of Article II), the Company may prohibit an Exchange by one or more holders of Exchangeable Units under any of the following conditions and determinations made by the Company based on the advice of counsel (which may be external or internal counsel):
(a) If an Exchange is (or is reasonably likely to be) prohibited under applicable law, regulation, or agreement to which the Company or an affiliate is a party; or
(b) If there is a material risk that the Company would be a “publicly traded partnership” under section 7704 of the Code as a result of an Exchange.
ARTICLE V
EXEMPTIONS FROM AND MODIFICATIONS TO POLICY
The Company may, in its discretion and if applicable based on the advice of counsel (which may be external or internal counsel), consider and grant requests from holders of Exchangeable Units, including for (i) additional Exchange Dates, (ii) Exchanges of less than the Minimum Exchangeable Amount, (iii) Exchanges in excess of the Maximum Exchangeable Amount, (iv) an Exchange to be subject to one or more contingencies relating to the Company or the Manager in addition to those set forth in this Policy, or (v) any other matter with respect to Exchanges (to the extent permitted by the Agreement and applicable Law). A holder of Exchangeable Units may request an exemption from this Policy by submitting a written request to the Company and following the delivery requirements set forth in Article III as if the written request were an Elective Exchange Notice.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 6.1 Continuing Application of Company’s Policies and Securities Laws. Nothing in this Policy shall affect, and each holder of Exchangeable Units shall remain subject to, the Company’s policies, including those addressing insider trading and any other Company policies regarding trading or the holding of investments. All holders of Exchangeable Units shall comply with all applicable securities laws and rules.
E-4
Section 6.2 Independent Nature of Rights and Obligations. Nothing in this Policy or in any other agreement or document or any action taken by any holder of Exchangeable Units shall be deemed to cause the holders of Exchangeable Units to have formed a partnership, association, joint venture, or any other kind of entity or create a presumption that the holders of Exchangeable Units are in any way acting in concert as a group.
Section 6.3 Mandatory Exchanges. This Policy shall not apply to any Exchange of Exchangeable Units pursuant to a Mandatory Exchange, as described in, and pursuant to, the Agreement.
Section 6.4 Notice Delivery Deadlines on Non-Business Days. If the date on or before which the Company or an Exchanging Holder is required to deliver a notice pursuant to this Policy is not a Business Day, then that notice will be deemed to be timely delivered on that date if that notice is received on the Business Day immediately following that date.
Section 6.5 Notifications Under This Policy. The Company will be deemed to have satisfied any notification requirement in this Policy by making available such notification on any system accessible by Exchanging Holders.
Section 6.6 Modification of Policy. Subject to applicable limitations in the Agreement, the Company may modify this Policy at any time without notice. The Company will deliver or make available a copy of the revised Policy to the holders of Exchangeable Units as promptly as practicable upon such modifications being effected, and no holder of Exchangeable Units shall be bound by any such modification prior to delivery to such holder of such revised Policy.
* * *
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Exhibit 10.16
FINAL FORM
LETTER AGREEMENT
June 4, 2024
[ADDRESS]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the [(i) Securities Subscription Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2021 (the “SSA”), by and between Swiftmerge Acquisition Corp. (“Swiftmerge”) and [●] (the “Anchor Investor”), (ii) Non-Redemption Agreement and Assignment of Economic Interest, dated as of March 14, 2024 (the “NRA”), by and among Swiftmerge, Swiftmerge Holdings, LP (the “Sponsor”) and the “NRA Investors” set forth on the signature page hereto (collectively, the “NRA Investors” and together with the Anchor Investor, the “Investor”),] (iii) Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 4, 2024 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Swiftmerge, a to be formed “Holdco” entity, which will be a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Swiftmerge, a to be formed “Merger Subsidiary” entity, which will be a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of HoldCo and AleAnna Energy, LLC (the “Company”), and (iv) Amended and Restated Sponsor Letter Agreement, dated as of June 4, 2024 (the “SSLA”), by and among Swiftmerge, Sponsor and the Company.
In order to induce Swiftmerge and the Company to enter into the Merger Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each of the undersigned hereby agrees as follows:
Investor hereby represents and warrants that as of the date hereof and as of immediately prior to the surrender contemplated herein, neither Investor nor any of its controlled Affiliates owns of record or “beneficially owns” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) any shares of capital stock of Swiftmerge, or any securities that are by their terms, directly or indirectly, convertible or exchangeable into, or exercisable for shares of capital stock of Swiftmerge, or any option, warrant, or other right to subscribe for, purchase, or acquire any shares of capital stock of Swiftmerge, other than [(a) [●] Class B Ordinary Shares of Swiftmerge held by [the Anchor Investor/Investor Name] (collectively, the “Owned Shares”), and (b) private placement warrants to purchase [●] Class A Ordinary Shares of Swiftmerge held by [the Anchor Investor/Investor Name] (the “Owned Warrants”).]
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the [SSA or NRA], the Investor hereby agrees that it and the [Owned Shares and Owned Warrants] shall be subject to, and expressly bound by, the provisions of Section 2, Section 4 and Section 5 of the SSLA, as if such Investor was a party thereto, on the same basis as such provisions apply to the Sponsor thereunder. As a result thereof and for avoidance of the doubt, the Investor hereby agrees that (1) the Investor shall comply in all respects with the voting, lock-up and transfer restrictions provisions set forth in the SSLA as if it were a party thereto and (2) immediately prior to, and subject to and conditioned upon, the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, shall irrevocably surrender the [Owned Shares and Owned Warrants] held by it to Swiftmerge as set forth below, with no shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock (as defined in the SSLA) being issued in respect thereof:
| Investor | [Surrendered Owned Shares (SSA)] | [Retained Owned Shares (SSA)] | [Surrendered Owned Shares (NRA)] | [Retained Owned Shares (NRA)] | [Surrendered Owned Warrants] | |||||||||||||||
| [●] | [● | ] | [● | ] | [● | ] | [● | ] | [● | ] |
This Letter Agreement supersedes all prior discussions, agreements and understandings of any and every nature among them relating to the subject matter hereof. The Company shall be a third party beneficiary of this Letter Agreement and entitled to enforce it as if it were a party hereto.
This Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to its principles or rules of conflict of laws to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.
This Letter Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together 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, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
Neither this Letter Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
[Signature page follows]
2
The forgoing Letter Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:
| Very truly yours, | ||
| SPONSOR | ||
| SWIFTMERGE HOLDINGS, LP | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| SWIFTMERGE | ||
| SWIFTMERGE ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| INVESTOR | ||
| [●] | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: [●] | ||
| Title: [●] | ||
| Address: | ||
| [●] | ||
| Attention: [●] | ||
| Email: [●] | ||
[Signature Page to Investor Side Letter Agreement]
3
Acknowledged and Agreed:
COMPANY
| ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: [●] | ||
| Title: [●] | ||
[Signature Page to Investor Side Letter Agreement]
4
Exhibit 10.17
AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of December 13th, 2024, is made and entered into by and among AleAnna, Inc., a Delaware corporation (f/k/a Swiftmerge Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company prior to its domestication as a Delaware corporation) (the “Company”), Swiftmerge Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Sponsor”), Nautilus Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Nautilus”), and the undersigned parties listed under Holders on the signature pages hereto (each such party, together with the Sponsor, Nautilus and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2, a “Holder” and collectively the “Holders”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, on December 17, 2021, the Company, the Sponsor and certain other security holders named therein (the “Existing Holders”) entered into that certain Registration and Shareholder Rights Agreement (the “Existing Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company granted the Sponsor and such other Existing Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company;
WHEREAS, on June 4, 2024, the Company, Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“HoldCo”), Swiftmerge Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of HoldCo, and AleAnna Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended by that certain First Amendment to the Merger Agreement, dated as of October 8, 2024, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which the parties to the Merger Agreement will undertake the transactions described therein (the “Business Combination”);
WHEREAS, on the date hereof, in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, (a) the Holders received shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class A Common Stock”), of the Company, and (b) Nautilus received shares of Class A Common Stock, Class C common units of HoldCo (“HoldCo Units”) and shares of Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class C Common Stock”) of the Company, which together are exchangeable for shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the amended and restated limited liability company agreement of HoldCo; and
WHEREAS, the Company, Nautilus and the Existing Holders desire to amend and restate the Existing Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
Article
I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:
“Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or principal financial officer of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (a) would be required to be made in (i) any Registration Statement in order for the applicable Registration Statement not to 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 not misleading or (ii) any Prospectus in order for the applicable Prospectus not to include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (b) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, declared effective or used, as the case may be, and (c) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Block Trade” shall have the meaning given to it in subsection 2.4.1.
“Board” shall mean the board of directors of the Company.
“Business Combination” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Class A Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
”Class C Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble and includes the Company’s successors by recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization or similar transaction.
“Demanding Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.5.
“Demand Notice” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.5.
“Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning given in subsection 3.1.1.
”Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.
“Existing Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Existing Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Financial Counterparty” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.4.1.
“HoldCo” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“HoldCo Units” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Holder Indemnified Persons” shall have the meaning given in subsection 4.1.1.
“Holder Information” shall have the meaning given in subsection 4.1.2.
“Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
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“Form S-1” shall mean Form S-1 for the registration of securities under the Securities Act promulgated by the Commission.
“Form S-3” shall mean Form S-3 for the registration of securities under the Securities Act promulgated by the Commission.
“Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.6.
“Merger Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Minimum Underwritten Offering Threshold” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.5.
“Misstatement” shall mean, in the case of a Registration Statement, an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and in the case of a Prospectus, an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
“Nautilus” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Other Coordinated Offering” shall have the meaning given to it in subsection 2.4.1.
“Permitted Transferees” shall mean (a) the members of a Holder’s immediate family (for purposes of this Agreement, “immediate family” shall mean with respect to any natural person, any of the following: such person’s spouse, the siblings of such person and his or her spouse, and the direct descendants and ascendants (including adopted and step children and parents) of such person and his or her spouses and siblings), (b) any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of a Holder or the immediate family of a Holder, (c) if a Holder is a trust, to the trustor or beneficiary of such trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust, (d) any officer, director, general partner, limited partner, shareholder, member or owner of similar equity interests in a Holder or (e) any affiliate of a Holder or the immediate family of such affiliate.
“Piggyback Notice” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.1.
“Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.1.
“Pro Rata” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.6.
“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
“Registrable Security” shall mean (a) any outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (including the shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company held by a Holder immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination, (b) any shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon exchange of HoldCo Units and shares of Class C Common Stock issued to a Holder under the Merger Agreement, (c) any shares of Class A Common Stock issued or to be issued to any Holders in connection with the Business Combination, and (d) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any Registrable Security by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (i) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (ii) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred to a person who is not entitled to the registration and other rights hereunder, new certificates for such securities not bearing a legend restricting further Transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (iii) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (iv) such securities may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 and Rule 145 (as applicable) promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission) (but with no volume or other restrictions or limitations); or (v) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.
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“Registration” shall mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any such registration statement having been declared effective by, or become effective pursuant to the rules promulgated by, the Commission.
“Registration Expenses” shall mean the out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:
(a) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. and any national securities exchange on which the shares of Class A Common Stock is then listed);
(b) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);
(c) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;
(d) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company;
(e) reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration or Underwritten Offering;
(f) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of any Registrable Securities on each national securities exchange on which the shares of Class A Common Stock is then listed; and
(g) the fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any Underwritten Offerings or other offering involving an Underwriter.
“Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement under the Securities Act that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
“Requesting Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.5.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
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“Shelf Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Sponsor” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.3.
“Suspension Period” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.5.
“Transfer” shall mean the (a) sale or assignment of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to, any security, (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in the foregoing clause (a) or (b).
“Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal or as broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to a Registration and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.
“Underwritten Demand” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.5.
“Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.
Article
II
REGISTRATIONS
2.1 Registration.
2.1.1 Shelf Registration. The Company agrees that, within sixty (60) calendar days after the date hereof, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission (at the Company’s sole cost and expense) a Registration Statement registering the resale or other disposition of all of the Registrable Securities (a “Shelf Registration”) on Form S-1 (determined as of two (2) business days prior to such submission or filing) on a delayed or continuous basis. Such Shelf Registration shall provide for the resale of the Registrable Securities included therein pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder named therein. The Company shall maintain a Shelf Registration in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and shall prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements as may be necessary to keep a Shelf Registration continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. In the event the Company files a Shelf Registration on Form S-1, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to convert the Shelf Registration on Form S-1 (and any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement) to a Shelf Registration on Form S-3 as soon as practicable after the Company is eligible to use Form S-3. The Company’s obligation under this subsection 2.1.1, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 3.4.
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2.1.2 Effective Registration. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective by the Commission as soon as reasonably practicable after the initial filing of the Registration Statement, but no later than the earlier of (a) sixty (60) calendar days (or ninety (90) calendar days if the Commission notifies the Company that it will “review” such Shelf Registration) following the initial filing date thereof and (b) ten (10) business days after the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that such Shelf Registration will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. Subject to the limitations contained in this Agreement, the Company shall effect any Shelf Registration on such appropriate registration form of the Commission (a) as shall be selected by the Company and (b) as shall permit the resale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities by the Holders. If at any time a Registration Statement filed with the Commission pursuant to subsection 2.1.1 is effective and a Holder provides written notice to the Company that it intends to effect an offering of all or part of the Registrable Securities included on such Registration Statement, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to amend or supplement such Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to enable such offering to take place in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
2.1.3 Subsequent Shelf Registration. If any Registration Statement ceases to be effective under the Securities Act for any reason at any time while Registrable Securities are still outstanding, the Company shall, subject to Section 3.4, use its commercially reasonable efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable cause such Registration Statement to again become effective under the Securities Act (including using its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement), and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable amend such Registration Statement in a manner reasonably expected to result in the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or file an additional Registration Statement as a Shelf Registration (a “Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement”) registering the resale of all Registrable Securities from time to time (determined as of two (2) business days prior to such filing), and pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder named therein. If a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is reasonably practicable after the filing thereof (it being agreed that the Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) if the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) at the most recent applicable eligibility determination date) and (ii) keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. Any such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 to the extent that the Company is eligible to use such form. Otherwise, such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be on another appropriate form. The Company’s obligation under this subsection 2.1.3, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 3.4.
2.1.4 Additional Registrable Securities. Subject to Section 3.4, in the event that any Holder holds Registrable Securities that are not registered for resale on a delayed or continuous basis, the Company, upon written request of the Sponsor or a Holder, shall promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the resale of such Registrable Securities to be covered, at the Company’s option, by any then available Registration Statement (including by means of a post-effective amendment) or by filing a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement and cause the same to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and such Registration Statement or Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be subject to the terms hereof; provided, however, that the Company shall only be required to cause such Registrable Securities to be so covered twice per calendar year for each of the Sponsor and the Holders.
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2.1.5 Underwritten Offering. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.6, Section 2.5 and Section 3.4, the Sponsor, a Holder or group of Holders (any of the Sponsor, Holder or group of Holders being in such case, a “Demanding Holder”) may make a written demand for an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration filed with the Commission in accordance with subsection 2.1.1 (an “Underwritten Demand”); provided, that the Company shall only be obligated to effect an Underwritten Offering if such offering shall include Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by the Demanding Holder, either individually or together with other Demanding Holders, with a total offering price reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) (the “Minimum Underwritten Offering Threshold”). The Demanding Holder shall have the responsibility to engage an underwriter(s), which shall consist of one or more reputable, nationally recognized investment banks; provided that such selection shall be subject to the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, and the Company shall have no responsibility for engaging any underwriter(s) for an Underwritten Offering. The Company shall, within five (5) business days of the Company’s receipt of the Underwritten Demand, notify, in writing (such notice, the “Demand Notice”), all other Holders of such demand, and each Holder who thereafter requests to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering pursuant to such Underwritten Demand (each such Holder, a “Requesting Holder”) shall so notify the Company, in writing, within two (2) days (one (1) day if such offering is an overnight or bought Underwritten Offering) after the receipt by such Holder of the notice from the Company. Upon receipt by the Company of any such written notification from a Requesting Holder(s), such Requesting Holder(s) shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in such Underwritten Offering pursuant to such Underwritten Demand. In such event, the right of any Holder or Requesting Holder to register pursuant to this subsection 2.1.5 shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s or Requesting Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s or Requesting Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All such Holders or Requesting Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through such Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.1.5 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Demanding Holders initiating such Underwritten Offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company is not obligated to effect more than one (1) Underwritten Offering demanded by the Sponsor pursuant to this subsection 2.1.5 and is not obligated to effect an Underwritten Offering pursuant to this subsection 2.1.5 within ninety (90) days after the closing of an Underwritten Offering, Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering.
2.1.6 Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Offering, pursuant to an Underwritten Demand, in good faith, advises or advise the Company, the Demanding Holders, the Requesting Holders and other persons or entities holding Registrable Securities or other equity securities of the Company that were requested to be included in such Underwritten Offering, taken together with all other shares of Class A Common Stock or other securities which the Company desires to sell and the shares of Class A Common Stock or other securities, if any, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggyback registration rights held by other equity holders of the Company who desire to sell (if any) that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities or other equity securities of the Company requested to be included in such Underwritten Offering exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities of the Company that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: (a) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities then owned by such Demanding Holder (such proportion is referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (b) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (a), the Registrable Securities of the Requesting Holders, Pro Rata, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (c) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company that the Company desires to sell and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (d) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c), the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company held by other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to include pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.
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2.1.7 Withdrawal. Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such Underwritten Offering, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Offering pursuant to subsection 2.1.5 shall have the right to withdraw from such Underwritten Offering for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification (a “Withdrawal Notice”) to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Underwritten Offering; provided that a Holder may elect to have the Company continue an Underwritten Offering if the Minimum Underwritten Offering Threshold would still be satisfied by the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Offering by such Holder. If withdrawn, a demand for an Underwritten Offering shall constitute a demand for an Underwritten Offering by the withdrawing Demanding Holder for purposes of subsection 2.1.6, unless either (i) such Demanding Holder has not previously withdrawn any Underwritten Offering or (ii) such Demanding Holder reimburses the Company for all Registration Expenses with respect to such Underwritten Offering (or, if there is more than one Demanding Holder, a pro rata portion of such Registration Expenses based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Offering); provided that, if a Holder elects to continue an Underwritten Offering pursuant to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence, such Underwritten Offering shall instead count as an Underwritten Offering demanded by such Holder, as applicable, for purposes of subsection 2.1.6. Following the receipt of any Withdrawal Notice, the Company shall promptly forward such Withdrawal Notice to any other Holders that had elected to participate in such Underwritten Offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with an Underwritten Demand prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.1.7, other than if a Demanding Holder elects to pay such Registration Expenses pursuant to clause (ii) of the second sentence of this subsection 2.1.7.
2.2 Piggyback Registration.
2.2.1 Piggyback Rights. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.2.2 and Section 2.5, if, at any time on or after the date hereof, the Company proposes to consummate an Underwritten Offering for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed action as soon as practicable to all Holders who hold at least ten million dollars ($10,000,000) of the Registrable Securities (the “Piggyback Notice”), which notice shall (a) describe the amount and type of securities to be included, the intended method(s) of distribution and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, and (b) offer to all of the Holders the opportunity to include such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within two (2) days (one (1) day if such offering is an overnight or bought Underwritten Offering), in each case after receipt of such written notice (such Registration, a “Piggyback Registration”). The Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this subsection 2.2.1 to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such Piggyback Registration and to permit the resale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All such Holders proposing to include Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.2.1 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company.
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2.2.2 Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Offering that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company that the Company desires to sell, taken together with (i) the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company, if any, as to which the Underwritten Offering has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, (ii) the Registrable Securities as to which a Piggyback Registration has been requested pursuant to Section 2.2 and (iii) the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company, if any, as to which inclusion in the Underwritten Offering has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggyback registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:
(a) If the Underwritten Offering is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Underwritten Offering (i) first, the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Registrable Securities of Holders requesting a Piggyback Registration pursuant to subsection 2.2.1, Pro Rata, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company, if any, as to which inclusion in the Underwritten Offering has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggyback registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;
(b) If the Underwritten Offering is pursuant to a request by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include in any such Underwritten Offering (i) first, the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company, if any, of such requesting persons or entities, other than the Holders, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Registrable Securities of Holders requesting a Piggyback Registration pursuant to subsection 2.2.1, Pro Rata, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iv) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company for the account of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; or
(c) If the Underwritten Offering is pursuant to a request by Holder(s) of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1, then the Company shall include in any such Registration or registered offering securities in the priority set forth in subsection 2.1.6.
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2.2.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities (other than a Demanding Holder, whose right to withdraw from an Underwritten Offering, and related obligations, shall be governed by subsection 2.1.7) shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the commencement of the Underwritten Offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.2.3. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as a result of a withdrawal by persons making a demand pursuant to written contractual obligations) may withdraw an Underwritten Offering undertaken for the Company’s account at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement.
2.2.4 Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, subject to subsection 2.1.7, any Piggyback Registration or Underwritten Offering effected pursuant to Section 2.2 shall not be counted as an Underwritten Offering pursuant to an Underwritten Demand effected under Section 2.1.
2.3 Market Stand Off. In connection with any Underwritten Offering (other than a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering), if requested by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters, each Holder of Registrable Securities that participates and sells Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering (and for which it is customary for such a Holder to agree to a lock-up) agrees that it shall not Transfer any shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company (other than those included in such offering pursuant to this Agreement), including a Transfer pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), without the prior written consent of the managing Underwriter or Underwriters, during the period beginning on the date of pricing of such offering and expiring on the earlier of (a) one hundred eighty (180) days thereafter and (b) the date agreed to by the directors, officers and all one percent (1%) or greater stockholders of the Company and as set forth in such party’s lock-up agreement. Each such Holder that participates and sells Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering agrees to execute a customary lock-up agreement in favor of the Underwriters to such effect (in each case on substantially the same terms and conditions as all such Holders that execute a lock-up agreement).
2.4 Block Trades; Other Coordinated Offerings.
2.4.1 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article II, but subject to Section 3.4, at any time and from time to time when an effective Registration Statement is on file with the Commission, if a Demanding Holder notifies the Company that such Demanding Holder wishes to engage in (a) an underwritten registered offering not involving a “roadshow,” an offer commonly known as a “block trade” (a “Block Trade”) or (b) an “at the market” or similar registered offering through a broker, sales agent or distribution agent, whether as agent or principal, (an “Other Coordinated Offering”), in each case, (x) with a total offering price reasonably expected to exceed ten million dollars ($10,000,000) in the aggregate or (y) with respect to all remaining Registrable Securities held by the Demanding Holder, then such Demanding Holder only needs to notify the Company of the Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering at least five (5) business days prior to the day such offering is to commence and, if so requested by such Demanding Holder, the Company shall as expeditiously as possible use its commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering; provided that the Demanding Holders representing a majority of the Registrable Securities wishing to engage in the Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering shall use commercially reasonable efforts to work with the Company and any Underwriters or brokers, sales agents or placement agents (each, a “Financial Counterparty”) prior to making such request in order to facilitate preparation of the registration statement, prospectus and other offering documentation related to the Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering.
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2.4.2 Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used in connection with a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering, a majority-in interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering shall have the right to submit a written notification to the Company, the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) and Financial Counterparty (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.4.2.
2.4.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Section 2.2 shall not apply to a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering initiated by a Demanding Holder pursuant to Section 2.4.
2.4.4 The Demanding Holder in a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering shall have the right to select the Underwriters and Financial Counterparty (if any) for such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering (in each case, which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks).
2.4.5 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company is not obligated to effect more than an aggregate of two (2) Block Trades or Other Coordinated Offerings demanded by the Sponsor pursuant to this subsection 2.4.5 and is not obligated to effect a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offerings pursuant to this subsection 2.4.5 within ninety (90) days after the closing of an Underwritten Offering, Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering. For the avoidance of doubt, any Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering effected pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall not be counted as a demand for an Underwritten Offering pursuant to subsection 2.1.5. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Demanding Holder has used the maximum amount of Block Trades and Other Coordinated Offerings such Holder is entitled to under this Section 2.4.5 at a time in which it is entitled to demand an Underwritten Offering under Section 2.1.5, such Demanding Holder shall be entitled to demand the Company effect a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering in accordance with Section 2.4 in lieu of an Underwritten Offering (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall count towards the aggregate amount of Underwritten Offerings such Holder is entitled to demand pursuant to Section 2.1.5); provided that such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering shall not be within ninety (90) days of the closing of another Block Trade, Other Coordinated Offering or Underwritten Offering.
2.5 Restrictions on Registration Rights. If the Holders have requested an Underwritten Offering pursuant to an Underwritten Demand and in the good faith judgment of the Board such Underwritten Offering would be seriously detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer the undertaking of such Underwritten Offering at such time, then in each case the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would be seriously detrimental to the Company to undertake such Underwritten Offering in the near future and that it is therefore essential to defer the undertaking of such Underwritten Offering (any such period, a “Suspension Period”). In such event, the Company shall have the right to defer such offering for a period of not more than ninety (90) days in any twelve-month period; provided, however, that the Company shall not defer its obligations in this manner more than once in any twelve (12) month period.
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Article
III
COMPANY PROCEDURES
3.1 General Procedures. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such Registration or Underwritten Offering to permit the resale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof (and including all manners of distribution in such Registration Statement as Holders may reasonably request in connection with the filing of such Registration Statement and as permitted by law, including distribution of Registrable Securities to a Holder’s members, securityholders or partners), and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible and to the extent applicable:
3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission as soon as practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective in accordance with Section 2.1, including filing a replacement Registration Statement, if necessary, until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have ceased to be Registrable Securities (such period, the “Effectiveness Period”);
3.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be reasonably requested by any Holder that holds at least five percent (5%) of the Registrable Securities registered on such Registration Statement (provided that such Holders of Registrable Securities may demand that the Company prepare and file with the Commission not more than two (2) amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement and supplements to the Prospectus in any 12 month period) or any Underwriter or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus or have ceased to be Registrable Securities;
3.1.3 prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters or Financial Counterparty, if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or Underwritten Offering or Block Trade, and such Holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus (including each preliminary Prospectus) and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or Underwritten Offering or the legal counsel for any such Holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders; provided that the Company will not have any obligation to provide any document pursuant to this subsection 3.1.3 that is available on the Commission’s EDGAR system;
3.1.4 prior to any Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities, use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may reasonably request (or provide evidence satisfactory to such Holders that the Registrable Securities are exempt from such registration or qualification) and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;
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3.1.5 use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;
3.1.6 provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement or Underwritten Offering;
3.1.7 advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it receives notice or obtains knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;
3.1.8 during the Effectiveness Period, furnish a conformed copy of each filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, promptly after such filing of such documents with the Commission to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel; provided that the Company will not have any obligation to provide any document pursuant to this subsection 3.1.8 that is available on the Commission’s EDGAR system;
3.1.9 notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4;
3.1.10 in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade, an Other Coordinated Offering, or sale by a Financial Counterparty pursuant to such Registration, permit a representative of the Holders (such representative to be selected by a majority of the Holders), the Underwriters or other Financial Counterparty facilitating such Underwritten Offering, Block Trade, Other Coordinated Offering or other sale pursuant to such Registration, if any, and any attorney, consultant or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s or entity’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, Financial Counterparty, attorney, consultant or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives or Underwriters or Financial Counterparty agree to confidentiality arrangements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;
3.1.11 obtain a comfort letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade or sale by a Financial Counterparty pursuant to such Registration (subject to such Financial Counterparty providing such certification or representation reasonably requested by the Company’s independent registered public accountants and the Company’s counsel), in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters as the managing Underwriter or Underwriters may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;
3.1.12 in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade, an Other Coordinated Offering or sale by a Financial Counterparty pursuant to such Registration, on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the participating Holders, the Financial Counterparty, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the participating Holders, Financial Counterparty or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters;
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3.1.13 in the event of an Underwritten Offering or a Block Trade, or an Other Coordinated Offering or sale by a Financial Counterparty pursuant to such Registration to which the Company has consented, to the extent reasonably requested by such Financial Counterparty in order to engage in such offering, allow the Financial Counterparty to conduct customary “underwriter’s due diligence” with respect to the Company;
3.1.14 in the event of any Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade, an Other Coordinated Offering or sale by a Financial Counterparty pursuant to such Registration, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting or other purchase or sales agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter or Underwriters or the Financial Counterparty of such offering or sale;
3.1.15 make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), and which requirement will be deemed to be satisfied if the Company timely files complete and accurate information on Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act;
3.1.16 with respect to an Underwritten Offering pursuant to subsection 2.1.5 use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering; and
3.1.17 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the participating Holders, consistent with the terms of this Agreement, in connection with such Registration.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to provide any documents or information to an Underwriter or Financial Counterparty if such Underwriter or Financial Counterparty has not then been named with respect to the applicable Underwritten Offering or other offering involving a registration as an Underwriter or Financial Counterparty, as applicable.
3.2 Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses in respect of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees and Underwriter marketing costs.
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3.3 Requirements for Participation in Underwritten Offerings. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any Holder does not timely provide the Company with its requested Holder Information, the Company may exclude such Holder’s Registrable Securities from the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus if the Company determines, based on the advice of counsel, that such information is necessary to effect the registration and such Holder continues thereafter to withhold such information. No person or entity may participate in any Underwritten Offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person or entity (a) agrees to sell such person’s or entity’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (b) timely completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements. For the avoidance of doubt, the exclusion of a Holder’s Registrable Securities as a result of this Section 3.3 shall not affect the registration of the other Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration.
3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure. Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains or includes a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until he, she or it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Registration Statement or Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as reasonably practicable after the time of such notice), or until he, she or it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Registration Statement or Prospectus may be resumed. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration or Underwritten Offering at any time would (a) require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure, (b) require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control or (c) in the good faith judgment of the majority of the Board such Registration, be seriously detrimental to the Company and the majority of the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer such filing, initial effectiveness or continued use at such time, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders (which notice shall not specify the nature of the event giving rise to such delay or suspension), delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose., provided, however, that the Company may not delay or suspend a Registration Statement, Prospectus or Underwritten Offering on more than two (2) occasions, for more than sixty (60) consecutive calendar days, or more than one hundred-twenty (120) total calendar days, in each case during any twelve (12)-month period. In the event the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentences in this Section 3.4, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notices referred to in this Section 3.4, their use of the Registration Statement or Prospectus in connection with any resale or other disposition of Registrable Securities. In addition, the Company may delay or suspend continued use of a Registration Statement or Prospectus in respect of a Registration or Underwritten Offering in order to file and make effective a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement in connection with the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.4; provided, that each Holder hereby (i) acknowledges that such notice referred to in the immediately preceding sentence shall constitute confidential information of the Company and (ii) agrees to maintain in strict confidence and not to disclose to any person any information contained in such notice (including, without limitation, the fact that the Company has delivered such notice to the Holders).
3.5 Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to use commercially reasonable efforts to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to resell or otherwise dispose of shares of Registrable Securities held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), including providing any customary legal opinions. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
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Article
IV
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
4.1 Indemnification.
4.1.1 The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers, directors, employees, advisors, agents, representatives, members and each person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) (collectively, the “Holder Indemnified Persons”) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulting from any Misstatement or alleged Misstatement, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained or included in any information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder Indemnified Person specifically for use therein.
4.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish (or cause to be furnished) to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (the “Holder Information”) and, to the extent permitted by law, shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify the Company, its officers, directors, employees, advisors, agents, representatives and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulting from any Misstatement or alleged Misstatement, but only to the extent that the same are made in reliance on and in conformity with information relating to the Holder so furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for use therein. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement giving rise to such indemnification obligation.
4.1.3 Any person or entity entitled to indemnification herein shall (a) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (b) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim or there may be reasonable defenses available to the indemnified party that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement includes a statement or admission of fault and culpability on the part of such indemnified party or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.
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4.1.4 The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director, employee, advisor, agent, representative, member or controlling person or entity of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company and each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s indemnification is unavailable for any reason.
4.1.5 If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall to the extent permitted by law contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by a court of law by reference to, among other things, whether the Misstatement or alleged Misstatement relates to information supplied by such indemnifying party or such indemnified party and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this subsection 4.1.5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
Article
V
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (a) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (b) delivery in person or by courier service or sent by overnight mail via a reputable overnight carrier, in each case providing evidence of delivery or (c) transmission by facsimile or email. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third (3rd) business day following the date on which it is mailed, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, or overnight mail at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation, and in the case of notices delivered by facsimile or email, at such time as it is successfully transmitted to the addressee. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed, if to the Company, to 300 Crescent Court, Suite 1860, Dallas, TX 75201, Attention: Tristan Yopp, or by email at: [****], if to the Sponsor, to 4318 Forman Ave, Toluca Lake, CA 91602, Attention: Sam Bremner, or by email at: [****], or if to any Holder, to the address of such Holder as it appears in the applicable register for the Registrable Securities or such other address as may be designated in writing by such Holder (including on the signature pages hereto). Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.
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5.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.
5.2.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.
5.2.2 Subject to Section 5.2.4 and Section 5.2.5, this Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of a Holder hereunder, may be transferred or assigned in connection with a Transfer of Registrable Securities to (a) any affiliate of a Holder, (b) any subsidiary, parent, general partner, limited partner, stockholder or member of a Holder, (c) any family member or trust for the benefit of any Holder, or (d) any person for which the Company has provided its prior written consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such rights may only be transferred or assigned if (i) such Transfer is effected in accordance with applicable securities laws; (ii) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to become subject to the terms of this Agreement; and (iii) the Company is given written notice by such Holder of such Transfer, stating the name and address of the transferee or assignee and identifying the Registrable Securities with respect to which such rights are being transferred or assigned.
5.2.3 This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors, which shall include Permitted Transferees.
5.2.4 This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 5.2.
5.2.5 No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (a) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 and (b) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any Transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.
5.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including facsimile or PDF counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced.
5.4 Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS AMONG DELAWARE RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION AND THE VENUE FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO THE AGREEMENT SHALL BE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT IN NEW CASTLE COUNTY THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
5.5 Trial by Jury. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.
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5.6 Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of (a) the Company and (b) the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities held by the Holders at the time in question, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects any Holder, solely in his, her or its capacity as a holder of the shares of capital stock of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of each such Holder so affected; provided, further, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof shall also require the written consent of Nautilus so long as Nautilus and its affiliates hold, in the aggregate, at least twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.
5.7 Other Registration Rights. The Company represents and warrants that no person, other than (a) a Holder, and (b) holders of the Company’s public warrants pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2021, by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration Statement filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person. From and after the date hereof, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities, enter into any agreement with any current or future holder of any securities of the Company that would allow such current or future holder to require to the Company to include securities in any Registration Statement filed by the Company for such Holders on a basis other than pari passu with, or expressly subordinate to, the piggyback rights of the Holders hereunder; provided, that in no event shall the Company enter into any agreement that would permit another holder of securities of the Company to participate in a pari passu basis (in terms of priority of cut-back based on advance of underwriters) with a Demanding Holder in an Underwritten Offering.
5.8 Term. This Agreement shall terminate, with respect to any Holder, on the date as of which such Holder ceases to hold any Registrable Securities. The provisions of Article IV shall survive any termination.
5.9 Holder Information. Each Holder agrees, if requested in writing, to represent to the Company the total number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder in order for the Company to make determinations hereunder.
5.10 Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
5.11 Entire Agreement; Restatement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire agreement and understanding among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings both written and oral, among the parties, or any of them, relating to such subject matter. Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the Existing Agreement shall no longer be of any force or effect.
[Signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
| COMPANY: | ||
| ALEANNA, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Tristan Yopp | |
| Name: | Tristan Yopp | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
| SPONSOR: | ||
| SWIFTMERGE HOLDINGS, LP | ||
| By: | Swiftmerge Holdings GP, LLC, | |
| its General Partner | ||
| By: | /s/ John Bremner | |
| Name: | John Bremner | |
| Title: | Manager | |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
| HOLDERS: | ||
| NAUTILUS RESOURCES LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Tristan Yopp | |
| Name: | Tristan Yopp | |
| Title: | Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |
| JOHN AND SUSAN WILDER FOUNDATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Tristan Yopp | |
| Name: | Tristan Yopp | |
| Title: | Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
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Exhibit 10.18
FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of ________________ by and between AleAnna, Inc. (formerly known as Swiftmerge Acquisition Corp.), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the individual identified as the Indemnitee on the signature page hereto.
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, directors, officers and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself;
WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance and adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
WHEREAS, (i) the Bylaws of the Company (as may be amended and/or restated, the “Bylaws”) require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company (ii) Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”) and (iii) the Bylaws and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification;
WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Bylaws and the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (as may be amended and/or restated, the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefore, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
WHEREAS, (i) Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Bylaws and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, (ii) Indemnitee may not be willing to serve or continue to serve as a director or officer of the Company without adequate protection, (iii) the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity, and (iv) Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that Indemnitee be so indemnified.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein and the Indemnitee’s agreement to provide services to the Company, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions.
| (a) | As used in this Agreement: |
“Affiliate” of any specified Person shall mean any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such specified Person.
“Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, partner, general partner, manager, managing member, employee, agent or fiduciary of (i) the Company or (ii) any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.
“Delaware Court” shall mean the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware.
“Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
“Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, non-profit entity or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, general partner, manager, managing member, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Expenses” shall mean all reasonable costs, expenses, fees and charges of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements or expenses incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding, including reasonable compensation for time spent by Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses also shall include, without limitation, (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from, incurred by Indemnitee in connection with, arising out of, or in respect of or relating to, any Proceeding, including, without limitation, the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, (ii) for purposes of Section 12(d) hereof only, Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, by litigation or otherwise, (iii) any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, and (iv) any interest, assessments or other charges in respect of the foregoing. “Expenses” shall not include “Liabilities.”
“Indemnifiable Event” means any event or occurrence, whether occurring before, on or after the date of this Agreement, related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent of any Enterprise or by reason of an action or inaction by Indemnitee in any such capacity (whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any Expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement).
“Indemnity Obligations” shall mean all obligations of the Company to Indemnitee under this Agreement, including the Company’s obligations to provide indemnification to Indemnitee and advance Expenses to Indemnitee under this Agreement.
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“Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm of national reputation in the United States, or a partner or member of such a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.
“Liabilities” shall mean all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, judgments, orders, fines, penalties and other amounts payable in connection with, arising out of, or in respect of or relating to any Proceeding, including, without limitation, amounts paid in settlement in any Proceeding and all costs and expenses in complying with any judgment, order or decree issued or entered in connection with any Proceeding or any settlement agreement, stipulation or consent decree entered into or issued in settlement of any Proceeding.
“Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, trust, governmental agency or body or any other legal entity.
“Proceeding” shall mean any threatened, pending or completed action, claim, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, formal or informal hearing, inquiry or investigation, litigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed judicial, administrative or arbitration proceeding (including, without limitation, any such proceeding under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act or any other federal law, state law, statute or regulation), whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise, and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature, in each case, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be, or is threatened to be, involved as a party, potential party, witness (including as a non-party witness) or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any actual or alleged action taken by Indemnitee (or a failure to take action by Indemnitee) or of any action (or inaction) on Indemnitee’s part while acting as director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, non-profit entity or other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement can be provided under this Agreement.
“Sponsor Entities” means Bluescape Resources Company LLC and any of its respective Affiliates; provided, however, that neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall be considered Sponsor Entities hereunder.
| (b) | For the purpose hereof, references to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a Person who acted in good faith and in a manner such Person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement. |
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Section 2. Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Liabilities and Expenses suffered or reasonably incurred (and, in the case of retainers, reasonably expected to be incurred) by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any Proceeding (other than any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor, which is provided for in Section 3 below), or any claim, issue or matter therein.
Section 3. Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Liabilities actually suffered and Expenses actually and reasonably paid or incurred (and, in the case of retainers, reasonably expected to be incurred) by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor, or any claim, issue or matter therein. No indemnification for Expenses shall be made under this Section 3 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court (as hereafter defined) or any court in which the Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of Liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification. However, in the event that Indemnitee is ultimately determined not to be entitled to such indemnification or insurance recovery, as the case may be, then all amounts advanced under this Section 3 shall be repaid. Indemnitee shall be required to reimburse the Company in the event that a final judicial determination is made that such action brought by Indemnitee was frivolous or not made in good faith.
Section 4. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, and without limiting the rights of Indemnitee under any other provision hereof, including any rights to indemnification pursuant to Sections 2 or 3 hereof, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to the extent that Indemnitee is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred (and, in the case of retainers, reasonably expected to be incurred) by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with each successfully resolved Proceeding, claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Section 4 and without limitation, the termination of any Proceeding or claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
Section 5. Indemnification For Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a witness or otherwise a participant, including by a request to respond to discovery requests, receipt of a subpoena or similar demand for documents or testimony, in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party and is not threatened to be made a party, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses suffered or reasonably incurred (or, in the case of retainers, reasonably expected to be incurred) by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.
Section 6. Additional Indemnification. Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 2, 3 or 4 hereof, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status against all Liabilities and Expenses suffered or reasonably incurred (and, in the case of retainers, reasonably expected to be incurred) by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding. For purposes of this Section 6, “to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law” shall include, but not be limited to:
| (a) | the fullest extent permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL; and |
| (b) | the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors. |
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Section 7. Exclusions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to indemnify or hold harmless Indemnitee, or, in the case of (a) and (c), to advance Expenses to Indemnitee:
| (a) | for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy obtained by the Company, the Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation, any other indemnity provisions or otherwise of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable by the Company hereunder, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under such insurance policy or such other indemnity provision; |
| (b) | for disgorgement of profits arising from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company in violation of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; |
| (c) | except as provided in Section 12(d) of this Agreement, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee or, if Indemnitee was nominated or designated to the Board by one of more of the Sponsor Entities, such Sponsor Entity, against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees and not by way of defense, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law or (iii) such Proceeding is being brought by Indemnitee to assert, interpret or enforce Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement (for the avoidance of doubt, Indemnitee shall not be deemed, for purposes of this subsection, to have initiated or brought any claim by reason of (A) having asserted any affirmative defenses in connection with a claim not initiated by Indemnitee or (B) having made any counterclaim (whether permissive or mandatory) in connection with any claim not initiated by Indemnitee); |
| (d) | if a final decision by a court having jurisdiction in the matter that is not subject to appeal shall determine that such indemnification is prohibited by applicable law or otherwise not lawful; for any amounts paid in settlement of any threatened or pending claim related to an Indemnifiable Event effected without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld; or |
| (e) | for Indemnitee’s reimbursement to the Company of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation previously received by Indemnitee or payment of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in connection with an accounting restatement of the Company or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act). |
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Section 8. Advancement. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall advance, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Expenses actually and reasonably paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with (i) any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) arising out of an Indemnifiable Event not initiated by Indemnitee or, if Indemnitee was nominated or designated to the Board by one of more of the Sponsor Entities, such Sponsor Entity, or (ii) any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) arising out of an Indemnifiable Event initiated by Indemnitee or, if Indemnitee was nominated or designated to the Board by one of more of the Sponsor Entities, such Sponsor Entity, with the prior approval of the Board as provided in Section 7(c). Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding, the Company shall, in accordance with such request, (a) pay such Expenses on behalf of Indemnitee, (b) advance to Indemnitee funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses, or (c) reimburse Indemnitee for such Expenses. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all Expenses reasonably incurred pursuing an action to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery to the Company of this Agreement, which shall constitute an undertaking providing that Indemnitee undertakes to repay any amounts paid, advanced or reimbursed by the Company for such Expenses to the extent that it is ultimately determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. Nothing in this Section 8 shall limit Indemnitee’s right to advancement pursuant to Section 12(d) of this Agreement. This Section 8 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Sections 7(a) or (c) hereof.
Section 9. Procedure for Notification and Defense of Claim.
| (a) | Indemnitee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of any Proceeding with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement hereunder following the receipt by Indemnitee of written notice thereof (the date of such notification, the “Submission Date”). The written notification to the Company shall include a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding. To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of such Proceeding, including any appeal therein. Any delay or failure by Indemnitee to timely notify the Company hereunder will not relieve the Company from any Liability which it may have to Indemnitee hereunder or otherwise than under this Agreement unless such failure materially prejudices the Company, and any delay or failure in so notifying the Company shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights under this Agreement. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification. |
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| (b) | The Company shall be entitled to participate in the defense of any Proceeding relating to an Indemnifiable Event at its own expense and, except as otherwise provided below, to the extent the Company so wishes, it may assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of any such Proceeding, the Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise for any Expenses subsequently directly incurred by Indemnitee in connection with Indemnitee’s defense of such Proceeding other than reasonable costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below. Indemnitee shall have the right to employ its own legal counsel in such Proceeding, but all Expenses related to such counsel incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense shall be at Indemnitee’s own expense; provided, however, that if (i) Indemnitee’s employment of its own legal counsel has been authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee has reasonably determined that there may be a conflict of interest between Indemnitee and the Company in the defense of such Proceeding, or (iii) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Proceeding, then Indemnitee shall be entitled to retain its own separate counsel (but not more than one law firm plus, if applicable, local counsel in respect of any such Proceeding) and all Expenses related to such separate counsel shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding either party’s assumption of responsibility for defense of a Proceeding, each party shall have the right to engage separate counsel at its own expense. If the Company has responsibility for defense of a Proceeding, the Company shall provide the Indemnitee and its counsel with all copies of pleadings and material correspondence relating to the Proceeding. Indemnitee and the Company shall reasonably cooperate in the defense of any Proceeding with respect to which indemnification is sought hereunder, regardless of whether the Company or Indemnitee assumes the defense thereof. Indemnitee may not settle or compromise any Proceeding without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The Company may not settle or compromise any Proceeding without the prior written consent of Indemnitee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee. |
Section 10. Procedure Upon Application for Indemnification.
| (a) | In order to obtain indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request therefor, including in such request such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. Indemnification shall be made insofar as the Company determines Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification in accordance with this Agreement. Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 9(a) hereof, if any determination by the Company is required by applicable law with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto, such determination shall be made (i) if Indemnitee shall request such determination be made by Independent Counsel, by Independent Counsel, and (ii) in all other circumstances, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (D) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company holding a majority of the securities of the Company entitled to vote; and, if it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the Person or Persons making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such Person or Persons upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the Person or Persons making such determination shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. The Company will not deny any written request for indemnification hereunder made in good faith by Indemnitee unless a determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification described in this Section 10(a) has been made. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Liabilities and Expenses arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto. |
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| (b) | In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 10(a) hereof, (i) the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Company within ten (10) days of the Submission Date (the cost of such Independent Counsel to be paid by the Company), (ii) the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and (iii) Indemnitee may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company a written objection to such selection. Such objection by Indemnitee may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in this Agreement. If such written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected shall not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until Indemnitee withdraws the objection or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. Absent a timely objection, the Person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to before the later of (A) thirty (30) days after the Submission Date and (B) ten (10) days after the final disposition of the Proceeding, including any appeal therein, each of the Company and Indemnitee shall select a law firm or member of a law firm meeting the qualifications to serve as Independent Counsel, and such law firms or members of law firms shall select the Independent Counsel. |
Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).
Section 11. Presumptions, Defenses and Effect of Certain Proceedings.
| (a) | Indemnitee’s Entitlement to Indemnification. In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the Person or Persons making such determination shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, presume that Indemnitee has satisfied the applicable standard of conduct and is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 9(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption and establish that Indemnitee is not so entitled. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to any legal proceedings brought by Indemnitee to secure indemnification or reimbursement or advance payment of Expenses by the Company hereunder or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct. |
| (b) | Subject to Section 12(e) hereof, if the Person or Persons empowered or selected under Section 10 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefore, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 60-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the determination is to be made by Independent Counsel and Indemnitee objects to the Company’s selection of Independent Counsel and the Independent Counsel ultimately selected requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation or information relating thereto; provided further, however, that such 60-day period may also be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional sixty (60) days, if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders of the Company. |
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| (c) | No Other Presumptions. The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. |
| (d) | Reliance as Safe Harbor. For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information, opinions, reports or statements supplied to Indemnitee by the directors, managers, officers or employees of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, its board, any committee of the board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager, or managing member, or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with the reasonable care by the Enterprise, its board, any committee of the board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager, or managing member. The provisions of this Section 11(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement. |
| (e) | Actions of Others. The knowledge or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent, employee, or other representative of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement. |
Section 12. Remedies of Indemnitee.
| (a) | Subject to Section 12(d) hereof, in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement is not timely made pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been timely made pursuant to Section 10(a) of this Agreement within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 4 or 5 or the third to the last sentence of Section 10(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to Sections 2, 3 or 6 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vi) in the event that the Company or any other Person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification or advancement. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at Indemnitee’s option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration. |
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| (b) | In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement, as the case may be. |
| (c) | If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, absent a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law. |
| (d) | The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. It is the intent of the Company that Indemnitee not be required to incur Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to Indemnitee hereunder. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefore) advance, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, such Expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for indemnification or advancement from the Company under this Agreement or the Bylaws, or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement or insurance recovery, as the case may be. |
| (e) | Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding, including any appeal therein; provided that, in absence of any such determination with respect to such Proceeding, the Company shall advance Expenses with respect to such Proceeding. |
Section 13. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.
| (a) | The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. The Company shall not adopt any amendment or alteration to, or repeal of, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, the effect of which would be to deny, diminish or encumber the Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws or applicable law relative to such rights prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement than would be afforded currently under the Bylaws or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change as of the effective date of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy. |
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| (b) | The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement and insurance provided by one or more Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity). The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Company shall be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to any Proceeding, Expense, Liability or matter that is the subject of the Indemnity Obligations, (ii) the Company shall be primarily liable for all Indemnity Obligations and any indemnification afforded to Indemnitee in respect of any Proceeding, Expense, Liability or matter that is the subject of Indemnity Obligations, whether created by applicable law, organizational or constituent documents, contract (including this Agreement) or otherwise, (iii) any obligation of any other Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) to indemnify Indemnitee or advance Expenses or Liabilities to Indemnitee in respect of any Proceeding shall be secondary to the obligations of the Company hereunder, (iv) the Company shall be required to indemnify Indemnitee and advance Expenses or Liabilities to Indemnitee hereunder to the fullest extent provided herein without regard to any rights Indemnitee may have against any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) or insurer of any such Person and (v) the Company irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) from any claim of contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect of amounts paid by the Company hereunder. In the event any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) or their insurers advances or extinguishes any liability or loss which is the subject of any Indemnity Obligation owed by the Company or payable under any Company insurance policy, the payor shall have a right of subrogation against the Company or its insurer or insurers for all amounts so paid which would otherwise be payable by the Company or its insurer or insurers under this Agreement. In no event will payment of an Indemnity Obligation by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) or their insurers affect the obligations of the Company hereunder or shift primary liability for any Indemnity Obligation to any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity). Any indemnification, insurance or advancement provided by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) with respect to any liability arising as a result of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status or capacity as an officer or director of any Person is specifically in excess over any Indemnity Obligation of the Company or any valid and collectible insurance (including but not limited to any malpractice insurance or professional errors and omissions insurance) provided by the Company under this Agreement. |
| (c) | The Company shall maintain an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance providing reasonable and customary coverage as compared with similarly situated companies (as determined by the Board in its discretion) for directors, officers, employees, trustees, or agents of any Enterprise, and Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee, trustee or agent under such policy or policies and such policies shall provide for and recognize that the insurance policies are primary to any rights to indemnification, advancement or insurance proceeds to which Indemnitee may be entitled from one or more Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) to the same extent as the Company’s indemnification and advancement obligations set forth in this Agreement. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies. |
11
| (d) | In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, including rights of indemnification provided to Indemnitee from any other person or entity with whom Indemnitee may be associated; provided, however, that the Company shall not be subrogated to the extent of any such payment of all rights of recovery of Indemnitee with respect to any Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity). Indemnitee shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights. |
| (e) | The indemnification and contribution provided for in this Agreement will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of Indemnitee. |
Section 14. Duration of Agreement. This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the latest of: (i) ten (10) years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any other Enterprise and (ii) one (1) year after the date of final termination of any Proceeding, including any appeal, then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement hereunder and of any proceeding, including any appeal, commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement relating thereto.
Section 15. Successor and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. The Company shall require and cause any successor (and any direct or indirect parent of any successor, whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
Section 16. Services to the Company: Not Employment Contract. Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director or officer of the Company for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or is no longer serving in such capacity. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any other Enterprise) and Indemnitee. Indemnitee specifically acknowledges that Indemnitee’s employment with or service to the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any other Enterprise), if any, is at will, and Indemnitee may be discharged at any time for any reason, with or without cause, except as may be otherwise provided in any written employment contract between Indemnitee and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any other Enterprise), other applicable formal severance policies duly adopted by the Board, or, with respect to service as a director of the Company, by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws or the DGCL.
12
Section 17. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
Section 18. Enforcement.
| (a) | The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Enterprise, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Enterprise. |
| (b) | This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and applicable law, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefore, nor diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder. |
Section 19. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver. Except as specifically provided herein, no failure to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall constitute a waiver thereof.
Section 20. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (a) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, (b) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed, (c) mailed by reputable overnight courier and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed or (d) sent by facsimile transmission, with receipt of oral confirmation that such transmission has been received:
| (i) | If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide to the Company. |
| (ii) | If to the Company to: |
AleAnna, Inc.
300 Crecent Court, Suite 1860
Dallas, TX 75201
Attention: Board of Directors
or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company.
Notice of change of address shall be effective only when given in accordance with this Section 20.
13
Section 21. Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Liabilities or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (a) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and (b) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and transaction(s).
Section 22. Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court, and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (c) consent to service of process at the address set forth in Section 20 of this Agreement with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware, (d) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (e) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.
Section 23. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
Section 24. Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Sponsor Entities are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement and shall have all of the rights afforded to Indemnitee under this Agreement.
Section 25. Miscellaneous. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
[signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| ALEANNA, INC. | INDEMNITEE | |||
| By: | By: | |||
Name: |
|
Name: | ||
| Title: | Address: | |||
Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement
Exhibit 16.1

December 18, 2024
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549
Commissioners:
We have read the statements made by AleAnna, Inc. (formerly Swiftmerge Acquisition Corp.) under Item 4.01 of its Form 8-K dated December 18, 2024. We agree with the statements concerning our Firm in such Form 8-K; we are not in a position to agree or disagree with other statements of AleAnna, Inc. (formerly Swiftmerge Acquisition Corp.) contained therein.
| Very truly yours, | |
| /s/ Marcum LLP | |
| Marcum LLP |

Exhibit 21.1
Subsidiaries of AleAnna, Inc.
|
Company |
State or Jurisdiction of Entity | |
| Swiftmerge HoldCo LLC | Delaware | |
| AleAnna Energy, LLC | Delaware | |
| AleAnna Resources LLC | Delaware | |
| AleAnna Italia S.p.A. | Italy | |
| AleAnna Renewable Energy S.r.l | Italy | |
| Pancam S.r.l | Italy |
Exhibit 99.1
| Page | ||
| Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements (Unaudited) as of and for the periods ending September 30, 2024 and 2023: | ||
| Condensed Consolidated Interim Balance Sheets | F-2 | |
| Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Operations | F-3 | |
| Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Member’s Equity | F-4 | |
| Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows | F-5 | |
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements | F-6 |
F-1
ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 43,370,175 | $ | 6,759,265 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 2,760,106 | 27,485 | ||||||
| Total Current Assets | 46,130,281 | 6,786,750 | ||||||
| Non-current assets: | ||||||||
| Natural gas and other properties, successful efforts method | 30,912,739 | 21,531,101 | ||||||
| Renewable natural gas properties (net of accumulated depreciation of $51,311) | 9,525,352 | — | ||||||
| Value-added tax refund receivable | 5,858,639 | 4,425,353 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 1,842,659 | — | ||||||
| Total Non-current Assets | 48,139,389 | 25,956,454 | ||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 94,269,670 | $ | 32,743,204 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 1,772,612 | $ | 1,053,819 | |||||
| Related party payables | — | 525,276 | ||||||
| Lease liability, short-term | 166,293 | — | ||||||
| Contingent consideration liability, short-term | 14,572,288 | 14,888,021 | ||||||
| Derivative liability, at fair value | — | 173,177 | ||||||
| Total Current Liabilities | 16,511,193 | 16,640,293 | ||||||
| Non-current Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Asset retirement obligation | 4,342,611 | 4,242,680 | ||||||
| Lease liability, long-term | 1,748,995 | — | ||||||
| Contingent consideration liability, long-term | 12,215,323 | 11,594,661 | ||||||
| Total Non-current Liabilities | 18,306,929 | 15,837,341 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities | 34,818,122 | 32,477,634 | ||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6) | ||||||||
| Temporary Equity: | ||||||||
| Class 1 Preferred Units, no par value, 105,711 and 43,611 shares authorized, issued and outstanding; liquidation preference of $369,987,776 and $152,637,776 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | 369,987,776 | 152,464,599 | ||||||
| Amounts due from members for capital contributions | — | — | ||||||
| Members’ Equity: | ||||||||
| Common Member Units, no par value, 266,503 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | — | — | ||||||
| Amounts due from members for capital contributions | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (4,962,129 | ) | (4,943,143 | ) | ||||
| Accumulated deficit | (306,000,508 | ) | (147,255,886 | ) | ||||
| Noncontrolling interest | 426,409 | — | ||||||
| Total Members’ Equity | (310,536,228 | ) | (152,199,029 | ) | ||||
| Total Liabilities, Temporary Equity and Members’ Equity | $ | 94,269,670 | $ | 32,743,204 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
F-2
ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
| Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Revenues | $ | 648,328 | $ | — | ||||
| Operating Expenses: | ||||||||
| Cost of revenues | $ | 538,607 | $ | — | ||||
| General and administrative | 4,473,833 | 3,239,559 | ||||||
| Depreciation | 51,311 | — | ||||||
| Accretion of asset retirement obligation | 99,930 | 33,311 | ||||||
| Increase (decrease) in contingent consideration liability | 304,929 | (244,526 | ) | |||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 5,468,610 | 3,028,344 | ||||||
| Operating loss | (4,820,282 | ) | (3,028,344 | ) | ||||
| Other Income (Expense): | ||||||||
| Interest and other income | 1,325,660 | 1,029 | ||||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | 173,177 | 430,819 | ||||||
| Total Other Income (Expense) | 1,498,837 | 431,848 | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | (3,321,445 | ) | $ | (2,596,496 | ) | ||
| Deemed dividend to Class 1 Preferred Units redemption value | (155,423,177 | ) | (52,941,150 | ) | ||||
| Net loss attributable to holders of Common Member Units | (158,744,622 | ) | (55,537,646 | ) | ||||
| Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | ||||||||
| Currency translation adjustment | (18,986 | ) | (145,271 | ) | ||||
| Comprehensive Loss | $ | (3,340,431 | ) | $ | (2,741,767 | ) | ||
| Weighted average Common Member Units outstanding | 266,503 | 266,503 | ||||||
| Net loss per Common Member Unit | $ | (595.66 | ) | $ | (208.39 | ) | ||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
F-3
ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
| Temporary Equity | Members’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 1 Preferred Units | Amount | Common Units | Amount | Additional Paid-in Capital | Accumulated Deficit | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | AleAnna Members’ Equity | Noncontrolling Interest | Total Members’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance,
December 31, 2023 | 43,611 | 152,464,599 | 266,503 | — | — | (147,255,886 | ) | (4,943,143 | ) | (152,199,029 | ) | — | (152,199,029 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued | 62,100 | 62,100,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deemed dividend to redemption value | — | 155,423,177 | — | — | — | (155,423,177 | ) | — | (155,423,177 | ) | — | (155,423,177 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation | — | — | — | — | — | — | (18,986 | ) | (18,986 | ) | — | (18,986 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | (3,321,445 | ) | — | (3,321,445 | ) | — | (3,321,445 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest acquired | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 426,409 | 426,409 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance,
September 30, 2024 | 105,711 | 369,987,776 | 266,503 | — | — | (306,000,508 | ) | (4,962,129 | ) | (310,962,637 | ) | 426,409 | (310,536,228 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Temporary Equity | Members’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 1 Preferred Units | Amount | Common Units | Amount | Additional Paid-in Capital | Accumulated Deficit | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Members’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | 22,606 | 78,241,267 | 266,503 | — | 13,173,784 | (101,183,390 | ) | (5,078,841 | ) | (93,088,447 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued | 21,004 | 21,004,132 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deemed dividend to redemption value | — | 52,941,150 | — | — | (13,173,784 | ) | (39,767,366 | ) | — | (52,941,150 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation | — | — | — | — | — | — | (145,271 | ) | (145,271 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | (2,596,496 | ) | — | (2,596,496 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2023 | 43,610 | 152,186,549 | 266,503 | — | — | (143,547,252 | ) | (5,224,112 | ) | (148,771,364 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
F-4
ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (3,321,445 | ) | $ | (2,596,496 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation expense | 51,311 | — | ||||||
| Accretion of and additions to asset retirement obligation | 99,930 | 100,280 | ||||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration | 304,929 | (244,526 | ) | |||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | (173,177 | ) | (430,819 | ) | ||||
| Non-cash operating lease expense | 39,615 | — | ||||||
| Changes in working capital items: | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | (2,714,546 | ) | (12,894 | ) | ||||
| Value-added tax refund receivable | (1,433,286 | ) | (1,383,637 | ) | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 718,793 | 249,273 | ||||||
| Related party payables | (525,276 | ) | — | |||||
| Change in operating lease liability | 33,014 | — | ||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (6,920,138 | ) | (4,318,819 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
| Additions to renewable natural gas properties | (9,168,328 | ) | — | |||||
| Additions to conventional natural gas properties | (9,381,638 | ) | (7,922,616 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (18,549,966 | ) | (7,922,616 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
| Units issued for cash | 62,100,000 | 21,004,132 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 62,100,000 | 21,004,132 | ||||||
| Effect of foreign currency translation on cash | (18,986 | ) | (145,271 | ) | ||||
| Change in cash during the year | 36,610,910 | 8,617,426 | ||||||
| Cash, beginning of year | 6,759,265 | 293,679 | ||||||
| Cash, end of year | $ | 43,370,175 | $ | 8,911,105 | ||||
| Noncash investing and financing activities | ||||||||
| Deemed dividend to Class 1 Preferred Units redemption value (see Note 7) | $ | 155,423,177 | $ | 52,941,150 | ||||
| Supplemental disclosures | ||||||||
| Noncash recognition of new land lease (see Note 4) | $ | 1,882,274 | $ | — | ||||
| Additions to natural gas properties included in accounts payable | $ | — | $ | 116,785 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
F-5
ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Nine Months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023
NOTE 1 — NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND RECENT EVENTS
AleAnna Energy, LLC (the “Company” or “AleAnna”), a Delaware Limited Liability Company, was formed on July 13, 2007. AleAnna Energy, LLC is comprised of wholly owned subsidiaries AleAnna Resources, LLC, AleAnna Italia S.p.A. and AleAnna Renewable Energy S.r.L. The Company is majority-owned by its immediate parent, Nautilus Resources, LLC (“Nautilus”), with the remainder owned by a minority shareholder, BRS Resources Limited.
Conventional Natural Gas
AleAnna is a natural gas resource company focused on delivering critical natural gas supplies to Europe through both onshore conventional natural gas exploration and renewable natural gas development in Italy. AleAnna has several successful conventional natural gas discoveries including its primary discovery, the Longanesi field, located in the Po Valley in Northern Italy, which is one of Italy’s largest modern gas discoveries. AleAnna retains a 33.5% working interest in the Longanesi field with its working interest partner, and operator, Societa Padana Energia (“Padana”) representing the other 66.5% working interest. AleAnna acquired its working interest in the Longanesi field through a 2016 transaction, accounted for as an asset acquisition. AleAnna also retains wholly owned concessions, permits, and pending applications on other exploration and development prospects across Italy which are supported by proprietary modern 3D seismic reservoir imaging. In 2021, AleAnna also launched a renewable natural gas (“RNG”) development business focused on bringing to market carbon negative renewable natural gas derived from animal and agricultural waste.
Planned principal operations have not yet commenced. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had not derived revenue from its principal business activities. AleAnna’s primary activities currently involve the drilling and testing of three Longanesi development wells together with its working interest partner Padana. Following tie-in of these wells and the installation of a temporary processing facility over the course of 2024, AleAnna and Padana expect to achieve first production of the five wells in the Longanesi field in the first quarter of 2025 through use of a temporary processing skid. The permanent processing facility is expected to be constructed over the course of 2025 and commissioned in the first half of 2026.
Renewable Natural Gas (“RNG”)
Between March 2024 and July 2024, the Company successfully completed three separate strategic acquisitions of renewable natural gas (“RNG”) assets in Italy for an aggregate €9,087,882, or approximately $9,829,034. The plant assets are fully permitted and are in various stages of the production lifecycle, with one greenfield plant asset that is a new development and two brownfield plant assets that are currently operational. The Company plans to develop and upgrade these assets for RNG production in the future.
Campagnatico Asset Acquisition
On March 20, 2024, the Company closed the acquisition of the Campagnatico Greenfield (“Campagnatico”) natural gas asset in Tuscany, Italy for €2,000,000, or approximately $2,187,340. The greenfield site is fully permitted for future construction of a RNG plant asset.
Casalino and Campopiano Asset Acquisitions
On July 8, 2024, the Company closed the acquisition of the Societa Agricola Fattoria delle Jersey S.S. plant asset (“Casalino”) for €3,442,882 or approximately $3,688,910. On July 29, 2024, the Company closed the acquisition of a 90% interest in the Società Agricola Campopiano Società in nome collettivo di Vasellini Amedeo (“Compapiano”) plant asset for €3,645,000 or $3,952,784. The plant assets are fully permitted for production of electricity through conversion of crop and animal waste bio feedstocks. The plant assets currently convert biomethane to electricity for sale. It is the company’s intention to begin upgrading the sites to refine biomethane into renewable natural gas through upgrading units. Following the upgrade process to transition the assets to biomethane to renewable natural gas conversion, the Company expects to sell renewable natural gas to customer(s) by trucking or piping the renewable natural gas to the interstate pipeline system (SNAM). Until the plant assets are upgraded, the Company will actively source bio feedstocks for the assets in order to produce biomethane which will be processed through reciprocating generators in order to generate electricity which is then sold onto the grid through a metered interconnection. Casalino and Campopiano derive revenues from the sale of such electricity to the local state-owned electrical utility (Gestore dei Servizi Energetici SpA or “GSE”) responsible for the purchase and marketing of energy produced by small-scale renewable energy assets. Energy generation revenue is recognized as the electricity generated by the Casalino and Campopiano assets is delivered to GSE. Revenues are based on actual output and a non-company specific predetermined price for small renewable energy producers of €280/MWh (D.M. 18/12/2008).
F-6
ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Nine Months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023
NOTE 1 — NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND RECENT EVENTS (cont.)
The Company has a 90% direct controlling interest in the Campopiano asset, while unaffiliated owners retain a 10% economic interest in the asset. The unaffiliated outside ownership in Campopiano is shown as noncontrolling interests (“NCI”) in members’ equity in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The net income attributable to non-controlling interest for the period from July 29, 2024 through September 30, 2024 was not significant and therefore not reflected separately in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim statements of operations.
Business Combination
On June 4, 2024, the Company entered into a Business Combination Agreement with a Nasdaq publicly traded special purpose acquisition company (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement” and the transactions contemplated thereby, collectively, the “Business Combination”). The Business Combination is expected to be completed in the second half of 2024, subject to stockholder approval and other customary closing conditions. Upon the closing of the transaction, subject to approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the combined company will be named AleAnna and is expected to be publicly listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. During 2024, the company has incurred approximately $1.4 million in deferred transaction costs related to this transaction that are recorded in prepaid expenses and other assets as of September 30, 2024. The Company expects to reclassify these costs to additional paid-in capital in the period the Business Combination closes to the extent cash proceeds received in the transaction exceed transaction costs. To the extent transaction costs exceed the amount of cash proceeds, such amounts will be expensed.
Member Contributions
In the first nine months of 2024, AleAnna received $62.1 million in capital contributions from its members, resulting in the issuance of 62,100 Class 1 Preferred Units. These funds will be used to fund the Longanesi gas pipeline and plant activity obligations, as well as general and administrative expenses of AleAnna and its subsidiaries.
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus were prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (all of which are considered of a normal recurring nature) considered necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods and dates presented. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024.
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this proxy.
The accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared by the Company without audit. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AleAnna Energy, LLC and wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The information as of December 31, 2023 included in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets was derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements.
F-7
ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Nine Months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023
NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company’s significant accounting policies as of September 30, 2024 are consistent with those included in the audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, other than the following new policies applicable as of September 30, 2024.
Revenue Recognition — The Company follows the guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). The core principle underlying revenue recognition under ASC 606 is that revenue should be recognized as goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled. ASC 606 defines a five-step process to achieve recognition and mandates additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments, and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract.
Renewable Natural Gas (“RNG”) — As of September 30, 2024, the Company primarily earns revenue through electricity generation revenue from the conversion of bio feedstocks to biomethane which is then converted to electricity through reciprocating generators. Such electricity is then delivered onto the grid through a metered interconnection and sold to the local state-owned electrical utility responsible for the purchase and marketing of energy produced by small-scale renewable energy assets. Upon delivery of the electricity to the grid, all performance obligations have been satisfied and energy generation revenue is recognized based on actual output and non-company specific predetermined prices for small renewable energy producers of €280/MWh (D.M. 18/12/2008).
Revenue is recognized over time as the Company transfers the electricity to the grid at a metered interconnection. The customer obtains control of the product upon delivery onto the electrical grid. The Company generally has a single performance obligation in its arrangements with its customers. The Company has no long-term contracts containing quantity or electricity volume production requirements and there is no variable consideration present in the Company’s performance obligations. Per ASC 606-10-25-27(a), delivery of units of power that are simultaneously received and consumed by the customer would satisfy the criteria in to be accounted for as a performance obligation satisfied over time and the same method would be used to measure the entity’s progress towards complete satisfaction of the performance obligation to transfer each distinct unit of power in the series to the customer. The Company’s performance obligation related to the sales of electricity are satisfied over time upon delivery to the customer. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring its products. The Company applies a practical expedient in FASB ASC 606-10-55-18 applicable to its sales by assessing whether the Company’s right to consideration corresponds directly with the value to the Company’s customer (the “invoice practical expedient”). The Company concluded that pricing that corresponds to the value provided to the customer. Consideration for each transaction is based upon non-company specific predetermined prices for small renewable energy producers of €280/MWh (D.M. 18/12/2008). Payment terms are typically between two months after the invoice date and there are no return or refund rights.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, all revenue was derived from a single source (sales of electricity) and a single customer (the local state-owned electrical utility). Additionally, as of September 30, 2024, the Company had $648,328 of revenue receivable related to electricity sales that was recorded in prepaid expenses and other assets as of September 30, 2024.
Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions — We evaluate whether a transaction meets the definition of a business. We first apply a screen test to determine if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets. If the screen test is met, the transaction is accounted for as an asset acquisition. If the screen test is not met, we further consider whether the set of assets acquired have, at a minimum, inputs and processes that have the ability to create outputs in the form of revenue. If the assets acquired meet this criteria, the transaction is accounted for as a business combination.
Acquisitions that qualify as an asset acquisition are accounted for using a cost accumulation model where the purchase price of the acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired on a relative fair value basis on the date of acquisition. We generally account for acquisitions of RNG assets as asset acquisitions. Inputs used to determine such fair values are primarily based upon internally-developed estimates, estimates developed by third-party valuation firms, and publicly-available data regarding RNG asset transactions consummated by other buyers and sellers, as applicable. These fair values are considered Level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy. Any associated acquisition costs are generally capitalized.
F-8
ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Nine Months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023
NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)
Acquisitions that qualify as a business combination are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The fair value of consideration transferred for an acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair value on a nonrecurring basis on the acquisition date and are subject to fair value adjustments under certain circumstances. The excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Conversely, in the event the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is greater than the consideration transferred, a bargain purchase gain is recognized.
Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions as fair values are not always readily determinable. Different techniques may be used to determine fair values, including market prices (where available), comparisons to transactions for similar assets and liabilities and the discounted net present value of estimated future cash flows, among others. We engage third-party valuation firms when appropriate to assist in the fair value determination of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Acquisition-related expenses and transaction costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred. We may adjust the amounts recognized in an acquisition during a measurement period not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition, as a result of subsequently obtaining additional information that existed at the acquisition date.
Where applicable, asset acquisitions may be owned together with unaffiliated outside parties. In acquisitions where the Company has majority direct controlling interest, the unaffiliated outside ownership is shown as noncontrolling interests (“NCI”) in members’ equity in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 3 — RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 to enhance disclosures of significant expense and segment profitability categories and amounts for each of the Company’s reportable business segments. These enhanced disclosures apply to entities that have a single reportable segment. The amendments are effective in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023 and subsequent interim periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of the amendments and the impact on its future consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 to improve disclosures and presentation requirements to the transparency of the income tax disclosures by requiring consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. The amendments are effective in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of the amendments and the impact on its future consolidated statements.
Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, including its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the SEC did not or in management’s opinion will not have a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 4 — LEASES, RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS AND RELATED LIABILITIES
Leases to explore for or use minerals, oil, natural gas, and similar nonregenerative resources (see ASC 930, Extractive Activities — Mining, and ASC 932, Extractive Activities — Oil and Gas) are excluded from the scope of ASC 842, Leases. The Company has surface and use agreements for Longanesi, Gradizza, Trava, and Armonia in Italy. These agreements are directly related to accessing the subsurface minerals and are assessed as part of the oil and gas properties. As of December 31, 2023, all leases in AleAnna’s portfolio, in addition to its lease of office space, are short-term leases (12 months or less) and did not require recognition on the balance sheet.
F-9
ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Nine Months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023
NOTE 4 — LEASES, RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS AND RELATED LIABILITIES (cont.)
In July 2024, in conjunction with the Casalino acquisition, AleAnna entered into a lease of the land that holds the biomethane processing and conversion asset utilized to produce electricity. The lease term is from July 1, 2024 through December 31, 2032, with an option to extend the lease until December 31, 2041. The annual rent is €278,200 and must be paid in advance in four installments by the end of each calendar quarter. The total rent for the lease term until December 31, 2032 is €2,364,700. As of September 30, 2024, the Company’s operating lease right of use assets totaled $1,842,659, short term lease liabilities totaled $166,293, and long-term lease liabilities totaled $1,748,995. The Company recognized $74,676 of operating lease expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 which was included in cost of revenues as the land being leased is directly related to the production and sale of electricity at Casalino.
The Company does not have any borrowings; therefore, it does not have an incremental borrowing rate readily determinable, and there was no incremental borrowing rate implicit in the Casalino land lease. As such, the company utilized a discount rate of 7.709% to measure its lease liability. This represents the Company’s estimated incremental borrowing rate, determined using the 3-month EURIBOR rate of 3.709% as of July 2024, plus an estimated spread of 400 basis points (4.000%), to reflect the Company’s credit risk profile. This reflects best estimate of the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term.
NOTE 5 — ACQUISITIONS AND CONTINGENT CONSIDERATION LIABILITY
On July 13, 2016, AleAnna Europa S.r.L., a former subsidiary of AleAnna Resources LLC (which was subsequently merged into AleAnna Italia S.p.A. in December 2022), purchased a 33.5% working interest in the Longanesi field, which was accounted for as an asset acquisition. Consideration paid included €7 million cash and up to €24 million of deferred consideration payable upon production of the Longanesi field. The deferred consideration is payable based on a formulaic calculation which is predominantly dependent on sales volumes and spot natural gas prices during the first 12 years of production (the “Earn-Out Period”). There will be no deferred consideration due if Longanesi is not developed and no deferred consideration due if average annual gas prices are less than €3.65/Mcf over the Earn-Out Period.
We recognized a liability for the contingent consideration in accounting for the asset acquisition in accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies (the “contingent consideration liability”).
In 2019, following repeated development delays and severely depressed European natural gas prices, Nautilus, AleAnna’s primary shareholder, considered no longer funding capital contributions to AleAnna Energy. Due to restricted access to capital, the potential of bankruptcy, and the improbability of developing Longanesi or any of AleAnna’s other prospects, AleAnna’s gas assets were fully impaired, and the corresponding contingent consideration liability was reduced to $0 as such payment was no longer probable.
However, by 2021 European natural gas prices had recovered substantially and AleAnna and Padana began drilling Longanesi development wells. As such, it became probable that the Longanesi field would enter production and AleAnna again recognized the contingent consideration liability.
As of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the contingent consideration liability was recorded at $26,787,611 and $26,482,682 respectively. The estimate of the contingent consideration liability was determined based on inputs including the following as of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023: the intercontinental exchange futures prices for Dutch TTF natural gas, a Euro to USD exchange rate of 1.12 and 1.11, respectively, and management’s future expected annual Longanesi production. AleAnna is required to make formulaic deferred consideration payments effectively equating to 20% to 50% of revenue above certain European natural gas threshold prices. The calculation and timing of such payments are primarily driven by future expected Longanesi production, as modeled by DeGolyer and MacNaughton, as well as forward European natural gas prices. While the timing and quantities of expected Longanesi production were unchanged from December 31, 2023 to September 30, 2024, average annual European natural gas forward prices declined. As a result, the amount of revenue attributable to price points above the threshold prices declined which resulted in a lengthening of the timing of expected contingent consideration payments and a corresponding reclass of a portion of the contingent consideration liability from short-term to long-term. Changes in the contingent consideration liability are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
F-10
ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Nine Months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023
NOTE 5 — ACQUISITIONS AND CONTINGENT CONSIDERATION LIABILITY (cont.)
Changes in the value of the contingent consideration liability are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss and for the periods ended September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023 totaled $304,929 (representing an increase) and $244,526 (representing a decrease), respectively.
NOTE 6 — DERIVATIVE LIABILITY
As of December 31, 2023, we recorded a derivative liability, associated with certain embedded features of our Class 1 Preferred Units which entitle holders to a payout of 3.5x times their investment in the event of a company sale transaction or redemption at the option of the Company (the “3.5x Redemption Feature”). Since the potential payoff upon occurrence of company sale transaction and redemption at the option of the Company are the same, we analyzed the features as a single embedded feature for bifurcation. Based on our analysis of the host contract pursuant to ASC 815 — Derivatives and Hedging, we have concluded the Class 1 Preferred Units represent a debt host. The embedded 3.5x Redemption Feature involves a substantial premium and is contingent upon occurrence of company sale transaction, thus is not clearly and closely related to the debt host contract.
Further, the feature meets the definition of a derivative and other criteria under ASC 815 and requires bifurcation and separate recognition from the host contract as a derivative.
Accordingly, the Company has recorded a derivative liability representing the estimated fair value of the 3.5x Redemption Feature. Fair value is determined using a discounted cash flow model to isolate the excess fair value attributable to the 3.5x redemption above the 35% rate of return stated in the Class 1 Preferred Unit agreement. Further, we develop probability-weighted redemption scenarios which could occur during the time period in which a 3.5x payoff would be applicable, to determine the ultimate fair value. The derivative liability is adjusted to reflect fair value using these Level 3 inputs at each period end (i.e., measured on a recurring basis) with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The value of the derivative liability was reduced to zero as of September 30, 2024
The following table provides a summary of the changes in the derivative liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs:
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | $ | 173,177 | ||
| Change in fair value(1) | (173,177 | ) | ||
| Balance, September 30, 2024 | $ | — |
| (1) | This decrease is primarily due to the liquidation preference exceeding the enterprise value as of September 30, 2024, thereby reducing the derivative liability to $0. |
The following is a summary of the assumptions used in calculating the estimated fair value of such derivative liability:
| September 30, 2024 |
December 31, 2023 | |||
| Range of assumed years of company sale transaction | 2025 to 2027 | 2024 to 2026 | ||
| Range of probability weights of a company sale transaction occurring in a given year | 15% – 35% | 15% – 35% | ||
| Overall probability of company sale transaction occurring at any point in the future | 32% | 26% | ||
| Discount rate applied to company sale transaction scenarios | 35% | 35% | ||
| Discount rate for business valuation utilized in company sale transaction scenarios | 10% | 10% |
F-11
ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Nine Months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023
NOTE 7 — NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES
Conventional Natural Gas Properties
A summary of conventional natural gas properties is as follows:
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Natural gas properties | 53,910,816 | 44,529,178 | ||||||
| Less: Accumulated Impairment | (22,998,077 | ) | (22,998,077 | ) | ||||
| Natural gas and other properties, net | $ | 30,912,739 | $ | 21,531,101 | ||||
The Company uses the successful efforts method of accounting for conventional natural gas-producing activities.
Under this method, the cost of productive wells and related equipment, development dry holes, and any permits related to productive acreage are capitalized, and depleted using the unit-of-production method.
Renewable Natural Gas Properties
As of September 30, 2024, renewable natural gas properties included $9,525,352 of land, improvements and other assets related to the purchase of three renewable natural gas plant assets across Italy between March 2024 and July 2024. The estimated fair values of these assets at the date of acquisition are considered Level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy. The brownfield renewable natural gas plant assets (Casalino and Campopiano) have estimated useful lives of 30 years. All depreciation expense included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations relate to the Company’s renewable natural gas plant assets.
NOTE 8 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Participation Agreements
On June 26, 2009, the Company entered into a Participation Agreement with Societa Padana Energia (“Padana”) for the drilling of the “Longanesi 1 exploration well”, “San Potito concession” and “Abbadessee 1 exploration” collectively referred to as the “Longanesi field”.
The Unified Operating Agreement (“UOA”) was originally signed between ENI and Grove and dated September 26, 2009. However, Padana has succeeded ENI as the operator, and AleAnna has succeeded Grove as the non-operator.
Under the UOA, AleAnna and Padana have agreed to develop the Longanesi field to optimize the economic value of the identified reserves. AleAnna and Padana entered the UOA with initial participating shares in the Longanesi field equal to 33.5% for AleAnna and 66.5% for Padana, with Padana appointed as the operator. Padana is obliged to maintain the accounting records concerning the operations under the UOA in compliance with the laws and generally accepted accounting practices followed in the Italian oil and gas industry.
AleAnna and Padana fund their respective working interest shares of the capital required for Longanesi development and will receive their respective shares of the production output from the unitized field. However, such working interest percentages may be subsequently amended as more certainty is obtained over the Gas Originally in Place (“GOIP”) through redetermination procedures prescribed by the UOA. The redetermination process evaluates the results of the current development drilling program (well logs, production tests, etc.) and other new data that may be gathered from time to time (such as 3D seismic imaging) to determine if changes in GOIP have changed the respective working interest percentages. If a redetermination process suggests GOIP changes, but AleAnna and Padana do not agree on revised working interest percentages, an independent third party will opine and set the revised working interest allocations. Adjustments to future production entitlements and capital contributions may be made accordingly. Cash payments may be made between the participants where there is insufficient production to true up contributions to date. If a true up of historical capital contributions is required as a result of redetermination, such capital true-up amounts will include an interest charge based on the nine-month Euro interbank offered rate (“Euribor”) and the date of the original capital contribution.
F-12
ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Nine Months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023
NOTE 8 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (cont.)
On October 26, 2023, Padana formally called for the First Redetermination process, as defined in the UOA, to begin. However, the outcome of this or any future redetermination, which may impact working interest percentages and require a capital contribution rebalancing, is highly uncertain and such amounts are not estimable at this time. Accordingly, AleAnna has not recorded any receivable from or payable to Padana related to the redetermination process.
Contingencies and Legal Proceedings
The Company is subject to loss contingencies related to litigation, claims, investigations and legal and administrative cases and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company evaluates these contingencies on a regular basis and accrues a liability for such matters when the Company believes that a loss is probable, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Any such accruals are adjusted thereafter as appropriate to reflect changed circumstances. In the event the Company determines that (i) a loss to the Company is probable, but the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, or (ii) a loss to the Company is less likely than probable but is reasonably possible, then the Company is required to disclose the matter herein, although the Company is not required to accrue such loss.
When able, the Company determines an estimate of reasonably possible losses or ranges of reasonably possible losses, whether in excess of any related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, for legal proceedings.
In instances where such estimates can be made, any such estimates are based on the Company’s analysis of currently available information and are subject to significant judgment and a variety of assumptions and uncertainties and may change as new information is obtained.
The ultimate outcome of the matters described below, such as whether the likelihood of loss is remote, reasonably possible, or probable, or if and when the range of loss is reasonably estimable, is inherently uncertain.
Furthermore, due to the inherent subjectivity of the assessments and unpredictability of outcomes of legal proceedings, any amounts accrued or estimated as possible losses may not represent the ultimate loss to the Company from the legal proceedings in question and the Company’s exposure and ultimate losses may be higher, and possibly significantly so, than the amounts accrued or estimated.
As described in Note 1, AleAnna acquired a 33.5% working interest in the Longanesi field. As part of the purchase, a legacy owner, Blugas Infrastructure S.r.L. (“Blugas”), retained an interest akin to an overriding royalty interest (“ORRI”), whereby Blugas is entitled to physical delivery of 20% of the first 350 million standard cubic meters (“SCM”) produced from the Longanesi field. In accounting for the acquisition of the 33.5% working interest, we did not recognize an asset or liability in the consolidated financial statements related to the Blugas ORRI. Further, the Company’s SEC Case reserves estimates contemplate the contractual arrangement and physical gas delivery to Blugas, such that the net cash flows related to the gas reserves attributable to the Company’s 33.5% working interest have been reduced.
On May 28, 2024, the Company reached a settlement agreement with Blugas regarding the Blugas ORRI. Under the terms of this agreement, AleAnna paid Blugas approximately €5 million ($5.4 million), plus an additional €1.1 million ($1.2 million) in applicable VAT. In exchange, AleAnna is released from any future liability related to the Blugas ORRI. As a result of the transactions contemplated by the Blugas Settlement Agreement, AleAnna’s 33.5% working interest in the Longanesi field is now unencumbered except for normal government royalties (10%). The Company accounted for the purchase of the Blugas ORRI as an asset acquisition, and included the purchase price of to date. If a true up of historical capital contributions is required as a result of redetermination, such capital true-up amounts will include an interest charge based on the nine-month Euro interbank offered rate (“Euribor”) and the date of the original capital contribution.
F-13
ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Nine Months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023
NOTE 9 — TEMPORARY EQUITY AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY
As of both September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company had 266,503 shares of Common Units authorized, issued, and outstanding. The Common Units have no par value.
As of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company had 105,711 and 43,611 shares of Class 1 Preferred Units authorized, issued, and outstanding, respectively. The Class 1 Preferred Units have no par value. The Class 1 Preferred Units are held by the majority equity owner, Nautilus.
Due to the redemption features of the Class 1 Preferred Units, they are recorded at redemption value and classified as temporary equity in the consolidated balance sheets. The difference between the book value of Class 1 Preferred Units issued and the redemption value, less the amount attributable to the derivative liability discussed in Note 4, is recorded as a deemed dividend. As there were no changes in the rights, preferences, and payout of the Common Units and Series 1 Preferred Units between December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2024, refer to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, for additional details of the Company’s equity.
NOTE 10 — EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
On September 1, 2022, the Company entered into an employment agreement with the CEO. Within this employment agreement, there is a Medium/Long Term Incentive Plan (“M/LTIP” or the “Plan”) outlined, which includes cash bonus amounts to be paid based on the completion of certain milestones within the established thresholds. Such payments could result in total payments ranging from €375,000 to €1,125,000. Threshold dates for such payments range from May 31, 2024, through December 31, 2026.
The Company tracks each of the milestones for the executive compensation package based on the current and future business plans. Based on the metrics and performance indicators outlined in the executive compensation package, management has identified that the likelihood of achieving each of these metrics is not probable based on the financial performance as of September 30, 2024.
NOTE 11 — INCOME TAXES
No U.S. income tax expense was recorded by the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 as the Company has elected to be taxed as a partnership. However, AleAnna Energy’s Italian subsidiary (AleAnna Italia, S.p.A.) is a joint stock company or S.p.A and is considered a corporation under the Italian tax code. Therefore, the statutorily determined cumulative taxable loss of AleAnna Italia was tax affected and recognized as a deferred tax asset as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. We have also recorded deferred tax assets for temporary differences between the book and tax basis in the underlying assets and liabilities. Given AleAnna’s history of losses, and because future production remains uncertain, a full valuation allowance was applied against the deferred tax assets.
The applicable Italian corporate tax rate is 24%, and the effective tax rates were 0% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, given the losses incurred and the application of a full valuation allowance against deferred tax assets.
F-14
ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Nine Months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023
NOTE 12 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company follows FASB ASC subtopic 850-10, Related Party Disclosures, for the identification of related parties and disclosure of related party transactions.
As of December 31, 2023, AleAnna had outstanding payables of $525,276, to its parent company, Nautilus, primarily related to the payment of legal fees by Nautilus on behalf of AleAnna. These intercompany payables are presented as related party payables on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and were settled in the normal course of business. Except for capital contributions received from Nautilus during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023, as presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim statements of changes in Members’ equity, there were no other related party transactions entered into during the periods presented that required recognition or disclosure.
NOTE 13 — LOSS PER UNIT
The Company’s net loss per Common Member Unit was calculated as follows:
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Net Loss | (3,321,445 | ) | (2,596,496 | ) | ||||
| Deemed dividend to Class 1 Preferred Units redemption value(1) | (155,423,177 | ) | (52,941,150 | ) | ||||
| Net Loss attributable to Common Member Unitholders | (158,744,622 | ) | (55,537,646 | ) | ||||
| Weighted average Common Member Units outstanding, basic and diluted(2) | 266,503 | 266,503 | ||||||
| Net loss per Common Member Unit, basic and diluted | (596.66 | ) | $ | (208.39 | ) | |||
The Company calculates net loss per unit under ASC 260-10, Earnings per Share. The Class 1 Preferred Units were not considered to be participating based on their contractual rights. However, due to the redemption features of the Class 1 Preferred Units, they are recorded at redemption value and classified as temporary equity in the consolidated balance sheets. The difference between the book value of Class 1 Preferred Units issued and the redemption value, less the amount attributable to the derivative liability discussed in Note 4, is recorded as a deemed dividend. The deemed dividend reduced the net loss attributable to holders of Common Member Units in the calculation of the numerator above.
Basic loss per Common Member Unit is calculated by dividing net loss attributable to holders of Common Member Units by the weighted-average number of Common Member Units outstanding. The Class 1 Preferred Units have been excluded from the calculation as they are not convertible to Common Member Units. Further, any inclusion of such Class 1 Preferred Units, even if they were convertible to Common Member Units, would be anti-dilutive given the net loss in both periods. As such, the Company has not assumed conversion of the 105,711 and 43,611 Class 1 Preferred Units as of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.
F-15
ALEANNA ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Nine Months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023
NOTE 14 — SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company’s operations consist of one operating segment and one reportable segment reflecting the manner in which operations are managed and the criteria used by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), the Company’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, collectively, to evaluate performance, develop strategy, and allocate resources.
While the Company has recently acquired three RNG assets, these assets are still in the early stages of development which may include expansion and installation of upgrading units to refine biomethane into renewable natural gas (rather than conversion to electricity). These assets have not generated significant revenues or incurred material expenses. As of, and for the period ending September 30, 2024, the Company’s CODM was primarily focused on capital investing decisions, strategy, and forward-looking investment economics. While the CODM monitors cash reserves and overall enterprise liquidity, extensive review and analysis of the Company’s performance and loss statements is not performed beyond review of the consolidated financial statements. As such, the CODM continues to assess the financial performance of the Company as a single enterprise on a consolidated basis, without distinguishing between conventional natural gas and RNG operations.
All of the Company’s primary operating activities and assets remain located in Italy. The Company will continue to evaluate its operating segments and the determination of reportable segments as the business evolves.
NOTE 15 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to November 13, 2024, the date that the financial statements were issued.
Gas Sale Agreement
On October 29, 2024, the Company entered into a gas sale agreement (“GSA”) with Shell Energy Europe Limited (“SEEL”), whereby SEEL will become the exclusive buyer of AleAnna’s share of the natural gas produced from the Longanesi field net of (i) any consumption and/or losses incurred in the transport, treatment and compression of gas before delivery; (ii) any volume to be allocated for regulated royalties auctions, if applicable; and (iii) any other volume contractually allocated to other parties before August 31, 2022. Future sales under the GSA are contingent upon the commencement of gas production.
F-16
Exhibit 99.2
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Unless otherwise specified, capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the definitive proxy statement dated November 14, 2024 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Introduction
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023 present the historical financial statements of SPAC and AleAnna, adjusted to reflect the Business Combination. The unaudited condensed combined pro forma balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 gives pro forma effect to the business combination and related transactions as if they had occurred on September 30, 2024. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and year ended December 31, 2023 give pro forma effect to the business combination and related transactions as if they had been consummated on January 1, 2023. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X, as amended.
We are providing the following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to aid you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the transactions. SPAC is a blank check company whose purpose is to acquire, through a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses. AleAnna is a natural gas resource company focused on conventional and renewable natural gas production in Italy.
The Business Combination included, among other things:
| ● | (i) SPAC undergoing the Domestication and changing its name to “AleAnna, Inc.”; (ii) each SPAC Class A Ordinary Share converting into one share of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock; (iii) each SPAC Class B Ordinary Share converting into one share of Surviving PubCo Class B Common Stock in the Domestication and then each share of Surviving PubCo Class B Common Stock converting into one share of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock at the completion of the Business Combination; (iv) each warrant to purchase SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares becoming exercisable by its terms to purchase an equal number of shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock; and (v) a series Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock being authorized, each share of which will have voting rights equal to a share of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock but which shall have no entitlement to earnings or distributions of Surviving PubCo; |
| ● | following the Domestication but prior to the Merger, (i) Surviving PubCo contributed to HoldCo (a) all of its assets (excluding its interests in HoldCo), including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Available Cash (as defined herein), and (b) a number of shares of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock equal to the number of Class C HoldCo Units designated to be issued to the AleAnna Members, and (ii) HoldCo issued to Surviving PubCo a number of Class A HoldCo Units which equaled the number of shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately after the Closing; |
| ● | following the Pre-Closing Contribution, Merger Sub merged with and into AleAnna, with AleAnna being the surviving company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of HoldCo. Each AleAnna Member received its pro rata portion of 65,098,476 shares of (a) Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock or (b) Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock (with one Class C HoldCo Unit to accompany each share of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock) in the Merger, as determined by the AleAnna Board. Nautilus, which owned approximately 97% of AleAnna prior to the transaction, received 25,994,400 shares of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock and 25,994,400 Class C HoldCo Units in the Merger, as well as 37,134,194 shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock. The other AleAnna Member, Bonanza Resources (Texas) Inc. received 1,969,882 shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock. The exact number of Class C HoldCo Units and Class A HoldCo Units issued may change once the business combination is finalized; and |
2
| ● | the common control reverse recapitalization between SPAC and AleAnna. |
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been developed from and should be read in conjunction with:
| ● | the notes accompanying the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements; |
| ● | the historical audited and unaudited financial statements of SPAC included elsewhere in this Form S-4; |
| ● | the historical audited and unaudited financial statements of AleAnna included elsewhere in this Form S-4; |
| ● | the discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of SPAC and AleAnna included elsewhere in this Form S-4; and |
| ● | other information contained in this Form S-4, including the Business Combination and the description of certain terms thereof. |
The Transactions were accomplished through an “Up-C” structure and the classification of consideration received by the AleAnna Members, as the equityholders of AleAnna immediately prior to the Closing, reflects such “Up-C” structure. Following the Closing, the AleAnna Members hold 39,104,076 shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock, 25,994,400 Class C HoldCo Units that are exchangeable for an aggregate of 25,994,400 shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock and 25,994,400 shares of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock.
The estimated allocation of AleAnna Member shares disclosed in Amendment No. 3 to the registration statement on Form S-4, filed with the SEC on November 14, 2024, was 54,028,594 Class C HoldCo Units and 11,069,882 shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock. Following that filing and prior to the Closing, the final share counts were determined, resulting in a revised allocation as noted above. Although this reallocation between Class C HoldCo Units and Class A Common Stock impacted the noncontrolling interest percentage held by AleAnna Member Class C HoldCo unitholders, it did not change the total share counts or the overall diluted ownership percentage of AleAnna.
Due to the uncertainty of the amount and timing of future exchanges of Class C HoldCo Units, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information assumes that no exchanges of Class C HoldCo Units have occurred and therefore, no increases in tax basis have been realized. Additionally, AleAnna would recognize a full valuation allowance for any deferred tax asset realized based on AleAnna’s current assessment of the future realizability.
The following summarizes the Surviving PubCo Common Stock outstanding as of December 13, 2024. The percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 66,554,833 shares of Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock issued and outstanding as of December 13, 2024.
| Shares | % | |||||||
| SPAC Public Shareholders(1) | 56,357 | 0.08 | % | |||||
| AleAnna Members and Affiliates(2) | 65,098,476 | 97.80 | % | |||||
| Sponsor, Anchor Investors and NRA Parties(3) | 1,400,000 | 2.10 | % | |||||
| Total Shares at Closing | 66,554,833 | 100.00 | % | |||||
| (1) | SPAC Public Shareholders holding 1,158,556 SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares exercised their Redemption Rights for an aggregate payment of approximately $13.2 million (based on the per-share redemption price of approximately $11.39 per share) from the Trust Account. | |
| (2) | Includes 25,994,400 shares of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock and 39,104,076 shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock issued to Nautilus Resources LLC and other entities controlled by the beneficial owner of Nautilus Resources LLC for their 247,824 AleAnna Common Units and 105,711 Class 1 Preferred Units. Also includes 1,969,882 shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock issued to Bonanza Resources (Texas) Inc. for its 18,679 AleAnna Common Units. | |
| (3) | Reflects forfeiture of an aggregate of 4,225,000 SPAC Class A and SPAC Class B Ordinary Shares held by Sponsor, Anchor Investors and NRA Parties at closing. Sponsor, Anchor Investors and NRA Parties retained 1,400,000 shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock. Also reflects the surrender of 6,350,000 SPAC Private Warrants held by Sponsor and 3,000,000 SPAC Private Warrants held by Anchor Investors in connection with the completion of the Business Combination. |
3
These unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are for informational purposes only. They do not purport to indicate the results that would have been obtained had the Business Combination and related transactions actually been completed on the assumed date or for the period presented, or which may be realized in the future. The pro forma adjustments are based on the information currently available and the assumptions and estimates underlying the pro forma adjustments are described in the accompanying notes. Actual results may differ materially from the assumptions within the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated combined financial information.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE
SHEET
As of September 30, 2024
| Transaction | ||||||||||||||||||
| Historical | Accounting | Pro Forma | ||||||||||||||||
| Swiftmerge | AleAnna | Adjustments | Note 2 | Combined | ||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||
| Current Assets | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 9,520 | $ | 43,370,175 | $ | (8,155,323 | ) | (a) | $ | 35,224,372 | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 22,543 | 2,760,106 | (830,518 | ) | (c) | 1,952,131 | ||||||||||||
| Total current assets | 32,063 | 46,130,281 | (8,985,841 | ) | 37,176,503 | |||||||||||||
| Cash held in Trust Account | $ | 13,713,477 | $ | - | $ | (13,713,477 | ) | (a) | $ | - | ||||||||
| Natural gas and other properties, successful efforts method | - | 30,912,739 | - | 30,912,739 | ||||||||||||||
| Renewable natural gas properties | - | 9,525,352 | - | 9,525,352 | ||||||||||||||
| Value-added tax refund receivable | - | 5,858,639 | - | 5,858,639 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | - | 1,842,659 | - | 1,842,659 | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets | - | - | - | (b) | - | |||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 13,745,540 | $ | 94,269,670 | $ | (22,699,318 | ) | $ | 85,315,892 | |||||||||
| LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||||
| Current Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||
| Promissory note - related party | $ | 1,006,000 | $ | - | $ | (1,006,000 | ) | (a) | $ | - | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 2,968,066 | 1,772,612 | (3,819,127 | ) | (a) | 921,551 | ||||||||||||
| Due to Sponsor and related party | 266,800 | - | (266,800 | ) | (a) | - | ||||||||||||
| Lease liability, short term | - | 166,293 | - | 166,293 | ||||||||||||||
| Contingent consideration, short term | - | 14,572,288 | - | 14,572,288 | ||||||||||||||
| Derivative liability, at fair value | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | $ | 4,240,866 | $ | 16,511,193 | $ | (5,091,927 | ) | $ | 15,660,32 | |||||||||
| Asset retirement obligation | $ | - | $ | 4,342,611 | $ | - | $ | 4,342,611 | ||||||||||
| Lease liability, long term | - | 1,748,995 | - | 1,748,995 | ||||||||||||||
| Contingent consideration, long term | - | 12,215,323 | - | 12,215,323 | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | 4,240,866 | $ | 34,818,122 | $ | (5,091,927 | ) | $ | 33,967,061 | |||||||||
| AleAnna's Temporary Equity (Class 1 Preferred Units) | $ | - | $ | 369,987,776 | $ | (369,987,776 | ) | (e) | $ | - | ||||||||
| Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption | 13,613,477 | - | (13,613,477 | ) | (d), (e) | - | ||||||||||||
| Total Temporary Equity and Redeemable Common Stock | $ | 13,613,477 | $ | 369,987,776 | $ | (383,601,253 | ) | $ | - | |||||||||
| Class A Common Stock | $ | 337 | $ | - | $ | 3,719 | (e) | $ | 4,056 | |||||||||
| Class B Common Stock | 225 | - | (225 | ) | (e) | - | ||||||||||||
| Class C Common Stock | - | - | 2,599 | (e) | 2,599 | |||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | - | - | 226,722,424 | (e) | 226,722,424 | |||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (4,962,129 | ) | - | (4,962,129 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (4,109,365 | ) | (306,000,508 | ) | 119,636,379 | (e) | (190,473,494 | ) | ||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest | $ | - | $ | 426,409 | $ | 19,628,965 | (e), (f) | $ | 20,055,374 | |||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity (deficit) | (4,108,803 | ) | (310,536,228 | ) | 365,993,862 | 51,348,831 | ||||||||||||
| Total Liabilities, Temporary Equity, Redeemable Common Stock and Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity | $ | 13,745,540 | $ | 94,269,670 | $ | (22,669,319 | ) | $ | 85,315,891 | |||||||||
4
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT
OF OPERATIONS
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
| Transaction | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Historical | Accounting | Pro Forma | ||||||||||||||||||
| Swiftmerge | AleAnna | Adjustments | Note 2 | Combined | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | - | $ | 648,328 | $ | - | $ | 648,328 | ||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | - | 538,607 | - | 538,607 | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 1,186,878 | 4,473,833 | - | 5,660,711 | ||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 51,311 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accretion of asset retirement obligation | - | 99,930 | - | 99,930 | ||||||||||||||||
| Increase in contingent consideration liability | - | 304,929 | - | 304,929 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 1,186,878 | $ | 5,468,610 | $ | - | $ | 6,604,177 | ||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | $ | (1,186,878 | ) | $ | (4,820,282 | ) | $ | - | $ | (5,955,849 | ) | |||||||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on investments held in Trust Account | $ | 663,121 | $ | - | $ | (663,121 | ) | (g) | $ | - | ||||||||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | - | 173,177 | - | 173,177 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest and other income | - | 1,325,660 | - | 1,325,660 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total other income (expense) | $ | 663,121 | $ | 1,498,837 | $ | (663,121 | ) | $ | 1,498,837 | |||||||||||
| Loss before provision for income taxes | $ | (523,757 | ) | $ | (3,321,445 | ) | $ | (663,121 | ) | $ | (4,457,012 | ) | ||||||||
| Income tax expense | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (523,757 | ) | $ | (3,321,445 | ) | $ | (663,121 | ) | $ | (4,457,012 | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | - | - | (1,740,780 | ) | (h) | (1,740,780 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to AleAnna, Inc. | $ | (523,757 | ) | $ | (3,321,445 | ) | $ | 1,077,659 | $ | (2,716,232 | ) | |||||||||
| Weighted average Class A Common Stock outstanding, basic and diluted | (i) | 40,560,433 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss per share of Class A Common Stock, basic and diluted | (i) | $ | (0.07 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average AleAnna Common Units outstanding, basic and diluted | 266,503 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per AleAnna Common Unit | ($ | 595.66 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class A redeemable ordinary shares | 1,542,591 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per Class A redeemable ordinary shares | $ | (0.07 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class A non-redeemable ordinary shares | 3,375,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per Class A non-redeemable ordinary shares | $ | (0.07 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class B ordinary shares | 2,250,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per Class B ordinary shares | $ | (0.07 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
5
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT
OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2023
| Transaction | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Historical | Accounting | Pro Forma | ||||||||||||||||||
| Swiftmerge | AleAnna | Adjustments | Note 2 | Combined | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | $ | 3,085,175 | $ | 5,634,150 | $ | 3,987,967 | (j) | $ | 12,707,292 | |||||||||||
| Accretion of asset retirement obligation | - | 133,239 | - | 133,239 | ||||||||||||||||
| Increase in contingent consideration liability | - | 866,519 | - | 866,519 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 3,085,175 | $ | 6,633,908 | $ | 3,987,967 | $ | 13,707,050 | ||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | $ | (3,085,175 | ) | $ | (6,633,908 | ) | $ | (3,987,967 | ) | $ | (13,707,050 | ) | ||||||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on investments held in Trust Account | $ | 6,501,789 | $ | - | $ | (6,501,789 | ) | (g) | $ | - | ||||||||||
| Other income and expenses | - | (102,041 | ) | - | (102,041 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | - | 708,869 | - | 708,869 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total other income (expense) | $ | 6,501,789 | $ | 606,828 | $ | (6,501,789 | ) | $ | 606,828 | |||||||||||
| Loss before provision for income taxes | $ | 3,416,614 | $ | (6,027,080 | ) | $ | (10,489,756 | ) | $ | (13,100,222 | ) | |||||||||
| Income tax expense | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | 3,416,614 | $ | (6,027,080 | ) | $ | (10,489,756 | ) | $ | (13,100,222 | ) | |||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | - | - | (5,116,569 | ) | (h) | (5,116,569 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to AleAnna, Inc. | $ | 3,416,614 | $ | (6,027,080 | ) | $ | (5,373,187 | ) | $ | (7,983,653 | ) | |||||||||
| Weighted average Class A Common Stock outstanding, basic and diluted | (i) | 40,560,433 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss per share of Class A Common Stock, basic and diluted | (i) | $ | (0.20 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average AleAnna Common Units outstanding, basic and diluted | 266,503 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per AleAnna Common Unit | $ | (222.31 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class A redeemable ordinary shares | 10,232,877 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per Class A redeemable ordinary shares | $ | 0.22 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class A non-redeemable ordinary shares | 1,840,068 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per Class A non-redeemable ordinary shares | $ | 0.22 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class B ordinary shares | 3,784,932 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per Class B ordinary shares | $ | 0.22 | ||||||||||||||||||
6
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared to illustrate the estimated effect of the business combination.
The Business Combination has been accounted for as a common control transaction with respect to AleAnna which is akin to a reverse recapitalization. This conclusion was based on the fact that Nautilus Member had a controlling financial interest in AleAnna prior to the Business Combination and has a controlling financial interest in Surviving PubCo, which includes AleAnna as a wholly owned subsidiary. The net assets of SPAC are stated at their historical carrying amounts with no goodwill or intangible assets recognized in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Business Combination with respect to AleAnna will not be treated as a change in control primarily due to Nautilus Member receiving the controlling voting stake in Surviving PubCo and the ability of Nautilus Member to nominate the full board of directors and management of Surviving PubCo.
Under a reverse recapitalization, SPAC was treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of AleAnna issuing stock for the net assets of SPAC, accompanied by a recapitalization.
Note 2 - Transaction Accounting Adjustments
The transaction accounting adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 are as follows:
(a) Cash. Represents the impact of the business combination, accounted for as a common control reverse recapitalization, on the cash balance of AleAnna.
The table below represents the Business Combination sources and uses of funds as of September 30, 2024, accounted for as a common control reverse recapitalization:
| Note | ||||||||
| Cash balance of AleAnna prior to Business Combination* | $ | 43,370,175 | ||||||
| Cash balance of SPAC prior to Business Combination* | 9,520 | |||||||
| Total cash balance prior to Business Combination* | 43,379,695 | |||||||
| Transaction cash adjustments: | ||||||||
| Cash held in Trust Account at September 30, 2024 | (1) | 13,832,431 | ||||||
| Payment to redeeming SPAC Public Shareholders | (2) | (13,190,777 | ) | |||||
| Payment of transaction fees and expenses | (3) | (6,554,078 | ) | |||||
| Payment of Director and Officer insurance premium | (4) | (546,900 | ) | |||||
| Payment of Sponsor Note and other related party payables | (5) | (1,696,000 | ) | |||||
| Total transaction cash adjustments | (8,155,323 | ) | ||||||
| Pro forma cash balance | $ | 35,224,372 | ||||||
| * | Business Combination is accounted for as a common control reverse recapitalization for purposes of unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. | |
| (1) | Represents release of the restricted investments held in the Trust Account to fund the closing of the Business Combination, accounted for as a common control reverse acquisition. | |
| (2) | Represents the amount paid to SPAC Public Shareholders exercised their Redemption Rights, including payment of accrued interest. | |
| (3) | Reflects payment of remaining legal, audit, consulting and other transaction-related expenses in conjunction with the Closing. | |
| (4) | Represents a Directors & Officers liability insurance policy entered into in connection with the Business Combination that was paid in conjunction with the Closing and recorded to prepaid expenses and other assets (see Note 2(c)). |
7
| (5) | Reflects the repayment of the Sponsor Note and all amounts due to Sponsor as of the Closing. The aggregate balance of the Sponsor Note and amounts due to Sponsor as of September 30, 2024 were $1.3 million, with an additional $0.4 million of amounts advanced to SPAC subsequent to September 30, 2024 but prior to the Closing. |
(b) Adjustments for Deferred Taxes. No adjustments recognized as a full valuation allowance is established based on realizability to offset the net deferred tax assets. Deferred Taxes arise from differences between the financial statement and tax basis in the HoldCo interests, including legacy step-up basis adjustments, and net operating losses recorded at AleAnna. The adjustments for deferred taxes assume:
| I. | the GAAP balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 is adjusted for the pro forma entries described herein; |
| II. | the estimated tax basis as of September 30, 2024 is adjusted for the pro forma entries described herein; |
| III. | a full valuation allowance is established to offset the net deferred tax assets based upon the assessment of realizability; and |
| IV. | no material changes in tax law. |
AleAnna accrues liabilities or adjusts deferred taxes for unrecognized tax benefits. AleAnna has not recorded any unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2024, that, if recognized, would affect its annual effective tax rate. However, as AleAnna continues to evaluate various accounting considerations, it may record uncertain tax positions under GAAP.
(c) Represents reclassification of costs that were previously recorded as deferred transaction costs to accumulated deficit, excluding approximately $0.6 million of payments for Directors & Officers liability insurance premiums that were recorded to prepaid expenses and other assets.
(d) SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption. Represents reclassification of Swiftmerge’s redeemable shares into Swiftmerge’s Class A Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination, accounted for as a common control reverse recapitalization.
8
(e) Impact on Equity. The following table represents the equity impact of the Business Combination, accounted for as a common control reverse recapitalization:
| Note | Maximum Redemptions | |||||||
| Temporary Equity and Redeemable Common Stock | ||||||||
| (2) | (369,987,776 | ) | ||||||
| (4) | $ | (13,613,477 | ) | |||||
| Total Temporary Equity and Redeembable Common Stock Adjustments | $ | (383,601,253 | ) | |||||
| Class A Common Stock | ||||||||
| (2) | $ | 3,910 | ||||||
| (3) | (197 | ) | ||||||
| (4) | 6 | |||||||
| Total Class A Common Stock adjustments | $ | 3,719 | ||||||
| Class B Common Stock | (3) | $ | (225 | ) | ||||
| Class C Common Stock | (2) | $ | 2,599 | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| (2) | $ | 369,981,463 | ||||||
| (3) | 225 | |||||||
| (4) | 635,701 | |||||||
| (5) | (4,109,365 | ) | ||||||
| (6) | (641,654 | ) | ||||||
| (7) | (139,143,946 | ) | ||||||
| (8) | - | |||||||
| Total Additional paid-in capital adjustments | $ | 226,722,424 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ||||||||
| (5) | $ | 4,109,365 | ||||||
| (6) | (3,987,967 | ) | ||||||
| (7) | 119,514,981 | |||||||
| (8) | - | |||||||
| Total Accumulated deficit adjustments | $ | 119,636,379 | ||||||
| Noncontrolling interest | (7) | $ | 19,628,965 | |||||
| (1) | NOT USED |
| (2) | Represents conversion of AleAnna’s Temporary Equity and Members’ Equity to Surviving PubCo Class C and Class A Common Stock. AleAnna Members’ Equity converted into 25,994,400 shares of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock and 39,104,076 shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock at par values of $0.0001 in connection with the Business Combination, accounted for as a common control reverse recapitalization. | |
| (3) | Represents conversion of 2,250,000 SPAC Class B Ordinary Shares into shares of Class A Common Stock, and the ultimate surrender of those shares, at par value of $0.0001 in connection with the Business Combination. Also reflects the forfeiture of 1,975,000 Class A Ordinary Shares held by Sponsor, Anchor Investors and NRA Parties, at a par value of $0.0001. After the surrender of these 4,225,000 Class A and Class B Ordinary Shares, Sponsor, Anchor Investors, and NRA Parties retained 1,400,000 shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock. The Business Combination is accounted for as a common control reverse recapitalization. |
9
| (4) | Represents reclassification of the SPAC’s redeemable shares into Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination, accounted for as a common control reverse recapitalization. Holders of 1,158,556 SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares were redeemed for aggregate redemption payments of approximately $13.2 million, including accrued interest, at a per share price of $11.39. This resulted in a reduction to equity with a corresponding decrease in investments held in the Trust Account. This adjustment also reflects the surrender of 6,350,000 SPAC Private Warrants held by Sponsor and 3,000,000 SPAC Private Warrants held by Anchor Investors in connection with the completion of the Business Combination. | |
| (5) | Represents the reclassification of the SPAC’s historical accumulated deficit to additional paid-in capital in connection with the Business Combination, accounted for as a common control reverse recapitalization. | |
| (6) | Represents transaction fees and expenses related to the Business Combination, accounted for as a common control reverse recapitalization, that were expensed in connection with the Business Combination (see Note 2(a)(3) Cash). The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet reflects AleAnna’s costs as a reduction of cash with a corresponding decrease in additional paid-in capital, up to the $0.6 million of proceeds received from the Trust, and SPAC's costs as a reduction of cash with a corresponding increase in accumulated deficit. AleAnna’s costs in excess of funds raised from the Business Combination were required to be expensed under GAAP and are reflected in this adjustment to accumulated deficit. | |
| (7) | Represents reclassification of a portion of additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit to noncontrolling interest (see Note 3(f) Noncontrolling Interest). | |
| (8) | Although a long-term incentive plan is being contemplated, no awards had been granted as of the date of the Business Combination, and no stock-based compensation expense has been or will be recognized until the time at which an award is granted or the achievement under an award of any performance condition is deemed probable, as applicable. |
(f) Noncontrolling Interest. An adjustment to reflect noncontrolling interest holders’ economic share of combined equity, pursuant to the post-combination structure of the combined companies. The respective controlling interests and noncontrolling interests in HoldCo as reflected in Surviving PubCo’s financial statements will depend on the level of redemptions. Following the Closing, holders of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock will own direct controlling interests in the results of the combined entity, while the Nautilus Member and one of its affiliates, the majority equityholders of AleAnna immediately prior to Closing, will own economic interests in HoldCo shown as noncontrolling interest in equity in the financial statements of AleAnna. The indirect economic interests are held by the Nautilus Member and one of its affiliates, the majority equityholders of AleAnna immediately prior to Closing, in the form of the HoldCo Exchange Right in an amount equal to the fair value of shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock.
The following table summarizes the economic interests of Surviving PubCo between the holders of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock and indirect economic interests held by HoldCo unitholders (assuming all Class C HoldCo Units are exchanged for Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock):
| Economic Interests | % of Economic Interests | |||||||
| Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock | 40,560,433 | 60.94 | % | |||||
| Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock (Noncontrolling interest) | 25,994,400 | 39.06 | % | |||||
| Total | 66,554,833 | 100.00 | % | |||||
The noncontrolling interest may decrease according to the number of shares of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock that are exchanged for shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock. The calculation of noncontrolling interest is based on the net assets of Surviving PubCo following the completion of the Business Combination. Noncontrolling interest increased by $19.6 million, with a corresponding decrease in additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit. See Note 3(e)(7) Impact on Equity.
(g) Gains on Investments Held in Trust Account. Represents the elimination of gains on marketable securities held in the Trust Account.
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(h) Net Loss to Noncontrolling Interest. The net loss of Surviving PubCo in each period presented was reduced as summarized below:
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 | ||||
| Pro forma net loss | $ | (4,457,012 | ) | |
| Noncontrolling interest percentage(1) | 39.06 | % | ||
| Noncontrolling interest pro forma adjustment | (1,740,780 | ) | ||
| Net loss attributable to AleAnna | $ | (2,716,232 | ) | |
| (1) | See Note 2(f) Noncontrolling Interest |
| Year Ended December 31, 2023 | ||||
| Pro forma net loss | $ | (13,100,222 | ) | |
| Noncontrolling interest percentage(1) | 39.06 | % | ||
| Noncontrolling interest pro forma adjustment | (5,116,569 | ) | ||
| Net loss attributable to AleAnna | $ | (7,983,653 | ) | |
| (1) | See Note 2(f) Noncontrolling Interest |
(i) Earnings (Loss) Per Share. Represents the net income (loss) per share calculated using the weighted average shares outstanding. As the Business Combination is reflected as if it had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented, the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted net income (loss) per share assumes that the shares issuable relating to the Business Combination have been outstanding for the entire periods presented. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information includes the redemption by SPAC Public Shareholders of shares of SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023:
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 | Year Ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Pro forma net loss attributable to AleAnna | $ | (2,716,232 | ) | $ | (7,983,653 | ) | ||
| Weighted average shares of Surviving PubCo Clas A Common Stock outstanding, basic and diluted | 40,560,433 | 40,560,433 | ||||||
| Net loss per share of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock, basic and diluted | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.20 | ) | ||
The 25,994,400 shares of Surviving PubCo Class C Common Stock and the 11,250,000 SPAC Public Warrants were not included in the calculation of diluted weighted average shares of Surviving PubCo Class A Common Stock outstanding as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
(j) Transaction Expenses. Represents remaining transaction expenses in excess of the net cash proceeds from the Trust. These excess transaction expenses are not eligible for capitalization and were expensed in accordance with U.S. GAAP. See Note 2(a)(3) Cash and note 2(e)(6) Impact on Equity.
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Exhibit 99.3
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF ALEANNA
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to “we,” “us,” “our,” or “AleAnna” refer to AleAnna Energy, LLC and its subsidiaries.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The discussion and analysis should also be read together with the section entitled “Business” and our pro forma financial information. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.” This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs that involve risks and uncertainties that may be outside our control. As a result of many factors, such as those set forth under the headings “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.
Overview
AleAnna is a natural gas resource company focused on delivering critical natural gas supplies to Europe through both onshore conventional natural gas exploration and renewable natural gas development in Italy. AleAnna has several conventional natural gas discoveries including its primary discovery, the Longanesi field, located in the Po Valley in Northern Italy, which is one of Italy’s largest modern gas discoveries. AleAnna retains a 33.5% working interest in the Longanesi field with its working interest partner, and operator, Societa Padana Energia (“Padana”) representing the other 66.5%. AleAnna acquired its working interest in the Longanesi field through a 2016 transaction. AleAnna also retains wholly owned concessions, permits, and pending applications on other exploration and development prospects across Italy which are supported by proprietary modern 3D seismic reservoir imaging. In 2021, AleAnna launched a renewable natural gas (“RNG”) development business focused on bringing to market carbon-negative renewable natural gas derived from animal and agricultural waste.
Planned principal operations have not yet commenced. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had not derived revenue from its principal business activities. AleAnna’s primary activities currently involve the drilling and testing of three Longanesi development wells together with its working interest partner, Padana. Our recent drilling activity consisted of the following: no activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, drilling of one gross Longanesi development well (0.335 net to our interest) during the year ended December 31, 2023, and drilling of two gross Longanesi development wells (0.67 net wells to our interest) during the year ended December 31, 2022. We had no other exploratory or development drilling during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 or the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022. Our Longanesi, Trava and Gradizza wells are classified by DeGolyer & MacNaughton as proved undeveloped reserves as such wells have not yet started production and require future investments to install production pipelines and production facilities prior to being fully completed and producible. Following tie-in of these wells and the installation of a temporary processing facility over the remainder of 2024, AleAnna and Padana expect to achieve first production of the five wells in the Longanesi field in the first quarter of 2025 through use of a temporary processing skid. The permanent processing facility is expected to be constructed over the course of 2025 and commissioned in the first half of 2026.
The Transactions
We entered into the Merger Agreement with SPAC on June 4, 2024. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and assuming approval by SPAC’s shareholders, (i) SPAC will undertake the Domestication and (ii) on the Closing Date, consummate the Merger.
The Business Combination is intended to be accounted for as a common control transaction with respect to AleAnna which is akin to a reverse recapitalization. This conclusion was based on the fact that Nautilus Member has a controlling financial interest in AleAnna prior to the Business Combination and is intended to have a controlling financial interest in Surviving PubCo, which will include AleAnna as a wholly owned subsidiary. The net assets of SPAC will be stated at their historical carrying amounts with no goodwill or intangible assets recognized in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Business Combination with respect to AleAnna will not be treated as a change in control primarily due to Nautilus Member receiving the controlling voting stake in Surviving PubCo and the ability of Nautilus Member to nominate the full board of directors and management of Surviving PubCo.
Under a reverse recapitalization, SPAC will be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination will be treated as the equivalent of AleAnna issuing stock for the net assets of SPAC, accompanied by a recapitalization.
The most significant change in Surviving PubCo’s future reported financial position and results are expected to be an estimated net increase in cash (as compared to AleAnna’s financial position as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023) of $1.8 million assuming no shareholder redemptions, and net decreases in cash of $1.6 million assuming 25% shareholder redemptions, $5.1 million assuming 50% shareholder redemptions, $8.4 million assuming 75% shareholder redemptions, or $11.9 million assuming maximum shareholder redemptions. During 2024, the company has incurred approximately $1.4 million in deferred transaction costs related to this transaction that are recorded in prepaid expenses and other assets as of September 30, 2024. The Company expects to reclassify these costs to additional paid-in capital in the period the Business Combination closes to the extent cash proceeds received in the transaction exceed transaction costs. To the extent transaction costs exceed the amount of cash proceeds, such amounts will be expensed. Total transaction costs are estimated at $10.7 million. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.”
Recent Developments
Gas Sale Agreement
On October 29, 2024, the Company entered into a gas sale agreement (“GSA”) with Shell Energy Europe Limited (“SEEL”), whereby SEEL will become the exclusive buyer of AleAnna’s share of the natural gas produced from the Longanesi field net of (i) any consumption and/or losses incurred in the transport, treatment and compression of gas before delivery; (ii) any volume to be allocated for regulated royalties auctions, if applicable; and (iii) any other volume contractually allocated to other parties before August 31, 2022. Future sales under the GSA are contingent upon the commencement of gas production.
RNG Acquisitions
Between March 2024 and July 2024, the Company successfully completed three separate strategic acquisitions of renewable natural gas (RNG) plant projects in Italy for an aggregate €9,087,882, or approximately $9,829,034. The plants are fully permitted and are in various stages of the production lifecycle, with one greenfield plant that is a new development and two brownfield plants that are currently operational. The Company plans to develop and upgrade these sites for RNG production in the future.
Capital Contributions
Between January 2024 and May 2024, AleAnna received an aggregate of $62.1 million in capital contributions from its members, resulting in the issuance of 62,100 Class 1 Preferred Units, to fund operating costs and capital expenditures and provide working capital to meet our liabilities and commitments as they become due for at least the upcoming 12 months. These funds will be used to fund the Longanesi gas pipeline and plant activity obligations, as well as general and administrative expenses of AleAnna and its subsidiaries.
Blugas Settlement
On May 28, 2024, the Company reached a settlement agreement with Blugas regarding the Blugas overriding royalty interest (“ORRI”) whereby Blugas was entitled to physical delivery of 20% of the first 350 million standard cubic meters (approximately 2,472 106ft3) produced from the Longanesi field. Under the terms of this settlement agreement, AleAnna paid Blugas approximately €5 million, plus an additional €1.1 million in applicable VAT. In exchange, AleAnna is released from any future liability related to the Blugas ORRI. As a result of the transactions contemplated by the Blugas Settlement Agreement, AleAnna’s 33.5% working interest in the Longanesi field is now unencumbered except for normal government royalties (10%). AleAnna has determined the Blugas settlement should be accounted for as an acquisition of the Blugas ORRI claim with a corresponding impact to AleAnna’s reserves. AleAnna’s year-end December 31, 2023 reserve quantities included the 20% of 350 million standard cubic meters (approximately 2,472 106ft3) allocable to the Blugas ORRI in its proved gas reserves. However, the required payments to Blugas associated with the sale of such quantities were reflected as cash outflows (costs) as if such amounts were paid to Blugas. As a result of the Blugas Settlement Agreement, utilizing the same assumptions as the December 31, 2023 DeGolyer & MacNaughton reserve report, net proved reserve quantities would not increase as the 20% of 350 million standard cubic meters (approximately 2,472 106ft3) allocable to the Blugas ORRI were included in December 31, 2023 proved gas reserves. However, as the required payments to Blugas associated with the sale of such quantities were reflected as cash outflows (costs), as if such amounts were paid to Blugas, utilizing the same assumptions as the December 31, 2023 DeGolyer & MacNaughton reserve report, if the cash payments allocable to Blugas were added back to AleAnna’s December 31, 2023 future net cash flows and standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow, such amounts would have increased $35.3 million and $30.0 million, respectively. AleAnna’s working interest (net revenue interest) as established under the terms of the Unified Operating Agreement (“UOA”) arrangement originally signed between ENI and Grove and dated September 26, 2009, remains unchanged at 33.5%. The total $6.6 million in acquisition costs related to the Blugas ORRI acquisition were not contemplated as part of the December 31, 2023 DeGolyer & MacNaughton reserve report and such amounts do not appear in AleAnna’s December 31, 2023 future net cash flows and standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow as settlement discussions had not commenced (and did not commence until late first quarter 2024) and any potential settlement outcomes or amounts were unknown as of December 31, 2023. See “Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements (Unaudited) of AleAnna Energy, LLC — Note 6 — Commitments and Contingencies.”
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Key Factors Affecting our Performance, Prospects and Future Results
We believe that our performance and future success depend on a number of factors that present significant opportunities for us but also pose risks and challenges, including competition from other carbon-based and non-carbon-based fuel producers, regulatory hurdles posed by the Italian government, and other factors discussed under the section titled “Risk Factors.” We believe the factors described below are key to our success.
Achieving First Production at Longanesi
Planned principal operations have not yet commenced. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had not derived revenue from its principal business activities. AleAnna’s primary activities currently involve the drilling and testing of three Longanesi development wells together with its working interest partner Padana. Following tie-in of these wells and the installation of a temporary processing facility over the course of 2024, AleAnna and Padana expect to achieve first production of the five wells in the Longanesi field in the first quarter of 2025 through use of a temporary processing skid. The permanent processing facility is expected to be constructed over the course of 2025 and commissioned in the first half of 2026.
We believe achieving first production of the Longanesi field is a key milestone that will fuel our potential growth. The Company also has potentially viable discoveries in its Gradizza and Trava fields that are expected to achieve first production in the future.
Commencing and Expanding RNG Operations
In 2021, AleAnna launched an RNG development business focused on bringing to market carbon negative renewable natural gas derived from animal and agricultural waste. As previously discussed, the first three RNG projects were purchased between March 2024 and July 2024, with additional RNG projects expected to be purchased in the future.
We believe expanding the RNG business is another key to our potential growth and may unlock potential partnership or joint venture opportunities.
Key Components of Results of Operations
We are an early-stage company and our historical results may not be indicative of our future results. Accordingly, the drivers of our future financial results, as well as the components of such results, may not be comparable to our historical or future results of operations.
3
Revenue
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we generated approximately $0.6 million of revenue from electricity sales at two RNG assets acquired in July 2024 (the “Casalino” and “Campopiano” plants). The plant assets are fully permitted for production of electricity through conversion of crop and animal waste bio feedstocks. The plant assets are currently biomethane to electricity conversion assets. It is the company’s intention to begin upgrading the sites to refine biomethane into renewable natural gas through upgrading units. Following the upgrade process to transition the assets to biomethane to renewable natural gas conversion, the Company expects to sell renewable natural gas to customer(s) by trucking or piping the renewable natural gas to the interstate pipeline system (SNAM). Until the plant assets are upgraded, the Company will actively source bio feedstocks for the assets in order to produce biomethane which will be processed through reciprocating generators in order to generate electricity which is then sold onto the grid through a metered interconnection. Casalino and Campopiano derive revenues from the sale of such electricity to the local state owned electrical utility (Gestore dei Servizi Energetici SpA or “GSE”). Energy generation revenue is recognized as the electricity generated by the Casalino and Campopiano assets is delivered to GSE. Revenues are based on actual output and “on-the-spot” predetermined prices for small renewable energy producers.
In addition to sales of RNG, we expect to generate a significant portion of our future revenue from the sale of conventional natural gas.
Expenses
General and Administrative (G&A) Expense
G&A expenses consist of compensation costs for personnel in executive, finance, accounting, and other administrative functions. G&A expenses also include legal fees, professional fees paid for accounting, auditing and consulting services, and insurance costs. Following the Business Combination, we expect we will incur higher G&A expenses for public company costs such as compliance with the regulations of the SEC and the Nasdaq Capital Market.
Income Tax Effects
We are a limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for tax purposes, with each of our members accounting for its share of tax attributes and liabilities. However, the Company’s consolidated Italian subsidiary (AleAnna Italia S.p.A.) is subject to Italian corporate income taxes. In December 2022, the Company merged its Italian subsidiaries (AleAnna Italia S.r.L. and AleAnna Europa S.r.l.) into AleAnna Italia as a single entity and converted the Italia entity from an S.r.L. (flow through entity under the Italian tax code) into a S.p.A (corporation under the Italian tax code). Therefore, the income tax consequences of such entity have been reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. Given AleAnna’s history of losses, and because future production remains uncertain, a full valuation allowance was applied against deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2024, December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
We are also subject to a Valued-Added Tax (“VAT”) which is a broadly-based consumption tax that is assessed to the value that is added to goods and services. The VAT applies to nearly all goods and services that are bought and sold within the European Union. Italian law allows for certain VAT payments to be recovered through ongoing applications for refunds. The Company has incurred higher VAT input paid (i.e., VAT paid on purchases) than the VAT output collected (i.e., VAT collected on sales), resulting in a net VAT refund receivable. As of September 30, 2024, December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had VAT receivables of $5.9 million, $4.4 million, and $3.0 million, respectively.
Operations
Our net losses were $3.3 million and $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $306.0 million and $147.3 million, respectively. The majority of these losses stem from costs associated with the Longanesi field drilling and development, including asset impairments from previous years, as well as seismic imaging, exploratory costs for other conventional natural gas prospects, and general and administrative expenses. The accumulated deficits also include deemed dividends to the redemption value of our Class 1 Preferred Units based on the redemption features of those units and the related accounting requirements. See “Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements (Unaudited) of AleAnna Energy, LLC — Note 7 — Temporary Equity and Members’ Equity.” We expect to continue to incur substantial expenses related to our operations, exploration, and development activities, including pre-commercialization efforts as we continue our development of, and seek regulatory approval for, our discoveries and exploration prospects. Since inception, we have incurred net losses annually and do not expect to achieve sustained profitability until 2025.
4
Consolidated Results of Operations
Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
| Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Revenues | $ | 648,328 | $ | — | ||||
| Operating Expenses: | ||||||||
| Cost of revenues | $ | 538,607 | $ | — | ||||
| General and administrative | 4,473,833 | 3,239,559 | ||||||
| Depreciation | 51,311 | — | ||||||
| Accretion of asset retirement obligation | 99,930 | 33,311 | ||||||
| Increase (decrease) in contingent consideration liability | 304,929 | (244,526 | ) | |||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 5,468,610 | 3,028,344 | ||||||
| Operating loss | (4,820,282 | ) | (3,028,344 | ) | ||||
| Other Income (Expense): | ||||||||
| Interest and other income | 1,325,660 | 1,029 | ||||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | 173,177 | 430,819 | ||||||
| Total Other Income (Expense) | 1,498,837 | 431,848 | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | (3,321,445 | ) | $ | (2,596,496 | ) | ||
| Deemed dividend to Class 1 Preferred Units redemption value | (155,423,177 | ) | (52,941,150 | ) | ||||
| Net loss attributable to holders of Common Member Units | (158,744,622 | ) | (55,537,646 | ) | ||||
| Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | ||||||||
| Currency translation adjustment | (18,986 | ) | (145,271 | ) | ||||
| Comprehensive Loss | $ | (3,340,431 | ) | $ | (2,741,767 | ) | ||
Revenues
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, all of our revenue was earned through electricity generation and sales at the Casalino and Campopiano RNG plants that were purchased in July 2024. See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates for further details.
5
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist of salaries and benefits, outside professional services including legal, human resources, audit and accounting services, and development stage expenses. We expect to continue to incur expenses to support future operations as a public company, including expenses related to existing and future compliance with rules and regulations of the SEC and exchange on which we expect our securities will be traded, insurance expenses, investor relations, audit fees, professional services and general overhead and administrative costs.
General and administrative expenses increased by $1.2 million, or 38%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to increases in legal, audit and consulting fees.
Contingent Consideration Liability
The change in fair value of the contingent consideration liability increased by $0.5 million or 225%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. The change was primarily due to the fluctuations in the foreign exchange rate used in the calculation of the contingent consideration liability.
In 2019, following repeated development delays and severely depressed European natural gas prices, Nautilus, AleAnna’s primary shareholder, considered no longer funding capital contributions to AleAnna. Due to restricted access to capital, the potential of bankruptcy, and the improbability of developing Longanesi or any of AleAnna’s other prospects, AleAnna’s gas assets were fully impaired, and the corresponding contingent consideration liability was reduced to $0 as such payment was no longer probable. However, by 2021 European natural gas prices had recovered substantially and AleAnna and Padana began drilling Longanesi development wells. As such, it became probable that the Longanesi field would enter production and AleAnna again recognized the contingent consideration liability.
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the contingent consideration liability was recorded at $26.8 million and $26.5 million, respectively. The estimate of the contingent consideration liability was determined based on inputs including the following as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023: the intercontinental exchange futures prices for European natural gas, Euro to USD exchange rates of 1.12 and 1.11, respectively, and management’s future expected annual Longanesi production. AleAnna is required to make formulaic deferred consideration payments effectively equating to 20% to 50% of revenue above certain European natural gas threshold prices. The calculation and timing of such payments are primarily driven by future expected Longanesi production, as modeled by DeGolyer & MacNaughton, as well as forward European natural gas prices. While the timing and quantities of expected Longanesi production were unchanged from December 31, 2023 to September 30, 2024, average annual European natural gas forward prices declined slightly. As a result, the amount of revenue attributable to prices points above the threshold prices declined which resulted in a lengthening of the timing of expected contingent consideration payments and a corresponding reclassification of a portion of the contingent consideration liability from short-term to long-term.
Interest and Other Income
Interest and other income primarily includes interest earned on cash and cash equivalents. Interest and other income increased by $1.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to interest earned on larger average cash balances during the 2024 period compared to the 2023 period presented.
6
Change in Fair Value of Derivative Liability
The change in the fair value of derivative liability related to the Class 1 Preferred Units was $0.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $0.4 million during the same period in 2023. The fair value gain recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 (representing a decrease in the liability) was primarily due to a higher liquidation threshold and lower business value as of September 30, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023 which was driven by capital contributions made during the first quarter of 2024 through the Class 1 Preferred Units. The derivative liability was reduced from $173,177 as of December 31, 2023 to zero as of September 30, 2024. The fair value gain recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 (representing a decrease in the liability) was primarily due to a higher liquidation threshold and lower business value, combined with a slightly higher probability of a transaction occurring, as of September 30, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022. The higher liquidation threshold was driven by capital contributions made during the nine months of 2023 through the Class 1 Preferred Units.
Currency Translation Adjustment
For the purposes of presenting consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities of our Euro operations are translated to USD at the exchange rate on the reporting date. The income and expenses are translated using average exchange rates. Foreign currency differences that arise on translation for consolidated purposes are recognized in other comprehensive loss on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
The currency translation adjustment increased by $0.1 million or 87% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This increase was due to the fluctuation of the exchange rates between the Euro and the U.S. Dollar as well as the level of the Company’s activities.
Comparison of the Years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Operating Expenses: | ||||||||
| General and administrative | $ | 5,634,150 | $ | 2,004,660 | ||||
| Depreciation | — | 2,133 | ||||||
| Accretion of asset retirement obligation | 133,239 | 123,867 | ||||||
| Increase in contingent consideration liability | 866,519 | 223,152 | ||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 6,633,908 | 2,353,812 | ||||||
| Operating Loss | (6,633,908 | ) | (2,353,812 | ) | ||||
| Other Income (Expense): | ||||||||
| Other income and expenses | (102,041 | ) | (65,382 | ) | ||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | 708,869 | (863,776 | ) | |||||
| Total Other Income (Expense) | 606,828 | (929,158 | ) | |||||
| Net Loss | $ | (6,027,080 | ) | $ | (3,282,970 | ) | ||
| Other Comprehensive Loss | ||||||||
| Currency translation adjustment | 135,698 | (658,636 | ) | |||||
| Comprehensive Loss | $ | (5,891,382 | ) | $ | (3,941,606 | ) | ||
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G&A Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist of salaries and benefits, outside professional services including legal, human resources, audit and accounting services, and development stage expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by $3,629,490, or 181%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to an increase of approximately $1.5 million in legal, audit and consulting fees, an increase of approximately $1.5 million in salaries, benefits and payroll taxes, and an increase of approximately $0.7 million in office expenses and other general overhead.
Contingent Consideration Liability
The change in the fair value of the contingent consideration expense increased by $643,367 or 288%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to an increase in the average foreign exchange rates used in the calculation of the contingent consideration liability.
As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the contingent consideration liability was recorded at $26,482,682 and $25,616,163, respectively. The estimate of the contingent consideration liability was determined based on inputs including the following as of December 31, 2023, and 2022: the intercontinental exchange futures prices for European natural gas, a Euro to USD exchange rate of 1.11 and 1.07, respectively, and management’s future expected annual Longanesi production. AleAnna is required to make formulaic deferred consideration payments effectively equating to 20-50% of revenue above certain European natural gas threshold prices. The calculation and timing of such payments are primarily driven by future expected Longanesi production, as modeled by DeGolyer and MacNaughton, as well as forward European natural gas prices.
Other Income and Expenses
Other income includes interest income and miscellaneous income. Other expenses include bad debt expense, lease operating expenses, and intangible drilling expenses. Net other expenses increased by 56% during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to an increase in lease operating expenses.
Change in Fair Value of Derivative Liability
The change in the fair value of derivative liability related to the Class 1 Preferred Units was $708,869 during the year ended December 31, 2023 (representing a decrease in the liability), compared to ($863,776) during the same period in 2022, representing an increase in the liability. The fair value gain recorded during the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to a higher liquidation threshold as of December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022. The fair value loss during the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to a higher business valuation as of December 31, 2022 compared to December 31, 2021.
Currency Translation Adjustment
For the purpose of presenting consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities of our Euro operations are translated to USD at the exchange rate on the reporting date. The income and expenses are translated using average exchange rates. Foreign currency differences that arise on translation for consolidated purposes are recognized in other comprehensive loss on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
The currency translation adjustment increased by $794,334, or 121%, for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, representing a gain in 2023 compared to a loss in 2022. The increase is due to the fluctuation of the exchange rates between the Euro and the U.S. Dollar as well as the level of the Company’s activities.
Segment Considerations
The Company’s operations consist of one operating segment and reportable segment reflecting the manner in which operations are managed and the criteria used by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), the Company’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, collectively, to evaluate performance, develop strategy, and allocate resources.
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While the Company has recently acquired three RNG assets, these assets are still in the early stages of development which may include expansion and installation of upgrading units to refine biomethane into renewable natural gas (rather than conversion to electricity). These assets have not generated significant revenues or incurred material expenses. As of, and for the period ending September 30, 2024, the Company’s CODM was primarily focused on capital investing decisions, strategy, and forward-looking investment economics. While the CODM monitors cash reserves and overall enterprise liquidity, extensive review and analysis of the Company’s performance and loss statements is not performed beyond review of the consolidated financial statements. As such, the CODM continues to assess the financial performance of the Company as a single enterprise on a consolidated basis, without distinguishing between conventional natural gas and RNG operations.
All of the Company’s primary operating activities and assets remain located in Italy. The Company will continue to evaluate its operating segments and the determination of reportable segments as the business evolves.
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Operations
We have generated minimal revenues from our operations to date and we had an accumulated deficit of $306.0 million as of September 30, 2024. We had $43.4 million in cash and cash equivalents on September 30, 2024. The Company’s continuing operations, as intended, are dependent upon its ability to generate cash flows or obtain additional financing. Between January 2024 and May 2024, AleAnna received an aggregate of $62.1 million in capital contributions from its members resulting in the issuance of 62,100 Class 1 Preferred Units, to fund operating costs and capital expenditures and provide working capital to meet our liabilities and commitments as they become due for at least the upcoming 12 months.
Presently, Padana is the operator of the Longanesi field under a Unitized Operating Agreement, and other companies in the future may operate some of the properties in which we have an interest. The failure of an operator of our wells or joint venture participant to adequately perform operations, an operator’s breach of the applicable agreements or an operator’s failure to act in ways that are in our best interest could reduce our production and revenues.
To mitigate operator risks, AleAnna monitors the operational risks, credit risk, financial position and liquidity of Padana. Operational risks are monitored and acted on through: i) periodic meetings with Padana, through a formal committee known as the “Technical Committee”, to examine upcoming activities and discuss questions and concerns, ii) through the receipt and analysis of daily reports, iii) through requesting unscheduled calls with Padana where areas of concern are identified, and iv) through occasional site visits. Further, Padana’s credit risk, financial position, and liquidity are periodically evaluated through review of the financial condition of Padana’s parent organization, Gas Plus S.p.A., which is a publicly-traded company on the Italian Stock Exchange (Euronext Milan). We are able to continuously monitor financial health of Gas Plus S.p.A. through exchange-required public disclosures, including half-annual and annual financial statements, corporate presentations, and press releases.
Cash Flows
The following table includes our cash flow data for the periods indicated:
| For the Nine months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Data: | ||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (6,920,138 | ) | (4,318,819 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (18,549,966 | ) | (7,922,616 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 62,100,000 | 21,004,132 | ||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Data: | ||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (5,749,303 | ) | (4,165,187 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (8,924,941 | ) | (9,072,390 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 21,004,132 | 10,649,400 | ||||||
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Cash used in operating activities
Cash used in operating activities increased by $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, and $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increases in cash used in operating activities represents the effect on cash flows from net losses adjusted for items not affecting cash, principally; changes in fair values of the contingent consideration and derivative liabilities; changes in the VAT refund receivable; accretion of asset retirement obligation; changes in accounts payable; accrued expenses and related party payables; and changes in the prepaid expenses.
Overall, increases in cash used in operating activities reflect increased operating expenditures primarily related to legal, consulting and audit fees and salaries and wage expenses.
Cash used in investing activities
Cash used in investing activities increased by $10.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, and decreased by $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
In all periods presented, cash used in investing includes continued drilling, completion, and tie in of Longanesi-2D and Longanesi-3D wells. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, cash used in investing activities also reflects approximately $9.2 million of cash used to purchase three separate RNG assets, and approximately $6.6 million paid to Blugas as part of the Blugas Settlement. These transactions are discussed in more detail in the Recent Developments section.
Cash provided by financing activities
Cash provided by financing activities in all periods presented reflects additional issuances of Class 1 Preferred Units used to fund the Company’s operations.
Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments
Participation Agreements and Blugas ORRI
In the normal course of business, we enter into agreements with other entities to assist in the performance of drilling of the Longanesi field. On June 26, 2009, the Company entered into a Participation Agreement with Societa Padana Energia (“Padana”) for the drilling of the ‘Longanesi 1 exploration well, ‘San Potito’ concession and ‘Abbadessee 1’ exploration,’ collectively referred to as the Longanesi field.
The Unified Operating Agreement (“UOA”) arrangement was originally signed between ENI and Grove and dated September 26, 2009. However, Padana has succeeded ENI as the operator and 66.5% working interest owner, and AleAnna Energy, LLC has succeeded Grove as the non-operator and 33.5% working interest owner. On July 13, 2016, AleAnna acquired a 33.5% working interest in the Longanesi field from Enel, and, as part of the purchase, acquired a legacy contingent liability arising from an agreement between the Longanesi working interest’s original owner Grove Energy and Blugas Infrastructure S.r.l. (“Blugas”). Blugas retained an interest akin to an overriding royalty interest (“ORRI”), whereby Blugas is entitled to physical delivery of 20% of the first 350 million standard cubic meters (“SCM”) (approximately 2,472 106ft3) produced from the Longanesi field. In accounting for the acquisition of the 33.5% working interest, we did not recognize an asset or liability in the consolidated financial statements related to the Blugas ORRI. Further, the Company’s SEC Case reserves estimates contemplate the contractual arrangement and physical gas delivery to Blugas, such that the gas reserves attributable to the Company’s 33.5% working interest have been reduced.
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The physical volumes due to Blugas were being contested by AleAnna as usury because AleAnna considered, among other reasons, that extraction services and all associated risks are executed by AleAnna and that participation by Blugas is limited to financing a part of the sum necessary to start drilling, without participation in the construction and exploitation of the reservoir, and therefore do not share the risks or costs, which have increased compared to the initial forecast of the investment.
On May 28, 2024, the Company reached a settlement agreement with Blugas. Under the terms of this agreement, AleAnna paid Blugas approximately €5 million, plus an additional €1.1 million in applicable VAT. In exchange, AleAnna is released from any future liability related to the Blugas ORRI. As a result of the transactions contemplated by the Blugas Settlement Agreement, AleAnna’s 33.5% working interest in the Longanesi field is now unencumbered except for normal government royalties (10%). AleAnna has determined the Blugas settlement should be accounted for as an acquisition of the Blugas ORRI claim with a corresponding impact to AleAnna’s reserves. AleAnna’s year-end December 31, 2023 reserve quantities included the 20% of 350 million standard cubic meters (approximately 2,472 106ft3) allocable to the Blugas ORRI in its proved gas reserves. However, the required payments to Blugas associated with the sale of such quantities were reflected as cash outflows (costs) as if such amounts were paid to Blugas. As a result of the Blugas Settlement Agreement, utilizing the same assumptions as the December 31, 2023 DeGolyer & MacNaughton reserve report, net proved reserve quantities would not increase as the 20% of 350 million standard cubic meters (approximately 2,472 106ft3) allocable to the Blugas ORRI were included in December 31, 2023 proved gas reserves. However, as the required payments to Blugas associated with the sale of such quantities were reflected as cash outflows (costs), as if such amounts were paid to Blugas, utilizing the same assumptions as the December 31, 2023 DeGolyer & MacNaughton reserve report, if the cash payments allocable to Blugas were added back to AleAnna’s December 31, 2023 future net cash flows and standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow, such amounts would have increased $35.3 million and $30.0 million, respectively. AleAnna’s working interest (net revenue interest) as established under the terms of the Unified Operating Agreement (“UOA”) arrangement originally signed between ENI and Grove and dated September 26, 2009, remains unchanged at 33.5%. The total $6.6 million in acquisition costs related to the Blugas ORRI acquisition were not contemplated as part of the December 31, 2023 DeGolyer & MacNaughton reserve report and such amounts do not appear in AleAnna’s December 31, 2023 future net cash flows and standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow as settlement discussions had not commenced (and did not commence until late first quarter 2024) and any potential settlement outcomes or amounts were unknown as of December 31, 2023.
Contingent Consideration Liability
In connection with AleAnna’s purchase of its 33.5% working interest in the Longanesi field, consideration paid included €7 million cash and up to €24 million of deferred consideration payable upon production of the Longanesi field. The deferred consideration is payable based on a formulaic calculation which is predominantly dependent on sales volumes and spot natural gas prices during the first 12 years of production (the “Earn-Out Period”). There will be no deferred consideration due if Longanesi is not developed and no deferred consideration due if average annual gas prices are less than €3.65/Mcf over the Earn-Out Period.
We recognized a liability for the contingent consideration in accounting for the asset acquisition in accordance with ASC 450, Contingences (“contingent consideration liability”). As of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the contingent consideration liability was recorded at $26.8 million and $26.5 million, respectively.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Effective internal controls are necessary to provide reliable financial reports and prevent fraud. AleAnna is a private company without resources with the appropriate level of experience and technical expertise to oversee AleAnna’s business processes and controls, resulting in the Company not having the necessary business processes and related internal controls formally designed and implemented.
As a result, we have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
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In connection with the preparation of AleAnna’s financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, management of AleAnna identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as follows:
| ● | AleAnna management did not maintain an effective control environment in accordance with the COSO framework as we did not maintain a sufficient complement of accounting and reporting resources commensurate with our financial reporting requirements. This material weakness contributed to the following material weaknesses: |
| ● | AleAnna management did not design, implement, and operate controls over the selection and implementation of accounting policies to ensure amounts recorded and disclosed were fairly stated in accordance with GAAP. |
| ● | AleAnna management did not design or maintain appropriate account reconciliation controls to review the work of third-party consultants used to assist management in recording transactions. |
We are in the early stages of designing and implementing a plan to remediate the material weaknesses identified. Our plan includes the below:
| ● | Designing and implementing a risk assessment process supporting the identification of risks facing AleAnna. |
| ● | Implementing controls to enhance our review of significant accounting transactions and other new technical accounting and financial reporting issues and preparing and reviewing accounting memoranda addressing these issues. |
| ● | Hiring additional experienced accounting, financial reporting and internal control personnel and changing roles and responsibilities of our personnel as we transition to being a public company and are required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. |
| ● | Implementing controls to enable an accurate and timely review of accounting records that support our accounting processes and maintain documents for internal accounting reviews. |
We cannot assure you that these measures will remediate the material weaknesses described above. The implementation of these remediation measures is in the early stages and will require validation and testing of the design and operating effectiveness of our internal controls over a sustained period of financial reporting cycles and, as a result, the timing of when we will be able to remediate the material weaknesses is uncertain and we may not remediate these material weaknesses during the year ended December 31, 2024. If the steps we take do not remediate the material weaknesses in a timely manner, there could be a reasonable possibility that these control deficiencies or others may result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. This, in turn, could jeopardize our ability to comply with our reporting obligations, limit our ability to access the capital markets and adversely impact our stock price.
Emerging Growth Company Accounting Election
Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect not to take advantage of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies, and any such election to not take advantage of the extended transition period is irrevocable. We expect to be an emerging growth company at least through 2024. Swiftmerge has previously elected to irrevocably opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we will adopt the new or revised standard at the time public companies adopt the new or revised standard.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our unaudited consolidated financial statements are based on the selection and application of significant accounting policies. The preparation of our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024 and our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, which have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”). In preparing these financial statements, we make estimates and assumptions impacting asset and liability amounts, disclosure of contingent liabilities, and expenses incurred.
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The estimates are based on our historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The Company regularly assesses these estimates; however, actual amounts could differ materially from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The most significant items involving management’s estimates include estimates of contingencies including the contingent consideration liability discussed below. The impact of changes in estimates is recorded in the period in which they become known.
The accounting policies discussed below are critical to understanding our historical and future performance, as these policies relate to the more significant areas involving management’s judgments and estimates.
Conventional Natural Gas Properties
The Company uses the successful efforts method of accounting for conventional gas-producing activities. Under this method, the cost of productive wells and related equipment, development dry holes, and any permits related to productive acreage are capitalized, and depleted using the unit-of-production method. These costs include other internal costs directly attributable to production activities. AleAnna is not yet recognizing depletion as assets are not yet producing and therefore have not yet been placed in service. Costs for exploratory dry holes, exploratory geological and geophysical activities, and delay rentals as well as other property carrying costs are charged to exploration expense.
There were no exploratory wells drilled or capitalized exploratory well costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, or in the years ended 2023 or 2022. All asset additions in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and in the years ended 2023 and 2022, relate to the drilling of three Longanesi development wells. Such wells are expected to begin production in the first quarter of 2025.
Proved gas reserves, are those quantities of gas that, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward from known reservoirs and under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation.
The estimates of proved natural gas reserves (“SEC Case”) utilized in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements are estimated in accordance with the rules established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“the SEC”) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“the FASB”). These rules require that reserve estimates be prepared under existing economic and operating conditions using a trailing 12-month average price with no provision for price and cost escalations in future years except by contractual arrangements. The development of the Company’s natural gas reserve quantities requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to the intent and ability to complete undeveloped proved reserves within a five-year development period, as prescribed by SEC guidelines. Management engaged DeGolyer and MacNaughton, independent reserve engineers, to prepare reserves estimates for the Company’s estimated proved reserves at December 31, 2023, and 2022. The technologies used in the estimation of the Company’s net proved undeveloped reserves include, but are not limited to, empirical evidence through drilling results and well performance, production data, decline curve analysis, well logs, geologic maps, core data, seismic data, demonstrated relationship between geologic parameters and performance, and the implementation and application of statistical analysis.
Management has confirmed that none of the Unitized Operating Agreement’s (“UOAs”) nor the Proved Undeveloped Reserves (“PUDs”) are scheduled to be developed on a date more than five years from the date the reserves were initially recognized as PUDs as prescribed by SEC guidelines. PUDs are converted from undeveloped to developed as applicable wells begin production.
Reserve estimates are inherently imprecise. Accordingly, the estimates are expected to change as more current information becomes available. Such estimates are subject to the uncertainties inherent in the application of judgmental factors in interpreting such information. It is possible that, because of changes in market conditions or the inherent imprecision of reserve estimates, the estimates of future cash inflows, future gross revenues, the volume of natural gas reserves, the remaining estimated lives of natural gas properties, or any combination of the above may be increased or decreased. Increases in recoverable economic volumes generally reduce per-unit depletion rates, while decreases in recoverable economic volumes generally increase per-unit depletion rates.
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Revenue Recognition
General — The Company follows the guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). The core principle underlying revenue recognition under ASC 606 is that revenue should be recognized as goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled. ASC 606 defines a five-step process to achieve recognition and mandates additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments, and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract.
Renewable Natural Gas (“RNG”) — As of September 30, 2024, the Company primarily earns revenue through electricity generation revenue from the conversion of bio feedstocks to biomethane which is then converted to electricity through reciprocating generators. Such electricity is then delivered onto the grid through a metered interconnection and sold to the local state-owned electrical utility responsible for the purchase and marketing of energy produced by small-scale renewable energy assets. Upon delivery of the electricity to the grid, all performance obligations have been satisfied and energy generation revenue is recognized based on actual output and non-company specific predetermined prices for small renewable energy producers of €280/MWh (D.M. 18/12/2008).
Revenue is recognized over time as the Company transfers the electricity to the grid at a metered interconnection. The customer obtains control of the product upon delivery onto the electrical grid. The Company generally has a single performance obligation in its arrangements with its customers. The Company has no long-term contracts containing quantity or electricity volume production requirements and there is no variable consideration present in the Company’s performance obligations. Per ASC 606-10-25-27(a), delivery of units of power that are simultaneously received and consumed by the customer would satisfy the criteria in to be accounted for as a performance obligation satisfied over time and the same method would be used to measure the entity’s progress towards complete satisfaction of the performance obligation to transfer each distinct unit of power in the series to the customer. The Company’s performance obligation related to the sales of electricity are satisfied over time upon delivery to the customer. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring its products. The Company applies a practical expedient in FASB ASC 606-10-55-18 applicable to its sales by assessing whether the Company’s right to consideration corresponds directly with the value to the Company’s customer (the “invoice practical expedient”). The Company concluded that pricing that corresponds to the value provided to the customer. Consideration for each transaction is based upon non-company specific predetermined prices for small renewable energy producers of €280/MWh (D.M. 18/12/2008). Payment terms are typically between two months after the invoice date and there are no return or refund rights.
Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions
We evaluate whether a transaction meets the definition of a business. We first apply a screen test to determine if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets. If the screen test is met, the transaction is accounted for as an asset acquisition. If the screen test is not met, we further consider whether the set of assets acquired have, at a minimum, inputs and processes that have the ability to create outputs in the form of revenue. If the assets acquired meet this criteria, the transaction is accounted for as a business combination.
Acquisitions that qualify as an asset acquisition are accounted for using a cost accumulation model where the purchase price of the acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired on a relative fair value basis on the date of acquisition. We generally account for acquisitions of RNG assets as asset acquisitions. Inputs used to determine such fair values are primarily based upon internally-developed estimates, estimates developed by third-party valuation firms, and publicly-available data regarding RNG asset transactions consummated by other buyers and sellers, as applicable. These fair values are considered Level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy. Any associated acquisition costs are generally capitalized.
Acquisitions that qualify as a business combination are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The fair value of consideration transferred for an acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair value on a nonrecurring basis on the acquisition date and are subject to fair value adjustments under certain circumstances. The excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Conversely, in the event the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is greater than the consideration transferred, a bargain purchase gain is recognized.
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Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions as fair values are not always readily determinable. Different techniques may be used to determine fair values, including market prices (where available), comparisons to transactions for similar assets and liabilities and the discounted net present value of estimated future cash flows, among others. We engage third-party valuation firms when appropriate to assist in the fair value determination of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Acquisition-related expenses and transaction costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred. We may adjust the amounts recognized in an acquisition during a measurement period not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition, as a result of subsequently obtaining additional information that existed at the acquisition date.
Where applicable, asset acquisitions may be owned together with unaffiliated outside parties. In acquisitions where the Company has majority direct controlling interest, the unaffiliated outside ownership is shown as noncontrolling interests (“NCI”) in members’ equity in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Contingent Consideration Liability
On July 13, 2016, AleAnna Europa S.r.l., a former subsidiary of AleAnna Resources LLC (which was subsequently merged into AleAnna Italia S.p.A. in December 2022), purchased a 33.5% working interest in the Longanesi field, which was accounted for as an asset acquisition. Consideration paid included €7 million cash and up to €24 million of deferred consideration payable upon production of the Longanesi field. The deferred consideration is payable based on a formulaic calculation which is predominantly dependent on sales volumes and spot natural gas prices during the first 12 years of production (the “Earn-Out Period”). There will be no deferred consideration due if Longanesi is not developed and no deferred consideration due if average annual gas prices are less than €3.65/Mcf over the Earn-Out Period.
The Company recognized a liability for the contingent consideration in accounting for the asset acquisition in accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies (the “contingent consideration liability”) based on our assessment of probability of the occurrence of payment and deemed the liability estimable based on the formulaic nature. See Note 3 for more information.
Derivative Liability
The Company evaluates the existence of separable embedded features within applicable debt or equity instruments pursuant to FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). Professional standards generally provide three criteria that, if met, require companies to bifurcate embedded features from their host instruments and separately account for them as derivative. These three criteria include circumstances in which (a) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract, (b) the hybrid instrument that embodies both the embedded derivative instrument and the host contract is not re-measured at fair value under otherwise applicable generally accepted accounting principles with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur and (c) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative instrument would be considered a derivative instrument.
As of December 31, 2023, we recorded a derivative liability associated with certain embedded features of our Class 1 Preferred Units which entitle holders to a payout of 3.5x times their investment in the event of a company sale transaction or redemption at the option of the Company (the “3.5x Redemption Feature”). See Note 4 for more information.
Income Taxes
The Company is not directly subject to federal income taxes under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state laws as it has elected to be taxed as a partnership, and therefore taxable income or loss is reported to the individual partners for inclusion in their respective tax returns. As such, no provision for federal and state income taxes at the AleAnna Energy, LLC level has been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
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However, the Company’s consolidated Italian subsidiary (AleAnna Italia S.p.A.) is subject to Italian corporate income taxes. Therefore, the income tax consequences of this entity have been reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes.
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the statutorily determined cumulative taxable loss of AleAnna Italia S.p.A. was tax affected and recognized as a deferred tax asset, and we have provided deferred taxes for temporary differences between the book and tax basis in the underlying assets and liabilities resulting in a net deferred tax asset. Given AleAnna’s history of cumulative financial reporting losses, a full valuation allowance was applied against the deferred tax asset as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
The applicable Italian corporate tax rate is 24%, and the effective tax rates were 0% in the periods presented herein given the losses incurred and the application of a full valuation allowance against the Company’s deferred tax assets.
Asset Retirement Obligation
The Company recognizes a liability for asset retirement obligations (“AROs”) based on an estimate of the amount and timing of settlement at the time a legal obligation is incurred. Upon initial recognition of an ARO, the Company increases the carrying amount of the long-lived asset by the same amount as the liability. The initial capitalized costs will be depleted over the useful (productive) lives of the related assets.
The Company’s asset retirement obligations relate to the abandonment of gas production facilities including reclaiming well pads, reclaiming water impoundments, plugging wells and dismantling related structures. Estimates are based on historical experience of plugging and abandoning wells and reclaiming of disposing other assets and estimated remaining (productive) lives of the wells and assets.
No incremental ARO liabilities have been incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred incremental ARO liabilities, for one new development area associated with Longanesi (Casale Cocchi 1). During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company incurred incremental ARO liabilities for two new development areas associated with Longanesi (Longanesi 3 and Casale Cocchi 1). Otherwise, changes in ARO between periods presented only relate to the accretion of the liability. The Company does not have any assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling these obligations.
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Exhibit 99.4
AleAnna, Inc. Announces Completion of Business Combination between Swiftmerge Acquisition Corp. and AleAnna Energy, LLC
AleAnna Accelerates Efforts to Improve Italy’s Energy Sustainability and Security with Strategic Business Combination
| ● | Combination brings emerging leader in Italian natural gas and renewable natural gas to public markets |
| ● | Shares of AleAnna, Inc. to begin trading on Nasdaq on December 16 under the ticker symbol “ANNA” |
| ● | AleAnna stands on the cusp of a major milestone, with the first phase of natural gas production from the Longanesi Field projected to commence in Q1 2025 |
Dallas, TX, Vancouver, CA, and Rome, IT – December 13, 2024 - AleAnna, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “AleAnna” or the “Company”), an emerging leader in Italy’s energy landscape, announced the completion of the previously announced business combination (the “Business Combination”) between Swiftmerge Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: IVCP) (“Swiftmerge”), a special purpose acquisition company, and AleAnna Energy, LLC (“AleAnna Energy”).
Concurrent with the completion of the Business Combination, Swiftmerge has changed its name to AleAnna, Inc. Commencing at the open of trading on December 16, 2024, the Class A shares of common stock and warrants of AleAnna are expected to begin trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbols “ANNA” and “ANNAW”, respectively. The transaction was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Swiftmerge and was approved at an extraordinary general meeting (the “Shareholders Meeting”) of Swiftmerge’s shareholders on December 12, 2024.
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Former equity holders of AleAnna Energy rolled 100% of their equity interests into the combined company. Prior to the execution of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 6, 2024, AleAnna Energy's equity holders contributed over $60 million in cash, bringing the company's total cumulative investment to nearly $175 million. This infusion of capital enabled the completion of the Longanesi Field tie-in and the acquisition of initial renewable natural gas (“RNG”) assets, both finalized in Q3 2024. Additionally, the investment covered expenses related to the business combination and provided funding for general corporate liquidity. As of the transaction close, AleAnna had approximately $28 million in cash and cash equivalents on its balance sheet and no debt. This disciplined approach to financial management has empowered AleAnna to allocate significant capital to innovative exploration and development projects while preserving financial flexibility.
Long History In Developing Resources in Italy
AleAnna has a distinguished history in Italy, having been a leader in energy exploration and development for over a decade. Since its founding in 2007, the company has been dedicated to unlocking the significant potential of Italy’s natural gas reserves through the application of cutting-edge seismic imaging and environmentally responsible practices. AleAnna holds one of the largest portfolios of exploration permits and production concessions in Italy, spanning over 2.3 million acres. By combining advanced technology with a deep respect for Italy’s cultural and environmental heritage, AleAnna is expected to play a pivotal role in bolstering the nation’s energy independence and economic growth, earning its reputation as a trusted partner in Italy’s energy future.
Positioning itself as a leader in both onshore conventional natural gas and renewable natural gas (RNG) production, AleAnna is at the forefront of building a secure and reliable domestic energy supply for Italy and the broader European market. The company stands on the cusp of a major milestone, with the first phase of natural gas production from the Longanesi Field projected to commence in Q1 2025. Alongside this, additional gas discoveries at Gradizza and Trava, 13 development prospects in various permitting stages, and leases covering approximately 2.3 million net acres underscore AleAnna’s commitment to future exploration and development.
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AleAnna is also helping drive the European Union's clean energy transition through its innovative approach to RNG. Leveraging the strategic overlap between its conventional and renewable assets in the Po Valley, AleAnna is transforming agricultural waste into renewable energy. With three RNG facilities operational and over 100 additional opportunities identified, AleAnna is poised for significant expansion in this sector.
Guided by a commitment to corporate responsibility and a vision for a sustainable future, AleAnna integrates conventional and renewable energy solutions to reduce Europe’s carbon footprint and advance its clean energy objectives. By delivering innovative energy solutions, AleAnna continues to shape Italy’s energy landscape and support the EU’s transition toward a greener future.
Experienced Management And Board Of Directors
The combined company will be led by William Dirks as Executive Director and Marco Brun as Chief Executive Officer, supported by a seasoned and highly skilled executive team. AleAnna’s leadership team brings extensive expertise gained from top-tier energy companies, including Shell, Eni, and Exxon. This seasoned group combines in-depth knowledge of energy technology, operations, and business development with well-established regulatory and industry networks in Italy. Their collective experience equips AleAnna to effectively navigate the dynamic and rapidly evolving energy landscape.
The Board of Directors, which will include Graham van’t Hoff, William Dirks, Marco Brun, Duncan Palmer, and Curtis Hébert, collectively brings a wealth of experience spanning global energy markets, technical and operational expertise, European energy development, financial management, governance, and regulatory policy. This diverse set of skills and perspectives ensures comprehensive strategic oversight and positions AleAnna for sustained growth and success.
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With over 15 years of investment and operational experience in Italy, AleAnna has a competitive advantage in securing critical permits and approvals, positioning it ahead of its peers. The company’s approach integrates cutting-edge technologies and industry-leading practices with strategic capital allocation to maximize the value of its conventional and renewable natural gas (RNG) assets.
AleAnna is dedicated to sustainable, low-cost growth while maintaining strict capital discipline. By prioritizing innovation, efficiency, and long-term shareholder value, AleAnna is well-positioned to lead the next phase of Italy’s energy transformation.
Management Commentary
Bill Dirks, Executive Director of AleAnna, commented, "Our investment in state-of-the-art subsurface technology has been a game-changer for AleAnna. By leveraging advanced seismic imaging and cutting-edge data analysis, we have achieved unparalleled accuracy in identifying and developing Italy’s natural gas resources. This technology not only enhances our operational efficiency but also ensures that our exploration and development activities are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner, aligning with our commitment to sustainability and innovation in the energy sector.”
Marco Brun, AleAnna’s Chief Executive Officer, added, “We stand at a pivotal moment in AleAnna's journey. As we gear up for production at Longanesi and scale our renewable natural gas (RNG) operations, we are proud to be at the forefront of driving a sustainable energy future. This strategy not only delivers value to AleAnna shareholders but also plays a key role in reshaping the energy landscape for generations to come."
About AleAnna, Inc.
AleAnna is an innovative energy company dedicated to unlocking Italy's extensive natural gas reserves and advancing renewable energy solutions to address the country's energy needs and support Europe's sustainability and energy security goals. With a vast portfolio encompassing over 2.3 million acres of potential resources and state-of-the-art technologies, AleAnna is poised to lead Italy's energy transition. Guided by a commitment to environmental responsibility and operational excellence, AleAnna is shaping a sustainable and secure energy future. The company operates regional headquarters in Dallas, TX, and Rome, Italy, serving as strategic hubs for its global and local initiatives.
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Forward-Looking Statements
The information included herein contains “forward-looking statements” 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. Certain statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included herein, regarding the Business Combination, the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, AleAnna’s future financial performance following the Business Combination, as well as AleAnna’s strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used herein, including any statements made in connection herewith, the words “could,” “should,” “will,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on AleAnna management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events. They are based on current information about the outcome and timing of future events. You should not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, AleAnna disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. AleAnna cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of AleAnna. These risks include, but are not limited to, general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination and any transactions contemplated thereby, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of AleAnna to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its management and key employees; AleAnna’s need for additional capital to execute its business plan and support its anticipated growth; costs related to the Business Combination; the risks associated with the growth of AleAnna’s business and the timing of expected business milestones; AleAnna’s ability to identify, develop and operate new projects; the reduction or elimination of government economic incentives to the natural gas market; delays in acquisition, financing, construction and development of new projects; decline in public acceptance and support of renewable energy development and projects; the ability to obtain necessary regulatory and governmental permits and approvals; uncertainty regarding the EU’s clean energy transition, including existing regulations and changes to regulations and policies that affect AleAnna’s operations; the ability to maintain the listing of AleAnna’s securities on a national securities exchange; and the effects of competition on AleAnna’s future business. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, and should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described herein and in any statements made in connection in addition to these occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that AleAnna does not know or that AleAnna currently believes are immaterial that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact AleAnna’s expectations and projections can be found in filings it makes with the SEC, including the definitive proxy statement/prospectus filed by Swiftmerge and AleAnna Energy with the SEC on November 21, 2024, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by AleAnna. SEC filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Investor Relations Contact
For AleAnna, Inc.:
Bill Dirks
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