FWDI 8-K
Forward Industries, Inc. (FWDI)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM
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CURRENT REPORT
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).
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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.
Transaction Agreement
On May 16, 2025, Forward Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) and Forward Industries (IN), Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a Transaction Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Forward Industries (Asia-Pacific) Corporation (“FC”), a company owned by Terence Wise, who at the time served as the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors (“Board”) and Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company sold its wholly-owned subsidiary, Forward Industries (Switzerland) GmbH and certain other assets related to the Company’s discontinued Original Equipment Manufacturer business to FC to satisfy outstanding payables of $4,100,000 due to FC under that certain Buying Agency and Supply Agreement between the Company and FC (the “Agency Agreement”). Additionally, as part of the Agreement, (i) the Company and FC terminated the Agency Agreement and (ii) the Company and FC extended the maturity date of that certain Promissory Note dated January 18, 2018 (as amended) issued by the Company to FC to December 31, 2025. The Company paid $200,000 to FC at closing and agreed to make additional cash payments of $150,000 on each of July 31, 2025, August 29, 2025 and September 30, 2025.
The Agreement was approved by a Special Committee of the Board (“Special Committee”), comprised of directors who were both independent and disinterested directors, established to evaluate the transaction. To assist with the process, the Special Committee engaged legal counsel and CoView Capital, Inc. (“CoView”), as its exclusive financial adviser. In connection with the transaction, CoView approached numerous potential alternative acquirers who declined to provide an offer for the business and delivered a written opinion to the Special Committee, dated May 16, 2025, to the effect that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the various assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the methodologies employed in preparing the opinion, the consideration to be paid in the transaction was fair, from a financial point of view, to the Company’s shareholders.
Equity Line of Credit Agreements
On May 16, 2025, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “ELOC Agreement”) with C/M Capital Master Fund, LP (the “Purchaser”). Pursuant to the ELOC Agreement, the Company agreed to sell, and the Purchaser agreed to purchase, up to $35 million (the “Available Amount”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Purchase Shares”), subject to a sale limit of 19.99% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock in accordance with the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC.
The transactions contemplated by the ELOC Agreement are subject to the Company registering the Purchaser’s resale of the Purchase Shares on a registration statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Concurrent with the execution of the ELOC Agreement, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement with the Purchaser (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company agreed to file a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC covering the resale of the shares of common stock sold under the ELOC, on or before the 30th calendar day following the date of the Registration Rights Agreement and to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC at the earliest practicable date, subject to limited exceptions described therein. The registration rights granted under the Registration Rights Agreement are subject to certain conditions and limitations and are subject to customary indemnification and contribution provisions.
In connection with entering into the ELOC Agreement, the Company agreed to immediately issue to the Purchaser, 24,929 shares of common stock as commitment shares and, thereafter an amount of shares equal to 1% of the Available Amount, which shall be issued in a pro rated fashion simultaneously with the delivery of any and all Purchase Shares purchased under the ELOC Agreement.
The Company does not have a right to commence any sales of common stock to the Purchaser under the ELOC Agreement until the time when all of the conditions to the Company’s right to commence sales of Purchase Shares to the Purchaser set forth in the ELOC Agreement have been satisfied, including that a registration statement covering the resale of the Purchase Shares is declared effective by the SEC and the final form of prospectus contained therein is filed with the SEC (the “Commencement Date”).
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At any time from and after the Commencement Date, on any business day on which the previous business day’s closing sale price of common stock was equal to or greater than $1.00 (the “Purchase Date”), the Company may direct the Purchaser to purchase a specified number of shares of common stock (a “Fixed Purchase”) not to exceed on any single business day the lesser of (i) $400,000 of shares of common stock or (ii) 10,000 shares of common stock, at a purchase price equal to the lesser of 95% of (i) the lowest sale price of the common stock on the trading day immediately prior to such applicable Purchase Date or (ii) the daily volume weighted average price of the common stock for the five trading days immediately preceding the applicable Purchase Date for such Fixed Purchase.
In addition, at any time from and after the Commencement Date, on any business day on which the previous business day’s closing sale price of the common stock is equal to or greater than $1.00 and such business day is also the Purchase Date for a Fixed Purchase of an amount of shares of common stock not less than the applicable Fixed Purchase Maximum Amount (as defined in the ELOC Agreement) (the “VWAP Purchase Date”), the Company may also direct the Purchaser to purchase an additional number of shares of common stock (a “VWAP Purchase”) at a purchase price equal to the lesser of 95% of (i) the closing price of a share of common stock on the trading day immediately prior to such applicable Purchase Date and (ii) the lowest sale price on the VWAP Purchase date.
At any time from and after the Commencement Date, on any business day that is also the VWAP Purchase Date for a VWAP Purchase, we may also direct the Purchaser to purchase, on such same business day (the “Additional VWAP Purchase Date”), an additional number of shares of common stock (an “Additional VWAP Purchase”) at a purchase price equal to the lesser of 95% of (i) the closing price of a share of common stock on the business day immediately prior to such applicable Purchase Date and (ii) the lowest sale price of the common stock during the Additional VWAP Purchase Period (as defined in the ELOC Agreement) on the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date.
If the Company makes certain issuances of its securities within a specified period of time after a Purchase Date and such securities are issued at prices (the “New Issuance Price”) less than the prices to be paid by the Purchaser in such Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase or Additional VWAP Purchase, the purchase price for such applicable Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase and Additional VWAP Purchase would be reduced to the New Issuance Price, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the ELOC Agreement.
Under the ELOC Agreement, in no event may the aggregate amount of Purchase Shares submitted in any single or combination of VWAP Purchase notices and/or Additional VWAP Purchase notices on a particular date require a payment from the Purchaser to us that exceeds $2,000,000, unless such limitation is waived by the Purchaser.
In the ELOC Agreement, the Purchaser represented to the Company, among other things, that it is an “accredited investor” (as such term is defined in Rule 501(a)(3) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The securities referred to in this Current Report on Form 8-K are being issued and sold by the Company to the Purchaser in reliance upon the exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. Neither this Current Report on Form 8-K, nor the exhibits attached hereto, is an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein.
The foregoing descriptions of the Agreement, the ELOC Agreement and the Registration Rights 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 10.1, 10.4 and 10.5, 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.
Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.
The information contained above in Item 1.01 regarding the termination/expiration of the Agency Agreement is hereby incorporated into this Item 1.02.
Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
The information contained above in Item 1.01 regarding the issuance of 24,929 commitment shares is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02.
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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
In connection with the closing of the Transaction Agreement, the Company and Terence Wise, who served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Chairman of the Board, and a director, effective May 16, 2025, entered into a Separation Agreement on May 16, 2025 (the “Separation Agreement”). Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Wise resigned from all of his positions with the Company, including his positions as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and director. Mr. Wise’s resignation was not in connection with any known disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its operations, policies, or practices. The Company thanks Mr. Wise for his service and contributions to the Company.
On May 16, 2025, the Company appointed Michael Pruitt as interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Pruitt founded Avenel Financial Group, a boutique financial services firm concentrating on emerging technology company investments in 1999. In 2001, Mr. Pruitt formed Avenel Ventures, a technology investment and private venture capital firm. In February 2005, Mr. Pruitt formed Chanticleer Holdings, Inc., then a public holding company (now known as Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.), and he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer until April 1, 2020, at which time the restaurant operations of Chanticleer Holdings were spun out into a new public entity, Amergent Hospitality Group, Inc., where Mr. Pruitt continues to serve as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Since October 2020, Mr. Pruitt has been a member of the Board of Directors of IMAC Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: BACK) and currently serves on its Compensation Committee and as Chair of its Audit Committee. Since July 2023, Mr. Pruitt has served as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of Amaze Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: AMZW) (Formerly, Fresh Vine Wine, Inc.) (“Amaze”), a commerce platform company. Mr. Pruitt also has served as a director of Amaze since December 2021. Mr. Pruitt also served as a director on the board of Hooters of America, LLC from 2011 to 2019. Mr. Pruitt received a B.A. degree from Coastal Carolina University. Mr. Pruitt currently sits on the Board of Visitors of the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration, the Coastal Education Foundation Board, and the Athletic Committee of the Board. Mr. Pruitt is 65 years old.
There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Pruitt and any other persons, pursuant to which he was selected as Interim Chief Executive Officer, no family relationships among any of the Company’s directors or executive officers and Mr. Pruitt, and there are no related party transactions involving Mr. Pruitt that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
In connection with his appointment as interim Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Pruitt resigned from the Company’s Board.
Effective May 16, 2025, the Board appointed Keith Johnson as a director of the Company. Mr. Johnson has been appointed to serve on the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Company has determined that since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year through the date hereof, there have been no transactions, and there are currently no proposed transactions, between the Company and Mr. Johnson that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Johnson and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Johnson was appointed as a director of the Company.
Additionally, on May 16, 2025, Sangita Shah was appointed as Chairperson of the Board, effective immediately. Ms. Shah has been a member of the Board since February 2015.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
* Certain schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby undertakes to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon request.
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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.
| FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. | |||
| Date: May 22, 2025 | By: | /s/ Michael Pruitt | |
| Name: Michael Pruitt | |||
| Title: Interim Chief Executive Officer | |||
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Exhibit 10.1
Execution Version
TRANSACTION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC.,
FORWARD INDUSTRIES (IN), INC.
AND
FORWARD INDUSTRIES (ASIA-PACIFIC) CORPORATION
DATED AS OF
MAY 16, 2025
TRANSACTION AGREEMENT
This TRANSACTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of May 16, 2025, by and among Forward Industries, Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”), Forward Industries (IN), Inc., an Indiana corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Forward Indiana” and, together with the Company, referred to herein as “Sellers” and each, a “Seller”) and Forward Industries (Asia-Pacific) Corporation, a British Virgin Island corporation (“Buyer” and, together with Sellers, the “Parties”).
RECITALS
A. The Company owns and operates an original equipment manufacturing distribution division (the “Business”).
B. The Company and Buyer are parties to a certain Buying Agency and Supply Agreement (the “Supply Agreement”), attached hereto as Exhibit A, pursuant to which Buyer provides certain services to Sellers in connection with the Business and under which the Company owes Buyer certain monies (the “Payables”) in the aggregate amount equal to $4,052,759.00 (the “Outstanding Balance”).
C. On March 20, 2025, the Company and Buyer entered into a certain letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”), attached hereto as Exhibit B, pursuant to which, among other things, Buyer notified the Company of the non-renewal of the Supply Agreement, to be effective as of April 30, 2025.
D. By letter agreement dated April 30, 2025, the Company and the Buyer agreed to extend the term of the Supply Agreement until May 2, 2025.
E. By letter agreement date May 2, 2025, the Company and the Buyer agreed to extend the term of the Supply Agreement until May 9, 2025.
F. In order to convert and satisfy the Outstanding Balance, Sellers and Buyer hereby agree to consummate, simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (such time, the “Closing”), the various transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the acquisition by Buyer of Forward Industries (Switzerland) GmbH, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Switzerland and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Forward Switzerland”) and the Acquired Assets set forth on Schedule 1.2(b).
G. In connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, Terence Wise, the owner of Buyer and CEO and Chairman of the Company (“Principal”) desires to resign from all positions, including without limitation, as a manager, officer, employee and director of the Company and its subsidiaries (other than Forward Switzerland), and to execute the Separation Agreement with the Company.
H. Buyer and Sellers desire to enter into this Agreement for the purpose of setting forth their mutual understandings and agreements with respect to the foregoing.
I. Capitalized terms used but not defined in the context of the Section in which such terms first appear shall have the meanings set forth in Section 6.8.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. TRANSACTIONS.
Section 1.1. Purchase and Sale of Forward Switzerland.
(a) On and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company hereby sells, transfers, assigns, conveys and delivers to Buyer, and Buyer hereby purchases and acquires from the Company, all of the Company’s right, title and interest in and to all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Forward Switzerland (the “Acquired Equity Interests”).
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(b) In furtherance of the foregoing, Buyer and the Company shall enter at Closing Date into a Swiss law governed share transfer agreement (Abtretungsvertrag) in order to effect the assignment of the Acquired Equity Interests, attached here as Exhibit C (the “Swiss STA”), and shareholders of Forward Switzerland shall hold at Closing Date an EGM on the approval of the Swiss STA and the transactions contemplated therein.
Section 1.2. Purchase and Sale of Assets.
(a) On and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Sellers hereby sell, transfer, assign, convey, and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer hereby purchases and acquires from Sellers, all of the Acquired Assets, free and clear of all Liens.
(b) “Acquired Assets” means all right, title, and interest in and to all of the assets set forth on Schedule 1.2(b).
(c) “Excluded Assets” means any and all assets of the Sellers or any of their Affiliates other than the Acquired Assets.
(d) Assumption of Liabilities. Buyer hereby assumes, becomes responsible for, and agrees to pay, discharge or perform, as and when due in accordance with the terms thereof, (i) any and all Liabilities exclusively related to or in connection with the Acquired Assets, (ii) the Liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.2(d) and (iii) the Employee Liabilities (collectively, the “Assumed Liabilities”). Buyer shall not assume or have any responsibility with respect to any liability of Sellers that is not an Assumed Liability. For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties agree that the Outstanding Balance is one of the Assumes Liabilities and, therefore, that from and after the Closing, the Outstanding Balance is no longer an obligation of the Company and both Buyer and the Company shall promptly take all necessary actions to reflect the foregoing on their respective books and records.
(e) Retained Liabilities. Except for the Assumed Liabilities, Sellers shall maintain sole responsibility for, and solely shall retain all Liabilities arising out of or relating to the operation of Sellers’ business prior to the Closing, including, without limitation, any Liabilities arising out of or relating to any other division of Sellers, any Liability of any Seller under this Agreement or any other document executed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including any Liability of any Seller for expenses incurred by any Seller or its Affiliates in connection with this Agreement, or any Liability of Seller based upon any of Seller's acts or omissions occurring after the Closing (collectively, the “Retained Liabilities”).
Section 1.3. Promissory Note Extension. The loan from Buyer to the Company, evidenced by that certain Promissory Note, dated January 18, 2018 (as amended), contemporaneous with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, is being amended and restated pursuant to that certain loan amendment dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and Buyer (the “Loan Amendment”).
Section 1.4. Cash Payments. Sellers shall (collectively, without duplication) make the following payments to Buyer no later than the dates listed below, in U.S. dollars by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account(s) designated by Buyer in writing to Sellers in advance of such payment dates:
| (a) | $200,000 simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement; |
| (b) | $150,000 on July 31, 2025; |
| (c) | $150,000 on August 29, 2025; and |
| (d) | $150,000 on September 30, 2025. |
In the event that any payment to Buyer from Sellers pursuant to this provision is not received in the full amount by the applicable due date listed above, then Sellers shall pay to Buyer interest on the outstanding amount (accruing and compounding daily) from the due date until the date of payment, at a rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum. The payment of interest shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights or remedies available to Buyer at law or in equity.
Section 1.5. Termination of Supply Agreement. The Company and Buyer hereby agree and acknowledge that the Supply Agreement is hereby terminated effective as of the Closing and each such Person releases the other and discharges the other from any further obligations under the Supply Agreement.
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Section 1.6. Closing. The Closing shall take place simultaneously with the execution hereof by the remote exchange of electronic copies of documents and signatures (there date hereof also referred to herein as the “Closing Date”).
Section 1.7. Closing Obligations.
| (a) | At the Closing, Sellers shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Buyer: |
(1) Intentionally Omitted;
(2) a counterpart to the Loan Amendment, duly executed by the Company;
(3) a counterpart to the Separation Agreement, duly executed by the Company;
(4) evidence of the updated share register (Stammanteilbuch) of Forward Switzerland, reflecting Buyer as the sole owner of Forward Switzerland from and after the Closing;
(5) a counterparty to the Swiss STA, duly executed by the Company, and any other documents and certificates reasonably necessary to effectuate the transfer of ownership of Forward Switzerland;
(6) the minutes of the EGM of Forward Switzerland on the approval of the Swiss STA and of the transfer of the Acquired Equity Interest to the Buyer;
(7) the payment described in Section 1.4(a); and
(8) a resignation letter, duly executed by Sangita Shah, pursuant to which she resigns from all positions, including without limitation, as a manager, officer, employee and director, as applicable, of Forward Industries UK Limited, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the United Kingdom (“Forward UK”), effective as of the Closing Date.
| (b) | At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Sellers: |
(1) a resignation letter, duly executed by Principal, pursuant to which he resigns from all positions, including without limitation, as a manager, officer, employee and director, as applicable, of the Company and all of its subsidiaries (other than Forward Switzerland), effective as of the Closing Date;
(2) a counterpart to the Loan Amendment, executed by Buyer;
(3) a counterpart to the Separation Agreement, duly executed by the Principal; and
(4) a counterpart to the Swiss STA, duly executed by Buyer, and any other documents and certificates reasonably necessary to effectuate the transfer of ownership of Forward Switzerland.
Section 1.8. Third Party Consents. To the extent that Sellers' rights under any Contract or Permit constituting an Acquired Asset, or any other Acquired Asset, may not be assigned to Buyer without the consent of another Person which has not been obtained, this Agreement shall not constitute an agreement to assign the same if an attempted assignment would constitute a breach thereof or be unlawful, and the applicable Seller, at its expense, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any such required consent(s) as promptly as possible. If any such consent shall not be obtained or if any attempted assignment would be ineffective or would impair Buyer's rights under the Acquired Asset in question so that Buyer would not in effect acquire the benefit of all such rights, Sellers, to the maximum extent permitted by Law and the Acquired Asset, shall act after the Closing as Buyer's agent in order to obtain for it the benefits thereunder and shall cooperate, to the maximum extent permitted by Law and the Acquired Asset, with Buyer in any other reasonable arrangement designed to provide such benefits to Buyer.
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ARTICLE II. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER.
Sellers hereby represent and warrant to Buyer as follows:
Section 2.1. Organization. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New York and has all corporate power and authority necessary to own or lease its properties and assets and to carry on the Business as currently conducted, except where the failure to be so organized, existing, qualified or in good standing, or to have such power or authority when taken together with all other such failures, has not, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Forward Indiana is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Indiana and has all corporate power and authority necessary to own or lease its properties and assets and to carry on the Business as currently conducted, except where the failure to be so organized, existing, qualified or in good standing, or to have such power or authority when taken together with all other such failures, has not, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 2.2. Authority. Each Seller has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance by each Seller of this Agreement, and the consummation by each Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly and validly authorized by each Seller's applicable governing body and no other corporate proceedings on the part of any Seller are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or to perform its obligations hereunder. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by each Seller and, assuming this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding agreement of Buyer, constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of each Seller, enforceable against each Seller in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws, now or hereafter in effect, affecting creditors' rights generally and by general principles of equity. Upon the execution and delivery by each Seller of any other document to which such Seller is a party in connection with this Agreement, each of such other documents will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Seller, enforceable against such Seller in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws, now or hereafter in effect, affecting creditors ' rights generally and by general principles of equity.
Section 2.3. Brokers; Certain Expenses. Other than CoView Capital, Inc., no agent, broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other firm or Person, whose fees and expenses shall be paid solely by Sellers, is or shall be entitled to receive any brokerage, finder's, financial advisor's, transaction or other fee or commission in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby based upon agreements made by or on behalf of any Seller.
ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER.
Buyer represents and warrants to Sellers as follows:
Section 3.1. Organization. Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and has the requisite corporate power to carry on its business as now conducted.
Section 3.2. Authority. Buyer has all necessary corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Buyer and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Buyer are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by Seller, constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of Buyer, enforceable in accordance with its terms against Buyer, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to creditors' rights generally and by general principles of equity.
Section 3.3. Consents and Approvals. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby require no consent, approval, authorization or filing with or notice to any Governmental Authority other than any actions or filings the absence of which are not reasonably likely to prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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Section 3.4. Non-Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Buyer and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not and will not (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) (i) contravene, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of any provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Buyer; (ii) assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Section 3.3., contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any Law or Order; or (iii) require any consent or approval under, violate, conflict with, result in any breach of any loss of any benefit under, or constitute a change of control or Default under, or result in termination or give to others any right of termination, vesting, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of any Contract to which Buyer is a party, or by which its properties or assets may be bound or affected, with such exceptions, in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii) of this section, as would not reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 3.5. Other Acknowledgements. Buyer hereby represents and acknowledges that Buyer has adequate information concerning the business and financial condition of the Sellers and the Business to make an informed decision regarding the acquisition of the Acquired Assets and Forward Switzerland and have, independently and without reliance upon the Sellers, made their own analysis and decision to acquire the Acquired Assets and Forward Switzerland. With respect to legal, tax, accounting, financial and other considerations involved in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the sale of the Acquired Assets and Forward Switzerland, Buyer is not relying on the Sellers (or any agent or representative thereof). Buyer carefully considered and, to the extent they believe such discussion necessary, discussed with professional legal, tax, accounting, financial and other advisors the suitability of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the sale of the Acquired Assets and Forward Switzerland. Buyer acknowledges that Sellers or any of their respective directors, officers, subsidiaries or Affiliates have not made or makes any representations or warranties, whether express or implied, of any kind except as expressly set forth in this Agreement.
Section 3.6. Condition of Assets. Buyer acknowledges and agrees that the sale of the Acquired Assets is being made on an “as is” and “where is” basis, and the Sellers make no representations or warranties whatsoever, express or implied, regarding their merchantability, fitness for a specific purpose, performance, or condition whatsoever.
ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS.
Section 4.1. Press Releases. Buyer and Sellers shall consult with each other before issuing any press release or making any other public statement with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not issue any such press release or make any such other public statement without the consent of the other party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, except as such release or statement may be required by Law or any listing agreement with or rule of any national securities exchange.
Section 4.2. Customer and Other Business Relationships. After the Closing, Sellers will cooperate with Buyer in its efforts to continue and maintain for the benefit of Buyer those business relationships of Sellers existing prior to the Closing and relating to the Business. Seller will refer to Buyer all inquiries relating to the Business. The Parties shall not, and shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to be sure that none of their respective officers, employees, agents or stockholders, take any action that would tend to diminish the value of the Acquired Assets after the Closing or that would interfere with the Business or the business of the Sellers, including disparaging the name of the Business or the Sellers.
Section 4.3. Bulk Sales. Each Seller and Buyer waive compliance with the provisions of bulk sales, bulk transfer, or similar Laws of any jurisdiction that may be applicable with respect to the sale of any or all of the Acquired Assets to Buyer.
Section 4.4. Wrong Pockets; Wrong Payments. From and after the Closing, if either Buyer or any Seller becomes aware that any of the Acquired Assets has not been transferred to Buyer or that any Excluded Asset has been transferred to Buyer, it shall promptly notify the other Parties in writing and the Parties shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, ensure that such asset is transferred, with any necessary prior third party consent or approval, to (a) Buyer, in the case of any Acquired Assets that was not transferred to Buyer at the Closing or (b) Sellers, in the case of any Excluded Assets that was transferred to Buyer at the Closing. From and after the Closing, if either Buyer or any Seller receives any payment or other funds from a third party due to the other Parties under this Agreement, then the Party receiving such payment or funds in error shall, within 30 days after receipt of such payment or funds, forward such payment or funds to the proper Party. Sellers shall notify, as promptly as practicable after the date hereof, all contractual counterparties of the Business of the consummation of the purchase and sale of the Business by Buyer and instruct such third parties to deal exclusively with Buyer with respect to any matter thereto.
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Section 4.5. Employment Matters.
(a) From and after the Closing until the date that is three (3) months following the Closing (the “Employee Transition Period”), Buyer may, in its sole discretion, make offers of employment to any of the employees of the Company set forth on Schedule 4.5 (such individuals, the “In-Scope Employees”). If Buyer makes an offer of employment to any In-Scope Employee, then the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts, at the request of Buyer, to terminate the employment of such employees with the Company, concurrently with their acceptance of offers of employment from Buyer, and/or otherwise cooperate to effectuate and/or otherwise to facilitate the transfer of such employees from the employment of the Company to Buyer or one of its designated Affiliates.
(b) Buyer shall be solely responsible for and shall reimburse the Company (such costs, the “Employee Assumed Liabilities”):
(1) all accrued and unpaid wages, bonuses, commissions, benefits and other employment costs of the In-Scope Employees as of the Closing Date;
(2) the payment of all wages, bonuses, commissions, benefits and other employment costs due to the In-Scope Employees until the earlier of: (A) the date on which any such Employee becomes an employee of Buyer or one of its Affiliates or (B) the last day of the Employee Transition Period;
(3) any out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Company to effectuate the transition of any In-Scope Employee from the employment of the Company to Buyer or its applicable Affiliates; and
(4) if any In-Scope Employee is not offered employment by Buyer, the payment of any termination or severance payments and the provision of health plan continuation coverage under applicable law.
(c) During the Employee Transition Period and prior to any transfer of any In-Scope Employee to the employment by Buyer or one of its designated Affiliates: (i) the In-Scope Employees shall remain employees of the Company, (ii) the Company shall be permitted to terminate the employment of any In-Scope Employee in its sole discretion, which shall be final, conclusive and binding, and without the prior written consent of Buyer and (iii) the In-Scope Employees shall perform work solely for the Business and at the direction of Buyer.
Section 4.6. Non-Compete and Non-Solicit.
(a) During the period commencing with the Closing Date and ending on the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Closing Date, the Company shall not (and shall cause its subsidiaries not to), directly or indirectly:
(i) engage in any business competing with the Business;
(ii) own any Person who is engaged in any business competing with the Business;
(iii) consult with or otherwise render services that are competitive to the Business to any Person; or
(iv) solicit or induce any employee, distributor, sales representative, agent or contractor of Buyer to terminate his, her or its employment or other relationship with Buyer, provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 4.6(a) shall prohibit the Company or its subsidiaries from (A) soliciting employment by placement of general advertisements for employees in newspapers or other media of general circulation, including, without limitation, internet based job postings, so long as such advertisements are not specifically targeted to Buyer’s employees, distributors, sales representatives, agents or contractors; or (B) hire any employee, distributor, sales representative, agent or contractor of Buyer that was terminated by Buyer.
The Company acknowledges and agrees that Buyer would be irreparably damaged if any of the provisions of this Section 4.6(a) are not complied with or are otherwise breached. Accordingly, it is agreed that Buyer shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevents breaches of this Section 4.6 and shall have the right to specifically enforce this section 4.6 and its terms and provisions against each Seller in addition to any other remedy to which Buyer may be entitled under this Agreement, at law or in equity.
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(b) During the period commencing with the Closing Date and ending on the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Closing Date, Buyer shall not (and shall cause its subsidiaries not to), directly or indirectly:
(i) engage in any business that is competing with the business of the Sellers (other than the Business);
(ii) own any Person who is engaged in any business competing with the business of the Sellers (other than the Business);
(iii) consult with or otherwise render services that are competitive to the business of the Sellers (other than the Business) to any Person; or
(iv) solicit or induce any employee, distributor, sales representative, agent or contractor of any Seller to terminate his, her or its employment or other relationship with Buyer, provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 4.6(b) shall prohibit the Buyer or its subsidiaries from (A) soliciting employment by placement of general advertisements for employees in newspapers or other media of general circulation, including, without limitation, internet based job postings, so long as such advertisements are not specifically targeted to any Seller’s employees, distributors, sales representatives, agents or contractors; or (B) hire any employee, distributor, sales representative, agent or contractor of the Company that was terminated by the Sellers.
Buyer acknowledges and agrees that the Sellers would be irreparably damaged if any of the provisions of this Section 4.6(b) are not complied with or are otherwise breached. Accordingly, it is agreed that the Sellers shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevents breaches of this Section 4.6(b) and shall have the right to specifically enforce this Section 4.6(b) and its terms and provisions against the Buyer in addition to any other remedy to which the Sellers may be entitled under this Agreement, at law or in equity.
Section 4.7. Mutual Release.
(a) From and after the Closing, Sellers, on behalf of themselves and their successors, assigns, heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, representatives, agents and Affiliates (the “Seller Releasing Parties”), hereby fully and finally release, acquit and forever discharge Buyer and Principal and their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns and any present and former officers, directors, partners, members, stockholders, trustees, representatives, employees, agents, assigns, beneficiaries, heirs, executors, insurers and attorneys of any of them (collectively, the “Buyer Released Parties”) of and from, and hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, any and all claims, debts, losses, expenses, proceedings, covenants, suits, judgments damages, actions, obligations, accounts and liabilities of any kind or character whatsoever, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, in contract, law or equity, which such Seller Releasing Parties have or may have had at any time in the past until and including the Closing Date against the Buyer Released Parties; provided, that this release does not extend to, and no Seller Releasing Party is releasing, (i) claims arising under or in connection with this Agreement or any of the provisions set forth herein, (ii) any claims that cannot be released under applicable law and (iii) any rights, claims or remedies with respect to exculpation, indemnification, contribution, advancement of expenses or reimbursement by reason of the fact that Buyer and/or Principal was an equity holder, director, manager, officer, employee or other agent of any Seller, including pursuant to any directors’ and officers’ fiduciary, employment practices and/or similar insurance policies. Each Seller Releasing Party agrees not to institute any action against any Buyer Released Party with respect to any and all claims released in this Section 4.7(a).
(b) From and after the Closing, Buyer, on behalf of itself and its successors, assigns, heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, representatives, agents and Affiliates (the “Buyer Releasing Parties”), hereby fully and finally releases, acquit and forever discharges Sellers and their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns and any present and former officers, directors, partners, members, stockholders, trustees, representatives, employees, agents, assigns, beneficiaries, heirs, executors, insurers and attorneys of any of them (collectively, the “Seller Released Parties”) of and from, and hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, any and all claims, debts, losses, expenses, proceedings, covenants, suits, judgments damages, actions, obligations, accounts and liabilities of any kind or character whatsoever, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, in contract, law or equity, which such Buyer Releasing Parties have or may have had at any time in the past until and including the Closing Date against the Seller Released Parties; provided, that this release does not extend to, and no Buyer Releasing Party is releasing, (i) claims arising under or in connection with this Agreement or any of the provisions set forth herein, or (ii) any claims that cannot be released under applicable law. Each Buyer Releasing Party agrees not to institute any action against any Seller Released Party with respect to any and all claims released in this Section 4.7(b).
Section 4.8. Termination of Affiliate Transactions. On or prior to the date hereof, all intercompany accounts, balances, indebtedness and all other obligations between Forward Switzerland, on the one hand, and Affiliate of the Company (other than Forward Switzerland), shall be settled or otherwise eliminated or terminated, as applicable, and cancelled in full, effective as of the Closing, with no consideration or continuing liability of any kind by any party thereto.
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ARTICLE V. INDEMNIFICATION.
Section 5.1. Indemnification by Sellers. Sellers shall, jointly and severally, defend, indemnify and hold harmless Buyer and its respective directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any and all claims (including without limitation any investigation, action or other proceeding) and Liabilities that constitute, or arise out of or in connection with:
(a) any misrepresentation or breach of warranty of Sellers in this Agreement, any exhibit, or any certificate or instrument delivered by Sellers pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) any default by any Seller in the performance or observance of any of its covenants or agreements under this Agreement;
(c) any Excluded Asset or any Retained Liabilities;
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the aggregate liability of Sellers for all claims made by Buyer under this Agreement, including but not limited to claims for indemnification under Section 5.1, shall not exceed an amount equal to One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) (the “Cap”). This limitation shall not apply to claims arising from fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence of Sellers.
Section 5.2. Indemnification by Buyer.
(a) Buyer shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Sellers and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any and all claims (including without limitation any investigation, action or other proceeding) and Liabilities that constitute, or arise out of or in connection with:
(1) any misrepresentation or breach of warranty of Buyer in this Agreement, any exhibit, or any certificate or instrument delivered by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement; and
(2) any default by any Buyer in the performance or observance of any of their covenants or agreements under this Agreement; and
(3) any Acquired Asset or any Assumed Liabilities.
Section 5.3. Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made in this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated in this Agreement shall survive the Closing until the one (1) year anniversary of the Closing Date. All covenants and agreements of the Parties made in this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated in this Agreement shall survive the Closing for the period specified for their respective terms or, if no such period is specified therein, until sixty (60) days after the applicable statute of limitations.
Section 5.4 Exclusive Remedy. The Parties acknowledge and agree that from and after the Closing, their sole and exclusive remedy with respect to any and all claims for any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation set forth herein shall be pursuant to this Agreement. The indemnification rights of the parties under this Agreement are independent of and in addition to such rights and remedies as the parties may have at Law or in equity or otherwise for any fraud, intentional misrepresentation or criminal activity on the part of any party hereto. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall limit any Party’s right to seek specific performance, rescission or restitution, none of which rights or remedies shall be affected or diminished hereby.
Section 5.5 Indemnification Procedures. The party making a claim under this Agreement is referred to as the “Indemnified Party”, and the party against whom a claim is asserted under this Agreement is referred to as the “Indemnifying Party”.
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(a) Third Party Claims. If any Indemnified Party receives notice of the assertion or commencement of any Action made or brought by any Person who is not a party to this Agreement or any of the Purchase Agreements or an Affiliate of such a party or a Representative of the foregoing (a “Third Party Claim”) against such Indemnified Party with respect to which the Indemnifying Party is obligated to provide indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall give the Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice thereof, but in any event not later than thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of such notice of such Third Party Claim. The failure to give such prompt written notice shall not, however, relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations, except and only to the extent that the Indemnifying Party forfeits rights or defenses by reason of such failure. Such notice by the Indemnified Party shall describe the Third Party Claim in reasonable detail, shall include copies of all material written evidence thereof and shall indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to participate in, or by giving written notice to the Indemnified Party, to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim at the Indemnifying Party’s expense and by the Indemnifying Party’s own counsel, and the Indemnified Party shall cooperate in good faith in such defense; provided, that if Sellers are the Indemnifying Party, such Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to defend or direct the defense of any such Third Party Claim that (x) is asserted directly by or on behalf of a Person that is a supplier or customer of the Business, or (y) seeks an injunction or other equitable relief against the Indemnified Party. In the event that the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any Third Party Claim, subject to Section 5.5(b), it shall have the right to take such action as it deems necessary to avoid, dispute, defend, appeal or make counterclaims pertaining to any such Third Party Claim in the name and on behalf of the Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall have the right to participate in the defense of any Third Party Claim with counsel selected by it subject to the Indemnifying Party’s right to control the defense thereof. The fees and disbursements of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnified Party, provided, that if in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Indemnified Party, (A) there are legal defenses available to the Indemnified Party that are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party; or (B) there exists a conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party that cannot be waived, the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Indemnified Party in each jurisdiction for which the Indemnified Party determines counsel is required. If the Indemnifying Party elects not to compromise or defend such Third Party Claim, fails to promptly notify the Indemnified Party in writing of its election to defend as provided in this Agreement, or fails to diligently prosecute the defense of such Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party may, subject to Section 5.5(b), pay, compromise, defend such Third Party Claim and seek indemnification for any and all Losses based upon, arising from or relating to such Third Party Claim. Seller and Buyer shall cooperate with each other in all reasonable respects in connection with the defense of any Third Party Claim, including making available (subject to the provisions of the Purchase Agreements) records relating to such Third Party Claim and furnishing, without expense (other than reimbursement of actual out-of-pocket expenses) to the defending party, management employees of the non-defending party as may be reasonably necessary for the preparation of the defense of such Third Party Claim.
(b) Settlement of Third Party Claims. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party shall not enter into settlement of any Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, except as provided in this Section 5.5(b). If a firm offer is made to settle a Third Party Claim without leading to liability or the creation of a financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnified Party and provides, in customary form, for the unconditional release of each Indemnified Party from all liabilities and obligations in connection with such Third Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party desires to accept and agree to such offer, the Indemnifying Party shall give written notice to that effect to the Indemnified Party. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer within ten (10) calendar days after its receipt of such notice, the Indemnified Party may continue to contest or defend such Third Party Claim and in such event, the maximum liability of the Indemnifying Party as to such Third Party Claim shall not exceed the amount of such settlement offer. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer and also fails to assume defense of such Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party may settle the Third Party Claim upon the terms set forth in such firm offer to settle such Third Party Claim. If the Indemnified Party has assumed the defense pursuant to Section 5.5(a), it shall not agree to any settlement without the written consent of the Indemnifying Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
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(c) Direct Claims. A Direct Claim shall be asserted by the Indemnified Party giving the Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice thereof, but in any event not later than thirty (30) days after the Indemnified Party becomes aware of such Direct Claim. The failure to give such prompt written notice shall not, however, relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations, except and only to the extent that the Indemnifying Party forfeits rights or defenses by reason of such failure. Such notice by the Indemnified Party shall describe the Direct Claim in reasonable detail, shall include copies of all material written evidence thereof and shall indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party shall have thirty (30) days after its receipt of such notice to respond in writing to such Direct Claim. The Indemnified Party shall allow the Indemnifying Party and its professional advisors to investigate the matter or circumstance alleged to give rise to the Direct Claim, and whether and to what extent any amount is payable in respect of the Direct Claim and the Indemnified Party shall assist the Indemnifying Party’s investigation by giving such information and assistance (including access to the Indemnified Party’s premises and personnel and the right to examine and copy any accounts, documents or records) as the Indemnifying Party or any of its professional advisors may reasonably request. If the Indemnifying Party does not so respond within such thirty (30) day period, or, if the Indemnifying Party responds within such thirty (30) day period but denies or rejects that it or s/he owes any indemnification obligations with respect to the Direct Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have rejected such claim, in which case the Indemnified Party shall be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to the Indemnified Party on the terms and subject to the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 5.6 Payment; Right of Setoff. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, and without prejudice to any other right or remedy it has or may have, Sellers may set off or recoup any amount owed to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement against any Liability for which the Sellers determine that Buyer is liable to them under this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI. MISCELLANEOUS.
Section 6.1. Entire Agreement; Assignment; Amendments. This Agreement (including the exhibits and schedules attached hereto) constitute the entire agreement and supersede all oral agreements and understandings and all written agreements prior to the date hereof between or on behalf of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, except for the Loan Amendment. For the avoidance of doubt, the Letter Agreement is terminated and hereby superseded by this Agreement and the Supply Agreement is terminated. This Agreement shall not be assigned by any Party by operation of Law or otherwise without the prior written consent of the other Parties. A Change of Control shall be deemed an assignment for purposes of this Agreement. No assignment of shall relieve the assigning party of any of its obligations hereunder. This Agreement may be amended only by a writing signed by each of the Parties, and any amendment shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in that writing.
Section 6.2. Severability; Expenses; Further Assurances. If any term, condition or other provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of Law or public policy, all other terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible. Each Party shall be responsible for the expenses it may incur in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery, performance and enforcement of this Agreement. The Parties shall from time to time do and perform any additional acts and execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments that may be required by Law or reasonably requested by any Party to establish, maintain or protect its rights and remedies under, or to effect the intents and purposes of, this Agreement.
Section 6.3. 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) upon confirmation of receipt by the addressee, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile or e-mail to the facsimile telephone number or e-mail address, as applicable, specified in this Section 6.3. or (b) upon receipt at address of the addressee specified in this Section 6.3., if such notice or communication is delivered by U.S. mail, courier or other physical delivery service. The addresses for such notices and communications shall be as follows:
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If to Buyer, to:
Forward Industries (Asia-Pacific) Corporation
10F-5, No 16. Lane 609, Sec 5
Chongxin Road, Sanchong District
New Taipei City 2414, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Email: **********
Attention: Terence Wise, Principal
with a copy (which will not constitute notice to Buyer) to:
Thompson LLP
75 Broad Street, Suite 2120
New York, New York 10004
Email: **********
Attn.: Ben Thompson
If to Sellers, to:
Forward Industries, Inc.
700 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Suite 100
Hauppauge, New York 11788
Email: **********
Attn.: Kathleen Weisberg, Chief Financial Officer
with a copy (which will not constitute notice to Sellers) to:
Nason Yeager Gerson Harris & Fumero, P.A.
3001 PGA Blvd., Suite 305
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410
Email: **********
Attn.: Brian Bernstein
and
Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C.
1425 RXR Plaza
East Tower, 15th Floor
Uniondale, New York 11556
Email: **********
Attn: Steven J. Kuperschmid
or to such other address as the Person to whom notice is given may have previously furnished to the others in writing in the manner set forth above. Rejection or other refusal to accept or the inability for delivery to be effected because of changed address of which no notice was given shall be deemed to be receipt of the notice as of the date of such rejection, refusal or inability to deliver.
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Section 6.4. Governing Law. This Agreement, and any dispute arising out of, relating to, or in connection with this Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of Law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or of any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in New York County, New York for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith.
Section 6.5. Headings. The descriptive headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and are not intended to be part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 6.6. Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each Party, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 6.7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement. At the Closing, signature pages of counterparts may be exchanged by electronic transmittal of scanned images thereof or by electronic signature platforms in accordance with the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN) and other applicable electronic signature laws.
Section 6.8. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.
“Change of Control” means (i) sale of substantially all of the assets of Buyer, (ii) (A) a sale or other transfer or issuance of capital stock of the Buyer, or (B) a merger or consolidation of the Buyer, in the case of A and/or B, where the holders of a majority of the capital stock of the Buyer immediately prior to such transaction cease to hold a majority of the capital stock of the Buyer following such transaction; or (iii) the dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of Buyer.
“Default” means any breach or violation of, default under, contravention of, or conflict with, any contract, Law, Order, or Permit, any occurrence of any event that with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a breach or violation of, default under, contravention of, or conflict with, any contract, Law, Order, or Permit, or any occurrence of any event that with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice would give rise to a right of any Person to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, terminate or revoke, suspend, cancel, or modify or change the current terms of, or renegotiate, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to increase or impose any liability under, any contract, Law, Order, or Permit.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Liability” means, with respect to any Person, any liability or obligation of such Person of any kind, character or description, whether known or unknown, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, disputed or undisputed, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, joint or several, due or to become due, vested or unvested, executory, determined, determinable or otherwise, and whether or not the same is required to be accrued on the financial statements of such Person.
“Lien” means, with respect to any property or asset, all pledges, liens, mortgages, charges, encumbrances, hypothecations, options, rights of first refusal, rights of first offer and security interests of any kind or nature whatsoever.
“Material Adverse Effect” means any state of facts, change, development, event, effect, condition, occurrence, action or omission that, individually or in the aggregate, is reasonably expected to result in a material adverse effect on the business, prospects, assets, properties, financial condition or results of operations of Sellers, taken as a whole, or prevent, materially impede or materially delay the consummation by any Seller of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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“Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, business trust, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity or a Governmental Authority.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Separation Agreement” means that certain Separation and Release of Claims Agreement dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and Principal.
Section 6.9. Interpretation. The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and references to article, section, paragraph, exhibit and disclosure schedule are to the articles, sections, paragraphs, exhibits and disclosure schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words describing the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa. The phrases “the date of this Agreement,” “the date hereof,” and terms of similar import, shall be deemed to refer to the date set forth in the preamble to this Agreement. Any reference in this Agreement to a date or time shall be deemed to be such date or time in New York City. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Person by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its officers thereunto duly authorized, all at or on the date and year first above written.
BUYER:
FORWARD INDUSTRIES (ASIA-PACIFIC) CORPORATION
By: ______________________________
Name: Terence Wise
Title: Principal
SELLERS:
FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: ______________________________
Name: Kathleen Weisberg
Title: Chief Financial Officer
FORWARD INDUSTRIES (IN), INC.
By: ______________________________
Name: Kathleen Weisberg
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit 10.2
SEPARATION AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated May 16, 2025 (the “Execution Date”) by and between FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC., a New York Corporation (the “Employer”), on behalf of itself, its parents, subsidiaries, and other corporate affiliates, and each of their respective present and former employees, officers, directors, owners, shareholders, and agents, individually and in their official capacities (collectively referred to as the “Employer Group”), and TERENCE WISE (the “Employee”), residing at 34 Eaton Mews North, London SW1X 8AS, U.K. (the Employer and the Employee are collectively referred to as the “Parties”).
WHEREAS, Employee is the Chief Executive Officer of Employer pursuant to an Employment Agreement (“Employment Agreement”) dated May 16, 2018;
WHEREAS, Employee is the sole owner and Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of Forward Industries (Asia-Pacific) Corporation (“Buyer”);
WHEREAS, simultaneous with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Employer, Buyer and Employee are executing and delivering that certain transaction agreement dated as of an event date herewith, pursuant to which Buyer will acquire substantially all of the assets of Employer’s OEM division and all of the issued and outstanding shares of Forward (Switzerland) GmbH (such divested business, the “Divested Business,” such entity, “Forward Switzerland” and such transaction agreement, the “Transaction Agreement”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, Employee is to deliver a letter of resignation and this Agreement to Employer;
WHEREAS, Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee has received or will receive substantial consideration directly as a result of the Transaction Agreement;
WHEREAS, Employee has agreed to enter this Agreement as a condition of the closing of the Transaction Agreement;
WHEREAS, Employee agrees and acknowledges that the execution and delivery of this Agreement is a material and critical inducement to the willingness of Employer to enter into the Transaction Agreement;
WHEREAS, Employee desires to continue in his offices of Buyer, Forward Switzerland and their applicable affiliates and subsidiaries after consummation of the Transaction Agreement and resignation from Employer;
WHEREAS, the Parties agree to amicably end the Employment Agreement;
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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and for good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Employee, intending to be legally bound, agrees as follows:
The Employee’s last day of employment with the Employer is the date hereof (the “Separation Date”). Employee will submit a letter of resignation pursuant to the Transaction Agreement. After the Separation Date, the Employee will not represent that the Employee is an employee, officer, attorney, agent, director or representative of the Employer Group for any purpose. The Separation Date is the employment termination date for the Employee for all purposes, meaning the Employee is not entitled to any further compensation, monies, or other benefits from the Employer Group, including coverage under any benefit plans or programs sponsored by the Employer Group, as of the Separation Date, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.
1. Return of Property. By the Separation Date, the Employee must return all Employer Group property, including identification cards or badges, access codes or devices, keys, laptops, computers, telephones, mobile phones, hand-held electronic devices, credit cards, electronically stored documents or files and storage devices, physical files, and any other Employer Group property in the Employee’s possession. The Employee further acknowledges and agrees that the Employee no longer has access to and does not claim ownership of any of the Employer Group’s cloud storage or social media accounts.
2. Employee Representations. The Employee specifically represents, warrants, and confirms that the Employee:
(a) has not filed any complaints or lawsuits against the Employer Group with any state or federal court or arbitration forum before executing this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, this representation does not include, and the Employee is not required to disclose to the Employer, any claims, complaints, or communications to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), or any other federal, state, or local governmental regulatory or law enforcement agency (“Government Agencies”);
(b) has not made any claims or allegations to the Employer Group related to sexual harassment, sex discrimination, or sexual assault or abuse, and that none of the payments set forth in this Agreement are related to any such claims or allegations;
(c) has been properly paid for all hours worked for the Employer Group; and
(d) has received all salary, wages, commissions, bonuses, and other compensation due to the Employee, including the Employee’s final payroll check for through and including the Separation Date.
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3. Separation Benefits. As consideration for the Employee’s execution of, non-revocation of, and compliance with this Agreement, including the Employee’s waiver and release of claims in Section 4 and other post-termination obligations, the Employer Group agrees to provide the following benefits to which the Employee is not otherwise entitled:
(a) Employer will enter into the Transaction Agreement with Employee/Principal and Buyer. Employee/Principal and Buyer will receive the consideration outlined in the Transaction Agreement, including, but not limited to, Cash Payments. Employee will be permitted to work for Buyer, Forward Switzerland and their affiliates and subsidiaries and Employee’s existing restrictive covenants contained in the Employment Agreement shall be so modified as to allow Employee to continue and maintain for the benefit of Buyer those business relationships of Sellers existing prior to the Closing related to the Divested Business. Employee hereby acknowledges that the consideration provided herein and in the Transaction Agreement and the modification of the restrictive covenants are consideration for Employee to enter into this Separation Agreement.
(b) Employee agrees to direct all requests for references to Employer’s Human Resources Department. In response to a request for a reference, Employer Group shall provide only Employee’s dates of employment and job title and, if requested and authorized by the Employee in writing, the Employee’s last salary or rate of pay.
The Employee understands, acknowledges, and agrees that these benefits exceed what the Employee is otherwise entitled to receive on separation from employment, and that these benefits are being given as consideration in exchange for executing this Agreement, including the general release and restrictive covenants contained in it. The Employee further acknowledges that the Employee is not entitled to any additional payment or consideration not specifically referenced in this Agreement. In particular, Employee understands, acknowledges, and agrees that this Agreement and the consideration referenced herein supersedes any separation benefit Employee would otherwise be entitled to under the Employment Agreement, including, but not limited to any Salary, unused vacation days, unpaid benefits, any stock options, grants of Common Stock, restricted share grants or any other benefits under any of the Company’s compensation plans. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed as an express or implied policy or practice of the Employer Group to provide these or other benefits to any individuals other than the Employee.
4. Release.
(a) Employee’s General Release and Waiver of Claims
In exchange for the consideration provided in this Agreement and in the Transaction Agreement, the Employee and the Employee’s heirs, executors, representatives, administrators, agents, insurers, and assigns (collectively, the “Releasors”) irrevocably and unconditionally fully and forever waive, release, and discharge the Employer Group, including each member of the Employer Group’s parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, successors, and assigns, and each of its and their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, trustees, and partners, in their corporate and individual capacities (collectively, the “Released Parties”), from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of actions, judgments, rights, fees, damages, debts, obligations, liabilities, and expenses (inclusive of attorneys’ fees) of any kind whatsoever, whether known or unknown (collectively, “Claims”), that Releasors may have or have ever had against the Released Parties, or any of them, by reason of any actual or alleged act, omission, transaction, practice, conduct, occurrence, or other matter from the beginning of time up to and including the date of the Employee’s execution of this Agreement, including, but not limited to:
(i) any and all claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Equal Pay Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) (regarding unvested benefits), the Civil Rights Act of 1991, Section 1981 of U.S.C. Title 42, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), all including any amendments and their respective implementing regulations, and any other federal, state, local, or foreign law (statutory, regulatory, or otherwise) that may be legally waived and released; however, the identification of specific statutes is for purposes of example only, and the omission of any specific statute or law shall not limit the scope of this general release in any manner;
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(ii) any and all claims under the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL), the New York Labor Law (NYLL) (including but not limited to the Retaliatory Action by Employers Law, the New York State Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, all provisions prohibiting discrimination and retaliation, and all provisions regulating wage and hour law and paid sick leave requirements), the New York Civil Rights Law, Section 125 of the New York Workers’ Compensation Law, Article 23-A of the New York Correction Law, the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL), as amended by the New York City Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and the New York City Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law all including any amendments and their respective implementing regulations, the Florida Civil Rights Act, the Florida Whistleblower Protection Act, the Florida Workers Compensation Retaliation provision, the Florida Minimum Wage Act, the Florida Fair Housing Act and Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution and any other state or local law (statutory, regulatory, or otherwise) that may be legally waived and released; however, the identification of specific statutes is for purposes of example only, and the omission of any specific statute or law shall not limit the scope of this general release in any manner;
(iii) any and all claims for compensation of any type whatsoever, including but not limited to claims for salary, wages, bonuses, commissions, incentive compensation, vacation, severance, unvested stock options, grants of Common Stock, restricted share grants or other benefits under any of the Company’s compensation plans that may be legally waived and released;
(iv) any and all claims arising under tort, contract, and quasi-contract law, including but not limited to claims of breach of an express or implied contract, tortious interference with contract or prospective business advantage, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, promissory estoppel, detrimental reliance, invasion of privacy, violation of biometric and data privacy laws, nonphysical injury, personal injury or sickness or any other harm, wrongful or retaliatory discharge, fraud, defamation, slander, libel, false imprisonment, and negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress;
(v) any and all claims for monetary or equitable relief, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, back pay, front pay, reinstatement, experts’ fees, medical fees or expenses, costs and disbursements, punitive damages, liquidated damages, and penalties; and
(vi) indemnification rights the Employee has against the Employer Group.
The Releasors specifically waive the protections of California Civil Code Section 1542, which states: “A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.”
However, this general release and waiver of claims excludes, and the Employee does not waive, release, or discharge: (A) claims that cannot be waived by law, such as claims for unemployment benefit rights and workers’ compensation; (B) any right to file an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge under the National Labor Relations Act or participate or assist in proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB); (C) claims arising after the Effective Date; (D) the Employee’s rights to indemnification as provided by, and in accordance with the terms of, the Employer’s by-laws or other organization documents or policies, any Employer insurance policy (including, but not limited to, directors and officers liability insurance) providing such coverage and applicable law; (E) the Employee’s right to enforce this Agreement or the Transaction Agreement and the other agreements described in and related thereto.
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This general release and waiver of claims also excludes, and the Employee does not waive, release, or discharge: (AA) the right to file an administrative charge or complaint with, or testify, assist, or participate in an investigation, hearing, or proceeding conducted by or before, or provide information to any Government Agencies about workplace conditions or a possible violation of law, without the need to provide advance notice to the Employer Group; and (BB) the right to seek or receive a monetary award from a government-administered whistleblower award program, except that the Employee waives any right to monetary relief related to any administrative charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or any state or local fair employment practices agency. “Government Agencies” has the meaning as defined in Section 2(a).
(b) Specific Release of ADEA Claims
In further consideration of the payments and benefits provided to the Employee in this Agreement, the Releasors hereby irrevocably and unconditionally fully and forever waive, release, and discharge the Released Parties from any and all Claims, whether known or unknown, from the beginning of time through the date of the Employee’s execution of this Agreement, arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), as amended, and its implementing regulations. By signing this Agreement, the Employee hereby acknowledges and confirms that:
(i) the Employee has read this Agreement in its entirety and understands all of its terms;
(ii) by this Agreement, the Employee has been advised in writing to consult with an attorney of the Employee’s choosing and has consulted with such counsel as the Employee believed was necessary before signing this Agreement;
(iii) the Employee knowingly, freely, and voluntarily agrees to all of the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement including, without limitation, the waiver, release, and covenants contained in it;
(iv) the Employee is signing this Agreement, including the waiver and release, in exchange for good and valuable consideration in addition to anything of value to which the Employee is otherwise entitled;
(v) the Employee was given at least twenty-one (21) days to consider the terms of this Agreement and consult with an attorney of the Employee’s choice, although the Employee may sign it sooner if desired and changes to this Agreement, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of the 21-day period;
(vi) the Employee understands that the Employee has seven (7) days after signing this Agreement to revoke the release in this paragraph by delivering notice of revocation to: Nason Yeager Gerson Harris & Fumero, P.A., 3001 PGA Blvd., Suite 305, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410, Attn: Brian Bernstein, Esq. [email protected] by email and overnight delivery before the end of this seven-day period; and
(vii) the Employee understands that the release contained in this paragraph does not apply to rights and claims that may arise after the Employee signs this Agreement.
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(c) Employer’s General Release and Waiver of Claims
In exchange for the consideration provided in this Agreement and the Employee’s waiver and release of claims against the Released Parties and non-revocation of any portion of that release, and except as specifically provided below, the Employer irrevocably and unconditionally, fully and forever waives, releases, and discharges the Employee from any and all Claims that the Employer may have or has ever had against the Employee, arising out of, or in any way related to the Employee’s hire, benefits, employment, termination, or separation from employment with the Employer by reason of any actual or alleged act, omission, transaction, practice, conduct, occurrence, or other matter from the beginning of time up to and including the date of the Employer’s execution of this Agreement.
However, this general release and waiver of Claims excludes, and the Employer does not waive, release or discharge: (A) Claims that cannot be waived by law; (B) Claims arising after the Effective Date; (C) the Employer’s right to enforce this Agreement or the Transaction Agreement and the other agreements described in and related thereto; and (D) any Claims arising out of or related to intentional or willful misconduct, or fraudulent, unlawful or criminal actions or conduct by the Employee.
5. Effective Date. This Agreement shall not become effective until the eighth (8th) day after the Employee signs, without revoking, this Agreement (“Effective Date”).
6. Post-Termination Obligations and Restrictive Covenants.
(a) Acknowledgment
The Employee understands and acknowledges that by virtue of the Employee’s employment with the Employer Group, the Employee had access to and knowledge of Confidential Information, was in a position of trust and confidence with the Employer Group, and benefitted from the Employer Group’s goodwill related to the business of the Employer Group other than the Divested Business (the “Retained Business”). The Employee understands and acknowledges that the Employer Group invested significant time and expense in developing the Confidential Information and goodwill related to the Retained Business.
The Employee further understands and acknowledges that the restrictive covenants below are necessary to protect the Employer Group’s legitimate business interests in its Confidential Information and goodwill in the Retained Business and in the Employee’s unique, special, or extraordinary services. The Employee further understands and acknowledges that the Employer Group’s ability to reserve these for the exclusive knowledge and use of the Employer Group in the Retained Business is of great competitive importance and commercial value to the Employer Group and that the Employer Group would be irreparably harmed if the Employee violates the restrictive covenants below.
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(b) Confidential Information
The Employee understands and acknowledges that during the course of employment with the Employer, the Employee has had access to and learned about confidential, secret, and proprietary documents, materials, and other information, in tangible and intangible form, of and relating to the Employer Group and its businesses and existing and prospective customers, suppliers, investors, and other associated third parties relating to the Retained Business (“Confidential Information”). The Employee further understands and acknowledges that this Confidential Information and the Employer’s ability to reserve it for the exclusive knowledge and use of the Employer Group is of great competitive importance and commercial value to the Employer, and that improper use or disclosure of the Confidential Information by the Employee may cause the Employer to incur financial costs, loss of business advantage, liability under confidentiality agreements with third parties, civil damages, and criminal penalties.
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, databases, device configurations, embedded data, compilations, metadata, algorithms, technologies, 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, employee lists, supplier lists, vendor lists, developments, reports, internal controls, security procedures, graphics, drawings, sketches, market studies, sales information, revenue, costs, formulae, notes, communications, 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, in each case, relating to the Retained Business, or of any other person or entity that has entrusted information relating to the Retained Business to the Employer in confidence. For the avoidance of doubt, the term Confidential Information does not relate to or encompass any such information of the Divested Business, which shall become the property of Buyer after the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement.
The Employee 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 Employee understands and agrees that Confidential Information developed by the Employee in the course of the Employee’s employment by the Employer is subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as if the Employer furnished the same Confidential Information to the Employee in the first instance. Confidential Information shall not include information that is (i) related to the Divested Business or (ii) generally available to and known by the public at the time of disclosure to the Employee, provided that the disclosure is through no direct or indirect fault of the Employee or person(s) acting on the Employee’s behalf.
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(c) Disclosure and Use Restrictions.
(i) Employee Covenants. The Employee agrees and covenants:
(A) to treat all Confidential Information as strictly confidential;
(B) 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 employees 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 otherwise permitted by this Agreement (see Permitted Disclosures below) or with the prior written consent of an authorized 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
(C) 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 otherwise permitted by this Agreement (see Permitted Disclosures below), by applicable law or with the prior written consent of an authorized officer acting on behalf of the Employer Group (and then, such disclosure shall be made only within the limits and to the extent of such law or consent).
The Employee understands and acknowledges that the Employee’s obligations under this Agreement regarding any particular Confidential Information begin immediately and shall continue after the Employee’s employment by the Employer until the Confidential Information has become public knowledge other than as a result of the Employee’s breach of this Agreement or a breach by those acting in concert with the Employee or on the Employee’s behalf.
(ii) 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.
Nothing in this Agreement prohibits or restricts the Employee (or Employee’s attorney) from initiating communications with, responding to an inquiry from, providing testimony before, or otherwise participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), any other self-regulatory organization, or any other federal or state regulatory authority regarding this Agreement or its underlying facts or circumstances or a possible securities law violation/any Government Agencies (as defined in Section 2(a)) without the need for permission from or notice to the Employer.
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Nothing in this Agreement prohibits or restricts the Employee (or Employee’s attorney) from filing a charge or complaint with any Government Agencies (as defined in Section 2(a)).
Nothing in this Agreement in any way prohibits or is intended to restrict or impede the Employee from discussing the terms and conditions of the Employee’s employment with co-workers or union representatives, exercising protected rights under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), or otherwise disclosing information as permitted by law.
Nothing in this Agreement in any way prohibits or is intended to restrict or impede the Employee from using any information of the Divested Business.
(iii) Notice of Immunity Under the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement:
(A) The Employee will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for any disclosure of a trade secret that is made: (1) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (2) in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding.
(B) If the Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Employer for reporting a suspected violation of law, the Employee may disclose the Employer’s trade secrets to the Employee’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding if the Employee: (1) files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (2) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.
(d) Non-Competition
Because of the Employer Group’s legitimate business interest as described in this Agreement and the good and valuable consideration offered to the Employee, including, but not limited to, the Transaction Agreement for the five (5) years beginning on the Separation Date, the Employee agrees and covenants not to engage in any Competitive Activity anywhere in the world.
For purposes of this non-compete clause, “Competitive Activity” means to, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, engage in, provide services to, or otherwise participate in, whether as an employee, employer, owner, operator, manager, advisor, consultant, agent, partner, director, stockholder, officer, volunteer, intern, or any other similar capacity, any entity engaged in a business that is competitive with the Retained Business. Without limiting the foregoing, Competitive Activity also includes activity that may require or inevitably require the Employee’s disclosure of Confidential Information. Notwithstanding the above, Competitive Activity shall not include the services rendered to and for the Divested Business.
Nothing in this Agreement prohibits the Employee from purchasing or owning less than one percent (1%) of the publicly traded securities of any corporation, provided that the Employee’s ownership represents a passive investment and that the Employee is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group that controls, the corporation.
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(e) Non-Solicitation of Employees
The Employee understands and acknowledges that the Employer has expended and continues to expend significant time and expense in recruiting and training its employees and that the loss of employees would cause significant and irreparable harm to the Employer. The Employee agrees and covenants not to directly or indirectly solicit, hire, recruit, attempt to hire or recruit, or induce the termination of employment of any employee, consultant, sales representative, technician or engineer of the Employer Group or any person who has been, within the preceding six (6) months, an employee, consultant, sales representative, technician or engineer of the Employer Group for five (5) years. 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. Notwithstanding the above, Employee is permitted to solicit In-Scope Employees as defined and listed in the Transaction Agreement.
(f) Non-Solicitation of Customers and Vendors
The Employee understands and acknowledges that the Employer has expended and continues to expend significant time and expense in developing customer and vendor relationships, customer information, and goodwill, and that because of the Employee’s experience with and relationship to the Employer Group, the Employee has had access to and learned about much or all of the Employer Group’s customer information relating to the Retained Business (“Customer 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 the Employer Group’s sales/services. Customer Information does not include any such information relating to customers of the Divested Business, including the Acquired Assets (as defined in the Transaction Agreement).
The Employee 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 Employee agrees and covenants for the five (5) years beginning on the Separation Date, not to directly or indirectly solicit or attempt to solicit, contact (including but not limited to communications using email, regular mail, express mail, telephone, fax, instant message, 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 any other oral, written, or electronic transmission), attempt to contact, or meet with the Employer Group’s current, former, or prospective customers for the purpose of offering or accepting goods or services competitive with the Retained Business and not to interfere with or affect the Employer Group’s business opportunities (including, but not limited to, encouraging any customer or prospective customer to cease doing business with the Employer Group or to deal with any competitor of Employer Group or in any way interfere with the business relationships of the Employer Group) with any of the customers or vendors with whom the Employer Group has done business with during the most recent two (2) years in connection with the Retained Business.
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7. Cooperation. The Parties agree that certain matters in which the Employee has been involved during the Employee’s employment may need the Employee’s cooperation with the Employer Group in the future. Accordingly, to the extent reasonably requested by the Employer Group or its attorneys, the Employee shall cooperate with the Employer Group regarding matters arising out of or related to the Employee’s service to the Employer, including, but not limited to, in connection with any claim, litigation, or judicial or arbitral proceeding which is now pending or may hereinafter be brought against the Employer Group. Employee’s duty of cooperation shall include, but not be limited to (i) meeting with Employer Group attorneys by telephone or in person, at mutually convenient times and places, in order to state truthfully Employee’s knowledge of matters at issue and recollection of events; (ii) appearance by Employee as a witness at depositions or trials, without necessity of a subpoena, in order to state truthfully Employee’s knowledge of matters at issues; and (iii) signing, upon the request of Employer Group attorneys, declaration or affidavits that truthfully state matters of which Employee has knowledge. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Paragraph 7 or otherwise in this Agreement shall obligate the Employee to (w) breach an obligation of confidentiality to a third party (unless required by law or court order), (x) breach a duty to a subsequent employer, (y) disclose any information that is subject to attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine or any other legal privilege (unless required by law or court order). The Employer Group shall reimburse Employee for Employee’s actual and reasonable travel and third party advisory expenses which have been approved by the Employer Group in writing in advance of Employee’s incurring them that Employee may incur in complying with Employee’s obligations pursuant to this Section. The Employer Group shall not require cooperation from Employee that imposes an unreasonable burden, expense or inconvenience to the Employee, taking into consideration the Employee’s location, availability and the nature of the requested assistance. The Company shall provide reasonable advance notice of any request for cooperation.
For the avoidance of doubt, this provision does not prevent the Employee from reporting possible securities law violations to the SEC or any other federal or state regulatory authority, filing unlawful labor practices (ULP) charges with the NLRB, or participating, assisting, or cooperating in ULP investigations.
8. Non-Disparagement. The Employee agrees and covenants that the Employee shall not make, publish, or communicate defamatory or disparaging remarks, comments, or statements concerning any of the Employer Group’s products or services. The Employee agrees and covenants that the Employee shall not 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 employees, officers, or directors and their existing and prospective customers, suppliers, investors, and other associated third parties, now or at any time in the future after the date of this Agreement.
This Section does not in any way restrict or impede the Employee from exercising protected rights to the extent that such rights cannot be waived by agreement, including the right to report possible securities law violations to the SEC, without notice to the Employer Group, and rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), including the right to file unlawful labor practice (ULP) charges or participate, assist, or cooperate in ULP investigations. This Section also does not prevent the Employee from complying with any applicable law or regulation or a valid order from 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.
9. Confidentiality of Agreement. The Employee agrees and covenants that the Employee shall not disclose any of the negotiations of or terms of, or the consideration provided under this Agreement to any individual or entity; provided, however, that the Employee will not be prohibited from making disclosures to the Employee’s spouse, domestic partner, attorney, tax advisors, or as may be required by law, court or other governmental agency.
Nothing in this Agreement in any way is intended to restrict or impede the Employee from disclosing information about possible securities law violations to the SEC, or exercising protected rights under the NLRA or other federal, state, or local laws 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.
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10. Remedies. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Employee of any provision of this Agreement, Employee hereby consents and agrees that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy and that Employer 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 instead of, legal remedies, monetary damages, or other available relief.
If the Employee fails to comply with any of the terms of this Agreement or post-employment obligations contained in it, the Employer may, in addition to any other available remedies, reclaim any amounts paid to the Employee under the provisions of this Agreement or the Transaction Agreement and terminate any benefits or payments that are later due under this Agreement, without waiving the releases provided in it.
The Parties mutually agree that this Agreement can be specifically enforced in court and can be cited as evidence in legal proceedings alleging breach of the Agreement.
11. Successors and Assigns.
(a) Assignment by the Employer.
The Employer may freely assign this Agreement at any time; provided that, following such assignment, the Employer shall remain liable for its obligations hereunder. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Employer Group and its successors and assigns.
(b) No Assignment by the Employee.
The Employee may not assign this Agreement in whole or in part. Any purported assignment by the Employee shall be null and void from the initial date of the purported assignment.
12. Governing Law, Jurisdiction, and Venue. This Agreement and all matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement, whether sounding in contract, tort, or statute, for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New York (including its statutes of limitations) without regard to any conflicts of laws principles that would require the laws of any other jurisdiction to apply. Any action or proceeding by either of the Parties to enforce this Agreement shall be brought only in any state or federal court located in the state of New York, county of Suffolk. The Parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of these courts and waive the defense of inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any action or proceeding in such venue.
13. Entire Agreement. Unless specifically provided herein, this Agreement, together with the Transaction Agreement and the other documents described therein, contains all of the understandings and representations between Employer Group and Employee relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, discussions, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral, regarding such subject matter; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement modifies, supersedes, voids, or otherwise alters Employee’s existing Covenants contained within the Employment Agreement, including, but not limited to, those contained in Paragraph 9 of the Employment Agreement and all such obligations of Employee shall remain in full force and effect in addition to those contained in this Agreement.
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In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and any other agreement between the Employee and the Employer Group, including, but not limited to, the Employment Agreement and the Transaction Agreement, the agreement that is more favorable to the Employer Group (to be decided at the discretion of the Employer Group) shall control.
14. 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 Employee and by an authorized representative of the Employer Group. No waiver by either Party of any breach by the other Party of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by the other Party shall be deemed a waiver of any similar or dissimilar 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 thereof to preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power, or privilege.
15. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, or enforceable only if modified, such finding shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be binding on the Parties.
The Parties further agree that any such court is expressly authorized to modify any such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision of this Agreement instead of severing the provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting, deleting, or adding to the offending provision, or by making such other modifications as it deems necessary to carry out the intent and agreement of the Parties as embodied in this Agreement to the maximum extent permitted by law. Any such modification shall become a part of and treated as though originally set forth in this Agreement. If such provision or provisions are not modified, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had not been set forth in it. The Parties expressly agree that this Agreement as so modified by the court shall be binding on and enforceable against each of them.
16. Interpretation. 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. Moreover, this Agreement shall not be construed against either Party as the author or drafter of the Agreement.
17. Counterparts. The Parties may execute this Agreement in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart’s signature page of this Agreement by email 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.
18. No Admission of Liability. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as an admission by the Employer Group of any wrongdoing, liability, or noncompliance with any federal, state, city, or local rule, ordinance, statute, common law, or other legal obligation.
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19. Notices. All notices under this Agreement must be given in writing by email at the addresses indicated in this Agreement or any other address designated in writing by either Party after the date hereof. When providing written notice to Employer Group, a copy must be provided to Employer’s Chief Financial Officer and attorneys at the addresses below.
Notice to Employer Group:
Forward Industries, Inc.
700 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Suite 100
Hauppauge, New York 11788
Email: **********
Attn.: Kathleen Weisberg, Chief Financial Officer
and
Nason Yeager Gerson Harris & Fumero, P.A.
3001 PGA Blvd., Suite 305
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410
Email: **********
Attn.: Brian Bernstein, Esq.
Notice to the Employee:
Terence Wise
34 Eaton Mews North
London SW1X 8AS
U.K
Email: **********
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Thompson LLP
75 Broad Street, Suite 2120
New York, New York 10004
Email: **********
Attn.: Ben Thompson, Esq.
20. Tolling. If the Employee violates any of the post-termination obligations in this Agreement, the obligation at issue will run from the first date on which the Employee ceases to be in violation of such obligation.
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21. Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. The prevailing party will be entitled to recover from the other party for all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in the course of enforcing the terms of this Agreement, including the post-termination obligations articulated or referenced in it.
22. Section 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Section 409A), including the exceptions thereto, and shall be construed and administered in accordance with such intent. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, payments provided under this Agreement may only be made upon an event and in a manner that complies with Section 409A or an applicable exemption. Any payments under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service, as a short-term deferral, or as a settlement payment pursuant to a bona fide legal dispute shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. For purposes of Section 409A, any installment payments provided under this Agreement shall each be treated as a separate payment. To the extent required under Section 409A, any payments to be made under this Agreement in connection with a termination of employment shall only be made if such termination constitutes a “separation from service” under Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employer Group makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with Section 409A and in no event shall Employer Group be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest, or other expenses that may be incurred by Employee on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.
23. Notice of Post-Termination Obligations. When the Employee’s employment with the Employer terminates, the Employee agrees to notify any subsequent employer of the restrictive covenants contained or referenced in this Agreement. In addition, the Employee authorizes the Employer Group to provide a copy of the restrictive covenants contained or referenced in this Agreement to third parties, including but not limited to, the Employee’s subsequent, anticipated, or possible future employer.
24. Sufficiency of Consideration. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the obligations of the Released Parties pursuant to the Transaction Agreement and the covenants contained therein provide good and sufficient consideration for every promise, duty, release, obligation, agreement and right contained in this Agreement.
25. Acknowledgment of Full Understanding. THE EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE EMPLOYEE HAS FULLY READ, UNDERSTANDS, AND VOLUNTARILY ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT. THE EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE EMPLOYEE HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS AND CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY OF THE EMPLOYEE’S CHOICE BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT. THE EMPLOYEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE EMPLOYEE’S SIGNATURE BELOW IS AN AGREEMENT TO RELEASE EMPLOYER GROUP FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS THAT CAN BE RELEASED AS A MATTER OF LAW.
[signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Execution Date above.
| Forward Industries, Inc. | |
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By_____________________ Name: Kathleen Weisberg Title: Chief Financial Officer | |
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Signature:____________________________ Print Name: Terence Wise |
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Exhibit 10.3
Amended and restated Promissory Note
| U.S. $600,000 | January 18, 2018 |
The undersigned maker, Forward Industries Inc, a New York Corporation (“Borrower”) promises to pay to the order of Forward Industries (Asia-Pacific) Corporation (“Lender”), at 101, Building 13, Bishui Laintian, New Century Villas, Dongguan City, Guandong Province, China, 523123, the principal sum of six hundred thousand Dollars (U.S. $600,000), together with interest accruing thereon from the date hereof at the rate and time hereinafter provided. This Amended and Restated Promissory Note replaces that certain Promissory Note dated January 18, 2018, issued to the Borrower in the principal amount of $1,600,000.
Interest (computed on the basis of a 360 day year for the actual number of days elapsed) on the outstanding balance of principal evidenced by this Note shall accrue at a rate per annum (the “Applicable Interest Rate”) equal to eight percent (8%).
Interest only shall be due and payable on February 18, 2018, and on the 18th day (or 17th on the maturity date) of each month thereafter until December 31, 2025, at which time the entire principal and all accrued interest hereunder shall be immediately due and payable in full.
The failure of Borrower to pay to Lender promptly within five (5) days after written notice from Lender that amounts are due and payable under this Note shall constitute an event of default under this Note. At any time after the occurrence of any such event of default, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note and/or any note(s) or other obligation(s) which may be taken in renewal, extension, substitution or modification of all or any part of the indebtedness evidenced thereby and all other obligations of Borrower to Lender howsoever created and existing shall, at the option of the Lender in its sole discretion, immediately become due and payable without demand upon or notice to Borrower, and Lender shall be entitled to exercise all remedies as provided by law and/or equity.
Borrower hereby waives presentment for payment, demand, notice of dishonor and protest and agrees that (i) any collateral, lien or right of setoff securing any indebtedness evidenced by this Note may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be exchanged or released, and any person liable on or with respect to this Note may be released, all without notice to or further reservations of rights against Borrower, any endorser, surety or guarantor and all without in any way affecting or releasing the liability of Borrower, any endorser, surety or guarantor, and (ii) none of the terms or provisions hereof may be waived, altered, modified or amended except as Lender may consent thereto in writing.
Borrower hereby agrees to pay all out--of--pocket costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Lender in the collection of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note, in enforcing any of the rights, powers, remedies and privileges of Lender hereunder, or in connection with any further negotiations, modifications, releases, or otherwise incurred by Lender in connection with this Note. As used in this Note, the term “attorneys’ fees” shall mean reasonable charges and expenses for legal services rendered to or on behalf of Lender in connection with the collection of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note at any time whether prior to the commencement of judicial proceedings and/or thereafter at the trial and/or appellate level and/or in pre-judgment and post-judgment or bankruptcy proceedings.
In no event shall the rate of interest charged under this Note exceed the rate that may legally be charged to Borrower for obligations of this nature under the laws of the State of Florida, and any interest that may be paid in excess of the legal limit shall, at the option of Lender, be refunded to Borrower or shall be applied towards payment of the principal obligation under this Note.
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If any installment of interest, principal or principal and interest shall become overdue for a period in excess of ten (10) days, in addition to such payment, a “late charge” in the amount of five percent (5%) of such overdue payment shall be paid by Borrower to Lender on demand as a reasonable estimate of the additional administrative costs and expenses incurred by Lender due to such late payment.
During the continuation of any default by Borrower in the payment of any installment of interest, principal or principal and interest under this Note, the interest rate provided herein shall be increased to a rate which shall be equal to the maximum rate of interest allowable under the laws of the State of Florida. Venue of any litigation arising in connection with this Note shall be in Palm Beach County, Florida.
To the extent that Lender receives any payment on account of any of Borrower’s obligations, and any such payment(s) or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, subordinate and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other person or entity under any bankruptcy act, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause, then, to the extent of such payment(s) received, Borrower’s obligations or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continue in full force and effect, as if such payment(s) had not been received by Lender and applied on account of Borrower’s obligations.
Borrower agrees that this Note shall be deemed to have been made under and shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida in all respects, including matters of construction, validity and performance. If any provision of this Note shall be deemed unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective, but only to the extent of such unenforceability, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Note. All of the terms and provisions of this Note shall be applicable to and be binding upon each and every maker, endorser, surety, guarantor, all other persons who are or may become liable for the payment hereof and their heirs, personal representatives, successors or assigns.
BORROWER AND LENDER (BY ACCEPTING THIS NOTE) HEREBY MUTUALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY EITHER BORROWER OR LENDER AGAINST THE OTHER AND BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS NOTE OR OTHER DOCUMENTS EXECUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOAN EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE.
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FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC.
By:___________________________________ Name: Kathleen Weisberg Its: Chief Financial Officer |
Amended and Restated Promissory Note Signature Page
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Exhibit 10.4
SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of May 16, 2025 (the “Execution Date”), by and between Forward Industries, Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”), and C/M CAPITAL MASTER FUND, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Investor”).
WHEREAS:
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company wishes to sell to the Investor, and the Investor wishes to buy from the Company, from time to time and as provided herein, the greater of (i) up to Thirty-Five Million Dollars ($35,000,000) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), or (ii) up an amount of shares of Common Stock that constitutes the Exchange Cap (as defined below). The shares of Common Stock to be purchased hereunder are referred to herein as the “Purchase Shares.”
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 the Investor, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) “Additional VWAP Purchase Date” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof, the Business Day (i) that is the VWAP Purchase Date with respect to the corresponding VWAP Purchase referred to in clause (i) of the proviso in the second sentence of Section 2(c) hereof and (ii) on which the Investor receives, after 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, but prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on such Business Day, a valid Additional VWAP Purchase Notice for such Additional VWAP Purchase in accordance with this Agreement.
(b) “Additional VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof, eighty-five percent (85%) of the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date with respect to such Additional VWAP Purchase.
(c) “Additional VWAP Purchase Notice” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof, an irrevocable written notice from the Company to the Investor directing the Investor to purchase the number of Purchase Shares specified by the Company therein as the Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount to be purchased by the Investor (such specified Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 2(c) hereof as necessary to give effect to the Purchase Share amount limitations applicable to such Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount as set forth in this Agreement) at the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Price on the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date for such Additional VWAP Purchase.
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(d) “Additional VWAP Purchase Price” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof, the lesser of ninety-five percent (95%) of (i) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Business Day immediately preceding such Additional VWAP Purchase Date (to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction) or (ii) the lowest sale price of the Common Stock for the period on the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date, beginning at the latest of (A) the applicable VWAP Purchase Termination Time with respect to the corresponding VWAP Purchase referred to in clause (i) of the proviso in the second sentence of Section 2(c) hereof on such Additional VWAP Purchase Date, (B) the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Termination Time with respect to the most recently completed prior Additional VWAP Purchase on such Additional VWAP Purchase Date, as applicable, and (C) the time at which the Transfer Agent has acknowledged the receipt of, and confirmed the processing of, a Transfer Agent Instruction Letter with respect to all Purchase Shares subject to all prior VWAP Purchases and Additional VWAP Purchases (as applicable), including, without limitation, those that have been effected on the same Business Day as the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date with respect to which the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase relates (such latest of (ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(C) above, the “Additional VWAP Purchase Commencement Time”), and ending at the earliest of (X) 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on such Additional VWAP Purchase Date, (Y) such time, from and after the Additional VWAP Purchase Commencement Time for such Additional VWAP Purchase, that the total number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on the Principal Market has exceeded the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Share Volume Maximum, and (Z) such time, from and after the Additional VWAP Purchase Commencement Time for such Additional VWAP Purchase, that the Sale Price has fallen below the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold (such earliest of (X), (Y) and (Z) above, the “Additional VWAP Purchase Termination Time”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that (a) the Investor is the holder of any Common Stock on the Additional VWAP Purchase Date that were the subject of an Additional VWAP Purchase Notice for such Additional VWAP Purchase Date, and (b) if within three (3) Business Days following an Additional VWAP Purchase Date, the Company issues or sells any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (calculated on an as converted, as exercised basis), in each case other than pursuant to an Exempt Issuance, pursuant to which shares of Common Stock may be acquired at a New Issuance Price, then at the option of the Investor, the Additional VWAP Purchase Price solely related to that subject Additional VWAP Purchase Notice may be reduced to the New Issuance Price, subject to Section 2(e)(ii) hereof.
(e) “Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof, the number of Purchase Shares directed by the Company to be purchased by the Investor on an Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, which number of Purchase Shares shall not exceed the lesser of (i) 300% of the number of Purchase Shares directed by the Company to be purchased by the Investor pursuant to the corresponding Fixed Purchase Notice for the corresponding Fixed Purchase referred to in clause (i) of the proviso in the second sentence of Section 2(c) hereof (subject to the Purchase Share limitations contained in Section 2(a) hereof) and (ii) an amount equal to (A) the Additional VWAP Purchase Share Percentage multiplied by (B) the total number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on the Principal Market during the period on the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date beginning at the Additional VWAP Purchase Commencement Time for such Additional VWAP Purchase and ending at the Additional VWAP Purchase Termination Time for such Additional VWAP Purchase.
(f) “Additional VWAP Purchase Share Percentage” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof, thirty percent (30%).
(g) “Additional VWAP Purchase Share Volume Maximum” means, with respect to an Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (i) the number of Purchase Shares specified by the Company in the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Notice as the Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount to be purchased by the Investor in such Additional VWAP Purchase, divided by (ii) the Additional VWAP Purchase Share Percentage (to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction).
(h) “Available Amount” means, initially, Thirty-Five Million Dollars ($35,000,000) in the aggregate, which amount shall be reduced by the Purchase Amount each time the Investor purchases Purchase Shares pursuant to Section 2 hereof.
(i) “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
(j) “Business Day” means any day on which the Principal Market is open for trading, including any day on which the Principal Market is open for trading for a period of time less than the customary time.
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(k) “Closing Sale Price” means, for any security as of any date, the last closing sale price on such date for such security on the Principal Market as reported by the Principal Market.
(l) “Common Stock Equivalent” means any securities of the Company entitling the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.
(m) “Confidential Information” means any information disclosed by either party to the other party, either directly or indirectly, in writing, orally or by inspection of tangible objects (including, without limitation, documents, prototypes, samples, plant and equipment), which is designated as “Confidential,” “Proprietary” or some similar designation. Information communicated orally shall be considered Confidential Information if such information is confirmed in writing as being Confidential Information within ten (10) Business Days after the initial disclosure. Confidential Information may also include information disclosed to a disclosing party by third parties. Confidential Information shall not, however, include any information which (i) was publicly known and made generally available in the public domain prior to the time of disclosure by the disclosing party; (ii) becomes publicly known and made generally available after disclosure by the disclosing party to the receiving party through no action or inaction of the receiving party; (iii) is already in the possession of the receiving party without confidential restriction at the time of disclosure by the disclosing party as shown by the receiving party’s files and records immediately prior to the time of disclosure; (iv) is obtained by the receiving party from a third party without a breach of such third party’s obligations of confidentiality; (v) is independently developed by the receiving party without use of or reference to the disclosing party’s Confidential Information, as shown by documents and other competent evidence in the receiving party’s possession; or (vi) is required by law to be disclosed by the receiving party, provided that (X) the receiving party (1) gives the disclosing party prompt written notice of such requirement prior to such disclosure and assistance in obtaining an order protecting the information from public disclosure and (2) furnishes only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required to be disclosed, and (Y) any Confidential Information so disclosed shall maintain its confidentiality protection for all purposes other than such legally required disclosure.
(n) “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
(o) “DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, or any successor performing substantially the same function for the Company.
(p) “DWAC Shares” means shares of Common Stock that are (i) issued in electronic form, (ii) the resale of which is registered under an effective registration statement and (iii) timely credited, once a DWAC notice is received, by the Company to the Investor’s or its designee’s specified Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian (DWAC) account with DTC under its Fast Automated Securities Transfer (FAST) Program, or any similar program hereafter adopted by DTC performing substantially the same function.
(q) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(r) “Exempt Issuance” means the issuance of (i) Common Stock, Common Stock Equivalents, options or other equity incentive awards to employees, officers, directors, consultants or vendors of the Company pursuant to any equity incentive plan or similar plan or arrangement duly adopted for such purpose, by the Company’s Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of the Board of Directors established for such purpose, (ii) any Securities issued to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement, (iii) any securities issued upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents held by the Investor at any time, (iv) any securities issued upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any Common Stock Equivalents that are issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, provided that such securities referred to in this clause (iv) 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, (v) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions, divestitures, licenses, partnerships, collaborations or strategic transactions approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of directors established for such purpose, (vi) Common Stock issued pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plan, (vii) securities issued pursuant to the Preferred Transaction, or (viii) securities issued pursuant to an at-the market offering facility to or through a sales agent which is a registered broker-dealer.
(s) “Fixed Purchase Date” means, with respect to a Fixed Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof, the Business Day on which the Investor receives, after 9:30 a.m., Eastern time, but prior to 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on such Business Day, a valid Fixed Purchase Notice for such Fixed Purchase in accordance with this Agreement.
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(t) “Fixed Purchase Notice” means, with respect to any Fixed Purchase pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof, an irrevocable written notice from the Company to the Investor directing the Investor to buy such applicable amount of Purchase Shares at the applicable Fixed Purchase Price as specified by the Company therein on the applicable Fixed Purchase Date for such Fixed Purchase.
(u) “Fixed Purchase Price” means, with respect to any Fixed Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof, the lesser of ninety-five percent (95%) of: (i) the lowest sale price of the Common Stock on the Business Day immediately preceding applicable Fixed Purchase Date for such Fixed Purchase (to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction) or (ii) the daily VWAP for the Common Stock during the five (5) consecutive Business Days ending on the Business Day immediately preceding such Fixed Purchase Date for such Fixed Purchase (in each case, to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction that occurs on or after the date of this Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that (a) the Investor is the holder of any Common Stock on the Fixed Purchase Date and (b) if within three (3) Business Days immediately following a Fixed Purchase Date, the Company issues or sells any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (calculated on an as converted, as exercised basis), in each case other than pursuant to an Exempt Issuance, pursuant to which shares of Common Stock may be acquired at a per share price less than the Fixed Purchase Price for such Fixed Purchase (the “New Issuance Price”), then the Fixed Purchase Price solely related to that subject Fixed Purchase Notice shall be reduced to the New Issuance Price, subject to Section 2(e)(ii) hereof.
(v) “Floor Price” means, with respect to any Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase or Additional VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2 hereof, $1.00, which shall be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction and, effective upon the consummation of any such reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction, the Floor Price shall mean the lower of (i) the adjusted price and (ii) $1.00.
(w) “Material Adverse Effect” means any material adverse effect on (i) the enforceability of any Transaction Document, (ii) the results of operations, assets, business or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, other than any material adverse effect that resulted primarily from (A) any change in the United States or foreign economies or securities or financial markets in general that does not have a disproportionate effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (B) any change that generally affects the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate that does not have a disproportionate effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (C) any change arising in connection with pandemics, earthquakes, hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or military actions or any escalation or material worsening of any such hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or military actions, (D) any action taken, or omitted to be taken, by the Investor, its affiliates or its or their respective successors and assigns with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement, (E) the effect of any change in applicable laws, regulations, exchange or quotation system rules or accounting rules that does not have a disproportionate effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (F) any change resulting from compliance with terms of this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, or (iii) the Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under any Transaction Document to be performed as of the date of determination.
(x) “Maturity Date” means the first day of the month immediately following the thirty-six (36) month anniversary of the Commencement Date.
(y) “PEA Period” means the period commencing at 9:30 a.m., Eastern time, on the fifth (5th) Business Day immediately prior to the filing of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement (as defined herein) or New Registration Statement (as such term is defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), and ending at 9:30 a.m., Eastern time, on the Business Day immediately following, the effective date of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement (as defined herein) or New Registration Statement (as such term is defined in the Registration Rights Agreement).
(z) “Person” means an individual or entity including but not limited to any limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization and a government or any department or agency thereof.
(aa) “Preferred Transaction” means the transaction contemplated by that certain Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement for the issuance of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock dated on or around the date hereof, by and between the Company and the Investor.
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(bb) “Principal Market” means The Nasdaq Capital Market (or any nationally recognized successor thereto); provided, however, that in the event the Company’s Common Stock is not listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market (or any nationally recognized successor thereto) but is then listed or traded on The Nasdaq Global Market, The Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the NYSE Arca, or the OTCQB or the OTCQX operated by OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or any nationally recognized successor to any of the foregoing), then the “Principal Market” shall mean such other market or exchange on which the Company’s Common Stock is then listed or traded.
(cc) “Purchase Amount” means, with respect to any Fixed Purchase, any VWAP Purchase or any Additional VWAP Purchase made hereunder, as applicable, the portion of the Available Amount to be purchased by the Investor pursuant to Section 2 hereof.
(dd) “Purchase Date” means any date that is a Fixed Purchase Date, a VWAP Purchase Date and/or an Additional VWAP Purchase Date, as applicable.
(ee) “Sale Price” means any trade price for the shares of Common Stock on the Principal Market as reported by the Principal Market.
(ff) “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
(gg) “Securities” means, collectively, the Purchase Shares and the Commitment Shares.
(hh) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(ii) “Subsidiary” means any Person the Company wholly owns or controls, or in which the Company, directly or indirectly, owns a majority of the voting stock or similar voting interest, in each case that would be disclosable pursuant to Item 601(b)(21) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.
(jj) “Transaction Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement and the schedules and exhibits hereto, the Registration Rights Agreement and the schedules and exhibits thereto, and each of the other agreements, documents, certificates and instruments entered into or furnished by the parties hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
(kk) “Transfer Agent” means Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, or such other Person who is then serving as the transfer agent for the Company in respect of the Common Stock.
(ll) “VWAP” means in respect of a Fixed Purchase Date, a VWAP Purchase Date and an Additional VWAP Purchase Date, as applicable, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock on the Principal Market, as reported by Bloomberg, L.P. using the AQR function.
(mm) “VWAP Purchase Date” means, with respect to any VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof, the Business Day that is the applicable Fixed Purchase Date with respect to the corresponding Fixed Purchase referred to in clause (i) of the second sentence of Section 2(b) hereof.
(nn) “VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof, eighty-five percent (85%) of the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Fixed Purchase Date with respect to the corresponding Fixed Purchase referred to in clause (i) of the second sentence of Section 2(b) hereof.
(oo) “VWAP Purchase Notice” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof, an irrevocable written notice from the Company to the Investor directing the Investor to purchase the number of Purchase Shares specified by the Company therein as the VWAP Purchase Share Amount to be purchased by the Investor (such specified VWAP Purchase Share Amount subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 2(b) hereof as necessary to give effect to the Purchase Share amount limitations applicable to such VWAP Purchase Share Amount as set forth in this Agreement) at the applicable VWAP Purchase Price on the applicable VWAP Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase.
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(pp) “VWAP Purchase Price” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof, the lesser of ninety-five percent (95%) of (i) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Business Day immediately preceding such applicable VWAP Purchase Date (to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction) or (ii) the lowest sale price of the Common Stock for the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., Eastern time, on the applicable VWAP Purchase Date, or such other time publicly announced by the Principal Market as the official open (or commencement) of trading on the Principal Market on such applicable VWAP Purchase Date (the “VWAP Purchase Commencement Time”), and ending at the earliest of (A) 11:00:00 a.m., Eastern time, on such applicable VWAP Purchase Date, (B) such time, from and after the VWAP Purchase Commencement Time for such VWAP Purchase, that the total number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on the Principal Market has exceeded the applicable VWAP Purchase Share Volume Maximum, and (C) such time, from and after the VWAP Purchase Commencement Time for such VWAP Purchase, that the Sale Price has fallen below the applicable VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold (such earliest time described in (ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(C) above, the “VWAP Purchase Termination Time”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that (a) the Investor is the holder of any Common Stock on the VWAP Purchase Date and (b) if within three (3) Business Days following a VWAP Purchase Date, the Company issues or sells any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (calculated on an as converted, as exercised basis), in each case other than pursuant to an Exempt Issuance, pursuant to which shares of Common Stock may be acquired at a New Issuance Price, then at the option of the Investor, the VWAP Purchase Price solely related to that subject VWAP Purchase Notice may be reduced to the New Issuance Price, subject to Section 2(e)(ii) hereof.
(qq) “VWAP Purchase Share Amount” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof, the number of Purchase Shares directed by the Company to be purchased by the Investor in a VWAP Purchase Notice, which number of Purchase Shares shall not exceed the lesser of (i) 300% of the number of Fixed Purchase Shares directed by the Company to be purchased by the Investor pursuant to the corresponding Fixed Purchase Notice for the corresponding Fixed Purchase referred to in clause (i) of the second sentence of Section 2(b) hereof (subject to the Purchase Share limitations contained in Section 2(a) hereof) and (ii) an amount equal to (A) the VWAP Purchase Share Percentage multiplied by (B) the total number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on the Principal Market during the period on the applicable VWAP Purchase Date beginning at the VWAP Purchase Commencement Time for such VWAP Purchase and ending at the VWAP Purchase Termination Time for such VWAP Purchase.
(rr) “VWAP Purchase Share Percentage” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof, thirty percent (30%).
(ss) “VWAP Purchase Share Volume Maximum” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (i) the number of Purchase Shares specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice as the VWAP Purchase Share Amount to be purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase, divided by (ii) the VWAP Purchase Share Percentage (to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction).
2. PURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company has the right, but not the obligation, to sell to the Investor, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, and the Investor has the obligation to purchase from the Company, Purchase Shares as follows:
(a) Commencement of Fixed Sales of Common Stock. Upon the satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in Sections 7 and 8 hereof (the “Commencement” and the date of satisfaction of such conditions the “Commencement Date”) and thereafter, until the Maturity Date or as earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to direct the Investor, by its delivery to the Investor of a Fixed Purchase Notice from time to time in accordance with this Agreement, to purchase the applicable Purchase Shares at the Fixed Purchase Price on the Fixed Purchase Date therefor in accordance with this Agreement (each such purchase, a “Fixed Purchase”); provided, however that the Investor’s committed obligation under any single Fixed Purchase, and in the aggregate of Fixed Purchases, shall not exceed on any single Business Day the lesser of (i) $400,000 of shares of Common Stock or (ii) 10,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as set forth below in this Section 2(a) (such maximum number of Purchase Shares, as may be adjusted from time to time, the “Fixed Purchase Share Limit”). If the Company delivers any Fixed Purchase Notice for a Purchase Amount in excess of the limitations contained in the immediately preceding sentence, such Fixed Purchase Notice shall be void ab initio to the extent of the amount by which the number of Purchase Shares set forth in such Fixed Purchase Notice exceeds the number of Purchase Shares that the Company is permitted to include in such Fixed Purchase Notice in accordance herewith, and the Investor shall have no obligation to purchase such excess Purchase Shares in respect of such Fixed Purchase Notice; provided, however, that the Investor shall remain obligated to purchase the number of Purchase Shares that the Company is permitted to include in such Fixed Purchase Notice. The Company may deliver a Fixed Purchase Notice to the Investor as often as every Business Day so long as (i) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fixed Purchase Date is not less than the Floor Price and (ii) the Transfer Agent has acknowledged the receipt of, and confirmed the processing of, a Transfer Agent Instruction Letter with respect to all Purchase Shares subject to any prior Fixed Purchase, or, the Investor has actually received all of the such Purchase Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not deliver any Fixed Purchase Notices to the Investor during the PEA Period.
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(b) VWAP Purchases. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, from and after the Commencement Date, until the Maturity Date or as earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, in addition to Fixed Purchases as described in Section 2(a) above, the Company shall also have the right, but not the obligation, to direct the Investor, by its delivery to the Investor of a VWAP Purchase Notice from time to time in accordance with this Agreement, to purchase the applicable VWAP Purchase Share Amount at the VWAP Purchase Price on the VWAP Purchase Date therefor in accordance with this Agreement (each such purchase, a “VWAP Purchase”). The Company may deliver a VWAP Purchase Notice to the Investor only (i) on a Fixed Purchase Date on which the Company also properly submitted a Fixed Purchase Notice providing for a Fixed Purchase of a number of Purchase Shares not less than the Fixed Purchase Share Limit then in effect on such Fixed Purchase Date in accordance with this Agreement, (ii) if the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Business Day immediately preceding such VWAP Purchase Date is not less than the Floor Price, and (iii) if the Transfer Agent has acknowledged the receipt of, and confirmed the processing of, a Transfer Agent Instruction Letter with respect to all Purchase Shares subject to any prior VWAP Purchase, or, the Investor has actually received all of the such Purchase Shares. If the Company delivers any VWAP Purchase Notice directing the Investor to purchase an amount of Purchase Shares that exceeds the VWAP Purchase Share Amount that the Company is then permitted to include in such VWAP Purchase Notice, such VWAP Purchase Notice shall be void ab initio to the extent of the amount by which the number of Purchase Shares set forth in such VWAP Purchase Notice exceeds the VWAP Purchase Share Amount that the Company is then permitted to include in such VWAP Purchase Notice (which shall be confirmed in a VWAP Purchase Confirmation), and the Investor shall have no obligation to purchase such excess Purchase Shares in respect of such VWAP Purchase Notice; provided, however, that the Investor shall remain obligated to purchase the VWAP Purchase Share Amount which the Company is permitted to include in such VWAP Purchase Notice. Within one (1) Business Day after each VWAP Purchase Date for a VWAP Purchase, the Investor will provide to the Company a written confirmation of such VWAP Purchase setting forth the applicable VWAP Purchase Share Amount and VWAP Purchase Price for such VWAP Purchase (each, a “VWAP Purchase Confirmation”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not deliver any VWAP Purchase Notices to the Investor during the PEA Period.
(c) Additional VWAP Purchases. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, from and after the Commencement Date, until the Maturity Date or as earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, in addition to purchases of Purchase Shares as described in Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) above, the Company shall also have the right, but not the obligation, to direct the Investor, by its delivery to the Investor of an Additional VWAP Purchase Notice on an Additional VWAP Purchase Date in accordance with this Agreement, to purchase the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount at the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Price therefor in accordance with this Agreement (each such purchase, an “Additional VWAP Purchase”). The Company may deliver multiple Additional VWAP Purchase Notices to the Investor on an Additional VWAP Purchase Date; provided, however, that the Company may deliver an Additional VWAP Purchase Notice to the Investor only (i) on a Business Day that is also the VWAP Purchase Date for a VWAP Purchase with respect to which the Company properly submitted to the Investor a VWAP Purchase Notice in accordance with this Agreement, (ii) if the Transfer Agent has acknowledged the receipt of, and confirmed the processing of, a Transfer Agent Instruction Letter with respect to all Purchase Shares subject to any prior Additional VWAP Purchases, including, without limitation, those that have been effected on the same Business Day as the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Date with respect to which the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase relates, or, the Investor has actually received all of the such Purchase Shares, and (iii) if such notice is delivered prior to 2:00 p.m., Eastern time. If the Company delivers any Additional VWAP Purchase Notice directing the Investor to purchase an amount of Purchase Shares that exceeds the Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount that the Company is then permitted to include in such Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, such Additional VWAP Purchase Notice shall be void ab initio to the extent of the amount by which the number of Purchase Shares set forth in such Additional VWAP Purchase Notice exceeds the Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount that the Company is then permitted to include in such Additional VWAP Purchase Notice (which shall be confirmed in an Additional VWAP Purchase Confirmation), and the Investor shall have no obligation to purchase such excess Purchase Shares in respect of such Additional VWAP Purchase Notice; provided, however, that the Investor shall remain obligated to purchase the Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount which the Company is permitted to include in such Additional VWAP Purchase Notice. Within one (1) Business Day after each Additional VWAP Purchase Date, the Investor will provide to the Company a written confirmation of each Additional VWAP Purchase on such Additional VWAP Purchase Date setting forth the applicable Additional VWAP Purchase Share Amount and Additional VWAP Purchase Price for each such Additional VWAP Purchase on such Additional VWAP Purchase Date (each, an “Additional VWAP Purchase Confirmation”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not deliver any Additional VWAP Purchase Notices to the Investor during the PEA Period.
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(d) Payment for Purchase Shares.
(i) For each Fixed Purchase, the Investor shall pay to the Company an amount equal to the Purchase Amount with respect to such Fixed Purchase as full payment for such Purchase Shares via wire transfer of immediately available funds on the third (3rd) Business Day following the Investor’s receipt of the Purchase Shares as DWAC Shares, if such Purchase Shares are received by the Investor before 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, or, if such Purchase Shares are received by the Investor after 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, the fourth (4th) Business Day following the Investor’s receipt of the Purchase Shares as DWAC Shares.
(ii) For each VWAP Purchase and each Additional VWAP Purchase, the Investor shall pay to the Company an amount equal to the Purchase Amount with respect to such VWAP Purchase and Additional VWAP Purchase, respectively, as full payment for such Purchase Shares via wire transfer of immediately available funds on the third (3rd) Business Day following the Investor’s receipt of the Purchase Shares as DWAC Shares, if such Purchase Shares are received by the Investor before 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, or, if such Purchase Shares are received by the Investor after 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, the fourth (4th) Business Day following the Investor’s receipt of the Purchase Shares as DWAC Shares.
(iii) The Company shall not issue any fraction of a share of Common Stock upon any Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase or Additional VWAP Purchase. If the issuance would result in the issuance of a fraction of a share of Common Stock, the Company shall round such fraction of a share of Common Stock up or down to the nearest whole share. All payments made under this Agreement shall be made in lawful currency of the United States of America by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account as the Company (or the Investor, as applicable) may from time to time designate by written notice in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Whenever any amount expressed to be due by the terms of this Agreement is due on any day that is not a Business Day, the same shall instead be due on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day.
(e) Compliance with Rules of Principal Market.
(i) Exchange Cap. Subject to Section 2(e)(ii) below, the Company shall not issue or sell any shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement, and the Investor shall not purchase or acquire any shares of Common Stock from the Company pursuant to this Agreement, to the extent that after giving effect thereto, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that would be issued pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Commitment Shares) would exceed 220,103 (such number of shares equal to 19.99% of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately preceding the execution of this Agreement), which number of shares shall be (i) reduced, on a share-for-share basis, by the number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any transaction or series of transactions that may be aggregated with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under applicable rules of the Principal Market and (ii) appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction that occurs after the date of this Agreement (such maximum number of shares, the “Exchange Cap”), unless and until the Company elects to obtain stockholder approval of the issuance of Common Stock as contemplated by this Agreement, and the stockholders of the Company have in fact approved the issuance of Common Stock as contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with the applicable rules of the Principal Market. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company may, but shall be under no obligation to, request its stockholders to approve the issuance of Common Stock as contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that if stockholder approval is not obtained in accordance with this Section 2(e)(i), the Exchange Cap shall be applicable for all purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby at all times during the term of this Agreement (except as set forth in Section 2(e)(ii) below).
(ii) At-Market Transaction. Notwithstanding Section 2(e)(i) above, the Exchange Cap shall not apply if at any time the Exchange Cap is reached and at all times thereafter the average price paid for all shares of Common Stock issued under this Agreement is equal to or greater than $7.86 (the “Minimum Price”), a price equal to the lower of (i) the Nasdaq Official Closing Price immediately preceding the execution of this Agreement and (ii) the average Nasdaq Official Closing Price of the Common Stock for the five trading days immediately preceding the execution of this Agreement as calculated in accordance with the rules of the Principal Market (in such circumstance, for purposes of the Principal Market, the transaction contemplated hereby would not be “below market” and the Exchange Cap would not apply). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required or permitted to issue, and the Investor shall not be required to purchase, any shares of Common Stock under this Agreement if such issuance would breach or violate the rules or regulations of the Principal Market. Further, in no event may any applicable New Issuance Price under this Agreement result in a price per Security that would violate the rules or regulations of the Principal Market, and the Company shall not undertake any transaction that would result in such a violative New Issuance Price. The Company may, in its sole discretion, determine whether to obtain stockholder approval to issue and sell shares in excess of the Exchange Cap at a price less than the Minimum Price if such issuance would require stockholder approval under the rules or regulations of the Principal Market. The Exchange Cap shall be reduced, on a share-for-share basis, by the number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable that may be aggregated with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under applicable rules of the Principal Market.
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(iii) General. The Company shall not issue or sell any shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement if such issuance or sale would reasonably be expected to result in (A) a violation of the Securities Act or (B) a breach of the rules and regulations of the Principal Market. The provisions of this Section 2(e) shall be implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms hereof only if necessary to ensure compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Principal Market.
(f) Beneficial Ownership Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not issue or sell, and the Investor shall not purchase or acquire, any shares of Common Stock under this Agreement which, when aggregated with all other shares of Common Stock then beneficially owned by the Investor and its affiliates (as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-3 promulgated thereunder), would result in the beneficial ownership by the Investor and its affiliates of more than 4.99% of the then issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”), provided that, the Investor may increase the Beneficial Ownership Limitation up to 9.99% at its sole discretion upon sixty-one (61) days’ prior written notice to the Company. Upon the written or oral request of the Investor, the Company shall promptly (but not later than the next business day on which the Transfer Agent is open for business) confirm orally or in writing to the Investor the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. The Investor and the Company shall each cooperate in good faith in the determinations required hereby and the application hereof. The Investor’s written certification to the Company of the applicability of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the resulting effect thereof hereunder at any time, shall be conclusive with respect to the applicability thereof and such result absent manifest error.
(g) Aggregate VWAP Purchase Limitation. Notwithstanding any other terms of this Agreement, in no event shall the aggregate amount of Purchase Shares submitted in any single or combination of VWAP Purchase Notices and/or Additional VWAP Purchase Notices on a particular related VWAP Purchase Date and/or Additional VWAP Purchase Date require a payment from the Investor that exceeds $2,000,000, unless such limitation is waived by the Investor in its sole discretion as to any single or combination of VWAP Purchase Notices and/or Additional VWAP Purchase Notices on a particular related VWAP Purchase Date and/or Additional VWAP Purchase Date.
(h) Delivery of Purchase Notice. With respect to each Fixed Purchase Notice, VWAP Purchase Notice and/or Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, the Company shall deliver to the Investor a completed form of purchase notice in materially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.
3. INVESTOR’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
The Investor represents and warrants to the Company that as of the date hereof and as of the Commencement Date:
(a) Organization, Authority. Investor is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with the requisite power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder.
(b) Investment Purpose. The Investor is acquiring the Securities as principal for its own account, for investment purposes, 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 the Investor’s right to sell the Securities at any time pursuant to the Registration Statement described herein or otherwise in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws). The Investor is acquiring the Securities hereunder in the ordinary course of its business.
(c) Accredited Investor Status. The Investor is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(3) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.
(d) Reliance on Exemptions. The Investor understands that the Securities are being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Investor’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Investor set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Investor to acquire the Securities.
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(e) Information. The Investor understands that its investment in the Securities involves a high degree of risk. The Investor (i) is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Securities including a total loss thereof, (ii) has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the proposed investment in the Securities and (iii) has had an opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from the officers of the Company concerning the financial condition and business of the Company and other matters related to an investment in the Securities. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by the Investor or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect the Investor’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in Section 4 below. The Investor has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice from its own independent advisors as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to its acquisition of the Securities and is not relying on any accounting, legal, tax or other advice from the Company or its officers, employees or representatives. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Company neither makes nor has made any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in Section 4 hereof.
(f) No Governmental Review. The Investor understands that no U.S. federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities or the fairness or suitability of an investment in the Securities nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Securities.
(g) Transfer or Sale. The Investor understands that (i) the Securities may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred unless (A) registered pursuant to the Securities Act or (B) an exemption exists permitting such Securities to be sold, assigned or transferred without such registration; (ii) any sale of the Securities made in reliance on Rule 144 may be made only in accordance with the terms of Rule 144 and further, if Rule 144 is not applicable, any resale of the Securities under circumstances in which the seller (or the Person through whom the sale is made) may be deemed to be an underwriter (as that term is defined in the Securities Act) may require compliance with some other exemption under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.
(h) Validity; Enforcement. This Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement have been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of the Investor and is a valid and binding agreement of the Investor enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforceability to general principles of equity and to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and other laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies.
(i) Residency. The Investor’s primary place of business is in the State of Florida.
(j) No Short Selling. The Investor represents and warrants to the Company that at no time prior to the date of this Agreement has any of the Investor, its agents, representatives or affiliates engaged in or effected, in any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, any (i) “short sale” (as such term is defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act) of the Common Stock or (ii) hedging transaction, which establishes a net short position with respect to the Common Stock. The Investor further covenants that neither the Investor nor any of its agents, representatives or affiliates will engage in or effect, in any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, any “short sale” (as such term is defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act) of the Common Stock during the term of this Agreement.
(k) No General Solicitation. The Investor is not purchasing or acquiring the Securities as a result of any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities.
(l) Underwriter Status. The Investor acknowledges that it will be disclosed as an “underwriter” and a “selling stockholder” in the Registration Statement and in any Prospectus contained therein to the extent required by applicable law.
4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.
The Company represents and warrants to the Investor that, except as set forth in the (i) SEC Documents or (ii) disclosure schedules attached hereto, which exceptions shall be deemed to be a part of the representations and warranties made hereunder (the “Disclosure Schedules”), as of the Execution Date and as of the Commencement Date:
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(a) Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of its 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 corporate power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and no proceeding has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification. The Company has no Subsidiaries required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 601(b)(21)(ii) of Regulation S-K, except as set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 filed with the SEC (as amended through the Execution Date, “2024 10-K”).
(b) Authorization; Enforcement; Validity. (i) The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and (subject to any applicable rules and regulations of the Principal Market) perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents, and to issue the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof, (ii) the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including without limitation, the reservation for issuance and the issuance of the Commitment Shares (as defined below in Section 5(e)) and the Purchase Shares issuable under this Agreement, have been duly authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) and no further consent or authorization is required by the Company, its Board of Directors or its stockholders (except as provided in this Agreement), (iii) each of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement has been, and each other Transaction Document shall be on the Commencement Date, duly executed and delivered by the Company and (iv) each of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement constitutes, and each other Transaction Document upon its execution on behalf of the Company, shall constitute, the valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or other laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of creditors’ rights and remedies, (ii) 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 Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, has approved the resolutions (the “Signing Resolutions”) substantially in the form provided to the Investor to authorize this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The Signing Resolutions are valid, in full force and effect and have not been modified or supplemented in any respect. The Company has delivered to the Investor a true and correct copy of minutes of a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, at which the Signing Resolutions were duly adopted by the Board of Directors or a unanimous written consent adopting the Signing Resolutions executed by all of the members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof. Except as set forth in this Agreement, no other approvals or consents of the Board of Directors, any authorized committee thereof, or stockholders (except as provided in this Agreement) is necessary under applicable laws and the Certificate of Incorporation (as defined below) or Bylaws (as defined below) to authorize the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents or any of the transactions contemplated thereby, including, but not limited to, the issuance of the Commitment Shares and the issuance of the Purchase Shares.
(c) Capitalization. As of the Execution Date, the authorized capital stock of the Company is set forth in the 2024 10-K. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents (as defined below), (i) no shares of the Company’s capital stock are subject to preemptive rights or any other similar rights or any liens or encumbrances suffered or permitted by the Company, (ii) there are no outstanding debt securities, (iii) there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound to issue additional shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) there are no agreements or arrangements under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to register the sale of any of their securities under the Securities Act (except the Registration Rights Agreement), (v) there are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (vi) there are no securities or instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the issuance of the Securities as described in this Agreement and (vii) the Company does not have any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement. The Company has furnished or made available (provided that any documents filed with the SEC and available on the SEC’s EDGAR system shall be deemed to have been made available) to the Investor true and correct copies of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and as in effect on the Execution Date (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and the Company’s Bylaws, as amended and as in effect on the Execution Date (the “Bylaws”), and summaries of the material terms of all securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock, if any, and copies of any documents containing the material rights of the holders thereof in respect thereto that are not disclosed in the SEC Documents.
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(d) Issuance of Securities. Upon issuance and payment therefor in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Purchase Shares shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens, charges, restrictions, rights of first refusal and preemptive rights with respect to the issue thereof, with the holders being entitled to all rights accorded to a holder of Common Stock. Upon issuance in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Commitment Shares (as defined in Section 5(e)) shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens, charges, restrictions, rights of first refusal and preemptive rights with respect to the issue thereof, with the holders being entitled to all rights accorded to a holder of Common Stock. A sufficient amount shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon purchase under this Agreement as Purchase Shares, and a sufficient amount of shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance pursuant to this Agreement as Commitment Shares (subject, in each case, to equitable adjustment for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction).
(e) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, without limitation, the reservation for issuance and issuance of the Purchase Shares and the Commitment Shares) will not (i) result in a violation of the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws and regulations, the rules of the Principal Market applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) or by which any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected, except in the case of conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, accelerations, cancellations and violations under clause (ii), which would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of or in default under its certificate or articles of incorporation, any certificate of designation, preferences and rights of any outstanding series of preferred stock of the Company or bylaws or other organizational documents, as applicable. 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 written 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 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 would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement and as required under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws and the rules of the Principal Market, the Company to its knowledge is not required to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency or any regulatory or self-regulatory agency in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under or contemplated by the Transaction Documents in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof. Except as set forth elsewhere in this Agreement, all consents, authorizations, orders, filings and registrations which the Company is required to obtain pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be obtained or effected on or prior to the Commencement Date. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, since one year prior to the Execution Date, the Company has not received nor delivered any notices or correspondence from or to the Principal Market, other than notices with respect to listing of additional shares of Common Stock and other routine correspondence. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, the Principal Market has not commenced any delisting proceedings against the Company.
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(f) SEC Documents; Financial Statements. The Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the twelve months preceding the Execution Date (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) (the foregoing materials, including the exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, being collectively referred to herein as the “SEC Documents”) on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such SEC Documents prior to the expiration of any such extension. As of their respective dates, the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable. None of the SEC Documents, 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 consolidated financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents, together with the related notes and schedules, present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity of the Company for the periods specified and were prepared in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and Exchange Act, as applicable, as in effect as of the time of filing and in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect as of the time of filing (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis (except (i) for such adjustments to accounting standards and practices as are noted therein and (ii) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements, and subject to immaterial year-end audit adjustments) during the periods involved; the other financial and statistical data with respect to the Company contained or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents, are accurately and fairly presented in all material respects and prepared on a basis materially consistent with the financial statements and books and records of the Company; there are no financial statements (historical or pro forma) that are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents that are not included or incorporated by reference as required; the Company does not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off balance sheet obligations), not described in the SEC Documents (including the exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference thereto), which are required to be described in the SEC Documents (including the exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference thereto); and all disclosures contained or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents, if any, regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC) comply in all material respects with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, to the extent applicable. The Company does not have pending before the SEC any request for confidential treatment of information.
(g) Absence of Certain Changes; No Undisclosed Events, Liabilities or Developments; Solvency. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, since December 31, 2023, there has been no event, occurrence or development that has had or that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and there has been no material adverse change in the business, properties, operations, financial condition or results of operations of the Company or its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Except for the issuance of the Securities contemplated by this Agreement, no event, liability, fact, circumstance, occurrence or development has occurred or exists with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, prospects, properties, operations, assets or financial condition that is required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws at the time this representation is made that has not been publicly disclosed at least one (1) Business Day prior to the date that this representation is made. The Company has not taken any steps, and does not currently expect to take any steps, to seek protection pursuant to any Bankruptcy Law nor does the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have any knowledge or reason to believe that its creditors intend to initiate involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings.
(h) Absence of Litigation. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, 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) would, 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 Action involving a claim of violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty, which would, if there were an unfavorable decision, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. There has not been, and to the knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the SEC involving the Company or any current or former director or officer of the Company. The SEC 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.
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(i) Acknowledgment Regarding Investor’s Status. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Investor is acting solely in the capacity of arm’s length purchaser with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The Company further acknowledges that the Investor is not acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and any advice given by the Investor or any of its representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby is merely incidental to the Investor’s purchase of the Securities. The Company further represents to the Investor that the Company’s decision to enter into the Transaction Documents has been based solely on the independent evaluation by the Company and its representatives and advisors.
(j) No General Solicitation; No Integrated Offering. Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities contemplated hereby. Neither the Company, nor or any of its affiliates, nor any Person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of the offer and sale of any of the Securities under the Securities Act, whether through integration with prior offerings or otherwise, or cause this offering of the Securities to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company in a manner that would require stockholder approval pursuant to the rules of the Principal Market. The issuance and sale of the Securities hereunder, as of the date of this Agreement, does not contravene the rules and regulations of the Principal Market.
(k) Intellectual Property Rights. 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 SEC Documents and which the failure to so have would reasonably be expected to 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 SEC Documents, 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 would 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.
(l) Environmental Laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with all federal, state, local and foreign laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), including laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) into the environment, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials, as well as all authorizations, codes, decrees, demands, or demand letters, injunctions, judgments, licenses, notices or notice letters, orders, permits, plans or regulations, issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder (“Environmental Laws”); (ii) have received all permits licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except 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.
(m) Title. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, the Company and its 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 its Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects (“Liens”) and, except for 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 its Subsidiaries and Liens for the payment of federal, state or other taxes, the payment of which is neither delinquent nor subject to penalties. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and its Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and, to the knowledge of the Company, enforceable leases with which the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its Subsidiaries.
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(n) Insurance. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as management of the Company believes to be prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and its Subsidiaries are engaged. Neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for and neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not materially and adversely affect the condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(o) 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 SEC Documents, except where the failure to possess such permits would 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 any Proceeding relating to the revocation or modification of any Material Permit. For all purposes of this Agreement, the term “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.
(p) 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, except for taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been established by the Company 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.
(q) Transactions With Affiliates and Employees. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, none of the officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, providing for the borrowing of money from or lending of money to or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee, stockholder, member or partner, in each case in excess of $120,000 other than for (i) payment of salary or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and (iii) other employee benefits, including stock option agreements under any stock option plan of the Company.
(r) Application of Takeover Protections. The Company and its Board of Directors have taken or will take prior to the Commencement Date all necessary corporate 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 Certificate of Incorporation or the laws of the state of its incorporation which is or could become applicable to the Investor as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Company’s issuance of the Securities and the Investor’s ownership of the Securities.
(s) Disclosure. Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and the Preferred Transaction, that will be timely publicly disclosed by the Company, the Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person authorized to act on its behalf has provided the Investor or its agents or counsel with any information that it believes constitutes or might constitute material, non-public information which is not otherwise disclosed in the SEC Documents. The Company understands and confirms that the Investor will rely on the foregoing representation in effecting purchases and sales of securities of the Company. All of the disclosure furnished by or on behalf of the Company by a Person authorized by the Company to the Investor regarding the Company, its business and the transactions contemplated hereby is true and correct in all material respects 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 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 light of the circumstances under which they were made and at the time when made, not misleading. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Investor neither makes nor has made any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in Section 3 hereof.
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(t) Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has, and to the Company’s knowledge, no agent or other person acting on behalf of the Company and each 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 and each Subsidiary (or made by any person acting on behalf of the Company and each Subsidiary of which the Company is aware) which is in violation of law, or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
(u) DTC Eligibility. The Company, through the Transfer Agent, currently participates in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer (FAST) Program and the Common Stock can be transferred electronically to third parties via the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer (FAST) Program.
(v) Sarbanes-Oxley Act; Internal Controls. The Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that are effective as of the Execution Date, and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder that are effective as of the Execution Date. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, 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. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, 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 SEC’s rules and forms. The Company’s certifying officers 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. Except as disclosed in the Company’s most recently filed period report under the Exchange Act, since the Evaluation Date, there have been no changes in the internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act) of the Company and its Subsidiaries that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(w) Certain Fees. No brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Investor shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees of a type contemplated in this Section 4(w) that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
(x) Investment Company. Neither the Company or its Subsidiaries is or, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement, will be, required to be registered as an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company,” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(y) Listing and Maintenance Requirements. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its knowledge is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Act nor has the Company received any notification that the SEC is currently contemplating terminating such registration. The issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock are listed and admitted for trading on the Principal Market, and the Company is in compliance in all material respects with the current listing requirements of the Principal Market; and the Securities will be listed and admitted for trading on the Principal Market at or prior to Commencement, with respect to the Commitment Shares, and prior to the time of sale to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement, with respect to the Purchase Shares. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, the Company has not, in the twelve (12) months preceding the Execution Date, received any notice from the Principal Market to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of the Principal Market. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, the Company is, and currently has no reason to believe that it will not in the reasonably foreseeable future continue to be, in compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements.
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(z) Accountants. As of the Execution Date, the Company’s accounting firm is CBIZ CPAs P.C.. To the knowledge of the Company, such accounting firm is a registered public accounting firm as required by the Exchange Act.
(aa) No Market Manipulation. The Company has not, and to its knowledge no Person 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.
(bb) Shell Company Status. The Company is not currently, and to its knowledge has never been, an issuer identified in Rule 144(i)(1) under the Securities Act.
(cc) 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.
(dd) U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. The Company is not and has never been a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(ee) 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.
(ff) Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are conducted 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.
(gg) Labor Matters. No labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any of the employees of the Company, which would 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 U.S. 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 would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(hh) Cybersecurity. (i)(x) To the Company’s knowledge, there has been no security breach or other compromise of or relating to any of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s information technology and computer systems, networks, hardware, software, data (including the data of its respective customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and any third party data maintained by or on behalf of it), equipment or technology (collectively, “IT Systems and Data”) and (y) the Company and the Subsidiaries have not been notified of, and has no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any security breach or other compromise to its IT Systems and Data; (ii) the Company and the Subsidiaries are presently in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all applicable judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) the Company and the Subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable safeguards to maintain and protect its material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and Data; and (iv) the Company and the Subsidiaries have implemented backup and disaster recovery technology consistent with customary industry standards and practices.
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(ii) Smaller Reporting Company Status. As of the Execution Date, the Company is, and as of the Commencement Date, the Company believes in good faith that it will be, a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(jj) No Disqualification Events. None of the Company, any of its predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any director, executive officer, other officer of the Company participating in the offering contemplated hereby, any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting equity securities, calculated on the basis of voting power, nor any promoter (as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) connected with the Company in any capacity at the time of sale (each, an “Issuer Covered Person”) is subject to any of the “Bad Actor” disqualifications described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i) to (viii) under the Securities Act (a “Disqualification Event”), except for a Disqualification Event covered by Rule 506(d)(2) or (d)(3) under the Securities Act. The Company has exercised reasonable care to determine whether any Issuer Covered Person is subject to a Disqualification Event.
5. COVENANTS.
(a) Filing of Current Report and Registration Statement. The Company agrees that it shall, within the time required under the Exchange Act, file with the SEC a report on Form 8-K relating to the transactions contemplated by, and describing the material terms and conditions of, this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement (the “Current Report”). The Company shall also file with the SEC, within thirty (30) calendar days from the Execution Date, a new registration statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) covering only the resale of up to all of the Commitment Shares and thereafter as many Purchase Shares as allowable under applicable law, in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and the Investor, dated as of the Execution Date (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). The Company shall permit the Investor to review and comment upon the substantially final pre-filing draft version of the Current Report at least two (2) Business Days prior to its filing with the SEC, and the Company shall give due consideration to all such comments. The Investor shall use its reasonable best efforts to comment upon the Current Report within one (1) Business Day from the date the Investor receives the substantially final version thereof from the Company. The Investor shall cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of the Current Report and the Registration Statement with the SEC.
(b) Blue Sky. The Company shall take all such action, if any, as is reasonably necessary in order to obtain an exemption for or to register or qualify (i) the issuance of the Commitment Shares and the sale of the Purchase Shares to the Investor under this Agreement and (ii) any subsequent resale of all Commitment Shares and all Purchase Shares by the Investor, in each case, under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the United States in such states as is reasonably requested by the Investor from time to time, and shall provide evidence of any such action so taken to the Investor; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to register or qualify any securities in any jurisdiction which applies merit review.
(c) Listing/DTC. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly secure the listing of all of the Purchase Shares and Commitment Shares to be issued to the Investor hereunder on the Principal Market (subject to official notice of issuance) and upon each other national securities exchange or automated quotation system, if any, upon which the Common Stock is then listed, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain, so long as any shares of Common Stock shall be so listed, such listing of all such Securities from time to time issuable hereunder. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the listing of the Common Stock on the Principal Market and shall comply in all respects with the Company’s reporting, filing and other obligations under the bylaws or rules and regulations of the Principal Market. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action that would reasonably be expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the Common Stock on the Principal Market. The Company shall promptly, and in no event later than four (4) Business Days after receipt, provide to the Investor copies of any notices it receives from any Person regarding the continued eligibility of the Common Stock for listing on the Principal Market; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to provide the Investor copies of any such notice that the Company reasonably believes constitutes material non-public information and the Company would not be required to publicly disclose such notice in any report or statement filed with the SEC and under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the requirements of this Section 5(c) shall be satisfied to the extent that the contents of such notice are made available through a document filed by the Company with the SEC and available on the SEC’s EDGAR system within the required time period. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligations under this Section 5(c). The Company shall take commercially reasonable actions necessary to ensure that its Common Stock can be transferred electronically as DWAC Shares.
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(d) Prohibition of Short Sales and Hedging Transactions. The Investor agrees that beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on the date of termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 11, the Investor and its agents, representatives and affiliates shall not in any manner whatsoever (i) enter into or effect, directly or indirectly, any (x) “short sale” (as such term is defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act) of the Common Stock or (y) hedging transaction, which establishes a net short position with respect to the Common Stock or (ii) be in violation of Regulation SHO.
(e) Issuance of Commitment Shares. In consideration for the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company shall cause to be issued to the Investor, (i) within three Business Days of the Execution Date, an amount of shares of Common Stock equal to 0.5% of the Available Amount, calculated using the closing price of the Common Stock on the Business Day immediately preceding the Execution Date and (ii) after the Execution Date, an amount of shares of Common Stock equal to 1% of the Available Amount, calculated using the closing price of the Common Stock on the Business Day immediately preceding the Execution Date, which shall be issued in a pro rated fashion simultaneously with the delivery of any and all Purchase Shares purchased under this Agreement under each Fixed Purchase Notice, VWAP Purchase Notice and/or Additional VWAP Purchase Notice (all shares issued pursuant to (i) and (ii) of this sentence, collectively the “Commitment Shares”).and shall, on each such Purchase Date, deliver to the Transfer Agent a Transfer Agent Instruction Letter (as defined herein) with respect to the issuance of such Commitment Shares. The Commitment Shares required to be issued after the Execution Date shall be received by the Investor not later than 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the Business Day following any Fixed Purchase Date, VWAP Purchase Date and/or Additional VWAP Purchase Date. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) Commitment Shares are to be issued in addition to Purchase Shares in each Fixed Purchase Notice, VWAP Purchase Notice and/or Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, and (ii) no payment is due by the Investor for any Commitment Shares issued to it by the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
(f) Due Diligence; Non-Public Information. The Investor shall have the right, from time to time as the Investor may reasonably deem appropriate, to perform reasonable due diligence on the Company during normal business hours upon three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice. The Company and its officers and employees shall provide material information and reasonably cooperate with the Investor in connection with any reasonable request by the Investor related to the Investor’s due diligence of the Company. Each party hereto agrees not to disclose any Confidential Information of the other party to any third party and shall not use the Confidential Information for any purpose other than in connection with, or in furtherance of, the transactions contemplated hereby. Each party hereto acknowledges that the Confidential Information shall remain the property of the disclosing party and agrees that it shall take all reasonable measures to protect the secrecy of any Confidential Information disclosed by the other party. The Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf shall provide the Investor or its agents or counsel with any information that constitutes or may reasonably be considered to constitute material, non-public information, unless a simultaneous public announcement thereof is made by the Company in the manner contemplated by Regulation FD. In the event of a breach of the foregoing covenant by the Company or any Person acting on its behalf (as determined in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Investor), in addition to any other remedy provided herein or in the other Transaction Documents, if the Investor is holding any Securities at the time of the disclosure of material, non-public information, the Investor shall have the right to make a public disclosure, in the form of a press release, public advertisement or otherwise, of such material, non-public information without the prior approval by the Company; provided the Investor shall have first provided notice to the Company that it believes it has received information that constitutes material, non-public information, the Company shall have at least two (2) Business Days to either (i) demonstrate that such information is not material non-public information to the reasonable satisfaction of the Investor or (ii) publicly disclose such material, non-public information prior to any such disclosure by the Investor. The Investor shall not have any liability to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders or agents, for any such disclosure, so long as the Investor has complied with this Section 5(f). The Company understands and confirms that the Investor shall be relying on the foregoing covenants in effecting transactions in securities of the Company.
(g) Purchase Records. The Investor and the Company shall each maintain records showing the remaining Available Amount at any given time and the dates and Purchase Amounts for each Fixed Purchase, VWAP Purchase and Additional VWAP Purchase or shall use such other method, reasonably satisfactory to the Investor and the Company.
(h) Taxes. The Company shall pay any and all transfer, stamp or similar taxes that may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of any shares of Common Stock to the Investor made under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, any other taxes incurred by the Investor (including any taxes on income resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) shall solely be the responsibility of the Investor.
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(i) Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the net proceeds from each sale of Purchase Shares hereunder (for any purpose(s) at the sole discretion of the Company.
(j) Other Transactions. During the term of this Agreement, the Company shall not enter into, announce or recommend to its stockholders any agreement, plan, arrangement or transaction in or of which the terms thereof would restrict, materially delay, conflict with or impair the ability or right of the Company to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents, including, without limitation, the obligation of the Company to deliver the Purchase Shares and the Commitment Shares to the Investor in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents.
(k) Integration. From and after the date of this Agreement, neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates will, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that no Person acting on their behalf will, directly or indirectly, make any offers or sales of any security or solicit any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would reasonably be expected to (i) require registration of the offer and sale by the Company to the Investor of any of the Securities under the Securities Act, or (ii) cause this offering of the Securities by the Company to the Investor to be integrated with other offerings by the Company in a manner that would require stockholder approval pursuant to the rules of the Principal Market, unless in the case of this clause (ii), stockholder approval is obtained before the closing of such subsequent transaction in accordance with the rules of such Principal Market.
(l) Fees and Expenses. Except as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents or any other writing to the contrary, each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to the negotiation and preparation this Agreement, provided however that on the Execution Date, the Company shall pay a document preparation fee to the Investor to reimburse $25,000 of the Investor’s legal fees.
(m) Bring Down Representations. The Investor shall have the right to request and receive up to once per fiscal quarter, upon five (5) days prior written notice, a certificate, executed by the CEO, President or CFO of the Company in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, certifying that the representations and warranties of the Company shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent that any of such representations and warranties is already qualified as to materiality in Section 4 above, in which case, the portion of such representations and warranties so qualified shall be true and correct without further qualification) as of such date and as though made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct as of such date) and the Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required by the Transaction Documents to be performed, satisfied or complied with as of such date.
(n) Disclosure Schedules. The Company may, from time to time, update the Disclosure Schedules as may be required to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 8(c) and Section 5(m). For purposes of this Section 5(n), any disclosure made in a schedule to the Compliance Certificate shall be deemed to be an update of the Disclosure Schedule. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no update to the Disclosure Schedule pursuant to this Section 5(n) shall cure any breach of a representation or warranty of the Company contained in this Agreement and made prior to the update and shall not affect any of the Investor’s rights or remedies with respect thereto.
(o) Reasonable Efforts. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts, following the delivery of any Fixed Purchase Notice, VWAP Purchase Notice and/or Additional VWAP Purchase Notice, to have any Purchase Shares pursuant to such notice delivered to the Investor as soon as practicable following thereof.
6. TRANSFER AGENT INSTRUCTIONS.
On the Commencement Date, the Company shall issue to the Transfer Agent, or any subsequent transfer agent, (i) a form of instruction letter in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Transfer Agent Instruction Letter”) and (ii) the notice of effectiveness of the Registration Statement in the form attached as an exhibit to the Registration Rights Agreement, in each case to advise the Transfer Agent of the Commencement. All Purchase Shares and Commitment Shares to be issued from and after the Commencement to or for the benefit of the Investor pursuant to this Agreement shall be issued only as DWAC Shares. The Company represents and warrants to the Investor that, while this Agreement is in effect, no instruction other than instruction letters in the form of the Transfer Agent Instruction Letter referred to in this Section 6 will be given by the Company to the Transfer Agent with respect to the Purchase Shares or the Commitment Shares from and after Commencement, and the Purchase Shares and the Commitment Shares covered by the Registration Statement shall otherwise be freely transferable on the books and records of the Company. If the Investor effects a sale, assignment or transfer of the Purchase Shares or the Commitment Shares, the Company shall permit the transfer and shall promptly instruct the Transfer Agent (and any subsequent transfer agent) to issue DWAC Shares in such name and in such denominations as specified by the Investor to effect such sale, transfer or assignment. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Investor. Accordingly, the Company acknowledges that the remedy at law for a breach of its obligations under this Section 6 will be inadequate and agrees, in the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Company of the provisions of this Section 6, that the Investor shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to seek an order and/or injunction restraining any breach and requiring immediate issuance and transfer, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.
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7. CONDITIONS TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT TO COMMENCE SALES OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.
The right of the Company hereunder to commence sales of the Purchase Shares as of the Commencement Date is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions:
(a) The Investor shall have executed each of the Transaction Documents and delivered the same to the Company;
(b) The Registration Statement covering the resale of the Purchase Shares and Commitment Shares (in accordance with Section 5(a)) shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act by the SEC, and no stop order with respect to the Registration Statement shall be pending or threatened by the SEC; and
(c) The representations and warranties of the Investor shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Execution Date and as of the Commencement Date as though made at that time.
8. CONDITIONS TO THE INVESTOR’S OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.
The obligation of the Investor to buy Purchase Shares under this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions on or prior to the Commencement Date (or as otherwise set forth) and, once such conditions have been initially satisfied, there shall not be any ongoing obligation to satisfy such conditions after the Commencement has occurred:
(a) The Company shall have executed each of the Transaction Documents and delivered the same to the Investor;
(b) The Commitment Shares required to be issued by the Execution Date shall have been issued to the Investor.
(c) The Common Stock shall be listed or quoted on the Principal Market, subject only to customary listing conditions, trading in the Common Stock shall not have been within the last 365 days suspended by the SEC or the Principal Market, and all Common Stock representing Securities to be issued by the Company to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement shall have been approved for listing or quotation on the Principal Market in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Principal Market, subject only to (i) the Exchange Cap and (ii) official notice of issuance and any standard listing conditions for transactions of this nature;
(d) The Investor shall have received the opinion of the Company’s legal counsel, dated as of the Commencement Date, substantially in the form heretofore agreed by the parties hereto;
(e) The representations and warranties of the Company shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent that any of such representations and warranties is already qualified as to materiality in Section 4 above, in which case, the portion of such representations and warranties so qualified shall be true and correct without further qualification) as of the Execution Date and as of the Commencement Date as though made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct as of such date) and the Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required by the Transaction Documents to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to the Commencement Date. The Investor shall have received a certificate, executed by the CEO, President or CFO of the Company, dated as of the Commencement Date, to the foregoing effect in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A;
(f) The Board of Directors shall have adopted resolutions approving the transactions contemplated hereby, which resolutions shall be in full force and effect without any amendment or supplement thereto as of the Commencement Date;
(g) The Company shall have not issued shares under this Agreement in excess of the Exchange Cap;
(h) The Company shall have delivered to the Investor a certificate evidencing the incorporation and good standing of the Company in the State of New York issued by the Secretary of State of the State of New York as of a date within ten (10) Business Days of the Commencement Date;
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(i) The Company shall have delivered to the Investor a certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation as certified by the Secretary of State of the State of New York within ten (10) Business Days of the Commencement Date;
(j) The Company shall have delivered to the Investor an officer’s certificate executed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated as of the Commencement Date, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B;
(k) The Registration Statement covering the resale of the Purchase Shares and all of the Commitment Shares (in accordance with Section 5(b)) shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act by the SEC, and no stop order with respect to the Registration Statement shall be pending or threatened by the SEC. The Company shall have prepared and filed with the SEC, not later than one (1) Business Day after the effective date of the Registration Statement, a final and complete prospectus (the preliminary form of which shall be included in the Registration Statement) and shall have delivered to the Investor a true and complete copy thereof. Such prospectus shall be current and available for the resale by the Investor of all of the Securities covered thereby. The Current Report shall have been filed with the SEC as required pursuant to Section 5(a). All reports, schedules, registrations, forms, statements, information and other documents required to have been filed by the Company with the SEC at or prior to the Commencement Date pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act shall have been filed with the SEC within the applicable time periods prescribed for such filings under the Exchange Act;
(l) No Suspension Event has occurred, or any event which, after notice and/or lapse of time, would become a Suspension Event has occurred;
(m) All federal, state and local governmental laws, rules and regulations applicable to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and necessary for the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby in accordance with the terms thereof shall have been complied with, and all consents, authorizations and orders of, and all filings and registrations with, all federal, state and local courts or governmental agencies and all federal, state and local regulatory or self-regulatory agencies necessary for the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby in accordance with the terms thereof shall have been obtained or made, including, without limitation, in each case those required under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws or applicable rules and regulations of the Principal Market, or otherwise required by the SEC, the Principal Market or any state securities regulators;
(n) No statute, regulation, order, decree, writ, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated, threatened or endorsed by any federal, state or local court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction which prohibits the consummation of or which would materially modify or delay any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents;
(o) No action, suit or proceeding before any federal, state, local or foreign arbitrator or any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have been commenced or threatened, and no inquiry or investigation by any federal, state, local or foreign governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have been commenced or threatened, against the Company, or any of the officers, directors or affiliates of the Company, seeking to restrain, prevent or change the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, or seeking material damages in connection with such transactions; and
(p) The Company shall have changed its Transfer Agent reasonably acceptable to the Investor.
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9. INDEMNIFICATION.
In consideration of the Investor’s execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and acquiring the Securities hereunder and in addition to all of the Company’s other obligations under the Transaction Documents, the Company shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Investor and all of its affiliates, stockholders, members, officers, directors and employees and any of the foregoing Person’s agents or other representatives (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the “Indemnitees”) from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and reasonable expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and disbursements (the “Indemnified Liabilities”), actually incurred by any Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company in the Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document executed by the Company contemplated hereby or thereby, (b) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Company contained in the Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, or (c) any cause of action, suit or claim brought or made against such Indemnitee and arising out of or resulting from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of the Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, other than, in the case of this clause (c), with respect to Indemnified Liabilities which directly and primarily result from the fraud, gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of an Indemnitee. The indemnity in this Section 9 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, conditioned or delayed. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law. Payment under this indemnification shall be made within thirty (30) days from the date the Investor makes written request for it; provided that the Investor shall promptly reimburse the Company for any portion of such payment that a court of competent jurisdiction determines by final and non-appealable judgment that any such Indemnitee was not entitled to receive hereunder. A certificate containing reasonable detail as to the amount of such indemnification submitted to the Company by the Investor shall be conclusive evidence, absent manifest error, of the amount due from the Company to the Investor. If any action shall be brought against any Indemnitee in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to this Agreement, such Indemnitee 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 Indemnitee. Any Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel comprising a single attorney or law firm 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 Indemnitee, 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 such separate counsel, a material conflict on any material issue between the position of the Company and the position of such Indemnitee, in which case the Company shall be responsible for the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of no more than one such separate counsel.
10. SUSPENSION EVENTS.
A “Suspension Event” shall be deemed to have occurred at any time as any of the following events occurs and continues, taking into account any applicable grace or cure period:
(a) the effectiveness of a registration statement registering the resale of the Securities lapses for any reason (including, without limitation, the issuance of a stop order or similar order) or such registration statement (or the prospectus forming a part thereof) is unavailable to the Investor for resale of any or all of the Securities to be issued to the Investor under the Transaction Documents, and such lapse or unavailability continues for a period of ten (10) consecutive Business Days or for more than an aggregate of thirty (30) Business Days in any 365-day period, but excluding a lapse or unavailability where (i) the Company terminates a registration statement after the Investor has confirmed in writing that all of the Securities covered thereby have been resold or (ii) the Company supersedes one registration statement with another registration statement, including (without limitation) by terminating a prior registration statement when it is effectively replaced with a new registration statement covering Securities (provided in the case of this clause (ii) that all of the Securities covered by the superseded (or terminated) registration statement that have not theretofore been resold are included in the superseding (or new) registration statement);
(b) the suspension of the Common Stock from trading on the Principal Market for a period of one (1) Business Day (other than in connection with a general suspension of trading of all securities on the Principal Market), provided that the Company may not direct the Investor to purchase any shares of Common Stock during any such suspension;
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(c) the delisting of the Common Stock from The Nasdaq Capital Market (or any nationally recognized successor thereto), unless the Common Stock is then immediately thereafter trading on The Nasdaq Global Market, The Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the NYSE Arca, or the OTCQX or OTCQB operated by the OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or any nationally recognized successors thereto);
(d) the failure for any reason by the Transfer Agent to issue Purchase Shares to the Investor within two (2) Business Days after the applicable Fixed Purchase Date, VWAP Purchase Date or Additional VWAP Purchase Date, as applicable;
(e) the Company breaches any representation, warranty, covenant or other term or condition under any Transaction Document if such breach would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and except, in the case of a breach of a covenant which is reasonably curable, only if such breach continues for a period of at least five (5) consecutive Business Days;
(f) if any Person commences a proceeding against the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law and such proceeding is not dismissed;
(g) if the Company, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or is generally unable to pay its debts as the same become due;
(h) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company for so long as such order, decree or similar action remains in effect;
(i) if at any time the Company is not eligible to transfer its Common Stock electronically as DWAC Shares;
(j) An amount of shares of Common Stock has been issued equal to the Exchange Cap and stockholder approval has not been obtained as required by the applicable rules of the Principal Market;
(k) if at any time after the Commencement Date, the Exchange Cap is reached (to the extent such Exchange Cap is applicable pursuant to Section 2(e) hereof), and the stockholder approval referred to in Section 2(e) has not been obtained in accordance with the applicable rules of the Principal Market.
In addition to any other rights and remedies under applicable law and this Agreement, so long as a Suspension Event has occurred and is continuing, or if any event which, after notice and/or lapse of time, would become a Suspension Event has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall not deliver to the Investor any Fixed Purchase Notice, VWAP Purchase Notice or Additional VWAP Purchase Notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the foregoing sentence shall not be deemed to apply to any notice from Nasdaq received in the future regarding the Company’s failure to comply with the continued listing standards of The Nasdaq Capital Market, unless and until all compliance and appeal periods for such failure have lapsed or expired.
11. TERMINATION
This Agreement may be terminated only as follows:
(a) If pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, the Company commences a voluntary case or any Person commences a proceeding against the Company which is not discharged within 90 days, a Custodian is appointed for the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or the Company makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors (any of which would be a Suspension Event as described in Sections 10(f), 10(g) and 10(h) hereof), this Agreement shall automatically terminate without any liability or payment to the Company (except as set forth below) without further action or notice by any Person.
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(b) In the event that (i) the Company fails to file the Registration Statement with the SEC within the period specified in Section 5(a) hereof in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement or (ii) the Commencement shall not have occurred on or before the one year anniversary of the Execution Date, due to the failure to satisfy the conditions set forth in Sections 7 and 8 above with respect to the Commencement, then, in the case of clause (i) above, this Agreement may be terminated by the Investor at any time prior to the filing of the Registration Statement and, in the case of clause (ii) above, this Agreement may be terminated by either party at the close of business on the one year anniversary of the Execution Date or thereafter, in each case without liability of such party to the other party (except as set forth below); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 11(b) shall not be available to any party if such party is then in breach of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any representation or warranty of such party contained in this Agreement fails to be true and correct such that the conditions set forth in Section 7(c) or Section 8(e), as applicable, could not then be satisfied.
(c) At any time after the Commencement Date, the Company shall have the option to terminate this Agreement for any reason or for no reason by delivering notice (a “Company Termination Notice”) to the Investor electing to terminate this Agreement without any liability whatsoever of any party to any other party under this Agreement (except as set forth below). The Company Termination Notice shall not be effective until one (1) Business Day after it has been received by the Investor, and is subject to the Company having satisfied all of its existing Purchase Share and Commitment Share delivery obligations, and any other obligations, prior to the termination date.
(d) This Agreement shall automatically terminate on the date that the Company sells and the Investor purchases (including by payment of the applicable Fixed Purchase Price, VWAP Purchase Price or Additional VWAP Purchase Price, as the case may be) the full Available Amount (without regard to the Exchange Cap), as provided herein, without any action or notice on the part of any party and without any liability whatsoever of any party to any other party under this Agreement (except as set forth below).
(e) If, for any reason or for no reason, the full Available Amount has not been purchased in accordance with Section 2 of this Agreement by the Maturity Date, this Agreement shall automatically terminate on the Maturity Date, without any action or notice on the part of any party and without any liability whatsoever of any party to any other party under this Agreement (except as set forth below).
Except as set forth in Sections 11(a) (in respect of a Suspension Event under Sections 10(f), 10(g) and 10(h)), 11(d) and 11(e), any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11 shall be effected by written notice from the Company to the Investor, or the Investor to the Company, as the case may be, setting forth the basis for the termination hereof. The representations and warranties and covenants of the Company and the Investor contained in Sections 3, 4, 5, and 6 hereof, the indemnification provisions set forth in Section 9 hereof and the agreements and covenants set forth in Sections 10, 11 and 12 shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and any termination of this Agreement. No termination of this Agreement shall (i) affect the Company’s or the Investor’s rights or obligations under (A) this Agreement with respect to pending Fixed Purchases, VWAP Purchases or Additional VWAP Purchases and the Company and the Investor shall complete their respective obligations with respect to any pending Fixed Purchases, VWAP Purchases and Additional VWAP Purchases under this Agreement and (B) the Registration Rights Agreement, which shall survive any such termination, or (ii) be deemed to release the Company or the Investor from any liability for intentional misrepresentation or willful breach of any of the Transaction Documents.
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12. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Trial. This Agreement, and all claims or cause of action (whether in contract, tort or statute) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of the State of Delaware. The parties (a) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of (I) the state courts of Delaware and (II) the United States District Court in the City and County of Wilmington, New Castle County for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement, (b) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement except in the state courts of Delaware or the United States District Court in the City and County of Wilmington, New Castle County, and (c) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, 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 suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court. EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, THE SECURITIES OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THIS SECTION HAS BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THESE PROVISIONS WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXCEPTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.
(b) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party; provided that a facsimile signature or signature delivered by e-mail in a “.pdf” format data file, including any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com, www.echosign.adobe.com, etc., shall be considered due execution and shall be binding upon the signatory thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature were an original signature.
(c) Headings. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.
(d) Severability. 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) Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents supersede all other prior oral or written agreements between the Investor, the Company, their affiliates and Persons acting on their behalf with respect to the subject matter thereof, and this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the instruments referenced herein contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither the Company nor the Investor makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. The Company acknowledges and agrees that it has not relied on, in any manner whatsoever, any representations or statements, written or oral, other than as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents.
(f) Notices. Any notices, consents 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 and received: (i) upon receipt when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt when sent by email (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party); or (iii) one Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses for such communications shall be:
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If to the Company:
Forward Industries, Inc.
700 Veterans Memorial Hwy. Suite 100
Hauppauge, New York 11788
Email: **********
Attention: Kathleen Weisberg
With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice or service of process):
Nason, Yeager, Gerson, Harris & Fumero, P.A.
3001 PGA Boulevard, Suite 305
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410
Email: **********
Attention: Brian Bernstein, Esq.
If to the Investor:
C/M Capital Master Fund, LP
1111 Brickell Avenue
Suite 2920
Miami, Florida 33131
Email: **********
Attention: Thomas Walsh/Jonathan Juchno
With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice or service of process):
Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
333 S.E. 2nd Avenue, Suite 4400
Miami, Florida 33131
Attention: John D. Owens, III, Esq.
Email: **********
If to the Transfer Agent:
Equinity Trust Company, LLC
48 Wall Street, Floor 23
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Bryan Anderson
Email: **********
or at such other address and/or email address and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party three (3) Business Days prior to the effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender’s email account containing the time, date, and recipient email address, as applicable or (C) provided by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.
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(g) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. The Company shall not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Investor, including by merger or consolidation. The Investor may not assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement.
(h) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns and, except as set forth in Section 9 with respect to those persons entitled to indemnity thereunder, is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.
(i) Publicity. The Company shall afford the Investor and its counsel with the opportunity to review and comment upon, shall consult with the Investor and its counsel on the form and substance of, and shall give due consideration to all such comments from the Investor or its counsel on, any press release, SEC filing or any other public disclosure by or on behalf of the Company relating to the Investor, its purchases hereunder or any aspect of the Securities, the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby (other than any press release, SEC filing or other public disclosure that contains disclosures substantially similar to disclosures previously reviewed by the Investor or its counsel), not less than 24 hours prior to the issuance, filing or public disclosure thereof. The Investor must be provided with a final version of any portion of such press release, SEC filing or other public disclosure relating to the Investor, its purchases hereunder or any aspect of the Securities, the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby at least 24 hours prior to any release, issuance, filing or use by the Company thereof.
(j) Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to consummate and make effective, as soon as reasonably possible, the Commencement, and to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(k) No Financial Advisor, Placement Agent, Broker or Finder. The Company represents and warrants to the Investor that it has not engaged any financial advisor, placement agent, broker or finder in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. The Investor represents and warrants to the Company that it has not engaged any financial advisor, placement agent, broker or finder in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company shall be responsible for the payment of any fees or commissions, if any, of any financial advisor, placement agent, broker or finder engaged by the Company relating to or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company shall pay, and hold the Investor harmless against, any liability, loss or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and out of pocket expenses) arising in connection with any such claim made by a third party for any such fees or commissions of any financial advisor, placement agent, broker or finder engaged by the Company.
(l) No Strict Construction. 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. In addition, each and every reference to share prices and shares of Common Stock in this Agreement shall be subject to adjustment as provided in this Agreement for reverse and forward stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and other similar transactions of the Common Stock that occur after the date of this Agreement.
(m) Remedies, Other Obligations, Breaches and Injunctive Relief. The Investor’s remedies provided in this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Investor’s remedies provided in Section 9, shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available to the Investor under this Agreement, at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), no remedy of the Investor contained herein shall be deemed a waiver of compliance with the provisions giving rise to such remedy and nothing herein shall limit the Investor’s right to pursue actual damages for any failure by the Company to comply with the terms of this Agreement. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Investor 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 Investor shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to an injunction restraining any breach, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.
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(n) Enforcement Costs. In the event that (i) any action for enforcement of this Agreement is commenced or is enforced by the Investor through any legal proceeding; (ii) an attorney is retained to represent the Investor in any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership or other proceedings affecting creditors’ rights and involving a claim under this Agreement; or (iii) subject to Section 9 hereof, an attorney is retained to represent the Investor in any other proceedings whatsoever in connection with this Agreement, then the Company shall pay to the Investor, as incurred by the Investor, all reasonable costs and expenses including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection therewith, in addition to all other amounts due hereunder.
(o) Amendment and Waiver; Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended other than by a written instrument signed by both parties hereto and no provision of this Agreement may be waived other than in a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought. No failure or delay in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege.
** Signature Page Follows **
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Investor and the Company have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the Execution Date.
THE COMPANY:
Forward Industries, Inc.
By:______________________
Name: Kathleen Weisberg
Title: Chief Financial Officer
INVESTOR:
C/M CAPITAL MASTER FUND, LP
By:_______________________
Name: Thomas Walsh
Title: General Partner
Signature Page to Securities Purchase Agreement
Exhibit 10.5
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 16, 2025 (the “Execution Date”), is entered into by and between Forward Industries, Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”), and C/M CAPITAL MASTER FUND, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (together with its permitted assigns, the “Buyer”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the parties hereto, dated as of the Execution Date (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Purchase Agreement”).
WHEREAS:
A. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Purchase Agreement, (i) the Company has agreed to issue to the Investor, and the Investor has agreed to purchase, up to the greater of an amount of shares equal to the Exchange Cap (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) or Thirty-Five Million Dollars ($35,000,000) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (such shares, the “Purchase Shares”), and (ii) the Company has agreed to issue to the Investor such number of shares of Common Stock as consideration for its commitment to purchase shares of Common Stock under the Purchase Agreement at such time and otherwise in accordance with the terms set forth in Section 5(e) of the Purchase Agreement (the “Commitment Shares”); and
B. To induce the Buyer 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.
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 Buyer hereby, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
a. “Investor” means the Buyer, any transferee or assignee thereof to whom the Buyer assigns its rights under this Agreement in accordance with Section 9 and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement, and any transferee or assignee thereof to whom a transferee or assignee assigns its rights under this Agreement in accordance with Section 9 and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement.
b. “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.
c. “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 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”).
d. “Registrable Securities” means all of the Commitment Shares and all of the Purchase Shares that may, from time to time, be issued or become issuable to the Investor under the Purchase Agreement (without regard to any limitation or restriction on purchases), and any and all shares of capital stock issued or issuable with respect to the Purchase Shares, the Commitment Shares or the Purchase Agreement as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise, without regard to any limitation on purchases under the Purchase Agreement.
e. “Registration Statement” means one or more registration statements of the Company covering only the resale of the Registrable Securities, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any New Registration Statement (as defined below).
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2. REGISTRATION.
a. Mandatory Registration. The Company shall, within thirty (30) calendar days after the Execution Date, file with the SEC an initial Registration Statement on Form S-1 covering the maximum number of Registrable Securities as shall be permitted to be included thereon in accordance with applicable SEC rules, regulations and interpretations so as to permit the resale of such Registrable Securities by the Investor under Rule 415 under the Securities Act at then-prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices), as mutually determined by both the Company and the Investor in consultation with their respective legal counsel; provided, however, the Company may delay filing or suspend the use of any Registration Statement if the Company determines upon advice of legal counsel, that in order for the registration statement to not contain a material misstatement or omission, an amendment thereto would be needed, or if the Board of Directors, upon advice of legal counsel, reasonably believes that such filing or use would require premature disclosure of information that could materially adversely affect the Company; provided, however, that in the event the Investor owns Purchase Shares at the time of any such suspension of use of the registration statement, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to make such registration statement available for the resale of such securities by the Investor as soon as practicable thereafter. The initial Registration Statement shall register only Registrable Securities. The Investor 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 such comments. The Investor acknowledges that it will be identified in the initial Registration Statement (and in any New Registration Statement) as an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and the Investor shall furnish all information reasonably requested by the Company for inclusion therein. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement and any amendment declared effective by the SEC at the earliest practicable date. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Registration Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act and available for the resale by the Investor of all of the Registrable Securities covered thereby at all times until the date on which the Investor shall have resold all the Registrable Securities covered thereby and no shares of Common Stock remain issuable under the Purchase Agreement (the “Registration Period”). The effective 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. Any time-based requirements set forth in this Agreement shall be extended to the next Business Day if the applicable time falls on a weekend or federal holiday.
b. Rule 424 Prospectus. The Company shall, as required by applicable securities regulations, from time to time file 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 Investor and its counsel shall have a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon such prospectus prior to its filing with the SEC, and the Company shall give due consideration to all such comments. The Investor shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to comment upon such prospectus within one (1) Business Day from the date the Investor receives the substantially final pre-filing version of such prospectus.
c. 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, to the extent necessary and permissible, 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 reasonably practicable, but in any event not later than fifteen (15) Business Days after the necessity therefor 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 commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment and/or New Registration Statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable following the filing thereof.
d. 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 Investor under Rule 415 at then-prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices), or if after the filing of the initial 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 (after consulting with the Investor and its 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 Investor. Notwithstanding any provision herein or in the Purchase Agreement to the contrary, the Company’s obligations to register the Registrable Securities (and any related conditions to the 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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3. 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 commercially reasonable 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 the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period, comply with the applicable 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.
b. The Company shall permit the Investor 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 filing such Registration Statement or New Registration Statement with the SEC, and not file any such document in a form to which the Investor reasonably objects in writing. The 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 one (1) Business Day from the date the Investor receives the substantially final version thereof. The Company shall furnish to the Investor, 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 Investor, the Company shall furnish to the Investor, (i) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, at least one copy of any 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 Investor may reasonably request) and (iii) such other documents, including copies of any preliminary or final prospectus, as the Investor may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by the Investor. For the avoidance of doubt, any filing available to the Investor via the SEC’s live EDGAR system shall be deemed “furnished to the Investor” or “delivered to the Investor” hereunder.
d. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register and qualify the Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Investor 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 3(d), (y) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify the 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 written notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under the “blue sky” laws of any state which applies merit review.
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e. As promptly as reasonably practicable after becoming aware of any event or fact, the result of which makes a material fact included in any Registration Statement, as then in effect, or any prospectus included therein untrue or results in the omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements then made therein (in the case of any prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, the Company shall notify the Investor in writing of the happening of such event or existence of such facts 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 Investor. The Company shall also promptly notify the Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when any Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to the Investor by email or facsimile on the same day of such effectiveness or by overnight mail), (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 any Registration Statement would be appropriate.
f. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable 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 Investor of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.
g. The Company shall (i) cause all the Registrable Securities to be listed on the Principal Market if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of the Principal Market, or (ii) secure designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities on the Principal Market. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 3(g).
h. The Company shall cooperate with the Investor to facilitate the timely issuance of the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to any Registration Statement, it being agreed that such Registrable Securities shall be issued as DWAC Shares and in such denominations or amounts as the Investor may reasonably request and registered in such names as the Investor may request.
i. The Company shall at all times provide a transfer agent and registrar with respect to its Common Stock.
j. If reasonably requested in writing by the Investor, the Company shall: (i) as soon as practicable after receipt of written notice from the Investor, incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the Investor reasonably 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 or New Registration Statement.
k. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities in the United States as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.
l. Within one (1) Business Day after any Registration Statement which includes the Registrable Securities is declared effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, and shall direct legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the Transfer Agent (with copies to the Investor) confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. Thereafter, if requested by the Investor at any time, the Company shall direct its counsel to deliver to the Investor 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 Investor for sale of all of the Registrable Securities.
m. The Company shall take such other reasonable actions necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investor of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement.
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4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTOR.
a. The Company shall notify the Investor in writing of the information the Company reasonably requires from the Investor in connection with any Registration Statement hereunder. The Investor shall promptly 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 Investor agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration Statement hereunder and any amendments and supplements thereof.
c. The Investor 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 3(f) or the first sentence of 3(e), the Investor 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 a notice regarding the resolution or withdrawal of the stop order or suspension as contemplated by Section 3(f) or the supplemented or amended prospectus as contemplated by the first sentence of Section 3(e). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall direct the Transfer Agent to promptly deliver shares of Common Stock without any restrictive legend in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which an Investor has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor’s receipt of a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(f) or the first sentence of Section 3(e) and for which the Investor has not yet settled.
5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.
All reasonable expenses of the Company, other than sales or brokerage commissions, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, shall be paid by the Company.
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6. INDEMNIFICATION.
a. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Investor, each Person, if any, who controls the Investor, the members, the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, representatives of the Investor and each Person, if any, who controls the Investor within the meaning of Section 20 of 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, reasonable attorneys’ fees, amounts paid in settlement (such settlement with the consent of the Company, and such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) or reasonable 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 by the Company 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 and documented legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified Person arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information about or relating to the Investor or its sale of the Registrable Securities 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 or prospectus contained therein, if such Registration Statement, New Registration Statement or amendment thereof or supplement thereof or prospectus contained therein was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(c) or Section 3(e); (ii) 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 3(c) or Section 3(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; (iii) shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on a failure of the Investor 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 3(c) or Section 3(e); and (iv) 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 Investor pursuant to Section 9.
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b. In connection with the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement or prospectus, the Investor agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement, each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively and together with an Indemnified Person, an “Indemnified Party”), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information about the Investor or its offer and sale of Registrable Securities including the information set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto or updated from time to time in writing by the Investor and furnished to the Company by the Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement or prospectus or any New Registration Statement or from the failure of the Investor to deliver or cause to be delivered the prospectus made available by the Company, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(c) or Section 3(e); and, subject to Section 6(d), the Investor will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred (and documented) by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to the Investor as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to Section 9.
c. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6 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 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the 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 separate counsel comprised of one attorney or law firm with the reasonable and documented fees and expenses 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 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.
d. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred. Any Person receiving a payment pursuant to this Section 6 that is later determined (via definitive adjudication) not to be entitled to such payment shall return such payment to the person making it.
e. 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 applicable law.
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7. CONTRIBUTION.
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that: (i) 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 (ii) 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.
8. REPORTS AND DISCLOSURE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
With a view to making available to the Investor 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 Investor to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration (“Rule 144”), the Company agrees, at the Company’s sole expense, for as long as the Investor owns Registrable Securities, to use commercially reasonable efforts to:
a. make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;
b. file with the SEC 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 Investor so long as the Investor 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(c), 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 Investor to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration; and
d. take such additional action as is reasonably requested by the Investor to enable the Investor to sell the Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144, including, without limitation, delivering all such legal opinions, consents, certificates, resolutions and instructions to the Transfer Agent as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the Investor and otherwise reasonably cooperate with the Investor and the Investor’s broker to effect such sale of securities pursuant to Rule 144; provided, however, the Investor shall provide such documents as may be reasonably required by the Transfer Agent in connection therewith, including any written representations or certifications of the Investor or its broker (which shall not include any opinion of the Investor’s counsel) that may be required by the Transfer Agent in connection therewith.
The Company agrees that damages may be an inadequate remedy for any breach of the terms and provisions of this Section 8 and that Investor shall, whether or not it is pursuing any remedies at law, be entitled to seek 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.
9. ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
The Company shall not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Investor; provided, however, that any transaction, whether by merger, reorganization, restructuring, consolidation, financing or otherwise, whereby the Company remains the surviving entity immediately after such transaction shall not be deemed an assignment. The Investor may not assign its rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company, other than to an affiliate of the Investor, in which case the assignee must agree in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
10. 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 initial filing of the Registration Statement with the SEC. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, no provision of this Agreement may be (i) amended other than by a written instrument signed by both parties hereto or (ii) waived other than in a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
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11. 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 as set forth on the books and records of the Transfer Agent.
b. Any notices, consents 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: (i) upon receipt when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt when sent by email (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party); or (iii) one Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses for such communications shall be:
If to the Company:
Forward Industries, Inc.
700 Veterans Memorial Hwy. Suite 100
Hauppauge, New York 11788
Email: **********
Attention: [email protected]
With a copies to (which shall not constitute notice or service of process):
Nason, Yeager, Gerson, Harris & Fumero, P.A.
3001 PGA Boulevard, Suite 305
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410
Email: **********
Attention: Brian Bernstein, Esq.
If to the Investor:
C/M Capital Master Fund, LP
1111 Brickell Avenue
Suite 2920
Miami, Florida 33131
Email: **********
Attention: Thomas Walsh/Jonathan Juchno
With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice or service of process):
Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
333 S.E. 2nd Avenue, Suite 4400
Miami, Florida 33131
Attention: John D. Owens, III, Esq.
Email: **********
If to the Transfer Agent:
Equiniti Trust Company, LLC
48 Wall Street, Floor 23
New York, New York, 10005
Attention: Bryan Anderson
Email: **********
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or at such other address and/or email address and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party three (3) Business Days prior to the effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender’s email account containing the time, date, and recipient email address, as applicable or (C) provided by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.
c. This Agreement, and all claims or cause of action (whether in contract, tort or statute) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of the State of Delaware. The parties (a) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of (I) the state courts of Delaware and (II) the United States District Court in the City and County of Wilmington, New Castle County for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement, (b) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement except in the state courts of Delaware or the United States District Court in the City and County of Wilmington, New Castle County, and (c) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, 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 suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court. EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, THE SECURITIES OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THIS SECTION HAS BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THESE PROVISIONS WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXCEPTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.
d. This Agreement and the Purchase Agreement 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 among the parties hereto, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This Agreement and the Purchase Agreement supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
e. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and, subject to the requirements of Section 9, their successors and permitted assigns and, except as set forth in Section 6 with respect to those Persons entitled to indemnity thereunder, is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.
f. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
g. This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party; provided that a facsimile signature or signature delivered by e-mail in a “.pdf” format data file, including any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com, www.echosign.adobe.com, etc., shall be considered due execution and shall be binding upon the signatory thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature were an original signature.
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h. 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.
i. 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. The term “or” shall not be exclusive.
* * * * * *
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the Execution Date.
THE COMPANY:
Forward Industries, Inc.
By:______________________
Name: Kathleen Weisberg
Title: Chief Financial Officer
INVESTOR:
C/M CAPITAL MASTER FUND, LP
By:_______________________
Name: Jonathan Juchno
Title: General Partner