Aspire-Lakewood Holdings, Inc 8-K, filed Feb 21, 2025
Aspire-Lakewood Holdings, Inc. (ASBP)
About this 8-K
Aspire-Lakewood Holdings, Inc filed this 8-K on February 21, 2025, reporting on events of February 17, 2025.
Items reported
- Item 1.01: Entered into a material agreement
- Item 2.01: Completed an acquisition or sale of assets
- Item 2.03: New debt or off-balance-sheet obligation
- Item 3.02: Unregistered sale of equity
- Item 3.03: Change to shareholders' rights
- Item 4.01: Change of auditor
- Item 5.01: Change in control
- Item 5.02: Director or officer change, or executive pay
- Item 5.03: Charter or bylaw amendment, or fiscal year change
- Item 5.05: Code of ethics change or waiver
- Item 5.06: Change in shell company status
- Item 7.01: Regulation FD disclosure
- Item 9.01: Financial statements and exhibits
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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Introductory Note
Overview
On February 17, 2025 (the “Closing Date”), Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (f/k/a PowerUp Acquisition Corp.) (the “Company” or “New Aspire”), consummated the previously announced transaction (the “Business Combination”) pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 26, 2024, as amended by an Amendment Agreement dated September 5, 2024 and a Second Amendment Agreement dated October 9, 2024 (the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among the Company, PowerUp Merger Sub II, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of PowerUp (“Merger Sub”), SRIRAMA Associates, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), Stephen Quesenberry, in the capacity as the seller representative (the “Seller Representative”), and Aspire Biopharma, Inc., a Puerto Rico corporation (“Aspire”). Terms used in this Current Report on Form 8-K but not defined herein, or for which definitions are not otherwise incorporated by reference herein, shall have the meaning given to such terms in the final prospectus and definitive proxy statement, dated January 14, 2025 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 14, 2025 (the “Proxy Statement”), and such definitions are incorporated herein by reference.
On February 17, 2025, as contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement and described in the section titled “Domestication Proposal” beginning on page 156 of the Proxy Statement, the Company filed a notice of deregistration with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies, together with the necessary accompanying documents, and filed a certificate of domestication and a certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, under which the Company was domesticated as a Delaware corporation (the “PowerUp Domestication”).
Additionally, on February 17, 2025, as contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement. Aspire filed a certificate of dissolution with the Puerto Rico Department of State, together with the necessary accompanying documents, and filed a certificate of domestication and a certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, under which the Company was domesticated as a Delaware corporation (the “Aspire Domestication”).
Finally, on February 17, 2025, as a result of the Business Combination and the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, following the consummation of the PowerUp Domestication and the Aspire Domestication, Merger Sub merged with and into Aspire, with Aspire surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”).
Following the closing of the Business Combination, the Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding equity interests in Aspire, and the stockholders of Aspire as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (the “Aspire Stockholders”) hold a portion of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “New Aspire Common Stock”).
As a result of and upon the effective time of the PowerUp Domestication: (i) each issued and outstanding Class A ordinary share of the Company was converted, on a one-for-one basis, into a duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A common stock; (ii) each issued and outstanding whole warrant to purchase Class A ordinary shares was converted into a warrant to purchase one share of Class A common stock; and (iii) each issued and outstanding unit of the Company, consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one warrant to purchase Class A ordinary shares, was converted into a unit consisting of one share of Class A common stock and one-half of one warrant to purchase Class A common stock.
Immediately following the PowerUp Domestication: (i) each issued and outstanding share of Class A common stock was reclassified as New Aspire Common Stock; and (ii) each issued and outstanding unit that had not been previously separated was cancelled and separated into one share of common stock and one-half of one warrant. No fractional warrants were issued upon the separation of the units.
At the effective time of the Business Combination (the “Effective Time”), each outstanding share of Aspire Common Stock, was cancelled and automatically converted, on a one-for-one basis, into the right to receive a duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of New Aspire Common Stock.
In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), the registrant changed its name from “PowerUp Acquisition Corp.” to “Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc.”
The foregoing description of the Business Combination does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Business Combination Agreement, the Amendment Agreement, and the Second Amendment Agreement, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1, Exhibit 2.2, and Exhibit 2.3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Securities Purchase Agreement
On February 17, 2025, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (“Securities Purchase Agreement”) with Cobra Alternative Capital Strategies, LLC, a sole member entity controlled by Aspire’s former Director of Investor Relations, Lance Friedman, which services were provided through a consulting agreement with Blackstone Capital Advisors, Inc. that was terminated effective February 17, 2025, and Target Capital X LLC (collectively, the “Investors”). Under the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company issued two 20% original issue discount senior secured convertible debentures (“Debentures”) in an aggregate principal amount of $3,750,000 million, and may issue additional Debentures upon the mutual agreement of the Company and the holders of Debentures representing at least a majority of the aggregate principal and interest owed under the outstanding Debentures (“Requisite Holders”), under the Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Offering”). The conversion price per share of each Debenture is equal to 92.5% of the lowest daily VWAP (as defined in the Debentures) of the Company’s shares of common stock during the five trading day period ending on the trading day immediately prior to delivery or deemed delivery of the applicable Conversion Notice (as defined in the Debentures), subject to adjustments related to the trading price of the Company’s common stock provided that no conversion may be at a price per share less than the floor price of $4.00 per share.
The closing was consummated on February 20, 2025 (the “SPA Closing”) and the Company issued to the Investors Debentures in an aggregate principal amount of $3,750,000 (the “Closing Debentures”). The Closing Debentures were sold to the Investors for a purchase price of $3,000,000, representing an original issue discount of twenty percent (20%). The Company may issue additional Debentures under the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement if the Requisite Holders agree. Any such additional closings would be in such amounts as the Company and the Requisite Holders mutually agree upon and would be subject to substantially the same closing conditions as the Closing Debentures.
The First Closing Debentures contain customary events of default. If an event of default occurs, until it is cured, the holders may increase the interest rate applicable to the Closing Debentures to two percent (2%) per annum and accelerate the full indebtedness under the Closing Debentures, in an amount equal to 125% of the outstanding principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest. Subject to limited exceptions set forth in the Closing Debentures, the Closing Debentures prohibit the Company and, as applicable, its subsidiaries from incurring any new indebtedness that is not subordinated to the Investors and, as applicable, any subsidiary’s obligations in respect of the Closing Debentures until the Closing Debentures are paid in full.
As consideration for the Investors’ consummation of the SPA Closing, concurrently with the SPA Closing, the Company delivered, or caused to be delivered, to each Investor its pro rata portion of 2,106,527 shares of common stock (“SPA Commitment Shares”), of which 1,000,000 will be freely tradable, subject to a leak out agreement (the “Leak Out Agreement”) whereby each Investor’s sales may not exceed 15% of the daily trading volume of the common stock on the date of sale.
The Company agreed, pursuant to a Security Agreement, dated February 20, 2025 (the “Security Agreement”), with the Investors, to grant the Investors a security interest in all of its assets to secure the prompt payment, performance, and discharge in full of all of the Company’s obligations under the Debentures. In addition, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Aspire Biopharma, Inc., entered into a Guarantee Agreement, dated February 20, 2025 (the “Guarantee”), with the Investors, pursuant to which it agreed to guarantee the prompt payment, performance, and discharge in full of all of the Company’s obligations under the Debentures.
The Company also agreed, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 20, 2025 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), with the Investors to file an initial registration statement with the SEC within 40 days after the SPA Closing to register the maximum number of Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) in accordance with applicable SEC rules.
Pursuant to a placement agency agreement between Aspire and Dawson James Securities, Inc. (“Dawson”), dated February 19, 2025 (the “Placement Agency Agreement”), Dawson acted as the sole placement agent in the Offering. Pursuant to the Placement Agency Agreement, the Company will pay to Dawson a placement fee equal to 8% of the aggregate gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the securities in the Offering. The Company will also pay for certain reasonable expenses of Dawson.
The Securities Purchase Agreement, Debentures, Leak Out Agreement, Security Agreement, Guaranty Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement, and Placement Agency Agreement contain customary representations, warranties, agreements and conditions to completing future sale transactions, indemnification rights and obligations of the parties. Among other things, the Investors represented to the Company, that they are each an “accredited investor” (as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)). The Company issued, and will issue, the securities in reliance upon an exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
The foregoing descriptions of the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Debentures, the Leak Out Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Guarantee, the Registration Rights Agreement, and the Placement Agency Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such agreements, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.1, 10.40, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5 and 1.1, respectively, and each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in such agreements were made only for purposes of such agreements and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreements and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties.
Amendment to Subscription Agreement
On December 18, 2024, and effective December 13, 2024, the Company entered into (i) a subscription agreement (the “Blackstone Subscription Agreement”), (ii) a promissory note (the “Blackstone Note”), and (iii) a registration rights agreement (the “Blackstone RRA”) with Blackstone Capital Advisors, Inc. (“Blackstone”), an entity controlled by Lance Friedman (all transactions contemplated by such agreements, collectively, the “Blackstone Transaction”). Pursuant to the terms of the Blackstone Transaction, Blackstone may loan up to an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 to the Company, with an original issue discount of twenty percent (20%). The maturity date of the Blackstone Note is the earlier of (i) June 1, 2025 or (ii) the date that the Company receives gross proceeds of at least $5,000,000 in an offering of its debt or equity securities. The principal amount of the Blackstone Note bears interest at a rate per annum of ten percent (10%). Interest will be due and payable on the maturity date. Additionally, the Company will pay Blackstone an exit fee equal to ten percent (10%) of the principal amount and accrued interest on the maturity date. Upon the Closing of the Business Combination, Blackstone received from the Sponsor three shares of common stock for each dollar loaned under the Blackstone Transaction (the “Blackstone Commitment Shares”).
On February 17, 2025, the Company and Blackstone entered into an Amendment Agreement (the “Amendment Agreement”). As consideration for Blackstone providing working capital loans to the Company through the Blackstone Transaction, providing additional funding to the Company and Aspire in order to close the Business Combination, and Blackstone’s agreement to facilitate certain commitments under a Purchase Agreement (“ELOC Agreement”) between the Company and Arena Business Solutions Global SPC II, Ltd. (“Arena”), the Amendment Agreement adjusted the Blackstone Commitment Shares to be 1,795,000 shares of common stock.
The foregoing summaries of the Blackstone Subscription Agreement, the Blackstone Note, the Blackstone RRA, Amendment Agreement, and the ELOC Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such agreements, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.6, 10.38, 10.7, 10.8, and 10.39, respectively, and each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
Lock-Up Agreements
In connection with the Business Combination, on the Closing Date, certain officers, directors, and stockholders of Aspire each entered into a lock-up agreement with the Company (each, a “Lock-Up Agreement”). The terms of the Lock-Up Agreements are described in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Business Combination Proposal — Related Agreements — Lock-Up Agreements” on page 137 of the Proxy Statement.
The foregoing description of the Lock-Up Agreement is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the form of Lock-Up Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.9 and incorporated herein by reference.
Non-Competition Agreements
In connection with the Business Combination, on the Closing Date, certain officers, directors, and stockholders of Aspire each entered into a non-competition agreement with the Company (each, a “Non-Competition Agreement”). The terms of the Non-Competition Agreements are described in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Business Combination Proposal — Related Agreements — Non-Competition Agreements” on page 138 of the Proxy Statement.
The foregoing description of the Non-Competition Agreement is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the form of Non-Competition Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.10 and 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 by reference into this Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.
In addition, the material terms of the Business Combination are described in greater detail in the section of the Proxy Statement titled “Business Combination Proposal” beginning on page 123, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
As of the Closing Date and following the completion of the Business Combination, the Company had 46,007,513 shares of New Aspire Common Stock issued and outstanding and 14,375,000 public warrants outstanding.
FORM 10 INFORMATION
Item 2.01(f) of Form 8-K states that if the predecessor registrant was a shell company, as the Company was immediately before the Business Combination, then the registrant must disclose the information that would be required if the registrant were filing a general form for registration of securities on Form 10. Accordingly, the Company is providing the information below that would be included in a Form 10 if it were to file a Form 10. Please note that the information provided below relates to the combined company after the consummation of the Business Combination unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.
Forward-Looking Statements
The Company makes forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K and in documents incorporated herein by reference. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in or incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K, regarding the Company’s future financial performance, as well as the Company’s strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues, and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this Current Report on Form 8-K, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” and “would” and the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, assumptions, hopes, beliefs, intentions and strategies regarding future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. The Company cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company, incident to its business.
These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K and in any document incorporated herein by reference should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any subsequent date, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, the Company’s actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include:
| ● | the Company’s ability to obtain or maintain the listing of its securities on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) following the Business Combination; | |
| ● | the Company’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of the Company to grow and manage growth profitably following the Business Combination; | |
| ● | the Company’s public securities’ potential liquidity and trading; | |
| ● | manage costs related to being a public company; | |
| ● | the Company’s ability to raise financing in the future; | |
| ● | the Company’s success in retaining or recruiting, or changes in, its officers, key employees or directors following the Business Combination; | |
| ● | the impact of the regulatory environment and complexities with compliance related to such environment; | |
| ● | factors relating to the business, operations and financial performance of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; | |
| ● | the outcome of any legal proceedings that have been or may be instituted against the Company following announcement of the Business Combination; | |
| ● | costs related to the Business Combination; | |
| ● | changes in applicable laws or regulations; | |
| ● | the risk that the Company may fail to effectively build scalable and robust processes to manage the growth of its business; | |
| ● | the risk that demand for the Company’s products and services may decline; | |
| ● | high levels of competition faced by the Company with numerous market participants having greater financial resources and operating experience than the Company; |
| ● | the possibility that the Company’s business may be adversely affected by changes in government regulations; | |
| ● | the possibility that the Company may not be able to grow its client base; | |
| ● | the Company’s inability to adequately protect our intellectual property interests or infringement on intellectual property interests of others; and | |
| ● | the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business or competitive factors. |
Please see the other risks and uncertainties set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 63 of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Business and Properties
The business and properties of the Company and Aspire prior to the Business Combination are described in the Proxy Statement in the sections titled “Information About PowerUp” and “Information About Aspire” beginning on pages 203 and 214, respectively, of the Proxy Statement, and such descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.
Risk Factors
The risks associated with the Company’s business are described in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 63 of the Proxy Statement and are incorporated herein by reference.
Financial Information
The financial information of the Company is described in the Proxy Statement in the sections entitled “Selected Historical Financial Data of PowerUp” and “PowerUp’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on pages 60 and 209 thereof, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
The financial information of Aspire is described in the Proxy Statement in the sections entitled “Selected Historical Financial Data of Aspire” and “Aspire’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on pages 61 and 219 thereof, respectively, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Reference is made to the disclosure set forth in Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K relating to the financial information of the Company and Aspire, which is incorporated herein by reference.
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 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
The information set forth in the sections of the Proxy Statement titled “PowerUp’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Aspire’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on pages 209 and 219, respectively, is incorporated herein by reference.
Directors and Executive Officers
The Company’s directors and executive officers after the Closing are as follows, with each person’s biography and familial relationship, if any, described in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Management of New Aspire Following the Business Combination” beginning on page 226 of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Name | Age | Position | ||
| Executive Officers | ||||
| Kraig T. Higginson | 69 | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman | ||
| Ernest J. Scheidmann | 63 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
| Non-Employee Directors | ||||
| Michael Howe | 72 | Director | ||
| Gary Stein | 75 | Director | ||
| Barbara Sher | 57 | Director | ||
| Edward J. Kimball | 61 | Director | ||
| Surendra Ajjarapu | 54 | Director | ||
| Donald G. Fell | 79 | Director |
Executive and Director Compensation
Upon the completion of the Business Combination, the Company entered into employment agreements with Kraig Higginson, in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer, and Ernest Scheidemann, in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer (the “Executive Employment Agreements”).
The Executive Employment Agreements provide for an indefinite term of employment, during which time Mr. Higginson will be entitled to an annual base salary in the amount of $180,000.00 and Mr. Scheidemann will be entitled to an annual base salary of $90,000.00, subject to annual review. Mr. Higginson and Mr. Scheidemann will also be eligible for an annual performance-based bonuses based upon achieved company performance metrics for revenue, profitability, and the development of new business relationships, for the given fiscal year which goals shall be determined by the board of directors.
The Executive Employment Agreements also provide that Mr. Higginson and Mr. Scheidemann would be eligible to participate in all employee benefit plans, programs, and arrangements made available to the Company’s senior employees in accordance with the terms of such plans. Mr. Higginson and Mr. Scheidemann would be eligible for time off as needed, reimbursement of all documented reasonable business expenses incurred, and such other fringe benefits and perquisites as are provided by the Company, in its sole discretion, to its employees from time to time.
The Executive Employment Agreements contain a non-disparagement provision, customary confidentiality, and invention assignment covenants, as well as non-interference and employee and customer non-solicitation covenants. If either Mr. Higginson or Mr. Scheidemann are terminated by the Company without “cause” or due to their resignation for “good reason” (each as defined the Executive Employment Agreements), subject to their execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates and his continued compliance with the restrictive covenants in the employment agreement, he would be entitled to severance consisting of: (I) the aggregate amount of his earned but unpaid base salary then in effect, (II) incurred but unreimbursed documented reasonable reimbursable business expenses through the date of such termination, and (III) any other amounts due under applicable law, in each case earned and owing through the date of termination.
The foregoing description of the Executive Employment Agreements is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Executive Employment Agreements, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.11 and 10.12, and which are incorporated herein by reference.
Additional information with respect to the compensation of the Company’s directors and executive officers is described in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Executive Officer and Director Compensation” beginning on page 233 of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Director Independence
Nasdaq listing standards require a majority of a listed company’s board of directors be independent. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship which in the opinion of the company’s board of directors, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
New Aspire’s independent directors, as such term is defined by the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq, are Michael Howe, Gary Stein, Surendra Ajjarapu, and Donald G. Fell.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of New Aspire Common Stock as of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Closing, by:
| ● | each person who is, or is expected to be, the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of New Aspire Common Stock upon the Closing of the Business Combination; | |
| ● | each of the Company’s executive officers and directors; and | |
| ● | all of the Company’s executive officers and directors as a group upon the Closing. |
Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and restricted stock units that are currently exercisable or vested or that will become exercisable or vest within 60 days. This table is based upon information supplied by officers, directors and principal stockholders and Schedules 13G or 13D filed with the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to community property laws where applicable, the Company believes that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of New Aspire Common Stock beneficially owned by them. The beneficial ownership percentages set forth in the table below are based on 46,007,513 shares of New Aspire Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date and other than as noted below.
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Number of Shares | % of Common Stock Outstanding | ||||||
| Directors and Executive Officers: (1) | ||||||||
| Kraig Higginson | 6,170,624 | 13.4 | % | |||||
| Ernest Scheidemann (2) | 560,963 | 1.2 | % | |||||
| Edward Kimball | 124,658 | * | ||||||
| Barbara Sher | 124,658 | * | ||||||
| Gary Stein | — | — | ||||||
| Michael Howe | 4,986 | * | ||||||
| Surendra Ajjarapu (3) | 11,151,833 | 21.1 | % | |||||
| Donald Fell | — | — | ||||||
| All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (9 individuals) | 18,137,722 | 34.3 | % | |||||
| Five Percent Holders: | ||||||||
| PowerUp Sponsor LLC (4) | 5,799,000 | 11.9 | % | |||||
| SRIRAMA Associates, LLC (5) | 11,151,833 | 21.1 | % | |||||
| Lance Friedman (6) | 4,376,274 | 9.5 | % | |||||
*Less than 1%
| (1) | The address of each of these individuals is c/o Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc., 194 Candelaro Drive, #233, Humacao, Puerto Rico 00791. |
| (2) | Represents shares of common stock held by Turkey Bay Holdings LLC, which Mr. Scheidemann claims beneficial ownership of. |
| (3) | Represents shares of common stock held by SRIRAMA Associates, LLC, our Sponsor. Suren Ajjarapu is the managing member of our Sponsor and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the ordinary shares held directly by our Sponsor. Suren Ajjarapu disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest he may have therein, directly or indirectly. Includes 4,317,500 shares of common stock and 6,834,333 shares of common stock underlying private placement warrants that will become exercisable within 60 days of the consummation of the Business Combination. |
| (4) | The address for PowerUp Sponsor LLC is 188 Grand Street, Unit #195, New York, NY Represents 2,870,000 shares of common stock and 2,929,000 shares of common stock underlying private placement warrants that will become exercisable within 60 days of the consummation of the Business Combination. Our Original Sponsor is the record holder of such shares. Messrs. Bruce Hack and Gabriel Schillinger are the managing members of our Original Sponsor. As such, each of Messrs. Hack and Schillinger has voting and investment discretion with respect to the ordinary shares held of record by our Original Sponsor and may be deemed to have shared beneficial ownership of the ordinary shares held directly by our Original Sponsor. Each of Messrs. Hack and Schillinger disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares other than to the extent he may have a pecuniary interest therein, directly or indirectly. |
| (5) | The address for SRIRAMA Associates LLC, is 74 Sutton Rd., Lebanon, NJ 08833. Their holdings include 4,317,500 shares of common stock and 6,834,333 shares of common stock underlying private placement warrants that will become exercisable within 60 days of the consummation of the Business Combination. |
| (6) | The address for Lance Friedman is 25 N Market Street, Suite 205, Jacksonville, Florida 32202. His holdings include 2,777,337 shares of common stock held by Blackstone Capital Advisors, Inc., 934,937 share of common stock held by Cobra Alternative Strategies LLC, and 664,000 shares of common stock held by Thor Special Situations LLC. |
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
Certain relationships and related party transactions are described in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions” beginning on page 236 of the Proxy Statement and such descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.
Additionally, the information report above in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Legal Proceedings
None.
Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Market Information and Holders
The Company’s Class A ordinary shares and public warrants were historically traded on Nasdaq under the symbols “PWUP” and “PWUPW”, respectively. The New Aspire Common Stock and public warrants began trading on Nasdaq under the new trading symbols “ASBP” and “ASBPW”, respectively, on February 20, 2025.
The Company’s units automatically separated into their component securities immediately after consummation of the PowerUp Domestication and, as a result, no longer trade as an independent security. As of the Closing Date and following the completion of the Business Combination, the Company had 46,007,513 shares of New Aspire Common Stock issued and outstanding held of record by 571 holders and 14,375,000 public warrants outstanding held of record by 1 holders.
Dividends
The Company has not paid dividends on the New Aspire Common Stock to date and does not intend to pay cash dividends. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition. The payment of any dividends will be within the discretion of the Company’s board of directors. It is the present intention of the Company’s board of directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in the Company’s business operations and, accordingly, the board of directors does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Items 1.01 and 3.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning recent sales of unregistered securities.
Description of Registrant’s Securities
A description of the Company’s securities, including the New Aspire Common Stock and the public warrants is included in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Description of New Aspire Securities” beginning on page 247 of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Information about the indemnification of New Asire’s directors and officers is set forth in the section of the Proxy Statement titled “Description of New Aspire Securities — Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses” beginning on page 257, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning the Company’s financial statements and supplementary data.
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 and Exhibits
The information set forth in Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation Under an Off-balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information set forth under Item 1.01 above of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference in this Item 2.03.
Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
The information set forth in the “Introductory Note” above of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.
The information set forth under Item 1.01 above of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference in this Item 2.03.
The shares of the Company’s common stock issued, and the shares to be issued, under the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Debentures were, and will be, sold pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder. The shares of common stock have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States in the absence of an effective registration statement or exemption from the registration requirements.
Item 3.03. Material Modification of Rights of Security Holders.
The information set forth in Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4.01. Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.
(a) Dismissal of independent registered public accounting firm
On February 17, 2025, the Audit Committee of New Aspire approved the dismissal of Marcum LLP (“Marcum”) as its independent registered public accounting firm, effective immediately. The management of New Aspire communicated the Audit Committee’s decision to Marcum on February 18, 2025.
Marcum’s report on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ deficit and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor was it qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, other than it included an explanatory paragraph as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 and the subsequent period through February 18, 2025, there were no “disagreements” (as that term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (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, 2024 and 2023 and the subsequent period through February 18, 2025, there have been no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) other than as identified in the Company’s Form 10-Q for reporting period ended September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on November 14, 2024, which identified a material weakness in its internal controls over debt discount, amortization and debt in financial reporting.
New Aspire has provided Marcum with a copy of the disclosures made in this Item 4.01 and requested that Marcum furnish New Aspire 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.
(b) Engagement of new independent registered public accounting firm
On February 20, 2025, the board of directors approved the engagement of Bush & Associates CPA LLC (“Bush & Associates”) as its independent registered public accounting firm, effective February 20, 2025. Bush & Associates previously served as the independent registered public accounting firm of Aspire prior to the Business Combination. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 and the subsequent period through February 20, 2025, neither New Aspire, nor anyone on New Aspire’s behalf consulted with Bush & Associates, on behalf of New Aspire, regarding the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction (either completed or proposed), the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on New Aspire’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 Registrant.
The information set forth in the section titled “Introductory Note” and in the section titled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
As a result of the completion of the Business Combination pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, a change of control of the Company has occurred, and the stockholders of the Company as of immediately prior to the Closing held approximately 76.1% of the outstanding shares of New Aspire Common Stock immediately following the Closing.
Item 5.02. Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
The information set forth in the sections titled “Directors and Executive Officers” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
2023 Omnibus Incentive Plan
In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, prior to the Closing, the Company’s stockholders considered and approved the Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc. 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan, (the “Omnibus Incentive Plan”). The Company’s board of directors approved the Omnibus Incentive Plan on February 4, 2025. The Omnibus Incentive Plan became effective February 17, 2025.
A summary of the terms of the Omnibus Incentive Plan is set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Omnibus Incentive Plan Proposal” beginning on page 166 of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Omnibus Incentive Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.37 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, prior to the Closing, the Company’s stockholders considered and approved, among other things, Proposal No. 3 — The Organizational Documents Proposal (the “Organizational Documents Proposal”), which is described in greater detail beginning on page 159 of the Proxy Statement.
The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), which became effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 17, 2025, includes the amendments proposed by the Organizational Documents Proposal.
On January 31, 2025, the Company’s board of directors approved and adopted the Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”), which became effective as of the Closing.
Copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
The description of the Certificate of Incorporation and the general effect of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws upon the rights of holders of the Company’s capital stock are included in the Proxy Statement under the section titled “Description of New Aspire Securities” beginning on page 247 of the Proxy Statement, which 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 February 17, 2025, the Company’s board of directors approved and adopted a new Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all employees, officers and directors of the Company. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be found in the resources tab section of the Company’s website at https://ir.aspirebiolabs.com/stock-information/#.
Item 5.06. Change in Shell Company Status.
As a result of the Business Combination, the Company ceased being a shell company. Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Business Combination Proposal” beginning on page 123 of the Proxy Statement, and such disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. Further reference is made to the information contained in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On February 20, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the consummation of the Business Combination. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
The information in this Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and the press release attached as Exhibit 99.2 hereto is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of such section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
* Filed herewith.
+ Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.
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.
| ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Kraig Higginson | ||
| Kraig Higginson | |||
| Chief Executive Officer | |||
| Date: | February 21, 2025 | ||
Exhibit 1.1
PLACEMENT AGENCY AGREEMENT
Dawson James Securities, Inc.
101 North Federal Highway, Suite 600
Boca Raton, FL 33432
February 19, 2025
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter (this “Agreement”) constitutes the agreement between Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Dawson James Securities, Inc. (“Dawson”) pursuant to which Dawson shall serve as the exclusive placement agent (the “Placement Agent”) (the “Services”), for the Company, on a reasonable “best efforts” basis, in connection with the proposed private offer and placement by the Company of its Securities (as defined Section 3 of this Agreement) in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D (“Regulation D”) as promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act (the “Offering”). The Company and Dawson hereby mutually agree to the terms of the Offering and the Securities, and nothing in this Agreement may be construed to suggest that Dawson would have the power or authority to bind the Company or an obligation for the Company to issue any Securities or complete the Offering. The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that Dawson’s obligations hereunder are on a reasonable “best efforts” basis only and that the execution of this Agreement does not constitute a commitment by Dawson to purchase the Securities and does not ensure the successful placement of the Securities or any portion thereof or the success of Dawson placing the Securities.
| 1. | Appointment of Dawson as Exclusive Placement Agent. |
On the basis of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Company herein contained, and subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company hereby appoints the Placement Agent as its exclusive placement agent in connection the Offering. The Offering documents shall consist of a Securities Purchase Agreement, form of Debenture, form of Security Agreement, form of Subsidiary Guaranty, and all exhibits attached thereto (collectively, the foregoing are referred to as the “Subscription Documents”) Pursuant to this appointment, the Placement Agent will solicit offers for the purchase of or attempt to place all or part of the Securities of the Company in the proposed Offering. Until the final closing or earlier upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 5 hereof, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Placement Agent, solicit or accept offers to purchase the Securities other than through the Placement Agent. The Company acknowledges that the Placement Agent will act as an agent of the Company and use its reasonable “best efforts” to solicit offers to purchase the Securities from the Company on the terms, and subject to the conditions, set forth in the Subscription Documents. The Placement Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Company in obtaining performance by each Purchaser whose offer to purchase Securities has been solicited by the Placement Agent, but the Placement Agent shall not, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, be obligated to disclose the identity of any potential purchaser or have any liability to the Company in the event any such purchase is not consummated for any reason. Under no circumstances will the Placement Agent be obligated to underwrite or purchase any Securities for its own account and, in soliciting purchases of the Securities, the Placement Agent shall act solely as an agent of the Company. The Services provided pursuant to this Agreement shall be on an “agency” basis and not on a “principal” basis.
The Placement Agent will solicit offers for the purchase of the Securities in the Offering at such times and in such amounts as the Placement Agent deems advisable. The Company shall have the sole right to accept offers to purchase Securities and may reject any such offer, in whole or in part. The Company and Placement Agent shall negotiate the timing and terms of the Offering and acknowledge that the Offering and the provision of Placement Agent services related to the Offering are subject to market conditions and the receipt of all required related clearances and approvals.
| 2. | Fees; Expenses; Other Arrangements. |
A. Placement Agent’s Fee. As compensation for services rendered, the Company shall pay to the Placement Agent in cash by wire transfer in immediately available funds to an account or accounts designated by the Placement Agent an amount (the “Placement Fee”) equal to eight percent (8.0%) of the aggregate gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Securities in each tranche of the Offering discussed in Section 3 below, payable at the closing of each respective tranche (each, a “Closing” and the date on which such Closing occurs, the “Closing Date”). The Placement Agent may deduct from the net proceeds of the Offering payable to the Company on the Closing Date the Placement Fee set forth herein to be paid by the Company to the Placement Agent. For the avoidance of doubt, the Placement Agent is not entitled to any fee related to the execution of any equity line of credit with any investor in Securities.
B. Offering Expenses. The Company will be responsible for and will pay all expenses relating to the Offering, including, without limitation, (a) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration or qualification of the Securities under the “blue sky” securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions as Dawson may reasonably designate (including, without limitation, all filing and registration fees, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Company’s “blue sky” counsel, which will be Dawson’s counsel; (b) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of the Securities under the securities laws of such foreign jurisdictions as Dawson may reasonably designate; (c) the costs of all mailing and printing of the Subscription Documents; (d) the costs of all mailing and printing of the Subscription Documents; (e) the costs associated with bound volumes of the offering materials as well as commemorative mementos and lucite tombstones, wach of which the Company or its designee will provide within a reasonable time after Closing in such quantities as Dawson may reasonably request; (f) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants; (g) the fees and expenses of the Company’s legal counsel and other agents and representatives; and (h) Dawson’s legal and additional diligence expenses in an amount not to exceed $50,000 (collectively, “Expenses”).
| 3. | Description of the Offering. |
The Securities to be offered directly to various investors (each, an “Investor” or “Purchaser” and, collectively, the “Investors” or the “Purchasers”) pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated on or about the date hereof between the Company and the Investors (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) shall consist of 20% original issue discount secured convertible debentures with a maturity date of [eighteen (18)] months from the Closing Date and a subsription amount equal to $3,000,000 (the “Securities”). If the Company shall default in its obligations to deliver Securities to a Purchaser whose offer it has accepted and who has tendered payment, the Company shall indemnify and hold the Placement Agent harmless against any loss, claim, damage or expense arising from or as a result of such default by the Company under this Agreement.
| 4. | Delivery and Payment; Closing. |
Settlement of the Securities purchased by an Investor shall be made as set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement. On the Closing Date, the Securities to which the Closing relates shall be delivered through such means as the parties to the Securities Purchase Agreement may hereafter agree. The Securities shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement. The term “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York, New York.
| 5. | Term and Termination of Agreement. |
The term of this Agreement will commence upon the execution of this Agreement and will terminate on the earlier of (i) the 30th day after the date hereof in the event that no Closing has occurred (ii) the written agreement of the parties to terminate the Offering, (iii) the Closing Date of the Offering and (iv) the termination of the Securities Purchase Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any provision in this Agreement concerning or relating to confidentiality, indemnification, contribution, advancement, the Company’s representations and warranties and the Company’s obligations to pay fees and reimburse expenses will survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement. If any condition specified in Section 8 is not satisfied when and as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the Placement Agent by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to a Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the part of any party to any other party, except that those portions of this Agreement specified in Section 19 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.
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| 6. | Permitted Acts. |
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to limit the ability of the Placement Agent, its officers, directors, employees, agents, associated persons and any individual or entity “controlling,” controlled by,” or “under common control” with the Placement Agent (as those terms are defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) to conduct its business including without limitation the ability to pursue, investigate, analyze, invest in, or engage in investment banking, financial advisory or any other business relationship with any individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
| 7. | Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company. |
As of the date and time of the execution of this Agreement and the Closing Date, the Company (i) makes such representations and warranties to the Placement Agent as the Company makes to the Investors pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, and (ii) further represents, warrants and covenants to the Placement Agent, that:
A. Integration. Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause the Offering to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act that would require the registration of any such securities under the Securities Act.
| 8. | Conditions to the Obligations of the Placement Agent. |
The obligations of the Placement Agent hereunder shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company set forth in Section 7 hereof, in each case as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though then made, to the timely performance by each of the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder on and as of such dates, and to each of the following additional conditions:
A. Form D and Blue Sky. The Company shall file a Form D with respect to the Securities as required under Regulation D and to provide a copy thereof to Placement Agent promptly after such filing. The Company shall, on or before the Closing Date, take such action as the Company shall reasonably determine is necessary in order to obtain an exemption for, or to, qualify the Securities for sale to the Investors at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement under applicable securities or “blue sky” laws of the states of the United States (or to obtain an exemption from such qualification), and shall provide evidence of any such action so taken to the Placement Agent on or prior to the Closing Date. Without limiting any other obligation of the Company under this Agreement, the Company shall timely make all filings and reports relating to the offer and sale of the Securities required under all applicable securities laws (including, without limitation, all applicable federal securities laws and all applicable “blue sky” laws), and the Company shall comply with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, statutes, rules, regulations and the like relating to the offering and sale of the Securities to the Investors.
B. Company Counsel Matters. On the Closing Date, the Placement Agent shall have received the favorable opinion of Dykema Gossett PLLC, outside counsel for the Company, dated as of such Closing Date and addressed to the Placement Agent, in the form acceptable to the Placement Agent and the applicable investors in the Securities.
C. Officers Certificate. On the Closing Date, to the extent required by the investor in the Securities, the Placement Agent shall have received a certificate of the chief financial officer of the Company, dated as of such Closing Datein the form acceptable to the applicable investor in the Securities.
D. Secretary Certificate. On the Closing Date, to the extent required by the investor in the Securities, the Placement Agent shall have received from the Company a certificate of the corporate secretary of the Company, dated as of such Closing Date, in the form acceptable to the applicable investor in the Securities.
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E. No Material Changes. Since September 30, 2024, no event or series of events shall have occurred that reasonably would have or result in a Material Adverse Effect.
F. Reserved.
G. Additional Documents. On the Closing Date, Placement Agent Counsel shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may require in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfilment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Placement Agent and Placement Agent Counsel, but shall not be more expansive than those provided to the investor in Securities for that particular Closing.
| 9. | Indemnification and Contribution; Procedures. |
A. Indemnification of the Placement Agent. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Placement Agent, its affiliates and each person controlling such Placement Agent (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act), and the directors, officers, agents and employees of the Placement Agent, its affiliates and each such controlling person (the Placement Agent, and each such entity or person hereafter is referred to as an “Indemnified Person”) from and against any losses, claims, damages, judgments, assessments, costs and other liabilities (collectively, the “Liabilities”), and shall reimburse each Indemnified Person for all fees and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Indemnified Persons, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) (collectively, the “Expenses”) and agrees to advance payment of such Expenses as they are incurred by an Indemnified Person in investigating, preparing, pursuing or defending any actions, whether or not any Indemnified Person is a party thereto, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (i) the Subscription Documents; (ii) any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the Offering, including any “road show” or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically); or (iii) any application or other document or written communication (in this Section 9, collectively called “application”) executed by the Company or based upon written information furnished by the Company in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Securities under the securities laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any state securities commission or agency, any national securities exchange; or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, the Placement Agent’s information. The Company also agrees to reimburse each Indemnified Person for all Expenses as they are incurred in connection with such Indemnified Person’s enforcement of his or its rights under this Agreement. Each Indemnified Person is an intended third party beneficiary with the same rights to enforce the indemnification that each Indemnified Person would have if he was a party to this Agreement.
B. Procedure. Upon receipt by an Indemnified Person of actual notice of an action against such Indemnified Person with respect to which indemnity may reasonably be expected to be sought under this Agreement, such Indemnified Person shall promptly notify the Company in writing; provided that failure by any Indemnified Person so to notify the Company shall not relieve the Company from any obligation or liability which the Company may have on account of this Section 9 or otherwise to such Indemnified Person, except to the extent (and only to the extent) that its ability to assume the defense is actually impaired by such failure or delay. The Company shall, if requested by the Placement Agent, assume the defense of any such action (including the employment of counsel and reasonably satisfactory to the Placement Agent). Any Indemnified Person shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless: (i) the Company has failed promptly to assume the defense and employ counsel for the benefit of the Placement Agent and the other Indemnified Persons or (ii) such Indemnified Person shall have been advised that in the opinion of counsel that there is an actual or potential conflict of interest that prevents (or makes it imprudent for) the counsel engaged by the Company for the purpose of representing the Indemnified Person, to represent both such Indemnified Person and any other person represented or proposed to be represented by such counsel, it being understood, however, that the Company shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), representing the Placement Agent and all Indemnified persons who are parties to such action. The Company shall not be liable for any settlement of any action effected without its written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld). In addition, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Placement Agent, settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any pending or threatened action in respect of which advancement, reimbursement, indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not such Indemnified Person is a party thereto) unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination (i) includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Person, acceptable to such Indemnified Party, from all Liabilities arising out of such action for which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person. The advancement, reimbursement, indemnification and contribution obligations of the Company required hereby shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as every Liability and Expense is incurred and is due and payable, and in such amounts as fully satisfy each and every Liability and Expense as it is incurred (and in no event later than 30 days following the date of any invoice therefor).
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C. Indemnification of the Company. The Placement Agent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and persons who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all Liabilities, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions made in the Subscription Documents or any amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, the Placement Agent’s Information. In case any action shall be brought against the Company or any other person so indemnified based on any Subscription Documents or any amendment or supplement thereto, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Placement Agent, the Placement Agent shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company and each other person so indemnified shall have the rights and duties given to the Placement Agent by the provisions of Section 9.B. The Company agrees promptly to notify the Placement Agent of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Company or any of its officers, directors or any person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities or in connection with the Subscription Documents, provided, that failure by the Company so to notify the Placement Agent shall not relieve the Placement Agent from any obligation or liability which the Placement Agent may have on account of this Section 9.C. or otherwise to the Company, except to the extent the Placement Agent is materially prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure..
D. Contribution. In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction makes a finding that indemnity is unavailable to any indemnified person, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the Liabilities and Expenses paid or payable by such indemnified person in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits to the Company, on the one hand, and to the Placement Agent and any other Indemnified Person, on the other hand, of the matters contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by the immediately preceding clause is not permitted by applicable law, not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Placement Agent and any other Indemnified Person, on the other hand, in connection with the matters as to which such Liabilities or Expenses relate, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided that in no event shall the Company contribute less than the amount necessary to ensure that all Indemnified Persons, in the aggregate, are not liable for any Liabilities and Expenses in excess of the amount of commissions actually received by the Placement Agent pursuant to this Agreement. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or the Placement Agent on the other and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Placement Agent agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this subsection (D) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (D). For purposes of this paragraph, the relative benefits to the Company, on the one hand, and to the Placement Agent on the other hand, of the matters contemplated by this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as: (a) the total value received by the Company in the Offering, whether or not such Offering is consummated, bears to (b) the commissions paid to the Placement Agent under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the above, no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act shall be entitled to contribution from a party who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation.
E. Limitation. The Company also agrees that no Indemnified Person shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract or tort or otherwise) to the Company for or in connection with advice or services rendered or to be rendered by any Indemnified Person pursuant to this Agreement, the transactions contemplated thereby or any Indemnified Person’s actions or inactions in connection with any such advice, services or transactions, except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction has made a finding that Liabilities (and related Expenses) of the Company have resulted primarily from such Indemnified Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with any such advice, actions, inactions or services.
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F. Survival. The advancement, reimbursement, indemnity and contribution obligations set forth in this Section 9 shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any termination of, or the completion of any Indemnified Person’s services under or in connection with, this Agreement. Each Indemnified Person is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Section 9, and has the right to enforce the provisions of Section 9 as if he/she/it was a party to this Agreement.
| 10. | Limitation of Dawson’s Liability to the Company. |
Dawson and the Company further agree that neither Dawson nor any of its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, controlling persons (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), employees or agents shall have any liability to the Company, its security holders or creditors, or any person asserting claims on behalf of or in the right of the Company (whether direct or indirect, in contract or tort, for an act of negligence or otherwise) for any losses, fees, damages, liabilities, costs, expenses or equitable relief arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Services rendered hereunder, except for losses, fees, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses that arise out of or are based on any action of or failure to act by Dawson and that are finally judicially determined to have resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Dawson.
| 11. | Limitation of Engagement to the Company. |
The Company acknowledges that Dawson has been retained only by the Company, that Dawson is providing services hereunder as an independent contractor (and not in any fiduciary or agency capacity) and that the Company’s engagement of Dawson is not deemed to be on behalf of, and is not intended to confer rights upon, any shareholder, owner or partner of the Company or any other person not a party hereto as against Dawson or any of its affiliates, or any of its or their respective officers, directors, controlling persons (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), employees or agents. Unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing by Dawson, no one other than the Company is authorized to rely upon any statement or conduct of Dawson in connection with this Agreement. The Company acknowledges that any recommendation or advice, written or oral, given by Dawson to the Company in connection with Dawson’s engagement is intended solely for the benefit and use of the Company’s management and directors in considering a possible Offering, and any such recommendation or advice is not on behalf of, and shall not confer any rights or remedies upon, any other person or be used or relied upon for any other purpose. Dawson shall not have the authority to make any commitment binding on the Company. The Company, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to reject any investor introduced to it by Dawson. If any purchase agreement and/or related transaction documents are entered into between the Company and the investors in the Offering, Dawson will be entitled to rely on the representations, warranties, agreements and covenants of the Company contained in any such purchase agreement and related transaction documents as if such representations, warranties, agreements and covenants were made directly to Dawson by the Company.
| 12. | Amendments and Waivers. |
No supplement, modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party to be bound thereby. The failure of a party to exercise any right or remedy shall not be deemed or constitute a waiver of such right or remedy in the future. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (regardless of whether similar), nor shall any such waiver be deemed or constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.
| 13. | Confidentiality. |
In the event of the consummation or public announcement of any Offering, Dawson shall have the right to disclose its participation in such Offering, including, without limitation, the placement at its cost of “tombstone” advertisements in financial and other newspapers and journals. Dawson agrees not to use any confidential information concerning the Company provided to Dawson by the Company for any purposes other than those contemplated under this Agreement.
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| 14. | Headings. |
The headings of the various sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and will not be deemed to be part of this Agreement.
| 15. | Counterparts. |
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and, if executed in more than one counterpart, the executed counterparts shall each be deemed to be an original and all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
| 16. | Severability. |
In case any provision contained in this Agreement should be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
| 17. | Use of Information. |
The Company will furnish Dawson such written information as Dawson reasonably requests in connection with the performance of its services hereunder. The Company understands, acknowledges and agrees that, in performing its services hereunder, Dawson will use and rely entirely upon such information as well as publicly available information regarding the Company and other potential parties to an Offering and that Dawson does not assume responsibility for independent verification of the accuracy or completeness of any information, whether publicly available or otherwise furnished to it, concerning the Company or otherwise relevant to an Offering, including, without limitation, any financial information, forecasts or projections considered by Dawson in connection with the provision of its services.
| 18. | Absence of Fiduciary Relationship. |
The Company acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Placement Agent has been retained solely to act as Placement Agent in connection with the sale of the Securities and that no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company and the Placement Agent has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether the Placement Agent has advised or is advising the Company on other matters; (b) the terms of the Securities set forth in this Agreement were established by the Company following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Investors and the Company is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (c) it has been advised that the Placement Agent and its affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions that may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and that the Placement Agent has no obligation to disclose such interest and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship; and (d) it has been advised that the Placement Agent is acting, in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, solely for the benefit of the Placement Agent, and not on behalf of the Company and that the Placement Agents may have interests that differ from those of the Company. The Company waives to the full extent permitted by applicable law any claims it may have against the Placement Agent arising from an alleged breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the Offering.
| 19. | Survival of Indemnities, Representations, Warranties, Etc. |
The respective indemnities, covenants, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company and Placement Agent, as set forth in this Agreement or made by them respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Placement Agent, the Company, the Purchasers or any person controlling any of them and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, including without limitation any termination pursuant to Section 5, the payment, reimbursement, indemnity, contribution and advancement agreements contained in Sections 2, 9, 10, and 11, respectively, and the Company’s covenants, representations, and warranties set forth in this Agreement shall not terminate and shall remain in full force and effect at all times. The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in Section 9 and the covenants, warranties and representations of the Company contained in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Placement Agent, any person who controls any Placement Agent within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act or any affiliate of any Placement Agent, or by or on behalf of the Company, its directors or officers or any person who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and (iii) the issuance and delivery of the Securities.
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| 20. | Governing Law. |
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida applicable to agreements made and to be fully performed therein. Any disputes that arise under this Agreement, even after the termination of this Agreement, will be heard only in the state or federal courts located in Palm Beach, Florida. The parties hereto expressly agree to submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the foregoing courts in Palm Beach, Florida. The parties hereto expressly waive any rights they may have to contest the jurisdiction, venue or authority of any court sitting in Palm Beach, Florida.
| 21. | Notices. |
All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed or hand delivered and confirmed to the parties hereto as follows:
If to the Company:
Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc.
194 Candelaro Drive, #233
Humacao, Puerto Rico 00791
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
If to the Placement Agent:
Dawson James Securities, Inc.
101 North Federal Highway, Suite 600
Boca Raton, FL 33432
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving written notice to the others.
| 22. | Miscellaneous. |
This Agreement shall not be modified or amended except in writing signed by Dawson and the Company. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of both Dawson and the Company and their respective assigns, successors, and legal representatives. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of Dawson and the Company, and supersedes any prior agreements, with respect to the subject matter hereof. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such determination will not affect such provision in any other respect, and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (including facsimile or .pdf counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
| 23. | Successors. |
This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, and to the benefit of the employees, officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 9 hereof, and to their respective successors, and personal representative, and, except as set forth in Section 9 of this Agreement, no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.
| 24. | Partial Unenforceability. |
The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]
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In acknowledgment that the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding reached by Dawson and the Company, and intending to be legally bound, please sign in the space provided below, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding Agreement as of the date executed.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Confirmed as of the date first written above:
| DAWSON JAMES SECURITIES, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | Robert D. Keyser, Jr. | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
Exhibit 3.1
Exhibit 3.2
BYLAWS
OF
POWERUP ACQUISITION CORP.
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware shall be at 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801.
The name of the registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801.
Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation shall also have and maintain an office or principal place of business at such place as may be fixed by the corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”), and may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
CORPORATE SEAL
Section 3. Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal. The corporate seal shall consist of a die bearing the name of the corporation and the inscription, “Corporate Seal-Delaware.” Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
ARTICLE III
STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Section 4. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as provided under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).
Section 5. Annual Meetings.
(a) The annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation, for the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may properly come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders: (i) pursuant to the corporation’s notice of meeting of stockholders (with respect to business other than nominations); (ii) brought specifically by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (iii) by any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving the stockholder’s notice provided for in Section 5(b) of these Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 5. For the avoidance of doubt, clause (iii) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations and submit other business (other than matters properly included in the corporation’s notice of meeting of stockholders and proxy statement under Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “1934 Act”)) before an annual meeting of stockholders.
(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as is a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law and as shall have been properly brought before the meeting.
(i) For nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, the stockholder must deliver written notice to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(b)(iii) of these Bylaws and must update and supplement such written notice on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(c) of these Bylaws. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each nominee such stockholder proposes to nominate at the meeting: (1) the name, age, business address and residence address of such nominee; (2) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee; (3) the class and number of shares of each class of capital stock of the corporation which are owned of record and beneficially by such nominee; (4) the date or dates on which such shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition; (5) with respect to each nominee for election or re-election to the Board of Directors, include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 5(e) of these Bylaws; and (6) such other information concerning such nominee as would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or that is otherwise required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (B) the information required by Section 5(b)(iv) of these Bylaws. The corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such proposed nominee.
(ii) Other than proposals sought to be included in the corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14(a)-8 under the 1934 Act, for business other than nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, the stockholder must deliver written notice to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(b)(iii) of these Bylaws, and must update and supplement such written notice on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(c) of these Bylaws. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, 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 (including any anticipated benefit of such business to any Proponent (as defined below) other than solely as a result of its ownership of the corporation’s capital stock, that is material to any Proponent individually, or to the Proponents in the aggregate) in such business of any Proponent; and (B) the information required by Section 5(b)(iv) of these Bylaws.
(iii) To be timely, the written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or 5(b)(ii) of these Bylaws must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business 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, subject to the last sentence of this Section 5(b)(iii), in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 30 days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received 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 day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall an adjournment or a postponement of an annual meeting for which notice has been given, or the public announcement thereof has been made, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
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(iv) The written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or 5(b)(ii) of these Bylaws shall also set forth, as of the date of the notice and as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (each, a “Proponent” and collectively, the “Proponents”): (A) the name and address of each Proponent, as they appear on the corporation’s books; (B) the class, series and number of shares of the corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by each Proponent; (C) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether oral or in writing) with respect to such nomination or proposal between or among any Proponent and any of its affiliates or associates, and any others (including their names) acting in concert, or otherwise under the agreement, arrangement or understanding, with any of the foregoing; (D) a representation that the Proponents are holders of record or beneficial owners, as the case may be, of shares of the corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intend to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(i) of these Bylaws) or to propose the business that is specified in the notice (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(ii) of these Bylaws); (E) a representation as to whether the Proponents intend to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a sufficient number of holders of the corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(i) of these Bylaws) or to carry such proposal (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(ii) of these Bylaws); (F) to the extent known by any Proponent, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the proposal on the date of such stockholder’s notice; and (G) a description of all Derivative Transactions (as defined below) by each Proponent during the previous 12 month period, including the date of the transactions and the class, series and number of securities involved in, and the material economic terms of, such Derivative Transactions.
For purposes of Sections 5 and 6 of these Bylaws, a “Derivative Transaction” means any agreement, arrangement, interest or understanding entered into by, or on behalf or for the benefit of, any Proponent or any of its affiliates or associates, whether record or beneficial:
(w) the value of which is derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares or other securities of the corporation;
(x) which otherwise provides any direct or indirect opportunity to gain or share in any gain derived from a change in the value of securities of the corporation;
(y) the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit of security value or price changes; or
(z) which provides the right to vote or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Proponent, or any of its affiliates or associates, with respect to any securities of the corporation, which agreement, arrangement, interest or understanding may include, without limitation, any option, warrant, debt position, note, bond, convertible security, swap, stock appreciation right, short position, profit interest, hedge, right to dividends, voting agreement, performance-related fee or arrangement to borrow or lend shares (whether or not subject to payment, settlement, exercise or conversion in any such class or series), and any proportionate interest of such Proponent in the securities of the corporation held by any general or limited partnership, or any limited liability company, of which such Proponent is, directly or indirectly, a general partner or managing member.
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(c) A stockholder providing written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or (ii) of these Bylaws shall update and supplement such notice in writing, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice is true and correct in all material respects as of (i) the record date for the meeting and (ii) the date that is five business days prior to the meeting and, in the event of any adjournment or postponement thereof, five business days prior to such adjourned or postponed meeting. In the case of an update and supplement pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 5(c), such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than five business days after the record date for the meeting. In the case of an update and supplement pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 5(c), such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than two business days prior to the date for the meeting, and, in the event of any adjournment or postponement thereof, two business days prior to such adjourned or postponed meeting.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in Section 5(b)(iii) of these Bylaws to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors in an Expiring Class (as defined below) is increased and there is no public announcement of the appointment of a director to such class, or, if no appointment was made, of the vacancy in such class, made by the corporation at least 10 days before the last day a stockholder may deliver a notice of nomination in accordance with Section 5(b)(iii) of these Bylaws, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 5 and which complies with the requirements in Section 5(b)(i) of these Bylaws, other than the timing requirements in Section 5(b)(iii) of these Bylaws, shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions in such Expiring Class created by such increase, if it shall be received by the Secretary 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 by the corporation. For purposes of this Section 5, an “Expiring Class” shall mean a class of directors whose term shall expire at the next annual meeting of stockholders.
(e) To be eligible to be a nominee for election or re-election as a director of the corporation pursuant to a nomination under clause (iii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, such proposed nominee or a person on such proposed nominee’s behalf must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Section 5(b)(iii) or 5(d) of these Bylaws, as applicable) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such proposed nominee and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such person (i) is not and will not become a party to (A) any agreement, arrangement or understanding 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 in the questionnaire or (B) 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; (ii) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding 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 of the corporation that has not been disclosed therein; and (iii) 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.
(f) A person shall not be eligible for election or re-election as a director unless the person is nominated either in accordance with clause (ii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, or in accordance with clause (iii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws. Except as otherwise required by law, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any 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 these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, or the Proponent does not act in accordance with the representations in Sections 5(b)(iv)(D) and 5(b)(iv)(E) of these Bylaws, to declare that such proposal or nomination shall not be presented for stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nominations or such business may have been solicited or received.
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(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, in order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement and form of proxy for a stockholders’ meeting, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to proposals and/or nominations to be considered pursuant to Section 5(a)(iii) of these Bylaws.
(h) For purposes of Sections 5 and 6 of these Bylaws,
(i.) “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or 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 1934 Act; and
(ii.) “affiliates” and “associates” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”).
Section 6. Special Meetings.
(a) Special meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be called, for any purpose as is a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law, by (i) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of Directors for adoption).
(b) The Board of Directors shall determine the time and place, if any, of such special meeting. Upon determination of the time and place, if any, of the meeting, the Secretary shall cause a notice of meeting to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of these Bylaws. No business may be transacted at such special meeting otherwise than specified in the notice of meeting.
(c) 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 (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving notice provided for in this paragraph, who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who delivers written notice to the Secretary of the corporation setting forth the information required by Section 5(b)(i) of these Bylaws. In the event the corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder of record 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 written notice setting forth the information required by Section 5(b)(i) of these Bylaws shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The stockholder shall also update and supplement such information as required under Section 5(c) of these Bylaws. In no event shall an adjournment or a postponement of a special meeting for which notice has been given, or the public announcement thereof has been made, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
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(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth in this Section 6. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be considered pursuant to Section 6(c) of these Bylaws.
Section 7. Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, notice, given in writing or by electronic transmission, of each meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, such notice to specify the place, if any, date and hour, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or purposes of the meeting, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at any such meeting. If mailed, notice is deemed given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation. If sent via electronic transmission, notice is deemed given as of the sending time recorded at the time of transmission. Notice of the time, place, if any, and purpose of any meeting of stockholders may be waived in writing, signed by the person entitled to notice thereof, or by electronic transmission by such person, either before or after such meeting, and will be waived by any stockholder by his attendance thereat in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy, except when the stockholder 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. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given.
Section 8. Quorum. At all meetings of stockholders, except where otherwise provided by statute or by the corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation (as amended or restated from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”), or by these Bylaws, the presence, in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy duly authorized, of the holders thirty-three and one third percent (33.33%) of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to time, either by the chairman of the meeting or by vote of the holders of thirty-three and one third percent (33.33%) of the shares represented thereat, but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting. The stockholders present at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Except as otherwise provided by statute or by applicable stock exchange rules, or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or classes or series is required, except where otherwise provided by the statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or classes or series, present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy duly authorized, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. Except where otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the majority (plurality, in the case of the election of directors) of shares of such class or classes or series present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or classes or series.
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Section 9. Adjournment and Notice of Adjourned Meetings. Any meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time either by the chairman of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, if any, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. 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 or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 10. Voting Rights. For the purpose of determining those stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose names shares stand on the stock records of the corporation on the record date, as provided in Section 12 of these Bylaws, shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Every person entitled to vote shall have the right to do so either in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by an agent or agents authorized by a proxy granted in accordance with Delaware law. An agent so appointed need not be a stockholder. No proxy shall be voted after three years from its date of creation unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
Section 11. Joint Owners of Stock. If shares or other securities having voting power stand of record in the names of two or more persons, whether fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, or otherwise, or if two or more persons have the same fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary is given written notice to the contrary and is furnished with a copy of the instrument or order appointing them or creating the relationship wherein it is so provided, their acts with respect to voting shall have the following effect: (a) if only one votes, his act binds all; (b) if more than one votes, the act of the majority so voting binds all; or (c) if more than one votes, but the vote is evenly split on any particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in question proportionally, or may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for relief as provided in the DGCL, Section 217(b). If the instrument filed with the Secretary shows that any such tenancy is held in unequal interests, a majority or even-split for the purpose of clause (c) of this Section 11 shall be a majority or even-split in interest.
Section 12. List of Stockholders. The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the 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. The list shall be open to examination of any stockholder during the time of the meeting as provided by law.
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Section 13. Action Without Meeting. Any action to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action to be so taken, shall be signed by the holders of 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 and shall be delivered (by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested) to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent, and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this Section 13, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the corporation as aforesaid. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall, to the extent required by applicable law, be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing, and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for notice of such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the corporation.
Section 14. Organization.
(a) At every meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the President, or, if the President is absent, if applicable, the Lead Independent Director (as defined below), or, if the Lead Independent Director is absent, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy, shall act as chairman. The Secretary, or, in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary directed to do so by the President, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
(b) The Board of Directors of the corporation shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting, rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, limitations on participation in such meeting to stockholders of record of the corporation and their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the chairman shall permit, restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the opening and closing of the polls for balloting on matters which are to be voted on by ballot. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure.
ARTICLE IV
DIRECTORS
Section 15. Number and Term of Office. The authorized number of directors of the corporation shall be fixed in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation. If for any cause, the directors shall not have been elected at an annual meeting, they may be elected as soon thereafter as convenient at a special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose in the manner provided in these Bylaws.
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Section 16. Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 17. Classes of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the directors shall be divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to such classes at the time the classification becomes effective. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following the initial classification of the Board of Directors, the term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of stockholders following such initial classification, the term of office of the Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the third annual meeting of stockholders following such initial classification, the term of office of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 17, each director shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Section 18. Vacancies. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders, provided, however, that whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes or series shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified. A vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist under this Bylaw in the case of the death, removal or resignation of any director.
Section 19. Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by delivering his or her notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Secretary, such resignation to specify whether it will be effective at a particular time. If no such specification is made, it shall be deemed effective at the time of delivery to the Secretary. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board of Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the director whose place shall be vacated and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 20. Removal. Subject to the rights of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances and subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law, the Board of Directors or any individual director may be removed with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally at an election of directors.
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Section 21. Meetings.
(a) Regular Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or date and at any place within or without the State of Delaware which has been designated by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors, either orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice-messaging system or other system designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means. No further notice shall be required for regular meetings of the Board of Directors.
(b) Special Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time and place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the authorized number of directors.
(c) Meetings by Electronic Communications Equipment. Any member of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
(d) Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of the time and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice messaging system or other system or technology designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means, during normal business hours, at least 24 hours before the date and time of the meeting. If notice is sent by U.S. mail, it shall be sent by first class mail, charges prepaid, at least three days before the date of the meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived in writing, or by electronic transmission, at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends the 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.
(e) Waiver of Notice. The transaction of all business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, however called or noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as though it had been transacted at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the directors not present who did not receive notice shall sign a written waiver of notice or shall waive notice by electronic transmission. All such waivers shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
Section 22. Quorum and Voting.
(a) Unless the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater number, and except with respect to questions related to indemnification arising under Section 45 of these Bylaws for which a quorum shall be one-third of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time, a quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, at any meeting whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the directors present may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors, without notice other than by announcement at the meeting.
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(b) At each meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, all questions and business shall be determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present, unless a different vote be required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Section 23. Action Without 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 of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and such writing or writings or transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
Section 24. Fees and Compensation. Directors shall be entitled to such compensation for their services as may be approved by the Board of Directors, including, if so approved, by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors and at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation therefor.
Section 25. Committees.
(a) Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee to consist of one or more members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee, to the extent permitted by law and provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors 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 (i) 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 (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any Bylaw of the corporation.
(b) Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, appoint such other committees as may be permitted by law. Such other committees appointed by the Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members of the Board of Directors and shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the resolution or resolutions creating such committees, but in no event shall any such committee have the powers denied to the Executive Committee in these Bylaws.
(c) Term. The Board of Directors, subject to any requirements of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock and the provisions of subsections (a) or (b) of this Section 25, may at any time increase or decrease the number of members of a committee or terminate the existence of a committee. The membership of a committee member shall terminate on the date of his death or voluntary resignation from the committee or from the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may at any time for any reason remove any individual committee member and the Board of Directors may fill any committee vacancy created by death, resignation, removal or increase in the number of members of the committee. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee, and, in addition, in the absence or disqualification of any member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he 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.
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(d) Meetings. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide, regular meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee appointed pursuant to this Section 25 shall be held at such times and places as are determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when notice thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further notice of such regular meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of any such committee may be held at any place which has been determined from time to time by such committee, and may be called by any director who is a member of such committee, upon notice to the members of such committee of the time and place of such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of notice to members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any committee may be waived in writing or by electronic transmission at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends such special 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. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in the resolutions authorizing the creation of the committee, a majority of the authorized number of members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.
Section 26. Duties of Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.
Section 27. Lead Independent Director. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, or if the Chairman is not an independent director, one of the independent directors, may be designated by the Board of Directors as lead independent director (“Lead Independent Director”) to serve until replaced by the Board of Directors. The Lead Independent Director will: with the Chairman of the Board of Directors, establish the agenda for regular Board meetings and serve as chairman of Board of Directors meetings in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors; establish the agenda for meetings of the independent directors; coordinate with the committee chairs regarding meeting agendas and informational requirements; preside over meetings of the independent directors; preside over any portions of meetings of the Board of Directors at which the evaluation or compensation of the Chief Executive Officer is presented or discussed; preside over any portions of meetings of the Board of Directors at which the performance of the Board of Directors is presented or discussed; and perform such other duties as may be established or delegated by the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Section 28. Organization. At every meeting of the directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the Lead Independent Director, or if the Lead Independent Director is absent, the Chief Executive Officer (if a director), or, if a Chief Executive Officer is absent, the President (if a director), or if the President is absent, the most senior Vice President (if a director), or, in the absence of any such person, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall preside over the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence, any Assistant Secretary or other officer or director directed to do so by the Chairman, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
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ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 29. Officers Designated. The officers of the corporation shall include, if and when designated by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, one or more Vice Presidents, the Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer and the Treasurer. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers and such other officers and agents with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary. The Board of Directors may assign such additional titles to one or more of the officers as it shall deem appropriate. Any one person may hold any number of offices of the corporation at any one time unless specifically prohibited therefrom by law. The salaries and other compensation of the officers of the corporation shall be fixed by or in the manner designated by the Board of Directors.
Section 30. Tenure and Duties of Officers.
(a) General. All officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, unless sooner removed. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors. If the office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors.
(b) Duties of Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Lead Independent Director has been appointed and is present. Unless an officer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. To the extent that a Chief Executive Officer has been appointed and no President has been appointed, all references in these Bylaws to the President shall be deemed references to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.
(c) Duties of President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Lead Independent Director, or the Chief Executive Officer has been appointed and is present. Unless another officer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. The President shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.
(d) Duties of Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents may assume and perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President or whenever the office of President is vacant. The Vice Presidents shall perform other duties commonly incident to their office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or, if the Chief Executive Officer has not been appointed or is absent, the President shall designate from time to time.
(e) Duties of Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall record all acts and proceedings thereof in the minute book of the corporation. The Secretary shall give notice in conformity with these Bylaws of all meetings of the stockholders and of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof requiring notice. The Secretary shall perform all other duties provided for in these Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. The President may direct any Assistant Secretary or other officer to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.
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(f) Duties of Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time. To the extent that a Chief Financial Officer has been appointed and no Treasurer has been appointed, all references in these Bylaws to the Treasurer shall be deemed references to the Chief Financial Officer. The President may direct the Treasurer, if any, or any Assistant Treasurer, or the Controller or any Assistant Controller to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and each Controller and Assistant Controller shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.
(g) Duties of Treasurer. Unless another officer has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of the corporation, the Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the corporation and shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the President, and, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.
Section 31. Delegation of Authority. The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.
Section 32. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board of Directors or to the President or to the Secretary. Any such resignation shall be effective when received by the person or persons to whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified therein, in which event the resignation shall become effective at such later time. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract with the resigning officer.
Section 33. Removal. Any officer may be removed from office at any time, either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors in office at the time, or by the unanimous written consent of the directors in office at the time, or by any committee or by the Chief Executive Officer or by other superior officers upon whom such power of removal may have been conferred by the Board of Directors.
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ARTICLE VI
EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION
Section 34. Execution of Corporate Instruments. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the corporation any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf of the corporation the corporate name without limitation, or to enter into contracts on behalf of the corporation, except where otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, and such execution or signature shall be binding upon the corporation.
All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the credit of the corporation or in special accounts of the corporation shall be signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to do.
Unless authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
Section 35. Voting of Securities Owned by the Corporation. All stock and other securities of other corporations owned or held by the corporation for itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such authorization, by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or any Vice President.
ARTICLE VII
SHARES OF STOCK
Section 36. Form and Execution of Certificates. The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, or shall be uncertificated if so provided by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors. Certificates for the shares of stock of the corporation, if any, shall be in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock represented by certificate in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the corporation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President or any Vice President and by the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 37. Lost Certificates. A new certificate or certificates shall be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed. The corporation may require, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or the owner’s legal representative, to agree to indemnify the corporation in such manner as it shall require or to give the corporation a surety bond in such form and amount as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.
Section 38. Transfers.
(a) Transfers of record of shares of stock of the corporation shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by attorney duly authorized, and, in the case of stock represented by certificate, upon the surrender of a properly endorsed certificate or certificates for a like number of shares.
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(b) The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.
Section 39. Fixing Record Dates.
(a) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, 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, subject to applicable law, not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or 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 adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
(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 the stockholders 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, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no 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.
Section 40. 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 provided by the laws of Delaware.
ARTICLE VIII
OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION
Section 41. Execution of Other Securities. All bonds, debentures and other corporate securities of the corporation, other than stock certificates (covered in Section 36 of these Bylaws), may be signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer; provided, however, that where any such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be authenticated by the manual signature, or where permissible facsimile signature, of a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be issued, the signatures of the persons signing and attesting the corporate seal on such bond, debenture or other corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the signatures of such persons. Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond, debenture or other corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid, shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or bear imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of such person. In case any officer who shall have signed or attested any bond, debenture or other corporate security, or whose facsimile signature shall appear thereon or on any such interest coupon, shall have ceased to be such officer before the bond, debenture or other corporate security so signed or attested shall have been delivered, such bond, debenture or other corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by the corporation and issued and delivered as though the person who signed the same or whose facsimile signature shall have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer of the corporation.
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ARTICLE IX
DIVIDENDS
Section 42. Declaration of Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors pursuant to law at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.
Section 43. Dividend Reserve. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
ARTICLE X
FISCAL YEAR
Section 44. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XI
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 45. Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Other Agents.
(a) Directors and Officers. The corporation shall indemnify its directors and officers to the extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any other applicable law; provided, however, that the corporation may modify the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and officers; and, provided, further, that the corporation shall not be required to indemnify any director or officer in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless (i) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation, (iii) such indemnification is provided by the corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the corporation under the DGCL or any other applicable law or (iv) such indemnification is required to be made under subsection (d).
(b) Employees and Other Agents. The corporation shall have power to indemnify its employees and other agents as set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such person (except for officers) or other persons as the Board of Directors shall determine.
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(c) Expenses. The corporation shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer, of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any director or officer in connection with such proceeding provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (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 only 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 for such expenses under this Section 45 or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section 45, no advance shall be made by the corporation to an officer of the corporation (except by reason of the fact that such officer is or was a director of the corporation in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by a majority vote of directors who were not parties to the proceeding, even if not a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.
(d) Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and officers under this Section 45 shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the corporation and the director or officer. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this Section 45 to a director or officer shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within 90 days of request therefor. To the extent permitted by law, the claimant in such enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting the claim. In connection with any claim for indemnification, the corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the DGCL or any other applicable law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. In connection with any claim by an officer of the corporation (except in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such officer is or was a director of the corporation) for advances, the corporation shall be entitled to raise a defense as to any such action clear and convincing evidence that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding that such person acted without reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was lawful. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because the director or officer has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. In any suit brought by a director or officer to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, the burden of proving that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Section 45 or otherwise shall be on the corporation.
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(e) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office. The corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL, or by any other applicable law.
(f) Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer, or, if applicable, employee or other agent, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
(g) Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or any other applicable law, the corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to this Section 45.
(h) Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this Section 45 shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the corporation.
(i) Saving Clause. If this Bylaw or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director and officer to the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this Section 45 that shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this Section 45 shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of another jurisdiction, then the corporation shall indemnify each director and officer to the full extent under any other applicable law.
(j) Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Bylaw, the following definitions shall apply:
(i) The term “proceeding” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.
(ii) The term “expenses” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys’ fees, witness fees, fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.
(iii) The term the “corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section 45 with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. References to a “director,” “officer,” “employee,” or “agent” of the corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where such person is serving at the request of the corporation as, respectively, a director, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
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(iv) References to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation 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 interest 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 corporation” as referred to in this Section 45.
ARTICLE XII
NOTICES
Section 46. Notices.
(a) Notice to Stockholders. Written notice to stockholders of stockholder meetings shall be given as provided in Section 7 of these Bylaws. Without limiting the manner by which notice may otherwise be given effectively to stockholders under any agreement or contract with such stockholder, and except as otherwise required by law, written notice to stockholders for purposes other than stockholder meetings may be sent by U.S. mail or nationally recognized overnight courier, or by facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means.
(b) Notice to Directors. Any notice required to be given to any director may be given by the method stated in subsection (a), or as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, except that such notice other than one which is delivered personally shall be sent to such address as such director shall have filed in writing with the Secretary, or, in the absence of such filing, to the last known post office address of such director.
(c) Affidavit of Mailing. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a duly authorized and competent employee of the corporation or its transfer agent appointed with respect to the class of stock affected, or other agent, specifying the name and address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, or director or directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and the time and method of giving the same, shall in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts therein contained.
(d) Methods of Notice. It shall not be necessary that the same method of giving notice be employed in respect of all recipients of notice, but one permissible method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any other permissible method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or others.
(e) Notice to Person With Whom Communication is Unlawful. Whenever notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.
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(f) Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address. Except as otherwise prohibited under the DGCL, any notice given under the provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Such consent shall have been deemed to have been given if such stockholder fails to object in writing to the corporation within 60 days of having been given notice by the corporation of its intention to send the single notice. Any consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS
Section 47. Amendments. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 45(h) of these Bylaws or the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the corporation by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the authorized number of directors. The stockholders also shall have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 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.
ARTICLE XIV
LOANS TO OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES
Section 48. Loans to Officers or Employees. Except as otherwise prohibited by applicable law, the corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or of its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who is a director of the corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guarantee or other assistance may be with or without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the Board of Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at common law or under any statute.
ARTICLE XV
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 49. Forum.
(a) Unless the corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any state court located within the State of Delaware or, if and only if all such state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) and any appellate court therefrom shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the following claims or causes of action under Delaware statutory or common law: (A) any derivative claim or cause of action brought on behalf of the corporation; (B) any claim or cause of action for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer or other employee of the corporation, to the corporation or the corporation’s stockholders; (C) any claim or cause of action against the corporation or any current or former director, officer or other employee of the corporation, arising out of or pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the corporation (as each may be amended from time to time); (D) any claim or cause of action seeking to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the corporation (as each may be amended from time to time, including any right, obligation, or remedy thereunder); (E) any claim or cause of action as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; and (F) any claim or cause of action against the corporation or any current or former director, officer or other employee of the corporation, governed by the internal-affairs doctrine or otherwise related to the corporation’s internal affairs, in all cases to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to the court having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. This Section 49 of Article XV shall not apply to claims or causes of action brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
(b) Unless the corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the 1933 Act, including all causes of action asserted against any defendant named in such complaint. For the avoidance of doubt, this provision is intended to benefit and may be enforced by the corporation, its officers and directors, the underwriters for any offering giving rise to such complaint, and any other professional entity whose profession gives authority to a statement made by that person or entity and who has prepared or certified any part of the documents underlying the offering.
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Exhibit 10.1
SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Securities Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of February 17, 2025, between ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and each purchaser identified on the signature page hereto (each, a “Purchaser” and together, the “Purchasers”). Each of the Company and each Purchaser shall individually be referred to herein as a “Party” and, collectively, as the “Parties.”
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act (as defined below), and Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder, the Company desires to issue and sell to the Purchasers, and the Purchasers, desire to purchase from the Company, securities of the Company as more fully described in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each Purchaser agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement: (a) capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the Debentures (as defined herein), and (b) the following terms have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.1:
“$” means United States dollars.
“Acquiring Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.7.
“Action” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(j).
“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Aggregate Outstanding Amount” means the sum of (a) the outstanding and unpaid Aggregate Principal Amount plus (b) the aggregate accrued and unpaid interest owing to all Purchasers on such Aggregate Principal Amount.
“Aggregate Principal Amount” means the sum of (a) the First Closing Principal Amount, and (b) any Subsequent Closing Principal Amount, but only to the extent subsequent Closing occurs.
“Aggregate Subscription Amount” means the sum of (a) the First Closing Subscription Amount, plus (b) any Subsequent Subscription Amount, but only to the extent subsequent Closing occurs.
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“BHCA” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(kk).
“Blue Sky Laws” means state securities or “blue sky” laws.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.
“Business Combination” means, all transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement.
“Business Combination Agreement” means, that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 26, 2024, as amended by an Amendment Agreement dated September 5, 2024 and a Second Amendment Agreement dated October 9, 2024 (as it may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among the Company, PowerUp Merger Sub II, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, SRIRAMA Associates, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Stephen Quesenberry, and Aspire Biopharma, Inc., a Puerto Rico corporation.
“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York are generally are open for use by customers on such day.
“Buy-In Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.1(d).
“Closing” means any closing of the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to Section 2.1.
“Closing Date” means any of the First Closing Date or each Subsequent Closing Date, as the context shall require.
“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Commitment Shares” shall mean the shares of Common Stock to be issued or transferred to the Purchaser pursuant to Section 2.1(c).
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. “Company” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, having a par value per share of $0.0001, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preference shares, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, shares of Common Stock.
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“Confidential Information” means all confidential, proprietary or non-public information, documentation or data (whether written, oral or electronic communications) regarding the Company or any of its Affiliates received by a Purchaser or its Representatives, in each case, regardless of whether or not such information, documentation or data is marked or otherwise identified as “confidential”. Confidential Information also includes information of third parties where the Company its Affiliates have an obligation of confidentiality with respect to such information. Confidential Information will not, however, include information which (a) is or becomes publicly available other than as a result of a disclosure by a Purchaser or its Representatives in violation of this Agreement, (b) is or becomes available to a Purchaser or any of its Representatives on a non-confidential basis from a third-party or (c) is or has been independently developed by a Purchaser and/or its Representatives without use of or reference to any Confidential Information.
“Convertible Securities” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(g).
“Debentures” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a).
“Disclosure Time” means, (i) if this Agreement is signed on a day that is not a Trading Day or after 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) and before midnight (New York City time) on any Trading Day, 9:01 a.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day immediately following the date hereof, and (ii) if this Agreement is signed between midnight (New York City time) and 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, no later than 9:01 a.m. (New York City time) on the date hereof.
“Disqualification Event” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(mm).
“Environmental Laws” means any federal, state, local and foreign laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), including laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) into the environment, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials, as well as all authorizations, codes, decrees, demands, or demand letters, injunctions, judgments, licenses, notices or notice letters, orders, permits, plans or regulations, issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder.
“Evaluation Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(s).
“Exchange” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
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“Exempt Issuance” means the issuance of (a) shares of Common Stock, restricted share units or options to employees, officers or directors of the Company pursuant to any share or option plan duly adopted for such purpose, by a majority of the non-employee members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of non-employee directors established for such purpose for services rendered to the Company, (b) securities upon the exercise, exchange of or conversion of any Securities issued hereunder, (c) other securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement, provided that such securities have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities (other than in connection with share splits or combinations) or to extend the term of such securities, (d) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions or strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company, provided that such securities are issued as “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) and carry no registration rights that require or permit the filing of any registration statement in connection therewith, and provided that any such issuance shall only be to a Person (or to the equity holders of a Person) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an owner of an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities, (e) the Commitment Shares, and (f) shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents the proceeds of which shall be used to payoff in their entirety all amounts then owing under any outstanding Debentures and the Transaction Documents.
“Export Control Laws” means export control laws and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Company, including the United States Export Administration Regulations and any other equivalent or comparable export control laws and regulations of other countries.
“FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
“Federal Reserve” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(kk).
“First Closing” means the Closing of the sale and purchase of Debentures on the First Closing Date.
“First Closing Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(d).
“First Closing Principal Amount” means $3,750,000.
“First Closing Subscription Amount” means $3,000,000 (i.e., the aggregate amount to be paid by the Purchasers for the purchase of the Debentures to be issued by the Company on the First Closing Date, reflecting that such Debentures are to be issued with a 20% original issue discount to the face amount thereof).
“First Registration Statement Effectiveness Date” means, with respect to the first Registration Statement to be filed by the Company pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, no later than the 60th calendar day following the First Closing Date (or, in the event of a “full review” by the Commission, no later than the 90th calendar day following the First Closing Date); provided, however, that in the event the Company is notified by the Commission that the first Registration Statement will not be reviewed or is no longer subject to further review and comments, the First Registration Statement Effectiveness Date as to such Registration Statement shall be the fifth (5th) Trading Day following the date on which the Company is so notified if such date precedes the date otherwise required above, provided, further, if such First Registration Statement Effectiveness Date falls on a day that is not a Trading Day, then the First Registration Statement Effectiveness Date shall be the next succeeding Trading Day.
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“Floor Price” means $4.00 per share, subject to adjustment for any reverse or forward share split or reclassification of the Common Stock.
“Future Financing” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.15.
“Future Financing Terms” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.15.
“GAAP” means Generally Accepted Account Principles.
“Guarantee” means the Guarantee made the Guarantors, in favor of the Purchasers, in the form reasonably acceptable to the Requisite Holders, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Guarantor” means each of the Company’s Subsidiaries.
“Governmental Authority” means any nation, sovereign or government, any state, province, territory or other political subdivision thereof, any municipality, any agency, authority or instrumentality thereof and any entity or authority exercising executive, legislative, taxing, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, and any corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing, including any central bank stock exchange regulatory body arbitrator, public sector entity, supra-national entity and any self-regulatory organization.
“Hazardous Materials” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of Environmental Laws.
“Import Control Laws” means import control laws and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Company, including those administered by the United States Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agencies, and any other equivalent or comparable import control laws and regulations of other countries.
“Indebtedness” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(bb).
“Indemnified Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.10.
“Intellectual Property” means: (a) patents, patent applications and patent disclosures, together with all reissues, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, revisions, extensions or reexaminations thereof; (b) trademarks and service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names, corporate names, brands, slogans, and other source identifiers, and all applications, registrations, and renewals in connection therewith, together with all of the goodwill associated with the foregoing; (c) copyrights, and other works of authorship (whether or not copyrightable), and moral rights, and registrations and applications for registration, renewals and extensions thereof; (d) trade secrets and know-how (including ideas, formulas, compositions, inventions (whether or not patentable or reduced to practice)), customer and supplier lists, improvements, protocols, processes, methods and techniques, research and development information, industry analyses, algorithms, architectures, layouts, drawings, specifications, designs, plans, methodologies, proposals, industrial models, technical data, financial and accounting data (including pricing and cost information), and all other data, databases and database rights; (e) Internet domain names and social media accounts; (f) rights of privacy and publicity and all other intellectual property or proprietary rights of any kind or description recognized under applicable laws; (g) copies and tangible embodiments of any of the foregoing, in whatever form or medium; and (h) all legal rights arising from items (a) through (f), including the right to prosecute and perfect such interests and rights to sue, oppose, cancel, interfere, and enjoin based upon such interests, including such rights based on past infringement, if any, in connection with any of the foregoing.
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“Issuer Covered Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(mm).
“Legend Removal Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.1(c).
“Liens” means a lien, charge, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction.
“Lock-Up Agreement” means a lock-up agreement in form acceptable to the Purchasers, that shall provide, among other things, that the holder of Common Stock party thereto shall not sell into the market shares of Common Stock for the period beginning on the date thereof and ending on the earlier of (i) such day as each Purchaser shall have sold all its Commitment Shares, (ii) thirty (30) days after registration of the Underlying Shares, and (iii) thirty (30) days following the date each Purchaser shall have fully converted its Debenture if not otherwise paid in cash (or, if paid in cash, the date such payment is made).
“Lock-Up Parties Schedule” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a)(xii).
“Material Adverse Effect” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.1(b).
“Material Permits” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(n).
“Maximum Rate” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 6.17.
“Money Laundering Laws” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(ll).
“Nasdaq” means The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.
“New Securities” means, collectively, equity or debt securities of the Company, whether or not currently authorized, as well as rights, options, or warrants to purchase such equity or debt securities, or securities of any type whatsoever that are, or may become, convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for such equity or debt securities.
“Notice Termination Time” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.16(b).
“OFAC” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(jj).
“Offer Notice” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.16(a).
“Organizational Documents” means with respect to any entity, the memorandums of association, articles of association, certificates of incorporation, certificates of formation, by-laws, operating agreements, constitutions, registration statements and equivalent organizational documents of such entity, each as amended, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, for such entity.
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“Party” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Perfection Certificate” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a)(vii).
“Permitted Indebtedness” shall have the meaning set forth in the Debentures.
“Permitted Lien” shall have the meaning set forth in the Debentures.
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
“Proceeding” means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an informal investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.
“Public Information Failure” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.3(b).
“Public Information Failure Payments” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.3(b).
“Purchaser” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Registration Rights Agreement” means in respect of each Closing, a Registration Rights Agreement, among the Company and the Purchasers participating in such Closing, to be executed and delivered in form and substance satisfactory to the Requisite Holders registering the Underlying Shares issuable in respect of the Debentures issued in such Closing and Commitment Shares issued in respect of such Closing.
“Registration Statement” means a registration statement meeting the requirements set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement and covering the resale of the Underlying Shares and any Commitment Shares that have not been previously registered by the Purchasers as provided for in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Release” means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, migrating, dumping, disposing, or other release into or through the environment, and any abandonment or discarding of barrels, containers, or other closed receptacles containing any Hazardous Materials.
“Released Claims” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.23.
“Remedies Exceptions” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(c).
“Representatives” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and its Affiliates’ respective directors, officers, employees, advisors, agents and other representatives.
“Required Approvals” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(e).
“Required Minimum” means, as of any date, a number equal to one and one half times (1.5) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock then issuable pursuant to the Transaction Documents, ignoring any conversion or exercise limits set forth therein.
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“Required Minimum Failure” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.11(a).
“Required Minimum Failure Payments” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.11(a).
“Requisite Holders” means, as of any time, the holders of Debentures representing fifty and one basis point percent (50.01%) or more of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount.
“Reserved Shares” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.17.
“Reserved Shares Deficit” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.17.
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.
“Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
“Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
“SEC Reports” means all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) thereof (including the exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein).
“Securities” means the Debentures, the Commitment Shares and the Underlying Shares.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Security Agreement” means a Security Agreement, among the Company, the Subsidiaries and the Purchasers, in the form reasonably acceptable to the Requisite Holders, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Security Documents” shall mean, collectively, the Guarantee, the Security Agreement, all Uniform Commercial Code financing statements filed with respect to the security interests in personal property created pursuant to the Guarantee, Security Agreement, and all other assignments, pledge agreements, security agreements, control agreements, and other instruments executed and delivered on or before the First Closing Date by any of the Debtors (as defined in the Guarantee) pursuant to the Guarantee and Security Agreement or otherwise providing or relating to any collateral security for any of the Obligations under and as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement.
“Seller Representative” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
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“Sellers” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Shareholder Approval” means such approval as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq (or any successor entity) from the shareholders of the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, including the issuance of all of the Commitment Shares and Underlying Shares in excess of 19.99% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Transactions to the Purchasers.
“Short Sales” means all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act (but shall not be deemed to include locating and/or borrowing shares of Common Stock).
“Significant Subsidiary” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X.
“Software” means all computer software (in object code or source code format), data and databases, and related documentation and materials.
“Standard Settlement Period” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.1(c).
“Stockholder Consent” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.11(d).
“Subsequent Closing” means the Closing of the sale and purchase of Debentures on a Subsequent Closing Date.
“Subsequent Closing Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(d).
“Subsequent Closing Principal Amount” means, such amount as the Company and the Requisite Holders shall agree in respect of such Subsequent Closing.
“Subsequent Closing Subscription Amount” means the aggregate amount to be paid by the Purchasers for the purchase of the Debentures to be issued by the Company on the applicable Subsequent Closing Date, reflecting that such Debentures are to be issued with a 20% original issue discount to the face amount thereof.
“Subsequent Registration Statement Effectiveness Date” means, with respect to the Registration Statement to be filed by the Company pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, no later than such date agreed among the Company and the Requisite Holders.
“Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” means any subsidiary or multiple subsidiaries of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.
“Tax” or “Taxes” means any federal, state, provincial, local and foreign income, profits, franchise, gross receipts, environmental, share capital, severances, stamp, payroll, sales, employment, unemployment, disability, use, real property, personal property, unclaimed property, withholding, excise, production, value added, goods and services, occupancy and other taxes, duties or assessments of any nature whatsoever, together with all interest, penalties and additions imposed with respect to such amounts and any interest in respect of such penalties and additions.
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“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Debentures, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Guarantee and the Security Agreement.
“Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.
“Transfer Agent” means Colonial Stock Transfer Company, Inc., with a mailing address of 7840 S. 700 E., Sandy, UT 84070, Attn: Jason Carter, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.
“Underlying Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of the Debentures, without respect to any limitation or restriction on the conversion of the Debentures.
“Use of Proceeds Certificate” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.9.
“Variable Rate Transaction” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.12(b).
“VWAP” means, as of any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the shares of Common Stock are then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the per share daily volume weighted average price of the shares of Common Stock for such date (or if such date is not a Trading Day, for the nearest preceding Trading Day) on the Trading Market on which the shares of Common Stock are then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if the shares of Common Stock are listed on the OTCQB or OTCQX, the per share volume weighted average price of the shares of Common Stock for such date (or if such date is not a Trading Day, for the nearest preceding Trading Day) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the shares of Common Stock are not then listed or quoted for trading on any Trading Market or OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the shares of Common Stock are then reported on The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the shares of Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a shares of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Requisite Holders and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“Written Consent of Shareholder Approval” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a)(xiv).
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ARTICLE II.
PURCHASE AND SALE
2.1 Purchase and Sale of Debentures.
(a) Debentures. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, (i) on the First Closing Date, the Company agrees to sell to each Purchaser participating in the First Closing and each such Purchaser agrees to purchase from the Company, a 20% original issue discount senior secured convertible debenture issued by the Company in an amount equal to such portion of the First Closing Principal Amount as is set forth on such Purchaser’s signature page to this Agreement, and (ii) on each Subsequent Closing Date, if any, the Company agrees to sell to each Purchaser participating in such Subsequent Closing and each such Purchaser agrees to purchase from the Company, a 20% original issue discount senior secured convertible debenture issued by the Company in amount equal to such portion of the Subsequent Closing Principal Amount as is set forth on such Purchaser’s signature page to this Agreement (each such 20% original issue discount senior secured convertible debenture, as may be amended, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, a “Debenture”, and collectively, the “Debentures”). Each Debenture shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto with the blanks appropriately filled and all outstanding principal on each Debenture shall mature on the date that is twelve (12) months from the First Closing Date.
(b) Reserved.
(c) Commitment Shares. As additional consideration for each Purchaser’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, promptly following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company shall cause each Purchaser participating in the first Closing or its designee to receive those Commitment Shares set forth on its respective signature page hereto. For the avoidance of doubt, all of the Commitment Shares issuable pursuant to this Section 2.1(c) shall be fully earned as of the date hereof regardless of whether or not any Closing shall have occurred.
(d) Closings. Initially, there will be one (1) Closing. So long as the Company and the Requisite Holders agree, there may be additional Subsequent Closings in such amounts as the Company and Requisite Holders approve.
(i) Subject to Section 6.1, the Purchasers participating in the First Closing and the Company shall consummate the First Closing on the Trading Day on which all conditions to each such Purchaser’s obligation set forth in Section 3.1(a) and the Company’s obligation set forth in Section 3.1(b), in each case, have been satisfied or waived, unless the Parties mutually agree in writing to consummate the First Closing on a different date (the “First Closing Date”).
(ii) Subject to Section 6.1 and provided that all conditions precedent to the obligations of such Purchaser set forth in Section 3.2(a) and the Company’s obligation set forth in Section 3.2(b), in each case, have been satisfied or waived on or prior to, if any, a Subsequent Closing Date (as defined below), the Purchasers participating in a Subsequent Closing and the Company shall consummate such Subsequent Closing on such Trading as the Company and such Purchasers have mutually agreed; provided that the Company and Requisite Holders have mutually agreed in writing to permit such Subsequent Closing, which for the avoidance of doubt no Party is obligated to do (each, a “Subsequent Closing Date”).
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2.2 First Closing Deliveries.
(a) Company First Closing Deliveries. On or prior to the First Closing Date, or promptly thereafter if mutually agreed to by the parties, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each Purchaser participating in the First Closing the following, in form and substance satisfactory to such Purchaser:
(i) this Agreement duly executed by the Company;
(ii) a Debenture in an original principal amount equal to such Purchaser’s portion of the First Closing Principal Amount as set forth on such Purchaser’s signature page hereto, duly executed by the Company, registered in the name of such Purchaser;
(iii) evidence of the issuance to such Purchaser of its pro rata portion of Commitment Shares;
(iv) the duly executed Guarantee;
(v) the Registration Rights Agreement relating to such Closing duly executed by the Company;
(vi) the Security Documents duly executed by the Company and each Subsidiary;
(vii) a perfection certificate, duly executed by the Company and each Subsidiary (the “Perfection Certificate”);
(viii) certificates of appropriate officials as to the existence and good standing (or similar documents applicable for such jurisdictions) of the Company and each Subsidiary, dated as of a date reasonably close to the First Closing Date;
(ix) a certificate, dated as of such First Closing Date, duly executed, and delivered by an officer of the Company and each Subsidiary, certifying the resolutions of the Company’s and each Subsidiary’s Board of Directors, manager or others performing similar functions with respect to the Company and each Subsidiary, then in full force and effect authorizing, all aspects of the transactions contemplated hereby and the execution, delivery and performance by the Company and each Subsidiary of each Transaction Document to be executed to which the Company and each Subsidiary is a party, as applicable, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;
(x) an opinion of Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP, legal counsel to the Company, regarding the due authorization, good standing and corporate authority of the Company to enter into, and the enforceability of, this Agreement, the Debentures, and any other Transaction Documents to be executed by the Company hereunder on or prior to the First Closing Date;
(xi) duly executed subordination agreements in respect of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary outstanding after the Business Combination fully subordinating such Indebtedness to the obligations under the Debentures and the other Transaction Documents and extending the maturity dates of such Indebtedness beyond the maturity date of the Debentures issued in such Closing;
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(xii) each of parties listed on Schedule 1 hereto (the “Lock-Up Parties Schedule”), shall have delivered a duly executed Lock-Up Agreement with respect to the shares of Common Stock identified next to their name on the Lock-Up Parties Schedule;
(xiii) a duly executed Use of Proceeds Certificate relating to such Closing;
(xiv) a written consent executed by shareholders of the Company holding in the aggregate no fewer than 50.1% of the outstanding authorized shares of Common Stock providing for the Shareholder Approval (the “Written Consent of Shareholder Approval”);
(xv) copies of the Company’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ Organizational Documents as in effect on the First Closing Date;
(xvi) all information regarding any Action against the Company, its Subsidiaries and any of its Affiliates thereof, including but not limited to any settlements, inquiries or subpoenas in the past three (3) years; and
(xvii) all information requested by such Purchaser as part of its know-your-customer requirements.
(b) Purchaser First Closing Deliveries. On or prior to the First Closing Date, each Purchaser participating in the First Closing shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company the following:
(i) this Agreement duly executed by such Purchaser;
(ii) the Registration Rights Agreement relating to such Closing duly executed by such Purchaser;
(iii) the Security Documents, duly executed by such Purchaser, as applicable; and
(iv) such Purchaser’s First Closing Subscription Amount minus applicable legal fees and expenses of such Purchaser to be reimbursed to such Purchaser pursuant to Section 6.2.
2.3 Subsequent Closing Deliveries.
(a) Company Subsequent Closing Deliveries. Provided that the Company and the Requisite Holders have mutually agreed to proceed with a Subsequent Closing, on or prior to the applicable Subsequent Closing Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each Purchaser participating in such Subsequent Closing the following, in form and substance satisfactory to such Purchaser:
(i) a Debenture in an original principal amount equal to such Purchaser’s portion of the applicable Subsequent Principal Amount, as duly executed by the Company, registered in the name of such Purchaser;
(ii) the Registration Rights Agreement relating to such Closing duly executed by the Company;
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(iii) certificates of appropriate officials as to the existence and good standing (or similar documents applicable for such jurisdictions) of the Company and the Subsidiaries, dated as of a date reasonably close to such Subsequent Closing Date;
(iv) a certificate, dated as of such Subsequent Closing Date, duly executed, and delivered by an officer of the Company and each Subsidiary certifying the resolutions of the Company’s and each Subsidiary’s Board of Directors, manager or others performing similar functions with respect to the Company and each Subsidiary, then in full force and effect authorizing, all aspects of the transactions contemplated hereby and the execution, delivery and performance by the Company and each Subsidiary of each Transaction Document to be delivered to which the Company and each Subsidiary is a party, as applicable, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;
(v) a duly executed Use of Proceeds Certificate relating to such Closing;
(vi) an opinion of legal counsel to the Company, regarding the due authorization, good standing and corporate authority of the Company to enter into, and the enforceability of, this Agreement, the Debentures that are to close on the Subsequent Closing Date, and any other Transaction Documents to be executed by the Company hereunder on or prior to the Subsequent Closing Date; and
(vii) all information regarding any Action against the Company, its Subsidiaries and any of its Affiliates thereof, including but not limited to any settlements, inquiries or subpoenas, since the prior Closing Date; and
(viii) such other approvals, opinions of counsel to the Company, or documents as such Purchaser may reasonably request.
(b) Purchaser Subsequent Closing Deliveries. Such Purchaser’s Subsequent Closing Subscription Amount minus applicable legal fees and expenses of such Purchaser to be reimbursed to such Purchaser pursuant to Section 6.2.
ARTICLE III.
CLOSING CONDITIONS
3.1 Conditions Precedent to First Closing.
(a) Conditions to each Purchaser’s Obligation. The obligation of each Purchaser participating in the First Closing to consummate the First Closing is subject to the satisfaction on or before the First Closing Date of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived in writing by such Purchaser in its sole discretion:
(i) each of the representations and warranties of the Company, contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, to the extent any representation or warranty is qualified by materiality, a Material Adverse Effect in each case, both when made and on the First Closing Date with the same force and effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such First Closing Date (except where such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date);
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(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company required to be performed hereunder at or prior to the First Closing Date shall have been performed;
(iii) the Company shall have delivered or caused to be delivered each of the items set forth in Section 2.2(a);
(iv) there shall have been no Material Adverse Effect since the date hereof;
(v) such Purchaser shall have received a certificate of an officer of the Company, dated as of the First Closing Date, certifying, as to the fulfillment of the conditions set forth in subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above;
(vi) such Purchaser shall have received confirmation satisfactory to it that all approvals of Governmental Authorities and other approvals for the transactions contemplated herein have been obtained, and all waiting periods, if applicable, have expired;
(vii) at any time following the execution of this Agreement, none of the Company nor any of Subsidiaries shall have issued, or agreed to issue, any equity, equity linked or debt financing other than an Exempt Issuance or as specifically referenced herein without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders;
(viii) the Company shall, throughout the term of the Debentures, file all reports required by the Exchange Act in a timely manner and maintain the listing of its shares of Common Stock on Nasdaq;
(ix) other than Permitted Indebtedness, neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall have any Indebtedness;
(x) other than Permitted Liens, there shall be no Lien encumbering any property or assets of the Company or any Guarantor; and
(xi) such Purchaser shall complete and be satisfied with its review of all due diligence; and such Purchaser’s investment committee shall have approved the terms of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents.
(b) Conditions to the Company’s Obligation. The obligation of the Company to consummate the First Closing is subject to the satisfaction on or before the First Closing Date of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived in writing by the Company in its sole discretion:
(i) each of the representations and warranties of the Purchasers participating in the First Closing contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, to the extent any representation or warranty is qualified by materiality or any similar qualifier, in all respects) when made and on the First Closing Date with the same force and effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such First Closing Date (except where such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date);
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(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Purchasers hereunder required to be performed at or prior to the First Closing Date shall have been performed; and
(iii) each Purchaser participating in the First Closing shall have delivered or caused to be delivered each of the items set forth in Section 2.2(b).
3.2 Conditions Precedent to a Subsequent Closing.
(a) Conditions to a Purchaser’s Obligation. The obligation of a Purchaser to consummate a Subsequent Closing is subject to the satisfaction on or before the applicable Subsequent Closing Date of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived in writing by such Purchaser in its sole discretion:
(i) the Company and the Requisite Holders shall have mutually agreed to proceed with such Subsequent Closing in their respective sole discretion;
(ii) each of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, to the extent any representation or warranty is qualified by materiality, a Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) in each case, both when made and on applicable Subsequent Closing Date with the same force and effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such Subsequent Closing Date (except where such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date);
(iii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company required to be performed hereunder, under any Debenture, or under any other Transaction Document shall have been performed as required in accordance with their respective terms;
(iv) the Company shall have delivered or caused to be delivered each of the items set forth in Section 2.5(a);
(v) there shall have been no Material Adverse Effect since the date hereof;
(vi) no Event of Default (as such term is defined in the Debentures) shall have occurred or be continuing;
(vii) such Purchaser shall have received a certificate of an officer of the Company, dated as of the Subsequent Closing Date, certifying, as to the fulfillment of the conditions set forth in subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v) above; and
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(viii) from the date hereof to the Subsequent Closing Date, trading in the shares of Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission or the Company’s principal Trading Market and, at any time prior to the Third Closing Date, trading in securities generally as reported by Bloomberg L.P. shall not have been suspended or limited, or minimum prices shall not have been established on securities whose trades are reported by such service, or on any Trading Market, nor shall a banking moratorium have been declared either by the United States or New York State authorities nor shall there have occurred any material outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or international calamity of such magnitude in its effect on, or any material adverse change in, any financial market which, in each case, in the reasonable judgment of such Purchaser, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to purchase the Securities on such Subsequent Closing Date.
(b) Conditions to the Company’s Obligation. The obligation of the Company to consummate a Subsequent Closing is subject to the satisfaction on or before the applicable Closing Date of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived in writing by the Company in its sole discretion:
(i) each of the representations and warranties of the Purchasers participating in such Subsequent Closing contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, to the extent any representation or warranty is qualified by materiality or any similar qualifier, in all respects) when made and on the applicable Subsequent Closing Date with the same force and effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such Subsequent Closing Date (except where such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date);
(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Purchasers hereunder required to be performed at or prior to such Subsequent Closing Date shall have been performed; and
(iii) each Purchaser participating in such Subsequent Closing shall have delivered or caused to be delivered each of the items set forth in Section 2.5(b).
ARTICLE IV.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
4.1 Representations and Warranties of the Company. To induce each Purchaser to purchase the Securities, the Company hereby represents and warrants to each Purchaser and agrees with each Purchaser, as of the date hereof and as of the applicable Closing Date, as follows:
(a) Subsidiaries. All of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company as of the date of the Business Combination are set forth on Schedule 4.1(a). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(a), the Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the capital shares or other equity interests of each Subsidiary free and clear of any Liens, and all of the issued and outstanding capital shares of each Subsidiary are validly issued and are fully paid, non- assessable and free of preemptive and similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities.
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(b) Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation nor default of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not have or reasonably be expected to result in: (i) a material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of any Transaction Document, (ii) a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, business, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) a material adverse effect on the Company’s or Subsidiaries’ ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under any Transaction Document (any of (i), (ii) or (iii), a “Material Adverse Effect”) and no Proceeding has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification.
(c) Authorization; Enforcement. The Company and each Subsidiary has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which the Company and/or such Subsidiary is a party, as applicable, and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents by the Company and each Subsidiary party thereto, as applicable, and the consummation by the Company and/or each such Subsidiary of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, as applicable, have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and/or each such Subsidiary, as applicable, and no further action is required by the Company, the Company’s Board of Directors or the Company’s shareholders or any Subsidiary, any Subsidiary’s board of managers or others performing similar functions with respect to such Subsidiary, or any Subsidiary’s shareholders, herewith or therewith, other than in connection with the Required Approvals. This Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which the Company and/or any Subsidiary is a party has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly executed by the Company and any Subsidiary party thereto, as applicable, and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company and each such Subsidiary, enforceable against the Company and each such Subsidiary in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law (the “Remedies Exceptions”).
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(d) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company and each Subsidiary of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which the Company and/or any such Subsidiary is a party, as applicable, the issuance and sale of the Securities and the consummation by the Company and each such Subsidiary of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, as applicable, do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s Organizational Documents, or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, anti-dilution or similar adjustments, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing a Company or Subsidiary debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the Required Approvals, conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any court or Governmental Authority to which the Company or a Subsidiary is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a Subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Filings, Consents and Approvals. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local or other Governmental Authority or other Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company and/or any such Subsidiary of the Transaction Documents, other than: (i) the filings required pursuant to Section 5.6, (ii) the notice and/or application(s) to each applicable Trading Market for the issuance and sale of the Securities of the Underlying Shares and Commitment Shares for trading thereon in the time and manner required thereby, (iii) the filing of Form D with the Commission and such filings as are required to be made under applicable state securities laws, (iv) such filings as are required to perfect the security interest in the collateral granted to the Purchasers pursuant to the Security Documents and (v) Shareholder Approval (collectively, the “Required Approvals”).
(f) Issuance of the Securities. The Securities are duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the applicable Transaction Documents, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company other than restrictions on transfer provided for in the Transaction Documents. The Underlying Shares and Commitment Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company other than restrictions on transfer provided for in the Transaction Documents. On the date of this Agreement, the Company has reserved from its duly authorized capital shares a number of shares of Common Stock for issuance of the Underlying Shares and Commitment Shares equal to or greater than the Required Minimum.
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(g) Capitalization. The capitalization of the Company as of the date of the Business Combination is as set forth on Schedule 4.1(g), which Schedule 4.1(g) includes (i) the number and type of all securities of the Company issued and outstanding, including without limitation the number of shares of Common Stock and other classes of capital shares of the Company issued and outstanding, the number and type of all securities of the Company convertible or exercisable into, or exchangeable or redeemable for, Common Stock, and for any such securities, the number of shares of Common Stock into which such securities are currently convertible, exercisable, exchangeable or redeemable, as applicable and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock owned beneficially, and of record, by Affiliates of the Company. No Person has any right of first refusal, preemptive right, right of participation, or any similar right to participate in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, except as disclosed on Schedule 4.1(g)(i), and to the extent any Person is listed in Schedule 4.1(g)(i), such Schedule 4.1(g)(i) includes a description of the security or other instrument or agreement pursuant to which such person holds such a right. Except as a result of the purchase and sale of the Securities and as disclosed in Schedule 4.1(g) (ii), there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities, rights or obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to subscribe for or acquire, any shares of Common Stock or the share capital of any Subsidiary, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to issue additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or share capital of any Subsidiary (collectively “Convertible Securities”), which Schedule 4.1(g)(ii) includes for any such Convertible Securities, the number and type of such Convertible Securities issued and outstanding, and the number of shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents into or for which such Convertible Securities are currently convertible, exercisable or exchangeable, as applicable, the conversion price or exercise price of such Convertible Securities, as applicable, the maturity or exercise period of such Convertible Securities, as applicable, and the current holder of such Convertible Securities. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(g)(iii), the issuance and sale of the Securities will not obligate the Company or any Subsidiary to issue shares of Common Stock or other securities to any Person (other than the Purchasers). Except as a result of the purchase and sale of the Securities and as disclosed in Schedule 4.1(g)(iv), there are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary with any provision that adjusts the exercise, conversion, exchange or reset price of such security or instrument upon an issuance of securities by the Company or any Subsidiary. Except as a result of the purchase and sale of the Securities and as disclosed in Schedule 4.1(g)(v), there are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary that contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings, or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Company or such Subsidiary. The Company does not have any share appreciation rights or “phantom share” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement. All of the outstanding capital shares of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws, and none of such outstanding shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights or similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. No further approval or authorization of any shareholder, the Board of Directors or others is required for the issuance and sale of the Securities. There are no shareholders’ agreements, voting agreements or other similar agreements with respect to the Company’s capital shares to which the Company is a party or, to the knowledge of the Company, between or among any of the Company’s shareholders.
(h) SEC Reports. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(h), the Company has filed all SEC Reports for the two years preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) on a timely basis. The Company’s SEC Reports complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and none of the Company’s SEC Reports, when filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The financial statements of the Company included in the Company’s SEC Reports comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, except as may be otherwise specified in such financial statements or the notes thereto and except that unaudited financial statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP, and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, immaterial, year-end audit adjustments.
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(i) Material Changes; Undisclosed Events, Liabilities or Developments. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.1(i), since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the Company’s SEC Reports, (i) there has been no event, occurrence or development that has had or that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the Company has not incurred any liabilities (contingent or otherwise) other than (A) trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (B) liabilities not required to be reflected in the Company’s financial statements pursuant to GAAP or disclosed in filings made with the Commission, (iii) the Company has not altered its method of accounting, (iv) the Company has not declared or made any dividend or distribution of cash or other property to its shareholders or purchased, redeemed or made any agreements to purchase or redeem any capital shares, and (v) the Company has not issued any equity securities to any officer, director or Affiliate, except pursuant to existing Company share option plans. The Company does not have pending before the Commission any request for confidential treatment of information. Except for the issuance of the Securities contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth in Schedule 4.1(i), no event, liability, fact, circumstance, occurrence or development has occurred or exists or is reasonably expected to occur or exist with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, prospects, properties, operations, assets or financial condition, that would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws at the time this representation is made or deemed made that has not been publicly disclosed at least one (1) Trading Day prior to the date that this representation is made.
(j) Litigation. There is no action, suit, inquiry, notice of violation, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties before or by any court, arbitrator, governmental or administrative agency or regulatory authority (federal, state, county, local or foreign) (collectively, an “Action”) which (i) adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the Securities or (ii) could, if there were an unfavorable decision, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any director or officer thereof, is or has been the subject of any such Action involving a claim of violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty. There has not been, and to the knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the Commission involving the Company or any current or former director or officer of the Company. The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company or any Subsidiary under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act.
(k) Labor Relations. No labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees is a member of a union that relates to such employee’s relationship with the Company or such Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company and its Subsidiaries believe that their relationships with their employees are good. To the knowledge of the Company, no executive officer of the Company or any Subsidiary, is, or is now expected to be, in violation of any material term of any employment contract, confidentiality, disclosure or proprietary information agreement or non-competition agreement, or any other contract or agreement or any restrictive covenant in favor of any third party, and the continued employment of each such executive officer does not subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any liability with respect to any of the foregoing matters. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where the failure to be in compliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(l) Compliance. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary: (i) is in default under or in violation of (and no event has occurred that has not been waived that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would result in a default by the Company or any Subsidiary under), nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received notice of a claim that it is in default under or that it is in violation of, any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound (whether or not such default or violation has been waived), (ii) is in violation of any judgment, decree or order of any court, arbitrator or other Governmental Authority or (iii) is or has been in violation of any statute, rule, ordinance or regulation of any Governmental Authority, including without limitation all foreign, federal, state and local laws relating to taxes, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, product quality and safety and employment and labor matters, except in each case as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(m) Environmental Laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) have received all permits licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval where in each clause (i), (ii) and (iii), the failure to so comply could be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(n) Regulatory Permits. The Company and the Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses as described in the Company’s SEC Reports, except where the failure to possess such permits could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (“Material Permits”), and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Material Permit.
(o) Title to Assets. The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by them and good and marketable title in all personal property owned by them that is material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except for (i) Liens as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and the Subsidiaries; and (ii) Liens for the payment of federal, state, foreign or other taxes, for which appropriate reserves have been made therefor in accordance with GAAP and, the payment of which is neither delinquent nor subject to penalties. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and the Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with which the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance.
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(p) Intellectual Property. The Company and the Subsidiaries have, or have rights to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions, copyrights, licenses and other intellectual property rights and similar rights necessary or required for use in connection with their respective businesses as described in the Company’s SEC Reports and which the failure to so have could have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”). None of, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a notice (written or otherwise) that any of, the Intellectual Property Rights has expired, terminated or been abandoned, or is expected to expire or terminate or be abandoned, within two (2) years from the date of this Agreement. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the Company’s SEC Reports, a written notice of a claim or otherwise has any knowledge that the Intellectual Property Rights violate or infringe upon the rights of any Person, except as could not have or reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, all such Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality, and value of all of their intellectual properties, except where failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(q) Insurance. The Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries are engaged, including, but not limited to, directors and officers insurance coverage at least equal to the Aggregate Subscription Amount.
(r) Transactions with Affiliates and Employees. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(r), none of the officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from providing for the borrowing of money from or lending of money to, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee, shareholder, member or partner, other than for (i) payment of salary or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and (iii) other employee benefits, including share option agreements under any share option plan of the Company.
(s) Sarbanes-Oxley; Internal Accounting Controls. Except as disclosed in the Company’s SEC Reports, the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with any and all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder that are effective as of the applicable Closing Date. Except as disclosed in the Company’s SEC Reports, the Company and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company and the Subsidiaries have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and the Subsidiaries and designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the end of the period covered by the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act (such date, the “Evaluation Date”). The Company presented in its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the Evaluation Date. Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no changes in the internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
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(t) Certain Fees. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(t), no brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company or any Subsidiaries to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. No Purchaser shall have any obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees of a type contemplated in this Section 4.1(t) that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
(u) Private Placement. Assuming the accuracy of each Purchaser’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.2, no registration under the Securities Act is required for the offer and sale of the Securities by the Company to each Purchaser as contemplated hereby. The issuance and sale of the Securities hereunder does not contravene the rules and regulations of the Trading Market.
(v) Investment Company. The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Securities, will not be or be an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company shall conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become an “investment company” subject to registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(w) Registration Rights. Other than the Purchasers pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, and as set forth on Schedule 4.1(w), no Person has any right to cause the Company or any Subsidiary to effect the registration under the Securities Act of any securities of the Company or any Subsidiaries.
(x) Listing and Maintenance Requirements. The Common Stock is expected to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its knowledge is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration. The Company has not received notice from any Trading Market on which the Common Stock is or has been listed or quoted to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of such Trading Market. The Company is and has no reason to believe that it will not in the foreseeable future continue to be, in compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements. The Common Stock is expected to be eligible for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company, or another established clearing corporation, and the Company will remain current in payment of the fees to the Depository Trust Company (or such other established clearing corporation) in connection with such electronic transfer.
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(y) Application of Takeover Protections. The Company and the Company’s Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Company’s Organizational Documents or the laws of its country of incorporation that is or could become applicable to a Purchaser as a result of such Purchaser and the Company fulfilling their obligations or exercising their rights under the Transaction Documents, including without limitation as a result of the Company’s issuance of the Securities and such Purchaser’s ownership of a Security.
(z) Disclosure. Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, the Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided each Purchaser or their agents or counsel with any information that it believes constitutes or might constitute material, non-public information. The Company understands and confirms that each Purchaser will rely on the foregoing representation in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. All of the disclosure furnished by or on behalf of the Company to a Purchaser regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries, their respective businesses and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Transaction Documents and disclosure schedules to this Agreement, is true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The press releases disseminated by the Company during the twelve months preceding the date of this Agreement taken as a whole do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made and when made, not misleading. The Company acknowledges and agrees that no Purchaser is making make or has made any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in Section 4.2 hereof.
(aa) No Integrated Offering. Assuming the accuracy of each Purchaser’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.2, neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause this offering of the Securities to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of (i) the Securities Act which would require the registration of any such securities under the Securities Act, or (ii) subject to receipt of Shareholder Approval, any applicable shareholder approval provisions of any Trading Market on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated.
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(bb) Solvency; Indebtedness. Based on the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of the applicable Closing Date, after giving effect to the receipt by the Company of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder, the Company will have sufficient cash to operate its business as currently operated for a period of 12 months from the applicable Closing Date. The Company has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances which lead it to believe that it will file for reorganization or liquidation under the bankruptcy or reorganization laws of any jurisdiction within one year from the applicable Closing Date. Schedule 4.1(bb) sets forth as of the date hereof all outstanding secured and unsecured Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary, or for which the Company or any Subsidiary has commitments. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Indebtedness” means (x) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $50,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (y) all guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in respect of indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business and (z) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $50,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.
(cc) Tax Status. Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries each (i) has made or filed all United States federal, state and local income and all foreign income and franchise tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company or of any Subsidiary know of no basis for any such claim.
(dd) No General Solicitation. Neither the Company nor any Person acting on behalf of the Company has offered or sold any of the Securities by any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D of the Securities Act). The Company has offered the Securities for sale only to the Purchasers and certain other “accredited investors” within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act.
(ee) Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, any agent or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, has (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company or any Subsidiary (or made by any person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) which is in violation of law or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of FCPA.
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(ff) Acknowledgment Regarding each Purchaser’s Purchase of Securities. The Company acknowledges and agrees that each Purchaser is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby. The Company further acknowledges that no Purchaser is acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby and any advice given by a Purchaser or any of its respective representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby is merely incidental to such Purchaser’s purchase of the Securities. The Company further represents to each Purchaser that the Company’s decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents has been based solely on the independent evaluation of the transactions contemplated hereby by the Company and its representatives.
(gg) Acknowledgment Regarding each Purchaser’s Trading Activity. Anything in this Agreement or elsewhere herein to the contrary notwithstanding (except for Section 5.13 hereof), it is understood and acknowledged by the Company that: (i) no Purchaser has been asked by the Company to agree, nor has a Purchaser agreed, to desist from purchasing or selling, long and/or short, securities of the Company, or “derivative” securities based on securities issued by the Company or to hold the Securities for any specified term, (ii) past or future open market or other transactions by a Purchaser, specifically including, without limitation, Short Sales or “derivative” transactions, before or after the closing of this or future private placement transactions, may negatively impact the market price of the Company’s publicly-traded securities, (iii) a Purchaser, and counter-parties in “derivative” transactions to which a Purchaser is a party, directly or indirectly, may presently have a “short” position in the Common Stock and (iv) a Purchaser shall not be deemed to have any affiliation with or control over any arm’s length counter-party in any “derivative” transaction. The Company further understands and acknowledges that (y) a Purchaser may engage in hedging activities at various times during the period that the Securities are outstanding, including, without limitation, during the periods that the value of the Underlying Shares and Commitment Shares deliverable with respect to Securities are being determined, and (z) such hedging activities (if any) could reduce the value of the existing shareholders’ equity interests in the Company at and after the time that the hedging activities are being conducted. The Company acknowledges that such hedging activities do not constitute a breach of any of the Transaction Documents.
(hh) Regulation M Compliance. The Company has not, and to its knowledge no one acting on its behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company.
(ii) Share Option Plans. Each share option granted by the Company under the Company’s share option plan then in effect was granted (i) in accordance with the terms of the Company’s share option plan and (ii) with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of such shares of Common Stock on the date such share option would be considered granted under GAAP and applicable law. No share option granted under the Company’s share option plan has been backdated. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no Company policy or practice to knowingly grant, share options prior to, or otherwise knowingly coordinate the grant of share options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or their financial results or prospects.
(jj) Office of Foreign Assets Control. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”).
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(kk) Bank Holding Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”) and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities or twenty-five percent or more of the total equity of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve.
(ll) Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, applicable money laundering statutes and applicable rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no Action or Proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, threatened.
(mm) No Disqualification Events. With respect to the Securities to be offered and sold hereunder in reliance on Rule 506(b) under the Securities Act, none of the Company, any of its predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any director, executive officer, other officer of the Company participating in the offering hereunder, any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting equity securities, calculated on the basis of voting power, nor any promoter (as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) connected with the Company in any capacity at the time of sale (each, an “Issuer Covered Person” and, together, “Issuer Covered Persons”) is subject to any of the “Bad Actor” disqualifications described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i) to (viii) under the Securities Act (a “Disqualification Event”), except for a Disqualification Event covered by Rule 506(d)(2) or (d)(3). The Company has exercised reasonable care to determine whether any Issuer Covered Person is subject to a Disqualification Event. The Company has complied, to the extent applicable, with its disclosure obligations under Rule 506(e), and has furnished to each Purchaser a copy of any disclosures provided thereunder.
(nn) Other Covered Persons. The Company is not aware of any person (other than any Issuer Covered Person) that has been or will be paid (directly or indirectly) remuneration for solicitation of purchasers in connection with the sale of any Securities.
(oo) Notice of Disqualification Events. The Company will notify each Purchaser in writing, prior to the applicable Closing Date of (i) any Disqualification Event relating to any Issuer Covered Person and (ii) any event that would, with the passage of time, become a Disqualification Event relating to any Issuer Covered Person.
(pp) No Side Letters. Neither the Company nor any Affiliates of the Company have entered into any side letter or similar agreement with any Person in connection with the issuance or transfer of securities to such Person in connection with a direct or indirect investment in the Company, including but not limited to the transfer or assignment of “founder shares” to such Person.
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4.2 Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers. To induce the Company to issue the Securities, each Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company and acknowledges and agrees with the Company, as of the date hereof and as of the applicable Closing Date (unless as of a specific date therein, in which case they shall be accurate as of such date), as follows:
(a) Organization; Authority. Such Purchaser is an entity duly incorporated or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation with full right, corporate, partnership, limited liability company or similar power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and performance by such Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership, limited liability company or similar action, as applicable, on the part of such Purchaser. Each Transaction Document to which it is a party has been duly executed by such Purchaser, and when delivered by such Purchaser in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of such Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.
(b) Own Account. Such Purchaser understands that the Securities are “restricted securities” and have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and is acquiring the Securities as principal for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Securities or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, has no present intention of distributing any of such Securities in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and has no direct or indirect arrangement or understandings with any other persons to distribute or regarding the distribution of such Securities in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law (this representation and warranty not limiting such Purchaser’s right to sell the Securities pursuant to an effective Registration Statement covering the resale of such Securities or otherwise in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws). Such Purchaser is acquiring the Securities hereunder in the ordinary course of its business.
(c) Purchaser Status. At the time such Purchaser was offered the Securities, it was, and as of the date hereof it is, and on each date on which Commitment Shares are issuable to it hereunder, or it converts any Debentures it will be an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1) under the Securities Act.
(d) Experience of such Purchaser. Such Purchaser, either alone or together with its representatives, has such knowledge, sophistication, and experience in business and financial matters to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Securities, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment. Such Purchaser can bear the economic risk of an investment in the Securities and, at the present time, is able to afford a complete loss of such investment.
(e) General Solicitation. Such Purchaser is not, to such Purchaser’s knowledge, purchasing the Securities because of any advertisement, article, notice or other communication regarding the Securities published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television or radio or presented at any seminar or, to the knowledge of such Purchaser, any other general solicitation or general advertisement.
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(f) Access to Information. Such Purchaser acknowledges that it has had the opportunity to review the Transaction Documents (including all exhibits and schedules thereto) and the Company’s SEC Reports and has been afforded (i) the opportunity to ask such questions as it has deemed necessary of, and to receive answers from, representatives of the Company concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the Securities and the merits and risks of investing in the Securities, (ii) access to information about the Company and its financial condition, results of operations, business, properties, management and prospects sufficient to enable it to evaluate its investment and (iii) the opportunity to obtain such additional information that of the Company possess or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to the investment.
(g) Certain Transactions and Confidentiality. Other than consummating the transactions contemplated hereunder, such Purchaser has not, nor has any Person acting on behalf of or pursuant to any understanding with such Purchaser, directly or indirectly executed any purchases or sales, including Short Sales, of the securities of the Company during the period commencing as of the time that such Purchaser first received a term sheet (written or oral) from the Company or any other Person representing the Company setting forth the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereunder and ending immediately prior to the execution hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the representation set forth above shall only apply with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Securities covered by this Agreement. Other than to other Persons party to this Agreement or to such Purchaser’s representatives, including, without limitation, its officers, directors, partners, legal and other advisors, employees, agents and Affiliates, such Purchaser has maintained the confidentiality of all disclosures made to it in connection with this transaction (including the existence and terms of this transaction). Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall constitute a representation or warranty against, or a prohibition of, any actions with respect to the borrowing of, arrangement to borrow, identification of the availability of, and/or securing of, securities of the Company for such Purchaser (or its broker or other financial representative) to effect Short Sales or similar transactions in the future.
The Company acknowledges and agrees that the representations contained in this Section 4.2 shall not modify, amend or affect such Purchaser’s right to rely on the Company’s, representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, as applicable, or any representations and warranties contained in any other Transaction Document, or any other document or instrument executed and/or delivered in connection with this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall constitute a representation or warranty, or preclude any actions, with respect to locating or borrowing shares to effect Short Sales or similar transactions in the future.
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ARTICLE V.
OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
5.1 Transfer Restrictions.
(a) The Securities may only be disposed of in compliance with state and federal securities laws. In connection with any transfer of Securities other than pursuant to an effective registration statement or Rule 144, to the Company or to an Affiliate of a Purchaser or in connection with a pledge as contemplated in Section 5.1(b), the Company may require the transferor thereof to provide to the Company an opinion of counsel selected by the transferor and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the form and substance of which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such transfer does not require registration of such transferred Securities under the Securities Act. As a condition of transfer, any such transferee shall agree in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and shall have the rights and obligations of the applicable Purchaser under this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
(b) Each Purchaser agrees to the imprinting, so long as is required by this Section 5.1, of a legend on any of the Securities in the following form:
[NEITHER] THIS SECURITY [NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS [CONVERTIBLE]] HAS [NOT] BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS SECURITY [AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY] MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED BROKER- DEALER OR OTHER LOAN WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
The Company acknowledges and agrees that a Purchaser may from time to time pledge pursuant to a bona fide margin agreement with a registered broker-dealer or grant a security interest in some or all of the Securities to a financial institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act and, if required under the terms of such arrangement, such Purchaser may transfer pledged or secured Securities to the pledgees or secured parties. Such a pledge or transfer would not be subject to approval of the Company and no opinion of legal counsel of the pledgee, secured party or pledgor shall be required in connection therewith. Further, no notice shall be required of such pledge. At the appropriate time and at the applicable Purchaser’s expense, the Company will execute and deliver such reasonable documentation as a pledgee or secured party of Securities may reasonably request in connection with a pledge or transfer of the Securities, including, if the Securities have been registered for resale pursuant to a Registration Statement, the preparation and filing of any required prospectus supplement under Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act or other applicable provision of the Securities Act to appropriately amend the list of selling shareholders thereunder.
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(c) Certificates evidencing the Underlying Shares and Commitment Shares shall not contain any legend (including the legend set forth in Section 5.1(b) hereof): (i) while a registration statement (including any Registration Statement) covering the resale of such security is effective under the Securities Act, (ii) following any sale of such Underlying Shares and Commitment Shares pursuant to Rule 144, or (iii) if such legend is not required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the Commission). The Company shall, at its expense, cause its counsel, or at the option of a Purchaser, counsel determined by such Purchaser, to issue a legal opinion to the Transfer Agent or such Purchaser promptly if required by the Transfer Agent to effect the removal of the legend hereunder, or if requested by such Purchaser, respectively subject to compliance with the holding period requirements of Rule 144 (for the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall pay all costs associated with such opinions). If all or any portion of a Debenture is converted at a time when there is an effective registration statement to cover the resale of the Underlying Shares or Commitment Shares, or if such Underlying Shares or Commitment Shares may be sold under Rule 144 or if such legend is not otherwise required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the Commission) then such Underlying Shares shall be issued free of all legends. The Company agrees that at such time as such legend is no longer required under this Section 5.1(c), it will, no later than the earlier of (A) two (2) Trading Days and (B) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined below) following the delivery by such Purchaser to the Company or the Transfer Agent of a certificate representing Underlying Shares and Commitment Shares, as applicable, issued with a restrictive legend (such date, the “Legend Removal Date”), deliver or cause to be delivered to such Purchaser a certificate representing such shares that is free from all restrictive and other legends. The Company may not make any notation on its records or give instructions to the Transfer Agent that enlarge the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Article V. Certificates for Underlying Shares and Commitment Shares subject to legend removal hereunder shall be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to such Purchaser by crediting the account of such Purchaser’s prime broker with the Depository Trust Company System as directed by such Purchaser. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of a certificate representing Underlying Shares and Commitment Shares, as applicable, issued with a restrictive legend. In addition to such Purchaser’s other available remedies, the Company shall pay to such Purchaser, in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, 2% of the total of the value of the Underlying Shares for which the removal of the legend is sought (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date such Securities are submitted to the Transfer Agent) for each full month that said opinion is not delivered after the Legend Removal Date until such certificate is delivered without a legend.
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(d) In addition to a Purchaser’s other available remedies, the Company shall pay to each Purchaser, in cash, (i) as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Underlying Shares and Commitment Shares (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date such Securities are submitted to the Transfer Agent) delivered for removal of the restrictive legend and subject to Section 5.1(c), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day five (5) Trading Days after such damages have begun to accrue) for each Trading Day after the Legend Removal Date until such certificate is delivered without a legend and (ii) if the Company fails to (a) issue and deliver (or cause to be delivered) to a Purchaser by the Legend Removal Date a certificate representing the Securities so delivered to the Company by such Purchaser that is free from all restrictive and other legends and (b) if after the Legend Removal Date such Purchaser purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Purchaser of all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock, or a sale of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock that such Purchaser anticipated receiving from the Company without any restrictive legend, then, an amount equal to the excess of such Purchaser’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) (the “Buy-In Price”) over the product of (A) such number of Underlying Shares and Commitment Shares that the Company was required to deliver to such Purchaser by the Legend Removal Date multiplied by (B) the average of the closing sale prices of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the delivery by such Purchaser to the Company of the applicable Underlying Shares and Commitment Shares (as the case may be) and ending on the date of such delivery and payment under this clause (ii).
(e) Each Purchaser agrees with the Company that such Purchaser will sell any Securities pursuant to either the registration requirements of the Securities Act, including any applicable prospectus delivery requirements, or an exemption therefrom, and that if Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement, they will be sold in compliance with the plan of distribution set forth therein, and acknowledges that the removal of the restrictive legend from certificates representing Securities as set forth in this Section 5.1 is predicated upon the Company’s reliance upon this understanding.
5.2 Acknowledgment of Dilution. The Company acknowledges that the issuance of the Securities may result in dilution of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, which dilution may be substantial under certain market conditions. The Company further acknowledges that its obligations under the Transaction Documents, including, without limitation, its obligation to issue the Underlying Shares and Commitment Shares pursuant to the Transaction Documents, are unconditional and absolute and not subject to any right of set off, counterclaim, delay or reduction, regardless of the effect of any such dilution or any claim the Company may have against a Purchaser and regardless of the dilutive effect that such issuance may have on the ownership of the other shareholders of the Company.
5.3 Furnishing of Information; Public Information.
(a) Until the time that no Purchaser owns any Securities, the Company covenants to maintain the registration of the Common Stock under Sections 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act and to timely file (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 the Exchange Act even if the Company is not then subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.
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(b) At any time during the period commencing from the six (6) month anniversary of the date hereof and ending at such time that all of the Securities may be sold without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) and otherwise without restriction or limitation pursuant to Rule 144, if the Company (i) shall fail for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement under Rule 144(c) or (ii) has ever been an issuer described in Rule 144(i)(1)(i) or becomes an issuer in the future, and the Company shall fail to satisfy any condition set forth in Rule 144(i)(2) (a “Public Information Failure”) then, in addition to a Purchaser’s other available remedies, the Company shall pay to such Purchaser, in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, by reason of any such delay in or reduction of its ability to sell the Securities, an amount in cash equal to two percent (2.0%) of the aggregate value of such Purchaser’s Securities (based on the highest daily VWAP in the ten (10) Trading Day period preceding the day of such initial Public Information Failure) not yet transferred, on the day of a Public Information Failure and on every thirtieth (30th) day (prorated for periods totaling less than thirty days) thereafter until the earlier of (a) the date such Public Information Failure is cured and (b) such time that such public information is no longer required for such Purchaser to transfer the Underlying Shares and Commitment Shares pursuant to Rule 144, provided that such liquidated damages shall not exceed in the aggregate to twenty-five percent (25.0%) of such Purchaser’s portion of the Aggregate Subscription Amount. The payments to which each Purchaser shall be entitled pursuant to this Section 5.3(b) are referred to herein as “Public Information Failure Payments.” Public Information Failure Payments shall be paid on the earlier of (i) the last day of the calendar month during which such Public Information Failure Payments are incurred and (ii) the third (3rd) Business Day after the event or failure giving rise to the Public Information Failure Payments is cured. In the event the Company fails to make Public Information Failure Payments in a timely manner, such Public Information Failure Payments shall bear interest at the rate of 1.5% per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full. Nothing herein shall limit a Purchaser’s right to pursue actual damages for the Public Information Failure, and such Purchaser shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief.
5.4 Integration. The Company shall not sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in Section 2 of the Securities Act) that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities in a manner that would require the registration under the Securities Act of the sale of the Securities or that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities for purposes of the rules and regulations of any Trading Market such that it would require shareholder approval prior to the closing of such other transaction unless shareholder approval is obtained before the closing of such subsequent transaction.
5.5 Conversion Procedures. The form “Notice of Conversion” included in the Debentures sets forth the totality of the procedures required of a Purchaser to convert the Debentures. Without limiting the preceding sentences, no ink-original Notice of Conversion shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Conversion form be required to convert the Debentures. No additional legal opinion, other information or instructions shall be required of the Purchaser to convert its Debentures. The Company shall honor conversions of the Debentures and shall deliver Underlying Shares in accordance with the terms, conditions and time periods set forth in the Transaction Documents.
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5.6 Securities Laws Disclosure; Publicity. (a) The Company shall by the Disclosure Time, issue a press release disclosing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) the Company shall file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including the Transaction Documents, and other material agreements entered into in connection therewith as exhibits thereto, with the Commission within the time required by the Exchange Act. From and after the issuance of such press release, the Company represents to each of the Purchasers that it shall have caused to have publicly disclosed all material, non-public information with respect to the Company delivered to such Purchaser by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, or agents in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. In addition, effective upon the issuance of such press release, the Parties acknowledge and agree that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement, whether written or oral, between the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees or Affiliates on the one hand, and each Purchaser or any of their Affiliates on the other hand, shall terminate. The Company and each Purchaser shall consult with each other in issuing any other press releases with respect to the Transactions contemplated hereby, and none of the Parties shall issue any such press release nor otherwise make any such public statement without the prior consent of the Company, with respect to any press release of a Purchaser, or without the prior consent of a Purchaser, with respect to any press release of the Company, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, except if such disclosure is required by law, in which case the disclosing party shall promptly provide the other party with prior notice of such public statement or communication. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not publicly disclose the name of any Purchaser, or include the name of a Purchaser in any filing with the Commission or any regulatory agency or Trading Market, without the prior written consent of such Purchaser, except (a) as required by federal securities law in connection with the filing of final Transaction Documents with the Commission and (b) to the extent such disclosure is required by law or Trading Market regulations, in which case the Company shall provide the Purchaser with prior notice of such disclosure permitted under this clause (b).
5.7 Shareholder Plan. No claim will be made or enforced by the Company or, with the consent of the Company, any other Person, that a Purchaser is an “Acquiring Person” under any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or similar anti-takeover plan or arrangement in effect or hereafter adopted by the Company, or that a Purchaser could be deemed to trigger the provisions of any rights under such plan or arrangement, by virtue of receiving Securities under the Transaction Documents or under any other agreement between the Company and such Purchaser.
5.8 Non-Public Information. Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Document, which shall be disclosed pursuant to Section 5.6, the Company covenants and agrees that neither it, nor any other Person acting on its behalf will provide any Purchaser or its agents or counsel with any information that constitutes, or the Company reasonably believes constitutes, material non-public information, unless prior thereto such Purchaser shall have consented to the receipt of such information and agreed with the Company to keep such information confidential. The Company understands and confirms that each Purchaser shall be relying on the foregoing covenant in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. To the extent that the Company, or any of the Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees or Affiliates delivers any material, non-public information to a Purchaser without such Purchaser’s consent, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that such Purchaser shall not have any duty of confidentiality to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees or Affiliates, or a duty to the Company, or any of the Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees or Affiliates not to trade on the basis of, such material, non-public information, provided that such Purchaser shall remain subject to applicable law. To the extent that any notice delivered or received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any Transaction Document constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company understands and confirms that each Purchaser shall be relying on the foregoing covenant in effecting transactions in securities of the Company.
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5.9 Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder for working capital purposes of the Company and the Subsidiaries and shall not use such proceeds, except as set forth in a use of proceeds certificate (“Use of Proceeds Certificate”) acceptable to Purchaser’s participating in the applicable Closing: (a) for the satisfaction of any portion of the Company’s debt (other than for payment of trade payables in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and prior practices), (b) for the redemption of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, (c) for the settlement of any outstanding litigation, (d) in violation of FCPA or OFAC regulations, (e) to lend, give credit or make advances to any officers, directors, employees or affiliates of the Company, or (f) to lend, give credit, or make advances to any person or entity, other than a Subsidiary.
5.10 Indemnification of Purchaser. Subject to the provisions of this Section 5.10, the Company will indemnify and hold each Purchaser and its partners, directors, officers, shareholders, members, employees, professional advisors, attorneys, agents and any Affiliate thereof (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) (each, and “Indemnified Person”) harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses, liabilities, obligations, contingencies, including all judgments, amounts paid in settlements, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of investigation that any such Indemnified Person may suffer or incur as a result of or relating to (a) any breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by the Company in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents or (b) any action instituted against the Indemnified Persons in any capacity, or any of them or their respective Affiliates, by any shareholder of the Company who is not an Affiliate of such Indemnified Person, with respect to any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (unless such action is solely based upon a material breach of such Indemnified Person’s representations, warranties or covenants under the Transaction Documents or any agreements or understandings such Indemnified Person may have with any such shareholder or any violations by such Indemnified Person of state or federal securities laws or any conduct by such Indemnified Person which is finally judicially determined to constitute fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct). If any action shall be brought against any Indemnified Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to this Agreement, such Indemnified Person shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and the Company shall have the right to assume the defense thereof with counsel of its own choosing reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Person. Any Indemnified Person shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person except to the extent that (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized by the Company in writing, (ii) the Company has failed after a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and to employ counsel or (iii) in such action there is, in the reasonable opinion of counsel, a material conflict on any material issue between the position of the Company and the position of such Indemnified Person, in which case the Company shall be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one such separate counsel. The Company will not be liable to any Indemnified Person under this Agreement (y) for any settlement by an Indemnified Person effected without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; or (z) to the extent, but only to the extent that a loss, claim, damage or liability is attributable to any Indemnified Person’s breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by such Indemnified Person in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents. The indemnification required by this Section 5.10 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or are incurred. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to any cause of action or similar right of any Indemnified Person against the Company or others and any liabilities the Company may be subject to pursuant to law.
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5.11 Reservation and Listing of Securities; Shareholder Approval.
(a) If necessary under the listing rules of the Trading Market, the Company shall at all times maintain a reserve of the Required Minimum from its duly authorized shares of Common Stock for issuance pursuant to the Transaction Documents in such amounts as may then be required to fulfill its obligations in full under the Transaction Documents. If, on any date, the number of authorized but unissued (and otherwise unreserved) shares of Common Stock are less than the Required Minimum on such date (a “Required Minimum Failure”), then, in addition to a Purchaser’s other available remedies, the Company shall pay to such Purchaser, in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, an amount in cash equal to two percent (2.0%) of such Purchaser’s pro rata portion of the Aggregate Subscription Amount on the day of a Required Minimum Failure and on every thirtieth (30th) day (prorated for periods totaling less than thirty days) thereafter until the date such Required Minimum Failure is cured; provided that such liquidated damages shall not exceed in the aggregate to twenty-five percent (25.0%) of such Purchaser’s portion of the Aggregate Subscription Amount. The payments to which the Purchaser shall be entitled pursuant to this Section 5.11(a) are referred to herein as “Required Minimum Failure Payments.” Required Minimum Failure Payments shall be paid on the earlier of (i) the last day of the calendar month during which such Required Minimum Failure Payments are incurred and (ii) the third (3rd) Business Day after the event or failure giving rise to the Required Minimum Failure is cured. In the event the Company fails to make Required Minimum Failure Payments in a timely manner, such Required Minimum Failure Payments shall bear interest at the rate of 1.5% per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full. Nothing herein shall limit a Purchaser’s right to pursue actual damages for the Required Minimum Failure, and such Purchaser shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief.
(b) Upon the occurrence of a Required Minimum Failure, the Company’s Board of Directors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to amend the Company’s memorandum and articles of association to increase the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to at least the Required Minimum at such time, as soon as possible and in any event not later than the 75th day after the first date on which such Required Minimum Reservation Failure occurred.
(c) The Company shall, if applicable: (i) in the time and manner required by the principal Trading Market, prepare and file with such Trading Market an additional shares listing application covering a number of shares of Common Stock at least equal to the Required Minimum on the date of such application, (ii) take all steps necessary to cause such shares of Common Stock to be approved for listing or quotation on such Trading Market as soon as possible thereafter, (iii) provide to each Purchaser evidence of such listing or quotation and (iv) maintain the listing or quotation of such shares of Common Stock on any date at least equal to the Required Minimum on such date on such Trading Market or another Trading Market. The Company agrees to maintain the eligibility of the shares of Common Stock for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation, including, without limitation, by timely payment of fees to the Depository Trust Company or such other established clearing corporation in connection with such electronic transfer.
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(d) The Company no later than the Trading Day following the First Closing Date shall cause to be filed with the Commission a schedule 14-C in respect of the Written Consent of Shareholder Approval.
5.12 Subsequent Equity Sales.
(a) From (i) the First Registration Statement Effectiveness Date until 180 days after the First Registration Statement Effectiveness Date, and (ii) any Subsequent Statement Effectiveness Date until 180 days after such Subsequent Registration Statement Effectiveness Date, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall issue, enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, except as set forth in Section 5.12(c) below or with the written consent of the Requisite Holders.
(b) From the date hereof until such time as the Purchaser does not hold any of the Debentures, the Company shall be prohibited, unless agreed to by the Purchaser, from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) involving a Variable Rate Transaction. “Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any debt or equity securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive, additional shares of Common Stock either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon, and/or varies with, the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of Common Stock at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company, as applicable, or the market for the shares of Common Stock or (ii) enters into, or effects a transaction under, any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity line of credit, whereby the Company, as applicable, may issue securities at a future determined price; provided for the avoidance of doubt, “Variable Rate Transaction” shall not include any issuance of any Securities hereunder or under any Transaction Documents and/or any issuance of securities upon the exercise, exchange of or conversion of any Securities issued hereunder, issued under any Transaction Document, or any Securities issued and outstanding as of the date hereof. The Purchaser shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against the Company to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 5.12 shall not apply in respect of an Exempt Issuance, except that no Variable Rate Transaction shall be an Exempt Issuance.
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5.13 Certain Transactions and Confidentiality. The Purchaser covenants that neither it, nor any Affiliate acting on its behalf or pursuant to any understanding with it will execute any purchases or sales, including Short Sales, of any of the Company’s securities during the period commencing with the execution of this Agreement and ending at such time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 5.6. The Purchaser covenants that until such time as the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are publicly disclosed by the Company pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 5.6, the Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of the existence and terms of this transaction and the information included in the Disclosure Schedules. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that (a) the Purchaser does not make any representation, warranty or covenant hereby that it will not engage in effecting transactions in any securities of the Company after the time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 5.6, (b) the Purchaser shall not be restricted or prohibited from effecting any transactions in any securities of the Company in accordance with applicable securities laws from and after the time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 5.6 and (c) the Purchaser shall not have any duty of confidentiality or duty not to trade in the securities of the Company to the Company or its Subsidiaries after the issuance of the initial press release as described in Section 5.6. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case that the Purchaser is a multi-managed investment vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of the Purchaser’s assets and the portfolio managers have no direct knowledge of the investment decisions made by the portfolio managers managing other portions of the Purchaser’s assets, the covenant set forth above shall only apply with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Securities covered by this Agreement.
5.14 Form D; Blue Sky Filings. The Company agrees to timely file a Form D with respect to the Securities as required under Regulation D and to provide a copy thereof, promptly upon request of the Purchaser. The Company shall take such action as the Company shall reasonably determine is necessary in order to obtain an exemption for, or to qualify the Securities for, sale to the Purchaser at the Closing under applicable securities or Blue Sky Laws of the states of the United States and shall provide evidence of such actions promptly upon request of the Purchaser.
5.15 [reserved]
5.16 Participation in Future Financings. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 5.16 and applicable securities laws, if at any time prior to the first anniversary of the most recent Closing, the Company proposes to offer or sell any New Securities (a “Subsequent Financing”), the Company shall first offer to the Purchasers the opportunity to purchase up to twenty-five percent (25%) of such New Securities on the same terms, conditions, and price provided for in the Subsequent Financing. Such offer to the Purchasers made in connection with a Subsequent Financing may only be accepted with the prior written approval of the Requisite Holders. If accepted by the Requisite Holders, the Requisite Holders providing such approval and each of the other Purchasers shall be afforded the opportunity to purchase their Pro Rata Portions (as defined below) of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of such New Securities in connection with a Subsequent Financing. The Purchasers shall be entitled to apportion the right of first offer hereby granted to it in such proportions as they deem appropriate among themselves and their Affiliates. In the event that the Purchasers do not consummate the First Closing, the right of participation shall be deemed null and void.
(a) The Company shall give notice no fewer than three (3) Business Days in advance of the proposed date of such Subsequent Financing that involves the sale of New Securities (the “Offer Notice”) to each Purchaser, stating (a) its bona fide intention to offer such New Securities, (b) the number of such New Securities to be offered, and (c) the price and terms, if any, upon which it proposes to offer such New Securities.
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(b) By notification to the Company within five (5) days after the Offer Notice is given (the “Notice Termination Time”), each Purchaser may elect to purchase or otherwise acquire, at the price and on the terms specified in the Offer Notice, their Pro Rata Portion of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of such New Securities. “Pro Rata Portion” means the ratio of (x) Securities purchased by a Purchaser participating under this Section 5.16(b) and (y) the sum of the aggregate Securities purchased by all Purchasers participating under this Section 5.16(b). The closing of any sale pursuant to this Section 5.16(b) shall occur within the later of ninety (90) days of the date that the Offer Notice is given and the date of initial sale of New Securities pursuant to Section 5.16.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 5.16 shall not apply in respect of an Exempt Issuance.
5.17 Purchaser’s Conversion Limitation upon Reserved Shares Deficit. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein or in any Transaction Document, if at any time, the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance by the Company in order to fulfill its obligations under the Transaction Documents (the “Reserved Shares”) is less than the aggregate number shares then issuable upon conversion in full of all then outstanding Debentures (a “Reserved Shares Deficit”), the Company and each Purchaser agrees that such Purchaser shall not be entitled to convert the Debentures for a number of shares of Common Stock greater than the Purchaser’s portion of the Aggregate Subscription Amount of the Reserved Shares until such time as the number of Reserved Shares is equal to or greater than the aggregate number of Underlying Shares then issuable upon conversion in full of all then outstanding Debentures. Within one (1) day of the occurrence of a Reserved Shares Deficit, the Company shall provide notice to each Purchaser of the number of Reserved Shares and the Reserved Shares Deficit, and within one (1) day of the cure of any Reserved Shares Deficit, the Company shall provide notice to each Purchaser of such cure.
5.18 Capital Changes. Until the earlier of (i) the twelve (12) month anniversary of the First Closing Date, and (ii) the date on which all Debentures have been repaid in full or converted, as applicable, the Company shall not undertake a reverse or forward share split or reclassification of the Common Stock without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders. Such consent shall not be required if such action is taken to maintain the listing of the shares of Common Stock on Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange, as applicable.
5.19 Due Diligence Review. The Company shall (i) provide such information and assistance as each Purchaser may reasonably request, (ii) grant such access to the Company and its representatives as may be reasonably necessary for their due diligence, and (iii) participate in a reasonable number of meetings and due diligence sessions in order to facilitate the due diligence efforts of each Purchaser.
5.20 Non-Circumvention Agreement. The Company shall not, in any manner circumvent or attempt to circumvent the Transactions contemplated hereunder and shall not enter into direct or indirect offers, negotiations or transactions with a third party in lieu of the Transactions hereunder.
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ARTICLE VI.
MISCELLANEOUS
6.1 Termination.
(a) This Agreement shall terminate and be void and of no further force and effect, and all rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall terminate without any further liability on the part of any Party in respect thereof, upon the earlier to occur of: (a) the mutual written agreement of each of the Parties hereto to terminate this Agreement; and (b) written notice by the Company to the Purchasers or by all of the Purchasers to the Company if the First Closing has not been consummated on or prior to the 90th calendar day after the execution of this Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, no termination of the Agreement pursuant to Section 6.1(a) will relieve any Party from liability for any willful breach hereof prior to the time of such termination, and each Party will be entitled to any remedies at law or in equity to recover losses, liabilities or damages arising from such breach.
6.2 Fees and Expenses. The Company agrees to reimburse each Purchaser for its reasonable legal fees and expenses in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, and delivery of this Agreement and any Transaction Documents to be delivered at the Subsequent Closing. In lieu of the foregoing payments, the aggregate amount that the Purchaser is required to pay for the purchase of the Securities at each of the First Closing and any Subsequent Closing may be reduced by the amount of any such reimbursement obligation of the Company then due and agreed upon by the Company. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees (including, without limitation, any fees required for same-day processing of any instruction letter delivered by the Company and any conversion or exercise noticed delivered by a Purchaser), stamp taxes and other taxes and duties levied in connection with the delivery of any Securities to a Purchaser.
6.3 Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents, together with the exhibits and schedules thereto, contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, which the Parties acknowledge have been merged into such documents, exhibits and schedules.
6.4 Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be\ in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of: (a) the date of transmission shown in a delivery confirmation report generated by the sender’s email system which indicates that delivery of the email to the recipient’s email address has been completed, if such notice or communication is sent via e-mail prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Business Day; (b) the next Business Day after the date of transmission shown in a delivery confirmation report generated by the sender’s email system which indicates that delivery of the email to the recipient’s email address has been completed, if such notice or communication is sent via e-mail on a day that is not a Business Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Business Day; (c) the second Business Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service or (d) upon actual receipt by the Party to whom such notice is required to be given, sent to the address or email address of the applicable recipient Party set forth on the signature pages attached hereto, or as to any Party hereto, at such other address as shall be designated by such Party in a written notice to the other Parties delivered in accordance with this Section 6.4. To the extent that any notice provided pursuant to any Transaction Document constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.
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6.5 Amendments; Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified, supplemented or amended except in a written instrument signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and the Requisite Holders, or, in the case of a waiver, by the Party against whom enforcement of any such waived provision is sought. No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition, or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right. Any amendment effected in accordance with this Section 6.5 shall be binding upon the Purchaser, any holder of Securities, and the Company.
6.6 Headings. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.
6.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns. The Company, may not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders. Each Purchaser may, without the consent of the Company, assign its rights hereunder (i) to any of its “affiliates”, as that term is defined under the Exchange Act, and (ii) solely during the continuance of any Event of Default (as such term is defined in the Debentures), to any other Person, provided that such transferee agrees in writing to be bound, with respect to the transferred Securities, by the provisions of the Transaction Documents that apply to the “Purchaser.” The Company’s prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, shall be required for a Purchaser to assign its rights hereunder to any Person that is not one of its “affiliates”, as that term is defined under the Exchange Act during any period in which an Event of Default (as such term is defined in the Debentures) is not then continuing, and in addition any such transferee must agree in writing to be bound, with respect to the transferred Securities, by the provisions of the Transaction Documents that apply to the “Purchaser.” In any event, for any successor or assignee of a Purchaser to validly assume the rights of a Purchaser hereunder, such successor or assignee must (i) be an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act and (ii) not be a direct competitor of the Company or any Subsidiary, and shall provide evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the foregoing at the Company’s request.
6.8 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person, except as otherwise set forth in Section 5.10.
6.9 Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of the Transaction Documents shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each Party agrees that all legal Proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other Transaction Documents (whether brought against a Party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees, or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each Party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to the enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any Action or Proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such Action or Proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such Proceeding. Each Party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such Action or Proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such Party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
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6.10 Survival. The representations and warranties contained herein shall survive each of the respective Closings and the delivery of the Securities at each Closing.
6.11 Execution. This 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 each other Party, it being understood that the Parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the Party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page was an original thereof.
6.12 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the Parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the Parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants, and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable. In addition, the Parties agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts to agree upon and substitute a valid and enforceable term, provision, covenant or restriction for any such that is held invalid, void or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction.
6.13 Rescission and Withdrawal Right. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in (and without limiting any similar provisions of) any of the other Transaction Documents, whenever a Purchaser exercises a right, election, demand or option under a Transaction Document and the Company does not timely perform its related obligations within the periods therein provided, then such Purchaser may rescind or withdraw, in its sole discretion from time to time upon written notice to the Company, any relevant notice, demand or election in whole or in part without prejudice to its future actions and rights; provided, however, that, in the case of a rescission of a conversion of a Debenture, such Purchaser shall be required to return any shares of Common Stock subject to any such rescinded conversion or exercise notice concurrently with the return to such Purchaser of the aggregate exercise price paid to the Company for such shares and the restoration of such Purchaser’s right to acquire such shares pursuant to such Purchaser’s Debenture.
6.14 Replacement of Securities. If any certificate or instrument evidencing any Securities is mutilated, lost, stolen, or destroyed, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation thereof (in the case of mutilation), or in lieu of and substitution therefor, a new certificate or instrument, but only upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of such loss, theft or destruction. The applicant for a new certificate or instrument under such circumstances shall also pay any reasonable third-party costs (including customary indemnity) associated with the issuance of such replacement Securities.
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6.15 Remedies. In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein or granted by law, including recovery of damages, each Purchaser and the Company will be entitled to specific performance under the Transaction Documents. The Parties agree that monetary damages may not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of any breach of obligations contained in the Transaction Documents and hereby agree to waive and not to assert in any Action for specific performance of any such obligation the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
6.16 Payment Set Aside. To the extent that the Company makes a payment or payments to a Purchaser pursuant to any Transaction Document or a Purchaser enforces or exercises its rights thereunder, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or exercise or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are required to be refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to the Company, a trustee, receiver or any other Person under any law (including, without limitation, any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause of action), then to the extent of any such restoration the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.
6.17 Usury. To the extent it may lawfully do so, each of the Company, on behalf of itself and all of its Subsidiaries hereby agrees not to insist upon or plead or in any manner whatsoever claim, and will resist any and all efforts to be compelled to take the benefit or advantage of, usury laws wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, in connection with any Action or Proceeding that may be brought by the Purchaser in order to enforce any right or remedy under any Transaction Document. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in any Transaction Document, it is expressly agreed and provided that the total liability of the Company under the Transaction Documents for payments in the nature of interest shall not exceed the maximum lawful rate authorized under applicable law (the “Maximum Rate”), and, without limiting the foregoing, in no event shall any rate of interest or default interest, or both of them, when aggregated with any other sums in the nature of interest that the Company or any Subsidiary may be obligated to pay under the Transaction Documents exceed such Maximum Rate. It is agreed that if the maximum contract rate of interest allowed by law and applicable to the Transaction Documents is increased or decreased by statute or any official governmental action after the date hereof, the new maximum contract rate of interest allowed by law will be the Maximum Rate applicable to the Transaction Documents from the effective date thereof forward, unless such application is precluded by applicable law. If under any circumstances whatsoever, interest more than the Maximum Rate is paid by the Company or any Subsidiary to a Purchaser with respect to indebtedness evidenced by the Transaction Documents, such excess shall be applied by such Purchaser to the unpaid principal balance of any such indebtedness or be refunded to the Company or the applicable Subsidiary, the manner of handling such excess to be at such Purchaser’s election.
6.18 Liquidated Damages. The Company’s and each Subsidiary’s obligations to pay any partial liquidated damages or other amounts owing under the Transaction Documents is a continuing obligation of the Company and shall not terminate until all unpaid partial liquidated damages and other amounts have been paid notwithstanding the fact that the instrument or security pursuant to which such partial liquidated damages or other amounts are due and payable shall have been canceled.
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6.19 Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken, or such right may be exercised, on the next succeeding Business Day.
6.20 Construction. The Parties agree that each of them and/or their respective counsel have reviewed and had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of the Transaction Documents or any amendments thereto. In addition, each and every reference to share prices and shares of Common Stock in any Transaction Document shall be subject to adjustment for reverse and forward share splits, share dividends, share combinations and other similar transactions of the shares of Common Stock that occur after the date of this Agreement.
6.21 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING IN ANY JURISDICTION BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY, THE PARTIES EACH KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY ABSOLUTELY, UNCONDITIONALLY, IRREVOCABLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES FOREVER TRIAL BY JURY.
(Signature Pages Follow)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.
ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC.
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: |
Address for Notices:
With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
[PURCHASER SIGNATURE PAGES TO SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.
Name of Purchaser:
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Purchaser: ___________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: ___________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: ___________________
Email Address of Authorized Signatory: ___________________
Facsimile Number of Authorized Signatory: ___________________
Address for Notice to Purchaser:
Address for Delivery of Securities to Purchaser (if not same as address for notice):
First Closing Subscription Amount: $2,000,000.00
First Closing Principal Amount: $2,500,000
Freely Tradeable Commitment Shares: 667,022*
Restricted Commitment Shares: 737,685**
Total Commitment Shares: 1,404,707
*To be transferred to Purchaser by Blackstone Capital Advisors, Inc.
**To be transferred to Purchaser by SRIRAMA Associates, LLC
[PURCHASER SIGNATURE PAGES TO SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.
Name of Purchaser:
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Purchaser: ___________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: ___________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: ___________________
Email Address of Authorized Signatory: ___________________
Facsimile Number of Authorized Signatory: ___________________
Address for Notice to Purchaser:
Address for Delivery of Securities to Purchaser (if not same as address for notice):
First Closing Subscription Amount: $1,000,000
First Closing Principal Amount: $1,250,000
Freely Tradeable Commitment Shares: 332,978*
Restricted Commitment Shares: 368,842**
Total Commitment Shares: 701,820
*To be transferred to Purchaser by Blackstone Capital Advisors, Inc.
**To be transferred to Purchaser by SRIRAMA Associates, LLC
Exhibit 10.3
SECURITY AGREEMENT
This SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of February 19, 2025 (this “Agreement”), is among ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS INC., a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns, the “Company”), all of the Subsidiaries of the Company (such Subsidiaries, the “Guarantors” and together with the Company, the “Debtors”) and the holders of the Company’s 20% original issue discount senior secured convertible debentures (collectively, the “Debentures”) signatory hereto, their endorsees, transferees and assigns (collectively, the “Secured Parties”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Secured Parties have severally agreed to purchase Debentures from the Company;
WHEREAS, pursuant to a certain Guarantee, dated as of the date hereof (the “Guarantee”), the Guarantors have jointly and severally agreed to guarantee and act as surety for payment of such Debentures; and
WHEREAS, in order to induce the Secured Parties to purchase the Debentures, each Debtor has agreed to execute and deliver to the Secured Parties this Agreement and to grant the Secured Parties, pari passu with each other Secured Party and through the Agent (as defined in Section 18 hereof), a security interest in the assets of such Debtor to secure the prompt payment, performance and discharge in full of all of the Company’s obligations under the Debentures and the Guarantors’ obligations under the Guarantee.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 1. Terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement that are defined in Article 9 of the UCC (such as “account”, “chattel paper”, “commercial tort claim”, “deposit account”, “document”, “equipment”, “fixtures”, “general intangibles”, “goods”, “instruments”, “inventory”, “investment property”, “letter-of-credit rights”, “proceeds” and “supporting obligations”) shall have the respective meanings given such terms in Article 9 of the UCC.
(a) “Collateral” means the collateral in which the Secured Parties are granted a security interest by this Agreement and which shall include the following personal property of the Debtors, whether presently owned or existing or hereafter acquired or coming into existence, wherever situated, and all additions and accessions thereto and all substitutions and replacements thereof, and all proceeds, products and accounts thereof, including, without limitation, all proceeds from the sale or transfer of the Collateral and of insurance covering the same and of any tort claims in connection therewith, and all dividends, interest, cash, notes, securities, equity interest or other property at any time and from time to time acquired, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, or in exchange for, any or all of the Pledged Securities (as defined below):
(i) All goods, including, without limitation, (A) all machinery, equipment, computers, motor vehicles, trucks, tanks, boats, ships, appliances, furniture, special and general tools, fixtures, test and quality control devices and other equipment of every kind and nature and wherever situated, together with all documents of title and documents representing the same, all additions and accessions thereto, replacements therefor, all parts therefor, and all substitutes for any of the foregoing and all other items used and useful in connection with any Debtor’s businesses and all improvements thereto; and (B) all inventory;
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(ii) All contract rights and other general intangibles, including, without limitation, all partnership interests, membership interests, stock or other securities, rights under any of the Organizational Documents, agreements related to the Pledged Securities, licenses, distribution and other agreements, computer software (whether “off-the-shelf”, licensed from any third party or developed by any Debtor), computer software development rights, leases, franchises, customer lists, quality control procedures, grants and rights, goodwill, Intellectual Property and income tax refunds;
(iii) All accounts, together with all instruments, all documents of title representing any of the foregoing, all rights in any merchandising, goods, equipment, motor vehicles and trucks which any of the same may represent, and all right, title, security and guaranties with respect to each account, including any right of stoppage in transit;
(iv) All documents, letter-of-credit rights, instruments and chattel paper;
(v) All commercial tort claims;
(vi) All deposit accounts and all cash (whether or not deposited in such deposit accounts);
(vii) All investment property;
(viii) All supporting obligations; and
(ix) All files, records, books of account, business papers, and computer programs; and
(x) the products and proceeds of all of the foregoing Collateral set forth in clauses (i)-(ix) above.
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Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the “Collateral” shall include all investment property and general intangibles respecting ownership and/or other equity interests in each Guarantor, including, without limitation, the shares of capital stock and the other equity interests listed on Schedule H hereto (as the same may be modified from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof), and any other shares of capital stock and/or other equity interests of any other direct or indirect subsidiary of any Debtor obtained in the future, and, in each case, all certificates representing such shares and/or equity interests and, in each case, all rights, options, warrants, stock, other securities and/or equity interests that may hereafter be received, receivable or distributed in respect of, or exchanged for, any of the foregoing and all rights arising under or in connection with the Pledged Securities, including, but not limited to, all dividends, interest and cash.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall be deemed to constitute an assignment of any asset which, in the event of an assignment, becomes void by operation of applicable law or the assignment of which is otherwise prohibited by applicable law (in each case to the extent that such applicable law is not overridden by Sections 9-406, 9-407 and/or 9-408 of the UCC or other similar applicable law); provided, however, that to the extent permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall create a valid security interest in such asset and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall create a valid security interest in the proceeds of such asset.
(b) “Events of Default” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 6.
(c) “Intellectual Property” means the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including, without limitation, (i) all copyrights arising under the laws of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, whether registered or unregistered and whether published or unpublished, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including, without limitation, all registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Copyright Office, (ii) all letters patent of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, all reissues and extensions thereof, and all applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country and all divisions, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof, (iii) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade dress, service marks, logos, domain names and other source or business identifiers, and all goodwill associated therewith, now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, whether in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any State thereof or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, or otherwise, and all common law rights related thereto, (iv) all trade secrets arising under the laws of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, (v) all rights to obtain any reissues, renewals or extensions of the foregoing, (vi) all licenses for any of the foregoing, and (vii) all causes of action for infringement of the foregoing.
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(d) “Necessary Endorsement” means undated stock powers endorsed in blank or other proper instruments of assignment duly executed and such other instruments or documents as the Agent (as that term is defined below) may reasonably request.
(e) “Obligations” means all of the liabilities and obligations (primary, secondary, direct, contingent, sole, joint or several) due or to become due, or that are now or may be hereafter contracted or acquired, or owing to, of any Debtor to the Secured Parties, including, without limitation, all obligations under this Agreement, the Debentures, the Guarantee and any other instruments, agreements or other documents executed and/or delivered in connection herewith or therewith, in each case, whether now or hereafter existing, voluntary or involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with others, and whether or not from time to time decreased or extinguished and later increased, created or incurred, and all or any portion of such obligations or liabilities that are paid, to the extent all or any part of such payment is avoided or recovered directly or indirectly from any of the Secured Parties as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise as such obligations may be amended, supplemented, converted, extended or modified from time to time. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “Obligations” shall include, without limitation: (i) principal of, and interest on the Debentures and the loans extended pursuant thereto; (ii) any and all other fees, indemnities, costs, obligations and liabilities of the Debtors from time to time under or in connection with this Agreement, the Debentures, the Guarantee and any other instruments, agreements or other documents executed and/or delivered in connection herewith or therewith; and (iii) all amounts (including but not limited to post-petition interest) in respect of the foregoing that would be payable but for the fact that the obligations to pay such amounts are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving any Debtor.
(f) “Organizational Documents” means with respect to any Debtor, the documents by which such Debtor was organized (such as a certificate of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership or articles of organization, and including, without limitation, any certificates of designation for preferred stock or other forms of preferred equity) and which relate to the internal governance of such Debtor (such as bylaws, a partnership agreement or an operating, limited liability or members agreement).
(g) “Permitted Liens” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Debentures.
(h) “Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Purchase Agreement.
(i) “Pledged Interests” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4(j).
(j) “Pledged Securities” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4(i).
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(k) “Purchase Agreement” means that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 17, 2025, among the Company, and the Secured Parties, as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time.
(l) “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware and or any other applicable law of any state or states which has jurisdiction with respect to all, or any portion of, the Collateral or this Agreement, from time to time. It is the intent of the parties that defined terms in the UCC should be construed in their broadest sense so that the term “Collateral” will be construed in its broadest sense. Accordingly, if there are, from time to time, changes to defined terms in the UCC that broaden the definitions, they are incorporated herein and if existing definitions in the UCC are broader than the amended definitions, the existing ones shall be controlling.
(m) “Requisite Holders” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Purchase Agreement.
(n) “Transaction Documents” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Purchase Agreement.
2. Grant of Security Interest in Collateral. As an inducement for the Secured Parties to purchase the Debentures and to secure the complete and timely payment, performance and discharge in full, as the case may be, of all of the Obligations, each Debtor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably pledges, grants and hypothecates to the Secured Parties a security interest in and to, a lien upon and a right of set-off against all of their respective right, title and interest of whatsoever kind and nature in and to, the Collateral (a “Security Interest” and, collectively, the “Security Interests”).
3. Delivery of Certain Collateral. Contemporaneously or prior to the execution of this Agreement, each Debtor shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Agent (a) any and all certificates and other instruments representing or evidencing the Pledged Securities, and (b) any and all certificates and other instruments or documents representing any of the other Collateral, in each case, together with all Necessary Endorsements. The Debtors are, contemporaneously with the execution hereof, delivering to Agent, or have previously delivered to Agent, a true and correct copy of each Organizational Document governing any of the Pledged Securities.
4. Representations, Warranties, Covenants and Agreements of the Debtors. Except as set forth under the corresponding section of the disclosure schedules delivered to the Secured Parties concurrently herewith (the “Disclosure Schedules”), which Disclosure Schedules shall be deemed a part hereof, each Debtor represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with, the Secured Parties as follows:
(a) Each Debtor has the requisite corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other power and authority to enter into this Agreement and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance by each Debtor of this Agreement and the filings contemplated therein have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Debtor and no further action is required by such Debtor. This Agreement has been duly executed by each Debtor. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Debtor, enforceable against each Debtor in accordance with its terms except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and similar laws of general application relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and by general principles of equity.
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(b) The Debtors have no place of business or offices where their respective books of account and records are kept (other than temporarily at the offices of its attorneys or accountants) or places where Collateral is stored or located, except as set forth on Schedule A attached hereto. As specifically set forth on Schedule A, the Debtors lease the property where the Collateral is located. Except as disclosed on Schedule A, none of such Collateral is in the possession of any consignee, bailee, warehouseman, agent or processor.
(c) Except for Permitted Liens and except as set forth on Schedule B attached hereto, the Debtors are the sole owner of the Collateral (except for non-exclusive licenses granted by or to any Debtor in the ordinary course of business), free and clear of any liens, security interests, encumbrances, rights or claims, and are fully authorized to grant the Security Interests. Except as set forth on Schedule C attached hereto, there is not on file in any governmental or regulatory authority, agency or recording office an effective financing statement, security agreement, license or transfer or any notice of any of the foregoing (other than those that will be filed in favor of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement) covering or affecting any of the Collateral. Except as set forth on Schedule C attached hereto and except pursuant to this Agreement, as long as this Agreement shall be in effect, the Debtors shall not execute and shall not knowingly permit to be on file in any such office or agency any other financing statement or other document or instrument (except to the extent filed or recorded in favor of the Secured Parties pursuant to the terms of this Agreement).
(d) No written claim has been received that any Collateral or any Debtor’s use of any Collateral violates the rights of any third party. There has been no adverse decision to any Debtor’s claim of ownership rights in or exclusive rights to use the Collateral in any jurisdiction or to any Debtor’s right to keep and maintain such Collateral in full force and effect, and there is no proceeding involving said rights pending or, to the best knowledge of any Debtor, threatened before any court, judicial body, administrative or regulatory agency, arbitrator or other governmental authority.
(e) Each Debtor shall at all times maintain its books of account and records relating to the Collateral at its principal place of business and its Collateral at the locations set forth on Schedule A attached hereto and may not relocate such books of account and records or tangible Collateral unless it delivers to the Secured Parties at least 30 days prior to such relocation (i) written notice of such relocation and the new location thereof (which must be within the United States) and (ii) evidence that appropriate financing statements under the UCC and other necessary documents have been filed and recorded and other steps have been taken to perfect the Security Interests to create in favor of the Secured Parties a valid, perfected and continuing perfected first priority lien in the Collateral.
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(f) This Agreement creates in favor of the Secured Parties a valid security interest in the Collateral, subject only to Permitted Liens securing the payment and performance of the Obligations. Upon making the filings described in the immediately following paragraph, all security interests created hereunder in any Collateral which may be perfected by filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements shall have been duly perfected. Except for the filing of the Uniform Commercial Code financing statements referred to in the immediately following paragraph, the recordation of the Intellectual Property Security Agreement (as defined in Section 4(p) hereof) with respect to copyrights and copyright applications in the United States Copyright Office referred to in paragraph (m), the execution and delivery of deposit account control agreements satisfying the requirements of Section 9-104(a)(2) of the UCC with respect to each deposit account of the Debtors, and the delivery of the certificates and other instruments provided in Section 3), no action is necessary to create, perfect or protect the security interests created hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except for the filing of said financing statements, the recordation of said Intellectual Property Security Agreement, and the execution and delivery of said deposit account control agreements, no consent of any third parties and no authorization, approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is required for (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, (ii) the creation or perfection of the Security Interests created hereunder in the Collateral or (iii) the enforcement of the rights of the Agent and the Secured Parties hereunder.
(g) Each Debtor hereby authorizes the Agent to file one or more financing statements under the UCC, with respect to the Security Interests, with the proper filing and recording agencies in any jurisdiction deemed proper by it.
(h) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Debtors does not (i) violate any of the provisions of any Organizational Documents of any Debtor or any judgment, decree, order or award of any court, governmental body or arbitrator or any applicable law, rule or regulation applicable to any Debtor or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing any Debtor’s debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which any Debtor is a party or by which any property or asset of any Debtor is bound or affected. If any, all required consents (including, without limitation, from stockholders or creditors of any Debtor) necessary for any Debtor to enter into and perform its obligations hereunder have been obtained.
(i) The capital stock and other equity interests listed on Schedule H hereto (the “Pledged Securities”) represent all of the capital stock and other equity interests of the Guarantors owned by the Company, and represent all capital stock and other equity interests owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company. All of the Pledged Securities are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and the Company is the legal and beneficial owner of the Pledged Securities, free and clear of any lien, security interest or other encumbrance except for the security interests created by this Agreement and other Permitted Liens.
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(j) The ownership and other equity interests in partnerships and limited liability companies (if any) included in the Collateral (the “Pledged Interests”) by their express terms do not provide that they are securities governed by Article 8 of the UCC and are not held in a securities account or by any financial intermediary.
(k) Except for Permitted Liens, each Debtor shall at all times maintain the liens and Security Interests provided for hereunder as valid and perfected first priority liens and security interests in the Collateral in favor of the Secured Parties until this Agreement and the Security Interest hereunder shall be terminated pursuant to Section 14 hereof. Each Debtor hereby agrees to defend the same against the claims of any and all persons and entities. Each Debtor shall safeguard and protect all Collateral for the account of the Secured Parties. At the request of the Agent, each Debtor will sign and deliver to the Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties at any time or from time to time one or more financing statements pursuant to the UCC in form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and will pay the cost of filing the same in all public offices wherever filing is, or is deemed by the Agent to be, necessary or desirable to effect the rights and obligations provided for herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Debtor shall pay all fees, taxes and other amounts necessary to maintain the Collateral and the Security Interests hereunder, and each Debtor shall obtain and furnish to the Agent from time to time, upon demand, such releases and/or subordinations of claims and liens which may be required to maintain the priority of the Security Interests hereunder.
(l) No Debtor will transfer, pledge, hypothecate, encumber, license, sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral (except for non-exclusive licenses granted by a Debtor in its ordinary course of business and sales of inventory by a Debtor in its ordinary course of business and transfers between Debtors) without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders.
(m) Each Debtor shall keep and preserve its equipment, inventory and other tangible Collateral in good condition, repair and order (ordinary wear excepted) and shall not operate or locate any such Collateral (or cause to be operated or located) in any area excluded from insurance coverage.
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(n) Each Debtor shall maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers, insurance with respect to the Collateral, including Collateral hereafter acquired, against loss or damage of the kinds and in the amounts customarily insured against by entities of established reputation having similar properties similarly situated and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by other such entities and otherwise as is prudent for entities engaged in similar businesses but in any event sufficient to cover the full replacement cost thereof. Each Debtor shall cause each insurance policy issued in connection herewith to provide, and the insurer issuing such policy to certify to the Agent, that (a) the Agent will be named as lender loss payee and additional insured under each such insurance policy; (b) if such insurance be proposed to be cancelled or materially changed for any reason whatsoever, such insurer will promptly notify the Agent and such cancellation or change shall not be effective as to the Agent for at least thirty (30) days after receipt by the Agent of such notice, unless the effect of such change is to extend or increase coverage under the policy; and (c) the Agent will have the right (but no obligation) at its election to remedy any default in the payment of premiums within thirty (30) days of notice from the insurer of such default. If no Event of Default exists and if the proceeds arising out of any claim or series of related claims do not exceed $100,000, loss payments in each instance will be applied by the applicable Debtor to the repair and/or replacement of property with respect to which the loss was incurred to the extent reasonably feasible, and any loss payments or the balance thereof remaining, to the extent not so applied, shall be payable to the applicable Debtor; provided, however, that payments received by any Debtor after an Event of Default occurs and is continuing or in excess of $100,000 for any occurrence or series of related occurrences shall be paid to the Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties and, if received by such Debtor, shall be held in trust for the Secured Parties and immediately paid over to the Agent unless otherwise directed in writing by the Agent. Copies of such policies or the related certificates, in each case, naming the Agent as lender loss payee and additional insured shall be delivered to the Agent at least annually and at the time any new policy of insurance is issued.
(o) Each Debtor shall, within ten (10) days of obtaining knowledge thereof, advise the Secured Parties promptly, in sufficient detail, of any material adverse change in the Collateral, and of the occurrence of any event which would have a material adverse effect on the value of the Collateral or on the Secured Parties’ security interest, through the Agent, therein.
(p) Each Debtor shall promptly execute and deliver to the Agent such further deeds, mortgages, assignments, security agreements, financing statements or other instruments, documents, certificates and assurances and take such further action as the Agent may from time to time request and may in its sole discretion deem necessary to perfect, protect or enforce the Secured Parties’ security interest in the Collateral including, without limitation, if applicable, the execution and delivery of a separate security agreement with respect to each Debtor’s Intellectual Property (“Intellectual Property Security Agreement”) in which the Secured Parties have been granted a security interest hereunder, substantially in a form reasonably acceptable to the Agent, which Intellectual Property Security Agreement, other than as stated therein, shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions hereof.
(q) Each Debtor shall permit the Agent and its representatives and agents to inspect the Collateral during normal business hours and upon reasonable prior notice, and to make copies of records pertaining to the Collateral as may be reasonably requested by the Agent from time to time.
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(r) Each Debtor shall take all steps reasonably necessary to diligently pursue and seek to preserve, enforce and collect any rights, claims, causes of action and accounts receivable in respect of the Collateral.
(s) Each Debtor shall promptly notify the Secured Parties in sufficient detail upon becoming aware of any attachment, garnishment, execution or other legal process levied against any Collateral and of any other information received by such Debtor that may materially affect the value of the Collateral, the Security Interest or the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties hereunder.
(t) All information heretofore, herein or hereafter supplied to the Secured Parties by or on behalf of any Debtor with respect to the Collateral is accurate and complete in all material respects as of the date furnished.
(u) The Debtors shall at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect their respective valid existence and good standing and any rights and franchises material to its business.
(v) No Debtor will change its name, type of organization, jurisdiction of organization, organizational identification number (if it has one), legal or corporate structure, or identity, or add any new fictitious name unless it provides at least 30 days prior written notice to the Secured Parties of such change and, at the time of such written notification, such Debtor provides any financing statements or fixture filings necessary to perfect and continue the perfection of the Security Interests granted and evidenced by this Agreement.
(w) Except in the ordinary course of business, no Debtor may consign any of its inventory or sell any of its inventory on bill and hold, sale or return, sale on approval, or other conditional terms of sale without the consent of the Agent which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(x) No Debtor may relocate its chief executive office to a new location without providing 30 days prior written notification thereof to the Secured Parties and so long as, at the time of such written notification, such Debtor provides any financing statements or fixture filings necessary to perfect and continue the perfection of the Security Interests granted and evidenced by this Agreement.
(y) Each Debtor was organized and remains organized solely under the laws of the state set forth next to such Debtor’s name in Schedule D attached hereto, which Schedule D sets forth each Debtor’s organizational identification number or, if any Debtor does not have one, states that one does not exist.
(z) (i) The actual name of each Debtor is the name set forth in Schedule D attached hereto; (ii) no Debtor has any trade names except as set forth on Schedule E attached hereto; (iii) no Debtor has used any name other than that stated in the preamble hereto or as set forth on Schedule E for the preceding five years; and (iv) no entity has merged into any Debtor or been acquired by any Debtor within the past five years except as set forth on Schedule E.
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(aa) At any time and from time to time that any Collateral consists of instruments, certificated securities or other items that require or permit possession by the secured party to perfect the security interest created hereby, the applicable Debtor shall deliver such Collateral to the Agent.
(bb) Each Debtor, in its capacity as issuer, hereby agrees to comply with any and all orders and instructions of Agent regarding the Pledged Interests consistent with the terms of this Agreement without the further consent of any Debtor as contemplated by Section 8-106 (or any successor section) of the UCC. Further, each Debtor agrees that it shall not enter into a similar agreement (or one that would confer “control” within the meaning of Article 8 of the UCC) with any other person or entity.
(cc) Each Debtor shall cause all tangible chattel paper constituting Collateral to be delivered to the Agent, or, if such delivery is not possible, then to cause such tangible chattel paper to contain a legend noting that it is subject to the security interest created by this Agreement. To the extent that any Collateral consists of electronic chattel paper, the applicable Debtor shall cause the underlying chattel paper to be “marked” within the meaning of Section 9-105 of the UCC (or successor section thereto).
(dd) If there is any investment property or deposit account included as Collateral that can be perfected by “control” through an account control agreement, the applicable Debtor shall cause such an account control agreement, in form and substance in each case satisfactory to the Agent, to be entered into and delivered to the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.
(ee) To the extent that any Collateral consists of letter-of-credit rights, the applicable Debtor shall cause the issuer of each underlying letter of credit to consent to an assignment of the proceeds thereof to the Secured Parties.
(ff) To the extent that any Collateral is in the possession of any third party, the applicable Debtor shall join with the Agent in notifying such third party of the Secured Parties’ security interest in such Collateral and shall use its best efforts to obtain an acknowledgement and agreement from such third party with respect to the Collateral, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.
(gg) If any Debtor shall at any time hold or acquire a commercial tort claim, such Debtor shall promptly notify the Secured Parties in a writing signed by such Debtor of the particulars thereof and grant to the Secured Parties in such writing a security interest therein and in the proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
(hh) Each Debtor shall promptly provide written notice to the Secured Parties of any and all accounts which arise out of contracts with any governmental authority and, to the extent necessary to perfect or continue the perfected status of the Security Interests in such accounts and proceeds thereof, shall execute and deliver to the Agent an assignment of claims for such accounts and cooperate with the Agent in taking any other steps required, in its judgment, under the Federal Assignment of Claims Act or any similar federal, state or local statute or rule to perfect or continue the perfected status of the Security Interests in such accounts and proceeds thereof.
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(ii) As soon as reasonably practicable, each Debtor shall cause each subsidiary of such Debtor to become a party hereto (an “Additional Debtor”), by executing and delivering an Additional Debtor Joinder in substantially the form of Annex A attached hereto and comply with the provisions hereof applicable to the Debtors. Concurrent therewith, the Additional Debtor shall deliver replacement schedules for, or supplements to all other Schedules to (or referred to in) this Agreement, as applicable, which replacement schedules shall supersede, or supplements shall modify, the Schedules then in effect. The Additional Debtor shall also deliver such opinions of counsel, authorizing resolutions, good standing certificates, incumbency certificates, organizational documents, financing statements and other information and documentation as the Agent may reasonably request. Upon delivery of the foregoing to the Agent, the Additional Debtor shall be and become a party to this Agreement with the same rights and obligations as the Debtors, for all purposes hereof as fully and to the same extent as if it were an original signatory hereto and shall be deemed to have made the representations, warranties and covenants set forth herein as of the date of execution and delivery of such Additional Debtor Joinder, and all references herein to the “Debtors” shall be deemed to include each Additional Debtor.
(jj) Each Debtor shall vote the Pledged Securities to comply with the covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the Debentures.
(kk) Each Debtor shall register the pledge of the applicable Pledged Securities on the books of such Debtor. Each Debtor shall notify each issuer of Pledged Securities to register the pledge of the applicable Pledged Securities in the name of the Secured Parties on the books of such issuer. Further, except with respect to certificated securities delivered to the Agent, the applicable Debtor shall deliver to Agent an acknowledgement of pledge (which, where appropriate, shall comply with the requirements of the relevant UCC with respect to perfection by registration) signed by the issuer of the applicable Pledged Securities, which acknowledgement shall confirm that: (a) it has registered the pledge on its books and records; and (b) at any time directed by Agent during the continuation of an Event of Default, such issuer will transfer the record ownership of such Pledged Securities into the name of any designee of Agent, will take such steps as may be necessary to effect the transfer, and will comply with all other instructions of Agent regarding such Pledged Securities without the further consent of the applicable Debtor.
(ll) In the event that, upon an occurrence of an Event of Default, Agent shall sell all or any of the Pledged Securities to another party or parties (herein called the “Transferee”) or shall purchase or retain all or any of the Pledged Securities, each Debtor shall, to the extent applicable: (i) deliver to Agent or the Transferee, as the case may be, the articles of incorporation, bylaws, minute books, stock certificate books, corporate seals, deeds, leases, indentures, agreements, evidences of indebtedness, books of account, financial records and all other Organizational Documents and records of the Debtors and their direct and indirect subsidiaries; (ii) use its best efforts to obtain resignations of the persons then serving as officers and directors of the Debtors and their direct and indirect subsidiaries, if so requested; and (iii) use its best efforts to obtain any approvals that are required by any governmental or regulatory body in order to permit the sale of the Pledged Securities to the Transferee or the purchase or retention of the Pledged Securities by Agent and allow the Transferee or Agent to continue the business of the Debtors and their direct and indirect subsidiaries.
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(mm) Without limiting the generality of the other obligations of the Debtors hereunder, each Debtor shall promptly (i) cause to be registered at the United States Copyright Office all of its material copyrights, (ii) cause the security interest contemplated hereby with respect to all Intellectual Property registered at the United States Copyright Office or United States Patent and Trademark Office to be duly recorded at the applicable office, and (iii) give the Agent notice whenever it acquires (whether absolutely or by license) or creates any additional material Intellectual Property.
(nn) Each Debtor will from time to time, at the joint and several expense of the Debtors, promptly execute and deliver all such further instruments and documents, and take all such further action as may be necessary or desirable, or as the Agent may reasonably request, in order to perfect and protect any security interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or to enable the Secured Parties to exercise and enforce their rights and remedies hereunder and with respect to any Collateral or to otherwise carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
(oo) Schedule F attached hereto lists all of the patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, registered copyrights, and domain names owned by any of the Debtors as of the date hereof. Schedule F lists all material licenses in favor of any Debtor for the use of any patents, trademarks, copyrights and domain names as of the date hereof. All material patents and trademarks of the Debtors have been duly recorded at the United States Patent and Trademark Office and all material copyrights of the Debtors have been duly recorded at the United States Copyright Office.
(pp) Except as set forth on Schedule G attached hereto, none of the account debtors or other persons or entities obligated on any of the Collateral is a governmental authority covered by the Federal Assignment of Claims Act or any similar federal, state or local statute or rule in respect of such Collateral.
(qq) Until the Obligations shall have been paid and performed in full, the Company covenants that it shall promptly direct any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof to enter into a Guarantee in favor of the Secured Party, in the form of Exhibit C to the Purchase Agreement.
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5. Effect of Pledge on Certain Rights. If any of the Collateral subject to this Agreement consists of nonvoting equity or ownership interests (regardless of class, designation, preference or rights) that may be converted into voting equity or ownership interests upon the occurrence of certain events (including, without limitation, upon the transfer of all or any of the other stock or assets of the issuer), it is agreed that the pledge of such equity or ownership interests pursuant to this Agreement or the enforcement of any of Agent’s rights hereunder shall not be deemed to be the type of event which would trigger such conversion rights notwithstanding any provisions in the Organizational Documents or agreements to which any Debtor is subject or to which any Debtor is party.
6. Defaults. The following events shall be “Events of Default”:
(a) The occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Debentures) under the Debentures;
(b) Any representation or warranty of any Debtor in this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made;
(c) The failure by any Debtor to observe or perform any of its obligations hereunder for five (5) days after delivery to such Debtor of notice of such failure by or on behalf of a Secured Party unless such default is capable of cure but cannot be cured within such time frame and such Debtor is using best efforts to cure same in a timely fashion; or
(d) If any provision of this Agreement shall at any time for any reason be declared to be null and void, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested by any Debtor, or a proceeding shall be commenced by and Debtor, or by any governmental authority having jurisdiction over any Debtor, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof, or any Debtor shall deny that any Debtor has any liability or obligation purported to be created under this Agreement.
7. Duty To Hold In Trust.
(a) Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and at any time thereafter, each Debtor shall, upon receipt of any revenue, income, dividend, interest or other sums subject to the Security Interests, whether payable pursuant to the Debentures or otherwise, or of any check, draft, note, trade acceptance or other instrument evidencing an obligation to pay any such sum, hold the same in trust for the Secured Parties and shall forthwith endorse and transfer any such sums or instruments, or both, to the Secured Parties, pro-rata in proportion to their respective then-currently outstanding principal amount of Debentures for application to the satisfaction of the Obligations (and if any Debentures are not outstanding, pro-rata in proportion to the initial purchases of the remaining Debentures).
(b) If any Debtor shall become entitled to receive or shall receive any securities or other property (including, without limitation, shares of Pledged Securities or instruments representing Pledged Securities acquired after the date hereof, or any options, warrants, rights or other similar property or certificates representing a dividend, or any distribution in connection with any recapitalization, reclassification or increase or reduction of capital, or issued in connection with any reorganization of such Debtor or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries) in respect of the Pledged Securities (whether as an addition to, in substitution of, or in exchange for, such Pledged Securities or otherwise), such Debtor agrees to (i) accept the same as the agent of the Secured Parties; (ii) hold the same in trust on behalf of and for the benefit of the Secured Parties; and (iii) to deliver any and all certificates or instruments evidencing the same to Agent on or before the close of business on the fifth (5th) business day following the receipt thereof by such Debtor, in the exact form received together with the Necessary Endorsements, to be held by Agent subject to the terms of this Agreement as Collateral.
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8. Rights and Remedies Upon Default.
(a) Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and at any time thereafter, the Secured Parties, acting through the Agent, shall have the right to exercise all of the remedies conferred hereunder and under the Debentures, and the Secured Parties shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC. Without limitation, the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall have the following rights and powers:
(i) The Agent shall have the right to take possession of the Collateral and, for that purpose, enter, with the aid and assistance of any person, any premises where the Collateral, or any part thereof, is or may be placed and remove the same, and each Debtor shall assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Agent at places which the Agent shall reasonably select, whether at such Debtor’s premises or elsewhere, and make available to the Agent, without rent, all of such Debtor’s respective premises and facilities for the purpose of the Agent taking possession of, removing or putting the Collateral in saleable or disposable form.
(ii) Upon notice to the Debtors by Agent, all rights of each Debtor to exercise the voting and other consensual rights which it would otherwise be entitled to exercise and all rights of each Debtor to receive the dividends and interest which it would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain, shall cease. Upon such notice, Agent shall have the right to receive, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, any interest, cash dividends or other payments on the Collateral and, at the option of Agent, to exercise in such Agent’s discretion all voting rights pertaining thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Agent shall have the right (but not the obligation) to exercise all rights with respect to the Collateral as it were the sole and absolute owner thereof, including, without limitation, to vote and/or to exchange, at its sole discretion, any or all of the Collateral in connection with a merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization or other readjustment concerning or involving the Collateral or any Debtor or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.
(iii) The Agent shall have the right to operate the business of each Debtor using the Collateral and shall have the right to assign, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of and deliver all or any part of the Collateral, at public or private sale or otherwise, either with or without special conditions or stipulations, for cash or on credit or for future delivery, in such parcel or parcels and at such time or times and at such place or places, and upon such terms and conditions as the Agent may deem commercially reasonable, all without (except as shall be required by applicable statute and cannot be waived) advertisement or demand upon or notice to any Debtor or right of redemption of a Debtor, which are hereby expressly waived. Upon each such sale, lease, assignment or other transfer of Collateral, the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, may, unless prohibited by applicable law which cannot be waived, purchase all or any part of the Collateral being sold, free from and discharged of all trusts, claims, right of redemption and equities of any Debtor, which are hereby waived and released.
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(iv) The Agent shall have the right (but not the obligation) to notify any account debtors and any obligors under instruments or accounts to make payments directly to the Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, and to enforce the Debtors’ rights against such account debtors and obligors.
(v) The Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, may (but is not obligated to) direct any financial intermediary or any other person or entity holding any investment property to transfer the same to the Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, or its designee.
(vi) The Agent may (but is not obligated to) transfer any or all Intellectual Property registered in the name of any Debtor at the United States Patent and Trademark Office and/or Copyright Office into the name of the Secured Parties or any designee or any purchaser of any Collateral.
(b) The Agent shall comply with any applicable law in connection with a disposition of Collateral and such compliance will not be considered adversely to affect the commercial reasonableness of any sale of the Collateral. The Agent may sell the Collateral without giving any warranties and may specifically disclaim such warranties. If the Agent sells any of the Collateral on credit, the Debtors will only be credited with payments actually made by the purchaser. In addition, each Debtor waives any and all rights that it may have to a judicial hearing in advance of the enforcement of any of the Agent’s rights and remedies hereunder, including, without limitation, its right following an Event of Default to take immediate possession of the Collateral and to exercise its rights and remedies with respect thereto.
(c) For the purpose of enabling the Agent to further exercise rights and remedies under this Section 8 or elsewhere provided by agreement or applicable law, each Debtor hereby grants to the Agent, for the benefit of the Agent and the Secured Parties, an irrevocable, nonexclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty or other compensation to such Debtor) to use, license or sublicense following an Event of Default, any Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Debtor, and wherever the same may be located, and including in such license access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof.
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9. Applications of Proceeds. The proceeds of any such sale, lease or other disposition of the Collateral hereunder or from payments made on account of any insurance policy insuring any portion of the Collateral shall be applied first, to the expenses of retaking, holding, storing, processing and preparing for sale, selling, and the like (including, without limitation, any taxes, fees and other costs incurred in connection therewith) of the Collateral, to the reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Agent in enforcing the Secured Parties’ rights hereunder and in connection with collecting, storing and disposing of the Collateral, and then to satisfaction of the Obligations pro rata among the Secured Parties (based on then-outstanding principal amounts of Debentures at the time of any such determination), and to the payment of any other amounts required by applicable law, after which the Secured Parties shall pay to the applicable Debtor any surplus proceeds. If, upon the sale, license or other disposition of the Collateral, the proceeds thereof are insufficient to pay all amounts to which the Secured Parties are legally entitled, the Debtors will be liable for the deficiency, together with interest thereon, at the rate of 18% per annum or the lesser amount permitted by applicable law (the “Default Rate”), and the reasonable fees of any attorneys employed by the Secured Parties to collect such deficiency. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Debtor waives all claims, damages and demands against the Secured Parties arising out of the repossession, removal, retention or sale of the Collateral, unless due solely to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Secured Parties as determined by a final judgment (not subject to further appeal) of a court of competent jurisdiction.
10. Securities Law Provision. Each Debtor recognizes that Agent may be limited in its ability to effect a sale to the public of all or part of the Pledged Securities by reason of certain prohibitions in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or other federal or state securities laws (collectively, the “Securities Laws”), and may be compelled to resort to one or more sales to a restricted group of purchasers who may be required to agree to acquire the Pledged Securities for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Debtor agrees that sales so made may be at prices and on terms less favorable than if the Pledged Securities were sold to the public, and that Agent has no obligation to delay the sale of any Pledged Securities for the period of time necessary to register the Pledged Securities for sale to the public under the Securities Laws. Each Debtor shall cooperate with Agent in its attempt to satisfy any requirements under the Securities Laws (including, without limitation, registration thereunder if requested by Agent) applicable to the sale of the Pledged Securities by Agent.
11. Costs and Expenses. Each Debtor agrees to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with any filing required hereunder, including without limitation, any financing statements pursuant to the UCC, continuation statements, partial releases and/or termination statements related thereto or any expenses of any searches reasonably required by the Agent. The Debtors shall also pay all other claims and charges which in the reasonable opinion of the Agent is reasonably likely to prejudice, imperil or otherwise affect the Collateral or the Security Interests therein. The Debtors will also, upon demand, pay to the Agent the amount of any and all reasonable expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel and of any experts and agents, which the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, may incur in connection with the creation, perfection, protection, satisfaction, foreclosure, collection or enforcement of the Security Interest and the preparation, administration, continuance, amendment or enforcement of this Agreement and pay to the Agent the amount of any and all reasonable expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel and of any experts and agents, which the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and the Secured Parties may incur in connection with (i) the enforcement of this Agreement, (ii) the custody or preservation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any of the Collateral, or (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of the Secured Parties under the Debentures. Until so paid, any fees payable hereunder shall be added to the principal amount of the Debentures and shall bear interest at the Default Rate.
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12. Responsibility for Collateral. The Debtors assume all liabilities and responsibility in connection with all Collateral, and the Obligations shall in no way be affected or diminished by reason of the loss, destruction, damage or theft of any of the Collateral or its unavailability for any reason. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) neither the Agent nor any Secured Party (i) has any duty (either before or after an Event of Default) to collect any amounts in respect of the Collateral or to preserve any rights relating to the Collateral, or (ii) has any obligation to clean-up or otherwise prepare the Collateral for sale, and (b) each Debtor shall remain obligated and liable under each contract or agreement included in the Collateral to be observed or performed by such Debtor thereunder. Neither the Agent nor any Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under any such contract or agreement by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Agent or any Secured Party of any payment relating to any of the Collateral, nor shall the Agent or any Secured Party be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of any Debtor under or pursuant to any such contract or agreement, to make inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by the Agent or any Secured Party in respect of the Collateral or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party under any such contract or agreement, to present or file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to the Agent or to which the Agent or any Secured Party may be entitled at any time or times.
13. Security Interests Absolute. All rights of the Secured Parties and all obligations of the Debtors hereunder, shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of: (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement, the Debentures or any agreement entered into in connection with the foregoing, or any portion hereof or thereof; (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment or performance of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Debentures or any other agreement entered into in connection with the foregoing; (c) any exchange, release or nonperfection of any of the Collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any other collateral for, or any guarantee, or any other security, for all or any of the Obligations; (d) any action by the Secured Parties to obtain, adjust, settle and cancel in its sole discretion any insurance claims or matters made or arising in connection with the Collateral; or (e) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute any legal or equitable defense available to a Debtor, or a discharge of all or any part of the Security Interests granted hereby. Until the Obligations shall have been paid and performed in full, the rights of the Secured Parties shall continue even if the Obligations are barred for any reason, including, without limitation, the running of the statute of limitations or bankruptcy. Each Debtor expressly waives presentment, protest, notice of protest, demand, notice of nonpayment and demand for performance. In the event that at any time any transfer of any Collateral or any payment received by the Secured Parties hereunder shall be deemed by final order of a court of competent jurisdiction to have been a voidable preference or fraudulent conveyance under the bankruptcy or insolvency laws of the United States, or shall be deemed to be otherwise due to any party other than the Secured Parties, then, in any such event, each Debtor’s obligations hereunder shall survive cancellation of this Agreement, and shall not be discharged or satisfied by any prior payment thereof and/or cancellation of this Agreement, but shall remain a valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof. Each Debtor waives all right to require the Secured Parties to proceed against any other person or entity or to apply any Collateral which the Secured Parties may hold at any time, or to marshal assets, or to pursue any other remedy. Each Debtor waives any defense arising by reason of the application of the statute of limitations to any obligation secured hereby.
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14. Term of Agreement. This Agreement and the Security Interests shall terminate on the date on which all payments under the Debentures have been indefeasibly paid in full and all other Obligations have been paid or discharged; provided, however, that all indemnities of the Debtors contained in this Agreement (including, without limitation, Annex B hereto) shall survive and remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement.
15. Power of Attorney; Further Assurances.
(a) Each Debtor authorizes the Agent, and does hereby make, constitute and appoint the Agent and its officers, agents, successors or assigns with full power of substitution, as such Debtor’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with power, in the name of the Agent or such Debtor, to, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, (i) endorse any note, checks, drafts, money orders or other instruments of payment (including payments payable under or in respect of any policy of insurance) in respect of the Collateral that may come into possession of the Agent; (ii) to sign and endorse any financing statement pursuant to the UCC or any invoice, freight or express bill, bill of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications and notices in connection with accounts, and other documents relating to the Collateral; (iii) to pay or discharge taxes, liens, security interests or other encumbrances at any time levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral; (iv) to demand, collect, receipt for, compromise, settle and sue for monies due in respect of the Collateral; (v) to transfer any Intellectual Property or provide licenses respecting any Intellectual Property; and (vi) generally, at the option of the Agent, and at the expense of the Debtors, at any time, or from time to time, to execute and deliver any and all documents and instruments and to do all acts and things which the Agent deems necessary to protect, preserve and realize upon the Collateral and the Security Interests granted therein in order to effect the intent of this Agreement and the Debentures all as fully and effectually as the Debtors might or could do; and each Debtor hereby ratifies all that said attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable for the term of this Agreement and thereafter as long as any of the Obligations shall be outstanding. The designation set forth herein shall be deemed to amend and supersede any inconsistent provision in the Organizational Documents or other documents or agreements to which any Debtor is subject or to which any Debtor is a party. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Secured Party is specifically authorized to execute and file any applications for or instruments of transfer and assignment of any patents, trademarks, copyrights or other Intellectual Property with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office.
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(b) On a continuing basis, each Debtor will make, execute, acknowledge, deliver, file and record, as the case may be, with the proper filing and recording agencies in any jurisdiction, including, without limitation, the jurisdictions indicated on Schedule C attached hereto, all such instruments, and take all such action as may reasonably be deemed necessary or advisable, or as reasonably requested by the Agent, to perfect the Security Interests granted hereunder and otherwise to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement, or for assuring and confirming to the Agent the grant or perfection of a perfected security interest in all the Collateral under the UCC.
(c) Each Debtor hereby irrevocably appoints the Agent as such Debtor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and instead of such Debtor and in the name of such Debtor, from time to time in the Agent’s discretion, to take any action and to execute any instrument which the Agent may deem reasonably necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including the filing, in its sole discretion, of one or more financing or continuation statements and amendments thereto, relative to any of the Collateral without the signature of such Debtor where permitted by law, which financing statements may (but need not) describe the Collateral as “all assets” or “all personal property” or words of like import, and ratifies all such actions taken by the Agent. This power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable for the term of this Agreement and thereafter as long as any of the Obligations shall be outstanding.
16. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be subject to the notice provision of the Purchase Agreement (as such term is defined in the Debentures).
17. Other Security. To the extent that the Obligations are now or hereafter secured by property other than the Collateral or by the guarantee, endorsement or property of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, then the Agent shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to pursue, relinquish, subordinate, modify or take any other action with respect thereto, without in any way modifying or affecting any of the Secured Parties’ rights and remedies hereunder.
18. Appointment of Agent. The Secured Parties hereby appoint Arena Investors, LP, to act as their agent (“Agent”) for purposes of exercising any and all rights and remedies of the Secured Parties hereunder. Such appointment shall continue until revoked in writing by the Requisite Holders, at which time the Requisite Holders shall appoint a new Agent. The Agent shall have the rights, responsibilities and immunities set forth in Annex B hereto.
19. Miscellaneous.
(a) No course of dealing between the Debtors and the Secured Parties, nor any failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Secured Parties, any right, power or privilege hereunder or under the Debentures shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
(b) All of the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties with respect to the Collateral, whether established hereby or by the Debentures or by any other agreements, instruments or documents or by law shall be cumulative and may be exercised singly or concurrently.
(c) This Agreement, together with the Debentures, Purchase Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the exhibits and schedules hereto and thereto, contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, which the parties acknowledge have been merged into this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified, supplemented or amended except in a written instrument signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Debtors and the Requisite Holders, or, in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom enforcement of any such waived provision is sought.
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(d) If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(e) No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right.
(f) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns. The Company and the Guarantors may not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Secured Party. Any Secured Party may assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement to any Person to whom such Secured Party assigns or transfers any Obligations, provided such transferee agrees in writing to be bound, with respect to the transferred Obligations, by the provisions of this Agreement that apply to the “Secured Parties.”
(g) Each party shall take such further action and execute and deliver such further documents as may be necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the provisions and purposes of this Agreement.
(h) Except to the extent mandatorily governed by the jurisdiction or situs where the Collateral is located, all questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Except to the extent mandatorily governed by the jurisdiction or situs where the Collateral is located, each Debtor agrees that all proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Debentures (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan. Except to the extent mandatorily governed by the jurisdiction or situs where the Collateral is located, each Debtor hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such proceeding is improper. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
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(i) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission, such signature shall create a valid binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) the same with the same force and effect as if such facsimile signature were the original thereof.
(j) All Debtors shall jointly and severally be liable for the obligations of each Debtor to the Secured Parties hereunder.
(k) Each Debtor shall indemnify, reimburse and hold harmless the Agent and the Secured Parties and their respective partners, members, shareholders, officers, directors, employees and agents (and any other persons with other titles that have similar functions) (collectively, “Indemnitees”) from and against any and all losses, claims, liabilities, damages, penalties, suits, costs and expenses, of any kind or nature, (including fees relating to the cost of investigating and defending any of the foregoing) imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnitee in any way related to or arising from or alleged to arise from this Agreement or the Collateral, except any such losses, claims, liabilities, damages, penalties, suits, costs and expenses which result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of an Indemnitee as determined by a final, nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction. This indemnification provision is in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other indemnification provision in the Debentures, the Purchase Agreement (as such term is defined in the Debentures) or any other agreement, instrument or other document executed or delivered in connection herewith or therewith.
(l) Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to subject Agent or any Secured Party to liability as a partner in any Debtor or any if its direct or indirect subsidiaries that is a partnership or as a member in any Debtor or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries that is a limited liability company, nor shall Agent or any Secured Party be deemed to have assumed any obligations under any partnership agreement or limited liability company agreement, as applicable, of any such Debtor or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or otherwise, unless and until any such Secured Party exercises its right to be substituted for such Debtor as a partner or member, as applicable, pursuant hereto.
(m) To the extent that the grant of the security interest in the Collateral and the enforcement of the terms hereof require the consent, approval or action of any partner or member, as applicable, of any Debtor or any direct or indirect subsidiary of any Debtor or compliance with any provisions of any of the Organizational Documents, the Debtors hereby grant such consent and approval and waive any such noncompliance with the terms of said documents.
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Security Agreement to be duly executed on the day and year first above written.
| COMPANY: | ||
| ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS INC., a Delaware corporation | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| GUARANTOR: | ||
| ASPIRE BIOPHARMA, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[SIGNATURE PAGE OF PURCHASERS FOLLOWS]
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[SIGNATURE PAGE OF PURCHASERS ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS INC. SECURITY AGREEMENT]
Name of Purchaser: __________________________
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Purchaser: _________________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: _________________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: __________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGE OF AGENT FOLLOWS]
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[SIGNATURE PAGE OF AGENT ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS INC. SECURITY AGREEMENT]
Name of Agent: Arena Investors, LP
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Purchaser: _________________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: _________________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: __________________________
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SCHEDULE A
Principal Place of Business of Debtors:
Locations Where Collateral is Located or Stored:
SCHEDULE B
SCHEDULE C
SCHEDULE D
Legal Names and Organizational Identification Numbers
SCHEDULE E
Names; Mergers and Acquisitions
SCHEDULE F
Intellectual Property
SCHEDULE G
Account Debtors
SCHEDULE H
Pledged Securities
ANNEX A
to
SECURITY
AGREEMENT
FORM OF ADDITIONAL DEBTOR JOINDER
Security Agreement dated as of February 19, 2025 made by
Aspire Biopharma Holdings Inc.
and its subsidiaries party thereto from time to time, as Debtors
to and in favor of
the Secured Parties identified therein (the “Security Agreement”)
Reference is made to the Security Agreement as defined above; capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in, or by reference in, the Security Agreement.
The undersigned hereby agrees that upon delivery of this Additional Debtor Joinder to the Secured Parties referred to above, the undersigned shall (a) be an Additional Debtor under the Security Agreement, (b) have all the rights and obligations of the Debtors under the Security Agreement as fully and to the same extent as if the undersigned was an original signatory thereto and (c) be deemed to have made the representations and warranties set forth therein as of the date of execution and delivery of this Additional Debtor Joinder. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, THE UNDERSIGNED SPECIFICALLY GRANTS TO THE SECURED PARTIES A SECURITY INTEREST IN THE COLLATERAL AS MORE FULLY SET FORTH IN THE SECURITY AGREEMENT AND ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES TO THE WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL PROVISIONS SET FORTH THEREIN.
Attached hereto are supplemental and/or replacement Schedules to the Security Agreement, as applicable.
An executed copy of this Joinder shall be delivered to the Secured Parties, and the Secured Parties may rely on the matters set forth herein on or after the date hereof. This Joinder shall not be modified, amended or terminated without the prior written consent of the Secured Parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Joinder to be executed in the name and on behalf of the undersigned.
| [Name of Additional Debtor] | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| Address: | |||
| Dated: | |||
ANNEX B
to
SECURITY
AGREEMENT
THE AGENT
1. Appointment. The Secured Parties (all capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings provided in the Security Agreement to which this Annex B is attached (the “Agreement”)), by their acceptance of the benefits of the Agreement, hereby designate Arena Investors, LP (“Agent”) as the Agent to act as specified herein and in the Agreement. Each Secured Party shall be deemed irrevocably to authorize the Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of the Agreement and any other Transaction Document (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement) and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of the Agent by the terms hereof and thereof and such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Agent may perform any of its duties hereunder by or through its agents or employees.
2. Nature of Duties. The Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in the Agreement. Neither the Agent nor any of its partners, members, shareholders, officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for any action taken or omitted by it as such under the Agreement or hereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, be responsible for the consequence of any oversight or error of judgment or answerable for any loss, unless caused solely by its or their gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final judgment (not subject to further appeal) of a court of competent jurisdiction. The duties of the Agent shall be mechanical and administrative in nature; the Agent shall not have by reason of the Agreement or any other Transaction Document a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Debtor or any Secured Party; and nothing in the Agreement or any other Transaction Document, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon the Agent any obligations in respect of the Agreement or any other Transaction Document except as expressly set forth herein and therein.
3. Lack of Reliance on the Agent. Independently and without reliance upon the Agent, each Secured Party, to the extent it deems appropriate, has made and shall continue to make (i) its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries in connection with such Secured Party’s investment in the Debtors, the creation and continuance of the Obligations, the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and the taking or not taking of any action in connection therewith, and (ii) its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Company and its subsidiaries, and of the value of the Collateral from time to time, and the Agent shall have no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Secured Party with any credit, market or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before any Obligations are incurred or at any time or times thereafter. The Agent shall not be responsible to the Debtors or any Secured Party for any recitals, statements, information, representations or warranties herein or in any document, certificate or other writing delivered in connection herewith, or for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, perfection, collectability, priority or sufficiency of the Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or for the financial condition of the Debtors or the value of any of the Collateral, or be required to make any inquiry concerning either the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of the Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or the financial condition of the Debtors, or the value of any of the Collateral, or the existence or possible existence of any default or Event of Default under the Agreement, the Debentures or any of the other Transaction Documents.
4. Certain Rights of the Agent. The Agent shall have the right to take any action with respect to the Collateral, on behalf of all of the Secured Parties. To the extent practical, the Agent shall request instructions from the Secured Parties with respect to any material act or action (including failure to act) in connection with the Agreement or any other Transaction Document, and shall be entitled to act or refrain from acting in accordance with the instructions of the Requisite Holders; if such instructions are not provided despite the Agent’s request therefor, the Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking such action, and if such action is taken, shall be entitled to appropriate indemnification from the Secured Parties in respect of actions to be taken by the Agent; and the Agent shall not incur liability to any person or entity by reason of so refraining. Without limiting the foregoing, (a) no Secured Party shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Agent as a result of the Agent acting or refraining from acting hereunder in accordance with the terms of the Agreement or any other Transaction Document, and the Debtors shall have no right to question or challenge the authority of, or the instructions given to, the Agent pursuant to the foregoing and (b) the Agent shall not be required to take any action which the Agent believes (i) could reasonably be expected to expose it to personal liability or (ii) is contrary to this Agreement, the Transaction Documents or applicable law.
5. Reliance. The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, statement, certificate, telex, teletype or telecopier message, cablegram, radiogram, order or other document or telephone message signed, sent or made by the proper person or entity, and, with respect to all legal matters pertaining to the Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and its duties thereunder, upon advice of counsel selected by it and upon all other matters pertaining to this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and its duties thereunder, upon advice of other experts selected by it. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, the Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any Secured Party to assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by the Debtors or is cared for, protected or insured or that the liens granted pursuant to the Agreement have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority.
6. Indemnification. To the extent that the Agent is not reimbursed and indemnified by the Debtors, the Secured Parties will jointly and severally reimburse and indemnify the Agent, in proportion to their initially purchased respective principal amounts of Debentures, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent in performing its duties hereunder or under the Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or in any way relating to or arising out of the Agreement or any other Transaction Document except for those determined by a final judgment (not subject to further appeal) of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted solely from the Agent’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Prior to taking any action hereunder as Agent, the Agent may require each Secured Party to deposit with it sufficient sums as it determines in good faith is necessary to protect the Agent for costs and expenses associated with taking such action.
7. Resignation by the Agent.
(a) The Agent may resign from the performance of all its functions and duties under the Agreement and the other Transaction Documents at any time by giving 30 days’ prior written notice (as provided in the Agreement) to the Debtors and the Secured Parties. Such resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Agent pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) below.
(b) Upon any such notice of resignation, the Secured Parties, acting by the Requisite Holders shall appoint a successor Agent hereunder.
(c) If a successor Agent shall not have been so appointed within said 30-day period, the Agent shall then appoint a successor Agent who shall serve as Agent until such time, if any, as the Secured Parties appoint a successor Agent as provided above. If a successor Agent has not been appointed within such 30-day period, the Agent may petition any court of competent jurisdiction or may interplead the Debtors and the Secured Parties in a proceeding for the appointment of a successor Agent, and all fees, including, but not limited to, extraordinary fees associated with the filing of interpleader and expenses associated therewith, shall be payable by the Debtors on demand.
8. Rights with respect to Collateral. Each Secured Party agrees with all other Secured Parties and the Agent (i) that it shall not, and shall not attempt to, exercise any rights with respect to its security interest in the Collateral, whether pursuant to any other agreement or otherwise (other than pursuant to this Agreement), or take or institute any action against the Agent or any of the other Secured Parties in respect of the Collateral or its rights hereunder (other than any such action arising from the breach of this Agreement) and (ii) that such Secured Party has no other rights with respect to the Collateral other than as set forth in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Agreement. After any retiring Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder as Agent, the provisions of the Agreement including this Annex B shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent.
Exhibit 10.4
GUARANTEE
GUARANTEE (the “Guarantee”), dated as of February 19, 2025, by the Guarantor (as defined below) in favor of the Purchasers (as defined below).
WHEREAS, Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), is the holder of certain equity interests of the Guarantor; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Security Agreement (defined below), the Borrower is pledging 100% of its equity interests in each Guarantor in favor of the Purchasers as Collateral (as defined therein);
WHEREAS, (a) the Borrower and the purchasers parties thereto (the “Purchasers”) have entered into that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2025 (as amended and in effect from time to time, the “SPA”); (b) the Borrower has agreed to issue to the Purchasers 20% original issue discount senior secured convertible debentures (as amended and in effect from time to time, each, individually, a “Debenture” and collectively, the “Debentures”) subject to the terms of the SPA; and (c) the Borrower and the Purchasers are parties to that certain Security Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended and in effect from time to time, the “Security Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Borrower and the Guarantor are members of a group of related entities, the success of any one of which is dependent in part on the success of the other members of such group;
WHEREAS, the Guarantor expects to receive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the transactions contemplated by the SPA and the Debentures (including, without limitation, the extensions of credit to the Borrower by the Purchasers pursuant to the SPA and the Debentures) (which benefits are hereby acknowledged);
WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the Purchasers’ willingness to enter into the SPA and purchase the Debentures and make the loans to the Borrower thereunder that the Guarantor execute and deliver to the Purchasers a guaranty substantially in the form hereof; and
WHEREAS, the Guarantor wishes to guaranty the Borrower’s, and any other Person’s obligations to the Purchasers under or with respect to the SPA, the Debentures and the other Transaction Documents (as such term is defined in the SPA) as provided herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Guarantor hereby agrees with the Purchasers as follows:
1. Definitions. The term (a) “Obligations” means, collectively, all debts, liabilities and obligations (including, without limitation, any expenses, costs and charges incurred by or on behalf of the Purchasers in connection with any Transaction Document), present or future, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time or from time to time due or accruing due and owing by or otherwise payable by the Borrower or the Guarantor to the Purchasers in any currency, under, in connection with or pursuant to any Transaction Document (including, without limitation, this Guarantee), and whether incurred by the Borrower or the Guarantor and whether as principal, guarantor or surety and in whatever name or style; (b) “Transaction Documents” means, collectively, this Guarantee and the “Transaction Documents” as defined in the SPA; and (c) “Guarantor” means Aspire Biopharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation. All other capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the respective meanings provided therefor in the SPA.
2. Guarantee of Payment and Performance. The Guarantor hereby guarantees to the Purchasers the full and punctual payment when due (whether at stated maturity, by required pre-payment, by acceleration or otherwise), as well as the performance, of all of the Obligations, including all such payments which would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay pursuant to §362(a) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code and the operation of §§502(b) and 506(b) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code in a bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding of the Borrower. This Guarantee is an absolute, unconditional and continuing guaranty of the full and punctual payment and performance of all of the Obligations and not of their collectability only and is in no way conditioned upon any requirement that the Purchasers first attempt to collect any of the Obligations from the Borrower or any other Person or resort to any collateral security or other means of obtaining payment. Should the Borrower default in the payment or performance of any of the Obligations, the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder with respect to such Obligations in default shall, upon demand by the Purchasers, become immediately due and payable to the Purchasers, without demand or notice of any nature, all of which are expressly waived by the Guarantor. Payments by the Guarantor hereunder may be required by the Purchasers on any number of occasions. All payments by the Guarantor hereunder shall be made to the Purchasers, in the manner and at the place of payment specified therefor in the Debentures, for the account of the Purchasers. The Guarantor shall make all payments hereunder without setoff or counterclaim and free and clear of and without deduction for any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions, withholdings, compulsory loans, restrictions or conditions of any nature now or hereafter imposed or levied by any jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or taxing or other authority therein unless the Guarantor is compelled by law to make such deduction or withholding. If any such obligation is imposed upon the Guarantor with respect to any amount payable by it hereunder, the Guarantor will pay to the Purchasers on the date on which such amount is due and payable hereunder, such additional amount in U.S. dollars as shall be necessary to enable the Purchasers to receive the same net amount which the Purchasers would have received on such due date had no such obligation been imposed upon the Guarantor. The Guarantor will deliver promptly to the Purchasers certificates or other valid vouchers for all taxes or other charges deducted from or paid with respect to payments made by the Guarantor hereunder. The obligations of the Guarantor under this paragraph shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and termination of this Guarantee.
3. Guarantor’s Agreement to Pay Enforcement Costs, etc. The Guarantor further agrees, as the principal obligor and not as guarantor only, to pay to the Purchasers, on demand, all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including court costs and legal expenses) incurred or expended by the Purchasers in connection with the collection of the Obligations, this Guarantee and the enforcement thereof, together with interest on amounts recoverable under this §3 from the time when such amounts become due until payment, whether before or after judgment, at the rate of interest for overdue principal set forth in the Debentures, provided that if such interest exceeds the maximum amount permitted to be paid under applicable law, then such interest shall be reduced to such maximum permitted amount.
4. Waivers by Guarantor; Purchasers’ Freedom to Act. The Guarantor agrees that the Obligations will be paid and performed strictly in accordance with their respective terms to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, regulation or order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of the Purchasers with respect thereto. The Guarantor waives promptness, diligence, presentment, demand, protest, notice of acceptance, notice of any Obligations incurred and all other notices of any kind, all defenses which may be available by virtue of any valuation, stay, moratorium law or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, any right to require the marshalling of assets the Borrower or any other entity or other person primarily or secondarily liable with respect to any of the Obligations, and all suretyship defenses generally. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Guarantor agrees to the provisions of any instrument evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with any Obligation and agrees that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall not be released or discharged, in whole or in part, or otherwise affected by (a) the failure of the Purchasers to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Borrower or any other entity or other person primarily or secondarily liable with respect to any of the Obligations; (b) any extensions, compromise, refinancing, consolidation or renewals of any Obligation; (c) any change in the time, place or manner of payment of any of the Obligations or any rescissions, waivers, compromise, refinancing, consolidation or other amendments or modifications of any of the terms or provisions of the SPA, the Debentures, the other Transaction Documents or any other agreement evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with any of the Obligations; (d) the addition, substitution or release of any entity or other person primarily or secondarily liable for any Obligation; (e) the adequacy of any rights which the Purchasers may have against any collateral security or other means of obtaining repayment of any of the Obligations; (f) the impairment of any collateral securing any of the Obligations, including without limitation the failure to perfect or preserve any rights which the Purchasers might have in such collateral security or the substitution, exchange, surrender, release, loss or destruction of any such collateral security; or (g) any other act or omission which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of the Guarantor or otherwise operate as a release or discharge of the Guarantor, all of which may be done without notice to the Guarantor. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Guarantor hereby expressly waives any and all rights or defenses arising by reason of (i) any “one action” or “anti-deficiency” law which would otherwise prevent the Purchasers from bringing any action, including any claim for a deficiency, or exercising any other right or remedy (including any right of set-off), against the Guarantor before or after the Purchasers’ commencement or completion of any foreclosure action, whether judicially, by exercise of power of sale or otherwise, or (ii) any other law which in any other way would otherwise require any election of remedies by the Purchasers.
5. Unenforceability of Obligations Against Borrower. If for any reason of the Borrower, the Guarantor has no legal existence or is under no legal obligation to discharge any of the Obligations, or if any of the Obligations have become irrecoverable from the Borrower, the Guarantor by reason of the Borrower’s, such Guarantor’s insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization or by other operation of law or for any other reason, this Guarantee shall nevertheless be binding on the successor entity to the Guarantor to the same extent as if the successor entity to the Guarantor at all times had been the principal obligor on all such Obligations. In the event that acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Obligations is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or the Guarantor, or for any other reason, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of the SPA, the Debentures, the other Transaction Documents or any other agreement evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with any Obligation shall be immediately due and payable by the Guarantor.
6. Subrogation; Subordination.
6.1. Waiver of Rights Against Borrower. Until the final payment and performance in full of all of the Obligations, the Guarantor shall not exercise, and the Guarantor hereby waives, any rights against the Borrower arising as a result of payment by the Guarantor hereunder, by way of subrogation, reimbursement, restitution, contribution or otherwise, and will not prove any claim in competition with the Purchasers in respect of any payment hereunder in any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization case or proceedings of any nature; the Guarantor will not claim any setoff, recoupment or counterclaim against the Borrower in respect of any liability of the Guarantor to the Borrower; and the Guarantor waives any benefit of and any right to participate in any collateral security which may be held by the Purchasers.
6.2. Subordination. The payment of any amounts due with respect to any indebtedness of the Borrower for money borrowed or credit received now or hereafter owed to the Guarantor by the Borrower are hereby subordinated to the prior payment in full of all of the Obligations. The Guarantor agrees that, after the occurrence and during the continuance of any default in the payment of any of the Obligations or upon the occurrence and continuation of any other Event of Default, the Guarantor will not demand, sue for or otherwise attempt to collect any such indebtedness of the Borrower to the Guarantor until all of the Obligations shall have been paid in full. If, notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Guarantor shall collect, enforce or receive any amounts in respect of such indebtedness while any Obligations are still outstanding, such amounts shall be collected, enforced and received by the Guarantor as trustee for the Purchasers and be paid over to the Purchasers on account of the Obligations without affecting in any manner the liability of the Guarantor under the other provisions of this Guarantee.
6.3. Provisions Supplemental. The provisions of this §6 shall be supplemental to and not in derogation of any rights and remedies of the Purchasers under any separate subordination agreement which the Purchasers may at any time and from time to time enter into with the Guarantor.
7. Security; Setoff. The Guarantor grants to the Purchasers, as security for the full and punctual payment and performance of all of the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, a continuing lien on and security interest in all securities or other property belonging to the Guarantor now or hereafter held by the Purchasers and in all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) and other sums credited by or due from the Purchasers to the Guarantor or subject to withdrawal by the Guarantor. Regardless of the adequacy of any collateral security or other means of obtaining payment of any of the Obligations, the Purchasers are hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, without notice to the Guarantor (any such notice being expressly waived by the Guarantor) and to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply such deposits and other sums against the obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee, whether or not the Purchasers shall have made any demand under this Guarantee and although such obligations may be contingent or unmatured.
8. Further Assurances. The Guarantor agrees that it will from time to time, at the request of the Purchasers, do all such things and execute all such documents as the Purchasers may reasonably request and consider necessary or desirable to give full effect to this Guarantee and to perfect and preserve the rights and powers of the Purchasers hereunder. The Guarantor acknowledges and confirms that the Guarantor itself has established its own adequate means of obtaining from the Borrower on a continuing basis all information desired by the Guarantor concerning the financial condition of the Borrower and that the Guarantor will look to the Borrower and not to the Purchasers in order for the Guarantor to keep adequately informed of changes in the Borrower’s financial condition.
9. Termination; Reinstatement. This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until the Purchasers are given written notice of the Guarantor’s intention to discontinue this Guarantee with respect to the Guarantor, notwithstanding any intermediate or temporary payment or settlement of the whole or any part of the Obligations. No such notice shall be effective unless received by the Purchasers at the address of Purchasers for notices set forth in the SPA. No such notice shall affect any rights of the Purchasers hereunder, including without limitation the rights set forth in §§4 and 6, with respect to any Obligations incurred or accrued prior to the receipt of such notice or any Obligations incurred or accrued pursuant to any contract or commitment in existence prior to such receipt. This Guarantee shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, notwithstanding any such notice, if at any time any payment made or value received with respect to any Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Purchasers upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower, or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made or value received.
10. Successors and Assigns. This Guarantee shall be binding upon the Guarantor, its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the Purchasers and their successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the Purchasers may assign or otherwise transfer any Transaction Document or any other agreement or note held by them evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with the Obligations, or sell participations in any interest therein, to any other entity or other person, and such other entity or other person shall thereupon become vested, to the extent set forth in the agreement evidencing such assignment, transfer or participation, with all the rights in respect thereof granted to the Purchasers herein, all in accordance with, and subject to, the SPA and the Debentures. The Guarantor may not assign any of its obligations hereunder.
11. Amendments and Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guarantee nor consent to any departure by the Guarantor therefrom shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Purchasers. No failure on the part of the Purchasers to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.
12. Notices. All notices and other communications called for hereunder shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly made or given when made or given in accordance with the procedures set forth in the SPA and addressed as follows: if to the Guarantor, at the address set forth beneath its signature hereto, and if to the Purchasers, at the address for notices to the Purchasers set forth in the SPA, or at such address as either party may designate in writing to the other.
13. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE. The Guarantor agrees that any suit for the enforcement of this Guarantee may be brought in the courts of the STATE OF NEW YORK sitting in the Borough of Manhattan or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any federal court for the Southern District of New York (and appellate courts thereof) and consents to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such court and to service of process in any such suit being made upon the Guarantor by mail at the address specified by reference in §12. The Guarantor hereby waives any objection that they may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such suit or any such court or that such suit was brought in an inconvenient court.
14. Waiver of Jury Trial. THE GUARANTOR HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTEE, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY OF SUCH RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS. Except as prohibited by law, the Guarantor hereby waives any right which it may have to claim or recover in any litigation referred to in the preceding sentence any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages or any damages other than, or in addition to, actual damages. The Guarantor (i) certifies that neither the Purchasers nor any representative, agent or attorney of the Purchasers have represented, expressly or otherwise, that the Purchasers would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers and (ii) acknowledges that, in entering into the SPA, the Debentures and the other Transaction Documents to which the Purchasers are a party, the Purchasers are relying upon, among other things, the waivers and certifications contained in this §14.
15. Miscellaneous. This Guarantee constitutes the entire agreement of the Guarantor with respect to the matters set forth herein. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law or any other agreement, and this Guarantee shall be in addition to any other guaranty of or collateral security for any of the Obligations. The invalidity or unenforceability of any one or more sections of this Guarantee shall not affect the validity or enforceability of its remaining provisions. Captions are for the ease of reference only and shall not affect the meaning of the relevant provisions. The meanings of all defined terms used in this Guarantee shall be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.
16. Effectiveness. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Guarantee by facsimile transmission or by email with a PDF attachment shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof. This Guarantee and the other Transaction Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has caused this Guarantee to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.
| ASPIRE BIOPHARMA, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page to Guarantee]
Exhibit 10.5
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of February 19, 2025, by and between ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS INC. (formerly known as Powerup Acquisition Corp.), a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns, the “Company”), and those certain purchasers identified on the signature page hereto (together with it permitted assigns, the “Investors”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in that certain Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and the Investors, dated as of February 19, 2025 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Purchase Agreement”).
WHEREAS:
The Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Purchase Agreement, to sell to the Investors the Securities and to induce the Investors to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the “Securities Act”), and applicable state securities laws;
Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed, among other things, to register the Underlying Shares that the Investors will receive upon conversion or exercise of the Debentures that the Investors acquired on the First Closing Date (the “First Closing Debentures”), and such Commitment Shares issuable pursuant to the Purchase Agreement to the Investors, that are not otherwise registered for resale under that certain Form S-4 (registration no. 333-281991) (the “Registerable Commitment Shares”).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Investors hereby agree as follows:
| 1. | DEFINITIONS. |
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
a. “Effective Date” means the date that the applicable Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.
b. “Excluded Registration” means any registration of equity securities of the Company solely for a Company sponsored employee benefit plan.
c. “Investors” shall have the meaning set forth above.
d. “Person” means any individual or entity including but not limited to any corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, an organization, a business, an individual, a governmental or political subdivision thereof or a governmental agency.
e. “Register,” “registered,” and “registration” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing one or more registration statements of the Company in compliance with the Securities Act and/or pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous basis (“Rule 415”), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such registration statement(s) by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
| 1 |
f. “Registrable Securities” means all of (i) the Underlying Shares; (ii) the Registerable Commitment Shares; and (iii) the shares of Common Stock issued to the Investors as a result of any share split, share dividend, reclassification, exchange or similar event or otherwise, without regard to any limitation on purchases under the Purchase Agreement or the related agreements entered into therewith.
g. “Registration Statement” means one or more registration statements of the Company covering only the sale of the Registrable Securities.
h. “Underlying Shares” means, with respect to the First Closing Debentures, the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the terms of the First Closing Debentures, without respect to any limitation or restriction on the conversion of the First Closing Debentures.
| 2. | REGISTRATION. |
a. Mandatory Registration. The Company shall, within twenty (20) calendar days following the First Closing Date (the “Filing Deadline”), file with the SEC a Registration Statement covering the maximum number of Registrable Securities as shall be permitted to be included thereon in accordance with applicable SEC rules, regulations and interpretations, including but not limited to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, so as to permit the resale of such Registrable Securities by the Investors at then-prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices), subject to the aggregate number of authorized share capital of the Company’s shares of Common Stock then available for issuance in its Organizational Documents. The Registration Statement shall register only Registrable Securities issuable under the First Closing Debentures unless otherwise approved by the Investors. The Investors and its counsel shall have a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon such Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement and any related prospectus prior to its filing with the SEC, and the Company shall give due consideration to all reasonable comments; provided, however that if such comments are not provided within two days then the Filing Deadline and First Registration Statement Effectiveness Date shall be extended by the number of days from the date the Registration Statement is received by Investors until it or its counsel provides comments. The Investors shall furnish all information reasonably requested by the Company for inclusion therein. The Company shall have the Registration Statement and any amendment declared effective by the SEC no later than the First Registration Statement Effectiveness Date. The Company shall keep the Registration Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act and available for the resale by the Investors of all of the Registrable Securities covered thereby at all times until the date on which the Investors shall have resold all the Registrable Securities covered thereby and no available amount of Registrable Securities issuable under the First Closing Debentures remains (the “Registration Period”). The Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading. In the event that the Registration Statement becomes stale, the Company shall immediately file one or more post-effective amendments to obtain an effective Registration Statement.
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b. Rule 424 Prospectus. The Company shall, as required by applicable securities regulations, file from time to time (in each case, at the earliest possible date) with the SEC, pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act, the prospectus and prospectus supplements, if any, to be used in connection with sales of the Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement. The Company shall file such initial prospectus covering each Investor’s sale of the Registrable Securities within two (2) business days of the date that the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC. The Investors and its counsel shall have a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon such prospectus prior to its filing with the SEC, and
c. the Company shall give due consideration to all such comments. Each of the Investors shall use its reasonable best efforts to comment upon such Registration Statement or prospectus within two (2) Business Days from the date the Investors receives the final pre-filing version of such prospectus.
d. Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. In the event the number of shares of Common Stock available under the Registration Statement is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities, the Company shall amend the Registration Statement or file a new Registration Statement (a “New Registration Statement”), so as to cover all of such Registrable Securities (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2(a)) as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than twenty (20) Business Days after the necessity thereof arises, subject to any limits that may be imposed by the SEC pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such amendment and/or New Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof. The Company agrees that it shall not file any other registration statement under the Securities Act (other than with respect to other employee related plans or rights offerings) (“Other Registration Statement”) unless all of the Registrable Securities have been included in such Other Registration Statement or otherwise have been registered for resale as described above.
e. Offering. If the staff of the SEC (the “Staff”) or the SEC seeks to characterize any offering pursuant to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement as constituting an offering of securities that does not permit such Registration Statement to become effective and be used for resales by the Investors under Rule 415 at then prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices), or if after the filing of the Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a), the Company is otherwise required by the Staff or the SEC to reduce the number of Registrable Securities included in such initial Registration Statement, then the Company shall reduce the number of Registrable Securities to be included in such initial Registration Statement (with the prior consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, of the Investors and their respective legal counsel as to the specific Registrable Securities to be removed therefrom) until such time as the Staff and the SEC shall so permit such Registration Statement to become effective and be used as aforesaid. In the event of any reduction in Registrable Securities pursuant to this paragraph, the Company shall file one or more New Registration Statements in accordance with Section 2(c) until such time as all Registrable Securities have been included in Registration Statements that have been declared effective and the prospectus contained therein is available for use by the Investors. Notwithstanding any provision herein or in the Purchase Agreement to the contrary, the Company’s obligations to register Registrable Securities (and any related conditions to an Investor’s obligations) shall be qualified as necessary to comport with any requirement of the SEC or the Staff as addressed in this Section 2(d).
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f. Effect of Failure to File and Obtain and Maintain Effectiveness of any Registration Statement.
(i) If a Registration Statement covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities required to be covered thereby (disregarding any reduction pursuant to Section 2(d)) and required to be filed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement is not filed with the SEC on or before the Filing Deadline for such Registration Statement then, as partial relief for the damages to Investors by reason of any such delay in their ability to sell the Underlying Shares (which remedy shall not be exclusive of any other remedies available at law or in equity, including, without limitation, specific performance), to the extent no Conversion Shares (as defined in the First Closing Debentures) have been registered, the Company shall be obligated to make payments to Investors, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, in an amount equal to 2% of the amount then currently outstanding under the First Closing Debentures (including, without limitation, all principal, interest and other payments due thereon) for each 20-day period following the Filing Deadline, or pro rata for any portion thereof following the Filing Deadline, and such payments shall be made to Investors in cash not later than two (2) Trading Days after the end of each 20-day period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the amount payable as liquidated damages exceed 12% of the principal amount of the First Closing Debenture.
(ii) If a Registration Statement covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities required to be covered thereby (disregarding any reduction pursuant to Section 2(d)) and required to be filed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement (x) is not declared effective by the SEC on or before the First Registration Statement Effectiveness Date for such Registration Statement (an “Effectiveness Failure”), and (y) if two Business Days immediately following the Effective Date for such Registration Statement the Company shall not have filed a “final” prospectus for such Registration Statement with the SEC under Rule 424 in accordance with Section 2(b) (whether or not such a prospectus is technically required by such rule), then, as partial relief for the damages to Investors by reason of any such delay in their ability to sell the Underlying Shares (which remedy shall not be exclusive of any other remedies available at law or in equity, including, without limitation, the remedies set forth in Section 2(e)(i) above) the Company shall be deemed to not have satisfied this clause (ii) and such event shall be deemed to be an Effectiveness Failure), then to the extent no Conversion Shares (as defined in the First Closing Debentures) have been registered, the Company shall be obligated to make payments to Investors, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, in an amount equal to 2% of the amount then currently outstanding under the First Closing Debentures (including, without limitation, all principal, interest and other payments due thereon) for each 20-day period or pro rata for any portion thereof following the First Registration Statement Effectiveness Date, and such payments shall be made to Investors in cash not later than two (2) Trading Days after the end of each 20-day period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the amount payable as liquidated damages exceed 12% of the aggregate principal amount of the First Closing Debentures.
| 3. | PIGGYBACK REGISTRATION. |
a. Right to Piggyback. (i) Whenever the Company is required or proposes to register any of its equity securities under the Securities Act (including primary and secondary registrations, and other than pursuant to an Excluded Registration) (a “Piggyback Registration”), the Company will give at least ten (10) days prior written notice to the Investors of its intention to effect such Piggyback Registration and, subject to the terms of Sections 3(b) and 3(c), will include in such Piggyback Registration (and in all related registrations or qualifications under blue sky laws and in any related underwriting) all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within twenty (20) days after delivery of the Company’s notice. Such written requests for inclusion will inform the Company of the number of Registrable Securities the Investors wishes to include in such registration statement. If an Investor decides not to include all of its Registrable Securities in any registration statement thereafter filed by the Company, such Investor will nevertheless continue to have the right to include any Registrable Securities in any subsequent registration statement or registration statements as may be filed by the Company with respect to offerings of its securities, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein. Any Investor may withdraw its request for inclusion at any time prior to executing the underwriting agreement, or if none, prior to the applicable registration statement becoming effective.
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(ii) If a Registration Statement under which the Company gives notice under this Section 3 is for an underwritten offering, then the Company will so advise the Investors. In such event, the right of an Investor’s Registrable Securities to be included in a registration pursuant to this Section 3 will be conditioned upon such Investor’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Investor’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. If an Investor determines to distribute its Registrable Securities through such underwriting then such Investor will enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the managing underwriter or underwriter(s) selected for such underwriting. If an Investors disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, the Investors may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the underwriter, delivered at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the effective date of the registration statement. Any Registrable Securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting will be excluded and withdrawn from the registration but are eligible for a future registration.
b. Priority on Primary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten primary registration on behalf of the Company, and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their good faith opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability, proposed offering price, timing or method of distribution of the offering, the Company will include in such registration: (i) first, the securities the Company proposes to sell, (ii) second, any Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by the Investors which, in the opinion of the underwriters, can be sold without any such adverse effect and (iii) third, other securities requested to be included in such registration which, in the opinion of the underwriters, can be sold without any such adverse effect.
c. Priority on Secondary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten secondary registration on behalf of holders of the Company’s equity securities and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their good faith opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability, proposed offering price, timing or method of distribution of the offering, the Company will include in such registration: (i) first, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by the Investors which, in the opinion of the underwriters, can be sold without any such adverse effect, (ii) second, other securities requested to be included in such registration which, in the opinion of the underwriters, can be sold without any such adverse effect.
d. Right to Terminate Registration. The Company will have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Section 3, whether or not any holder of Registrable Securities has elected to include securities in such registration. The Company shall give prompt written notice of such termination to the Investors.
e. Selection of Underwriters. If any Piggyback Registration is an underwritten offering, the legal counsel for the Company, the investment banker(s) and manager(s) for the offering shall be selected by the Company.
| 4. | RELATED OBLIGATIONS. |
With respect to the Registration Statement and whenever any Registrable Securities are to be registered pursuant to Section 2 including on any New Registration Statement, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof and, pursuant thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:
a. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to any Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement.
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b. The Company shall permit the Investors to review and comment upon the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto at least two (2) Business Days prior to their filing with the SEC, and not file any document in a form to which Investors reasonably objects. Each Investor shall use its reasonable best efforts to comment upon the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement and any amendments or supplements thereto within two (2) Business Days from the date such Investors receives the final version thereof. The Company shall furnish to the Investors, without charge, any correspondence from the SEC or the Staff to the Company or its representatives relating to the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement.
c. Upon request of the Investors, the Company shall furnish to the Investors, (i) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, at least one copy of such registration statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits, (ii) upon the effectiveness of any registration statement, a copy of the prospectus included in such registration statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as the Investors may reasonably request) and (iii) such other documents, including copies of any preliminary or final prospectus, as the Investors may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by the Investors. For the avoidance of doubt, any filing available to the Investors via the SEC’s live EDGAR system shall be deemed “furnished to the Investors” hereunder.
d. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) register and qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a registration statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Investors reasonably requests, (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 4(d), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify each Investor who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.
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e. As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event or facts, the Company shall notify the Investors in writing of the happening of any event or existence of such facts as a result of which the prospectus included in any registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such registration statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver a copy of such supplement or amendment to the Investors (or such other number of copies as the Investors may reasonably request) and the Investors shall cease sales under such supplement or amendment until further advised by counsel. The Company shall also promptly notify the Investors in writing (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a registration statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to the Investors by email on the same day of such effectiveness), (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to any registration statement or related prospectus or related information, and (iii) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a registration statement would be appropriate.
f. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of any registration statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible moment and to notify the Investors of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.
g. The Company shall (i) cause all the Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) secure designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities on the Trading Market. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 4.
h. The Company shall cooperate with the Investors to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of the Registrable Securities (not bearing any restrictive legend) either by DWAC, DRS, or in certificated form if DWAC or DRS is unavailable, to be offered pursuant to any registration statement and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations or amounts as the Investors may reasonably request and registered in such names as the Investors may request.
i. The Company shall at all times provide a transfer agent and registrar with respect to its shares of Common Stock.
j. If reasonably requested by the Investors, the Company shall (i) immediately incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the Investors believes should be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities, (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable upon notification of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment, and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement.
k. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by any registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.
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l. Within one (1) Business Day after any registration statement which includes the Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investors) confirmation that such registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. Thereafter, if requested by the Investors at any time, the Company shall require its counsel to deliver to the Investors a written confirmation whether or not the effectiveness of such registration statement has lapsed at any time for any reason (including, without limitation, the issuance of a stop order) and whether or not the registration statement is current and available to the Investors for sale of all of the Registrable Securities.
m. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investors of Registrable Securities pursuant to any registration statement.
| 5. | OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTORS. |
a. The Company shall notify the Investors in writing of the information the Company reasonably requires from the Investors in connection with any Registration Statement hereunder. The Investors shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request.
b. The Investors agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration Statement hereunder.
c. The Investors agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event or existence of facts of the kind described in Section 4(f) or the first sentence of Section 4(e), the Investors will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until the Investor’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 4(f) or the first sentence of Section 4(e). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall cause its transfer agent to promptly deliver shares of Common Stock without any restrictive legend in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the related agreements entered into therewith, as applicable, in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which an Investors has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor’s receipt of a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 4(f) or the first sentence of Section 4(e) and for which the Investors has not yet settled.
| 6. | EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION. |
All reasonable expenses, other than sales or brokerage commissions, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2, 3 and 4, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, shall be paid by the Company.
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| 7. | INDEMNIFICATION. |
a. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Investors, each Person, if any, who controls the Investors, the members, the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, representatives of the Investors and each Person, if any, who controls the Investors within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (each, an “Indemnified Person”), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, attorneys’ fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several (collectively, “Claims”), incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto (“Indemnified Damages”), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in the Registration Statement, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered (“Blue Sky Filing”), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement or (iv) any material violation by the Company of this Agreement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) being, collectively, “Violations”). The Company shall reimburse each Indemnified Person promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 7(a): (A) shall not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified Person arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information about the Investors furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement, any New Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 4(c) or Section 4(e), (B) with respect to any superseded prospectus, shall not inure to the benefit of any such person from whom the person asserting any such Claim purchased the Registrable Securities that are the subject thereof (or to the benefit of any person controlling such person) if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the superseded prospectus was corrected in the revised prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, if such revised prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 4(c) or Section 4(e), and the Indemnified Person was promptly advised in writing not to use the incorrect prospectus prior to the use giving rise to a violation and such Indemnified Person, notwithstanding such advice, used it, (C) shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on a failure of the Investors to deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made available by the Company, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 4(c) or Section 4(e), and (D) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 10.
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b. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 7, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses of one such counsel to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 7, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.
c. The indemnification required by this Section 7 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.
d. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.
| 8. | CONTRIBUTION. |
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 7 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that:
(a) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation, and
(b)contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.
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| 9. | REPORTS AND DISCLOSURE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACTS. |
With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act or any other similar rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the Investors to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration (“Rule 144”), the Company agrees, at the Company’s sole expense, to:
a. make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 except in the case of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, a merger or reorganization of the Company with one or more other entities in which the Company is not the surviving entity or any transaction or series of related transactions as a result of which any Person (together with its Affiliates) acquires then outstanding securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting control of the Company;
b. file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements and the filing of such reports and other documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144;
c. furnish to the Investors so long as the Investors owns Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting and or disclosure provisions of Rule 144, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investors to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration; and
d. take such additional action as is requested by the Investors to enable the Investors to sell the Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144, including, without limitation, delivering all such legal opinions, consents, certificates, resolutions and instructions to the Company’s Transfer Agent as may be requested from time to time by the Investors and otherwise fully cooperate with Investors and each Investor’s broker to effect such sale of securities pursuant to Rule 144.
The Company agrees that damages may be an inadequate remedy for any breach of the terms and provisions of this Section 9 and that Investors shall, whether or not it is pursuing any remedies at law, be entitled to equitable relief in the form of a preliminary or permanent injunctions, without having to post any bond or other security, upon any breach or threatened breach of any such terms or provisions.
| 10. | ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS. |
The Company shall not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Investors.
| 11. | AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS. |
No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived by the parties from and after the date that is one (1) Business Day immediately preceding the filing of the Registration Statement with the SEC. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, no provision of this Agreement may be (a) amended other than by a written instrument signed by both parties hereto or (b) waived other than in a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
| 11 |
| 12. | MISCELLANEOUS. |
a. A Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or more Persons with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from the registered owner of such Registrable Securities.
b. To the extent that there is a Second Closing Date, Third Closing Date, or Subsequent Closing Date, the Company and the Investors will enter into a Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to which the Company will agree to register the Underlying Shares issuable in respect of the Debentures issued on such Closing Date with terms substantially similar as the terms provided in this Agreement.
c. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered upon receipt, when sent by email (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party). The addresses for such communications shall be:
If to the Company, to:
Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc.
________________________
________________________
Attention: Kraig Higginson
Email: kraig@kittsgroup.com
With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
If to the Investors:
As provided on the signature page hereto
or at such other email and/or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by email notice given to each other party three (3) Business Days prior to the effectiveness of such change.
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d. The corporate laws of the State of Delaware shall govern all issues concerning this Agreement. All other questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state courts sitting in the City of New York or, to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
e. The Agreement, Purchase Agreement, First Closing Debentures, and ancillary documentation entered into between the Company and Investors therewith constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. The Agreement, Purchase Agreement, First Closing Debentures, and ancillary documentation entered into between the Company and Investors therewith supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
f. Subject to the requirements of Section 10, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties hereto.
g. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
h. This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered to the other party hereto by e-mail in a “.pdf” format data file of a copy of this Agreement bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.
i. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
j. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.
k. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.
* * * * * *
| 13 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of day and year first above written.
THE COMPANY:
ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS INC.
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: |
If to the Company, to:
Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc.
________________________
________________________
Attention: Kraig Higginson
Email: kraig@kittsgroup.com
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
| 14 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of day and year first above written.
INVESTOR:
[INVESTOR]
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: |
If to the Investors:
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
| 15 |
EXHIBIT A
TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
[______________], [2025]
[Investor]
[Address]
Re: Effectiveness of Registration Statement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are counsel to ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS INC., (formerly known as Powerup Acquisition Corp.), a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns, the “Company”), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of February __, 2025 (as amended, restated amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Purchase Agreement”), entered into by and between the Company and purchasers party thereto (the “Investors”), pursuant to which the Company has agreed to issue to the Investors certain shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement and the related documents referenced below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the Company has registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission the following shares of Common Stock:
(1) ________________________ Conversion Shares (as defined in the Debenture) issued and/or to be issued to the Investors upon conversion of the Debenture issued on the First Closing Date.
(2) ________________________ Commitment Shares issued and/or to be issued to the Investors issued to the Investors on [_________], 2025 in accordance with the terms thereof.
Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the Investors have also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February __, 2025 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to register the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In connection with the Company’s obligations under the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, on [____], [2025], the Company filed a Registration Statement (File No. 333-[_________________]) (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) relating to the resale of the Registrable Securities indicated above.
In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member of the SEC’s staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order declaring the Registration Statement effective under the Securities Act at [____] [A.M./P.M.] on [__________________], [2025] and we have no knowledge, after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC’s staff, that any stop order suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable Securities are available for resale under the Securities Act pursuant to the Registration Statement and may be issued without any restrictive legend.
Very truly yours, [Company Counsel]
| By: |
Exhibit 10.8
AMENDMENT AGREEMENT
This Amendment Agreement (the “Agreement”) by and between PowerUp Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) and Blackstone Capital Advisors, Inc. (the “Subscriber”) is dated and effective as of this 17th day of February, 2025. Each of the Company and the Subscriber are a “Party,” and collectively, the “Parties.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 26, 2024, as amended, by and among the Company, Aspire Biopharma, Inc. (“Aspire”), PowerUp Merger Sub II, Inc., SRIRAMA Associates, LLC, and Stephen Quesenberry (the “Business Combination Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Business Combination Agreement provides that the Company may borrow funds necessary to finance its ordinary course administrative costs and expenses and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement (“Working Capital Loans”);
WHEREAS, the Parties are parties to that certain Subscription Agreement dated as of December 13, 2024 (the “Subscription Agreement”) and that certain Promissory Note dated as of December 13, 2024 (the “Note”), pursuant to which the Subscriber has provided Working Capital Loans to the Company;
WHEREAS, , the Company entered into that certain Purchase Agreement, dated February 13, 2025, by and among the Company and Arena Business Solutions Global SPC II, Ltd. (the “ELOC Agreement”);
WHEREAS, in addition to the Working Capital Loans, the Subscriber intends to provide additional funding to the Company and Aspire in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement and to facilitate certain of the Company’s commitments under the ELOC Agreement; and
WHEREAS, as consideration for the Subscriber’s Working Capital Loans, the anticipated additional funding to be provided by the Subscriber to the Company and Aspire in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, and the Subscriber’s agreement to facilitate certain commitments under the ELOC Agreement, additional shares will be issued to the Subscriber under the Subscription Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in exchange for the covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the sufficiency of which is acknowledged by the Parties and Aspire, the Parties agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1. Acknowledgment. The recitals set forth above are and for all purposes shall be interpreted as being an integral part of this Agreement, constituting acknowledgments and agreements by and between the Parties hereto, and are incorporated in this Agreement by this reference.
| 1 |
2. Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Subscription Agreement.
3. Amendments. Pursuant to Section 6(d) of the Subscription Agreement, the Parties hereby agree to the following amendment:
Section 1(c) of the Subscription Agreement shall be replaced in its entirety with the following:
(c) Issuance of Commitment Shares. The Company will issue the Subscriber 1,795,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Commitment Shares”). In the event that the Company effects a reverse split of its common stock, the number of Shares if still owned would adjust on the same terms as all other shareholders.
4. Integration. The terms set forth in Section 6 of the Subscription Agreement are hereby integrated into this Agreement as if they were contained herein.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows]
| 2 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be duly executed on its behalf as of the day and year first above written.
Company: |
||
| POWERUP ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
|
By: |
||
| Name: | Surendra Ajjarapu | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
Subscriber: |
||
| BLACKSTONE CAPITAL ADVISORS, INC. | ||
|
By: |
||
| Name: | ||
| Title | ||
Acknowledged and agreed to: |
||
| ASPIRE BIOPHARMA, INC. | ||
|
By: |
||
| Name: | Kraig Higginson | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
[Signature Page to Amendment Agreement]
| 3 |
Exhibit 10.9
LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
THIS LOCK-UP AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of February ___, 2025 by and between (i) PowerUp Acquisition Corp., incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company (including any successor entity thereto, the “Purchaser”), (ii) SRIRAMA Associates, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as Purchaser Representative, and (iii) ________________ (the “Subject Party”). Any capitalized term used but not defined in this Agreement will have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Business Combination Agreement (defined below).
WHEREAS, on August 26, 2024, (i) the Purchaser, (ii) PowerUp Merger Sub II, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Purchaser (“Merger Sub”), (iii) SRIRAMA Associates, LLC, in its capacity as PowerUp’s sponsor (“Sponsor”), (iv) Stephen Quesenberry, in the capacity as the representative from and after the Effective Time for the Company Stockholders as of immediately prior to the Effective Time in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Business Combination Agreement (the “Seller Representative”), and (v) Aspire Biopharma, Inc., a Puerto Rico corporation (the “Company”) entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Business Combination Agreement”), pursuant to which (a) immediately upon being de-registered in the Cayman Islands, Purchaser will be continued and domesticated as a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Domestication”) and (b) Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving entity in the Merger;
WHEREAS, as a result of the Merger, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be exchanged for a number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock with an aggregate value equal to the Merger Consideration;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, and in view of the valuable consideration to be received by the Subject Party thereunder, the parties desire to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which Purchaser Common Stock received by the Subject Party in connection with the Merger (all such securities, together with any securities paid as dividends or distributions with respect to such securities or into which such securities are exchanged or converted, the “Restricted Securities”) shall become subject to limitations on disposition as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above, which are incorporated into this Agreement as if fully set forth below, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Lock-Up Provisions.
(a) The Subject Party hereby agrees not to, during the period commencing from the Closing and ending on the earliest of (i) six (6) months after the date of the Closing or (ii) subsequent to the Closing, (x) if the last sale price of the Purchaser Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, rights issuances, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing or (y) the date on which the Purchaser completes a liquidation, merger, share exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Purchaser’s stockholders having the right to exchange their common stock for cash, securities, or other property (the “Lock-Up Period”): (i) lend, offer, pledge, hypothecate, encumber, donate, assign, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Securities, (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Restricted Securities, or (iii) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, whether any such transaction described in clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) above is to be settled by delivery of Restricted Securities or other securities, in cash or otherwise (any of the foregoing described in clauses (i), (ii), or (iii), a “Prohibited Transfer”).
(b) The foregoing shall not apply to the transfer of any or all of the Restricted Securities in connection with any Permitted Transfer; provided, however, that it shall be a condition to such transfer that such transfer complies with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and other applicable law, and that the transferee executes and delivers to the Purchaser an agreement stating that the transferee is receiving and holding the Restricted Securities subject to the provisions of this Agreement applicable to the Subject Party, and there shall be no further transfer of such Restricted Securities except in accordance with this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the term “Permitted Transfer” shall mean: (i) to the Purchaser’s officers or directors, any affiliates or family members of any of the Purchaser’s officers or directors, any members of the Sponsor, or any affiliates of the Sponsor; (ii) in the case of an individual, transfers by gift to a member of the individual’s immediate family, to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the individual’s immediate family or an affiliate of such person, or to a charitable organization; (iii) in the case of an individual, transfers by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual; (iv) in the case of an individual, transfers pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (v) transfers by private sales or transfers made in connection with the Closing at prices no greater than the price at which the securities were originally purchased; (vi) transfers in the event of the Purchaser’s liquidation prior to the Closing; and (vii) transfers by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware or the Sponsor’s limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of the Sponsor; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (i) through (v) or (vii), these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement agreeing to be bound by the restrictions herein.
(c) If any Prohibited Transfer is made or attempted contrary to the provisions of this Agreement, such purported Prohibited Transfer shall be null and void ab initio, and the Purchaser shall refuse to recognize any such purported transferee of the Restricted Securities as one of its equity holders for any purpose, and shall refuse to record any such purported transfer of the Restricted Securities in the books of the Company. In order to enforce this Section 1, the Purchaser may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Restricted Securities of the Subject Party (and Permitted Transferees and assigns thereof) until the end of the Lock-Up Period.
(d) During the Lock-Up Period, each certificate evidencing any Restricted Securities shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form, in addition to any other applicable legends:
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN A LOCK-UP AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF FEBRUARY [●], 2025, BY AND AMONG THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES (THE “ISSUER”) AND THE ISSUER’S SECURITY HOLDER NAMED THEREIN, AS AMENDED. A COPY OF SUCH LOCK-UP AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE ISSUER TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.”
(e) For the avoidance of any doubt, the Subject Party shall retain all of its rights as a stockholder of the Purchaser during the Lock-Up Period, including the right to vote any Restricted Securities.
(f) The foregoing notwithstanding, to the extent any Subject Party is granted a release or waiver from the restrictions contained in this Section 1 prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, then all Subject Parties shall be automatically granted a release or waiver from the restrictions contained in this Section to the same extent, on substantially the same terms as and on a pro rata basis with, the Subject Party to which such release or waiver is granted.
| 2 |
2. Miscellaneous; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.
(a) Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions herein shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns. This Agreement and all rights and obligations of a party are personal and may not be transferred or delegated at any time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchaser may freely assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to any successor entity (whether by merger, consolidation, equity sale, asset sale, or otherwise) without obtaining the consent or approval of the Subject Party. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision herein be enforced by, any other person.
(b) Third Parties. Nothing contained in this Agreement or in any instrument or document executed by any party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall create any rights in, or be deemed to have been executed for the benefit of, any person or entity that is not a party hereto or thereto or a successor or permitted assign of such a party.
(c) Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement and any dispute or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of law principles thereof. All Actions arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in any state or federal court located in Wilmington, Delaware (or in any appellate courts thereof) (the “Specified Courts”). Each party hereto hereby (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Specified Court for the purpose of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party hereto and (ii) irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert by way of motion, defense, or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the Action is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Action is improper, or that this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may not be enforced in or by any Specified Court. Each party agrees that a final judgment in any Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. Each party irrevocably consents to the service of the summons and complaint and any other process in any other action or proceeding relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, on behalf of itself, or its property, by personal delivery of copies of such process to such party at the applicable address set forth in Section 2(f). Nothing in this Section shall affect the right of any party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by applicable law.
(d) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THAT FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
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(e) Interpretation. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement. In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires: (i) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine, or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns, and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (ii) “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding or succeeding such term and shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (iii) the words “herein,” “hereto,” and “hereby” and other words of similar import in this Agreement shall be deemed in each case to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or other subdivision of this Agreement; and (iv) the term “or” means “and/or”. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. Consequently, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
(f) Notices. All notices, consents, waivers, and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered (i) in person, (ii) by facsimile or other electronic means, with affirmative confirmation of receipt, (iii) one Business Day after being sent, if sent by reputable, nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) three (3) Business Days after being mailed, if sent by registered or certified mail, pre-paid and return receipt requested, in each case to the applicable party at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
If to the Purchaser, to:
PowerUp Acquisition Corp. 1200 Broadway, Floor 3 New York, NY 10038 Attn: Surendra Ajjarapu, Chairman & CEO Email: suren@sriramaassociatesllc.onmicrosoft.com |
with copies to (which shall not constitute notice):
Dykema Gossett PLLC 111 E Kilbourn Ave, Suite 1050 Milwaukee, WI 53202 Attn: Kate Bechen, Esq. Facsimile No.: (866) 945-9792 Telephone No.: (414) 488-7333 Email: kbechen@dykema.com; afrost@dykema.com | |
If to the Purchaser Representative:
SRIRAMA Associates, LLC 515 Madison Avenue, Suite 8078 New York, NY 10022 Attn: Surendra Ajjarapu Email: suren@sriramaassociatesllc.onmicrosoft.com |
With a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:
Dykema Gossett PLLC 111 E Kilbourn Ave, Suite 1050 Milwaukee, WI 53202 Attn: Kate Bechen, Esq. Facsimile No.: (866) 945-9792 Telephone No.: (414) 488-7333 Email: kbechen@dykema.com; afrost@dykema.com | |
If to the Company, to:
Aspire Biopharma, Inc. 194 Candelero Drive, #223 Humacao, Puerto Rico 00791 Attn: Kraig Higginson Email: kraig@kittsgroup.com |
with copies to (which shall not constitute notice):
Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP 1185 Avenue of Americas New York, NY 10036 Attn: Arthur Marcus Email: amarcus@srfc.law |
| 4 |
(g) Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance, and either retroactively or prospectively) only with the written consent of the Purchaser and the Subject Party. No failure or delay by a party in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No waivers of or exceptions to any term, condition, or provision of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such term, condition, or provision.
(h) Authorization on Behalf of the Purchaser. The parties acknowledge and agree that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any and all determinations, actions, or other authorizations under this Agreement on behalf of the Purchaser, including enforcing the Purchaser’s rights and remedies under this Agreement, or providing any waivers with respect to the provisions hereof, shall solely be made, taken, and authorized by majority of the disinterested independent directors of the Purchaser’s board of directors. In the event that the Purchaser at any time does not have any disinterested directors, so long as the Subject Party has any remaining obligations under this Agreement, the Purchaser will promptly appoint one in connection with this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, in the event that an affiliate of a Subject Party serves as a director, officer, employee, or other authorized agent of the Purchaser or any of its current or future affiliates, neither the Subject Party nor its affiliate shall have authority, express or implied, to act or make any determination on behalf of the Purchaser or any of its current or future affiliates in connection with this Agreement or any dispute or Action with respect hereto.
(i) Severability. In case any provision in this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in a jurisdiction, such provision shall be modified or deleted, as to the jurisdiction involved, only to the extent necessary to render the same valid, legal, and enforceable, and the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby nor shall the validity, legality, or enforceability of such provision be affected thereby in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties will substitute for any invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision a suitable and equitable provision that carries out, so far as may be valid, legal, and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision.
(j) Specific Performance. Each party acknowledges that its obligations under this Agreement are unique, recognizes and affirms that, in the event of a breach of this Agreement, money damages will be inadequate and there will be no adequate remedy at law, and agrees that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, the adversely affected party or parties shall be entitled to an injunction or restraining order to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, without the requirement to post any bond or other security, this being in addition to any other right or remedy available under this Agreement, at law or in equity.
(k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the parties is expressly canceled; provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not affect the rights and obligations of the parties under the Business Combination Agreement or any Ancillary Agreements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall limit any of the rights or remedies or any of the obligations of the parties hereto under any other agreement between a Subject Party and the Purchaser or any certificate or instrument delivered in connection with the Purchase, and nothing in any other agreement, certificate, or instrument shall limit any of the rights or remedies or any of the obligations under this Agreement.
(l) Further Assurances. From time to time, at another party’s request and without further consideration (but at the requesting party’s reasonable cost and expense), each party shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take all such further action as may be reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(m) Counterparts; Facsimile. This Agreement may also be executed and delivered by facsimile signature or by email in portable document format in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Pages Follow]
| 5 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Lock-Up Agreement as of the date first written above.
| The Purchaser: | ||
| POWERUP ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Purchaser Representative: | ||
| SRIRAMA ASSOCIATES, LLC | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Additional Signatures on the Following Page(s)]
Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement
The Subject Party:
| By: | ||
|
|
Number of and Type of Restricted Securities:
| Purchaser Common Stock: |
| Address for Notice: | ||
| Email: | ||
Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement ([●])]
Exhibit 10.10
Director Non-Compete Agreement
This Director Non-Compete Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between Aspire Biopharma Inc., a Puerto Rico corporation, with its principal place of business located at 194 Candelaro Drive, #233, Humacao, Puerto Rico 00791 (the “Employer” or “Company”), on behalf of itself, its current, past, and future, parents, subsidiaries, and other corporate affiliates, and its or their successors or assigns (collectively referred to herein as, the “Employer Group”), and [*] (the “Director”), residing at [*] (the Employer and the Director are collectively referred to as the “Parties”), as of February 7, 2025 (the “Effective Date”).
In consideration of the Director’s employment by the Employer as a Director, which the Director acknowledges to be good and valuable consideration for the Director’s obligations under this Agreement, the Employer Group and the Director agree as follows:
1. Confidential Information. The Director understands and acknowledges that during the course of employment by the Employer Group, the Director will have access to and learn about Confidential Information, as defined below.
(a) Confidential Information Defined.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” includes, but is not limited to, all information not generally known to the public, in spoken, printed, electronic, or any other form or medium, relating directly or indirectly to: business processes, practices, methods, policies, plans, publications, documents, research, operations, services, strategies, techniques, agreements, contracts, terms of agreements, transactions, potential transactions, negotiations, pending negotiations, know-how, trade secrets, computer programs, computer software, applications, operating systems, software design, web design, work-in-process, technologies, databases, compilations, device configurations, embedded data, metadata, manuals, records, articles, systems, material, sources of material, supplier information, vendor information, financial information, results, accounting information, accounting records, legal information, marketing information, advertising information, pricing information, credit information, design information, payroll information, staffing information, personnel information, Director lists, supplier lists, vendor lists, developments, reports, internal controls, security procedures, graphics, drawings, sketches, market studies, sales information, revenue, costs, formulae, notes, communications, algorithms, product plans, designs, styles, models, ideas, audiovisual programs, inventions, unpublished patent applications, original works of authorship, discoveries, experimental processes, experimental results, specifications, customer information, customer lists, client information, client lists, manufacturing information, factory lists, distributor lists, and buyer lists of the Employer Group or its businesses or any existing or prospective customer, supplier, investor, or other associated third party, or of any other person or entity that has entrusted information to the Employer in confidence.
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The Director understands that the above list is not exhaustive, and that Confidential Information also includes other information that is marked or otherwise identified or treated as confidential or proprietary, or that would otherwise appear to a reasonable person to be confidential or proprietary in the context and circumstances in which the information is known or used.
The Director understands and agrees that Confidential Information includes information developed by the Director in the course of the Director’s employment by the Employer Group as if the Employer Group furnished the same Confidential Information to the Director in the first instance. Confidential Information shall not include information that is generally available to and known by the public at the time of disclosure to the Director, provided that the disclosure is through no direct or indirect fault of the Director or person(s) acting on the Director’s behalf.
(b) Employer Group Creation and Use of Confidential Information.
The Director understands and acknowledges that the Employer Group has invested, and continues to invest, substantial time, money, and specialized knowledge into developing its resources, creating a customer base, generating customer and potential customer lists, training its Directors, and improving its offerings in the field of pharmaceuticals. The Director understands and acknowledges that as a result of these efforts, Employer Group has created and continues to use and create Confidential Information. This Confidential Information provides Employer Group with a competitive advantage over others in the marketplace.
(c) Disclosure and Use Restrictions.
The Director agrees and covenants:
(i) to treat all Confidential Information as strictly confidential;
(ii) not to directly or indirectly disclose, publish, communicate, or make available Confidential Information, or allow it to be disclosed, published, communicated, or made available, in whole or part, to any entity or person whatsoever (including other Directors of the Employer Group) not having a need to know and authority to know and use the Confidential Information in connection with the business of the Employer Group and, in any event, not to anyone outside of the direct employ of the Employer Group except as required in the performance of the Director’s authorized employment duties to the Employer Group or with the prior consent of the Chief Executive Officer acting on behalf of the Employer Group in each instance (and then, such disclosure shall be made only within the limits and to the extent of such duties or consent); and
(iii) not to access or use any Confidential Information, and not to copy any documents, records, files, media, or other resources containing any Confidential Information, or remove any such documents, records, files, media, or other resources from the premises or control of the Employer Group, except as required in the performance of the Director’s authorized employment duties to the Employer Group or with the prior consent of the Chief Executive Officer acting on behalf of the Employer Group in each instance (and then, such disclosure shall be made only within the limits and to the extent of such duties or consent).
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The Director understands and acknowledges that the Director’s obligations under this Agreement regarding any particular Confidential Information begin immediately when the Director first has access to the Confidential Information (whether before or after beginning employment with the Employer Group) and shall continue during and after the Director’s employment by the Employer Group until the time that the Confidential Information has become public knowledge other than as a result of the Director’s breach of this Agreement or breach by those acting in concert with the Director or on the Director’s behalf.
(d) Notice of Immunity Under the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (“DTSA”). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement:
(i) The Director will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for any disclosure of a trade secret that:
(A) is made: (1) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (2) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or
(B) is made in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding.
(ii) If the Director files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Employer for reporting a suspected violation of law, the Director may disclose the Employer’s trade secrets to the Director’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding if the Director:
(A) files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and
(B) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.
(e) Other Permitted Disclosures. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent disclosure of Confidential Information as may be required by applicable law or regulation, or pursuant to the valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that the disclosure does not exceed the extent of disclosure required by such law, regulation, or order. The Director shall promptly provide written notice of any such order to an authorized officer of the Employer Group.
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Nothing in this Agreement prohibits or restricts the Director (or Director’s attorney) from filing a charge or complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), or any other securities regulatory agency or authority/the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), any other self-regulatory organization, or any other federal or state regulatory authority (“Government Agencies”). The Director further understands that this Agreement does not limit the Director’s ability to communicate with any securities regulatory agency or authority/Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any securities regulatory agency or authority/Government Agency in connection with reporting a possible securities law violation without notice to the Employer. This Agreement does not limit the Director’s right to receive an award for information provided to any Government Agencies/to the SEC staff or any other securities regulatory agency or authority.
Nothing in this Agreement in any way prohibits or is intended to restrict or impede, and shall not be interpreted or understood as restricting or impeding, the Director from discussing the terms and conditions of Director’s employment with co-workers or union representatives/exercising Director’s rights under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)/exercising protected rights to the extent that such rights cannot be waived by agreement, or otherwise disclosing information as permitted by law.
2. Restrictive Covenants.
(a) Acknowledgment of Legitimate Business Interests. The Director understands and acknowledges that:
(i) the nature of Director’s position gives the Director access to and knowledge of Confidential Information and places the Director in a position of trust and confidence with the Employer Group;
(ii) the Director will obtain knowledge and skill relevant to the Employer Group’s industry, methods of doing business, and marketing strategies by virtue of the Director’s employment;
(iii) the intellectual or artistic; and
(iv) the Employer Group’s ability to reserve these for the exclusive knowledge and use of the Employer Group is of great competitive importance and commercial value to the Employer Group, and that improper use or disclosure by the Director is likely to result in unfair or unlawful competitive activity.
(b) Non-Competition.
Because of Employer Group’s legitimate business interest as described in this Agreement and the good and valuable consideration offered to the Director, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, during the Restricted Period, the Director agrees and covenants not to engage in Prohibited Activity within the Restricted Territory.
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“Restricted Period” means the period of Director’s employment with the Employer Group and twelve (12) months immediately following the termination of Director’s employment with the Employer Group, regardless of the reason for the termination, whether voluntary or involuntary.
“Restricted Territory” means the United States of America in the pharmaceuticals industry
“Prohibited Activity” is activity in which the Director contributes the Director’s knowledge, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, as an Director, employer, owner, operator, manager, advisor, consultant, contractor, agent, partner, director, stockholder, officer, volunteer, intern, or any other similar capacity to an entity in competition with the Employer Group/engaged in the same or similar business as the Employer Group, including those engaged in the business of pharmaceuticals. Prohibited Activity also includes activity that may require or inevitably require the use or disclosure of trade secrets, proprietary information, or other Confidential Information.
Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit Director from purchasing or owning less than five percent (5%) of the publicly traded securities of any corporation, provided that such ownership represents a passive investment and that the Director is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group that controls, such corporation.
This Section does not, in any way, restrict or impede the Director from exercising protected rights to the extent that such rights cannot be waived by agreement or from complying with any applicable law or regulation or a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that such compliance does not exceed that required by the law, regulation, or order. The Director shall promptly provide written notice of any such order to the Chief Executive Officer.
(c) Non-Solicitation of Directors.
The Director understands and acknowledges that the Employer has expended and continues to expend significant time and expense in recruiting and training its Directors and that the loss of Directors would cause significant and irreparable harm to the Employer. The Director agrees and covenants not to directly or indirectly solicit, hire, recruit, or attempt to solicit, hire, or recruit, any Director of the Employer Group.
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This non-solicitation provision explicitly covers all forms of oral, written, or electronic communication, including, but not limited to, communications by email, regular mail, express mail, telephone, fax, instant message, and social media, including, but not limited to, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and any other social media platform, whether or not in existence at the time of entering into this Agreement. However, it will not be deemed a violation of this Agreement if the Director merely updates the Director’s LinkedIn profile or connects with a Covered Director on Facebook, LinkedIn, or other social media platform without engaging in any other substantive communication, by social media or otherwise, that is prohibited by this non-solicitation provision. This Section does not restrict or impede, in any way, and shall not be interpreted or understood as restricting or impeding, the Director from discussing the terms and conditions of Director’s employment with co-workers or union representatives/exercising Director’s rights under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)/exercising protected rights that cannot be waived by agreement.
(d) Non-Solicitation of Customers.
The Director understands and acknowledges that because of the Director’s experience with and relationship to the Employer Group, the Director will have/has had and will continue to have access to and will learn/has learned and will continue to learn about much or all of the Employer Group’s Customer Information, including, but not limited to, Confidential Information. “Customer Information” includes, but is not limited to, names, phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, order history, order preferences, chain of command, pricing information, and other information identifying facts and circumstances specific to the customer and relevant to sales/services.
The Director understands and acknowledges that: (i) the Employer Group’s relationships with its customers is of great competitive value; (ii) the Employer Group has invested and continues to invest substantial resources in developing and preserving its customer relationships and goodwill; and (iii) the loss of any such customer relationship or goodwill will cause significant and irreparable harm to the Employer Group.
The Director agrees and covenants, for a period of 12 months immediately following the termination of the Director’s employment with the Employer Group, regardless of the reason for the termination, whether voluntary or involuntary/during the Restricted Period, not to directly or indirectly solicit, contact, or attempt to solicit or contact, using any other form of oral, written, or electronic communication, including, but not limited to, email, regular mail, express mail, telephone, fax, or instant message, or social media, including but not limited to Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, or any other social media platform, whether or not in existence at the time of entering into this agreement, or meet with the Employer Group’s current, former, or prospective customers for purposes of offering or accepting goods or services similar to or competitive with those offered by the Employer Group. However, it will not be deemed a violation of this Agreement if the Director merely updates the Director’s LinkedIn profile, or connects with a covered customer or former customer on Facebook or LinkedIn, without engaging in any other substantive communication, by social media or otherwise, that is prohibited by this non-solicitation provision.
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This restriction shall only apply to:
| ● | Customers or prospective customers the Director serviced or solicited/contacted in any way during the last 12 months of the Director’s employment. | |
| ● | Customers about whom the Director has trade secret or confidential information. | |
| ● | Customers who became customers during the Director’s employment with the Employer Group. | |
| ● | Customers about whom the Director has information that is not available publicly. |
3. Non-Disparagement. The Director agrees and covenants that the Director will not at any time make, publish, or communicate to any person or entity or in any public forum any maliciously false, defamatory or disparaging remarks, comments, or statements concerning the Employer Group or its businesses, or any of its Directors, officers, or directors and their existing and prospective customers, suppliers, investors, and other associated third parties, now or at any time in the future/during the employment relationship and for 12 months after the termination of the Director’s employment for any reason.
This Section does not, in any way, restrict or impede the Director from exercising protected rights to the extent that such rights cannot be waived by agreement, including but not limited to the Director’s Section 7 rights under the NLRA, including the right to file unlawful labor practice (ULP) charges or participate, assist, or cooperating in ULP investigations, and rights to report possible securities law violations to the SEC or other securities regulators, without notice to the Employer Group, and rights to discuss or disclose information regarding a sexual assault or sexual harassment dispute arising after the date of this Agreement , and rights under the State of Delaware..
This Section also does not prevent the Director from complying with any applicable law or regulation or a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that such compliance does not exceed that required by the law, regulation, or order.
4. Reasonableness and Other Director Acknowledgments. The Director further acknowledges and agrees that:
(a) the restrictive covenants and other terms and conditions of this Agreement are reasonable and reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Employer Group including but not limited to those described in Section 2(a) above);
(b) the Director will be reasonably able to earn a living without violating the terms of this Agreement;
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(c) the Director will not be subject to undue hardship by reason of the Director’s full compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or the Employer Group’s enforcement of it;
(d) the amount of the Director’s compensation reflects, in part, the Director’s obligations and the Employer Group’s rights under this Agreement;
(e) the Director has no expectation of any additional compensation, royalties, or other payment of any kind not otherwise referenced herein in connection with this Agreement;
(f) this Agreement is not a contract of employment and shall not be construed as a commitment by either Party to continue an employment relationship for any certain time period;
(g) the Director has been given five days to review and consider this Agreement before signing it/commencing employment; and
(h) by this writing, the Director has been advised of the right to consult with counsel before signing it.
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to in any way terminate, supersede, undermine, or otherwise modify the “at-will” status of the employment relationship between the Employer Group and the Director, pursuant to which either the Employer Group or the Director may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice.
5. Remedies. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Director of any of the provisions of this Agreement, the Director hereby consents and agrees that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy and that the Employer Group shall be entitled to seek a temporary or permanent injunction or other equitable relief against such breach or threatened breach from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security. Any equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages, or other available relief.
6. Successors and Assigns; Survival.
(a) Assignment by the Employer Group.
To the extent permitted by state law, Director consents that the Employer Group may assign this Agreement to any subsidiary or corporate affiliate in the Employer Group or otherwise, or to any successor or assign (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Employer Group. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Employer Group and permitted successors and assigns.
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(b) No Assignment by the Director.
The Director may not assign this Agreement or any part hereof. Any purported assignment by the Director shall be null and void from the initial date of purported assignment.
(c) Survival.
The Parties’ rights and obligations under this Agreement survive the termination of Director’s employment with the Employer Group and any employment contract entered into in connection with that employment.
7. Warranty. Director represents and warrants that the Director is not a party to any non-compete restrictive covenant or related contractual limitation that would interfere with or hinder the Director’s ability to undertake the obligations and expectations of employment with the Employer Group.
8. Choice of Law and Forum Selection. This Agreement, including all exhibits attached hereto, and all matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement, whether sounding in contract, tort, or statute, are governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware (including[its statutes of limitations and , without giving effect to any conflict of laws provision that would require or permit the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware to apply. Any action or proceeding by either Party to enforce this Agreement shall be brought only in any state or federal court located in the state of New York. The Parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and waive the defense of inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding in such venue.
9. Entire Agreement. Unless specifically provided herein, this Agreement contains all the understandings and representations between the Director and the Employer Group pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter.
10. Modification and Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified unless the amendment or modification is agreed to in writing and signed by the Director and by the Employer’s Chief Executive Officer. No waiver by either Party of any breach of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by the other Party shall be deemed a waiver of any other provision or condition at the same or any prior or subsequent time, nor shall the failure of or delay by either Party in exercising any right, power, or privilege under this Agreement operate as a waiver to preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power, or privilege.
11. Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement be held by a court or arbitral authority of competent jurisdiction to be enforceable only if modified, or if any portion of this Agreement shall be held as unenforceable and thus stricken, that holding shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, the balance of which shall continue to be binding on the Parties with any modification to become a part of and treated as though originally set forth in this Agreement.
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The Parties further agree that any such court or arbitral authority is expressly authorized to modify any unenforceable provision of this Agreement instead of severing the unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the offending provision, adding additional language to this Agreement, or by making any other modifications it deems warranted to carry out the intent and agreement of the Parties as embodied in this Agreement to the maximum extent permitted by law.
The Parties expressly agree that this Agreement as so modified by the court shall be binding on and enforceable against each of them. Should one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, that invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, and if such provision or provisions are not modified as provided above, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had not been set forth in this Agreement.
12. Captions. Captions and headings of the sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are intended solely for convenience and no provision of this Agreement is to be construed by reference to the caption or heading of any section or paragraph.
13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart’s signature page of this Agreement, by facsimile, electronic mail in portable document format (.pdf), or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document, has the same effect as delivery of an executed original of this Agreement.
14. Tolling. If the Director violates any of the terms of the restrictive covenant obligations in this Agreement, the obligation at issue will begin to run from the first date on which the Director ceases to be in violation of the obligation/the restriction period/Restricted Period for all such restrictions shall automatically be extended by the period the Director was in violation of them.
15. Attorneys’ Fees. If the Director breaches any of the terms of the restrictive covenant obligations in this Agreement, to the extent authorized by state law, the Director will be responsible for payment of all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs the Employer Group incurred in the course of enforcing the terms of the Agreement, including demonstrating the existence of a breach and any other contract enforcement efforts.
16. No Preparation for Competition. During the term of the Director’s employment, Director agrees not to undertake preparations for competitive activity prohibited by this Agreement.
17. Notice. If and when Director’s employment with Employer Group terminates, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, Director agrees to provide to any subsequent employer a copy of this Agreement. In addition, Director authorizes Employer Group to provide a copy of this Agreement to third parties, including but not limited to, Director’s subsequent, anticipated, or possible future employer.
[signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date above.
| ASPIRE BIOPHARMA INC. | ||
| By | ||
| Name: | Kraig Higginson | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| DIRECTOR | ||
| Signature:____________________________ | ||
| Print Name:____________________________ | ||
Exhibit 10.11
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of February 10, 2025 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and between, Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Kraig Higginson, an individual and resident of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the “Executive”). As used in this Agreement, Company and Executive are sometimes individually referred to herein as a “party” and collectively as the “Parties”.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company’s predecessor entity Aspire Biopharma, Inc., a Puerto Rico corporation, and Executive previously entered into that certain consulting agreement, dated August 24, 2022 (the “Existing Agreement”) pursuant to which the Executive agreed to serve as the predecessor Company’s Chief Executive Officer and to provide services in such capacity to the predecessor Company as more particularly described therein; and
WHEREAS, the Company now desires to hire the Executive as the Chief Executive Officer for the Company and desire to replace the Existing Agreement in its entirety as of the date of this Agreement, and agree that this Agreement shall govern the relationship of the Parties from and after the Effective Date, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, which are made a part hereof, the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment Term. Executive’s employment with the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall be terminable at the will of either party with two weeks’ notice, with or without cause.
2. Position and Duties: Exclusive Employment Principal Location: No Conflicts.
(a) Position and Duties. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall serve as Chief Executive Officer for the Company, together with all of its respective subsidiaries and affiliates, reporting directly to the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), and shall have such duties, authority, and responsibility as shall be assigned and determined from time to time by the Board, including duties and responsibilities for the Company and its current and any future parent, subsidiaries and affiliates, without additional compensation or benefits other than as set forth in this Agreement.
E ·elusive Employment. Except as permitted under this Section 20, Executive agrees to devote Executive’s full business time and attention exclusively to the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder and in furtherance of the business of the Company. Executive shall (i) perform Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder honestly, in good faith, to the best of Executive’s abilities in a diligent manner, and in accordance with the Company’s policies and applicable law,(ii) promote the success of the Company, (iii) not do anything, or permit anything to be done at Executive’s direction, that is intended to be inconsistent with Executive’s duties to the Company or opposed to the best interests of the Company or which is a conflict of interest, and (iv) not be or become an officer, director, manager, employee, advisor, or consultant of any business other than that of:
(b) the Company, unless the Executive receives advance written approval from the Board and any other approvals required under the written policies of the Company. Executive shall not, during Executive’s employment with the Company, be involved directly or indirectly, in any manner, as a partner, officer, director, stockholder, member, manager, consultant, advisor, investor, creditor or employee for any company engaged in a substantially similar business to the Company; however, Executive may use Executive’s personal funds to invest in a publicly traded company that engages in a similar business, but shall not own more than two (2%) percent of the stock thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may engage in civic and not-for-profit activities, as long as such activities do not interfere with Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties to the Company, or the commitments made by Executive in this Section 20.
(c) Principal Location: Travel. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall perform the duties and responsibilities required by this Agreement remotely, or such other location within the continental United States as reasonably determined by Executive to the extent such location does not negatively impact the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder. Executive acknowledges that he may be required to travel to other locations, including internationally, as may be necessary to fulfill her duties and responsibilities hereunder.
(d) No Conflict. Executive represents and warrants to the Company that Executive has the capacity to enter into this Agreement, and that the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive will not violate any agreement, undertaking or covenant to which Executive is a party or is otherwise bound, including any obligations with respect to non- competition, non-solicitation, or proprietary or confidential information of any other person or entity.
3. Compensation: Benefits.
(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay to Executive an annualized base salary of One Hundred Eighty Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($180,000.00) (the “Base Salary”) which shall be due and payable in regular installments in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices and procedures, but in no event less frequently than monthly, and prorated for any partial year worked. The Base Salary is subject to review annually throughout the Employment Term by the Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of the Board and the Board and may be subject to increase in the Board’s discretion.
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(b) Incentive Compensation.
(i) Annual Bonus.
(A) Amount. For each complete fiscal year during the Employment Term Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual performance-based bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) based upon achieved Company performance metrics for revenue, profitability, and the development of new business relationships, for the given fiscal year which goals shall be determined by the Board by the end of August 2025 and/or Executive achievement of identified individual performance goals, all as determined by the Compensation Committee within the first quarter of such applicable fiscal year during the Employment Te1m. The terms, amount, and award of an Annual Bonus is within the sole discretion, and subject to the approval, of the Compensation Committee.
(B) Tjming of Payment. The Annual Bonus shall be paid in the immediately following fiscal year to the fiscal year to which the Annual Bonus relates at the same time bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company, but in no event later than ten (10) weeks following the end of the fiscal year to which the Annual Bonus relates.
(C) Form of Payment. In the Compensation Committee’s complete and sole discretion, an Annual Bonus may be paid in cash or in the form of stock or warrants.
(D) Conditions to Payment To be eligible to receive such Annual Bonus, Executive must (I) remain continuously employed with and by the Company (or any member of the Company) through the last day of the fiscal year to which the Annual Bonus relates, and (II) be in good standing with the Company (and all members of the Company in the same controlled group) (i.e., not under any type of performance improvement plan, disciplinary suspension, final warning, or the like) as of the last day of the fiscal year to which the Annual Bonus relates. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, if Executive incurs a termination of employment prior to the last day of the fiscal year to which the Annual Bonus relates, Executive shall not be entitled to any Annual Bonus for such fiscal year.
(ii) Clawback Provision. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein and without limiting any other rights and remedies of the Company (including as may be required by law), if Executive has engaged in fraud or other willful misconduct that contributes materially to any financial restatements or material loss to the Company or Greenlane (or any member of the Company, the Company and/or Company, as the case may be, shall recover, for the 3-year period preceding the date on which the Company or any member of the Company, as the case may be, is required to prepare the account restatements, the amount by which any incentive compensation paid to Executive exceeded the lower amount that would have been payable to Executive after giving effect to the restated financial results or the material loss, in one or more of the following methods:
(A) Require repayment by Executive of any Annual Bonus (net of any taxes paid by Executive on such payments) previously paid to Executive,
(B) Cancel any earned but unpaid Annual Bonus, or
(C) Adjust the future compensation of Executive to recover the amount.
In addition, the Executive’s Annual Bonus shall be subject to any other clawback or recoupment policy of the Company as may be in effect from time to time, including for fraud or other willful misconduct that contributes materially to any financial restatements or material loss to the Company, or any clawback or recoupment as may be required by applicable law.
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(c) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive shall be eligible for participation in the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs (including, if applicable, medical, dental, disability, employee life, group life and accidental death insurance plans and programs) that are maintained by, contributed to or pai1icipated in by the Company, subject in each instance to the underlying terms and conditions (including plan eligibility provisions) of such plans, practices, policies and programs.
(d) Expenses. Subject to Section 23 below, during the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement of all documented reasonable business expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company applicable to executives of the Company, as in effect from time to time.
(e) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be eligible to receive such fringe benefits and perquisites as are provided by the Company, in its sole discretion, to its employees from time to time, in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company applicable to its executives.
(f) Paid Time Off. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to paid time off as needed, in accordance with the plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company applicable to its executives.
(g) Withholding Taxes. All forms of compensation paid or payable to the Executive from the Company or any member of the Company, whether under this Agreement or otherwise, are subject to reduction to reflect applicable withholding and payroll taxes pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
4. Termination. This Agreement and Executive’s employment with the Company may be terminated at will, with or without case, by either pai1y, with two weeks written notice.
5. Obligations of the Company Upon Termination.
(a) Termination By the Company Without Cause or By the Executive for Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment is terminated prior to the expiration of the Employment Term by the Company without Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, the Company shall:
(i) pay Executive within thirty (30) days after the effective date of termination or by such earlier date if required by applicable law, (A) the aggregate amount of Executive’s earned but unpaid Base Salary then in effect, (B) incurred but umeimbursed documented reasonable reimbursable business expenses through the date of such termination, and (C) any other amounts due under applicable law, in each case earned and owing through the date of termination (the “Accrued Obligations”).
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(ii) pay to Executive (A) the amount of any Annual Bonus earned, but not yet paid, with respect to the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the date of termination of Executive’s employment with the Company occurs which such payment shall be made to Executive in accordance with Section 3(b) hereof (the “Earned Bonus”); provided the Earned Bonus shall be paid in cash notwithstanding anything contained in Section 3(b)(i)(C) to the contrary, and (B) the amount of the Annual Bonus at the maximum eligibility, pro-rated based on the number of the days in the calendar year in which Executive was employed for that calendar year to which the bonus relates, which sum shall be paid within fifteen (15) days after the Release (as defined in Section 5(a)(iii)) becomes effective.
(iii) subject to (A) Section 5Error! Reference source not found. below, (B) the Executive timely signing, delivering, and not revoking (if applicable) the Release (as defined in this Section 5(a)(iii)), and (C) the Executive’s compliance with the Executive’s post-termination obligations in Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, and IO hereof following the te1mination of Executive’s employment with the Company, the Company shall pay to the Executive: (a) severance equal to two months of the Executive’s Base Salary in effect on the date of which shall be payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices and subject to all customary withholding and deductions; and (b) pay to the Executive a cash payment in an amount equal to the applicable COBRA premium payments (as reasonably determined by the Administrator as of the time of Executive’s termination of employment) that would be payable by the Executive to continue the Executive’s company-provided medical, dental, and/or vision coverage for the Participant and any dependents covered at the time of termination, for nine (9) months; (the foregoing benefits collectively referred to as the “Severance”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall be a condition to the Executive’s right to receive the Severance that the Executive execute and deliver to the Company an effective general release of claims covering any claims by Executive arising from facts or circumstances occurring on or before the effective date of termination in a form prescribed by the Company, as set forth in form as Exhibit _, which form shall include, among customary tem1s and conditions, the survival of Executive’s post-termination obligations in Sections 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of this Agreement following termination of Executive’s employment with the Company (the “Release”), within twenty-one (21) days (or, to the extent required by law, forty-five (45) days) following the date of termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, and that the Executive not revoke such Release during any applicable revocation period (the combined review period and revocation period hereinafter referred to as the “Consideration Period”). Subject to Section 5Error! Reference source not found. below, upon timely execution, delivery and non- revocation of the Release by Executive, the installment payments of the Severance shall begin on the first normal payroll date that is after the later of (I) the date on which the Executive delivered to the Company the Release signed by the Executive, or (II) the end of any applicable revocation period (unless a longer period is required by law). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the earliest payment date determined under the preceding sentence is in one taxable year of the Executive, and the latest possible payment date is in a second taxable year of the Executive, the first installment payment of Severance shall be made on the first nom1al payroll date that immediately follows the last date of the Consideration Period.
(b) Exclusive Benefits. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, except as expressly provided in this Section 5, the Executive shall not be entitled to any additional payments or benefits upon or in connection with the Executive’s termination of employment with the Company.
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6. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.
(a) Confidential Information. The Executive acknowledges that in the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive previously was provided with, had access to, accessed, and used Confidential Information (as defined herein) of the Company. Executive further acknowledges that in the course of Executive’s continuing employment with the Company, the Executive will use, have access to, and develop Confidential Information (as defined herein) of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement,” on6dential Information” shall mean and include all information, whether written or oral, tangible or intangible (in any form or format), of a private, secret, proprietary or confidential nature, of or concerning the Company or the business or operations of the Company, including without limitation: any trade secrets or other confidential or proprietary information which is not publicly known or generally known in the industry; the identity, background, and preferences of any current, former, or prospective clients, suppliers, vendors, referral sources, and business affiliates; pricing and financial information; current and prospective client, supplier, or vendor lists and leads; proposals with prospective clients, suppliers, vendors, or business affiliates; contracts with clients, suppliers, vendors or business affiliates; marketing plans; brand standards guidelines; proprietary computer software and systems; marketing materials and information; inforn1ation regarding corporate opportunities; operating and business plans and strategies; research and development; policies and manuals; personnel information of employees that is private and confidential; any information related to the compensation of employees, consultants, agents or representatives of the Company; sales and financial reports and forecasts; any information concerning any product, technology or procedure employed by the Company but not generally known to its cunent or prospective clients, suppliers, vendors or competitors, or under development by or being tested by the Company; any inventions, innovations or improvements covered by Section 8 hereof; and information concerning planned or pending acquisitions or divestitures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Confidential Information shall not include information which (A) becomes available to Executive from a source other than the Company or from third parties with whom the Company is not owed a duty of confidentiality, (B) becomes generally available or known in the industry other than as a result of its disclosure by Executive, (C) was known by the Executive prior to the effective date of the Existing Employment Agreement (or any prior agreement between the Executive and any member of the Company), without any obligation of confidentiality, or (D) was independently developed by the Executive without reliance upon any Confidential Information of the Company or any member of the Company as demonstrated by Executive’s written records prior to the date of the Existing Employment Agreement.
(i) During the course of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive agrees to use Executive’s best efforts to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information, including adopting and implementing all reasonable procedures prescribed by the Company to prevent unauthorized use of Confidential Information or disclosure of Confidential Information to any unauthorized person.
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(ii) Executive agrees that all Confidential Information shall be the Company’s sole property during and after Executive’s employment with the Company. Executive agrees that Executive will not remove any hard copies of Confidential Information from the Company’s premises, will not download, upload, or otherwise transfer copies of Confidential Information to any external storage media, cloud storage, personal email address of Executive or email address that is not owned by the Company (except as necessary in the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company), and will not print hard copies of any Confidential Information that Executive accesses electronically from a remote location (except as necessary in the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company).
(iii) Other than as contemplated in Section 6(a)(iv) below, in the event that Executive becomes legally obligated to disclose any Confidential Information to anyone other than to the Company, Executive will provide the Company with prompt written notice thereof so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and Executive will cooperate with and assist the Company in securing such protective order or other remedy. In the event that such protective order is not obtained, or that the Company waives compliance with the provisions of this Section 6(a)(iii) to permit a particular disclosure, Executive will furnish only that po1iion of the Confidential Information which Executive is legally required to disclose.
(iv) Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement with the Company containing confidentiality provisions shall be construed to prohibit Executive from: filing a charge with, participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by, or cooperating with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal, state or local government agency charged with enforcement of any law, rule or regulation (“Government Agencies”); reporting possible violations of any law, rule or regulation to any Government Agencies; making other disclosures that are protected under whistleblower provisions of any law, rule or regulation; or receiving an award for info1mation provided to any Government Agencies. Executive acknowledges that an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (A) is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and made solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law: or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal or is redacted to conceal such Confidential Information to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law or court order. Executive further acknowledges that an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual: (1) files any document containing the trade secret under seal or is redacted to conceal such Confidential Information to the fullest extent pern1itted by applicable law or court order; and (2) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.
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(b) Restrictions On Use And Disclosure Of Confidential Information. At all times during Executive’s employment with the Company and after Executive’s employment with Company terminates, regardless of the reason for termination, Executive agrees: (i) not to use, permit use of, discuss, disclose, transfer, or disseminate in any manner any Confidential Information, except as necessary in the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company and for the Company’s sole benefit; (ii) not to make, or cause to be made, copies (in any form or format) of the Confidential Information, except as necessary in the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company and for the Company’s sole benefit; and (iii) to promptly and fully advise the Company of all facts known to Executive concerning any actual or threatened unauthorized use of the Confidential Information or disclosure of the Confidential Information to any unauthorized person about which Executive becomes aware. The restrictions contained in this Section 6(b) also apply to Confidential Information developed by Executive during Executive’s employment with the Company, which are related to the Company or to the Company’s successors or assigns, as such information is developed for the benefit of and ownership of the Company and all rights and privileges to such information or derivative works, including but not limited to trademarks, patents and copyrights remain with the Company.
Third Party Information. Executive acknowledges that during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive may have already received or had access to, and may continue to receive or have access to, confidential or proprietary information belonging to third parties (“Third Party Information”‘). During the Employment Term and thereafter Executive agrees: (i) to hold the Third Party Information in the strictest confidence, take all reasonable precautions to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of the Third Party Information to any unauthorized person, and follow all of the Company’s policies regarding protecting the Third Party Inf01mation; (ii) not to use, permit use of, discuss, disclose, transfer, or disseminate in any manner any Third Party Information, except as necessary in the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company; (iii) not to make, or cause to be made, copies (in any form or format) of the Third Party Information, except as necessary in the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company; and (iv) to promptly and fully advise the Company of all facts known to the Executive concerning any actual or threatened unauthorized use of the Third Party Information or disclosure of the Third Party Information to any unauthorized person about which Executive becomes aware.
(c) Return of Confidential Information and Property. Upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, notwithstanding the reason or cause of termination, and at any other time upon written request by the Company, Executive shall promptly return to the Company all originals, copies, or duplicates, in any form or format (whether paper, electronic or other storage media), of the Confidential Information and the Third Party Information, as well as any and all other documents, computer discs, computer data, equipment, and property of the Company (including, but not limited to, cell phones, credit cards, and laptop computers if they have been provided to Executive), relating in any way to the business of the Company or in any way obtained by Executive during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company. Executive further agrees that after termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive shall not retain any copies, notes, or abstracts in any form or format (whether paper, electronic or other storage media) of the Confidential Information, the Third Party Information, or other documents or property belonging to the Company.
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7. Non-Disparagement. Executive and Company agree that at all times during and after the Employment Term, neither the Executive nor any member of the Company will engage in any conduct that is injurious to the reputation or interests of the Executive or the Company, including, but not limited to, making disparaging comments via any media or method of communication (or inducing or encouraging others to make disparaging comments) about the Executive, Company, any of the shareholders, members, directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company, or the Company’s operations, financial condition, prospects, products or services. However, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit either Party from: exercising protected rights under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act; filing a charge with, participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by, or cooperating with any Government Agencies; testifying truthfully in any forum or before any Government Agencies; reporting possible violations of any law, rule or regulation to any Government Agencies; receiving legal advice, or making other disclosures that are required by law or protected under whistleblower provisions of any law, rule or regulation.
8. Intellectual Property.
(a) Work Product Owned. By the Company. Executive agrees that the Company is and will be the sole and exclusive owner of all ideas, inventions, discoveries, improvements, designs, plans, methods, works of authorship, deliverables, writings, brochures, manuals, know-how, method of conducting its business, policies, procedures, products, processes, software, or any enhancements, or documentation of or to the same and any other work product in any form or media that Executive made during the course of employment with the Company that the Executive makes, works on, conceives, or reduces to practice, individually or jointly with others, in the course of Executive’s past, current and future employment for the Company or with the use of the Company’s time, materials or facilities, and is in any way related or pertaining to or connected with the present or anticipated business, products or services of the Company whether produced during normal business hours or on personal time (collectively, “Work Products”).
(b) Intellectual Property. “Intellectual Property” means any and all (i) copyrights and other rights associated with works of authorship, (ii) trade secrets and other confidential information, (iii) patents, patent disclosures and all rights in inventions (whether patentable or not), (iv) trademarks, trade names, Internet domain names, and registrations and applications for the registration thereof together with all of the goodwill associated therewith, (v) all other intellectual and industrial property rights of every kind and nature throughout the world and however designated, whether arising by operation of law, contract, license, or otherwise, and (vi) all registrations, applications, renewals, extensions, continuations, divisions, or reissues thereof now or hereafter in effect.
(c) Assignment. Executive acknowledges Executive’s work and services provided for the Company and all results and proceeds thereof, including, the Work Products, are works done under Company’s direction and control and have been specially ordered or commissioned by the Company. To the extent the Work Products are copyrightable subject matter, they shall constitute “works made for hire” for the Company within the meaning of the Copyright Act of 1976, as amended, and shall be the exclusive property of the Company. Should any Work Product be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to not be a “work made for hire,” and for any other rights, Executive hereby assigns and transfers to Company, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all right, title, and interest in and to the Work Products, including but not limited to all Intellectual Property pertaining thereto, and in and to all works based upon, derived from, or incorporating such Work Products, and in and to all income, royalties, damages, claims and payments now or hereafter due or payable with respect thereto, and in and to all causes of action, either in law or in equity for past, present, or future infringement. Executive hereby waives and further agrees not to assert Executive’s rights known in various jurisdictions as moral rights and grants the Company the right to make changes, as the Company deems necessary, in the Work Products.
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(d) License of Intellectual Property Not Assigned. Notwithstanding the above, should Executive be deemed to own or have any Intellectual Property that is used, embodied, or reflected in the Work Products, Executive hereby grants to the Company, its successors and assigns, the non-exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, fully paid and royalty-free license, with rights to sublicense through multiple levels of sublicenses, to use, reproduce, publish, create derivative works of, market, advertise, distribute, sell, publicly perf01m and publicly display and otherwise exploit by all means now known or later developed the Work Products and Intellectual Property.
(e) Maintenance: Disclosure: Execution: Attorney-ln-Fact. Executive will, at the request and cost of the Company, sign, execute, make and do all such deeds, documents, acts and things as the Company and their duly authorized agents may reasonably require to apply for, obtain and vest in the name of the Company alone (unless the Company otherwise directs) letters patent, copyrights or other analogous protection in any country throughout the world and when so obtained or vested to renew and restore the same. In the event the Company is unable, after reasonable effort, to secure Executive’s signature on any letters patent, copyright or other analogous protection relating to a Work Product, whether because of Executive’s physical or mental incapacity or for any other reason whatsoever, Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and their duly authorized officers and agents as Executive’s agent and attorney-in-fact (which designation and appointment shall be (i) deemed coupled with an interest and (ii) irrevocable, and shall survive Executive’s death or incapacity), to act for and in Executive’s behalf and stead to execute and file any such application or applications and to do all other lawfully pe1mitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of letters patent, copyright or other analogous protection thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Executive.
(f) Executive’s Representations Regarding Work Products. Executive represents and warrants that all Work Products that Executive makes, works on, conceives, or reduces to practice, individually or jointly with others, in the course of performing Executive’s duties for Company under this Agreement are (i) original or an improvement of the Company’s prior Work Products, and (ii) do not to Executive’s knowledge include, copy, use, or infringe any Intellectual Property rights of a third party.
9. Cooperation. Executive agrees that at all times during the Executive’s employment with the Company and at all times thereafter (including following the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason), Executive will cooperate with all reasonable requests by the Company for assistance in connection with any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, involving the Company, including by providing truthful testimony in person in any such action, suit, or proceeding, and by providing information and meeting and consulting with the Board or their representatives or counsel, or representatives of or counsel to the Company, as reasonably requested; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to any action, suit, or proceeding involving disputes between Executive and the Company arising under this Agreement or any other agreement. Executive shall be compensated for time spent at the Company’s request providing cooperation pursuant to this section at an hourly rate equal to Executive’s Base Salary divided by 2,080.
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10. Indemnification. During and after the Employment Te1m, the Executive shall be entitled to all rights to indemnification available under the by-laws, ce1iificate of incorporation and any director and officer insurance policies of Greenlane and the Company and any member of the Company, any indemnification agreement entered into between Greenlane, the Company, and any member of the Company and Executive, or to which Executive may otherwise be entitled through Greenlane, the Company, any member of the Company and/or any of their respective subsidiaries and affiliates, in accordance with their respective terms. During the Employment Term and for a period of six (6) years thereafter, the Company, or any successor to the Company resulting from a Change in Control, shall keep in place a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy (or policies) providing comprehensive coverage to Executive to the extent that Company provides such coverage for any other senior executive or member of the Board.
11. Severability: Independent Covenants. If any term or provision of this Agreement shall be dete1mined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain enforceable and the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions shall be modified so as to be valid and enforceable and shall be enforced as modified. If, moreover, any part of this Agreement is for any reason held too excessively broad as to time, duration, geographic scope, activity, or subject, it is the intent of the Parties that this Agreement shall be judicially modified by limiting or reducing it so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with the applicable law. The existence of any claim or cause of action of Executive against the Company (or against any member, shareholder, director, officer or employee thereof), whether arising out of the Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to: (i) the enforcement by the Company of any of the restrictive covenants set forth in this Agreement; or (ii) the Company’s entitlement to any remedies hereunder. Executive’s obligations under this Agreement are independent of any of the Company’s obligations to the Executive.
12. Remedies for Breach. Executive acknowledges and agrees that it would be difficult to measure the damages to the Company from any breach or threatened breach by Executive of this Agreement, including but not limited to Sections 6, 7, and 8 hereof; that injury to the Company from any such breach would be irreparable; and that money damages would therefore be an inadequate remedy for any such breach. Accordingly, Executive agrees that if Executive breaches or threatens to breach any of the promises contained in this Agreement, the Company shall, in addition to all other remedies it may have (including monetary remedies), be entitled to seek an injunction and/or equitable relief, on a temporary or permanent basis, to restrain any such breach or threatened breach without showing or proving any actual damage to the Company. Nothing herein shall be construed as a waiver of any right the Company may have or hereafter acquire to pursue any other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach, including recovery of damages from Executive. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Executive shall not be entitled to any post-termination payments pursuant hereto during any period in which Executive is materially violating any of Executive’s obligations under Sections 6, 7, and 8 hereof.
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13. Assignment: Third-Party Beneficiaries. The rights of the Company under this Agreement may, without the consent of Executive, be assigned by the Company to (i) any person, firm, corporation, or other business entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger, or otherwise, directly or indirectly, a controlling interest in the Company ( >50% of voting power), or all or substantially all of the Company’s stock or assets, or (ii) any affiliate or future affiliate of the Company, and such assignment by Company pursuant to this Section 13 shall automatically, and without any further action required by the Parties, relieve the assignor Company (and discharge and release the assignor Company) from all obligations and liabilities under or related to this Agreement (all such obligations and/or automatically liabilities assumed by the assignee Company). This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor or assigns of Company. Executive may not assign this Agreement without the written consent of the Company. Executive agrees that each member of the Company is an express third party beneficiary of this Agreement, and this Agreement, including other obligations set forth in Sections 6, 7, 8, and 9 hereof, are for each such member’s benefit. Executive expressly agrees and consents to the enforcement of this Agreement, including but not limited to other obligations in Sections 6, 7, 8, and 9 hereof, by any member of the Company as well as by the Company’s future affiliates, successors and/or assigns.
14. Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. In any action brought to enforce or otherwise interpret any provision of this Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs from the non-prevailing Party to the action or proceeding, including through settlement, judgment and/or appeal.
15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its choice of law principles, except where the application of federal law applies.
16. Mutual Waiver of Jury Trial in Court Proceedings. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS IT MAY HAVE TO DEMAND A TRIAL BY JURY FOR ANY CAUSE OF ACTION, CLAIM, RIGHT, ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES. THIS WAIVER EXTENDS TO ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO DEMAND A TRIAL BY WRY ARISING FROM ANY SOURCE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THE CONSTITUTION OF ANY STATE, COMMON LAW OR ANY APPLICABLE STATUTE OR REGULATION. EACH PARTY HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING THE RIGHT TO DEMAND TRIAL BY WRY.
17. Waiver. No waiver of any breach or other rights under this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver unless the acknowledgment of the waiver is in writing executed by the Party committing the waiver. No waiver shall be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach or rights. All rights are cumulative under this Agreement. The failure or delay of the Company at any time or times to require performance of, or to exercise any of its powers, rights or remedies with respect to any tem1 or provision of this Agreement or any other aspect of Executive’s conduct or employment in no manner (except as otherwise expressly provided herein) shall affect the Company’s right at a later time to enforce any such term or provision.
18. Survival. The provisions of Sections 6 through 21 of this Agreement shall survive the tem1ination of this Agreement and the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company regardless of the reason for termination; shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms; and shall continue to be binding on the Parties.
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19. Independent Advice. Executive acknowledges that the Company has provided Executive with a reasonable opportunity to obtain independent legal advice with respect to this Agreement, and that either: (a) Executive has had such independent legal advice prior to executing this Agreement; or (b) Executive has willingly chosen not to obtain such advice and to execute this Agreement without having obtained such advice.
20. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, arrangements, promises and commitments, whether written or oral, express or implied, relating to the subject matter hereof, and all such prior agreements, understandings, arrangements, promises and commitments. For avoidance of doubt, this Agreement does not supersede, nullify, or otherwise impact any retention bonuses or equity grants issued to Executive prior to the Effective Date.
21. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended, supplemented or modified in whole or in pai1 except by an instrument in writing signed by the Party or Parties against whom enforcement ofsuch amendment, supplement, or modification is sought.
22. Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given: (a) upon delivery, if delivered by hand; (b) three (3) days after the date of deposit in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by certified U.S. mail; or (c) on the next business day, if sent by e-mail or prepaid overnight courier service. If not personally delivered by hand, notice shall be sent using the addresses and/or email addresses set forth below or to such other address as either Party may designate by written notice to the other:
If to the Executive: at the Executive’s most recent address on the records of the Company.
If to the Company, to:
Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc. c/o
AND
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23. Code Section 409A Compliance. It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement are either exempt from or comply with the terms and conditions of Section 409A of the Code and to the extent that the requirements of Section 409A of the Code are applicable thereto, all provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability with regard to any failure to comply with Section 409A of the Code. If under this Agreement, an amount is to be paid in two or more installments, for purposes of Section 409A of the Code each installment shall be treated as a separate payment. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary or otherwise, except to the extent any expense, reimbursement or in-kind benefit provided pursuant to this Agreement does not constitute a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided to Executive during any calendar year will not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided to Executive in any other calendar year; (ii) the reimbursements for expenses for which Executive is entitled to be reimbursed shall be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the applicable expense is incurred; and (iii) the right to payment or reimbursement or in-kind benefits hereunder may not be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit.
24. Counterparts; Electronic Transmission; Headings. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, including an electronic copy or facsimile, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The headings used herein are for ease of reference only and shall not define or limit the provisions hereof.
25. Incorporation of Recitals. The Recitals set forth on the first page of this Agreement are incorporated hereby as if fully set forth hereon.
[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank: signatures follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Executive Employment Agreement as of the date first above written.
COMPANY:
Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc.
By
Kraig Higginson
Solely as to the novation of the Existing Employment Agreement,
Aspire Biopharma, Inc.
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Exhibit 10.12
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of February 10, 2025 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and between, Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Ernest J. Scheidemann, Jr., an individual and resident of the State of Florida (the “Executive”). As used in this Agreement, Company and Executive are sometimes individually referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company’s predecessor entity Aspire Biopharma, Inc., a Puerto Rico corporation, and Executive previously entered into that ce1iain consulting agreement, dated August 24, 2022 (the “Existing Agreement”) pursuant to which the Executive agreed to serve as the predecessor Company’s Chief Financial Officer and to provide services in such capacity to the predecessor Company as more particularly described therein; and
WHEREAS, the Company now desires to hire the Executive as the Chief Financial Officer for the Company and replace the Existing Agreement in its entirety as of the date of this Agreement, and agree that this Agreement shall govern the relationship of the Parties from and after the Effective Date, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, which are made a part hereof, the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment Term. Executive’s employment with the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall be terminable at the will of either party with two weeks’ notice, with or without cause.
2. Position and Duties; Exclusive Employment: Principal Location; No Conflicts.
(a) “Position and Duties. During the Employment Tenn, the Executive shall serve as Chief Financial Officer for the Company, together with all of its respective subsidiaries and affiliates, reporting directly to the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), and shall have such duties, authority and responsibility as shall be assigned and determined from time to time by the Board including duties and responsibility for the Company and its current and any future parent, subsidiaries and affiliates, without additional compensation or benefits other than as set forth in this Agreement.
Exclusive Employment. Except as permitted under this Section 2, Executive agrees to devote Executive’s full business time and attention exclusively to the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder and in furtherance of the business of the Company. Executive shall (i) perform Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder honestly, in good faith, to the best of Executive’s abilities in a diligent mam1er, and in accordance with the Company’s policies and applicable law,(ii) promote the success of the Company, (iii) not do anything, or permit anything to be done at Executive’s direction, that is intended to be inconsistent with Executive’s duties to the Company or opposed to the best interests of the Company or which is a conflict of interest, (iv) and (iv) not be or become an employee, of any business other the Company.
(b) Executive shall not, during Executive’s employment with the Company, be involved directly or indirectly, in any manner, as a partner, officer, director, stockholder, member, manager, consultant, advisor, investor, creditor or employee for any company engaged in a substantially similar business to the Company; however, Executive may use Executive’s personal funds to invest in a publicly traded company that engages in a similar business, but shall not own more than two (2%) percent of the stock thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive (i) shall be free to engage in agreements to perform work for other companies, and (ii) may engage in civic and not-for-profit activities, so long as same does not materially interfere with the Executives ability to properly perform its duties, responsibilities, and functions for the Company.
(c) Principal Location: Travel. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall perform the duties and responsibilities required by this Agreement remotely, or such other location within the continental United States as reasonably dete1mined by Executive to the extent such location does not negatively impact the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder. Executive acknowledges that he may be required to travel to other locations, including internationally, as may be necessary to fulfill her duties and responsibilities hereunder.
(d) No Conflict. Executive represents and warrants to the Company that Executive has the capacity to enter into this Agreement, and that the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive will not violate any agreement, undertaking or covenant to which Executive is a party or is otherwise bound, including any obligations with respect to non- competition, non-solicitation, or proprietary or confidential information of any other person or entity.
3. Compensation; Benefits.
(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay to Executive an annualized base salary of Two Hundred Forty Thousand and no/100 Dollars ($240,000.00) (the ‘Base Salary ‘) which shall be due and payable in regular installments in accordance with the Company s customary payroll practices and procedures, but in no event less frequently than monthly and prorated for any partial year worked. The Base Salary is subject to review annually throughout the Employment Term by the compensation Committee (the ‘ Compensation Committee’) of the Board and the Board and may be subject to increase in the Board’s discretion.
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(b) Incentive Compensation.
(i) Annual Bonus.
(A) Amount. For each complete fiscal year during the Employment Tenn Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual performance-based bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) based upon achieved Company performance metrics for revenue, profitability, and the development of new business relationships, for the given fiscal year which goals shall be determined by the Board by the end of August 2025 and/or Executive achievement of identified individual performance goals, all as determined by thy Compensation Committee within the first qua11er of such applicable fiscal year during the Employment Term. The terms, amount, and award of an Annual Bonus is within the sole discretion, and subject to the approval, of the Compensation Committee.
(B) Timmg of Payment. The Annual Bonus shall be paid in the immediately following fiscal year to the fiscal year to which the Annual Bonus relates at the same time bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company, but in no event later than ten (10) weeks following the end of the fiscal year to which the Annual Bonus relates.
(C) Form of Payment. In the Compensation Committee’s complete and sole discretion, an Annual Bonus may be paid in cash or in the form of stock or warrants.
(D) Conditions to Payment. To be eligible to receive such Annual Bonus, Executive must (I) remain continuously employed with and by the Company (or any member of the Company) through the last day of the fiscal year to which the Annual Bonus relates, and (II) be in good standing with the Company (and all members of the Company in the same controlled group) (i.e., not under any type of performance improvement plan, disciplinary suspension, final warning, or the like) as of the last day of the fiscal year to which the Annual Bonus relates. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, if Executive incurs a termination of employment prior to the last day of the fiscal year to which the Annual Bonus relates, Executive shall not be entitled to any Annual Bonus for such fiscal year.
(ii) Clawback Provisions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein and without limiting any other rights and remedies of the Company (including as may be required by law), if Executive has engaged in fraud or other willful misconduct that contributes materially to any financial restatements or material loss to the Company or Greenlane (or any member of the Company, the Company and/or Company, as the case may be, shall recover, for the 3-year period preceding the date on which the Company or any member of the Company, as the case may be, is required to prepare the account restatements, the amount by which any incentive compensation paid to Executive exceeded the lower amount that would have been payable to Executive after giving effect to the restated financial results or the material loss, in one or more of- the following methods:
(A) Require repayment by Executive of any Annual Bonus (net of any taxes paid by Executive on such payments) previously paid to Executive,
(B) Cancel any earned but unpaid Annual Bonus, or
(C) Adjust the future compensation of Executive to recover the amount.
In addition, the Executive’s Annual Bonus shall be subject to any other clawback or recoupment policy of the Company as may be in effect from time to time, including for fraud or other willful misconduct that contributes materially to any financial restatements or mate1ial loss to the Company, or any clawback or recoupment as may be required by applicable law.
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(c) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive shall be eligible for participation in the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs (including, if applicable, medical, dental, disability, employee life, group life and accidental death insurance plans and programs) that are maintained by, contributed to or participated in by the Company, subject in each instance to the underlying terms and conditions (including plan eligibility provisions) of such plans, practices, policies and programs.
(d) Expenses. Subject to Section 23 below, during the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement of all documented reasonable business expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company applicable to executives of the Company, as in effect from time to time.
(e) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Tenn, the Executive shall be eligible to receive such fringe benefits and perquisites as are provided by the Company, in its sole discretion, to its employees from time to time, in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company applicable to its executives.
(f) Paid Time Off. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to paid time off as needed, in accordance with the plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company applicable to its executives.
(g) Withholding Taxes. All forms of compensation paid or payable to the Executive from the Company or any member of the Company, whether under this Agreement or otherwise, are subject to reduction to reflect applicable withholding and payroll taxes pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
4. Termination. This Agreement and Executive’s employment with the Company may be tern1inated at will, with or without case, by either party, with two weeks written notice.
5. Obligations of the Company Upon Termination.
(a) Termination By the Company Without Cause or By the Executive for Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment is te1minated prior to the expiration of the Employment Term by the Company without Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, the Company shall:
(i) pay Executive within thirty (30) days after the effective date of termination or by such earlier date if required by applicable law, (A) the aggregate amount of Executive’s earned but unpaid Base Salary then in effect, (B) incured but unreimbursed documented reasonable reimbursable business expenses through the date of such termination, and (C) any other amounts due under applicable law, in each case earned and owing through the date of termination (the “Accrued Obligations”).
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(ii) pay to Executive (A) the amount of any Annual Bonus earned, but not yet paid, with respect to the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the date of termination of Executive’s employment with the Company occurs which such payment shall be made to Executive in accordance with Section 3(b) hereof (the “Earned Bonus”); provided the Earned Bonus shall be paid in cash notwithstanding anything contained in Section 3(b)(i)(C) to the contrary, and (B) the amount of the Annual Bonus at the maximum eligibility, pro-rated based on the number of the days in the calendar year in which Executive was employed for that calendar year to which the bonus relates, which sum shall be paid within fifteen (15) days after the Release (as defined in Section 5(a)(iii)) becomes effective.
(iii) subject to (A) Section 5Error! Reference source not found. below, (B) the Executive timely signing, delivering, and not revoking (if applicable) the Release (as defined in this Section 5(a)(iii)), and (C) the Executive’s compliance with the Executive’s post-termination obligations in Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 hereof following the te1minationofExecutive’s employment with the Company, the Company shall pay to the Executive: (a) severance equal to two months of the Executive’s Base Salary in effect on the date of which shall be payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices and subject to all customary withholding and deductions; and (b) pay to the Executive a cash payment in an amount equal to the applicable COBRA premium payments (as reasonably determined by the Administrator as of the time of Executive’s termination of employment) that would be payable by the Executive to continue the Executive’s company-provided medical, dental, and/or vision coverage for the Participant and any dependents covered at the time of termination, for nine (9) months; (the foregoing benefits collectively referred to as the “Severance”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall be a condition to the Executive’s right to receive the Severance that the Executive execute and deliver to the Company an effective general release of claims covering any claims by Executive arising from facts or circumstances occurring on or before the effective date of termination in a form prescribed by the Company, as set forth in form as Exhibit_, which form shall include, among customary te1ms and conditions, the survival of Executive’s post-termination obligations in Sections 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of this Agreement following termination of Executive’s employment with the Company (the “Release”), within twenty-one (21) days (or, to the extent required by law, forty-five (45) days) following the date of termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, and that the Executive not revoke such Release during any applicable revocation period (the combined review period and revocation period hereinafter referred to as the “Consideration Period”). Subject to Section 5. below, upon timely execution, delivery and non- revocation of the Release by Executive, the installment payments of the Severance shall begin on the first normal payroll date that is after the later of (I) the date on which the Executive delivered to the Company the Release signed by the Executive, or (II) the end of any applicable revocation period (unless a longer period is required by law). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the earliest payment date determined under the preceding sentence is in one taxable year of the Executive, and the latest possible payment date is in a second taxable year of the Executive, the first installment payment of Severance shall be made on the first n01mal payroll date that immediately follows the last date of the Consideration Period.
(b) Exclusive Benefits. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, except as expressly provided in this Section 5, the Executive shall not be entitled to any additional payments or benefits upon or in connection with the Executive’s termination of employment with the Company.
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6. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.
(a) Confidential lnfom1ation. The Executive acknowledges that in the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive previously was provided with, had access to, accessed, and used Confidential Information (as defined herein) of the Company. Executive further acknowledges that in the course of Executive’s continuing employment with the Company, the Executive will use, have access to, and develop Confidential Information (as defined herein) of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential 1nformation” shall mean and include all inforn1ation, whether written or oral, tangible or intangible (in any form or format), of a private, secret, proprietary or confidential nature, of or concerning the Company or the business or operations of the Company, including without limitation: any trade secrets or other confidential or proprietary information which is not publicly known or generally known in the industry; the identity, background, and preferences of any current, former, or prospective clients, suppliers, vendors, referral sources, and business affiliates; pricing and financial information; current and prospective client, supplier, or vendor lists and leads; proposals with prospective clients, suppliers, vendors, or business affiliates; contracts with clients, suppliers, vendors or business affiliates; marketing plans; brand standards guidelines; proprietary computer software and systems; marketing materials and information; information regarding corporate opportunities; operating and business plans and strategies; research and development; policies and manuals; personnel information of employees that is private and confidential; any information related to the compensation of employees, consultants, agents or representatives of the Company; sales and financial reports and forecasts; any information concerning any product, technology or procedure employed by the Company but not generally known to its current or prospective clients, suppliers, vendors or competitors, or under development by or being tested by the Company; any inventions, innovations or improvements covered by Section 8 hereof; and information concerning planned or pending acquisitions or divestitures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Confidential information shall not include information which (A) becomes available to Executive from a source other than the Company or from third parties with whom the Company is not owed a duty of confidentiality, (B) becomes generally available or known in the industry other than as a result of its disclosure by Executive, (C) was known by the Executive prior to the effective date of the Existing Employment Agreement (or any prior agreement between the Executive and any member of the Company), without any obligation of confidentiality, or (D) was independently developed by the Executive without reliance upon any Confidential Information of the Company or any member of the Company as demonstrated by Executive’s written records prior to the date of the Existing Employment Agreement.
(i) During the course of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive agrees to use Executive’s best efforts to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information, including adopting and implementing all reasonable procedures prescribed by the Company to prevent unauthorized use of Confidential Information or disclosure of Confidential Information to any unauthorized person.
(ii) Executive agrees that all Confidential Information shall be the Company’s sole property during and after Executive’s employment with the Company. Executive agrees that Executive will not remove any hard copies of Confidential Information from the Company’s premises, will not download, upload, or otherwise transfer copies of Confidential Information to any external storage media, cloud storage, personal email address of Executive or email address that is not owned by the Company (except as necessary in the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company), and will not print hard copies of any Confidential Information that Executive accesses electronically from a remote location (except as necessary in the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company).
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(iii) Other than as contemplated in Section 6(a)(iv) below, in the event that Executive becomes legally obligated to disclose any Confidential Information to anyone other than to the Company, Executive will provide the Company with prompt written notice thereof so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and Executive will cooperate with and assist the Company in securing such protective order or other remedy. In the event that such protective order is not obtained, or that the Company waives compliance with the provisions of this Section 6(a)(iii) to pe1mit a particular disclosure, Executive will furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information which Executive is legally required to disclose.
(iv) Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement with the Company containing confidentiality provisions shall be construed to prohibit Executive from: filing a charge with, participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by, or cooperating with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal, state or local government agency charged with enforcement of any law, rule or regulation (“Government Agencies”); reporting possible violations of any law, rule or regulation to any Government Agencies; making other disclosures that are protected under whistleblower provisions of any law, rule or regulation; or receiving an award for information provided to any Government Agencies. Executive acknowledges that an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (A) is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and made solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal or is redacted to conceal such Confidential Information to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law or court order. Executive further acknowledges that an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual: (1) files any document containing the trade secret under seal or is redacted to conceal such Confidential Information to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law or court order; and (2) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.
(b) Restrictions On Use And Disclosure Of Confidential Information. At all times during Executive’s employment with the Company and after Executive’s employment with Company terminates, regardless of the reason for tern1ination, Executive agrees: (i) not to use, permit use of, discuss, disclose, transfer, or disseminate in any manner any Confidential Info1mation, except as necessary in the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company and for the Company’s sole benefit; (ii) not to make, or cause to be made, copies (in any form or format) of the Confidential Information, except as necessary in the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company and for the Company’s sole benefit; and (iii) to promptly and fully advise the Company of all facts known to Executive concerning any actual or threatened unauthorized use of the Confidential Information or disclosure of the Confidential Information to any unauthorized person about which Executive becomes aware. The restrictions contained in this Section 6(b) also apply to Confidential Information developed by Executive during Executive’s employment with the Company, which are related to the Company or to the Company’s successors or assigns, as such information is developed for the benefit of and ownership of the Company and all rights and privileges to such information or derivative works, including but not limited to trademarks, patents and copyrights remain with the Company.
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Third Party li1formatio11. Executive acknowledges that during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive may have already received or had access to, and may continue to receive or have access to, confidential or proprietary information belonging to third parties (“Third Party Information”). During the Employment Term and thereafter, Executive agrees: (i) to hold the Third Party Information in the strictest confidence, take all reasonable precautions to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of the Third Party Information to any unauthorized person, and follow all of the Company’s policies regarding protecting the Third Party Information; (ii) not to use, permit use of, discuss, disclose, transfer, or disseminate in any manner any Third Party Information, except as necessary in the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company; (iii) not to make, or cause to be made, copies (in any form or format) of the Third Party Information, except as necessary in the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company; and (iv) to promptly and fully advise the Company of all facts known to the Executive concerning any actual or threatened unauthorized use of the Third Party Information or disclosure of the Third Party Information to any unauthorized person about which Executive becomes aware.
(c) Return of Confidential information and Property . Upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, notwithstanding the reason or cause of termination, and at any other time upon written request by the Company, Executive shall promptly return to the Company all originals, copies, or duplicates, in any form or format (whether paper, electronic or other storage media), of the Confidential Information and the Third Party Information, as well as any and all other documents, computer discs, computer data, equipment, and property of the Company (including, but not limited to, cell phones, credit cards, and laptop computers if they have been provided to Executive), relating in any way to the business of the Company or in any way obtained by Executive during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company. Executive further agrees that after termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive shall not retain any copies, notes, or abstracts in any form or format (whether paper, electronic or other storage media) of the Confidential Information, the Third Party Information, or other documents or property belonging to the Company.
7. Non-Disparagement. Executive and Company agree that at all times during and after the Employment Term, neither the Executive nor any member of the Company will engage in any conduct that is injurious to the reputation or interests of the Executive or the Company, including, but not limited to, making disparaging comments via any media or method of communication (or inducing or encouraging others to make disparaging comments) about the Executive, Company, any of the shareholders, members, directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company, or the Company’s operations, financial condition, prospects, products or services. However, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit either Pa1ty from: exercising protected rights under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act; filing a charge with, participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by, or cooperating with any Government Agencies; testifying truthfully in any forum or before any Government Agencies; reporting possible violations of any law, rule or regulation to any Government Agencies; receiving legal advice, or making other disclosures that are required by law or protected under whistleblower provisions of any law, rule or regulation.
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8. Intellectual—Prope11V.
(a) Work Product Owned By the Company. Executive agrees that the Company is and will be the sole and exclusive owner of all ideas, inventions, discoveries, improvements, designs, plans, methods, works of authorship, deliverables, writings, brochures, manuals, know-how, method of conducting its business, policies, procedures, products, processes, software, or any enhancements, or documentation of or to the same and any other work product in any form or media that Executive made during the course of employment with the Company that the Executive makes, works on, conceives, or reduces to practice, individually or jointly with others, in the course of Executive’s past, current and future employment for the Company or with the use of the Company’s time, materials or facilities, and is in any way related or pertaining to or connected with the present or anticipated business, products or services of the Company whether produced during normal business hours or on personal time (collectively, “Work Products”).
(b) Intellectual Property. “Intellectual Property” means any and all (i) copyrights and other rights associated with works of authorship, (ii) trade secrets and other confidential information, (iii) patents, patent disclosures and all rights in inventions (whether patentable or not), (iv) trademarks, trade names, Internet domain names, and registrations and applications for the registration thereof together with all of the goodwill associated therewith, (v) all other intellectual and industrial property rights of every kind and nature throughout the world and however designated, whether arising by operation of law, contract, license, or otherwise, and (vi) all registrations, applications, renewals, extensions, continuations, divisions, or reissues thereof now or hereafter in effect.
(c) Assignment. Executive acknowledges Executive’s work and services provided for the Company and all results and proceeds thereof, including, the Work Products, are works done under Company’s direction and control and have been specially ordered or commissioned by the Company. To the extent the Work Products are copyrightable subject matter, they shall constitute “works made for hire” for the Company within the meaning of the Copyright Act of 1976, as amended, and shall be the exclusive property of the Company. Should any Work Product be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to not be a “work made for hire,” and for any other rights, Executive hereby assigns and transfers to Company, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all right, title, and interest in and to the Work Products, including but not limited to all Intellectual Property pertaining thereto, and in and to all works based upon, derived from, or incorporating such Work Products, and in and to all income, royalties, damages, claims and payments now or hereafter due or payable with respect thereto, and in and to all causes of action, either in law or in equity for past, present, or future infringement. Executive hereby waives and further agrees not to assert Executive’s rights known in various jurisdictions as moral rights and grants the Company the right to make changes, as the Company deems necessary, in the Work Products.
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(d) License of lntellect11al llrope1ty Not Assigned. Notwithstanding the above, should Executive be deemed to own or have any Intellectual Property that is used, embodied, or reflected in the Work Products, Executive hereby grants to the Company, its successors and assigns, the non-exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, fully paid and royalty-free license, with rights to sublicense through multiple levels of sublicenses, to use, reproduce, publish, create derivative works of, market, advertise, distribute, sell, publicly perform and publicly display and otherwise exploit by all means now known or later developed the Work Products and Intellectual Prope1ty.
(e) Maintenance: Disclosure: Execution: Attorney-lo-Fact. Executive will, at the request and cost of the Company, sign, execute, make and do all such deeds, documents, acts and things as the Company and their duly authorized agents may reasonably require to apply for, obtain and vest in the name of the Company alone (unless the Company otherwise directs) letters patent, copyrights or other analogous protection in any country throughout the world and when so obtained or vested to renew and restore the same. In the event the Company is unable, after reasonable effort, to secure Executive’s signature on any letters patent, copyright or other analogous protection relating to a Work Product, whether because of Executive’s physical or mental incapacity or for any other reason whatsoever, Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and their duly authorized officers and agents as Executive’s agent and attorney-in-fact (which designation and appointment shall be (i) deemed coupled with an interest and (ii) irrevocable, and shall survive Executive’s death or incapacity), to act for and in Executive’s behalf and stead to execute and file any such application or applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of letters patent, copyright or other analogous protection thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Executive.
(f) Executive Representations Regarding Work Products. Executive represents and wan-ants that all Work Products that Executive makes, works on, conceives, or reduces to practice, individually or jointly with others, in the course of performing Executive’s duties for Company under this Agreement are (i) original or an improvement of the Company’s prior Work Products, and (ii) do not to Executive’s knowledge include, copy, use, or infringe any Intellectual Property rights of a third party.
9. Cooperation. Executive agrees that at all times during the Executive’s employment with the Company and at all times thereafter (including following the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason), Executive will cooperate with all reasonable requests by the Company for assistance in connection with any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, involving the Company, including by providing truthful testimony in person in any such action, suit, or proceeding, and by providing information and meeting and consulting with the Board or their representatives or counsel, or representatives of or counsel to the Company, as reasonably requested; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to any action, suit, or proceeding involving disputes between Executive and the Company arising under this Agreement or any other agreement. Executive shall be compensated for time spent at the Company’s request providing cooperation pursuant to this section at an hourly rate equal to Executive’s Base Salary divided by 2,080.
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10. Indemnification. During and after the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to all rights to indemnification available under the by-laws, certificate of incorporation and any director and officer insurance policies of Greenlane and the Company and any member of the Company, any indemnification agreement entered into between Greenlane, the Company, and any member of the Company and Executive, or to which Executive may otherwise be entitled through Greenlane, the Company, any member of the Company and/or any of their respective subsidiaries and affiliates, in accordance with their respective terms. During the Employment Term and for a period of six (6) years thereafter, the Company, or any successor to the Company resulting from a Change in Control, shall keep in place a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy (or policies) providing comprehensive coverage to Executive to the extent that Company provides such coverage for any other senior executive or member of the Board.
11. Severability; Independent Covenant . If any te1m or provision of this Agreement shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain enforceable and the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions shall be modified so as to be valid and enforceable and shall be enforced as modified. If, moreover, any part of this Agreement is for any reason held too excessively broad as to time, duration, geographic scope, activity, or subject, it is the intent of the Parties that this Agreement shall be judicially modified by limiting or reducing it so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with the applicable law. The existence of any claim or cause of action of Executive against the Company (or against any member, shareholder, director, officer or employee thereof), whether arising out of the Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to: (i) the enforcement by the Company of any of the restrictive covenants set forth in this Agreement; or (ii) the Company’s entitlement to any remedies hereunder. Executive’s obligations under this Agreement are independent of any of the Company’s obligations to the Executive.
12. Remedies for Breach. Executive acknowledges and agrees that it would be difficult to measure the damages to the Company from any breach or threatened breach by Executive of this Agreement, including but not limited to Sections 6, 7, and 8 hereof; that injury to the Company from any such breach would be irreparable; and that money damages would therefore be an inadequate remedy for any such breach. Accordingly, Executive agrees that if Executive breaches or threatens to breach any of the promises contained in this Agreement, the Company shall, in addition to all other remedies it may have (including monetary remedies), be entitled to seek an injunction and/or equitable relief, on a temporary or permanent basis, to restrain any such breach or threatened breach without showing or proving any actual damage to the Company. Nothing herein shall be construed as a waiver of any right the Company may have or hereafter acquire to pursue any other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach, including recovery of damages from Executive. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Executive shall not be entitled to any post-termination payments pursuant hereto during any period in which Executive is materially violating any of Executive’s obligations under Sections 6, 7, and 8 hereof.
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13. Assignment; 171ird-Partv Beneficiaries. The rights of the Company under this Agreement may, without the consent of Executive, be assigned by the Company to (i) any person, firm, corporation, or other business entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger, or otherwise, directly or indirectly, a controlling interest in the Company ( >50% of voting power), or all or substantially all of the Company’s stock or assets, or (ii) any affiliate or future affiliate of the Company, and such assignment by Company pursuant to this Section 13 shall automatically, and without any further action required by the Parties, relieve the assignor Company (and discharge and release the assignor Company) from all obligations and liabilities under or related to this Agreement (all such obligations and/or automatically liabilities assumed by the assignee Company). This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor or assigns of Company. Executive may not assign this Agreement without the written consent of the Company. Executive agrees that each member of the Company is an express third party beneficiary of this Agreement, and this Agreement, including other obligations set forth in Sections 6, 7, 8, and 9 hereof, are for each such member’s benefit. Executive expressly agrees and consents to the enforcement of this Agreement, including but not limited to other obligations in Sections 6, 7, 8, and 9 hereof, by any member of the Company as well as by the Company’s future affiliates, successors and/or assigns.
14. Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. In any action brought to enforce or otherwise interpret any provision of this Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs from the non-prevailing Party to the action or proceeding, including through settlement, judgment and/or appeal.
15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its choice of law principles, except where the application of federal law applies.
16. Mutual Waiver of Jurv Trial jn court Proceedings. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS IT MAY HAVE TO DEMAND A TRIAL BY JURY FOR ANY CAUSE OF ACTION, CLAIM, RIGHT, ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES. THIS WAIVER EXTENDS TO ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO DEMAND A TRIAL BY JURY ARISING FROM ANY SOURCE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THE CONSTITUTION OF ANY STATE, COMMON LAW OR ANY APPLICABLE STATUTE OR REGULATION. EACH PARTY HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING THE RIGHT TO DEMAND TRIAL BY JURY.
17. Waiver. No waiver of any breach or other rights under this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver unless the acknowledgment of the waiver is in writing executed by the Party committing the waiver. No waiver shall be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach or rights. All rights are cumulative under this Agreement. The failure or delay of the Company at any time or times to require performance of, or to exercise any of its powers, rights or remedies with respect to any term or provision of this Agreement or any other aspect of Executive’s conduct or employment in no manner (except as otherwise expressly provided herein) shall affect the Company’s right at a later time to enforce any such term or provision.
18. Survival. The provisions of Sections 6 through 21 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company regardless of the reason for termination; shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms; and shall continue to be binding on the Parties.
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19. Independent Advice. Executive acknowledges that the Company has provided Executive with a reasonable opportunity to obtain independent legal advice with respect to this Agreement, and that either: (a) Executive has had such independent legal advice prior to executing this Agreement; or (b) Executive has willingly chosen not to obtain such advice and to execute this Agreement without having obtained such advice.
20. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all p1ior agreements, understandings, arrangements, promises and commitments, whether written or oral, express or implied, relating to the subject matter hereof, and all such prior agreements, understandings, arrangements, promises and commitments. For avoidance of doubt, this Agreement does not supersede, nullify, or othe1wise impact any retention bonuses or equity grants issued to Executive prior to the Effective Date.
21. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended, supplemented or modified in whole or in part except by an instrument in writing signed by the Party or Parties against whom enforcement of such amendment, supplement, or modification is sought.
22. Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given: (a) upon delivery, if delivered by hand; (b) three (3) days after the date of deposit in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by certified U.S. mail; or (c) on the next business day, if sent by e-mail or prepaid overnight courier service. If not personally delivered by hand, notice shall be sent using the addresses and/or email addresses set forth below or to such other address as either Party may designate by written notice to the other:
If to the Executive: at the Executive’s most recent address on the records of the Company.
If to the Company, to:
Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc. c/o
AND
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23. Code Section 409A Compliance. It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement are either exempt from or comply with the terms and conditions of Section 409A of the Code and to the extent that the requirements of Section 409A of the Code are applicable thereto, all provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability with regard to any failure to comply with Section 409A of the Code. If under this Agreement, an amount is to be paid in two or more installments, for purposes of Section 409A of the Code each installment shall be treated as a separate payment. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary or otherwise, except to the extent any expense, reimbursement or in-kind benefit provided pursuant to this Agreement does not constitute a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided to Executive during any calendar year will not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided to Executive in any other calendar year; (ii) the reimbursements for expenses for which Executive is entitled to be reimbursed shall be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the applicable expense is incurred; and (iii) the right to payment or reimbursement or in-kind benefits hereunder may not be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit.
24. Counterparts; Electronic Transmission: Headings . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, including an electronic copy or facsimile, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The headings used herein are for ease of reference only and shall not define or limit the provisions hereof.
25. .Incorporation of Recitals. The Recitals set forth on the first page of this Agreement are incorporated hereby as if fully set forth hereon.
[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank; signatures follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Executive Employment Agreement as of the date first above written.
COMPANY:
Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc.
| By | ||
| Name: | Kraig Higginson | |
| Title: | CEO |
EXECUTIVE:
| By: | |
| Ernest J. Scheidemann, Jr. |
Solely as to the novation of the Existing Employment Agreement,
Aspire Biopharma, Inc.
| By | ||
| Name: | Kraig Higginson | |
| Title: | Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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Exhibit 10.37
ASPIRE BIOPHARMA, INC.
2024 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE I.
PURPOSE
The Plan’s purpose is to enhance the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who make (or are expected to make) important contributions to the Company by providing these individuals with equity ownership opportunities and to align their interests and efforts to the long-term interests of the Company’s stockholders.
ARTICLE II.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the Plan, the following words and phrases have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
2.1 “Administrator” means the Board or a Committee to the extent that the Board’s powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated to such Committee. With reference to the Board’s or a Committee’s powers or authority under the Plan that have been delegated to one or more officers pursuant to Section 4.2, the term “Administrator” shall refer to such officer(s) unless and until such delegation has been revoked.
2.2 “Applicable Law” means any applicable law, including without limitation: (a) provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (b) corporate, securities, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations, whether federal, state, local or foreign; and (c) rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded.
2.3 “Award” means an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock award, Restricted Stock Unit award, Performance Stock Unit award, Dividend Equivalents award or Other Stock or Cash Based Award granted to a Participant under the Plan.
2.4 “Award Agreement” means an agreement evidencing an Award, which may be written or electronic, that contains such terms and conditions as the Administrator determines, consistent with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
2.5 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.6 “Cause” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term, or term of similar effect, in any offer letter, employment, severance or similar agreement, including any Award Agreement, between the Participant and the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, that in the absence of an offer letter, employment, severance or similar agreement containing such definition, Cause means, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following: (a) an act of dishonesty made by the Participant in connection with the Participant’s responsibilities as a Service Provider; (b) the Participant’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or any crime involving fraud, embezzlement or any other act of moral turpitude, or a material violation of federal or state law (or equivalent in any non-U.S. jurisdiction) by the Participant that the Administrator reasonably determines has had or will have a material detrimental effect on the Company’s reputation or business; (c) the Participant’s gross misconduct; (d) the Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of any proprietary information or trade secrets of the Company or any other party to whom the Participant owes an obligation of nondisclosure as a result of the Participant’s relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary; (e) the Participant’s breach of any material obligations under any written agreement or covenant with the Company or any Subsidiary; (f) the Participant’s continued substantial failure to perform the Participant’s duties as a Service Provider (other than as a result of the Participant’s physical or mental incapacity) after the Participant has received a written demand for performance that specifically sets forth the factual basis for the determination that the Participant has not substantially performed the Participant’s duties and has failed to cure such non-performance to the Administrator’s reasonable satisfaction within 30 business days after receiving such notice; (g) the Participant’s violation of the Company’s code of ethics; or (h) the Participant’s disregard of the policies of the Company or any Subsidiary so as to cause loss, harm, damage or injury to the property, reputation or employees of the Company or a Subsidiary.
2.7 “Change in Control” means any of the following:
(a) The consummation of a transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Common Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of the Company’s securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) any acquisition by an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) any acquisition which complies with clauses (c)(i), (c)(ii) and (c)(iii) of this definition; or (iv) in respect of an Award held by a particular Participant, any acquisition by the Participant or any group of persons including the Participant (or any entity controlled by the Participant or any group of persons including the Participant);
(b) The Incumbent Directors cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board;
(c) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination, (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:
(i) which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction;
(ii) after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (c)(ii) as beneficially owning 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction; and
(iii) after which at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Successor Entity were Board members at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such transaction; or
(d) The completion of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the transactions occurring in connection therewith constitute a Change in Control, and if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award (or any portion of an Award) that provides for the deferral of compensation that is subject to Section 409A, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A, the transaction or event described in subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this definition with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) shall only constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the payment timing of such Award if such transaction also constitutes a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).
The Administrator shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its sole discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation.
2.8 “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority issued thereunder.
2.9 “Committee” means one or more committees or subcommittees of the Board, which may include one or more Company directors or executive officers, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law. To the extent required to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3, it is intended that each member of the Committee will be, at the time the Committee takes any action with respect to an Award that is subject to Rule 16b-3, a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3; however, a Committee member’s failure to qualify as a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 will not invalidate any Award granted by the Committee that is otherwise validly granted under the Plan.
2.10 “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.
2.11 “Company” means Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor.
2.12 “Consultant” means any person, including any adviser, engaged by the Company or a Subsidiary to render services to such entity if the consultant or adviser: (i) renders bona fide services to the Company or a Subsidiary; (ii) renders services not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and does not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities; and (iii) is a natural person.
2.13 “Designated Beneficiary” means, if permitted by the Company, the beneficiary or beneficiaries the Participant designates, in a manner the Company determines, to receive amounts due or exercise the Participant’s rights if the Participant dies. Without a Participant’s effective designation, “Designated Beneficiary” will mean the Participant’s estate or legal heirs.
2.14 “Director” means a Board member.
2.15 “Disability” means a permanent and total disability under Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
2.16 “Dividend Equivalents” means a right granted to a Participant to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on a specified number of Shares. Such Dividend Equivalent shall be converted to cash or additional Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares, by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Administrator.
2.17 “DRO” means a “domestic relations order” as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules thereunder.
2.18 “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.
2.19 “Employee” means any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
2.20 “Equity Restructuring” means a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split (including a reverse stock split), spin-off or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of Shares (or other Company securities) or the share price of Common Stock (or other Company securities) and causes a change in the per share value of the Common Stock underlying outstanding Awards.
2.21 “Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and all regulations, guidance and other interpretative authority issued thereunder.
2.22 “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of a Share determined as follows: (i) if the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange, the value of a Share will be the closing sales price for a Share as quoted on such exchange for such date, or if no sale occurred on such date, the last day preceding such date during which a sale occurred, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or another source the Administrator deems reliable; (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on an established stock exchange but is quoted on a national market or other quotation system, the value of a Share will be the closing sales price for a Share on such date, or if no sales occurred on such date, then on the last date preceding such date during which a sale occurred, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or another source the Administrator deems reliable; or (iii) if the Common Stock is not listed on any established stock exchange or quoted on a national market or other quotation system, the value established by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
2.23 “Greater Than 10% Stockholder” means an individual then owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as determined in accordance with Section 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively.
2.24 “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that meets the requirements to qualify as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.
2.25 “Incumbent Directors” means, for any period of 12 consecutive months, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new Director(s) (other than a Director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (a) or (c) of the Change in Control definition) whose election or nomination for election to the Board was approved by a vote of at least a majority (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for Director without objection to such nomination) of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the 12-month period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved. No individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to Directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be an Incumbent Director.
2.26 “Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among PowerUp Acquisition Corp., PowerUp Merger Sub II, Inc., Srirama Associates, LLC, Stephen Quesenberry and Aspire Biopharma, Inc. dated as of August 26, 2024, as amended.
2.27 “Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is not an Employee.
2.28 “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
2.29 “Option” means a right granted under Article VI to purchase a specified number of Shares at a specified price per Share during a specified time period. An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.
2.30 “Other Stock or Cash Based Awards” means cash awards, awards of Shares, and other awards valued wholly or partially by referring to, or are otherwise based on, Shares or other property.
2.31 “Overall Share Limit” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 below.
2.32 “Participant” means a Service Provider who has been granted an Award.
2.33 “Performance Stock Unit” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8.1 and subject to Section 8.2, to receive Shares, the payment of which is contingent upon achieving certain performance goals or other performance-based targets established by the Administrator.
2.34 “Permitted Transferee” means, with respect to a Participant, any “family member” of the Participant, as defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act (or any successor form thereto), or any other transferee specifically approved by the Administrator after taking into account Applicable Law.
2.35 “Plan” means this 2024 Stock Incentive Plan.
2.36 “Restricted Stock” means Shares awarded to a Participant under Article VII, subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.
2.37 “Restricted Stock Unit” means an unfunded, unsecured right granted to a Participant under Article VII to receive, on the applicable settlement date, one Share or an amount in cash or other consideration determined by the Administrator to be of equal value as of such settlement date, subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.
2.38 “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.
2.39 “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the United States Treasury Department, as amended or as may be amended from time to time.
2.40 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all regulations, guidance and other interpretative authority issued thereunder.
2.41 “Service Provider” means an Employee, Consultant or Director.
2.42 “Shares” means shares of Common Stock.
2.43 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted under Article VI to receive a payment equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares on the date the right is exercised over the exercise price set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
2.44 “Subsidiary” means any entity (other than the Company), whether U.S. or non-U.S., in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company if each of the entities other than the last entity in the unbroken chain beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing at least 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.
2.45 “Substitute Awards” means Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, in each case by a company or other entity acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines.
2.46 “Tax-Related Items” means any U.S. and non-U.S. federal, state and/or local taxes (including, without limitation, income tax, social insurance contributions, fringe benefit tax, employment tax, stamp tax and any employer tax liability which has been transferred to a Participant) for which a Participant is liable in connection with Awards and/or Shares.
2.47 “Termination of Service” means:
(a) As to a Consultant, the time when the engagement of a Participant as a Consultant to the Company or a Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, without limitation, by resignation, discharge, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Consultant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary.
(b) As to a Non-Employee Director, the time when a Participant who is a Non-Employee Director ceases to be a Director for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, failure to be elected, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Participant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary.
(c) As to an Employee, the time when the employee-employer relationship between a Participant and the Company or any Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement; but excluding terminations where the Participant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary.
The Company, in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to any Termination of Service, including, without limitation, whether a Termination of Service has occurred, whether a Termination of Service resulted from a discharge for Cause and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence constitute a Termination of Service. For purposes of the Plan, a Participant’s employee-employer relationship or consultancy relationship shall be deemed to be terminated in the event that the Subsidiary employing or contracting with such Participant ceases to remain a Subsidiary following any merger, sale of stock or other corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a spin-off), even though the Participant may subsequently continue to perform services for that entity.
ARTICLE III.
ELIGIBILITY
Service Providers are eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan, subject to the limitations described herein. No Service Provider shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to the Plan and neither the Company nor the Administrator is obligated to treat Service Providers, Participants or any other persons uniformly.
ARTICLE IV.
ADMINISTRATION AND DELEGATION
4.1 Administration.
(a) The Plan is administered by the Administrator. The Administrator has authority to determine which Service Providers receive Awards, grant Awards and set Award terms and conditions, subject to the conditions and limitations in the Plan. The Administrator also has the authority to take all actions and make all determinations under the Plan, to interpret the Plan and Award Agreements and to adopt, amend and repeal Plan administrative rules, guidelines and practices as it deems advisable. The Administrator may correct defects and ambiguities, supply omissions, reconcile inconsistencies in the Plan or any Award and make all other determinations that it deems necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan and any Awards. The Administrator (and each member thereof) is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to it, him or her by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan. The Administrator’s determinations under the Plan are in its sole discretion and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or any Award.
(b) Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator has the exclusive power, authority and sole discretion to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant; (iii) determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares to which an Award will relate; (iv) subject to the limitations in the Plan, determine the terms and conditions of any Award and related Award Agreement, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, purchase price, any performance criteria, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for vesting, lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations, waivers or amendments thereof; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in cash, Shares, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered; and (vi) make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan.
4.2 Delegation of Authority. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board or any Committee may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more Committees or officers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries be delegated the authority to grant Awards to, or amend Awards held by, the following individuals: (a) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or (b) officers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Directors to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Board or Committee specifies at the time of such delegation or that are otherwise included in the applicable organizational documents, and the Board or Committee, as applicable, may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee. At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 4.2 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Board or the Committee, as applicable, and the Board or the Committee may abolish any committee at any time and re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority. Further, regardless of any delegation, the Board or a Committee may, in its discretion, exercise any and all rights and duties as the Administrator under the Plan delegated thereby, except with respect to Awards that are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee under the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded.
ARTICLE V.
STOCK AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS
5.1 Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment under Article IX and the terms of this Article V, Awards may be made under the Plan covering up to the sum of (i) [●] Shares; and (ii) an annual increase commencing on January 1, 2025 and continuing annually on each anniversary thereof through (and including) January 1, 2035, equal to the lesser of (A)10% of the Shares outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, for clarity any increase shall not exceed an aggregate issuance of 10% of the Shares outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (B) such smaller number of Shares as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee (the “Overall Share Limit”). Shares issued or delivered under the Plan may consist of authorized but unissued Shares, Shares purchased on the open market or treasury Shares.
5.2 Share Recycling.
(a) If all or any part of an Award expires, lapses or is terminated, exchanged for or settled in cash, surrendered, repurchased, canceled without having been fully exercised or forfeited, in any case, in a manner that results in the Company acquiring Shares covered by the Award at a price not greater than the price (as adjusted to reflect any Equity Restructuring) paid by the Participant for such Shares or not issuing any Shares covered by the Award, the unused Shares covered by the Award will, as applicable, become or again be available for Awards under the Plan. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not count against the Overall Share Limit.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following Shares issued or delivered under this Plan shall not again be available for future grants of Awards: (i) Shares tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option; (ii) Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an Award; (iii) Shares that are repurchased by the Company with Option proceeds; and (iv) Shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the Stock Appreciation Right on exercise thereof. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.2(b), no Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded pursuant to an Incentive Stock Option if such action would cause such Option to fail to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.
5.3 Incentive Stock Option Limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no more than [●] Shares (as adjusted to reflect any Equity Restructuring) may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options.
5.4 Substitute Awards. In connection with an entity’s merger or consolidation with the Company or any Subsidiary or the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s acquisition of an entity’s property or stock, the Administrator may grant Awards in substitution for any options or other stock or stock-based awards granted before such merger or consolidation by such entity or its affiliate. Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate, notwithstanding limitations on Awards in the Plan. Substitute Awards will not count against the Overall Share Limit (nor shall Shares subject to a Substitute Award be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided above), except that Shares acquired by exercise of substitute Incentive Stock Options will count against the maximum number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as appropriately adjusted to reflect the transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan (and Shares subject to such Awards may again become available for Awards under the Plan as provided under Section 5.2 above); provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not Employees, Directors or Consultants prior to such acquisition or combination.
5.5 Non-Employee Director Award Limit. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Plan or in any policy of the Company regarding non-employee director compensation, the sum of the grant date fair value (determined as of the grant date in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or any successor thereto) of all equity-based Awards and the maximum amount of cash that may become payable to a Service Provider as compensation for services as a Non-Employee Director during any calendar year shall not exceed $750,000, increased to $1,000,000 in the calendar year of a non-employee Director’s initial service as a non-employee Director. The Administrator may make exceptions to this limit for Non-Employee Directors in extraordinary circumstances, as the Administrator may determine in its discretion, provided that the Non-Employee Director receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation or in other contemporaneous compensation decisions involving Non-Employee Directors.
ARTICLE VI.
STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
6.1 General. The Administrator may grant Options or Stock Appreciation Rights to one or more Service Providers, subject to such terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Administrator shall determine. The Administrator will determine the number of Shares covered by each Option and Stock Appreciation Right, the exercise price of each Option and Stock Appreciation Right and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option and Stock Appreciation Right. A Stock Appreciation Right will entitle the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right) to receive from the Company upon exercise of the exercisable portion of the Stock Appreciation Right an amount determined by multiplying the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price per Share of the Stock Appreciation Right by the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, subject to any limitations of the Plan or that the Administrator may impose and payable in cash, Shares valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise or a combination of the two as the Administrator may determine or provide in the Award Agreement.
6.2 Exercise Price. The Administrator will establish each Option’s and Stock Appreciation Right’s exercise price and specify the exercise price in the Award Agreement. Subject to Section 6.6, the exercise price will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the grant date of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is a Substitute Award, the exercise price per share of the Shares subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant; provided that the exercise price of any Substitute Award shall be determined in accordance with the applicable requirements of Sections 424 and 409A of the Code.
6.3 Duration of Options. Subject to Section 6.6, each Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be exercisable at such times and as specified in the Award Agreement, provided that the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right will not exceed ten years; provided, further, that, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or specified in the Award Agreement, (a) no portion of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right which is unexercisable at a Participant’s Termination of Service shall thereafter become exercisable and (b) the portion of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is unexercisable at a Participant’s Termination of Service shall automatically expire on the date of such Termination of Service. In addition, in no event shall an Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of overtime pay under the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 be exercisable earlier than six months after its date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant, prior to the end of the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, commits an act of Cause (as determined by the Administrator prior to or after the Participant’s Termination of Service), or violates any non-competition, non-solicitation or confidentiality provisions of any employment contract, confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the right to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, may be terminated by the Company and the Company may suspend the Participant’s right to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right when it reasonably believes that the Participant may have participated in any such act or violation.
6.4 Exercise. Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised by delivering to the Company (or such other person or entity designated by the Administrator) a notice of exercise, in a form and manner the Company approves (which may be written, electronic or telephonic and may contain representations and warranties deemed advisable by the Administrator), signed or authenticated by the person authorized to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, together with, as applicable, (a) payment in full of the exercise price for the number of Shares for which the Option is exercised in a manner specified in Section 6.5 and (b) satisfaction in full of any withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items in a manner specified in Section 10.5. The Administrator may, in its discretion, limit exercise with respect to fractional Shares and require that any partial exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right be with respect to a minimum number of Shares.
6.5 Payment Upon Exercise. The Administrator shall determine the methods by which payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be made, including, without limitation:
(a) Cash, check or wire transfer of immediately available funds;
(b) If there is a public market for Shares at the time of exercise, unless the Company otherwise determines, (i) delivery (including electronically or telephonically to the extent permitted by the Company) of a notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker acceptable to the Company with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Option and that the broker has been directed to deliver promptly to the Company funds sufficient to pay the exercise price, or (ii) the Participant’s delivery to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company an amount sufficient to pay the exercise price by cash, wire transfer of immediately available funds or check; provided that such amount is paid to the Company at such time as may be required by the Company;
(c) To the extent permitted by the Administrator, delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of Shares owned by the Participant valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of delivery;
(d) To the extent permitted by the Administrator, surrendering Shares then issuable upon the Option’s exercise valued at their Fair Market Value on the exercise date;
(e) Any other lawful consideration permitted by the Administrator; or
(f) To the extent permitted by the Administrator, any combination of the above payment forms.
6.6 Additional Terms of Incentive Stock Options. The Administrator may grant Incentive Stock Options only to employees of the Company, any of its present or future parent or subsidiary corporations, as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code, respectively. If an Incentive Stock Option is granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder, the exercise price will not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value on the Option’s grant date, and the term of the Option will not exceed five years. All Incentive Stock Options (and Award Agreements related thereto) will be subject to and construed consistently with Section 422 of the Code. By accepting an Incentive Stock Option, if requested the Participant agrees to give prompt notice to the Company of dispositions or other transfers (other than in connection with a Change in Control) of Shares acquired under the Option made within (a) two years from the grant date of the Option or (b) one year after the transfer of such Shares to the Participant, specifying the date of the disposition or other transfer and the amount the Participant realized, in cash, other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, in such disposition or other transfer. Neither the Company nor the Administrator will be liable to a Participant, or any other party, if an Incentive Stock Option fails or ceases to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code. Any Incentive Stock Option or portion thereof that fails to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code for any reason, including becoming exercisable with respect to Shares having a fair market value exceeding the $100,000 limitation under Treasury Regulation Section 1.422-4, will be a Nonqualified Stock Option.
ARTICLE VII.
RESTRICTED STOCK; RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
7.1 General. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock, or the right to purchase Restricted Stock, to any Service Provider, subject to forfeiture or the Company’s right to repurchase all or part of the underlying Shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price from the Participant if conditions the Administrator specifies in the Award Agreement are not satisfied before the end of the applicable restriction period or periods that the Administrator establishes for such Award. In addition, the Administrator may grant Restricted Stock Units, which may be subject to vesting and forfeiture conditions during the applicable restriction period or periods, as set forth in an Award Agreement, to Service Providers. The Administrator shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units; provided, however, that if a purchase price is charged, such purchase price shall be no less than the par value, if any, of the Shares to be purchased, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law. In all cases, legal consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units to the extent required by Applicable Law. The Award Agreement for each Award of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall set forth the terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Administrator shall determine.
7.2 Restricted Stock.
(a) Stockholder Rights. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, each Participant holding shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to all the rights of a stockholder with respect to such Shares, subject to the restrictions in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect to the Shares to the extent such dividends and other distributions have a record date that is on or after the date on which such Participant becomes the record holder of such Shares; provided, however, that with respect to a share of Restricted Stock subject to restrictions or vesting conditions, except in connection with a spin-off or other similar event as otherwise permitted under Section 9.2, dividends which are paid to Company stockholders prior to the removal of restrictions and satisfaction of vesting conditions shall only be paid to the Participant to the extent that the restrictions are subsequently removed and the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the share of Restricted Stock vests.
(b) Stock Certificates. The Company may require that the Participant deposit in escrow with the Company (or its designee) any stock certificates issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, together with a stock power endorsed in blank.
(c) Section 83(b) Election. If a Participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to the Restricted Stock as of the date of transfer of the Restricted Stock rather than as of the date or dates upon which such Participant would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, such Participant shall be required to deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service along with proof of the timely filing thereof.
7.3 Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator may provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units will occur upon or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Restricted Stock Units vest or will instead be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the Participant’s election, subject to compliance with Applicable Law.
ARTICLE VIII.
OTHER TYPES OF AWARDS
8.1 General. The Administrator may grant Performance Stock Unit awards, Dividend Equivalents or Other Stock or Cash Based Awards, to one or more Service Providers, in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Administrator shall determine.
8.2 Performance Stock Unit Awards. Each Performance Stock Unit award shall be denominated in a number of Shares or in unit equivalents of Shares or units of value (including a dollar value of Shares) and may be linked to any one or more of performance or other specific criteria, including service to the Company or Subsidiaries, determined to be appropriate by the Administrator, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. In making such determinations, the Administrator may consider (among such other factors as it deems relevant in light of the specific type of award) the contributions, responsibilities and other compensation of the particular Participant.
8.3 Dividend Equivalents. If the Administrator provides, an Award (other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right) may provide a Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents. Dividend Equivalents may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participant, settled in cash or Shares and subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Award with respect to which the Dividend Equivalents are granted and subject to other terms and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Dividend Equivalents with respect to an Award subject to vesting shall either (i) to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, not be paid or credited or (ii) be accumulated and subject to vesting to the same extent as the related Award. All such Dividend Equivalents shall be paid at such time as the Administrator shall specify in the applicable Award Agreement.
8.4 Other Stock or Cash Based Awards. Other Stock or Cash Based Awards may be granted to Participants, including Awards entitling Participants to receive cash or Shares to be delivered in the future and annual or other periodic or long-term cash bonus awards (whether based on specified performance criteria or otherwise), in each case subject to any conditions and limitations in the Plan. Such Other Stock or Cash Based Awards will also be available as a payment form in the settlement of other Awards, as standalone payments and as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled. Other Stock or Cash Based Awards may be paid in Shares, cash or other property, as the Administrator determines. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator will determine the terms and conditions of each Other Stock or Cash Based Award, including any purchase price, performance goal(s), transfer restrictions, and vesting conditions, which will be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Except in connection with a spin-off or other similar event as otherwise permitted under Article IX, dividends that are paid prior to vesting of any Other Stock or Cash Based Award shall only be paid to the applicable Participant to the extent that the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the Other Stock or Cash Based Award vests.
8.5 Performance Goals and Criteria. Performance goals or performance criteria established by the Administrator for any Award may be described in terms of Company-wide objectives or objectives that are related to the performance of a Subsidiary, division, business unit, department, region or function within the Company or Subsidiary in which the Participant is employed or in terms of the performance of the individual Participant and may be based on the following criteria: revenues, earnings from operations, operating income, income before taxes, net income, cash flow, earnings per share, return on total capital, return on invested capital, return on equity, return on assets, total return to shareholders, earnings before or after interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization or extraordinary or special items, return on investment, free cash flow, cash conversion cycle, cash flow return on investment (discounted or otherwise), net cash provided by operations, cash flow in excess of cost of capital, operating margin, profit margin, contribution margin, stock price, new customers, order intake, cost controls, operating efficiencies, strategic partnerships or transactions (including in-licensing and out-licensing of intellectual property, milestones related to research development (including, but not limited to, preclinical and clinical studies), product development and manufacturing, implementation or completion of projects or processes (including, without limitation, clinical trial initiation, clinical trial enrollment and dates, clinical trial results, regulatory filing submissions, regulatory filing acceptances, regulatory or advisory committee interactions, regulatory approvals, and product supply), submission to, or approval by, a regulatory body (including, but not limited to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) of an applicable filing or a product, market penetration, geographic business expansion, cost targets, productivity, corporate value and sustainability metrics (including, without limitation, environmental, social and governance matters), human capital metrics (including, without limitation, employee satisfaction, management of employment practices, employee benefits, retention and safety), supervision of litigation or labor negotiations, dealings with regulatory bodies, acquisitions or divestitures, customer satisfaction, strategic business criteria related to a Participant’s area or areas of responsibility, or any other criteria established by the Administrator.
ARTICLE IX.
ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK
AND CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS
9.1 Equity Restructuring. In connection with any Equity Restructuring, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article IX, the Administrator will equitably adjust the terms of the Plan and each outstanding Award as it deems appropriate to reflect the Equity Restructuring, which may include (a) adjusting the number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Article V hereof on the maximum number and kind of shares that may be issued); (b) adjusting the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the performance goals or other criteria included in, outstanding Awards; and (iii) granting new Awards or making cash payments to Participants. The adjustments provided under this Section 9.1 will be nondiscretionary and final and binding on all interested parties, including the affected Participant and the Company; provided that the Administrator will determine whether an adjustment is equitable.
9.2 Corporate Transactions. In the event of any extraordinary dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock, other securities, or other property), reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin off, combination, amalgamation, repurchase, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, or sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or sale or exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, Change in Control, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or other securities of the Company, other similar corporate transaction or event (including the sale, merger or other corporate transaction involving a Subsidiary), other unusual or nonrecurring transaction or event affecting the Company or its financial statements or any change in any Applicable Law or accounting principles, the Administrator, on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event (except that action to give effect to a change in Applicable Law or accounting principles may be made within a reasonable period of time after such change), is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to (x) prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended by the Company to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award granted or issued under the Plan, (y) to facilitate such transaction or event or (z) give effect to such changes in Applicable Law or accounting principles:
(a) To provide for the cancellation of any such Award in exchange for either an amount of cash or other property with a value equal to the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise or settlement of the vested portion of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights under the vested portion of such Award, as applicable; provided that, if the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise or settlement of the vested portion of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, in any case, is equal to or less than zero, then the Award may be terminated without payment;
(b) To provide that such Award shall vest and, to the extent applicable, be exercisable as to all Shares (or other property) covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the provisions of such Award;
(c) To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation or entity, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation or entity, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and applicable exercise or purchase price, in all cases, as determined by the Administrator;
(d) To make adjustments in the number and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Article V hereof on the maximum number and kind of shares which may be issued) or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding Awards;
(e) To replace such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator; or
(f) To provide that the Award will terminate and cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after the applicable event.
9.3 Change in Control.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control, unless the Administrator elects to (i) terminate an Award in exchange for cash, rights or property, pursuant to Section 9.2, or (ii) cause an Award to become fully exercisable and no longer subject to any forfeiture restrictions prior to the consummation of a Change in Control, pursuant to Section 9.2, (A) such Award (other than any portion subject to performance-based vesting) shall continue in effect or be assumed or an equivalent Award substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation and (B) the portion of such Award subject to performance-based vesting shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement and, in the absence of applicable terms and conditions, the Administrator’s discretion.
(b) In the event that the successor corporation in a Change in Control refuses to assume or substitute for an Award, the Administrator shall cause such Award to become fully vested and, if applicable, exercisable immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction, and with respect to Awards with performance-based vesting, all performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at the greater of: (i) one hundred percent (100%) of target levels, or (ii) the actual level of achievement of all relevant performance goals against target measured through the date immediately prior to the Change in Control (or as close to such date as administratively practicable), unless specifically provided otherwise under the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Administrator, and all forfeiture restrictions on such Award to lapse and, to the extent unexercised upon the consummation of such transaction, to terminate in exchange for cash, rights or other property. The Administrator shall notify the Participant of any Award that becomes exercisable pursuant to the preceding sentence that such Award shall be fully exercisable for a period of at least 10 days from the date of such notice (or such shorter period as required to permit a timely closing of the transaction), contingent upon the occurrence of the Change in Control, or that such Award shall be settled for an amount of cash or securities equal to the in-the-money spread value (if any) of such Award, and such Award shall terminate upon the consummation of the Change in Control in accordance with the preceding sentence.
(c) For the purposes of this Section 9.3, an Award shall be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control was not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Award, for each Share subject to an Award, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its parent equal in fair market value to the per-share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control.
9.4 Administrative Stand Still. In the event of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other extraordinary transaction or change affecting the Shares or the share price of Common Stock (including any Equity Restructuring or any securities offering or other similar transaction) or for reasons of administrative convenience or to facilitate compliance with any Applicable Law, the Company may refuse to permit the exercise or settlement of one or more Awards for such period of time as the Company may determine to be reasonably appropriate under the circumstances.
9.5 General. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or the Administrator’s action under the Plan, no Participant will have any rights due to any subdivision or consolidation of Shares of any class, dividend payment, increase or decrease in the number of Shares of any class or dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Company or other corporation. Except as expressly provided with respect to an Equity Restructuring under Section 9.1 above or the Administrator’s action under the Plan, no issuance by the Company of Shares of any class, or securities convertible into Shares of any class, will affect, and no adjustment will be made regarding, the number of Shares subject to an Award or the Award’s grant or exercise price. The existence of the Plan, any Award Agreements and the Awards granted hereunder will not affect or restrict in any way the Company’s right or power to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, (ii) any merger, consolidation, spin-off, dissolution or liquidation of the Company or sale of Company assets or (iii) any sale or issuance of securities, including securities with rights superior to those of the Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares.
ARTICLE X.
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS
10.1 Transferability.
(a) No Award may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, or, subject to the Administrator’s consent, pursuant to a DRO, unless and until such Award has been exercised or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed. During the life of a Participant, Awards will be exercisable only by the Participant, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO. After the death of a Participant, any exercisable portion of an Award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement, be exercised by the Participant’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then-Applicable Law of descent and distribution. References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, will include references to a transferee approved by the Administrator.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 10.1(a), the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant or a Permitted Transferee of such Participant to transfer an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option (unless such Incentive Stock Option is intended to become a Nonqualified Stock Option) to any one or more Permitted Transferees of such Participant, subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall not be assignable or transferable by the Permitted Transferee other than (A) to another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Participant or (B) by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a domestic relations order; (ii) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall continue to be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Award as applicable to the original Participant (other than the ability to further transfer the Award to any Person other than another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Participant); (iii) the Participant (or transferring Permitted Transferee) and the receiving Permitted Transferee shall execute any and all documents requested by the Administrator, including, without limitation documents to (A) confirm the status of the transferee as a Permitted Transferee, (B) satisfy any requirements for an exemption for the transfer under Applicable Law and (C) evidence the transfer; and (iv) any transfer of an Award to a Permitted Transferee shall be without consideration, except as required by Applicable Law. In addition, and further notwithstanding Section 10.1(a), the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant to transfer Incentive Stock Options to a trust that constitutes a Permitted Transferee if, under Section 671 of the Code and other Applicable Law, the Participant is considered the sole beneficial owner of the Incentive Stock Option while it is held in the trust.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 10.1(a), if permitted by the Administrator, a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a Designated Beneficiary. A Designated Beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to the Participant and any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator. If the Participant is married or a domestic partner in a domestic partnership qualified under Applicable Law and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Participant’s spouse or domestic partner, as applicable, as the Participant’s Designated Beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Participant’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written or electronic consent of the Participant’s spouse or domestic partner. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time; provided that the change or revocation is delivered in writing to the Administrator prior to the Participant’s death.
10.2 Documentation. Each Award will be evidenced in an Award Agreement in such form as the Administrator determines in its discretion. Each Award may contain such terms and conditions as are determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, to the extent not inconsistent with those set forth in the Plan.
10.3 Discretion. Except as the Plan otherwise provides, each Award may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other Award. The terms of each Award to a Participant need not be identical, and the Administrator need not treat Participants or Awards (or portions thereof) uniformly.
10.4 Changes in Participant’s Status. The Administrator will determine how the disability, death, retirement, authorized leave of absence or any other change or purported change in a Participant’s Service Provider status affects an Award and the extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, the Participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary may exercise rights under the Award, if applicable. Except to the extent otherwise required by Applicable Law or expressly authorized by the Company or by the Company’s written policy on leaves of absence, no service credit shall be given for vesting purposes for any period the Participant is on a leave of absence.
10.5 Withholding. Each Participant must pay the Company or a Subsidiary, as applicable, or make provision satisfactory to the Administrator for payment of, any Tax-Related Items required by Applicable Law to be withheld in connection with such Participant’s Awards and/or Shares by the date of the event creating the liability for Tax-Related Items. At the Company’s discretion and subject to any Company insider trading policy (including black-out periods), any withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items may be satisfied by (i) deducting an amount sufficient to satisfy such withholding obligation from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant; (ii) accepting a payment from the Participant in cash, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, or by check made payable to the order of the Company or a Subsidiary, as applicable; (iii) accepting the delivery of Shares, including Shares delivered by attestation; (iv) retaining Shares from the Award creating the withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items, valued on the date of delivery, (v) if there is a public market for Shares at the time the withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied, selling Shares issued pursuant to the Award creating the withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items, either voluntarily by the Participant or mandatorily by the Company; (vi) any other lawful consideration permitted by the Administrator; or (vii) any combination of the foregoing payment forms. The amount withheld pursuant to any of the foregoing payment forms shall be determined by the Company and may be up to, but no greater than, the aggregate amount of such obligations based on the maximum statutory withholding rates in the applicable Participant’s jurisdiction for all Tax-Related Items that are applicable to such taxable income. If any tax withholding obligation will be satisfied under clause (v) of the preceding paragraph, each Participant’s acceptance of an Award under the Plan will constitute the Participant’s authorization to the Company and instruction and authorization to any brokerage firm selected by the Company to effect the sale to complete the transactions described in clause (v).
10.6 Amendment of Award; Repricing. The Administrator may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including by substituting another Award of the same or a different type, changing the exercise or settlement date, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonqualified Stock Option. The Participant’s consent to such action will be required unless (i) the action, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the Award, or (ii) the change is permitted under Article IX or pursuant to Section 11.6. In addition, the Administrator shall, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, have the authority to (a) amend any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right to reduce its exercise price per Share, or (b) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award.
10.7 Conditions on Delivery of Stock. The Company will not be obligated to deliver any Shares under the Plan or remove restrictions from Shares previously delivered under the Plan until (i) all Award conditions have been met or removed to the Company’s satisfaction, (ii) as determined by the Company, all other legal matters regarding the issuance and delivery of such Shares have been satisfied, including, without limitation, any applicable securities laws and stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, (iii) any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary or advisable have been obtained, and (iv) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate to satisfy Applicable Law. The inability or impracticability of the Company to obtain or maintain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained, and shall constitute circumstances in which the Administrator may determine to amend or cancel Awards pertaining to such Shares, with or without consideration to the Participant.
10.8 Acceleration. The Administrator may at any time provide that any Award will become immediately vested and fully or partially exercisable, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise fully or partially realizable.
ARTICLE XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 No Right to Employment or Other Status. No person will have any claim or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award will not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continue employment or any other relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary. The Company and its Subsidiaries expressly reserve the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan or any Award, except as expressly provided in an Award Agreement or other written agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Subsidiary.
11.2 No Rights as Stockholder; Certificates. Subject to the Award Agreement, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary will have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares to be distributed under an Award until becoming the record holder of such Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless the Administrator otherwise determines or Applicable Law requires, the Company will not be required to deliver to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award and instead such Shares may be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator). The Company may place legends on any share certificate or book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares (including, without limitation, restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock).
11.3 Effective Date. The Plan was approved by the Board on [●], 2024. The Plan will become effective on the date immediately prior to the date of the closing (the “Effective Date”) of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, provided that it is approved by the Company’s stockholders on or prior to the Effective Date and such approval occurs within 12 months following the date the Board approved the Plan. If the Plan is not approved by the Company’s stockholders within the foregoing time frame, or if the Merger Agreement is terminated prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, the Plan will not become effective. No Award may be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date.
11.4 Amendment of Plan. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time and from time to time; provided that (a) no amendment requiring stockholder approval to comply with Applicable Law shall be effective unless approved by the Board, and (b) no amendment, other than an increase to the Overall Share Limit or pursuant to Article IX or Section 11.6, may materially and adversely affect any Award outstanding at the time of such amendment without the affected Participant’s consent. No Awards may be granted under the Plan during any suspension period or after Plan termination. Awards outstanding at the time of any Plan suspension or termination will continue to be governed by the Plan and the Award Agreement, as in effect before such suspension or termination. The Board will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law.
11.5 Provisions for Foreign Participants. The Administrator may modify Awards granted to Participants who are nationals of a country other than the United States or employed or residing outside the United States, establish subplans or procedures under the Plan or take any other necessary or appropriate action to address Applicable Law, including (a) differences in laws, rules, regulations or customs of such jurisdictions with respect to tax, securities, currency, employee benefit or other matters, (b) listing and other requirements of any non-U.S. securities exchange, and (c) any necessary local governmental or regulatory exemptions or approvals.
11.6 Section 409A.
(a) General. The Company intends that all Awards be structured to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A, such that no adverse tax consequences, interest, or penalties under Section 409A apply. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, the Administrator may, without a Participant’s consent, amend this Plan or Awards, adopt policies and procedures, or take any other actions (including amendments, policies, procedures and retroactive actions) as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of Awards, including any such actions intended to (A) exempt this Plan or any Award from Section 409A, or (B) comply with Section 409A, including regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority that may be issued after an Award’s grant date. The Company makes no representations or warranties as to an Award’s tax treatment under Section 409A or otherwise. The Company will have no obligation under this Section 11.6 or otherwise to avoid the taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A with respect to any Award and will have no liability to any Participant or any other person if any Award, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute noncompliant “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A.
(b) Separation from Service. If an Award constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A, any payment or settlement of such Award upon a Participant’s Termination of Service will, to the extent necessary to avoid taxes under Section 409A, be made only upon the Participant’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A), whether such “separation from service” occurs upon or after the Participant’s Termination of Service. For purposes of this Plan or any Award Agreement relating to any such payments or benefits, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms means a “separation from service.”
(c) Payments to Specified Employees. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan or any Award Agreement, any payment(s) of “nonqualified deferred compensation” required to be made under an Award to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A and as the Administrator determines) due to his or her “separation from service” will, to the extent necessary to avoid taxes under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, be delayed for the six-month period immediately following such “separation from service” (or, if earlier, until the specified employee’s death) and will instead be paid (as set forth in the Award Agreement) on the day immediately following such six-month period or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter (without interest). Any payments of “nonqualified deferred compensation” under such Award payable more than six months following the Participant’s “separation from service” will be paid at the time or times the payments are otherwise scheduled to be made.
11.7 Limitations on Liability. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no individual acting as a director, officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary will be liable to any Participant, former Participant, spouse, beneficiary, or any other person for any claim, loss, liability, or expense incurred in connection with the Plan or any Award, and such individual will not be personally liable with respect to the Plan because of any contract or other instrument executed in his or her capacity as an Administrator, director, officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary that has been or will be granted or delegated any duty or power relating to the Plan’s administration or interpretation, against any cost or expense (including attorneys’ fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the Administrator’s approval) arising from any act or omission concerning this Plan unless arising from such person’s own fraud or bad faith; provided that he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf.
11.8 Data Privacy. As a condition for receiving any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this Section 11.8 by and among the Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates exclusively for implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including the Participant’s name, address and telephone number; birthdate; social security, insurance number or other identification number; salary; nationality; job title(s); any Shares held in the Company or its Subsidiaries and affiliates; and Award details, to implement, manage and administer the Plan and Awards (the “Data”). The Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may transfer the Data amongst themselves as necessary to implement, administer and manage a Participant’s participation in the Plan, and the Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may transfer the Data to third parties assisting the Company with Plan implementation, administration and management. These recipients may be located in the Participant’s country, or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the recipients’ country. By accepting an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, to implement, administer and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any required Data transfer to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any Shares. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data that the Company holds regarding such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data regarding such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data regarding the Participant or refuse or withdraw the consents in this Section 11.8 in writing, without cost, by contacting the local human resources representative. The Company may cancel Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan and, in the Administrator’s sole discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws the consents in this Section 11.8. For more information on the consequences of refusing or withdrawing consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.
11.9 Severability. If any portion of the Plan or any action taken under it is held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity will not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan will be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provisions had been excluded, and the illegal or invalid action will be null and void.
11.10 Governing Documents. If any contradiction occurs between the Plan and any Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company (or any Subsidiary), the Plan will govern, unless such Award Agreement or other written agreement was approved by the Administrator and expressly provides that a specific provision of the Plan will not apply.
11.11 Governing Law. The Plan and all Awards will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of law rules thereof or of any other jurisdiction.
11.12 Clawback Provisions. All Awards (including the gross amount of any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit the Participant actually or constructively receives upon receipt or exercise of any Award or the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award) will be subject to recoupment by the Company to the extent required to comply with Applicable Law or any policy of the Company providing for the reimbursement of incentive compensation, whether or not such policy was in place at the time of grant of an Award.
11.13 Titles and Headings. The titles and headings in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, if any conflict, the Plan’s text, rather than such titles or headings, will control.
11.14 Conformity to Applicable Law. Participant acknowledges that the Plan is intended to conform to the extent necessary with Applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan and all Awards will be administered only in a manner intended to conform with Applicable Law. To the extent Applicable Law permits, the Plan and all Award Agreements will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to Applicable Law.
11.15 Relationship to Other Benefits. No payment under the Plan will be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary, except as expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.
11.16 Unfunded Status of Awards. The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary.
11.17 Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan and any Award granted or awarded to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exempt rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and any amendments thereto) that are requirements for the application of such exempt rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exempt rule.
11.18 Prohibition on Executive Officer Loans. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Participant who is a Director or an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to make payment with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan, or continue any extension of credit with respect to such payment, with a loan from the Company or a loan arranged by the Company in violation of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.
Exhibit 10.40
NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS CONVERTIBLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS SECURITY AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES
Original Issue Date: __________________
Original Principal Amount: $___________________
20% ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
SENIOR SECURED CONVERTIBLE
DEBENTURE
DUE _________ 20261
THIS 20% ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT SENIOR SECURED CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE is one of a series of duly authorized and validly issued 20% Original Issue Discount Secured Convertible Debentures of ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS INC. (formerly known as Powerup Acquisition Corp.), a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns, the “Company”), whose registered office is at 188 Grand Street, Unit #195, New York, NY 10013, designated as its 20% Original Issue Discount Senior Secured Convertible Debenture due _____2026 (this debenture, the “Debenture” and, collectively with the other debentures of such series, the “Debentures”).
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the Company promises to pay to or its registered assigns (the “Holder”), or shall have paid pursuant to the terms hereunder, the principal sum of $_____ on __ 2026 (the “Maturity Date”) or such earlier date as this Debenture is required or permitted to be repaid as provided hereunder, and to pay interest to the Holder on the aggregate unconverted and then outstanding principal amount of this Debenture in accordance with the provisions hereof. All payments due hereunder (to the extent not converted into shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof) shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the address or otherwise pursuant to such instructions as the Holder shall provide to the Company by written notice made in accordance with the provisions of this Debenture. This Debenture is subject to the following additional provisions:
Section 1. Definitions. For the purposes hereof, in addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Debenture, (a) capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement and (b) the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Alternate Consideration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(e).
112 months from the First Closing Date.
“Bankruptcy Event” means any of the following events: (a) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X) thereof commences a case or other proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency or liquidation or similar law of any jurisdiction relating to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof, (b) there is commenced against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof any such case or proceeding that is not dismissed within 60 days after commencement, (c) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt or any order of relief or other order approving any such case or proceeding is entered, (d) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof suffers any appointment of any custodian or the like for it or any substantial part of its property that is not discharged or stayed within 60 calendar days after such appointment, (e) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (f) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof calls a meeting of its creditors with a view to arranging a composition, adjustment or restructuring of its debts, (g) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof admits in writing that it is generally unable to pay its debts as they become due, (h) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof, by any act or failure to act, expressly indicates its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any of the foregoing or takes any corporate or other action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing.
“Base Conversion Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).
“Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(d).
“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York are generally are open for use by customers on such day.
“Buy-In” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c)(v).
“Change of Control Transaction” means the occurrence after the date hereof of any of (a) an acquisition after the date hereof by an individual or legal entity or “group” (as described in Rule 13d-5(b)(1) promulgated under the Exchange Act) of effective control (whether through legal or beneficial ownership of capital shares of the Company, by contract or otherwise) of in excess of 33% of the voting securities of the Company (other than by means of conversion of the Debentures), (b) the Company merges into or consolidates with any other Person, or any Person merges into or consolidates with the Company and, after giving effect to such transaction, the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own less than 66% of the aggregate voting power of the Company or the successor entity of such transaction, (c) the Company (and all of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole) sells or transfers all or substantially all of its assets to another Person and the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own less than 66% of the aggregate voting power of the acquiring entity immediately after the transaction, (d) a replacement at one time or within a three year period of more than one-half of the members of the Board of Directors which is not approved by a majority of those individuals who are members of the Board of Directors on the Execution Date (or by those individuals who are serving as members of the Board of Directors on any date whose nomination to the Board of Directors was approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are members on the date hereof), or (e) the execution by the Company of an agreement to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, providing for any of the events set forth in clauses (a) through (d) above.
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“Common Stock” means the shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preference shares, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, shares of Common Stock.
“Conversion Date” means the date of any conversion under this Debenture.
“Conversion Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(b).
“Conversion Shares” means, collectively, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Debenture in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Debenture Register” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.
“Dilutive Issuance” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).
“Dilutive Issuance Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).
“Dollars” and “$” mean dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.
“Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Event of Default” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(a).
“Execution Date” means February [_], 2025.
“Floor Price” shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
“Floor Price Spread Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c)(i).
“Fundamental Transaction” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(e).
“Indebtedness” or “indebtedness” of any person shall mean, if and to the extent (other than with respect to clause (i)) the same would constitute indebtedness or a liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such person, (d) all obligations of such person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than such obligations accrued in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm), to the extent that the same would be required to be shown as a long term liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, (e) all capitalized lease obligations of such person, (f) the principal component of all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such person as an account party in respect of letters of credit, (g) the principal component of all obligations of such person in respect of bankers’ acceptances, and (h) all guarantees by such person of indebtedness described in clauses (a) to (g) above; provided, that Indebtedness shall not include (A) (i) trade and other ordinary-course payables and intercompany liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm or (ii) accrued expenses, in excess of $25,000 as a single obligation or $125,000.00 in the aggregate if such indebtedness is subordinated to the Company’s and, as applicable, any Subsidiary’s obligations in respect of the Debentures and the other Transaction Documents pursuant to the terms of a subordination agreement, acceptable to the Holder in its sole discretion, to which the creditor in respect of such indebtedness is a party, (B) prepaid or deferred revenue, (C) purchase price holdbacks arising in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm in respect of a portion of the purchase prices of an asset to satisfy unperformed obligations of the seller of such asset, or (D) earn-out obligations until such obligations become a liability on the balance sheet of such person in accordance with GAAP.
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“Mandatory Default Amount” means the sum of (a) 125% of the outstanding principal amount of this Debenture, plus 125% of accrued and unpaid interest hereon, and (b) all other amounts, costs, expenses and liquidated damages due in respect of this Debenture.
“New York Courts” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(f).
“Notice of Conversion” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).
“Optional Redemption” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b).
“Optional Redemption Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b).
“Optional Redemption Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b).
“Optional Redemption Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b).
“Optional Redemption Notice Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b).
“Original Issue Date” means the date of the first issuance of the Debenture (i.e., the date first written above), regardless of any transfers of the Debenture and regardless of the number of instruments which may be issued to evidence such Debenture.
“Permitted Indebtedness” means (a) the Indebtedness evidenced by the Debentures; (b) Indebtedness that has been subordinated to the Company’s and, as applicable, any Subsidiary’s obligations in respect of the Debentures and the other Transaction Documents pursuant to the terms of a subordination agreement, acceptable to the Holder in its sole discretion, to which the creditor in respect of such Indebtedness is a party, and (c) indebtedness owed to service providers as set forth in the Use of Proceeds Certificate provided that any indebtedness that is in excess of $25,000 and not specifically provided for in the Use of Proceeds Certificate, shall be subordinated to the Company’s and, as applicable, any Subsidiary’s obligations in respect of the Debentures and the other Transaction Documents pursuant to the terms of a subordination agreement, acceptable to the Holder in its sole discretion, to which the creditor in respect of such indebtedness is a party.
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“Permitted Lien” means the individual and collective reference to the following: (a) Liens for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies not yet delinquent by more than 30 days or Liens for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves (in the good faith judgment of the management of the Company) have been established in accordance with GAAP, and (b) Liens imposed by law which were incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s business, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens, statutory landlords’ Liens, and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s business which secure obligations which are not more than 30 days overdue, and which (x) do not individually or in the aggregate materially detract from the value of such property or assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the business of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries or (y) are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, which proceedings have the effect of preventing for the foreseeable future the forfeiture or sale of the property or asset subject to such Lien.
“Purchase Agreement” means the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of February __, 2025, by and among the Company, and the Purchasers party thereto (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms).
“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Company and the Purchasers of the Securities issued by the Company pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
“Registration Statement” means a registration statement meeting the requirements set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement and covering the resale of the Underlying Shares and Commitment Shares by the Holder as provided for in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Share Delivery Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c)(ii).
“Standard Settlement Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c)(ii).
“Successor Entity” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(e).
“Surviving Entity” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“VWAP” means, as of any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock are then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the per share daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or if such date is not a Trading Day, for the nearest preceding Trading Day) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if the Common Stock is listed on the OTCQB or OTCQX, the per share volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or if such date is not a Trading Day, for the nearest preceding Trading Day) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on any Trading Market or OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holder and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
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Section 2. Interest. Interest shall accrue on the outstanding principal amount of this Debenture at a rate equal to 10.00% per annum paid in kind (the “PIK Interest”) unless there is an Event of Default, in which case Default Interest shall accrue and be paid instead of PIK Interest. The PIK Interest shall be added to the outstanding principal amount of this Debenture on a monthly basis as additional principal obligations hereunder and shall automatically and thereafter constitute a part of the outstanding principal amount for all purposes hereof (including the accrual of interest thereon at the rates applicable to the principal amount generally). The Borrower will not issue additional debentures to represent the PIK Interest. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year, consisting of twelve 30 calendar day periods, and shall accrue daily commencing on the Original Issue Date until payment in full of the outstanding principal, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, liquidated damages and other amounts which may become due hereunder, has been made. Interest shall cease to accrue with respect to any portion of the principal amount of this Debenture that is converted to Conversion Shares, provided that the Company delivers the Conversion Shares and pays the applicable Floor Price Spread Amount with respect to such conversion, if any, within the time period required by Section 4 hereof. Accrued and unpaid interest hereunder will be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture is registered on the records of the Company regarding registration and transfers of this Debenture (the “Debenture Register”); provided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Company represents and warrants that as of the Original Issue Date, the Person in whose name this Debenture is duly registered on the Debenture Register as the owner of this Debenture for the purpose of receiving payment as herein provided and for all other purposes is ___. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, interest shall accrue on the outstanding principal amount of this Debenture at the rate of two percent (2.00%) per month (“Default Interest”). Accrued and unpaid Default Interest shall be due and payable monthly in arrears in cash on the first of each month following the occurrence of any Event of Default for Default Interest accrued through the last day of the prior month.
Section 3. Registration of Transfers and Exchanges.
(a) Different Denominations. This Debenture is exchangeable for an equal aggregate principal amount of Debentures of different authorized denominations, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. No service charge will be payable for such registration of transfer or exchange.
(b) Investment Representations. This Debenture has been issued subject to certain investment representations of the original Holder set forth in the Purchase Agreement and may be transferred or exchanged only in compliance with the Purchase Agreement and applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations.
(c) Reliance on Debenture Register. Prior to due presentment for transfer to the Company of this Debenture, the Company and any agent of the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Debenture is duly registered on the Debenture Register as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment as herein provided and for all other purposes, whether or not this Debenture is overdue, and neither the Company nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
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Section 4. Conversion.
(a) Conversion Upon Event of Default. This Debenture shall convert into shares of Common Stock upon an Event of Default (subject to the conversion limitations set forth in Section 4(d) hereof), at the option of the Holder. The Holder shall effect conversions by delivering to the Company a Notice of Conversion, the form of which is attached hereto as Annex A (each, a “Notice of Conversion”), specifying therein the amount to be converted and the date on which such conversion shall be effected. If no Conversion Date is specified in a Notice of Conversion, the Conversion Date shall be the date that such Notice of Conversion is deemed delivered hereunder. No ink-original Notice of Conversion shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Conversion form be required. To effect conversions hereunder, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Debenture to the Company unless the entire principal amount of this Debenture, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and any other amounts owing, has been so converted in which case the Holder shall surrender this Debenture as promptly as is reasonably practicable after such conversion without delaying the Company’s obligation to deliver the shares on the Share Delivery Date. Any conversion hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding principal amount of this Debenture in an amount equal to the applicable principal amount being converted provided that the Company delivers the Conversion Shares and pays the applicable Floor Price Spread Amount with respect to such conversion, if any, in accordance with this Section 4. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the principal amount(s) converted and the date of such conversion(s). The Company may deliver an objection to any Notice of Conversion within one (1) Business Day of delivery of such Notice of Conversion. In the event of any dispute or discrepancy, the records of the Holder shall be controlling and determinative in the absence of manifest error. The Holder, and any assignee by acceptance of this Debenture, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following conversion of a portion of this Debenture, the unpaid and unconverted principal amount of this Debenture may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
(b) Conversion Price. The conversion price of this Debenture in effect as of any Conversion Date shall be a price per share of Common Stock equal to 92.5% of the lowest daily VWAP of the shares of Common Stock during the five Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to delivery or deemed delivery of the applicable Conversion Notice (the “Conversion Price”) and subject to adjustment as provided herein; provided that, no conversion may be at a price per share less than the Floor Price.
(c) Mechanics of Conversion; Floor Price Spread Payments.
(i) Conversion Shares Issuable Upon Conversion of Principal Amount; Floor Price Spread Payments. The number of Conversion Shares issuable upon a conversion as of any Conversion Date hereunder shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the amount to be converted by the Conversion Price, as of such Conversion Date; provided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, that if the Floor Price exceeds the Conversion Price, on any Conversion Date, then (1) the number of Conversion Shares issuable upon the applicable conversion hereunder shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the amount to be converted by the Floor Price as of such Conversion Date, and (2) the Company shall pay the Holder an amount in cash on the applicable Share Delivery Date with respect to such conversion (a “Floor Price Spread Amount”) equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the amount obtained by subtracting the Conversion Price, as of such Conversion Date from the Floor Price as of such Conversion Date by (B) the amount obtained by subtracting (x) the quotient obtained by dividing the amount to be converted by the Conversion Price as of such Conversion Date from (y) the quotient obtained by dividing the amount to be converted by the Floor Price as of such Conversion Date.
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(ii) Delivery of Conversion Shares Upon Conversion; Floor Price Spread Payments. Not later than the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined below) after each Conversion Date (the “Share Delivery Date”), the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Holder (A) the Conversion Shares which, on or after the earlier of (i) the six month anniversary of the Original Issue Date or (ii) the Applicable Effective Date, shall be free of restrictive legends and trading restrictions (other than those which may then be required by the Purchase Agreement) representing the number of Conversion Shares being acquired upon the applicable conversion of this Debenture). On or after the earlier of (i) the six-month anniversary of the Original Issue Date or (ii) the Applicable Effective Date, the Company shall deliver any Conversion Shares required to be delivered by the Company under this Section 4(c) electronically through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions. Any Floor Price Spread Amount payable with respect to a conversion of the Debenture as determined in accordance with Section 4(c)(i) above shall be due and payable by the Company in full on the Share Delivery Date for such conversion. As used herein, the term “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of any Notice of Conversion.
(iii) Failure to Deliver Conversion Shares. If, in the case of any Notice of Conversion, such Conversion Shares are not delivered to or as directed by the applicable Holder by the Share Delivery Date, the Holder shall be entitled to elect by written notice to the Company at any time on or before its receipt of such Conversion Shares, to rescind such Conversion, in which event the Company shall promptly return to the Holder any original Debenture delivered to the Company and the Holder shall promptly return to the Company the Conversion Shares issued to such Holder pursuant to the rescinded Conversion Notice.
(iv) Obligation Absolute; Partial Liquidated Damages. The Company’s obligations to issue and deliver the Conversion Shares upon conversion of this Debenture in accordance with the terms hereof are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any action or inaction by the Holder to enforce the same, any waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof, the recovery of any judgment against any Person or any action to enforce the same, or any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, limitation or termination, or any breach or alleged breach by the Holder or any other Person of any obligation to the Company or any violation or alleged violation of law by the Holder or any other Person, and irrespective of any other circumstance which might otherwise limit such obligation of the Company to the Holder in connection with the issuance of such Conversion Shares; provided, however, that such delivery shall not operate as a waiver by the Company of any such action the Company may have against the Holder. In the event the Holder of this Debenture shall elect to convert any or all of the outstanding principal amount hereof, the Company may not refuse conversion based on any claim that the Holder or anyone associated or affiliated with the Holder has been engaged in any violation of law, agreement or for any other reason, unless an injunction from a court, on notice to Holder, restraining and or enjoining conversion of all or part of this Debenture shall have been sought and obtained, and the Company posts a surety bond for the benefit of the Holder in the amount of 150% of the outstanding principal amount of this Debenture, which is subject to the injunction, which bond shall remain in effect until the completion of arbitration/litigation of the underlying dispute and the proceeds of which shall be payable to the Holder to the extent it obtains judgment. In the absence of such injunction, the Company shall issue Conversion Shares or, if applicable, cash, upon a properly noticed conversion. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder such Conversion Shares pursuant to Section 4(c)(ii) by the Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of principal amount being converted, $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth (5th) Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after such Share Delivery Date until such Conversion Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such conversion. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue actual damages or declare an Event of Default pursuant to Section 8 hereof for the Company’s failure to deliver Conversion Shares within the period specified herein and the Holder shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief. The exercise of any such rights shall not prohibit the Holder from seeking to enforce damages pursuant to any other Section hereof or under applicable law.
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(v) Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Conversion Shares Upon Conversion. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder such Conversion Shares by the Share Delivery Date pursuant to Section 4(c)(ii), and if after such Share Delivery Date the Holder is required by its brokerage firm to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise), or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Conversion Shares which the Holder was entitled to receive upon the conversion relating to such Share Delivery Date (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder (in addition to any other remedies available to or elected by the Holder) the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including any brokerage commissions) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the product of (1) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that the Holder was entitled to receive from the conversion at issue multiplied by (2) the actual sale price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed (including any brokerage commissions) and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reissue (if surrendered) this Debenture in a principal amount equal to the amount of the attempted conversion (in which case such conversion shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued if the Company had timely complied with its delivery requirements under Section 4(c)(ii). For example, if the Holder purchases a number of shares of Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted conversion of this Debenture with respect to which the actual sale price of the Conversion Shares (including any brokerage commissions) giving rise to such purchase obligation was a total of $10,000 under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver Conversion Shares upon conversion of this Debenture as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
(vi) Reservation of Shares Issuable Upon Conversion. The Company covenants that it will at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock for the sole purpose of issuance upon conversion of this Debenture and payment of interest on this Debenture, each as herein provided, free from preemptive rights or any other actual contingent purchase rights of Persons other than the Holder (and any other holders of the Debentures), not less than the Required Minimum. The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock that shall be so issuable shall, upon issue, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and, if the Registration Statement is then effective under the Securities Act, shall be registered for public resale in accordance with such Registration Statement (subject to such Holder’s compliance with its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement).
(vii) Fractional Shares. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the conversion of this Debenture. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such conversion, the Company shall at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Conversion Price or round up to the next whole share.
(viii) Transfer Taxes and Expenses. The issuance of Conversion Shares on conversion of this Debenture shall be made without charge to the Holder hereof for any documentary stamp or similar taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of such Conversion Shares, provided that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any such Conversion Shares upon conversion in a name other than that of the Holder of this Debenture so converted and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver such Conversion Shares unless or until the Person or Persons requesting the issuance thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Conversion and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Conversion Shares.
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(d) Holder’s Conversion Limitations. The Company shall not effect any conversion of this Debenture, and a Holder shall not have the right to convert any portion of this Debenture, to the extent that after giving effect to the conversion set forth on the applicable Notice of Conversion, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)) would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Debenture with respect to which such determination is being made and any Commitment Shares issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) conversion of the remaining, unconverted principal amount of this Debenture beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company subject to a limitation on conversion analogous to the limitation contained herein (including, without limitation, any other Debentures) beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 4(d), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 4(d) applies, the determination of whether this Debenture is convertible (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which principal amount of this Debenture is convertible shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Conversion shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Debenture may be converted (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates or Attribution Parties) and which principal amount of this Debenture is convertible, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 4(d), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company, or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Company’s Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Debenture, by the Holder or its Affiliates since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock are issuable upon conversion of this Debenture. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 4(d), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of this Debenture held by the Holder and the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 4(d) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 4(d) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation contained herein or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Debenture.
Section 5. Certain Adjustments.
(a) Share Dividends and Share Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Debenture is outstanding: (i) pays a share dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions payable in shares of Common Stock on shares of Common Stock or any Common Stock Equivalents (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock are issued by the Company upon conversion of, or payment of interest on, the Debentures), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of a reverse share split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issues, in the event of a reclassification of shares of Common Stock or any capital shares of the Company, then the Conversion Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Company) outstanding immediately before such event, and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
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(b) Subsequent Equity Sales. If, at any time while this Debenture is outstanding, the Company or any Subsidiary, as applicable, sells or grants any option to purchase, or otherwise issues, any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents entitling any Person to acquire shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is lower than the then Conversion Price and/or the then Floor Price (such lower price, the “Base Conversion Price” and such issuances, collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”), then simultaneously with the consummation of each Dilutive Issuance, the Conversion Price and/or the Floor Price, as applicable, shall be reduced to equal the Base Conversion Price (subject to adjustment for reverse and forward share splits, recapitalizations and similar transactions following the date of the Purchase Agreement); provided, for the avoidance of doubt, the effect of any adjustment to the Conversion Price and/or Floor Price pursuant to this Section 5(b) shall be to reduce and not increase the Conversion Price and/or Floor Price, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustment will be made under this Section 5(b) in respect of an Exempt Issuance. If the Company enters into a Variable Rate Transaction, despite the prohibition set forth in the Purchase Agreement, the Company shall be deemed to have issued shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at the lowest possible conversion price at which such securities may be converted or exercised. The Company shall notify the Holder in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance of shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents subject to this Section 5(b), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 5(b), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to receive a number of Conversion Shares based upon the Base Conversion Price on or after the date of such Dilutive Issuance, regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Conversion Price in the Notice of Conversion.
(c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 5(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase shares, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of this Debenture (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such s Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
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(d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Debenture is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, shares or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Debenture, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of this Debenture (without regard to any limitations on conversion hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
(e) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Debenture is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company (and all of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole), directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of shares of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the shares of Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the shares of Common Stock are effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent conversion of this Debenture, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Conversion Share that would have been issuable upon such conversion immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 4(d) on the conversion of this Debenture), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Debenture is convertible immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 4(d) on the conversion of this Debenture). For purposes of any such conversion, the determination of the Conversion Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one (1) share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Conversion Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of shares of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any conversion of this Debenture following such Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under the Debentures and the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the holder of this Debenture, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Debenture a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Debenture which is convertible for a corresponding number of capital shares of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon conversion of this Debenture (without regard to any limitations on the conversion of this Debenture) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with a conversion price which applies the conversion price hereunder to such capital shares (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such capital shares, such number of capital shares and such conversion price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Debenture immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Debenture and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under the Debentures and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
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(f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 5 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 5, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Company) issued and outstanding.
(g) Notice to the Holder.
(i) Adjustment to Conversion Price. Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 5, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder a notice setting forth the Conversion Price after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
(ii) Notice to Allow Conversion by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the shares of Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any capital shares of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any shareholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (and all of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of this Debenture, and shall cause to be delivered to the Holder at its last address as it shall appear upon the Debenture Register, at least twenty (20) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the shares of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the shares of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange, provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to convert this Debenture during the 20-day period commencing on the date of such notice through the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
Section 6. Mandatory Prepayment; Redemption.
(a) Mandatory Prepayment. If, at any time prior to the full repayment or full conversion of all amounts owed under this Debenture, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries receives cash proceeds from the issuance of equity or indebtedness (other than the issuance of other Debentures), in one or more financing transactions, whether publicly offered or privately arranged (including, without limitation, pursuant to the Arena ELOC), the Company shall, within one (1) Business Day of the Company or the applicable Subsidiary’s receipt of such proceeds, inform the Holder of such receipt via written notice (a “Mandatory Prepayment Notice”), whereupon the Holder shall have the right in its sole discretion to require, by written notice to the Company delivered within five (5) Business Days of the Holder’s receipt of any such Mandatory Prepayment Notice, that the Company immediately apply up to thirty percent (30%) of the gross cash proceeds received from the applicable financing transaction to prepay the Company’s then outstanding obligations under the Debentures (a “Mandatory Prepayment Exercise Notice”). The Company shall, within one (1) Business Day of the Company’s receipt of a Mandatory Prepayment Exercise Notice, the portion of the gross cash proceeds received from the applicable financing transaction indicated in the Mandatory Prepayment Exercise Notice (not to exceed 30%) to prepay the Company’s then outstanding obligations under the Debentures; provided, such gross cash proceeds shall be applied to prepay all of the Debentures then outstanding pro rata in proportion to the respective outstanding principal amount of each Debenture at the time the Holder delivers the applicable Mandatory Prepayment Exercise Notice.
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(b) Optional Redemption at Election of Company.
(i) Subject to the provisions of this Section 6(b), the Company may deliver a notice to the Holder at any time (an “Optional Redemption Notice”, and the date such notice is deemed delivered hereunder, the “Optional Redemption Notice Date”) of its irrevocable election to redeem all or any portion of the then outstanding principal amount of this Debenture for cash in an amount (i) equal to the sum of (1) 120% of the portion of the outstanding principal amount of this Debenture elected to be redeemed; plus (2) 100% of accrued but unpaid interest thereon; plus (3) all liquidated damages and other amounts then due in respect of the Debenture (the “Optional Redemption Amount”) on the 30th calendar day following the Optional Redemption Notice Date (such date, the “Optional Redemption Date”, and such redemption, the “Optional Redemption”); provided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Company may not deliver an Optional Redemption Notice at a time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
(ii) The Optional Redemption Amount shall be payable in full on the Optional Redemption Date. If the Company elects to redeem this Debenture pursuant to this Section 6 or any other Debenture, it shall redeem all outstanding Debentures in full simultaneously by paying the Holder the applicable Optional Redemption Amount payable with respect to all outstanding Debentures on the same Optional Redemption Date. If any portion of the Optional Redemption Amount payable in respect of an Optional Redemption shall not be paid by the Company by the applicable due date, interest shall accrue thereon at an interest rate equal to the lesser of two (2%) per annum or the maximum rate permitted by applicable law until such amount is paid in full. Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, if any portion of the Optional Redemption Amount remains unpaid after such date, the Holder may elect, by written notice to the Company given at any time thereafter, to invalidate such Optional Redemption, ab initio, and, with respect to the Company’s failure to honor the Optional Redemption, the Company shall have no further right to exercise such Optional Redemption. The Holder may elect to convert the outstanding principal amount of the Debenture pursuant to Section 4 prior to actual payment in cash for any redemption under this Section 6 by the delivery of a Notice of Conversion to the Company. The Company covenants and agrees that it will honor all Notices of Conversion tendered from the time of delivery of the Optional Redemption Notice through the date all amounts owing thereon are due and paid in full.
Section 7. Negative Covenants. As long as any portion of this Debenture remains outstanding, unless the Holder shall have otherwise given prior written consent, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company to, directly or indirectly:
(a) other than Permitted Indebtedness, enter into, create, incur, assume, guarantee or suffer to exist any indebtedness for borrowed money of any kind, including, but not limited to, a guarantee, on or with respect to any of its property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom;
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(b) other than Permitted Liens, enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Liens of any kind, on or with respect to any of its property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom;
(c) amend its charter documents, including, without limitation, its certificate of incorporation or memorandum of association, and articles of association or bylaws, as applicable, in any manner that materially and adversely affects any rights of the Holder;
(d) repay, repurchase or offer to repay, repurchase or otherwise acquire more than a de minimis number of shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents other than as to (i) the Conversion Shares or Commitment Shares as permitted or required under the Transaction Documents and (ii) repurchases of shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents of departing officers and directors of the Company, provided that such repurchases shall not exceed an aggregate of $100,000 for all officers and directors during the term of this Debenture;
(e) repay, repurchase or offer to repay, repurchase or otherwise acquire any Indebtedness, other than (i) the Debentures if on a pro-rata basis, (ii) regularly scheduled principal and interest payments of Indebtedness and amounts outstanding to service providers outstanding as of the Execution Date in accordance with the terms thereof as in effect as of the Execution Date and (iii) regularly scheduled principal and interest payments of Permitted Indebtedness pursuant to the terms thereof; provided that payments pursuant to the foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii) shall not be permitted if, at such time, or after giving effect to such payment, any Event of Default exists or occurs;
(f) pay cash dividends or distributions on any equity securities of the Company;
(g) enter into any transaction with any Affiliate of the Company which would be required to be disclosed in any public filing with the Commission, unless such transaction is made on an arm’s-length basis and expressly approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company (even if less than a quorum otherwise required for board approval);
(h) sell, dispose, assign, exchange, gift, lease, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise transfer, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or a series of transactions, any material portion of its assets outside the ordinary course of business;
(i) engage in any line of business substantially different from (i) those lines of business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof or (ii) any business substantially related or incidental, complementary, corollary, synergistic or ancillary thereto or reasonable extensions thereof; or
(j) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing.
Section 8. Events of Default.
(a) “Event of Default” means, wherever used herein, any of the following events (whatever the reason for such event and whether such event shall be voluntary or involuntary or effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court, or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(i) any default in the payment of (A) the principal amount of any Debenture or (B) interest, liquidated damages, any Floor Price Spread Amount, and/or any other amounts owing to a Holder on any Debenture, as and when the same shall become due and payable (whether on a Conversion Date, Share Delivery Date, Optional Redemption Date, or the Maturity Date or by acceleration or otherwise, as applicable) which default, solely in the case of an interest payment or other payment default under clause (B) above, is not cured within 3 Trading Days;
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(ii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in this Debenture (other than a breach by the Company of its obligations to deliver shares of Common Stock to the Holder upon conversion, which breach is addressed in clause (xi) below) or in any other Transaction Document, which failure is not cured, if possible to cure, within the earlier to occur of (A) 5 Trading Days after notice of such failure sent by the Holder or by any other Holder to the Company and (B) 10 Trading Days after the Company has become or should have become aware of such failure;
(iii) any representation or warranty made by or on behalf of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers in this Debenture, any other Transaction Document, or any written statement, report, financial statement or certificate pursuant hereto or thereto shall be untrue or incorrect in any material respect as of the date when made or deemed made;
(iv) the Company or any Subsidiary shall default on any of its obligations under any mortgage, credit agreement or other facility, indenture agreement, factoring agreement or other instrument under which there may be issued, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for borrowed money or money due under any long term leasing or factoring arrangement that (a) involves an obligation greater than $250,000 whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, and (b) results in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise become due and payable;
(v) the Company or any Subsidiary shall default on any of its obligations under any other material agreement, lease, document or instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary is obligated (and not covered by clause (v) above), which default is not cured, if possible to cure, within the earlier of (A) 5 Trading Days after notice of such default sent by the Holder or by any other Holder to the Company and (B) 10 Trading Days after the Company has become or should have become aware of such default;
(vi) the Common Stock shall not be eligible for listing or quotation for trading on a Trading Market and shall not be eligible to resume listing or quotation for trading thereon within 5 Trading Days;
(vii) the Company (and all of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole) shall be a party to any Change of Control Transaction or Fundamental Transaction;
(viii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall sell dispose, assign, exchange, gift, lease, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise transfer, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or a series of transactions, any asset, undertaking or business outside of the ordinary course of business, without the prior written consent of the Holder;
(ix) the Initial Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) shall not have been declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the 90th calendar day after the Closing Date or the Company does not meet the current public information requirements under Rule 144 in respect of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement);
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(x) if, during an Effectiveness Period (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), either (a) the effectiveness of any Registration Statement lapses for any reason or (b) the Holder shall not be permitted to resell Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) under a Registration Statement for a period of more than 20 consecutive Trading Days or 30 non-consecutive Trading Days during any 12 month period; provided, however, that if the Company is negotiating a merger, consolidation, acquisition or sale of all or substantially all of its assets or a similar transaction and, in the written opinion of counsel to the Company, a Registration Statement would be required to be amended to include information concerning such pending transaction(s) or the parties thereto which information is not available or may not be publicly disclosed at the time, the Company shall be permitted an additional 10 consecutive Trading Days during any 12 month period pursuant to this Section 8(a)(x);
(xi) the Company shall fail for any reason to deliver Conversion Shares to a Holder prior to the third Trading Day after a Conversion Date pursuant to Section 4(c) or the Company shall provide at any time notice to the Holder, including by way of public announcement, of the Company’s intention to not honor requests for conversions of any Debentures in accordance with the terms hereof;
(xii) the electronic transfer by the Company of any shares of Common Stock through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation is no longer available or is subject to a “chill”;
(xiii) any monetary judgment, writ or similar final process shall be entered or filed against the Company, any subsidiary or any of their respective property or other assets for more than $250,000, and such judgment, writ or similar final process shall remain unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of 45 calendar days;
(xiv) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X) shall be subject to a Bankruptcy Event;
(xv) the Company or any Subsidiary shall attempt to liquidate or dissolve itself without the prior written consent of the Holder;
(xvi) any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or step is taken in relation to: (a) the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding up, dissolution, administration or reorganization (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of the Company or any Subsidiary; (b) a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary; (c) the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their assets; (d) enforcement of any Lien over any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary; or (e) or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction in relation to the foregoing.
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(xvii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall: (i) apply for or consent to the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator of itself or of all or a substantial part of its property or assets; (ii) make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; (iii) commence a voluntary case under the United States Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect) or under the comparable laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic); (iv) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other similar law affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally; (v) acquiesce in writing to any petition filed against it in an involuntary case under United States Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect) or under the comparable laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic); (vi) issue a notice of bankruptcy or winding down of its operations or issue a press release regarding same; or (vii) take any action under the laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic) analogous to any of the foregoing;
(xviii) a proceeding or case shall be commenced in respect of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, without its application or consent, in any court of competent jurisdiction, seeking: (i) the liquidation, reorganization, moratorium, dissolution, winding up, or composition or readjustment of its debts; (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or the like of it or of all or any substantial part of its assets in connection with the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (iii) similar relief in respect of it under any law providing for the relief of debtors, and such proceeding or case described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) shall continue undismissed, or unstayed and in effect, for a period of forty-five (45) days or any order for relief shall be entered in an involuntary case under United States Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect) or under the comparable laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic) against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or action under the laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic) analogous to any of the foregoing shall be taken with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and shall continue undismissed, or unstayed and in effect for a period of forty-five (45) days;
(xix) any Subsidiary is not or ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company; or
(xx) any Transaction Document or any interest of the Holder thereunder shall, for any reason, be terminated, invalidated, void or unenforceable.
(b) Remedies Upon Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs, then the Holder may, by written notice to the Company, declare the entire outstanding principal amount of this Debenture, plus accrued but unpaid interest, liquidated damages and all other amounts then owing in respect thereof to be forthwith due and payable immediately in cash at the Mandatory Default Amount, whereupon the entire principal amount of this Debenture, all such accrued and unpaid interest, liquidated damages and all such other amounts shall become forth with due and payable immediately in cash at the Mandatory Default Amount without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Company, and the Holder may immediately and without expiration of any grace period enforce any and all of its rights and remedies hereunder and all other remedies available to it under applicable law; provided however, that in the case of any Event of Default pursuant to clause (xvi), (xvii) or (xviii) of Section 8(a), the entire outstanding principal amount of this Debenture, plus accrued but unpaid interest, liquidated damages and all other amounts then owing in respect thereof shall automatically become and be due and payable in cash at the Mandatory Default Amount, without presentment, demand, protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Company.
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Section 9. Miscellaneous.
(a) Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications provided for hereunder must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given and effective on the earliest of: (a) the date of transmission shown in a delivery confirmation report generated by the sender’s email system which indicates that delivery of the email to the recipient’s email address has been completed, if such notice or communication is sent via e-mail prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Business Day; (b) the next Business Day after the date of transmission shown in a delivery confirmation report generated by the sender’s email system which indicates that delivery of the email to the recipient’s email address has been completed, if such notice or communication is sent via e-mail on a day that is not a Business Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Business Day; (c) the second Business Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given, addressed as follows:
If to the Company:
Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc.
________________________
________________________
Attention: Ernest J. Scheidemann
Email: escheidemann@aspire-biopharma.com
With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP
1185 Avenue of Americas
New York, NY 10036
Attn: Arthur Marcus, Esq.
If to the Holder:
[Holder]
Attention:
e-mail:
or as to the Company or the Holder, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other party delivered in accordance with this Section 9(a).
(b) Amendments. This Debenture and any provision hereof may only be amended by an instrument in writing signed by the Company and the Holder. The term “Debenture” and all references thereto, as used throughout this instrument, shall mean this instrument as originally executed, or if later amended or supplemented, then as so amended or supplemented.
(c) Assignability. This Debenture shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns, and shall inure to be the benefit of the Holder and its successors and assigns. The Company shall not assign this Debenture or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Holder. The Holder may, without the consent of the Company, assign its rights hereunder (i) to any of its “affiliates”, as that term is defined under the Exchange Act, and (ii) solely during the continuance of any Event of Default, to any other Person. The Company’s prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, shall be required for the Holder to assign its rights hereunder to any Person that is not one of its “affiliates”, as that term is defined under the Exchange Act during any period in which an Event of Default is not then continuing. Notwithstanding anything in this Debenture to the contrary, this Debenture may be pledged as collateral in connection with a bona fide margin account or other lending arrangement. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Debenture, acknowledge and agree that following conversion of a portion of this Debenture, the unpaid and unconverted outstanding principal amount of this Debenture represented by this Debenture may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
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(d) Absolute Obligation. Except as expressly provided herein, no provision of this Debenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, liquidated damages and accrued interest, as applicable, on this Debenture at the time, place, and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed. This Debenture is a direct debt obligation of the Company. This Debenture ranks pari passu with all other Debentures now or hereafter issued under the terms set forth herein.
(e) Lost or Mutilated Debenture. If this Debenture shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall execute and deliver, in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of a mutilated Debenture, or in lieu of or in substitution for a lost, stolen or destroyed Debenture, a new Debenture for the principal amount of this Debenture so mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, but only upon receipt of evidence of such loss, theft or destruction of such Debenture, and of the ownership hereof, reasonably satisfactory to the Company.
(f) Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Debenture shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflict of laws thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretation, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by any of the Transaction Documents (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective Affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents) shall be commenced in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan (the “New York Courts”). Each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New York Courts for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to the enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such New York Courts, or such New York Courts are improper or inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Debenture and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable law. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Debenture or the transactions contemplated hereby.
(g) Waiver. Any waiver by the Company or the Holder of a breach of any provision of this Debenture shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other breach of such provision or of any breach of any other provision of this Debenture. The failure of the Company or the Holder to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Debenture on one or more occasions shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Debenture on any other occasion. Any waiver by the Company or the Holder must be in writing.
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(h) Severability. If any provision of this Debenture is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the balance of this Debenture shall remain in effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any Person or circumstance, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other Persons and circumstances. If it shall be found that any interest or other amount deemed interest due hereunder violates the applicable law governing usury, the applicable rate of interest due hereunder shall automatically be lowered to equal the maximum rate of interest permitted under applicable law. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on this Debenture as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Debenture, and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefits or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Holder, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such as though no such law has been enacted.
(i) Remedies, Characterizations, Other Obligations, Breaches and Injunctive Relief. The remedies provided in this Debenture shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Debenture and any of the other Transaction Documents at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), and nothing herein shall limit the Holder’s right to pursue actual and consequential damages for any failure by the Company to comply with the terms of this Debenture. The Company covenants to the Holder that there shall be no characterization concerning this instrument other than as expressly provided herein. Amounts set forth or provided for herein with respect to payments, conversion and the like (and the computation thereof) shall be the amounts to be received by the Holder and shall not, except as expressly provided herein, be subject to any other obligation of the Company (or the performance thereof). The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Holder and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate. The Company therefore agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, the Holder shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to an injunction restraining any such breach or any such threatened breach, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required. The Company shall provide all information and documentation to the Holder that is requested by the Holder to enable the Holder to confirm the Company’s compliance with the terms and conditions of this Debenture.
(j) Next Business Day. Whenever any payment or other obligation hereunder shall be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day.
(k) Headings. The headings contained herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Debenture and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.
(l) Payments. So long as the Maturity Date has not yet occurred and the Debenture has not been accelerated, payments made hereunder (other than payments effected pursuant to any conversion of the Debenture) shall be applied, (i) first, to reimbursable expenses of the Holder and liquidated damages then due and payable hereunder and/or pursuant to any other Transaction Documents, and (ii) then payments matching specific scheduled payments then due shall be applied to those scheduled payments. At any time after the Maturity Date or after the Debenture has been accelerated, all payments remitted to the Holder by the Company and all proceeds of the collateral securing the Company’s obligations hereunder or any enforcement action (including any payments by any guarantors of the Company’s obligations hereunder) received by the Holder shall be applied as follows: (i) first, to the reimbursable expenses of the Holder, indemnity claims of the Holder and liquidated damages then due and payable to the Holder hereunder and/or pursuant to any other Transaction Documents, (ii) second, to pay interest due and payable in respect of the Debenture until paid in fall, (iii) third, to pay principal of the Debenture until paid in full; (iv) fourth, to pay any other obligations then due in respect of the Debenture or any other Transaction Documents; and (v) lastly, to the Company or such other Person entitled thereto under applicable law.
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(m) Costs and Expenses. The Company agrees to pay the Holder, immediately upon written notice from the Holder, all out-of- pocket costs, expenses, and disbursements, including without limitation, legal expenses and attorneys’ fees incurred by the Holder in connection with: (i) the collection, attempted collection, or negotiation and documentation of any settlement or workout of any payment due hereunder, (ii) enforcement of this Debenture or any other Transaction Document (including without limitation, any costs and expenses of any third party provider engaged by the Holder for such purpose), (iii) collection, protection, or enforcement of any rights of the Holder in the collateral securing the Company’s obligations hereunder, and (iv) any suit or proceeding whatsoever in regard to this Debenture or the protection or enforcement of the lien of any instrument securing this Debenture, including, without limitation, in connection with any litigation, mediation, bankruptcy or administrative proceeding, and including any appellate proceeding or judicial or non-judicial foreclosure proceeding in connection therewith.
(n) Secured Obligations. The obligations of the Company under the Debentures are secured by (i) a pledge of all assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of the Security Agreement (ii) the Guarantee and (iii) the other Security Documents.
(o) Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of the Company under the Debentures are guaranteed by each Subsidiary pursuant to the Guarantee (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time).
Section 10. New Subsidiaries. If the Company or any Subsidiary forms or acquires any new direct or indirect Subsidiary, or any Subsidiary merges, amalgamates, or consolidates with or into any other Person and such Subsidiary is not the surviving entity as a result of such merger, amalgamation, or consolidation (any such surviving entity, a “Surviving Entity”), the Company agrees to, or to cause such Subsidiary or Surviving Entity to, concurrently with such formation, acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, as applicable, (i) provide notice to the Holder of such formation, acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, (ii) cause such newly formed or acquired Subsidiary or Surviving Entity to become a party to the Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to an assumption agreement in form and substance acceptable to the Holder, and (iii) execute and/or deliver, and/or cause such newly formed or acquired Subsidiary or Surviving Entity and any other applicable Subsidiary to execute and/or deliver, such other agreements or documents as are determined by the Holder to be necessary or advisable in order for all of the capital shares in such newly formed or acquired Subsidiary or Surviving Entity to be pledged as additional collateral for the obligations of the Company under the Debentures and for such newly formed or acquired Subsidiary or Surviving Entity to pledge all of its assets as additional collateral for the obligations of the Company under the Debentures, and (iv) deliver to the Holder an opinion of counsel in form and substance acceptable to the Holder addressing, among other things, the due authorization, due execution and delivery and enforceability of the foregoing documents with respect to such Subsidiary or Surviving Entity.
Section 11. Disclosure. Upon receipt or delivery by the Company or any Subsidiary of any notice in accordance with the terms of this Debenture, unless the Company has in good faith determined that the matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, nonpublic information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries, the Company shall within two (2) Business Days after such receipt or delivery publicly disclose such material, nonpublic information on a Current Report on Form 8-K or otherwise. In the event that the Company believes that a notice contains material, non-public information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries, the Company so shall indicate to the Holder contemporaneously with delivery of such notice, and in the absence of any such indication, the Holder shall be allowed to presume that all matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, nonpublic information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries.
*********************
(Signature Page Follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this 20% Original Issue Discount Senior Secured Convertible Debenture to be duly executed by a duly authorized officer as of the date first above indicated.
| ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC. (formerly known as Powerup Acquisition Corp.) | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
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ANNEX A NOTICE OF CONVERSION
The below referenced holder (the “Holder”) of the 20% Original Issue Discount Senior Secured Convertible Debenture issued on February __, 2025 and due ______, 2026 of ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS INC. (formerly known as PowerUp Acquisition Corp.), a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns, the “Company”), hereby elects to convert the below referenced amounts owing thereunder into shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company according to the conditions hereof, as of the date written below. If shares of Common Stock are to be issued in the name of a person other than the Holder, the Holder will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto and is delivering herewith such certificates and opinions as reasonably requested by the Company in accordance therewith. No fee will be charged to the Holder for any conversion, except for such transfer taxes, if any.
By the delivery of this Notice of Conversion the Holder represents and warrants to the Company that its ownership of shares of Common Stock does not exceed the amounts specified under Section 4 of this Debenture, as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.
The Holder agrees to comply with the prospectus delivery requirements under the applicable securities laws in connection with any transfer of the aforesaid shares of Common Stock.
Conversion calculations:
Date to Effect Conversion:
Principal Amount of Debenture to be Converted:
Conversion Price:
Number of shares of Common Stock to be issued:
Floor Price Spread Amount (if any):
Signature:
Name:
Address for Delivery of Certificates for shares of Common Stock:
Or
DWAC Instructions:
Broker No: ____________
Account No: ___________
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Exhibit 16.1
Exhibit 21.1
List of Subsidiaries
Aspire Biopharma, Inc., a Delaware Corporation
Exhibit 99.1
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Defined terms included below have the same meaning as terms defined and included elsewhere in this Current Report on Form 8-K (“Form 8-K”) and, if not defined in the Form 8-K, in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated by reference. Unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company” or “New Aspire” refers to Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (f/k/a PowerUp Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company, “PWUP”) and its consolidated subsidiaries after the Closing, and “PWUP” prior to the Closing.
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and for the year ended December 31, 2023 present the combination of the historical financial information of Aspire Biopharma Inc, (‘Aspire”) and PWUP after giving effect to the Business Combination, and related adjustments described in the accompanying notes. The following unaudited pro forma combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786 “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses.”
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 combines the historical unaudited condensed balance sheet of Aspire as of September 30, 2024 and the historical unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet of PWUP as of September 30, 2024 on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination had been consummated on September 30, 2024. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the audited pro forma condensed statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 combines the historical condensed statement of operations of Aspire for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023 and the historical condensed consolidated statement of operations of PWUP for the same periods on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination had been consummated on January 1, 2023.
The historical financial information of Aspire was derived from the audited financial statements of Aspire as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the unaudited financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, included elsewhere in the proxy statement/prospectus. The historical financial information of PWUP was derived from the audited financial statements of PWUP as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the nine months ended September 30, 2024, included elsewhere in the proxy statement/prospectus. This information should be read together with Aspire’s and PWUP’s audited financial statements and related notes, the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Oxbridge,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Jet Token” and other financial information included in the proxy statement/prospectus.
Introduction
PowerUp is providing the following unaudited pro forma combined financial information to aid you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the Business Combination
PowerUp is a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on February 9, 2021. PowerUp incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.
Aspire is a privately held, early-stage biopharmaceutical company. As a Puerto Rico corporation formed in September 2021, the Company engaged in the business of developing and marketing the disruptive technology for novel delivery mechanisms initially for “do no harm” drugs.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 combines the historical balance sheet of PowerUp as of September 30, 2024 with the historical balance sheet of Aspire as of September 30, 2024 on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination and related transactions, summarized below, had been consummated on September 30, 2024.
PowerUp and Aspire have the same fiscal years ending December 31. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and for the year ended December 31, 2023 combine the historical statements of operations of PowerUp and Aspire for such periods on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination and related transactions, summarized below, had been consummated on January 1, 2023, the beginning of the earliest period presented.
The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 and the unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and for the year ended December 31, 2023 are presented as if the following occurred:
| ● | the merger of Merger Sub, the wholly owned subsidiary of PowerUp, with and into Aspire, with New Aspire as the surviving company; |
| ● | the redesignation of PowerUp’s outstanding 70,013 Public Shares and 2,870,000 Original Sponsor shares and 4,317,500 current Sponsor shares as New Aspire common stock; | |
| ● | the issuance of shares of New Aspire common stock as follows: 35,000,000 shares to the stockholders of Aspire; and | |
| ● | the Sponsor and the Investors will receive up to 3,750,000 shares of New Aspire common stock, as partial consideration for entering into the Working Capital Loans, upon the completion of the Business Combination. |
The historical financial information of PowerUp was derived from the unaudited financial statements of PowerUp as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and from the audited consolidated financial statements for year ended December 31, 2023. The historical financial information of Aspire was derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Aspire as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024; and from the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023
The pro forma combined financial statements have been presented for informational purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of what PowerUp’s and Aspire’s financial position or results of operations actually would have been had the transactions been completed as of the dates indicated. In addition, the pro forma data do not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of New Aspire. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors.
Accounting for the Business Combination
The Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, PowerUp, who is the legal acquirer, will be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes and Aspire will be treated as the accounting acquirer. Aspire has been determined to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances under the redemption scenarios:
| ● | Aspire’s existing stockholders have 76.1% of the voting interest of New Aspire; | |
| ● | Aspire’s senior management will comprise the senior management of New Aspire; | |
| ● | the directors nominated by Aspire will represent the majority of the board of directors of New Aspire; | |
| ● | Aspire’s operations will comprise the ongoing operations of New Aspire; and | |
| ● | New Aspire will be named “Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc.” |
Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination will be treated as the equivalent of a capital transaction in which Aspire is issuing stock for the net assets of PowerUp. The net assets of PowerUp will be stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination will be those of Aspire.
Basis of Pro Forma Presentation
The table below shows the issued and outstanding shares under each of the Scenarios set forth above following the closing of the Business Combination:
| Share Ownership in New ASPIRE | ||||||||
| Common Stock | % Common Stock | |||||||
| PowerUp Public Shares subject to redemption (1) | 70,013 | 0.2 | % | |||||
| PowerUp Public Shares - Original Sponsor | 2,870,000 | 6.2 | % | |||||
| PowerUp Public Shares - Current Sponsor | 4,317,500 | 9.4 | % | |||||
| ASPIRE Stockholders (2) | 35,000,000 | 76.1 | % | |||||
| Working Capital Loan Shares - Investors (3) | 1,750,000 | 3.8 | % | |||||
| Working Capital Loan Shares - Current Sponsor (3) | 2,000,000 | 4.3 | % | |||||
| Pro Forma common stock at September 30, 2024 | 46,007,513 | 100.0 | % | |||||
(1) Reflects actual redemptions of 507,631 shares of PWUP Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with the business combination.
(2) Reflects the shares of New Aspire Common Stock issued to the Aspire Stockholders at Closing
(3) Reflects the Working Capital Loan Shares issued at Closing
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1. Basis of Presentation
The Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, PowerUp, who is the legal acquirer, will be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes and Aspire will be treated as the accounting acquirer. This determination was primarily based on the following facts and circumstances: (i) Aspire’s existing stockholders will have more than 76.1% of the voting interest of New Aspire (ii) Aspire’s senior management will comprise the senior management of New Aspire; (iii) the directors nominated by Aspire will represent a majority of the board of directors of New Aspire; and (iv) Aspire’s operations will comprise the ongoing operations of New Aspire. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination will be treated as the equivalent of a capital transaction in which Aspire is issuing stock for the net assets of PowerUp. The net assets of PowerUp will be stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination will be those of Aspire. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 assumes the Business Combination occurred on September 30, 2024. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operation for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 present the pro forma effect of the Business Combination as if it had been completed on January 1, 2023, the beginning of the earliest period presented. These periods are presented on the basis of Aspire as the accounting acquirer.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 has been prepared using, and should be read in conjunction with, the following:
● PowerUp’s unaudited balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 and the related notes for the period ended September 30, 2024; and
● Aspire’s unaudited balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 and the related notes for the period ended September 30, 2024; and
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 have been prepared using the following:
● PowerUp’s audited statement of operations for the period ended December 31, 2023, and unaudited statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and the related notes; and
● Aspire’s audited statement of operations for the period ended December 31, 2023, and unaudited statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the related notes.
Management has made significant estimates and assumptions in its determination of the pro forma adjustments. As the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on these preliminary estimates, the final amounts recorded may differ materially from the information presented.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, tax savings or cost savings that may be associated with the Business Combination. The pro forma adjustments reflecting the consummation of the Business Combination are based on certain available information as of the date of these unaudited pro forma combined financial statements and certain assumptions and methodologies that PowerUp believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The unaudited condensed pro forma adjustments, which are described in the accompanying notes, may be revised as additional information becomes available and is evaluated. Therefore, it is likely that the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments and it is possible the difference may be material. PowerUp believes that its assumptions and methodologies provide a reasonable basis for presenting all of the significant effects of the Business Combination based on information available to management at the time and that the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations and financial position would have been had the Business Combination taken place on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future consolidated results of operations or financial position of New Aspire. They should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and notes thereto of PowerUp and Aspire.
General Description of the Business Combination Agreement
On February 17, 2025 (the “Closing Date”), Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (f/k/a PowerUp Acquisition Corp.) (the “Company” or “New Aspire”), consummated the previously announced transaction (the “Business Combination”) pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 26, 2024, as amended by an Amendment Agreement dated September 5, 2024 and a Second Amendment Agreement dated October 9, 2024 (the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among the Company, PowerUp Merger Sub II, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of PowerUp (“Merger Sub”), SRIRAMA Associates, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), Stephen Quesenberry, in the capacity as the seller representative (the “Seller Representative”), and Aspire Biopharma, Inc., a Puerto Rico corporation (“Aspire”).
Merger Consideration
As consideration for the Business Combination, Aspire’s Stockholders shall collectively be entitled to receive, in the aggregate, a number of shares of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of New Aspire Common Stock with an aggregate value equal to (a) $350 million less (b) the amount by which Aspire’s cash at Closing is less than the Minimum Cash Condition (but only in the event the Minimum Cash Condition is waived by PowerUp), if any, less (c) Aspire’s Indebtedness at Closing.
Warrants
Upon consummation of the Business Combination, there was outstanding an aggregate of 14,375,000 Public Warrants and 9,763,333 Private Placement Warrants held by our Sponsor and Original Sponsor. Each of our outstanding whole warrants will be exercisable commencing 30 days following the Closing for one share of New Aspire Common Stock. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share and, following the PowerUp Domestication, will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one share of New Aspire Common Stock. Therefore, as of the date of the Business Combination and 507,631 of PowerUp’s outstanding public shares were redeemed in connection with the Business Combination, Aspire’s fully diluted share capital would be 70,145,846 ordinary shares.
2. Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared to illustrate the effect of the Business Combination and has been prepared for informational purposes only.
The historical financial statements have been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to give pro forma effect to events that are directly attributable to the Business Combination. PowerUp and Aspire have not had any historical relationship prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, no pro forma adjustments were required to eliminate activities between the companies.
The pro forma combined provision for income taxes does not necessarily reflect the amounts that would have resulted had New Aspire filed consolidated income tax returns during the periods presented.
The pro forma basic and diluted earnings per share amounts presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations are based upon the number of New Aspire’s shares outstanding, assuming the Business Combination had been completed on January 1, 2023, the beginning of the earliest period presented.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| Aspire Biopharma, Inc. (Historical) | PowerUp Acquisition Corp. (Historical) | Transaction Accounting Adjustment | Pro Forma Combined | |||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 17 | - | 811 | (1) | 1,592 | |||||||||||||
| 764 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 167 | 37 | - | 204 | ||||||||||||||
| Due from Sponsor | 25 | (25 | ) | (7) | - | |||||||||||||
| Total current assets | 184 | 62 | 1,550 | 1,796 | ||||||||||||||
| Investments held in Trust Account | - | 6,601 | (6,601 | ) | (1) | - | ||||||||||||
| Total assets | 184 | 6,663 | (5,051 | ) | 1,796 | |||||||||||||
| Liabilities, and stockholders’ equity (deficit) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | 130 | 904 | (773 | ) | (2) | 261 | ||||||||||||
| Loan and Transfer notes payable | - | 436 | - | 450 | ||||||||||||||
| 14 | (8) | |||||||||||||||||
| Subscription Agreement loan | - | 4,904 | (3,104 | ) | (5) | 1,800 | ||||||||||||
| Convertible note payable | - | - | 3,000 | (2) | 3,000 | |||||||||||||
| Due to affiliate | - | 329 | (25 | ) | (7) | 304 | ||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 3 | - | - | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Loans - Related party | 853 | - | 314 | (2) | 1,167 | |||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 986 | 6,573 | (574 | ) | 6,985 | |||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 986 | 6,573 | (574 | ) | 6,985 | |||||||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class A common stock subject to possible redemption | - | 6,601 | (6,601 | ) | (1) | - | ||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity (deficit) | ||||||||||||||||||
| PWUP Preference Shares, $0.0001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
| PWUP Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized (excluding 1,803,729 shares subject to redemption) | - | 1 | 45 | (3) | 46 | |||||||||||||
| ASPIRE Common Stock $0.001 par value | 222 | - | (222 | ) | (3) | - | ||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 1,015 | 8,864 | 811 | (1) | 32,191 | |||||||||||||
| 177 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||
| (15,376 | ) | (4) | ||||||||||||||||
| 36,700 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||
| Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) | (2,039 | ) | (15,376 | ) | (1,777 | ) | (2) | (37,426 | ) | |||||||||
| 15,376 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||
| 3,104 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||
| (36,700 | ) | (6) | ||||||||||||||||
| (14 | ) | (8) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) | (802 | ) | (6,511 | ) | 2,124 | (5,189 | ) | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) | 184 | 6,663 | (5,051 | ) | 1,796 | |||||||||||||
| (A) | Obtained from the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet of Aspire as of September 30, 2024. | |
| (B) | Obtained from the unaudited condensed balance sheet of PowerUp as of September 30, 2024. |
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023
(in dollars, except share and per share amounts)
| Aspire Biopharma, Inc. (Historical) | PowerUp Acquisition Corp. (Historical) | Transaction Accounting Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||||||||||
| Operating Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 359 | 1,340 | 3,764 | (dd) | 5,463 | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 359 | 1,340 | 3,764 | 5,463 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | (359 | ) | (1,340 | ) | (3,764 | ) | (5,463 | ) | |||||||||||
| Other (income) expense: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest from investments held in Trust Account | - | 5,813 | (481 | ) | (aa) | 5,332 | |||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | - | (9 | ) | (36,700 | ) | (cc) | (36,709 | ) | |||||||||||
| Total other (income) expense | - | 5,804 | (37,181 | ) | (31,377 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Loss before provision for income taxes | (359 | ) | 4,464 | (40,945 | ) | (36,840 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) | $ | (359 | ) | $ | 4,464 | $ | (40,945 | ) | $ | (36,840 | ) | ||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A ordinary shares | 481,794,521 | 16,461,668 | 46,007,513 | (bb) | |||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income per Class A ordinary share | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | 0.23 | $ | (0.80 | ) | |||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding of non-redeemable ordinary shares | - | 2,717,466 | (2,717,466 | ) | (bb) | ||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income (loss) per Class B ordinary share | - | $ | 0.23 | ||||||||||||||||
| (A) | Obtained from the audited statement of operations of Aspire ended December 31, 2023. | |
| (B) | Obtained from the audited statement of operations of PowerUp ended December 31, 2023. |
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
(in dollars, except share and per share amounts)
| Aspire Biopharma, Inc. (Historical) | PowerUp Acquisition Corp. (Historical) | Transaction Accounting Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | |||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||||
| Operating Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 570 | 3,654 | (3,104 | ) | (ee) | 1,120 | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 570 | 3,654 | (3,104 | ) | 1,120 | |||||||||||||
| Operating loss | (570 | ) | (3,654 | ) | 3,104 | (1,120 | ) | |||||||||||
| Other (income) expense: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest from investments held in Trust Account | - | 481 | (481 | ) | (aa) | - | ||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | - | (33 | ) | (33 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Interest expense - debt discount | - | (400 | ) | - | (400 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Total other (income) expense | - | 48 | (481 | ) | (433 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Loss before provision for income taxes | (570 | ) | (3,606 | ) | 2,623 | (1,553 | ) | |||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | (1 | ) | - | - | (1 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) | $ | (571 | ) | $ | (3,606 | ) | $ | 2,623 | $ | (1,554 | ) | |||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 497,671,727 | 8,404,035 | 46,007,513 | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss per share - basic and diluted | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.43 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | |||||||||
| (A) | Obtained from the unaudited statement of Aspire for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. | |
| (B) | Obtained from the unaudited statement of PowerUp for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. |
Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet
(1) Reflects the transactions relating to the business combination and the release of funds as part of such agreement.
(2) Represents estimated direct and incremental transaction costs paid at closing and senior debt addition related to the Business Combination.
(3) Reflects the recapitalization of New Aspire through the issuance of 35,000,000 shares ($350,000,000 divided by $10.00) of New Aspire Common Stock at par value of $0.0001. Elimination of Aspire common Stock at par value $0.001 and the addition from Additional Paid in Capital.
(4) Reflects the elimination of the historical accumulated deficit of PowerUp in the amount of $15.4 million.
(5) Reflects the elimination of the non-cash fair value of The Subscription Agreement which called for the repayment by PowerUp upon the Closing.
(6) Reflects the expected payment in shares for the Subscription Agreements and Working Capital Loans
The Business Combination Agreement and First Subscription Agreements provide for shares of new issue New Aspire Common Stock which represents a debt extinguishment as determined by ASC 405-20-41-1 Debt Extinguishment Accounting.
The issue of new shares is a non-cash transaction and has no impact on cash or cash equivalents.
The per share value was determined using the valuation of the shares being exchanged for New Aspire Common Stock, pursuant to which “Per Share Price” means $10.00. The maximum merger consideration is $350 million, which when divided by 35,000,000 shares equals $10.00. Since the new issuance of the shares would occur on the closing date, the “Per Share Price” would be the same for issuances of shares to the target company and lenders. See calculations below (in thousands except share and per share data):
(7) To Record payment from Sponsor to PowerUp of $0.025 million due for Working Capital.
(8) To Accelerate the amortization of elimination of debt discount, $0.014 million.
Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Operations (in thousands, except share and per share data)
The pro forma adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and year ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:
(aa) Represents the elimination of historical interest income earned on the Trust Account.
(bb) Represents the conversion of 70,013 Class A Ordinary Shares and 7,187,500 Class A Ordinary Shares into shares of New Aspire common stock, the issuance of 35,000,000 shares of New Aspire Common Stock, the issuance of 3,750,000 Working Capital Loan Shares.
(cc) Represents the amount of the value of the extension shares of $36.7 million shown as Loss on Extinguishment of Debt. See Footnote (6).
(dd) Record the Closing expenses.
(ee) Record the elimination of Subscription Agreements Loan expense.
3. Net loss per Share
Represents the net loss per share calculated using the historical weighted average shares outstanding, and the issuance of additional shares in connection with the Business Combination, assuming the shares were outstanding since January 1, 2023, the beginning of the earliest period presented. As the Business Combination is being reflected as if it had occurred at the beginning of the period presented, the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted net income per share assumes that the shares issuable relating to the Business Combination have been outstanding for the entire period presented.
| For Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 | ||||
| Pro Forma Combined | ||||
| Pro forma net loss | $ | (1,554 | ) | |
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 46,007,513 | |||
| Net loss per share – basic and diluted | $ | (0.03 | ) | |
| Year Ended December 31, 2023 | ||||
| Pro Forma Combined | ||||
| Pro forma net loss | $ | (36,840 | ) | |
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 46,007,513 | |||
| Net loss per share – basic and diluted | $ | (0.80 | ) | |
| Stockholder | Pro Forma Combined | |||
| PowerUp Public Shares subject to redemption | 70,013 | |||
| PowerUp Founder Shares not subject to redemption | 7,187,500 | |||
| Aspire Stockholders | 35,000,000 | |||
| Working Capital Loan Shares | 3,750,000 | |||
| 46,007,513 | ||||
Exhibit 99.2
Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc. Announces the Execution of Securities Purchase Agreement
NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / February 20, 2025 / Aspire Biopharma, Inc. (“Aspire” or the “Company”), a developer of a multi-faceted patent-protected disruptive drug delivery mechanism technology (Nasdaq:ASBP)(Nasdaq:ASBPW), today announced that it entered into a definitive Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) on February 19, 2025, pursuant to which the Company issued to the Buyers a senior secured convertible debenture (the “Debenture”). The Debenture is only convertible in the event of a default or at the Company’s discretion. The closing of the transaction is expected to occur on February 20, 2025 (the “Closing Date”). The transaction will result in gross proceeds to the Company of $3.0 million. Proceeds from the transaction will support the Company’s general working capital and operating expenses.
Kraig Higginson, Chief Executive Officer of Aspire, commented, “This senior secured convertible debenture was structured to avoid any inclusion of warrants or resets often associated with DESPAC transactions. In addition, the investors in the debenture transaction, have agreed to a volume restriction prohibiting each of them from selling more than 15% of the daily volume. We are pleased to have concluded this transaction which strengthens the Company’s capital structure and improves its near- term liquidity position, enhancing our ability to continue the development of innovative and improved formulations of approved FDA drugs and nutraceuticals while maximizing long term shareholder value.”
Dawson James Securities, Inc. and RBW Capital Partners LLC, a division of Dawson James Securities, Inc. (the “Placement Agent”) are acting as exclusive placement agents for the offering.
ArentFox Schiff LLP acted as legal counsel to the Placement Agent and Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP is acted as legal counsel to the Company.
About Aspire Biopharma, Inc.
Headquartered in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Aspire Biopharma has developed a disruptive technology through a Novel Soluble Formulation which addresses emergencies, drug efficacy, dosage management, and response time. For more information, please visit www.aspirebiolabs.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements made in this communication are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “projects,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “future,” “propose,” “potential,” “target,” “goal,” “objective,” “outlook” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the control of the parties, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Information concerning factors that could cause Aspire’s actual results to differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and initial public offering prospectus. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.
Aspire Biopharma, Inc. Contact
TraDigital IR
Kevin McGrath
+1-646-418-7002
kevin@tradigitalir.com