8-K
ChampionsGate Acquisition Corp (CHPG)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) ofthe Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October20, 2025 (October 17, 2025)
| ChampionsGate Acquisition Corporation | ||
|---|---|---|
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | ||
| Cayman Islands | 001-42651 | N/A |
| --- | --- | --- |
| (State or other jurisdiction | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer |
| of incorporation) | Identification Number) |
419 Webster Street
Monterey, CA 93940
(Address of principal executive offices)
(831)-204-7337
**(**Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| --- | --- |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| --- | --- |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
| --- | --- |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered |
|---|---|---|
| Units, consisting of one Class A ordinary share, $0.0001 par value, and one Right to acquire one-eighth of one Class A ordinary share | CHPGU | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
| Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share | CHPG | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
| Rights, each whole right to acquire one-eighth of one Class A ordinary share | CHPGR | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
As previously announced by ChampionsGate Acquisition Corporation (“CHPG” or the “Company”), on July 31, 2025, Mr. Bala Padmakumar, then Chairman, CEO and director of notified the board of directors (the “Board”) of the Company, that he has decided to resign all the positions he held at the Company, effective immediately.
On October 17, 2025, the Board decided to appoint Mr. Boon Liat Timothy Lim, a Singapore national, as the new Chairman, CEO and director of the Company, effective immediately.
Mr. Boon Liat Timothy Lim, age 60, joins the Company as its new Chairman, CEO and director in October 2025. Mr. Lim has brought to the Company more than two decades of executive leadership and operational management experience in Southeast Asia. Since January 2022, Mr. Lim has served as an independent consultant, advising business leaders on a variety of strategic and management issues. Previously, Mr. Lim served in various roles at Dragon Group International Ltd (“Dragon Group”), an investment holding company previously listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, including as an executive director and president of its APA group from 2006 to 2012, executive director and member of the board from 2009 to December 2021, and President and Acting CEO from April 2020 to December 2021. In these roles, Mr. Lim managed the company’s business development and strategies across various business lines. In addition, Mr. Lim also held various roles at ASTI Holdings Ltd., the parent company of the Dragon Group and a major semiconductor developer listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX: 575), where he served as Group Administrative Officer from 2013 to December 2021, and as Executive Director and member of the board of directors from 2004 to December 2021. In his role as Group Administrative Officer, Mr. Lim supervised a variety of corporate functions for the group and its portfolio companies around the world. Earlier in his career, Mr. Lim served as the President of ASEAN and India of Dragon Technology Distribution Pte. Ltd., a semiconductor component distributor, from 2003 to 2006. Before that, from 1997 to 2003, he founded and served as the Managing Director of Influx Technology Pte. Ltd., a semiconductor component distributor, before selling the business. In addition to his executive roles, Mr. Lim has also served on the board of several public and private companies in Singapore and other Southeast Asia countries. Mr. Lim held a diploma in Sales and Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the United Kingdom.
In connection with the appointment, the Company extended an offer letter to Mr. Lim (the “Offer Letter”), attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1, which he accepted on October 17, 2025, pursuant to which Mr. Lim shall receive $13,250 if and when the Company enters into a definitive agreement with a target company and another $13,250 if and when the Company consummates an initial business combination with a target company.
In addition, the Company also entered into an indemnification agreement with Mr. Lim, attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2.
Mr. Lim does not hold any other positions with us and is not related to any of our directors or officers. Further, Mr. Lim is not a related person, promoter, or control person as defined in Regulation 404(a).
In connection with Mr. Lim’s appointment, a press release issued by the Company on October 20, 2025 announcing the appointment is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election ofDirectors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Agreements of Certain Officers
The disclosures set forth above in Items 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
The disclosures set forth above in Items 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference herein.
On October 20, 2025, the Company issued a press release (the “Press Release”) announcing the appointment. A copy of the Press Release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto. The information in this Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 furnished hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
| Exhibit No. | Description |
|---|---|
| 10.1 | Offer Letter, dated October 17, 2025 by and between the Registrant and Timthoy Lim |
| 10.2 | Indemnity Agreement , dated October 17, 2025 by and between the Registrant and Timthoy Lim |
| 99.1 | Press Release dated October 20, 2025 |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL) |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| ChampionsGate Acquisition Corporation | ||
|---|---|---|
| /s/ Evan M. Graj | ||
| Name: | Evan M. Graj | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
| Date: October 20, 2025 |
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Exhibit 10.1
CHAMPIONSGATE ACQUISITION CORPORATION
419 Webster Street
Monterey, CA 93940
October 17, 2025
Timothy Lim
419 Webster Street
Monterey, CA 93940
Re: Chairman and CEO Offer Letter
Dear Mr. Lim,
ChampionsGate Acquisition Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), is pleased to offer you a position as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of its Board of Directors (the “Board”), in addition to your current position as a member of the Board. We believe your background and experience will be a significant asset to the Company and we look forward to your service as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Should you choose to accept the position as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (each an “Office”), this letter agreement (the “Agreement”) shall constitute an agreement between you and the Company and contains all the terms and conditions relating to the services you agree to provide to the Company. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association (the “Memorandum and Articles”).
1. Term. Your term (the “Term”) as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer shall be effective as of the date of this Agreement (the “Effective Date”) and shall end as of the earlier of the date: (i) either party terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 5 hereof; (ii) the date that the Company’s Business Combination is consummated; (iii) the date the Company is wound up; or (iv) the date that you vacate or are removed or disqualified from your Offices as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles.
2. Services. You shall render services and perform the duties as provided in the Memorandum and Articles (hereinafter your “Duties”). During the Term of this Agreement, you shall perform the Duties as necessary for the best interest of the Company, and attend and participate in such number of meetings of the Board as regularly or specially called. You may attend and participate at each such meeting via teleconference, video conference or in person. You shall consult with the other members of the Board as necessary via telephone, electronic mail or other forms of correspondence. You shall also comply with all Company policies as may exist and be in effect from time to time.
3. Compensation.
**a. Cash Compensation.**As compensation for your services to the Company as the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board, during the Term, you will receive compensation as set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (hereinafter, the “Cash Compensation”) based upon, subject to annual review and adjustment by the Board or any committee designated by the Board. The Cash Compensation may be paid by one of the Company’s affiliates, including without limitation, the sponsor of the Company’s initial public offering, ST Sponsor Limited (the “Sponsor”). For avoidance of doubt, in the event of any conflict of interest between the Company and the Sponsor, you shall act in the best interest of the Company (including, where applicable, to the detriment of the Sponsor), and such conduct shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.
**b. Business Expense.**You shall be reimbursed for reasonable and approved expenses incurred by you in connection with the performance of your Duties during the Term, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement and related party policies.
c. No Additional Compensations or Benefits. Absent a written agreement signed by the Company, you shall not be entitled to any remuneration of any kind, including without limitation, in cash or in any securities of the Company, other than that expressly set forth in this Agreement, for any work or services that you performs for, or information you provide to the Company during the Term. You acknowledge that you have not been promised, and are not entitled to, a position as an employee, contractor, or director, with the entity that results from any Business Combination into which the Company enters.
4. No Assignment. Because of the personal nature of the services to be rendered by you, this Agreement may not be assigned by you without the prior written consent of the Company.
5. Termination and Resignation.
a. **Disability.**This Agreement shall terminate if you have a disability, including any physical or mental impairment which, as reasonably determined by the Board, renders you unable to perform the essential functions of your positions at the Company, even with reasonable accommodation that does not impose an undue burden on the Company, for more than 30 days in any 12-month period, unless a longer period is required by applicable law, in which case that longer period shall apply.
b. **Good Reason.**You may terminate this Agreement hereunder for “Good Reason” upon the occurrence, without the written consent of the Company, of an event constituting a material breach of this Agreement by the Company that has not been fully cured within ten (10) business days after written notice thereof has been given by you to the Company setting forth in sufficient detail the conduct or activities you believe constitute grounds for Good Reason, including but not limited to:
i. the failure by the Company to pay to you any portion of the Cash Compensation, within five (5) business days of the date such compensation is due; or
ii. any material breach by the Company of this Agreement.
c. Notice of Termination. Termination under this Section of the Agreement shall be communicated by written notice of termination (“Notice of Termination”) from the terminating party to the other party. The notice of termination shall indicate the specific provision(s) of the Agreement relied upon in effecting the termination.
d. Compensation upon Termination.
i. Death. If this Agreement is terminated by reason of death, the Company shall have no further obligations under this Agreement.
ii. By Company without Cause or by You for Good Reason. If this Agreement is terminated by the Company other than for Cause (as defined below) or by you for Good Reason, the Company shall (x) continue to pay and otherwise provide to you, during any notice period, the Cash Compensation; and (y) pay to you any such amount as may be agreed between the Company and you.
iii. By Company for Cause or by You other than for Good Reason. If this Agreement is terminated by the Company for Cause or by you other than for Good Reason, the Company shall pay you the Cash Compensation at the rate in effect at the time Notice of Termination is given through the Date of Termination, and the Company shall have no additional obligations to you under this Agreement.
e. Cause. For the avoidance of doubt, the following conditions each shall constitute “Cause”:
i. Commission of any act of fraud or gross negligence by you during the Term that, in the case of gross negligence, has a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the Company and/or its subsidiaries and affiliated entities;
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ii. Wilful material misrepresentation at any time by you to the Board;
iii. The wilful failure or refusal to comply with any of your material obligations hereunder or to comply with a reasonable and lawful instruction of the Board, which failure to comply with such instruction continues for a period of ten (10) days after your receipt of written notice from the Board identifying in reasonable detail the objectionable action or inaction; or
iv. Engagement by you in any misconduct or the commission by you of any act that is materially injurious or detrimental to the substantial interest of the Company and/or its subsidiaries and affiliated entities, as determined by the Board.
6. Governing Law. All questions with respect to the construction and/or enforcement of this Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall be determined in accordance with the law of the Cayman Islands.
7. Dispute Resolution. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with its arbitration rules, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
8. Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver; Counterparts. This Agreement expresses the entire understanding with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and terminates any prior oral or written agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. Any term of this Agreement may be amended and observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived only with the written consent of the parties hereto. Waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement by any party shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or failure of the same term or condition or waiver of any other term or condition of this Agreement. The failure of any party at any time to require performance by any other party of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the right of any such party to require future performance of such provision or any other provision of this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts each of which will be an original and all of which taken together will constitute one and the same agreement, and may be executed using facsimiles of signatures, and a facsimile of a signature shall be deemed to be the same, and equally enforceable, as an original of such signature.
9. Indemnification. The indemnifications of your services as the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and/or as a member of the Board during the Term under this Agreement shall be set forth in a separate agreement to be agreed upon by the parties.
10. Acknowledgement. You accept this Agreement subject to all the terms and provisions of this Agreement. You agree to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board of the Company of any questions arising under this Agreement.
[remainder of page intentionally left blank;signature page follows]
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The Agreement has been executed and delivered by the undersigned and is made effective as of the date set first set forth above.
| Sincerely, | |
|---|---|
| CHAMPIONSGATE ACQUISITION<br><br> <br>CORPORATION | |
| By: | /s/ William W. Snyder |
| Name: | William W. Snyder |
| Title: | Director |
| AGREED AND ACCEPTED as of the date set<br> first set forth above: | |
| --- | |
| By: | /s/ Timothy Lim |
| --- | --- |
| Name: | Timothy Lim |
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Schedule A
Cash Compensation
During your Term as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a member of Board of Directors of the Company:
| (1) | In the case that the Company enters into a definitive agreement for a Business Combination (as defined in the Memorandum and Articles),<br>you shall receive a lump sum amount of USD$13,500, payable on the date that the definitive agreement is executed by an officer of the<br>Company; and |
|---|---|
| (2) | In the case that that a Business Combination is consummated, you shall receive a lump sum amount of USD$13,500, payable on the date<br>that the Business Combination is consummated. |
| --- | --- |
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Exhibit 10.2
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Agreement, made and entered into effective as of October 17, 2025 (“Agreement”), by and between ChampionsGate Acquisition Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“Company”), and the undersigned indemnitee (“Indemnitee”).
WHEREAS, the adoption of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other laws, rules and regulations being promulgated have increased the potential for liability of officers and directors; and
WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company (“Board”) has determined that the ability to attract and retain such persons is in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders; and
WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company to obligate itself contractually to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that such persons will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be adequately indemnified; and
WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Company’s second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (the “Amendedand Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association”) and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto and shall neither be deemed to be a substitute therefor nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
WHEREAS, Indemnitee is willing to serve on behalf of the Company on the condition that he be indemnified according to the terms of this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, and subject to the provisions of the letter agreement dated as of the date hereof, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
| 1. | Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement. |
|---|
1.1 “Change in Control” means a change in control of the Company occurring after the date hereof of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement provided, however, that, without limitation, such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if after the date hereof (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than a person who is an officer or director of the Company on the date hereof (and any of such person’s affiliates), is or becomes “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the then issued and outstanding securities of the Company without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board in office immediately prior to such person attaining such percentage interest; (ii) the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other reorganization, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of which (A) members of the Board in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board thereafter or (B) the voting securities of the Company issued and outstanding immediately prior to such transaction do not continue to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity issued and outstanding immediately after such transaction with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity; or (iii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board (including for this purpose any new director whose election or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board.
1.2 “Corporate Status” means the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company. In addition, service at the actual request of the Company, for purposes of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be deemed to be serving or to have served at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of any other enterprise if Indemnitee is or was serving as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of such enterprise and (A) such enterprise is or at the time of such service was an affiliate of the Company, (B) such enterprise is or at the time of such service was an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or an affiliate of the Company or (C) the Company or an affiliate of the Company directly or indirectly caused Indemnitee to be nominated, elected, appointed, designated, employed, engaged or selected to serve in such capacity
1.3 “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
1.4 “Expenses” means all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs (including trial and appeals), transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, federal, state, local, or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding.
Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
1.5 “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any other matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” does not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. Except as provided in the first sentence of Section 9.3 hereof, Independent Counsel shall be selected by (a) the Disinterested Directors or (b) a committee of the Board consisting of two or more Disinterested Directors or if (a) and (b) above are not possible, then by a majority of the full Board.
1.6 “Proceeding” means any action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, administrative hearing or any other proceeding, whether conducted by or on behalf of the Company or any other party, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, except one initiated by an Indemnitee pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement to enforce his rights under this Agreement.
| 2. | Services by Indemnitee. |
|---|
2.1 Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director, officer or employee of the Company. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law).
| 3. | Indemnification – General. |
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Except with respect to actions finally adjudicated to be a result of actual fraud or intentional misconduct of the Indemnitee, the Company shall indemnify, and, subject to Section 26 hereof, advance Expenses to, Indemnitee as provided in this Agreement to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in effect on the date hereof and to such greater extent as any amendment to or interpretation of applicable law may thereafter from time to time permit. The rights of Indemnitee provided under the preceding sentence shall include, but shall not be limited to, the rights set forth in the other Sections of this Agreement.
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| 4. | Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. |
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Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Agreement if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, was or is threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this Agreement, subject to Section 26 hereof, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with any such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; provided, in no event shall Indemnitee be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless or advanced any amounts hereunder in respect of any Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (if any) that Indemnitee may incur by reason of his or her own actual fraud or intentional misconduct. Indemnitee shall not be found to have committed actual fraud or intentional misconduct for any purpose of this Agreement unless or until a court of competent jurisdiction shall have made a finding to that effect.
| 5. | Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. |
|---|
Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Agreement if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he was or is threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Agreement, subject to Section 26 hereof, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against amounts paid in settlement and Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with the defense or settlement of any such Proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no indemnification under this paragraph shall be made in respect of (1) a threatened or pending Proceeding which is settled or otherwise disposed of, or (2) any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such Proceeding shall have been brought, was brought or is pending, shall determine, upon application, that Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such portion of the settlement amount and Expenses as the court deems proper.
| 6. | Indemnification for Expenses of Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. |
|---|
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement except for Section 26 hereof, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a party to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding, he shall be indemnified against all Expenses (and, when eligible hereunder, amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses (and, when eligible hereunder, amount paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “successful, on the merits or otherwise,” includes, but is not limited to, (i) any termination, withdrawal, or dismissal (with or without prejudice) of any Proceeding against the Indemnitee without any express finding of liability or guilt against him, and (ii) the expiration of 90 days after the making of any claim or threat of a Proceeding without the institution of the same and without any promise or payment made to induce a settlement.
| 7. | Indemnification for Expenses as a Witness. |
|---|
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement except for Section 26 hereof, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding, he shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.
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| 8. | Advancement of Expenses and Other Amounts. |
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Subject to Section 26 hereof, the Company shall advance all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and, when eligible hereunder, amounts paid in settlement, incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement, incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by an agreement by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay any Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and, when eligible hereunder, amounts paid in settlement. In connection with any request for advancement of Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement, Indemnitee shall not be required to provide any documentation or information to the extent that the provision thereof would undermine or otherwise jeopardize attorney-client privilege. The Company’s obligation in respect of the advancement of Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with a criminal Proceeding in which Indemnitee is a defendant shall terminate at such time as Indemnitee pleads guilty or is convicted after trial and such conviction becomes final and no longer subject to appeal. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay such amounts and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.
| 9. | Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification. |
|---|
9.1 To obtain indemnification under this Agreement in connection with any Proceeding, and for the duration thereof, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of any such request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.
9.2 Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in such case: (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel (unless Indemnitee shall request that such determination be made by the Board or the shareholders, in which case in the manner provided for in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this Section 9.2) in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; (ii) if a Change of Control shall not have occurred, at the election of the Company, (A) by the Board by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors, or (B) if a quorum of the Board consisting of Disinterested Directors is not obtainable, by a majority of a committee of the Board consisting of two or more Disinterested Directors, or (C) by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (D) by the shareholders of the Company, by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of shareholders who are not parties to the proceeding, or if no such quorum is obtainable, by a majority vote of shareholders who are not parties to such proceeding; or (iii) as provided in Section 10.2 of this Agreement. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
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9.3 If a Change of Control shall have occurred, Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board), and Indemnitee (or the Board, as the case may be) shall give written notice to the other party advising it of the identity of Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within seven days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection. Such objection may be asserted only on the ground that Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 1 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. If such written objection is made, Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 20 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction, for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by such court or by such other person as such court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom an objection is so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 9.2 hereof. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with its actions pursuant to this Agreement, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 9.3, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed. Upon the due commencement date of any judicial proceeding pursuant to Section 11.1(iii) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).
| 10. | Presumptions and Effects of Certain Proceedings. |
|---|
10.1 In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 9.1 of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption by clear and convincing evidence in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
10.2 If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 9 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 60-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith require(s) such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided, further, however, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.2 shall not apply (i) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the shareholders pursuant to Section 9.2 of this Agreement and if (A) within 15 days after receipt by the Company of the request for such determination the Board has resolved to submit such determination to the shareholders for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within 75 days after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of shareholders is called within 15 days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such meeting is held for such purpose within 60 days after having been so called and such determination is made thereat, or (ii) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 9.2 of this Agreement. In connection with each meeting at which a shareholder’s determination will be made, the Company shall solicit proxies that expressly include a proposal to indemnify or reimburse the Indemnitee. The Company shall afford the Indemnitee ample opportunity to present evidence of the facts upon which the Indemnitee relies for indemnification in any Company proxy statement relating to such shareholders determination. Subject to the fiduciary duties of its members under applicable law, the Board will not recommend against indemnification or reimbursement in any proxy statement relating to the proposal to indemnify or reimburse the Indemnitee.
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10.3 The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
10.4 For purposes of this Agreement, the Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, if his action is based on (i) the records or books of account of the Company, or another enterprise, including financial statements, (ii) information supplied to him by the officers of the Company or another enterprise in the course of their duties, (iii) the advice of legal counsel for the Company or another enterprise, or of an independent certified public accountant or an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Company or another enterprise. The term “another enterprise” as used in this Section shall mean any other corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which the Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent. The provisions of this Section shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth herein. Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.4 are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.
10.5 The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Company shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
| 11. | Remedies of Indemnitee. |
|---|
11.1 In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (iii) the determination of indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 9.2 of this Agreement and such determination shall not have been made and delivered in a written opinion within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification is not made within thirty (30) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or such determination is deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 9 or 10 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of New York, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of his entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines or, when eligible hereunder, amounts paid in settlement. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication.
11.2 In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.
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11.3 If a determination shall have been made or deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 9 or 10 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.
11.4 The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
11.5 In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section, seeks a judicial adjudication of his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other agreement, including any other indemnification, contribution or advancement agreement, or any provision of the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association now or hereafter in effect, or for recovery under directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company against, any and all expenses (of the kinds described in the definition of Expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in such judicial adjudication, but only if he prevails therein. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication that Indemnitee is entitled to receive less than all of the indemnification or advancement of expenses sought, the expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication shall be appropriately prorated. In addition, the Company shall, if so requested by Indemnitee, advance the foregoing expenses to Indemnitee, subject to and in accordance with Section 8.
| 12. | Procedure Regarding Indemnification. |
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With respect to any Proceedings, the Indemnitee, prior to taking any action with respect to such Proceeding, shall consult with the Company as to the procedure to be followed in defending, settling, or compromising the Proceeding and may not consent to any settlement or compromise of the Proceeding without the written consent of the Company (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). The Company shall be entitled to participate in defending, settling or compromising any Proceeding and to assume the defense of such Proceeding with counsel of its choice and shall assume such defense if requested by the Indemnitee. Notwithstanding the election by, or obligation of, the Company to assume the defense of a Proceeding, the Indemnitee shall have the right to participate in the defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnitee unless (i) the employment of such counsel has been authorized in writing by the Company, or (ii) the Indemnitee has reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to him which are different from or additional to those available to the Company (in which latter case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense of such Proceeding on behalf of the Indemnitee), in either of which events the fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm of attorneys selected by the Indemnitee shall be borne by the Company. If the Company assumes the defense of a Proceeding, then counsel for the Company and Indemnitee shall keep Indemnitee reasonably informed of the status of the Proceeding and promptly send to Indemnitee copies of all documents filed or produced in the Proceeding, and the Company shall not compromise or settle any such Proceeding without the written consent of the Indemnitee (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) if the relief provided shall be other than monetary damages and shall promptly notify the Indemnitee of any settlement and the amount thereof.
| 13. | Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation; Contribution. |
|---|
13.1 The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, any agreement, a vote of shareholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or any provision hereof shall be effective as to any Indemnitee with respect to any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law and the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association or this Agreement, then this Agreement (without any further action by the parties hereto) shall automatically be deemed to be amended to require that the Company indemnifies the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
7
13.2 To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary under such policy or policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
13.3 In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are reasonably necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
13.4 The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
13.5 If a determination is made that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, after Indemnitee submits a written request therefor, under this Agreement, then in respect of any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liability with the Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement by the Indemnitee in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Indemnitee on the other hand from the transaction from which Proceeding arose, and (ii) the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnitee on the other hand in connection with the events that resulted in such Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnitee on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent the circumstances resulting in such Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement. The Company agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation that does not take into account the foregoing equitable considerations. The determination as to the amount of the contribution, if any, shall be made by: (i) a court of competent jurisdiction upon the application of both the Indemnitee and the Company (if the Proceeding had been brought in, and final determination had been rendered by such court); (ii) the Board by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors; or (iii) Independent Counsel, if a quorum is not obtainable for purpose of (ii) above, or, even if obtainable, a quorum of Disinterested Directors so directs.
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| 14. | Duration of Agreement. |
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This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the later of: (a) ten (10) years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director and/or officer of the Company, or (b) the final termination of all pending Proceedings in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines or amounts paid in settlement hereunder and or any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his spouse, heirs, executors, personal representatives and administrators. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all, substantially all, or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
| 15. | Severability. |
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If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
| 16. | Entire Agreement. |
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This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and the Indemnitee with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understanding, negotiations and discussion, both written and oral, between the parties hereto with respect to such subject matter (the “Prior Agreements”); provided, however, that if this Agreement shall ever be held void or unenforceable for any reasons whatsoever, and is not reformed pursuant to Section 15 hereof, then (i) this Agreement shall not be deemed to have superseded any Prior Agreements; (ii) all of such Prior Agreements shall be deemed to be in full force and effect notwithstanding the execution of this Agreement; and (iii) the Indemnitee shall be entitled to maximum indemnification benefits provided under any Prior Agreements, as well as those provided under applicable law, the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, a vote of shareholders or resolution of directors.
| 17. | Exception to Right of Indemnification or Advancement of Expenses. |
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17.1 Except as provided in Section 11.5, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement under this Agreement with respect to any Proceeding, or any claim therein, brought or made by him against the Company.
17.2 Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses under this Agreement with respect to any Proceeding, or any claim therein, arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or Company similar successor statute.
| 18. | Covenant Not to Sue; Limitation of Actions; Release of Claims. |
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No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or on behalf of the Company (or any of its subsidiaries) against the Indemnitee, his spouse, heirs, executors, personal representatives or administrators after the expiration of two (2) years from the date of accrual of such cause of action and any claim or cause of action of the Company (or any of its subsidiaries) shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the filing of a legal action within such two (2) year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitation is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action, such shorter period shall govern.
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| 19. | Identical Counterparts. |
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This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
| 20. | Headings. |
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The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
| 21. | Modification and Waiver. |
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No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
| 22. | Notice by Indemnitee. |
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Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines or amounts paid in settlement covered hereunder. The failure to notify the Company on a timely basis shall not constitute a waiver of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, except to the extent that such failure or delay (i) causes the amounts paid or to be paid by the Company to be greater than they otherwise would have been, (ii) adversely affects the Company’s ability to obtain for itself or Indemnitee coverage or proceeds under any insurance policy available to the Company or Indemnitee, or (iii) otherwise results in prejudice to the Company.
| 23. | Notices. |
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All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom such notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
If to Indemnitee, to:
c/o ChampionsGate Acquisition Corporation
419 Webster Street.
Monterey, CA 93940
If to the Company, to:
c/o ChampionsGate Acquisition Corporation
419 Webster Street.
Monterey, CA 93940
or to such other address or such other person as Indemnitee or the Company shall designate in writing in accordance with this Section, except that notices regarding changes in notices shall be effective only upon receipt.
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| 24. | Governing Law. |
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The parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and performed in that state without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws. The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the federal courts within the State for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding that arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agrees that any action instituted under this Agreement shall be brought only in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and any New York State court within that District.
| 25. | Mutual Acknowledgment. |
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Both the Company and Indemnitee acknowledge that, in certain instances, Federal law or applicable public policy may prohibit the Company from indemnifying its directors and officers under this Agreement or otherwise. Indemnitee understands and acknowledges that the Company has undertaken or may be required in the future in certain circumstances to undertake with the Securities and Exchange Commission to submit the question of indemnification to a court for a determination of the Company’s right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee.
| 26. | Waiver of Claims to Trust Account. |
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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Indemnitee hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to any monies in the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering for the benefit of the Company and holders of shares issued in such offering, and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to the Company and will not seek recourse against such trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, Indemnitee acknowledges and agrees that any indemnification provided hereto will only be able to be satisfied by the Company if (i) the Company has sufficient funds outside of the Trust Account to satisfy its obligations hereunder or (ii) the Company consummates a Business Combination.
| 27. | Miscellaneous. |
|---|
Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.
| CHAMPIONSGATE ACQUISITION<br><br>CORPORATION | ||
|---|---|---|
| By: | /s/ Evan Graj | |
| Name: | Evan Graj | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
| INDEMNITEE | ||
| --- | ||
| /s/ Timothy Lim | ||
| Timothy Lim |
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Exhibit 99.1
ChampionsGate Acquisition Corporation Announces Appointment of NewChief Executive Officer
Monterey, CA, Oct. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --ChampionsGate Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CHPGU), a blank check company, today announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and director, Mr. Boon Liat Timothy Lim.
Mr. Lim has brought to the Company more than two decades of executive leadership and operational management experience in Southeast Asia. Since January 2022, Mr. Lim has served as an independent consultant, advising business leaders on a variety of strategic and management issues. Previously, he served in various executive roles at Dragon Group International Ltd from 2006 to 2021, including as executive director, and President and Acting CEO, where he led business development and growth strategies across various business lines for the Singapore Stock Exchange-listed investment holding company. Mr. Lim has also held various roles at ASTI Holdings Ltd., a major semiconductor developer listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX: 575), where he served as Group Administrative Officer from 2013 to December 2021 and as Executive Director from 2004 to December 2021, supervising a variety of corporate functions for the group and its portfolio companies around the world. In addition to these roles, Mr. Lim has served on the boards of several public and private companies in Southeast Asia. Mr. Lim started his career in the computer and semiconductor industries, where he founded or managed several business in Singapore, Southeast Asia and India. Mr. Lim held a diploma in Sales and Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Lim succeeds Mr. Bala Padmakumar, who served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and director since inception until his departure on July 31, 2025 to pursue other opportunities.
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Timothy for joining the company,” said director William W. Snyder, who leads the search of the new chief executive officer, “We look forward to leverage his extensive business management experience and strong relationship across industries to drive the Company’s search for superior business combination opportunities.”
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitationof an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation orsale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
About ChampionsGate Acquisition Corporation
ChampionsGate Acquisition Corporation is a blank check company incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability for the purpose of effecting into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described, or at all. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Registration Statement and related preliminary prospectus filed in connection with the initial public offering with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.
Contact Information:
ChampionsGate Acquisition Corporation
419 Webster StreetMonterey, CA 93940(831)-204-7337