10-K
Holley Inc. (HLLY)
UNITEDSTATES
SECURITIESAND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,D.C. 20549
FORM10-K
(Mark One)
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Forthe fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Forthe transition period from to
CommissionFile Number: 001-39599
EMPOWERLTD.
(Exactname of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Cayman Islands | N/A |
|---|---|
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
| c/o MidOcean Partners<br><br><br> <br>245Park Avenue, 38^th^ Floor<br><br><br> <br>NewYork, NY | 10167 |
| --- | --- |
| (Address<br><br> of principal executive offices) | (Zip<br><br> Code) |
(212)497-1400
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
|---|---|---|
| Units, each consisting<br><br> of one Class A Ordinary Share, $0.0001 par value, and one-third of one redeemable warrant | EMPW.U | The<br><br> New York Stock Exchange |
| Class A Ordinary Shares<br><br> included as part of the units | EMPW | The<br><br> New York Stock Exchange |
| Redeemable Warrants<br><br> included as part of the units, each whole warrant exercisable for one Class A Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50 | EMPW<br><br> WS | The<br><br> New York Stock Exchange |
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant
to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period
that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”
“smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ |
| Emerging growth company | ☒ |
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for
complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange
Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered
public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☒ No ☐
The Registrant was not a public company at June 30, 2020, the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and therefore it cannot calculate the aggregate market value of its voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates at such date. The Registrant’s units began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on October 9, 2020 and the Registrant’s Class A ordinary shares began separate trading on November 27, 2020. The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Class A ordinary shares outstanding, other than shares held by persons who may be deemed affiliates of the Registrant, at December 31, 2020 was approximately $250,250,000.00. As of March 5, 2021, there were 25,000,000 shares of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001, and 6,250,000 shares of the Company’s Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001, issued and outstanding.
Documents
Incorporated by Reference: None.
TABLEOF CONTENTS
| Page | ||
|---|---|---|
| PART I | ||
| Item 1. | Business | 1 |
| Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 10 |
| Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments | 45 |
| Item 2. | Properties | 45 |
| Item 3. | Legal Proceedings | 45 |
| Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | 45 |
| PART II | ||
| Item 5. | Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | 46 |
| Item 6. | Selected Financial Data | 47 |
| Item 7. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 47 |
| Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 50 |
| Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 50 |
| Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 50 |
| Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures | 50 |
| Item 9B. | Other Information | 50 |
| PART III | ||
| Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | 51 |
| Item 11. | Executive Compensation | 59 |
| Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | 59 |
| Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | 62 |
| Item 14. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 64 |
| PART IV | ||
| Item 15. | Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules | 65 |
i
Certain
Terms
Unless otherwise stated in this Annual
Report or the context otherwise requires, references
to:
| ● | “amended<br><br> and restated memorandum and articles of association” are to the amended and restated<br><br> memorandum and articles of association that the Company adopted prior to the consummation<br><br> of the Initial Public Offering; |
|---|---|
| ● | “Companies<br><br> Law” are to the Companies Law (2020 Revision) of the Cayman Islands as the same<br><br> may be amended from time to time; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “directors”<br><br>are to our directors; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “forward<br><br> purchase agreement” is to the agreement providing for the sale of forward purchase<br><br> units to the forward purchase investors in a private placement that will close substantially<br><br> concurrently with the closing of our initial business combination, subject to approval<br><br> at such time by the MidOcean investment committee; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “forward<br><br> purchase investors” are Empower Funding and any assignees of Empower Funding under<br><br> Empower Funding’s forward purchase agreement; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “forward<br><br> purchase securities” are to the forward purchase shares and forward purchase warrants; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “forward<br><br> purchase shares” are to the Class A ordinary shares included in the forward purchase<br><br> units; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “forward<br><br> purchase units” are to the units to be issued to the forward purchase investors<br><br> pursuant to the forward purchase agreement; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “forward<br><br> purchase warrants” are to the warrants to purchase our Class A ordinary shares<br><br> included in the forward purchase units; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “Founders”<br><br> are to Matthew Rubel and Graham Clempson; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “founder<br><br> shares” are to our Class B ordinary shares initially issued to our sponsor in a<br><br> private placement prior to the Initial Public Offering and the Class A ordinary shares<br><br> that will be issued upon the automatic conversion of the Class B ordinary shares at the<br><br> time of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof<br><br> (for the avoidance of doubt, such Class A ordinary shares will not be “public shares”); |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “management”<br><br> or our “management team” are to our executive officers and directors; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “MidOcean”<br><br> are to MidOcean Partners, an affiliate of our sponsor; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “ordinary<br><br> shares” are to our Class A ordinary shares and our Class B ordinary shares; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “private<br><br> placement warrants” are to the warrants issued to our sponsor in a private placement<br><br> simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering and upon conversion of<br><br> working capital loans, if any; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “public<br><br> shares” are to our Class A ordinary shares sold as part of the units the Initial<br><br> Public Offering (whether they are purchased in the Initial Public Offering or thereafter<br><br> in the open market); |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “public<br><br> shareholders” are to the holders of our public shares, including our sponsor and<br><br> management team to the extent our sponsor and/or members of our management team purchase<br><br> public shares, provided that our sponsor’s and each member of our management team’s<br><br> status as a “public shareholder” will only exist with respect to such public<br><br> shares; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “sponsor”<br><br> are to Empower Sponsor Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “we,”<br><br>“us,” “our,” “company” or “our company” are to Empower Ltd., a Cayman Islands<br><br>exempted company. |
| --- | --- |
Any
forfeiture of shares described in this Annual Report will take effect as a surrender of shares for no consideration of such shares
as a matter of Cayman Islands law. Any conversion of the Class B ordinary shares described in this Annual Report will take effect
as a compulsory redemption of Class B ordinary shares and an issuance of Class A ordinary shares as a matter of Cayman Islands
law. Any share dividends described in this Annual Report will take effect as share capitalizations as a matter of Cayman Islands
law.
ii
Cautionary
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Some
of the statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes
of the federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our
management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements
that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions,
are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,”
“possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would”
and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement
is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this Annual Report may include, for example, statements about:
| ● | our<br><br> ability to complete our initial business combination; |
|---|---|
| ● | our<br><br> expectations around the performance of a prospective target business or businesses; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | our<br><br> success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees<br><br> or directors following our initial business combination; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | our<br><br> officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having<br><br> conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | the<br><br> proceeds of the forward purchase units being available to us; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | our<br><br> potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | our<br><br> pool of prospective target businesses; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | our<br><br> ability to consummate an initial business combination due to the uncertainty resulting<br><br> from the recent COVID-19 pandemic; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | the<br><br> ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential investment opportunities; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | our<br><br> public securities’ potential liquidity and trading; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | the<br><br> lack of a market for our securities; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | expectations<br><br> regarding the time during which we will be an “emerging growth company” under<br><br> the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”); |
| --- | --- |
| ● | the<br><br> use of proceeds not held in the trust account or available to us from interest income<br><br> on the trust account balance; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | the<br><br> trust account not being subject to claims of third parties; or |
| --- | --- |
| ● | our<br><br> financial performance. |
| --- | --- |
The
forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future
developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those
that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond
our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed
or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described
under the heading “Risk Factors.” Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking
statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
iii
PART
I
Item 1.
Business
General
We
are a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company” or “Empower”)
for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination
with one or more businesses or entities (the “initial business combination”). We have reviewed a number of opportunities
to enter into an initial business combination with an operating business, but we are not able to determine at this time whether
we will complete an initial business combination with any of the target businesses that we have reviewed or with any other target
business. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of the initial business combination,
at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from
the Company’s initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering”).
The
registration statement for the Initial Public Offering became effective on October 6, 2020. On October 9, 2020, the Company consummated
the Initial Public Offering of 25,000,000 units (the “units”) at $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of $250,000,000.
Simultaneously
with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of 4,666,667 warrants (the “private placement
warrants”) at a price of $1.50 per private placement warrant in a private placement to Empower Sponsor Holdings LLC (the
“sponsor”), generating gross proceeds of $7,000,000.
A
total of $250,000,000, consisting of $245,000,000 of net proceeds from the Initial Public Offering (which amount includes $8,750,000
in the form of deferred underwriting commissions) and $5,000,000 of proceeds from the sale of the private placement warrants,
was placed in a U.S.-based trust account with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee.
Our
units began trading on October 9, 2020 on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol EMPW.” On
November 27, 2020, we announced that the holders of the Company’s units may elect to separately trade the Class A ordinary
shares and warrants included in the units. Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-third of one warrant
to purchase one Class A ordinary share. Any units not separated will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)
under the symbol “EMPW.U”. Any underlying Class A ordinary shares and warrants that are separated will trade on NYSE
under the symbols “EMPW” and “EMPW WS,” respectively.
Business
Strategy
The
broader consumer sector, inclusive of the overall shopping and purchasing journey as well as products, services and experiences,
has undergone unprecedented changes. In this evolving landscape, the opportunity to foster and build companies that address these
shifting consumer preferences and utilize platforms most relevant to these new consumers requires speed, agility and a clear focus
on engaging, inspiring and commercially connecting with the customer. These substantial demographic, social, economic and behavioral
shifts at the consumer level have resulted in a confluence of opportunities unlike anything seen in recent decades.
Our
focus will be to acquire a consumer business that has a track record of proven financial performance, differentiation in its brand
and offering, and a loyal customer base, yet would benefit from our operational expertise, networks, experienced team and capital
to further enhance performance and drive continued growth. In addition to economic upside and market opportunities, proven leadership
and access to capital, we believe that core values, transparency, social impact and relevance to today’s evolving communities
and consumer groups is equally paramount.
We
intend to capitalize on several macro-level themes that are reshaping consumer behavior and how consumer businesses attain success
in the new market reality:
| ● | How<br><br> brands are built and what is expected of them is changing: traditional notions of branding<br><br> and status have evolved to include purpose and a sense of community, the use of business<br><br> as a powerful force for good, and sustainability. |
|---|
1
| ● | Products,<br><br> services and experiences are being evolved and co-created in a manner requiring dramatic<br><br> shifts in businesses’ approaches to innovation and development. |
|---|---|
| ● | The<br><br> consumer journey is more multi-faceted than ever: speed, agility and relentless focus,<br><br> paired with exceptional products, services, experiences, innovation and branding are<br><br> necessary to drive customer acquisition, assessment, engagement, purchase intent and,<br><br> ultimately, retention. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Channels,<br><br> traffic patterns and go-to-market options have evolved to address an increasingly mobile<br><br> and channel-agnostic consumer. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Digital<br><br> acumen is a requirement for success: acceleration of digital engagement will create a<br><br> path for more intimate connections with consumers, communities and the ability to provide<br><br> both personalization and convenience. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | The<br><br> shift towards healthy, active and sustainable lifestyles is permanent: a holistic approach<br><br> to health, wellness and hygiene will continue to garner greater share of the consumer<br><br> wallet. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Operational<br><br> excellence is a strategic weapon: agility to shift supply chains and operational execution<br><br> will be enabled via a well-organized infrastructure that matches consumer demand requirements<br><br> and functions in lockstep with the front-end of the business. Infrastructure and an ability<br><br> to execute flawlessly are critical tools. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | “Global”<br><br> now also means “local”: the ability to support market localization, from<br><br> consumer engagement to supply chain, is an opportunity across all categories. |
| --- | --- |
As
lifelong operators and investors, we have the proven capabilities, capital and insights to navigate the new market realities,
find companies that will offer consistent long-term economic performance and help pivot them in ways that prepare them for their
next chapter of growth.
Sources
of Target Business
We
anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment
market participants, private equity groups, investment banking firms, consultants, accounting firms and large business enterprises.
Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls
or mailings. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses in which they think we may be interested on an unsolicited
basis, since some of these sources will have read this Annual Report and know what types of businesses we are targeting. Our officers
and directors, as well as their affiliates, may also bring to our attention target business candidates that they become aware
of through their business contacts as a result of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending
trade shows or conventions. In addition, we expect to receive a number of proprietary deal flow opportunities that would not otherwise
necessarily be available to us as a result of the business relationships of our officers and directors. While we do not presently
anticipate engaging the services of professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions on any formal
basis, we may engage these firms or other individuals in the future, in which event we may pay a finder’s fee, consulting
fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction. We will
engage a finder only to the extent our management determines that the use of a finder may bring opportunities to us that may not
otherwise be available to us or if finders approach us on an unsolicited basis with a potential transaction that our management
determines is in our best interest to pursue. Payment of finder’s fees is customarily tied to completion of a transaction,
in which case any such fee will be paid out of the funds held in the trust account. In no event, however, will our sponsor or
any of our existing officers, or their respective affiliates, be paid by us any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation
prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the completion of our initial business combination (regardless
of the type of transaction that it is). However, we may pay any of our existing directors who are not also officers, or any entity
with which they are affiliated, a finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation in connection with identifying, investigating
and completing our initial business combination, to the extent such payment is in compliance with all laws and is consistent with
independent director requirements. Such payment may be paid from the proceeds held in the trust account upon consummation of an
initial business combination. Some of our officers and directors may enter into employment or consulting agreements with the post-business
combination company following our initial business combination. The presence or absence of any such fees or arrangements will
not be used as a criterion in our selection process of an acquisition candidate.
2
We
are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, Founders,
officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with
our sponsor or any of our Founders, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion
from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that such initial
business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. We are not required to obtain such an opinion in any
other context.
Acquisition
Criteria
We
will target business combination opportunities that align with our strategic insights, focus, capabilities and network. Consistent
with our business strategy, we have identified the following general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in
evaluating prospective target businesses. While we will use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating acquisition opportunities,
we may decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet these criteria and guidelines.
We
intend to seek candidates with an enterprise value of at least $750 million, and we intend to seek to acquire companies that encompass
one or more of the following characteristics:
| ● | Strong core business with a competitive market position: We will seek targets that have<br><br> leading market share, demonstrated competitive advantages, and well-established barriers<br><br> to entry. The target business should have characteristics that are difficult to replicate,<br><br> have multiple opportunities for growth and operate in markets with strong fundamentals. |
|---|---|
| ● | Attractive financial profile: We will seek to acquire a business that has a demonstrated history<br><br> of strong financial performance coupled with multiple vectors for continued future growth<br><br> and strong operating margins that result in stable and sustainable free cash flow generation. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Proven management team: We intend to acquire a business with an experienced management team<br><br> with a proven track record of driving growth, enhancing profitability and implementing<br><br> sound strategic decisions. We want to partner with a company that can benefit from our<br><br> experience and long history of investing in successful companies. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Strong corporate culture: We seek to partner with a company that has cultivated a robust<br><br> corporate culture, is mission-driven with a distinct purpose and is committed to a defined<br><br> set of core values. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Opportunity for operational improvement: We believe that a key driver of value creation will<br><br> be the accurate identification of areas to strengthen operations and enhance execution,<br><br> and we intend to identify candidates that will benefit from our knowledge, capabilities<br><br> and expertise. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Platform for organic and potentially inorganic growth: We believe that we can utilize our<br><br> expertise and extensive networks to source proprietary business or acquisition opportunities<br><br> to accelerate the growth trajectory of a target business. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Will benefit from being a public company: We will seek management and shareholders who<br><br> aspire to have their company become a public entity in order to have broader access to<br><br> debt and equity capital, liquidity and incentives for employees, a currency for potential<br><br> acquisitions and expanded brand and growth initiative. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Appropriate valuation: We intend to be disciplined and focused on acquiring a target at an attractive<br><br> valuation relative to publicly traded comparable companies and that we believe provides<br><br> significant upside. |
| --- | --- |
3
These
criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination
may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our
sponsors and management team may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into a business combination with a target
business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target business does not meet the above
criteria in our shareholder communications related to our initial business combination, which, as discussed in this Annual Report,
would be in the form of proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, that we would file with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Although we intend to focus on identifying business combination candidates in
the consumer products, services, retail and related industries, we will consider a business combination candidate outside of these
industries if we determine that such candidate offers an attractive opportunity for our company.
Initial
Business Combination
So
long as our securities are listed on the NYSE, our initial business combination must occur with a target business that has an
aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the net assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions
and taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account) at the time of signing a definitive agreement in connection with
our initial business combination. If our board is not able to determine the fair market value of the target business independently,
we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or an independent valuation or appraisal firm with respect
to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it unlikely that our board will be unable to make an independent determination
of the fair market value of a target business, it may be unable to do so if: (1) our board is less familiar or inexperienced with
the target company’s business, (2) there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of the Company’s assets
or prospects, including if such company is at an early stage of development, operations or growth, or (3) if the anticipated transaction
involves a complex financial analysis or other specialized skills, and our board determines that outside expertise would be helpful
or necessary in conducting such analysis. Since any opinion, if obtained, would merely state that the fair market value of the
target business meets the 80% of net assets threshold, unless such opinion includes material information regarding the valuation
of a target business or the consideration to be provided, it is not anticipated that copies of such opinion would be distributed
to our shareholders. However, if required under applicable law, any proxy statement that we deliver to shareholders and file with
the SEC in connection with a proposed transaction will include such opinion.
We
anticipate structuring our initial business combination so that the post-business combination company in which our public
shareholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business. We may, however, structure
our initial business combination such that the post-business combination company owns or acquires less than 100% of such
interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or
for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-business combination company owns or acquires
50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient
for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the Investment
Company Act. Even if the post-business combination company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target,
our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-business combination
company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination. For example, we could pursue a transaction
in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity
interests of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance
of a substantial number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than
a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests
or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-business combination company, the portion
of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% of net assets test. If
the business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% of net assets test will be based on the aggregate value
of all of the target businesses. In addition, we have agreed not to enter into a definitive agreement regarding an initial business
combination without the prior consent of our sponsor. If our securities are not then listed on the NYSE for whatever reason, we
would no longer be required to meet the foregoing 80% of net asset test.
4
To
the extent we effect our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early
stages of development or growth, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. Although our management
team will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly
ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.
The
time required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination, and the
costs associated with this process, are not currently ascertainable with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect
to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which our initial business combination is not ultimately
completed will result in our incurring losses and will reduce the funds we can use to complete another business combination
Acquisition
Process
In
evaluating a potential target business, we expect to conduct a comprehensive due diligence review to seek to determine a company’s
quality and its intrinsic value. That due diligence review may include, among other things, financial statement analysis, detailed
document reviews, multiple meetings with management, consultations with relevant industry experts, competitors, customers and
suppliers, as well as a review of additional information that we will seek to obtain as part of our analysis of a target company.
We
are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers
or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor,
officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking
firm or an independent accounting firm that our initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of
view.
Members
of our and MidOcean Partners’ (“MidOcean”) management teams, including our officers and directors, directly
or indirectly own our securities following the Initial Public Offering and, accordingly, may have a conflict of interest in determining
whether a particular target company is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination. Each
of our officers and directors, as well as our and MidOcean’s management teams, may have a conflict of interest with respect
to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers, directors, and management
team members was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to such business combination.
Each
of our directors, director nominees and officers presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or
contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business
combination opportunity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity
that is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor
his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity. We do not believe, however, that the
fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will materially affect our ability to complete our initial
business combination.
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity
offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as
a director or officer of our company, and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and
would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity
to us without violating another legal obligation.
Our
Founders, sponsor, officers, and directors may sponsor, form or participate in other blank check companies similar to ours during
the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination. Any such companies may present additional conflicts of interest
in pursuing an acquisition target, particularly in the event there is overlap among investment mandates. However, we do not currently
expect that any such other blank check company would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.
In addition, our Founders, sponsor, officers, and directors are not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs
and, accordingly, will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including identifying
potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence.
5
Shareholders
May Not Have the Ability to Approve Our Initial Business Combination
We
may conduct redemptions without a shareholder vote pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC subject to the provisions of
our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. However, we will seek shareholder approval if it is required
by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement, or we may decide to seek shareholder approval for business or other reasons.
Redemption
Rights for Public Shareholders upon Completion of Our Initial Business Combination
We
will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Class A ordinary shares upon the
completion of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit
in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination, including
interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our income taxes, if any, divided
by the number of then-outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account
was initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share. The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem
their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. The redemption rights
will include the requirement that a beneficial holder must identify itself in order to validly redeem its shares. There will be
no redemption rights upon the completion of our initial business combination with respect to our warrants. Further, we will not
proceed with redeeming our public shares, even if a public shareholder has properly elected to redeem its shares, if a business
combination does not close.
Our
sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive
their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and public shares held by them in connection with (i) the completion
of our initial business combination, and (ii) a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum
and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A
ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100%
of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public
Offering or during any extended time that we have to consummate a business combination beyond 24 months as a result of a shareholder
vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (the “Extension Period”) or (B) with
respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares.
Limitations
on Redemptions
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount
that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 either prior to or upon consummation of an initial business
combination (so that we do not then become subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). However, the proposed
business combination may require: (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash to be transferred to
the target for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions
in accordance with the terms of the proposed business combination. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required
to pay for all Class A ordinary shares that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions
pursuant to the terms of the proposed business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete
the business combination or redeem any shares, and all Class A ordinary shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the
holders thereof.
6
Limitation
on Redemption upon Completion of Our Initial Business Combination If We Seek Shareholder Approval
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial
business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide
that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting
in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its
shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in the Initial Public Offering without our prior consent.
We believe this restriction will discourage shareholders from accumulating large blocks of shares, and subsequent attempts by
such holders to use their ability to exercise their redemption rights against a proposed business combination as a means to force
us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable
terms. Absent this provision, a public shareholder holding more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in the Initial Public
Offering could threaten to exercise its redemption rights if such holder’s shares are not purchased by us, our sponsor or
our management at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. By limiting our shareholders’
ability to redeem no more than 15% of the shares sold in the Initial Public Offering without our prior consent, we believe we
will limit the ability of a small group of shareholders to unreasonably attempt to block our ability to complete our initial business
combination, particularly in connection with a business combination with a target that requires as a closing condition that we
have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash.
Redemption
of Public Shares and Liquidation If No Initial Business Combination
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that we have only 24 months from the closing of the Initial
Public Offering to consummate an initial business combination. If we have not consummated an initial business combination within
24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding
up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share
price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds
held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our income taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to
pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish
public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any);
and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders
and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) to our obligations under Cayman
Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights
or liquidating distributions with respect to our warrants, which will expire worthless if we fail to consummate an initial business
combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles
of association provide that, if we wind up for any other reason prior to the consummation of our initial business combination,
we will follow the foregoing procedures with respect to the liquidation of the trust account as promptly as reasonably possible
but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject to applicable Cayman Islands law.
Our
sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive
their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares they hold if we fail to consummate
an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering or during any Extension Period
(although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold
if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame).
Our
sponsor, executive officers, directors and director nominees have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will
not propose any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance
or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection
with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination
within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights
of holders of our Class A ordinary shares, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public
shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit
in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay
our income taxes, if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares. However, we may not redeem our public shares
in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 either prior to or upon consummation of an initial
business combination (so that we do not then become subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). If this optional
redemption right is exercised with respect to an excessive number of public shares such that we cannot satisfy the net tangible
asset requirement, we would not proceed with the amendment or the related redemption of our public shares at such time. This redemption
right shall apply in the event of the approval of any such amendment, whether proposed by our sponsor, any executive officer,
director or director nominee, or any other person.
7
Corporate
Information
We
are a Cayman Islands exempted company. Exempted companies are Cayman Islands companies conducting business mainly outside the
Cayman Islands and, as such, are exempted from complying with certain provisions of the Companies Law. As an exempted company,
we have applied for and received a tax exemption undertaking from the Cayman Islands government that, in accordance with Section
6 of the Tax Concessions Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, for a period of 20 years from the date of the undertaking,
no law that is enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations will apply
to us or our operations and, in addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the
nature of estate duty or inheritance tax will be payable (i) on or in respect of our shares, debentures or other obligations or
(ii) by way of the withholding in whole or in part of a payment of dividend or other distribution of income or capital by us to
our shareholders or a payment of principal or interest or other sums due under a debenture or other obligation of us.
Competition
In
identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for our initial business combination, we may encounter intense competition
from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including other blank check companies, private equity groups
and leveraged buyout funds, public companies, and operating businesses seeking strategic acquisitions. Many of these entities
are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates.
Moreover, many of these competitors possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources than us. Our ability to acquire
larger target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent limitation gives others an advantage
in pursuing the acquisition of a target business. Furthermore, our obligation to pay cash in connection with our public shareholders
who exercise their redemption rights may reduce the resources available to us for our initial business combination and our outstanding
warrants, and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Either
of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating an initial business combination.
Facilities
We
currently maintain our executive offices at 245 Park Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, NY 10167. We consider our current office space
adequate for our current operations.
Employees
We
currently have three executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters
but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business
combination. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected
for our initial business combination and the stage of the business combination process we are in. We do not intend to have any
full time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination.
Periodic
Reporting and Financial Information
We
have registered our units, Class A ordinary shares and warrants under the Exchange Act and have reporting obligations, including
the requirement that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange
Act, our annual reports will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.
8
We
will provide shareholders with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of the proxy solicitation
or tender offer materials, as applicable, sent to shareholders. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance
with, or reconciled to, GAAP, or IFRS, depending on the circumstances, and the historical financial statements may be required
to be audited in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential
target businesses we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such
statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.
We cannot assure you that any particular target business identified by us as a potential acquisition candidate will have financial
statements prepared in accordance with the requirements outlined above, or that the potential target business will be able to
prepare its financial statements in accordance with the requirements outlined above. To the extent that these requirements cannot
be met, we may not be able to acquire the proposed target business. While this may limit the pool of potential acquisition candidates,
we do not believe that this limitation will be material.
We
will be required to evaluate our internal control procedures for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021 as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer and no longer qualify as an emerging
growth company, will we not be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement
on our internal control over financial reporting. A target business may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act regarding adequacy of their internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance
with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.
We
are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As
such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other
public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply
with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive
compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory
vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors
find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of
our securities may be more volatile.
In
addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended
transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards.
In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards
would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
We
will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary
of the completion of the Initial Public Offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or
(c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value, the volume weighted average trading
price of its Class A ordinary shares during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the
Company consummates its initial business combination (such price, the “market value”), of our Class A ordinary shares
that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more
than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.
Additionally,
we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may
take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial
statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of
our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100
million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million
as of the prior June 30.
We
maintain a corporate website at www.empowermidocean.com. The information that may be contained on or accessible through
our corporate website or any other website that we may maintain is not incorporated by reference in, or otherwise a part of, this
report.
9
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Aninvestment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the risks described below, togetherwith the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, before making a decision to invest in our units. If anyof the following events occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. Inthat event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
SUMMARYOF RISK FACTORS
An
investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. The following is a summary of the principal factors that make an
investment in our securities speculative or risky, all of which are more fully described below in the section titled “Risk
Factors.” This summary should be read in conjunction with the “Risk Factors” section and should not be relied
upon as an exhaustive summary of the material risks facing our business. In addition to the following summary, you should consider
the information set forth in the “Risk Factors” section and the other information contained in this Annual Report
before investing in our securities.
| ● | We<br><br> are a recently incorporated company with no operating history and no revenues, and you<br><br> have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective. |
|---|---|
| ● | Past<br><br> performance by our management team or their respective affiliates may not be indicative<br><br> of future performance of an investment in us. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Our<br><br> shareholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed initial business<br><br> combination, which means we may complete our initial business combination even though<br><br> a majority of our shareholders do not support such a combination. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Your<br><br> only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination<br><br> may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | If<br><br> we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor and members<br><br> of our management team have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination,<br><br> regardless of how our public shareholders vote. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | The<br><br> ability of our public shareholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial<br><br> condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult<br><br> for us to enter into a business combination with a target. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | The<br><br> ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large<br><br> number of our shares may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination<br><br> or optimize our capital structure. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | The<br><br> ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large<br><br> number of our shares could increase the probability that our initial business combination<br><br> would be unsuccessful and that you would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem<br><br> your shares. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | The<br><br> requirement that we consummate an initial business combination within 24 months after<br><br> the closing of the Initial Public Offering may give potential target businesses leverage<br><br> over us in negotiating a business combination and may limit the time we have in which<br><br> to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets, in particular as<br><br> we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to complete our<br><br> initial business combination on terms that would produce value for our shareholders. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Our<br><br> search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate<br><br> a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by the recent coronavirus<br><br> (COVID-19) outbreak and the status of debt and equity markets. We may not be able to<br><br> consummate an initial business combination within 24 months after the closing of the<br><br> Initial Public Offering, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose<br><br> of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | If<br><br> we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors,<br><br> executive officers, advisors and their affiliates may elect to purchase public shares<br><br> or warrants, which may influence a vote on a proposed business combination and reduce<br><br> the public “float” of our Class A ordinary shares or public warrants. |
| --- | --- |
10
| ● | If<br><br> a shareholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our public shares in connection<br><br> with our initial business combination, or fails to comply with the procedures for tendering<br><br> its shares, such shares may not be redeemed. |
|---|---|
| ● | You<br><br> will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain<br><br> limited circumstances. Therefore, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to<br><br> sell your public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | The<br><br> NYSE may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’<br><br> ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Our<br><br> security holders are not entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many<br><br> other blank check companies. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Because<br><br> of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities,<br><br> it may be more difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. If we have<br><br> not consummated our initial business combination within the required time period, our<br><br> public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or less in<br><br> certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will<br><br> expire worthless. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | If<br><br> the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private placement<br><br> warrants not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate<br><br> for the 12 months following the closing of the Initial Public Offering, it could limit<br><br> the amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and our ability<br><br> to complete our initial business combination, and we will depend on loans from our sponsor,<br><br> its affiliates or members of our management team to fund our search and to complete our<br><br> initial business combination. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Subsequent<br><br> to our completion of our initial business combination, we may be required to take write-downs<br><br> or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could have a significant<br><br> negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and the price of our<br><br> securities, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | If<br><br> third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be<br><br> reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than<br><br> $10.00 per public share. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | The<br><br> securities in which we invest the proceeds held in the trust account could bear a negative<br><br> rate of interest, which could reduce the interest income available for payment of taxes<br><br> or reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per share redemption amount<br><br> received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | After<br><br> our initial business combination, substantially all of our assets may be located in a<br><br> foreign country and substantially all of our revenue may be derived from our operations<br><br> in any such country. Accordingly, our results of operations and prospects will be subject,<br><br> to a significant extent, to the economic, political and social conditions and government<br><br> policies, developments and conditions in the country in which we operate. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Because<br><br> we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, you may face difficulties in<br><br> protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal<br><br> courts may be limited. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Provisions<br><br> in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may inhibit a takeover<br><br> of us, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for<br><br> our Class A ordinary shares and could entrench management. |
| --- | --- |
11
RisksRelated to Our Business and Financial Position
Weare a recently incorporated company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate ourability to achieve our business objective.
We
are a recently incorporated company, incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with no operating results. Because we lack
an operating history, you have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective of completing our
initial business combination with one or more target businesses. We have no plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective
target business concerning a business combination and may be unable to complete our initial business combination. If we fail to
complete our initial business combination, we will never generate any operating revenues.
Ifthe net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private placement warrants not being held in the trust accountare insufficient to allow us to operate for the 12 months following the closing of the Initial Public Offering, it could limitthe amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and our ability to complete our initial business combination,and we will depend on loans from our sponsor, its affiliates or members of our management team to fund our search and to completeour initial business combination.
The
funds available to us outside of the trust account may not be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the 12 months after
the closing of the Initial Public Offering, assuming that our initial business combination is not completed during that time.
We expect to incur significant costs in pursuit of our acquisition plans. However, our affiliates are not obligated to make loans
to us in the future, and we may not be able to raise additional financing from unaffiliated parties necessary to fund our expenses.
Any such event in the future may negatively impact the analysis regarding our ability to continue as a going concern at such time.
We believe that, as of December 31, 2020, the funds available to us outside of the trust account, together with funds available
from loans from our sponsor, its affiliates or members of our management team will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at
least the 12 months following the closing of the Initial Public Offering; however, we cannot assure you that our estimate is accurate,
and our sponsor, its affiliates or members of our management team are under no obligation to advance funds to us in such circumstances.
Of the funds available to us, we expect to use a portion of the funds available to us to pay fees to consultants to assist us
with our search for a target business. We could also use a portion of the funds as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop”
provision (a provision in letters of intent designed to keep target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions
with other companies or investors on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business
combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into a letter of intent where we paid for the
right to receive exclusivity from a target business and were subsequently required to forfeit such funds (whether as a result
of our breach or otherwise), we might not have sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conduct due diligence with respect
to, a target business.
Of
the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, only $1,080,629 is available to
us as of December 31, 2020 outside the trust account to fund our working capital requirements. In the event that such amount is
insufficient to fund our search for a target business and to consummate an initial business combination we may seek additional
capital. If we are required to seek additional capital, we would need to borrow funds from our sponsor, its affiliates, members
of our management team or other third parties to operate or may be forced to liquidate. Neither our sponsor, members of our management
team nor their affiliates is under any obligation to us in such circumstances. Any such advances may be repaid only from funds
held outside the trust account or from funds released to us upon completion of our initial business combination. Up to $2,000,000
of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-business combination entity at a price of $1.50 per warrant at the
option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants. Prior to the completion of our initial
business combination, we do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor, its affiliates or members of our management
team as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to
seek access to funds in our trust account. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the required time
period because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the trust
account. Consequently, our public shareholders may only receive an estimated $10.00 per public share, or possibly less, on our
redemption of our public shares, and our warrants will expire worthless. See “— If third parties bring claims againstus, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may beless than $10.00 per public share” and other risk factors herein.
12
Pastperformance by our management team or their respective affiliates may not be indicative of future performance of an investmentin us.
Information
regarding performance is presented for informational purposes only. Any past experience or performance of our management team
and their respective affiliates is not a guarantee of either (i) our ability to successfully identify and execute a transaction
or (ii) success with respect to any business combination that we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record
of our management team or their respective affiliates as indicative of the future performance of an investment in us or the returns
we will, or are likely to, generate going forward. Our management has no experience in operating special purpose acquisition companies.
Weare dependent upon our executive officers and directors and their loss could adversely affect our ability to operate.
Our
operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals and, in particular, our executive officers and directors.
We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our officers and directors, at least until we have completed our
initial business combination. In addition, our executive officers and directors are not required to commit any specified amount
of time to our affairs and, accordingly, will have conflicts of interest in allocating their time among various business activities,
including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not have an employment agreement
with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or executive officers.
The
unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or executive officers could have a detrimental effect on us.
Ourability to successfully effect our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be totally dependent uponthe efforts of our key personnel, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination. The loss of key personnelcould negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
Our
ability to successfully effect our initial business combination is dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel. We believe
that our success depends on the continued service of our key personnel, at least until we have consummated our initial business
combination. None of our officers are required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, they will
have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including identifying potential business
combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. If our officers’ and directors’ other business affairs require
them to devote more substantial amounts of time to their other business activities, it could limit their ability to devote time
to our affairs and could have a negative impact on our ability to consummate our initial business combination. In addition, we
do not have employment agreements with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our officers. The unexpected loss of the services
of our key personnel could have a detrimental effect on us.
The
role of our key personnel after our initial business combination, however, remains to be determined. Although some of our key
personnel serve in senior management or advisory positions following our initial business combination, it is likely that most,
if not all, of the management of the target business will remain in place. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements
of operating a public company which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such
requirements. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect
our operations.
13
Ourkey personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular businesscombination, and a particular business combination may be conditioned on the retention or resignation of such key personnel. Theseagreements may provide for them to receive compensation following our initial business combination and as a result, may causethem to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.
Our
key personnel may be able to remain with our company after the completion of our initial business combination only if they are
able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take
place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation
in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the completion of the business combination.
Such negotiations also could make such key personnel’s retention or resignation a condition to any such agreement. The personal
and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business. Our
sponsor, upon and following consummation of an initial business combination, will be entitled to nominate three individuals for
appointment to our board of directors, as long as our sponsor holds any securities covered by the registration and shareholder
rights agreement, which is described herein under the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,and Director Independence — Registration and Shareholder Rights.”
Wemay have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may affect our initialbusiness combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage apublic company.
When
evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with a prospective target business, our ability to assess
the target business’s management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources or information. Our assessment of the capabilities
of the target business’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect and such management may lack the skills, qualifications
or abilities we suspected. Should the target business’s management not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary
to manage a public company, the operations and profitability of the post-combination business may be negatively impacted. Accordingly,
any holders who choose to retain their securities following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of
their securities. Such holders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value.
Theofficers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon completion of our initial business combination. The loss ofa business combination target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combinationbusiness.
The
role of an acquisition candidate’s key personnel upon the completion of our initial business combination cannot be ascertained
at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain associated
with the acquisition candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that members of the management of an
acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place.
Ourexecutive officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determinationas to how much time to devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to completeour initial business combination.
Our
executive officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in
a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and our search for a business combination and their other
businesses. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination. Each
of our executive officers is engaged in several other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation,
and our executive officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. Our independent
directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities. If our executive officers’ and directors’ other
business affairs require them to devote substantial amounts of time to such affairs in excess of their current commitment levels,
it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs which may have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial
business combination. For a complete discussion of our executive officers’ and directors’ other business affairs,
please see “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.”
14
Ourofficers and directors presently have, and any of them in the future may have, additional, fiduciary or contractual obligationsto other entities, including another blank check company, and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in determining to whichentity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
Until
we consummate our initial business combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more
businesses or entities. Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have, additional fiduciary
or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business
combination opportunity to such entity, subject to his or her fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. Accordingly, they may
have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. These conflicts
may not be resolved in our favor and a potential target business may be presented to another entity prior to its presentation
to us, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law.
In
addition, our Founders, sponsor, officers and directors may in the future become affiliated with other blank check companies that
may have acquisition objectives that are similar to ours. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which
entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor and a potential
target business may be presented to such other blank check companies prior to its presentation to us, subject to our officers’
and directors’ fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association
provide that we renounce our interest in any business combination opportunity offered to any Founder, director or officer unless
such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company and
it is an opportunity that we are able to complete on a reasonable basis.
For
a complete discussion of our executive officers’ and directors’ business affiliations and the potential conflicts
of interest that you should be aware of, please see “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance”
and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence.”
Ourexecutive officers, directors, security holders and their respective affiliates may have competitive pecuniary interests thatconflict with our interests.
We
have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our directors, executive officers, security holders or affiliates from having
a direct or indirect pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction
to which we are a party or have an interest. Nor do we have a policy that expressly prohibits any such persons from engaging for
their own account in business activities of the types conducted by us. Accordingly, such persons or entities may have a conflict
between their interests and ours. Additionally, Empower Funding is an affiliate of our sponsor.
The
personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting
a target business and completing a business combination. Consequently, our directors’ and officers’ discretion in
identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms,
conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our shareholders’ best interest.
RisksRelated to Our Proposed Initial Business Combination
Ourshareholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed initial business combination, which means we may completeour initial business combination even though a majority of our shareholders do not support such a combination.
We
may choose not to hold a shareholder vote before we complete our initial business combination if the business combination would
not require shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement. For instance, if we were seeking
to acquire a target business where the consideration we were paying in the transaction was all cash, we would typically not be
required to seek shareholder approval to complete such a transaction. Except for as required by applicable law or stock exchange
listing requirement, the decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow
shareholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a
variety of factors, such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us
to seek shareholder approval. Accordingly, we may complete our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of our
issued and outstanding ordinary shares do not approve of the business combination we complete.
15
Youronly opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise ofyour right to redeem your shares from us for cash.
You
will not be provided with an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of any target businesses. Since our board of
directors may complete a business combination without seeking shareholder approval, public shareholders may not have the right
or opportunity to vote on the business combination, unless we seek such shareholder approval. Accordingly, your only opportunity
to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to exercising your redemption rights
within the period of time (which will be at least 20 business days) set forth in our tender offer documents mailed to our public
shareholders in which we describe our initial business combination.
Ifwe seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor and members of our management team have agreed tovote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public shareholders vote.
Our
sponsor owns, on an as-converted basis, 20% of our outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the Initial Public Offering.
Our
sponsor and members of our management team also may from time to time purchase Class A ordinary shares prior to our initial business
combination. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, if we seek shareholder approval, we
will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval of an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law,
being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon
and who vote at a general meeting. As a result, in addition to our sponsor’s founder shares, we would need 9,375,001, or
37.5% (assuming all issued and outstanding shares are voted), or 1,562,501, or 6.25% (assuming only the minimum number of shares
representing a quorum are voted), of the 25,000,000 public shares sold in the Initial Public Offering to be voted in favor of
an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved. Accordingly, if we seek shareholder
approval of our initial business combination, the agreement by our sponsor and each member of our management team to vote in favor
of our initial business combination will increase the likelihood that we will receive the requisite shareholder approval for such
initial business combination.
Theability of our public shareholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potentialbusiness combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into a business combination with a target.
We
may seek to enter into a business combination transaction agreement with a prospective target that requires as a closing condition
that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. If too many public shareholders exercise their redemption rights,
we would not be able to meet such closing condition and, as a result, would not be able to proceed with the business combination.
Furthermore, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than
$5,000,001 either prior to or upon consummation of an initial business combination (so that we do not then become subject to the
SEC’s “penny stock” rules). Consequently, if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause
our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 either prior to or upon consummation of an initial business combination or
such greater amount necessary to satisfy a closing condition as described above, we would not proceed with such redemption and
the related business combination and may instead search for an alternate business combination. Prospective targets will be aware
of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into a business combination transaction with us.
Theability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares may not allow usto complete the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.
At
the time we enter into an agreement for our initial business combination, we will not know how many shareholders may exercise
their redemption rights, and therefore will need to structure the transaction based on our expectations as to the number of shares
that will be submitted for redemption. If a large number of shares are submitted for redemption, we may need to restructure the
transaction to reserve a greater portion of the cash in the trust account or arrange for additional third-party financing. Raising
additional third-party financing may involve dilutive equity issuances or the incurrence of indebtedness at higher than desirable
levels. The above considerations may limit our ability to complete the most desirable business combination available to us or
optimize our capital structure. The amount of the deferred underwriting commissions payable to the underwriters will not be adjusted
for any shares that are redeemed in connection with an initial business combination. The per-share amount we will distribute to
shareholders who properly exercise their redemption rights will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions and after
such redemptions, the amount held in trust will continue to reflect our obligation to pay the entire deferred underwriting commissions.
16
Theability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares could increase theprobability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful and that you would have to wait for liquidation in orderto redeem your shares.
If
our initial business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase price,
or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful
is increased. If our initial business combination is unsuccessful, you would not receive your pro rata portion of the funds in
the trust account until we liquidate the trust account. If you are in need of immediate liquidity, you could attempt to sell your
shares in the open market; however, at such time our shares may trade at a discount to the pro rata amount per share in the trust
account. In either situation, you may suffer a material loss on your investment or lose the benefit of funds expected in connection
with our redemption until we liquidate or you are able to sell your shares in the open market.
Therequirement that we consummate an initial business combination within 24 months after the closing of the Initial Public Offeringmay give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating a business combination and may limit the time we have inwhich to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets, in particular as we approach our dissolution deadline,which could undermine our ability to complete our initial business combination on terms that would produce value for our shareholders.
Any
potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning a business combination will be aware that we must consummate
an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering. Consequently, such target business
may obtain leverage over us in negotiating a business combination, knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination
with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination with any target business.
This risk will increase as we get closer to the time frame described above. In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due
diligence and may enter into our initial business combination on terms that we would have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.
Oursearch for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may bematerially adversely affected by the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the status of debt and equity markets.
In
December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus was reported to have surfaced, which has and is continuing to spread throughout the
world, including the United States. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the coronavirus
disease (COVID-19) a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.” On January 31, 2020, U.S. Health and Human
Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency for the United States to aid the U.S. healthcare community
in responding to COVID-19, and on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization characterized the outbreak as a “pandemic”.
The pandemic, together with resulting voluntary and U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. governmental actions, including, without
limitation, mandatory business closures, public gathering limitations, restrictions on travel and quarantines, has meaningfully
disrupted the global economy and markets. Although the long-term economic fallout of COVID-19 is difficult to predict, it has
and is expected to continue to have ongoing material adverse effects across many, if not all, aspects of the regional, national
and global economy. The COVID-19 outbreak has and a significant outbreak of other infectious diseases could result in a widespread
health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets worldwide, and the business of any potential target
business with which we consummate a business combination could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, we may be unable
to complete a business combination if continued concerns relating to COVID-19 continues to restrict travel, limit the ability
to have meetings with potential investors or the target company’s personnel, vendors and services providers are unavailable
to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely manner. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our search for a business combination
will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge
concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. If the disruptions
posed by COVID-19 or other matters of global concern continue for an extensive period of time, our ability to consummate a business
combination, or the operations of a target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially
adversely affected.
17
In
addition, our ability to consummate a transaction may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing which may
be impacted by COVID-19 and other events, including as a result of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity in
third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to us or at all.
Wemay not be able to consummate an initial business combination within 24 months after the closing of the Initial Public Offering,in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate.
We
may not be able to find a suitable target business and consummate an initial business combination within 24 months after the closing
of the Initial Public Offering. Our ability to complete our initial business combination may be negatively impacted by general
market conditions, volatility in the capital and debt markets and the other risks described herein. For example, the outbreak
of COVID-19 continues to grow both in the U.S. and globally and, while the extent of the impact of the outbreak on us will depend
on future developments, it could limit our ability to complete our initial business combination, including as a result of increased
market volatility, decreased market liquidity and third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to us or at all.
Additionally, the outbreak of COVID-19 may negatively impact businesses we may seek to acquire. If we have not consummated an
initial business combination within such applicable time period, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding
up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share
price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds
held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our income taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to
pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish
public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any);
and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders
and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), to our obligations under Cayman
Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Our amended and restated memorandum
and articles of association provide that, if we wind up for any other reason prior to the consummation of our initial business
combination, we will follow the foregoing procedures with respect to the liquidation of the trust account as promptly as reasonably
possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject to applicable Cayman Islands law. In either such case, our public
shareholders may receive only $10.00 per public share, or less than $10.00 per public share, on the redemption of their shares,
and our warrants will expire worthless. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in thetrust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per publicshare” and other risk factors herein.
Ifwe seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors, executive officers, advisors and theiraffiliates may elect to purchase public shares or warrants, which may influence a vote on a proposed business combination andreduce the public “float” of our Class A ordinary shares or public warrants.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial
business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, directors, executive officers, advisors or their affiliates
may purchase public shares or warrants in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following
the completion of our initial business combination, although, other than the Empower Funding forward purchase agreement, they
are under no obligation to do so. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions
and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. None of the funds in the trust account will be used
to purchase public shares or warrants in such transactions.
18
In
the event that our sponsor, directors, executive officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated
transactions from public shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders
would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. The purpose of any such transaction could be to (1)
vote in favor of the business combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business
combination, (2) reduce the number of public warrants outstanding or vote such warrants on any matters submitted to the warrant
holders for approval in connection with our initial business combination or (3) satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with
a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination,
where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion
of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. In addition, if such purchases are made, the public
“float” of our Class A ordinary shares or public warrants may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our
securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities
on a national securities exchange. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act
to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements.
Ifa shareholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our public shares in connection with our initial business combination,or fails to comply with the procedures for tendering its shares, such shares may not be redeemed.
We
will comply with the proxy rules or tender offer rules, as applicable, when conducting redemptions in connection with our initial
business combination. Despite our compliance with these rules, if a shareholder fails to receive our proxy solicitation or tender
offer materials, as applicable, such shareholder may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem its shares. In addition, the
proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection
with our initial business combination will describe the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly redeem
or tender public shares. In the event that a shareholder fails to comply with these procedures, its shares may not be redeemed.
Becauseof our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult forus to complete our initial business combination. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the requiredtime period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or less in certain circumstances,on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless.
We
expect to encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including private investors
(which may be individuals or investment partnerships), other blank check companies and other entities, domestic and international,
competing for the types of businesses we intend to acquire. Many of these individuals and entities are well established and have
extensive experience in identifying and effecting, directly or indirectly, acquisitions of companies operating in or providing
services to various industries. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources or more local industry
knowledge than we do and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors.
While we believe there are numerous target businesses we could potentially acquire with the net proceeds of the Initial Public
Offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, our ability to compete with respect to the acquisition of certain target
businesses that are sizable will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others
an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, we are obligated to offer holders of our public
shares the right to redeem their shares for cash at the time of our initial business combination in conjunction with a shareholder
vote or via a tender offer. Target companies will be aware that this may reduce the resources available to us for our initial
business combination. Any of these obligations may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business
combination. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the required time period, our public shareholders
may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account
and our warrants will expire worthless. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in thetrust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per publicshare” and other risk factors herein.
19
Subsequentto our completion of our initial business combination, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring andimpairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations andthe price of our securities, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.
Even
if we conduct extensive due diligence on a target business with which we combine, we cannot assure you that this diligence will
identify all material issues with a particular target business, that it would be possible to uncover all material issues through
a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of the target business and outside of our control will not later
arise. As a result of these factors, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or
incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even if our due diligence successfully identifies
certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary
risk analysis. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that
we report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our securities. In addition, charges
of this nature may cause us to violate net worth or other covenants to which we may be subject as a result of assuming pre-existing
debt held by a target business or by virtue of our obtaining post-combination debt financing. Accordingly, any holders who choose
to retain their securities following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such
holders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value.
Ifwe have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, ourpublic shareholders may be forced to wait beyond such 24 months before redemption from our trust account.
If
we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the
proceeds then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously
released to us to pay our income taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), will be used to
fund the redemption of our public shares, as further described herein. Any redemption of public shareholders from the trust account
will be effected automatically by function of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association prior to any voluntary
winding up. If we are required to wind up, liquidate the trust account and distribute such amount therein, pro rata, to our public
shareholders, as part of any liquidation process, such winding up, liquidation and distribution must comply with the applicable
provisions of the Companies Law. In that case, investors may be forced to wait beyond 24 months from the closing of the Initial
Public Offering before the redemption proceeds of our trust account become available to them, and they receive the return of their
pro rata portion of the proceeds from our trust account. We have no obligation to return funds to investors prior to the date
of our redemption or liquidation unless, prior thereto, we consummate our initial business combination or amend certain provisions
of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, and only then in cases where investors have sought to redeem
their Class A ordinary shares. Only upon our redemption or any liquidation will public shareholders be entitled to distributions
if we do not complete our initial business combination and do not amend certain provisions of our amended and restated memorandum
and articles of association. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, if we wind up for any
other reason prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, we will follow the foregoing procedures with respect
to the liquidation of the trust account as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject
to applicable Cayman Islands law.
Becausewe are neither limited to evaluating a target business in a particular industry sector nor have we selected any specific targetbusinesses with which to pursue our initial business combination, you will be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particulartarget business’s operations.
We
may pursue business combination opportunities in any sector, except that we will not, under our amended and restated memorandum
and articles of association, be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination solely with another blank check company
or similar company with nominal operations. Because we have not yet selected or approached any specific target business with respect
to a business combination, there is no basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any particular target business’s
operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition or prospects. To the extent we complete our initial
business combination, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations with which we combine. For example,
if we combine with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of sales or earnings, we may be
affected by the risks inherent in the business and operations of a financially unstable or a development stage entity. Although
our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you
that we will properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors or that we will have adequate time to complete due
diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the
chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will
ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than a direct investment, if such opportunity were available, in a business
combination target. Accordingly, any holders who choose to retain their securities following the business combination could suffer
a reduction in the value of their securities. Such holders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value.
20
Wemay seek acquisition opportunities in industries or sectors which may or may not be outside of our management’s area ofexpertise.
We
will consider a business combination outside of our management’s area of expertise if a business combination target is presented
to us and we determine that such candidate offers an attractive acquisition opportunity for our company. Although our management
will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in any particular business combination target, we cannot assure you that we will
adequately ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units
will not ultimately prove to be less favorable to investors in the Initial Public Offering than a direct investment, if an opportunity
were available, in a business combination target. In the event we elect to pursue an acquisition outside of the areas of our management’s
expertise, our management’s expertise may not be directly applicable to its evaluation or operation, and the information
contained in this Annual Report regarding the areas of our management’s expertise would not be relevant to an understanding
of the business that we elect to acquire. As a result, our management may not be able to adequately ascertain or assess all of
the significant risk factors. Accordingly, any holders who choose to retain their securities following the business combination
could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such holders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value.
Althoughwe have identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses,we may enter into our initial business combination with a target that does not meet such criteria and guidelines, and as a result,the target business with which we enter into our initial business combination may not have attributes entirely consistent withour general criteria and guidelines.
Although
we have identified general criteria and guidelines for evaluating prospective target businesses, it is possible that a target
business with which we enter into our initial business combination will not have all of these positive attributes. If we complete
our initial business combination with a target that does not meet some or all of these guidelines, such combination may not be
as successful as a combination with a business that does meet all of our general criteria and guidelines. In addition, if we announce
a prospective business combination with a target that does not meet our general criteria and guidelines, a greater number of shareholders
may exercise their redemption rights, which may make it difficult for us to meet any closing condition with a target business
that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. In addition, if shareholder approval of the transaction
is required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business
or other reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain shareholder approval of our initial business combination if the target
business does not meet our general criteria and guidelines. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within
the required time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or less in certain circumstances,
on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless.
Weare not required to obtain an opinion from an independent accounting or investment banking firm, and consequently, you may haveno assurance from an independent source that the price we are paying for the business is fair to our shareholders from a financialpoint of view.
Unless
we complete our initial business combination with an affiliated entity, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent
investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the price we are paying is
fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view. If no opinion is obtained, our shareholders will be relying on the judgment
of our board of directors, who will determine fair market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community.
Such standards used will be disclosed in our proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, related to our initial
business combination.
21
Wemay issue additional Class A ordinary shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employeeincentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue Class A ordinary shares upon the conversionof the founder shares at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilutionprovisions contained in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Any such issuances would dilute the interestof our shareholders and likely present other risks.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorize the issuance of up to 500,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, 50,000,000 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, and 5,000,000 preference shares, par value $0.0001 per share. At March 5, 2021, there were 475,000,000 and 4,375,000 authorized but unissued Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares, respectively, available for issuance which amount does not take into account shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants or shares issuable upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares, if any, or any shares issued upon the sale of the forward purchase shares or upon the exercise of the forward purchase warrants. The Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares (which such Class A ordinary shares delivered upon conversion will not have any redemption rights or be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account if we fail to consummate an initial business combination) at the time of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof as described herein and in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. There are no preference shares issued and outstanding.
We
may issue a substantial number of additional Class A ordinary shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination
or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue Class A ordinary shares
upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination
as a result of the anti-dilution provisions as set forth herein. However, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of
association provide, among other things, that prior to or in connection with our initial business combination, we may not issue
additional shares that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote on any initial
business combination or on any other proposal presented to shareholders prior to or in connection with the completion of an initial
business combination. These provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, like all provisions
of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, may be amended with a shareholder vote. The issuance of additional
ordinary or preference shares, including the issuance of the forward purchase securities:
| ● | may<br><br>significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in the Initial Public Offering, which dilution would increase if the anti-dilution<br><br>provisions in the Class B ordinary shares resulted in the issuance of Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-to-one basis<br><br>upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares; |
|---|---|
| ● | may<br><br>subordinate the rights of holders of Class A ordinary shares if preference shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded<br><br>our Class A ordinary shares; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | could<br><br>cause a change in control if a substantial number of Class A ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things,<br><br>our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present<br><br>officers and directors; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | may<br><br>have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us by diluting the share ownership or voting rights of a person<br><br>seeking to obtain control of us; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | may<br><br>adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units, Class A ordinary shares and/or warrants; and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | may<br><br>not result in adjustment to the exercise price of our warrants. |
| --- | --- |
22
Unlikesome other similarly structured blank check companies, our sponsor will receive additional Class A ordinary shares if we issueshares to consummate an initial business combination.
The
founder shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares (which such Class A ordinary shares delivered upon conversion
will not have any redemption rights or be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account if we fail to consummate
an initial business combination) at the time of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof
at a ratio such that the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of all founder shares will equal, in the aggregate,
on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of (i) the total number of ordinary shares issued and outstanding, plus (ii) the total
number of Class A ordinary shares issued or deemed issued or issuable upon conversion or exercise of any equity-linked securities
or rights issued or deemed issued, by the Company in connection with or in relation to the consummation of the initial business
combination, excluding the forward purchase securities and any Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities exercisable
for or convertible into Class A ordinary shares issued, deemed issued, or to be issued, to any seller in the initial business
combination and any private placement warrants issued to our sponsor, any of its affiliates or any members of our management team
upon conversion of working capital loans. In no event will the Class B ordinary shares convert into Class A ordinary shares at
a rate of less than one-to-one. This is different than some other similarly structured blank check companies in which our sponsor
will only be issued an aggregate of 20% of the total number of shares to be outstanding prior to the initial business combination.
Resourcescould be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not completed, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attemptsto locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the requiredtime period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or less in certain circumstances,on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless.
The
investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure
documents and other instruments requires substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys
and others. If we decide not to complete a specific initial business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the
proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, if we reach an agreement relating to a specific target business,
we may fail to complete our initial business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such
event will result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to
locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the required
time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or less in certain circumstances,
on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless.
Wemay reincorporate in another jurisdiction in connection with our initial business combination and such reincorporation may resultin taxes imposed on shareholders.
We
may, in connection with our initial business combination and subject to requisite shareholder approval under the Companies Law,
reincorporate in the jurisdiction in which the target company or business is located or in another jurisdiction. The transaction
may require a shareholder or warrant holder to recognize taxable income in the jurisdiction in which the shareholder or warrant
holder is a tax resident or in which its members are resident if it is a tax transparent entity. We do not intend to make any
cash distributions to shareholders or warrant holders to pay such taxes.
Shareholders
or warrant holders may be subject to withholding taxes or other taxes with respect to their ownership of us after the reincorporation.
Afterour initial business combination, it is possible that a majority of our directors and officers will live outside the United Statesand all of our assets will be located outside the United States; therefore investors may not be able to enforce federal securitieslaws or their other legal rights.
It
is possible that after our initial business combination, a majority of our directors and officers will reside outside of the United
States and all of our assets will be located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult, or in some cases
not possible, for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon all of our directors
or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties on our directors
and officers under United States laws.
23
Wemay engage in a business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliatedwith our sponsor, executive officers or directors which may raise potential conflicts of interest.
In
light of the involvement of our sponsor, executive officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one or
more businesses affiliated with our sponsor, executive officers or directors. Our directors also serve as officers and board members
for other entities, including, without limitation, those described under “Directors, Executive Officers and CorporateGovernance.”
Our
Founders, sponsor, officers and directors may sponsor, form or participate in other blank check companies similar to ours during
the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination. Such entities may compete with us for business combination
opportunities. Our Founders, sponsor, officers and directors are not currently aware of any specific opportunities for us to complete
our initial business combination with any entities with which they are affiliated, and there have been no substantive discussions
concerning a business combination with any such entity or entities.
Although
we will not be specifically focusing on, or targeting, any transaction with any affiliated entities, we would pursue such a transaction
if we determined that such affiliated entity met our criteria and guidelines for an initial business combination and such transaction
was approved by a majority of our independent and disinterested directors. Despite our agreement to obtain an opinion from an
independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions regarding the fairness
to our company from a financial point of view of a business combination with one or more domestic or international businesses
affiliated with our sponsor, executive officers or directors, potential conflicts of interest still may exist and, as a result,
the terms of the business combination may not be as advantageous to our public shareholders as they would be absent any conflicts
of interest.
Sinceour sponsor, executive officers and directors will lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is notcompleted (other than with respect to public shares they may acquire during or the Initial Public Offering), a conflict of interestmay arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for our initial business combination.
On
August 21, 2020, our sponsor paid $25,000, or approximately $0.003 per share, to cover certain of our offering and formation costs
in consideration of 7,187,500 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 (937,500 of which was forfeited by our sponsor in connection
with the Initial Public Offering). Prior to the initial investment in the Company of $25,000 by our sponsor, the Company had no
assets, tangible or intangible. The per-share price of the founder shares was determined by dividing the amount contributed to
the Company by the number of founder shares issued. The founder shares will be worthless if we do not complete an initial business
combination. In addition, our sponsor purchased an aggregate of 4,666,667 private placement warrants, each exercisable to purchase
one Class A ordinary share at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, at a price of $1.50 per warrant ($7,000,000 in the aggregate),
in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering. If we do not consummate an
initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the private placement warrants
will expire worthless. The personal and financial interests of our executive officers and directors may influence their motivation
in identifying and selecting a target business combination, completing an initial business combination and influencing the operation
of the business following the initial business combination. This risk may become more acute as the 24-month anniversary of the
closing of the Initial Public Offering nears, which is generally the deadline for our consummation of an initial business combination.
Wemay issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete a business combination, which may adverselyaffect our leverage and financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our shareholders’ investment in us.
Although
we have no commitments to issue any notes or other debt securities, or to otherwise incur outstanding debt, we may choose to incur
substantial debt to complete our initial business combination. We and our officers have agreed that we will not incur any indebtedness
unless we have obtained from the lender a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to the monies held in
the trust account. As such, no issuance of debt will affect the per-share amount available for redemption from the trust account.
Nevertheless, the incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including:
| ● | default<br><br>and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt<br><br>obligations; |
|---|
24
| ● | acceleration<br><br>of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain<br><br>covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant; |
|---|---|
| ● | our<br><br>immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt is payable on demand; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | our<br><br>inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing<br><br>while the debt is outstanding; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | our<br><br>inability to pay dividends on our Class A ordinary shares; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | using<br><br>a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends<br><br>on our Class A ordinary shares if declared, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | limitations<br><br>on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | increased<br><br>vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation;<br><br>and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | limitations<br><br>on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution<br><br>of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt. |
| --- | --- |
Wemay only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the privateplacement warrants and forward purchase units, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business which may havea limited number of products or services. This lack of diversification may negatively impact our operations and profitability.
We
may effectuate our initial business combination with a single-target business or multiple-target businesses simultaneously or
within a short period of time. However, we may not be able to effectuate our initial business combination with more than one target
business because of various factors, including the existence of complex accounting issues and the requirement that we prepare
and file pro forma financial statements with the SEC that present operating results and the financial condition of several target
businesses as if they had been operated on a combined basis. By completing our initial business combination with only a single
entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments. Further, we
would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike
other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas
of a single industry.
Accordingly,
the prospects for our success may be:
| ● | solely<br><br>dependent upon the performance of a single business, property or asset; or |
|---|---|
| ● | dependent<br><br>upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services. |
| --- | --- |
This
lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory risks, any or all of which may have a
substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our initial business combination.
25
Wemay attempt to simultaneously complete business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability tocomplete our initial business combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operationsand profitability.
If
we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses that are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers
to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which
may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete our initial business combination. With multiple business
combinations, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations
and due diligence (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the
operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address
these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.
Wemay attempt to complete our initial business combination with a private company about which little information is available, whichmay result in a business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
In
pursuing our acquisition strategy, we may seek to effectuate our initial business combination with a privately held company. Very
little public information generally exists about private companies, and we could be required to make our decision on whether to
pursue a potential initial business combination on the basis of limited information, which may result in a business combination
with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
Ourmanagement may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination. Upon the loss of controlof a target business, new management may not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to profitably operate suchbusiness.
We
may structure our initial business combination so that the post-business combination company in which our public shareholders
own shares will own less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business, but we will only complete such business
combination if the post-business combination company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the
target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target business sufficient for us not to be required to register as
an investment company under the Investment Company Act. We will not consider any transaction that does not meet such criteria.
Even if the post-business combination company owns 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior
to our initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-business combination company, depending
on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we
issue a substantial number of new Class A ordinary shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other
equity interests of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance
of a substantial number of new Class A ordinary shares, our shareholders immediately prior to such transaction could own less
than a majority of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares subsequent to such transaction. In addition, other minority shareholders
may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in a single person or group obtaining a larger share of the Company’s
shares than we initially acquired. Accordingly, this may make it more likely that our management will not be able to maintain
control of the target business.
Wemay seek business combination opportunities with a high degree of complexity that require significant operational improvements,which could delay or prevent us from achieving our desired results.
We
may seek business combination opportunities with large, highly complex companies that we believe would benefit from operational
improvements. While we intend to implement such improvements, to the extent that our efforts are delayed or we are unable to achieve
the desired improvements, the business combination may not be as successful as we anticipate.
To
the extent we complete our initial business combination with a large complex business or entity with a complex operating structure,
we may also be affected by numerous risks inherent in the operations of the business with which we combine, which could delay
or prevent us from implementing our strategy. Although our management team will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular
target business and its operations, we may not be able to properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors until
we complete our business combination. If we are not able to achieve our desired operational improvements, or the improvements
take longer to implement than anticipated, we may not achieve the gains that we anticipate. Furthermore, some of these risks and
complexities may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks and
complexities will adversely impact a target business. Such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a smaller,
less complex organization.
26
Wedo not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold may make it possible for us tocomplete our initial business combination with which a substantial majority of our shareholders do not agree.
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association do not provide a specified maximum redemption threshold, except that
in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001
either prior to or upon consummation of an initial business combination (so that we do not then become subject to the SEC’s
“penny stock” rules). As a result, we may be able to complete our initial business combination even though a substantial
majority of our public shareholders do not agree with the transaction and have redeemed their shares or, if we seek shareholder
approval of our initial business combination and do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination
pursuant to the tender offer rules, have entered into privately negotiated agreements to sell their shares to our sponsor, officers,
directors, advisors or their affiliates. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all Class
A ordinary shares that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the
terms of the proposed business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the business
combination or redeem any shares, all Class A ordinary shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof,
and we instead may search for an alternate business combination.
Inorder to effectuate an initial business combination, blank check companies have, in the recent past, amended various provisionsof their charters and other governing instruments, including their warrant agreements. We cannot assure you that we will not seekto amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or governing instruments in a manner that will make iteasier for us to complete our initial business combination that our shareholders may not support.
In
order to effectuate a business combination, blank check companies have, in the recent past, amended various provisions of their
charters and governing instruments, including their warrant agreements. For example, blank check companies have amended the definition
of business combination, increased redemption thresholds, extended the time to consummate an initial business combination and,
with respect to their warrants, amended their warrant agreements to require the warrants to be exchanged for cash and/or other
securities. Amending our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association requires at least a special resolution of
our shareholders as a matter of Cayman Islands law, meaning the approval of holders of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares
who attend and vote at a general meeting of the Company, and amending our warrant agreement will require a vote of holders of
at least 50% of the public warrants, solely with respect to any amendment to the terms of the private placement warrants or any
provision of the warrant agreement with respect to the private placement warrants, 50% of the number of the then outstanding private
placement warrants and, solely with respect to any amendment to the terms of the forward purchase warrants or any provision of
the warrant agreement with respect to the forward purchase warrants, 50% of the number of the then outstanding forward purchase
warrants. In addition, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association require us to provide our public shareholders
with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash if we propose an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum
and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A
ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100%
of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public
Offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares. To the extent
any of such amendments would be deemed to fundamentally change the nature of any of the securities offered through this registration
statement, we would register, or seek an exemption from registration for, the affected securities.
27
Theprovisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that relate to the rights of holders of our ClassA ordinary shares (and corresponding provisions of the agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account) may beamended with the approval of a special resolution which requires the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of our ordinaryshares who attend and vote at a general meeting of the Company, which is a lower amendment threshold than that of some other blankcheck companies. It may be easier for us, therefore, to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of associationto facilitate the completion of an initial business combination that some of our shareholders may not support.
Some
other blank check companies have a provision in their charter which prohibits the amendment of certain of its provisions, including
those which relate to the rights of a company’s shareholders, without approval by a certain percentage of the Company’s
shareholders. In those companies, amendment of these provisions typically requires approval by between 90% and 100% of the Company’s
shareholders. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that any of its provisions related to the
rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares (including the requirement to deposit proceeds of the Initial Public Offering
and the private placement of warrants into the trust account and not release such amounts except in specified circumstances, and
to provide redemption rights to public shareholders as described herein) may be amended if approved by special resolution, meaning
holders of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares who attend and vote at a general meeting of the Company, and corresponding
provisions of the trust agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account may be amended if approved by holders
of at least 65% of our ordinary shares; provided that the provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association
governing the appointment or removal of directors prior to our initial business combination may only be amended by a special resolution
passed by not less than two-thirds of our ordinary shares who attend and vote at our general meeting which shall include the affirmative
vote of a simple majority of our Class B ordinary shares. Our sponsor owns, on an as-converted basis, 20% of our Class A ordinary
shares, will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and/or trust agreement
and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. As a result, we may be able to amend the provisions of our amended
and restated memorandum and articles of association which govern our pre-business combination behavior more easily than some other
blank check companies, and this may increase our ability to complete a business combination with which you do not agree. Our shareholders
may pursue remedies against us for any breach of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
Our
sponsor, executive officers, directors and director nominees have agreed, pursuant to agreements with us, that they will not propose
any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing
of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with
our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination
within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights
of holders of our Class A ordinary shares, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their Class
A ordinary shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then
on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released
to us to pay our income taxes, if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares. Our shareholders are not parties
to, or third-party beneficiaries of, these agreements and, as a result, will not have the ability to pursue remedies against our
sponsor, executive officers, directors or director nominees for any breach of these agreements. As a result, in the event of a
breach, our shareholders would need to pursue a shareholder derivative action, subject to applicable law.
Wemay be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growthof a target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination. If we have not consummatedour initial business combination within the required time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00per public share, or less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless.
Although
we believe that the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private placement warrants and the forward
purchase units will be sufficient to allow us to complete our initial business combination, because we have not yet selected any
prospective target business we cannot ascertain the capital requirements for any particular transaction. If the net proceeds of
the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private placement warrants and forward purchase units prove to be insufficient,
either because of the size of our initial business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target
business, the obligation to redeem for cash a significant number of shares from shareholders who elect redemption in connection
with our initial business combination or the terms of negotiated transactions to purchase shares in connection with our initial
business combination, we may be required to seek additional financing or to abandon the proposed business combination. We cannot
assure you that such financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. The current economic environment may make it
difficult for companies to obtain acquisition financing. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when
needed to complete our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that
particular business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. If we have not consummated our initial business
combination within the required time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or
less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless. In addition, even
if we do not need additional financing to complete our initial business combination, we may require such financing to fund the
operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on
the continued development or growth of the target business. Other than in connection with the Empower Funding forward purchase
agreement, none of our officers, directors or shareholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after
our initial business combination.
28
Becausewe must furnish our shareholders with target business financial statements, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageousinitial business combination with some prospective target businesses.
The
federal proxy rules require that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on a business combination meeting certain financial
significance tests include historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure in periodic reports. We will include the
same financial statement disclosure in connection with our tender offer documents, whether or not they are required under the
tender offer rules. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, or international financial reporting standards as issued
by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IFRS, depending on the circumstances and the historical financial statements
may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States),
or PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some
targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules
and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.
RisksAssociated with Acquiring and Operating a Business in Foreign Countries
Ifwe pursue a target company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States for our initial business combination,we may face additional burdens in connection with investigating, agreeing to and completing such initial business combination,and if we effect such initial business combination, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impactour operations.
If
we pursue a target a company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States for our initial business combination,
we would be subject to risks associated with cross-border business combinations, including in connection with investigating, agreeing
to and completing our initial business combination, conducting due diligence in a foreign jurisdiction, having such transaction
approved by any local governments, regulators or agencies and changes in the purchase price based on fluctuations in foreign exchange
rates.
If
we effect our initial business combination with such a company, we would be subject to any special considerations or risks associated
with companies operating in an international setting, including any of the following:
| ● | costs<br><br>and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations; |
|---|---|
| ● | rules<br><br>and regulations regarding currency redemption; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | complex<br><br>corporate withholding taxes on individuals; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | laws<br><br>governing the manner in which future business combinations may be effected; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | exchange<br><br>listing and/or delisting requirements; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | tariffs<br><br>and trade barriers; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | regulations<br><br>related to customs and import/export matters; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | local<br><br>or regional economic policies and market conditions; |
| --- | --- |
29
| ● | unexpected<br><br>changes in regulatory requirements; |
|---|---|
| ● | longer<br><br>payment cycles; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | tax<br><br>issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | currency<br><br>fluctuations and exchange controls; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | rates<br><br>of inflation; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | challenges<br><br>in collecting accounts receivable; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | cultural<br><br>and language differences; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | employment<br><br>regulations; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | underdeveloped<br><br>or unpredictable legal or regulatory systems; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | corruption; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | protection<br><br>of intellectual property; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | social<br><br>unrest, crime, strikes, riots and civil disturbances; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | regime<br><br>changes and political upheaval; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | terrorist<br><br>attacks, natural disasters and wars; and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | deterioration<br><br>of political relations with the United States. |
| --- | --- |
We
may not be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, we may be unable to complete such initial
business combination, or, if we complete such combination, our operations might suffer, either of which may adversely impact our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Ifour management following our initial business combination is unfamiliar with United States securities laws, they may have to expendtime and resources becoming familiar with such laws, which could lead to various regulatory issues.
Following
our initial business combination, our management may resign from their positions as officers or directors of the Company and the
management of the target business at the time of the business combination will remain in place. Management of the target business
may not be familiar with United States securities laws. If new management is unfamiliar with United States securities laws, they
may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead
to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect our operations.
Afterour initial business combination, substantially all of our assets may be located in a foreign country and substantially all ofour revenue may be derived from our operations in any such country. Accordingly, our results of operations and prospects willbe subject, to a significant extent, to the economic, political and social conditions and government policies, developments andconditions in the country in which we operate.
The
economic, political and social conditions, as well as government policies, of the country in which our operations are located
could affect our business. Economic growth could be uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy and such
growth may not be sustained in the future. If in the future such country’s economy experiences a downturn or grows at a
slower rate than expected, there may be less demand for spending in certain industries. A decrease in demand for spending in certain
industries could materially and adversely affect our ability to find an attractive target business with which to consummate our
initial business combination and if we effect our initial business combination, the ability of that target business to become
profitable.
30
Exchangerate fluctuations and currency policies may cause a target business’ ability to succeed in the international markets tobe diminished.
In
the event we acquire a non-U.S. target, all revenues and income would likely be received in a foreign currency, and the dollar
equivalent of our net assets and distributions, if any, could be adversely affected by reductions in the value of the local currency.
The value of the currencies in our target regions fluctuate and are affected by, among other things, changes in political and
economic conditions. Any change in the relative value of such currency against our reporting currency may affect the attractiveness
of any target business or, following consummation of our initial business combination, our financial condition and results of
operations. Additionally, if a currency appreciates in value against the dollar prior to the consummation of our initial business
combination, the cost of a target business as measured in dollars will increase, which may make it less likely that we are able
to consummate such transaction.
Wemay reincorporate in another jurisdiction in connection with our initial business combination, and the laws of such jurisdictionmay govern some or all of our future material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.
In
connection with our initial business combination, we may relocate the home jurisdiction of our business from the Cayman Islands
to another jurisdiction. If we determine to do this, the laws of such jurisdiction may govern some or all of our future material
agreements. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation
and interpretation as in the United States. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could
result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.
Weare subject to changing law and regulations regarding regulatory matters, corporate governance and public disclosure that haveincreased both our costs and the risk of non-compliance.
We
are subject to rules and regulations by various governing bodies, including, for example, the SEC, which are charged with the
protection of investors and the oversight of companies whose securities are publicly traded, and to new and evolving regulatory
measures under applicable law. Our efforts to comply with new and changing laws and regulations have resulted in and are likely
to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from
seeking a business combination target.
Moreover,
because these laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, their application in practice may evolve
over time as new guidance becomes available. This evolution may result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters
and additional costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to our disclosure and governance practices. If we fail to address and comply
with these regulations and any subsequent changes, we may be subject to penalty and our business may be harmed.
Ifwe effect an initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, the laws applicable to such companywill likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.
If
we effect an initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, the laws of the country in which
such company operates will likely govern almost all of the material agreements relating to its operations. We cannot assure you
that the target business will be able to enforce any of its material agreements or that remedies will be available in this new
jurisdiction. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation
and interpretation as in the United States. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could
result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.
31
RisksRelated to Ownership of Our Securities
Youwill not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. Therefore,to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.
Our
public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earliest to occur of: (i) our completion
of an initial business combination, and then only in connection with those Class A ordinary shares that such shareholder properly
elected to redeem, subject to the limitations described herein, (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in
connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the
substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed
in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business
combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating
to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares, and (iii) the redemption of our public shares if we have not consummated
an initial business within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, subject to applicable law and as further
described herein. Public shareholders who redeem their Class A ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote described
in clause (ii) in the preceding sentence shall not be entitled to funds from the trust account upon the subsequent completion
of an initial business combination or liquidation if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months
from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, with respect to such Class A ordinary shares so redeemed. In no other circumstances
will a public shareholder have any right or interest of any kind in the trust account. Holders of warrants will not have any right
to the proceeds held in the trust account with respect to the warrants. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment, you may be
forced to sell your public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.
TheNYSE may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions inour securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
We
cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be listed on the NYSE in the future or prior to our initial business combination.
In order to continue listing our securities on the NYSE prior to our initial business combination, we must maintain certain financial,
distribution and share price levels, such as a minimum market capitalization (generally $50,000,000) and a minimum number of holders
of our securities (generally 300 public holders). Additionally, our units will not be traded after completion of our initial business
combination and, in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to demonstrate compliance with the NYSE
initial listing requirements, which are more rigorous than the NYSE continued listing requirements, in order to continue to maintain
the listing of our securities on the NYSE. For instance, our share price would generally be required to be at least $4.00 per
share, our total market capitalization would be required to be at least $200.0 million, the aggregate market value of publicly
held shares would be required to be at least $100.0 million and we would be required to have at least 400 round lot shareholders.
We may not be able to meet those listing requirements at that time, especially if there are a significant number of redemptions
in connection with our initial business combination.
If
the NYSE delists our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national securities
exchange, we expect our securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could face significant
material adverse consequences, including:
| ● | a<br><br>limited availability of market quotations for our securities; |
|---|---|
| ● | reduced<br><br>liquidity for our securities; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | a<br><br>determination that our Class A ordinary shares are a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our Class<br><br>A ordinary shares to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary<br><br>trading market for our securities; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | a<br><br>limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | a<br><br>decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. |
| --- | --- |
32
The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Our Class A ordinary shares and warrants qualify as covered securities under the statute because they are listed on the NYSE. Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of covered securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. While we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict the sale of securities issued by blank check companies, other than the State of Idaho, certain state securities regulators view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the sale of securities of blank check companies in their states. Further, if we were no longer listed on the NYSE, our securities would not qualify as covered securities under the statute and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
Oursecurity holders are not entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.
Since
the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private placement warrants are intended to be used to complete
an initial business combination with a target business that has not been selected, we may be deemed to be a “blank check”
company under the United States securities laws. However, because we have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,000 as a result
of the completion of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private placement warrants and filed a Current Report on
Form 8-K, including an audited balance sheet demonstrating this fact, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect
investors in blank check companies, such as Rule 419. Accordingly, investors are not be afforded the benefits or protections of
those rules. Among other things, this means our units were immediately tradable and we will have a longer period of time to complete
our initial business combination than do companies subject to Rule 419. Moreover, if the Initial Public Offering were subject
to Rule 419, that rule would prohibit the release of any interest earned on funds held in the trust account to us unless and until
the funds in the trust account were released to us in connection with our completion of an initial business combination.
Ifwe seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offerrules, and if you or a “group” of shareholders are deemed to hold in excess of 15% of our Class A ordinary shares,you will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 15% of our Class A ordinary shares.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial
business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide
that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting
in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its
shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in the Initial Public Offering, which we refer to as the
“Excess Shares,” without our prior consent. However, we would not be restricting our shareholders’ ability to
vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination. Your inability to redeem the
Excess Shares will reduce your influence over our ability to complete our initial business combination and you could suffer a
material loss on your investment in us if you sell Excess Shares in open market transactions. Additionally, you will not receive
redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if we complete our initial business combination. And as a result, you
will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose of such shares, would be required to sell your
shares in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
Wemay not hold an annual general meeting until after the consummation of our initial business combination.
In
accordance with the NYSE corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual general meeting until one year
after our first fiscal year end following our listing on the NYSE. There is no requirement under the Companies Law for us to hold
annual or extraordinary general meetings to appoint directors. Until we hold an annual general meeting, public shareholders may
not be afforded the opportunity to appoint directors and to discuss company affairs with management. Our board of directors is
divided into three classes with only one class of directors being appointed in each year and each class (except for those directors
appointed prior to our first annual general meeting) serving a three-year term.
33
Holdersof Class A ordinary shares will not be entitled to vote on any appointment of directors we hold prior to our initial businesscombination*.*
Prior
to our initial business combination, only holders of our founder shares will have the right to vote on the appointment of directors.
Holders of our public shares will not be entitled to vote on the appointment of directors during such time. In addition, prior
to our initial business combination, holders of a majority of our founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors
for any reason. Accordingly, you may not have any say in the management of our company prior to the consummation of an initial
business combination.
Thewarrants may become exercisable and redeemable for a security other than the Class A ordinary shares, and you will not have anyinformation regarding such other security at this time.
In
certain situations, including if we are not the surviving entity in our initial business combination, the warrants may become
exercisable for a security other than the Class A ordinary shares. As a result, if the surviving company redeems your warrants
for securities pursuant to the warrant agreement, you may receive a security in a company of which you do not have information
at this time. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, the surviving company will be required to use commercially reasonable efforts
to register the issuance of the security underlying the warrants within twenty business days of the closing of an initial business
combination.
Thegrant of registration rights to our sponsor and the forward purchase investors may make it more difficult to complete our initialbusiness combination, and the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our Class A ordinary shares.
Pursuant
to an agreement entered into on October 6, 2020, prior to the closing of the Initial Public Offering, our sponsor and its permitted
transferees can demand that we register the resale of the Class A ordinary shares into which founder shares are convertible, the
private placement warrants and the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the private placement warrants, and warrants
that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans and the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of such warrants.
Pursuant to the forward purchase agreement, we agree that we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to (i) within 30 days
after the closing of the initial business combination, file a registration statement with the SEC for a secondary offering of
(A) the forward purchase shares, (B) the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the forward purchase warrants and (c)
any other Class A ordinary shares acquired by the forward purchase investors, including any acquired after we complete our initial
business combination, (ii) cause such registration statement to be declared effective promptly thereafter, but in no event later
than 90 days after the closing of the initial business combination and (iii) maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement
and to ensure the registration statement does not contain a material omission or misstatement, including by way of amendment or
other update, as required, until the earlier of (A) the date on which a forward purchase investor ceases to hold the securities
covered thereby and (B) the date all of the securities covered thereby can be sold publicly without restriction or limitation
under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and without the requirement to be in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) under the Securities
Act, subject to certain conditions and limitations set forth in the forward purchase agreement. The registration and availability
of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of
our Class A ordinary shares. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more
costly or difficult to conclude. This is because the shareholders of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek
in the combined entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact on the market price of our securities
that is expected when the securities owned by our sponsor or its permitted transferees are registered for resale.
34
Wehave not registered the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants under the Securities Act or any state securitieslaws at this time, and such registration may not be in place when an investor desires to exercise warrants, thus precluding suchinvestor from being able to exercise its warrants except on a cashless basis and potentially causing such warrants to expire worthless.
We
have not registered the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants under the Securities Act or any state securities
laws at this time. However, under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed that, as soon as practicable, but in no event
later than 20 business days after the closing of our initial business combination, we will use our commercially reasonable efforts
to file with the SEC a registration statement covering the issuance of such shares, and we will use our commercially reasonable
efforts to cause the same to become effective within 60 business days after the closing of our initial business combination and
to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement and a current prospectus relating to those Class A ordinary shares
until the warrants expire or are redeemed. We cannot assure you that we will be able to do so if, for example, any facts or events
arise which represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement or prospectus, the financial
statements contained or incorporated by reference therein are not current, complete or correct or the SEC issues a stop order.
If the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are not registered under the Securities Act in accordance with the above
requirements, we will be required to permit holders to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, in which case, the number
of Class A ordinary shares that you will receive upon cashless exercise will be based on a formula subject to a maximum amount
of shares equal to 0.361 Class A ordinary shares per warrant (subject to adjustment). However, no warrant will be exercisable
for cash or on a cashless basis, and we will not be obligated to issue any shares to holders seeking to exercise their warrants,
unless the issuance of the shares upon such exercise is registered or qualified under the securities laws of the state of the
exercising holder, or an exemption from registration is available. Notwithstanding the above, if our Class A ordinary shares are
at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of
a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, require holders of public
warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities
Act and, in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but we will
use our commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption
is not available. Exercising the warrants on a cashless basis could have the effect of reducing the potential “upside”
of the holder’s investment in our company because the warrant holder will hold a smaller number of Class A ordinary shares
upon a cashless exercise of the warrants they hold. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant, or issue securities
or other compensation in exchange for the warrants in the event that we are unable to register or qualify the shares underlying
the warrants under applicable state securities laws and no exemption is available. If the issuance of the shares upon exercise
of the warrants is not so registered or qualified or exempt from registration or qualification, the holder of such warrant shall
not be entitled to exercise such warrant and such warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In such event, holders who acquired
their warrants as part of a purchase of units will have paid the full unit purchase price solely for the Class A ordinary shares
included in the units. There may be a circumstance where an exemption from registration exists for holders of our private placement
warrants to exercise their warrants while a corresponding exemption does not exist for holders of the public warrants included
as part of units sold in the Initial Public Offering. In such an instance, our sponsor and its permitted transferees (which may
include our directors and executive officers) would be able to exercise their warrants and sell the ordinary shares underlying
their warrants while holders of our public warrants would not be able to exercise their warrants and sell the underlying ordinary
shares. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register
or qualify the underlying Class A ordinary shares for sale under all applicable state securities laws. As a result, we may redeem
the warrants as set forth above even if the holders are otherwise unable to exercise their warrants.
Oursponsor controls a substantial interest in us and thus may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote,potentially in a manner that you do not support.
Our
sponsor owns, on an as-converted basis, 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares. Accordingly, it may exert a substantial
influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support, including amendments to our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. If our sponsor purchases any additional Class A ordinary shares in
the aftermarket or in privately negotiated transactions, this would increase its control. Neither our sponsor nor, to our knowledge,
any of our officers or directors, have any current intention to purchase additional securities other the forward purchase agreement
further described herein under the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence— Forward Purchase Agreement.” Factors that would be considered in making such additional purchases would include
consideration of the current trading price of our Class A ordinary shares. In addition, our board of directors, whose members
were appointed by our sponsor, is and will be divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three
years with only one class of directors being appointed in each year. We may not hold an annual general meeting to appoint new
directors prior to the completion of our initial business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue
in office until at least the completion of the business combination. If there is an annual general meeting, as a consequence of
our “staggered” board of directors, only a minority of the board of directors will be considered for appointment and
our sponsor, because of its ownership position, will control the outcome, as only holders of our Class B ordinary shares will
have the right to vote on the appointment of directors and to remove directors prior to our initial business combination. In addition,
the founder shares, all of which are held by our sponsor, will, in a vote to transfer the Company by way of continuation out of
the Cayman Islands to another jurisdiction (which requires the approval of at least two thirds of the votes of all ordinary shares),
entitle the holders to ten votes for every founder share. This provision of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of
association may only be amended by a special resolution passed by a majority of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares voting
in a general meeting. As a result, you will not have any influence over our continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman
Islands prior to our initial business combination. Accordingly, our sponsor will continue to exert control at least until the
completion of our initial business combination. In addition, we have agreed not to enter into a definitive agreement regarding
an initial business combination without the prior consent of our sponsor.
35
Wemay amend the terms of the warrants in a manner that may be adverse to holders of public warrants with the approval by the holdersof at least 50% of the then-outstanding public warrants. As a result, the exercise price of your warrants could be increased,the exercise period could be shortened and the number of our Class A ordinary shares purchasable upon exercise of a warrant couldbe decreased, all without your approval.
Our
warrants were issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant
agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder
for the purpose of (i) curing any ambiguity or correcting any mistake, including to conform the provisions of the warrant agreement
to the description of the terms of the warrants and the warrant agreement s, or defective provision (ii) amending the provisions
relating to cash dividends on ordinary shares as contemplated by and in accordance with the warrant agreement or (iii) adding
or changing any provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the warrant agreement as the parties to the warrant
agreement may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem to not adversely affect the rights of the registered holders
of the warrants, provided that the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then-outstanding public warrants is required
to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of public warrants. Accordingly, we may amend
the terms of the public warrants in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of at least 50% of the then-outstanding public warrants
approve of such amendment, solely with respect to any amendment to the terms of the private placement warrants or any provision
of the warrant agreement with respect to the private placement warrants, 50% of the number of the then outstanding private placement
warrants and, solely with respect to any amendment to the terms of the forward purchase warrants or any provision of the warrant
agreement with respect to the forward purchase warrants, 50% of the number of the then outstanding forward purchase warrants.
Although our ability to amend the terms of the public warrants with the consent of at least 50% of the then-outstanding public
warrants is unlimited, examples of such amendments could be amendments to, among other things, increase the exercise price of
the warrants, convert the warrants into cash, shorten the exercise period or decrease the number of Class A ordinary shares purchasable
upon exercise of a warrant.
Ourwarrant agreement designates the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern Districtof New York as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by holders of ourwarrants, which could limit the ability of warrant holders to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with our company.
Our
warrant agreement provides that, subject to applicable law, (i) any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating
in any way to the warrant agreement, including under the Securities Act, will be brought and enforced in the courts of the State
of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and (ii) that we irrevocably submit to
such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be the exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. We will waive any
objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, these provisions of the warrant agreement will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created
by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and
exclusive forum. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any of our warrants shall be deemed to
have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in our warrant agreement. If any action, the subject matter of which
is within the scope the forum provisions of the warrant agreement, is filed in a court other than a court of the State of New
York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (a “foreign action”) in the name of
any holder of our warrants, such holder shall be deemed to have consented to: (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal
courts located in the State of New York in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the forum provisions
(an “enforcement action”), and (y) having service of process made upon such warrant holder in any such enforcement
action by service upon such warrant holder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such warrant holder.
36
This
choice-of-forum provision may limit a warrant holder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable
for disputes with our company, which may discourage such lawsuits. Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision of our
warrant agreement inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings,
we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely
affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our
management and board of directors.
Wemay redeem your unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making your warrantsworthless.
We
have the ability to redeem the outstanding public warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration,
at a price of $0.01 per warrant, provided that the closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share
(as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant) for any 20 trading
days within a 30 trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to proper notice of such redemption and provided that
certain other conditions are met. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even
if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws. As a result,
we may redeem the warrants as set forth above even if the holders are otherwise unable to exercise the warrants. Redemption of
the outstanding warrants could force you to (i) exercise your warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may
be disadvantageous for you to do so, (ii) sell your warrants at the then-current market price when you might otherwise wish to
hold your warrants or (iii) accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the outstanding warrants are called for redemption,
we expect would be substantially less than the market value of your warrants.
In
addition, we have the ability to redeem the outstanding public warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to
their expiration, at a price of $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption provided
that the closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $10.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number
of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending
on the third trading day prior to proper notice of such redemption and provided that certain other conditions are met, including
that holders will be able to exercise their warrants prior to redemption for a number of Class A ordinary shares determined based
on the redemption date and the fair market value of our Class A ordinary shares. The value received upon exercise of the warrants
(1) may be less than the value the holders would have received if they had exercised their warrants at a later time where the
underlying share price is higher and (2) may not compensate the holders for the value of the warrants, including because the number
of ordinary shares received is capped at 0.361 Class A ordinary shares per warrant (subject to adjustment) irrespective of the
remaining life of the warrants.
Ourwarrants may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A ordinary shares and make it more difficult to effectuateour initial business combination.
In connection with our Initial Public Offer, we issued warrants to purchase 8,333,333 of our Class A ordinary shares, we issued in a private placement an aggregate of 4,666,667 private placement warrants, each exercisable to purchase one Class A ordinary share at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. We also plan to issue 1,666,667 forward purchase warrants pursuant to the forward purchase agreement. In addition, if our sponsor, its affiliates or a member of our management team makes any working capital loans, it may convert up to $2,000,000 of such loans into up to an additional 666,667 private placement warrants, at the price of $1.50 per warrant. We may also issue Class A ordinary shares in connection with our redemption of our warrants.
To
the extent we issue ordinary shares for any reason, including to effectuate a business combination, the potential for the issuance
of a substantial number of additional Class A ordinary shares upon exercise of these warrants could make us a less attractive
acquisition vehicle to a target business. Such warrants, when exercised, will increase the number of issued and outstanding Class
A ordinary shares and reduce the value of the Class A ordinary shares issued to complete the business transaction. Therefore,
our warrants may make it more difficult to effectuate a business transaction or increase the cost of acquiring the target business.
37
Becauseeach unit contains one-third of one redeemable warrant and only a whole warrant may be exercised, the units may be worth lessthan units of other blank check companies.
Each
unit contains one-third of one redeemable warrant. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, no fractional warrants will be issued upon
separation of the units, and only whole units will trade. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive
a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of Class A ordinary
shares to be issued to the warrant holder. We have established the components of the units in this way in order to reduce the
dilutive effect of the warrants upon completion of a business combination since the warrants will be exercisable in the aggregate
for one-third of the number of shares compared to units that each contain a whole warrant to purchase one whole share, thus making
us, we believe, a more attractive merger partner for target businesses. Nevertheless, this unit structure may cause our units
to be worth less than if a unit included a warrant to purchase one whole share.
Aprovision of our warrant agreement may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination.
Unlike
most blank check companies, if (i) we issue additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities, excluding the forward
purchase securities, for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at a newly
issued price of less than $9.20 per ordinary share, (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith
by the Company’s board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to the sponsor or its affiliates, without taking
into account any founder shares held by the sponsor or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “newly
issued price”), (ii) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds,
and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the consummation of our initial
business combination (net of redemptions), and (iii) the market value is below $9.20 per share, then the exercise price of the
warrants will be adjusted to be equal to 115% of the higher of the market value and the newly issued price, and the $18.00 per
share redemption trigger prices will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the market value and
the newly issued price, and the $10.00 per share redemption trigger price ‘will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be
equal to the higher of the market value and the newly issued price. This may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial
business combination with a target business.
Amarket for our securities may not fully develop or be sustained, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.
The
price of our securities may vary significantly due to one or more potential business combinations and general market or economic
conditions, including as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. An active trading market for our securities may not fully develop
or be sustained. Additionally, if our securities become delisted from the NYSE for any reason, and are quoted on the OTC Pink
Sheets, an inter-dealer automated quotation system for equity securities not listed on a national exchange, the liquidity and
price of our securities may be more limited than if we were listed on the NYSE or another national exchange. You may be unable
to sell your securities unless a market can be fully developed and sustained.
Becausewe are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, you may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your abilityto protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited.
We
are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect
service of process within the United States upon our directors or executive officers, or enforce judgments obtained in the United
States courts against our directors or officers.
Our
corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law (as the same
may be supplemented or amended from time to time) and the common law of the Cayman Islands. We are also subject to the federal
securities laws of the United States. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders
and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common
law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent
in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not
binding on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under
Cayman Islands law are different from what they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United
States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and certain
states, such as Delaware, may have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. In addition, Cayman
Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholders derivative action in a Federal court of the United States.
38
We
have been advised by Maples and Calder, our Cayman Islands legal counsel, that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i)
to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of
the federal securities laws of the United States or any state; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to
impose liabilities against us predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States
or any state, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there
is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands
will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits
based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the
sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman
Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or
penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained
in a manner, or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands
(awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement
proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
As
a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions
taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a
United States company.
Provisionsin our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investorsmight be willing to pay in the future for our Class A ordinary shares and could entrench management.
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals
that shareholders may consider to be in their best interests. These provisions include a staggered board of directors, the ability
of the board of directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preference shares, and the fact that prior to the
completion of our initial business combination only holders of our Class B ordinary shares, which have been issued to our sponsor,
are entitled to vote on the appointment of directors, which may make more difficult the removal of management and may discourage
transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities.
Sinceonly holders of our founder shares have the right to vote on the appointment of directors, the NYSE may consider us to be a “controlledcompany” within the meaning of the NYSE rules and, as a result, we may qualify for exemptions from certain corporate governancerequirements.
Only
holders of our founder shares have the right to vote on the appointment of directors. As a result, the NYSE may consider us to
be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE corporate governance standards. Under the NYSE corporate
governance standards, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company
is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including the
requirements that:
| ● | we<br><br>have a board that includes a majority of “independent directors,” as defined under the rules of the NYSE; |
|---|---|
| ● | we<br><br>have a compensation committee of our board that is comprised entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing<br><br>the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | we<br><br>have a nominating and corporate governance committee of our board that is comprised entirely of independent directors with a written<br><br>charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities. |
| --- | --- |
We
do not intend to utilize these exemptions and intend to comply with the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE, subject
to applicable phase-in rules. However, if we determine in the future to utilize some or all of these exemptions, you will not
have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the NYSE corporate governance requirements.
39
Ourshareholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemptionof their shares.
If
we are forced to enter into an insolvent liquidation, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed as an unlawful
payment if it was proved that immediately following the date on which the distribution was made, we were unable to pay our debts
as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. As a result, a liquidator could seek to recover some or all amounts received
by our shareholders. Furthermore, our directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to us or our creditors
and/or may have acted in bad faith, thereby exposing themselves and our company to claims, by paying public shareholders from
the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us
for these reasons. We and our directors and officers who knowingly and willfully authorized or permitted any distribution to be
paid out of our share premium account while we were unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business
would be guilty of an offence and may be liable for a fine of $18,292.68 and imprisonment for five years in the Cayman Islands.
Risks Related to Our Trust Account
Ifthird parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amountreceived by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per public share.
Our
placing of funds in the trust account may not protect those funds from third-party claims against us. Although we will seek to
have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business execute agreements
with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit
of our public shareholders, such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements, they may not
be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary
responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order
to gain advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third-party
refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis
of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third-party that has not executed a waiver if
management believes that such third-party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative.
Examples
of possible instances where we may engage a third-party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third-party
consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants
that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver.
In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of,
or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for
any reason. Upon redemption of our public shares, if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months
from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with our initial business
combination, we will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against
us within the ten years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount received by public shareholders could
be less than the $10.00 per public share initially held in the trust account, due to claims of such creditors. Pursuant to a letter
agreement entered into with our sponsor, our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by
a third-party (other than our independent auditors) for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business
with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below the lesser
of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation
of the trust account if less than $10.00 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net
of the interest that may be withdrawn to pay our tax obligations, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by
a third-party or prospective target business that executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account
nor will it apply to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act. Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against
a third-party, our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims.
40
However,
we have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether our
sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and we believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities
of our company. Therefore, we cannot assure you that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. As a result, if any
such claims were successfully made against the trust account, the funds available for our initial business combination and redemptions
could be reduced to less than $10.00 per public share. In such event, we may not be able to complete our initial business combination,
and you would receive such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption of your public shares. None of our officers
or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target
businesses.
Thesecurities in which we invest the proceeds held in the trust account could bear a negative rate of interest, which could reducethe interest income available for payment of taxes or reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per share redemptionamount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share.
The
net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and certain proceeds from the sale of the private placement warrants held in the trust
account may only be invested in direct U.S. Treasury obligations having a maturity of 185 days or less, or in certain money market
funds which invest only in direct U.S. Treasury obligations. While short-term U.S. Treasury obligations currently yield a positive
rate of interest, they have briefly yielded negative interest rates in recent years. Central banks in Europe and Japan pursued
interest rates below zero in recent years, and the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve has not ruled out the possibility
that it may in the future adopt similar policies in the United States. In the event of very low or negative yields, the amount
of interest income (which we may withdraw to pay income taxes, if any) would be reduced. In the event that we are unable to complete
our initial business combination, our public shareholders are entitled to receive their pro-rata share of the proceeds held in
the trust account, plus any interest income. If the balance of the trust account is reduced below $250,000,000 as a result of
negative interest rates, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders may be
reduced below $10.00 per share.
Ourdirectors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount offunds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders.
In
the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual
amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account if less than $10.00 per
public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest that may be withdrawn to pay
our tax obligations, and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations
related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce
its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf
against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising
their business judgment and subject to their fiduciary duties may choose not to do so in any particular instance. If our independent
directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution
to our public shareholders may be reduced below $10.00 per public share.
Wemay not have sufficient funds to satisfy indemnification claims of our directors and executive officers.
We
have agreed to indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law. However, our officers and directors
have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account and to not seek
recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever (except to the extent they are entitled to funds from the trust account
due to their ownership of public shares). Accordingly, any indemnification provided will be able to be satisfied by us only if
(i) we have sufficient funds outside of the trust account or (ii) we consummate an initial business combination. Our obligation
to indemnify our officers and directors may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against our officers or directors
for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation
against our officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders.
Furthermore, a shareholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage
awards against our officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
41
If,after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or insolvency petitionor an involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, a bankruptcy or insolvency courtmay seek to recover such proceeds, and the members of our board of directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciaryduties to our creditors, thereby exposing the members of our board of directors and us to claims of punitive damages.
If,
after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or insolvency petition
or an involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by shareholders
could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy or insolvency laws as either a “preferential transfer”
or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy or insolvency court could seek to recover some or all amounts
received by our shareholders. In addition, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors
and/or having acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and us to claims of punitive damages, by paying public shareholders
from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors.
If,before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or insolvency petitionor an involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in suchproceeding may have priority over the claims of our shareholders and the per-share amount that would otherwise be received byour shareholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.
If,
before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or insolvency petition
or an involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust
account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy or insolvency estate
and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy or
insolvency claims deplete the trust account, the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our shareholders in connection
with our liquidation may be reduced.
General Risk Factors
Ifwe are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliancerequirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
If
we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including:
| ● | restrictions<br><br>on the nature of our investments; and |
|---|---|
| ● | restrictions<br><br>on the issuance of securities, each of which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. In addition,<br><br>we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including: |
| --- | --- |
| ● | registration<br><br>as an investment company with the SEC; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | adoption<br><br>of a specific form of corporate structure; and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | reporting,<br><br>record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations that we are currently not subject to. |
| --- | --- |
In
order not to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, unless we can qualify for an exclusion, we
must ensure that we are engaged primarily in a business other than investing, reinvesting or trading of securities and that our
activities do not include investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading “investment securities” constituting
more than 40% of our assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. Our business
will be to identify and complete a business combination and thereafter to operate the post-transaction business or assets for
the long term. We do not plan to buy businesses or assets with a view to resale or profit from their resale. We do not plan to
buy unrelated businesses or assets or to be a passive investor.
42
We
do not believe that our principal activities subject us to the Investment Company Act. To this end, the proceeds held in the trust
account may only be invested in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the
Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7
promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Pursuant to the
trust agreement, the trustee is not permitted to invest in other securities or assets. By restricting the investment of the proceeds
to these instruments, and by having a business plan targeted at acquiring and growing businesses for the long term (rather than
on buying and selling businesses in the manner of a merchant bank or private equity fund), we intend to avoid being deemed an
“investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. The trust account is intended as a holding
place for funds pending the earliest to occur of either: (i) the completion of our initial business combination; (ii) the redemption
of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and
articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares
the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares
if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering or (B)
with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares; or (iii) absent our completing
an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, our return of the funds held
in the trust account to our public shareholders as part of our redemption of the public shares. If we do not invest the proceeds
as discussed above, we may be deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act. If we were deemed to be subject to the Investment
Company Act, compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expenses for which we have not allotted
funds and may hinder our ability to complete a business combination. If we have not consummated our initial business combination
within the required time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or less in certain
circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless.
Changesin laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, including ourability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination, and results of operations.
We
are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we are required to comply
with certain SEC and other legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult,
time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time
and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a
failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our
business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination, and results of operations.
Wemay be a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequencesto U.S. investors.
If
we are a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a beneficial owner of our Class
A ordinary shares or warrants who or that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident
of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized
in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or (iii) an estate or trust the income
of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if (A) a
court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S.
persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) it has in effect a valid election to be treated
as a U.S. person (a “U.S. holder”), such U.S. holder may be subject to certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences
and may be subject to additional reporting requirements. Our PFIC status for our current and subsequent taxable years may depend
on whether we qualify for the PFIC start-up exception, depending on the particular circumstances, the application of the start-up
exception may be subject to uncertainty, and there can be no assurance that we will qualify for the start-up exception. Accordingly,
there can be no assurance with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year. Our
actual PFIC status for any taxable year, however, will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year. Moreover,
if we determine we are a PFIC for any taxable year, we will endeavor to provide to a U.S. holder such information as the Internal
Revenue Service (“IRS”) may require, including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the U.S. holder
to make and maintain a “qualified electing fund” election, but there can be no assurance that we will timely provide
such required information, and such election would likely be unavailable with respect to our warrants in all cases. We urge U.S.
holders to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the PFIC rules to holders of our ordinary shares
and warrants.
43
Weare an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantageof certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to “emerging growth companies” or “smaller reportingcompanies,” this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performancewith other public companies.
We
are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and we may
take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are
not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation
requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our
periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive
compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our shareholders
may not have access to certain information they may deem important. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years,
although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our Class A ordinary shares
held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging
growth company as of the following December 31. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because
we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions,
the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for
our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.
Further,
Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial
accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared
effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised
financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and
comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We
have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has
different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard
at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another
public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended
transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Additionally,
we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may
take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial
statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of
our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100
million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million
as of the prior June 30. To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of
our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.
Complianceobligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may make it more difficult for us to effectuate a business combination, require substantialfinancial and management resources, and increase the time and costs of completing an acquisition.
Section
404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls beginning with our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2021. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or
an accelerated filer and no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, will we not be required to comply with the independent
registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. The fact that we are
a blank check company makes compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act particularly burdensome on us as compared
to other public companies because a target business with which we seek to complete our initial business combination may not be
in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of its internal controls. The development of the
internal control of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary
to complete any such acquisition.
44
Cyberincidents or attacks directed at us could result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financialloss.
We
depend on digital technologies, including information systems, infrastructure and cloud applications and services, including those
of third parties with which we may deal. Sophisticated and deliberate attacks on, or security breaches in, our systems or infrastructure,
or the systems or infrastructure of third parties or the cloud, could lead to corruption or misappropriation of our assets, proprietary
information and sensitive or confidential data. As an early stage company without significant investments in data security protection,
we may not be sufficiently protected against such occurrences. We may not have sufficient resources to adequately protect against,
or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to, cyber incidents. It is possible that any of these occurrences, or a combination
of them, could have adverse consequences on our business and lead to financial loss.
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2.
Properties
Our
executive offices are located at c/o MidOcean Partners 245 Park Avenue, 38th Floor New York, NY 10167, and our telephone number
is (212) 497-1400.
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
We
are not a party to and none of our property is subject to any material pending legal proceedings.
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Not
applicable.
45
PART
II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market
Information
Our
units, Class A common stock and warrants are traded on the NYSE under the symbols “EMPW.U”, “EMPW” and
“EMPW WS”, respectively. Our units, commenced public trading on October 9, 2020 and our Class A ordinary shares and
warrants began separate trading on November 27, 2020.
Holders
As
of February 24, 2021, the Depository Trust Company was the only holder of record for our units, Class A common stock, and public
warrants. Sponsor is the sole holder of record of our founder shares and private placement warrants.
Dividends
We
have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion
of our initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings,
if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of our initial business combination. The
payment of any cash dividends subsequent to our initial business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors
at such time. Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with our business combination, our ability to declare dividends
may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
Securities
Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
None.
Recent
Sales of Unregistered Securities; Use of Proceeds from Registered Offerings
UnregisteredSales
On
August 21, 2020, our sponsor purchased 7,187,500 founder shares for an aggregate price of $25,000. Our sponsor agreed to forfeit
up to 937,500 founder shares to the extent that the over-allotment option was not exercised in full by the underwriters. The forfeiture
was to be adjusted to the extent that the over-allotment option was not exercised in full by the underwriters so that the founder
shares would represent 20.0% of our issued and outstanding shares after our Initial Public Offering. The underwriters declined
to exercise their 45-day over-allotment option in connection with our Initial Public Offering; thus, the 937,500 founder shares
were forfeited by our sponsor.
On
October 9, 2020, we consummated our Initial Public Offering of 25,000,000 Units at a price of $10.00 per unit, generating total
gross proceeds of $250,000,000. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Jefferies LLC acted as the book-running managers. The securities
sold in the offering were registered under the Securities Act on registration statements on Form S-1 (No. 333-248899). The registration
statements became effective on October 6, 2020 and registered the sale of a maximum of 28,750,000 units. Additionally, we granted
the underwriters in the Initial Public Offering a 45-day option from October 6, 2020 to purchase up to 3,750,000 additional units.
Simultaneously
with the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, we consummated a private placement of 4,666,667 private placement warrants
to our sponsor at a price of $1.50 per private placement warrant, generating total proceeds of $7,000,000. Such securities were
issued pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
46
The
private placement warrants are identical to the public warrants underlying the units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except
that the private placement warrants are not transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial
business combination, subject to certain limited exceptions.
Of
the gross proceeds received from the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, $250,000,000 (consisting
of $245,000,000 of net proceeds from the Initial Public Offering, which amount includes $8,750,000 in the form of deferred underwriting
commissions, and $5,000,000 of proceeds from the sale of the private placement warrants) was placed in the trust account.
Useof Proceeds
On
October 9, 2020, we consummated the Initial Public Offering of 25,000,000 units, at a price of $10.00 per unit, generating gross
proceeds of $250,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, we consummated the sale of 4,666,667
private placement warrants to the sponsor at a price of $1.50 per private placement warrant generating gross proceeds of $7,000,000.
Following the Initial Public Offering, and the sale of the private placement warrants, a total of $250,000,000 was placed in the
trust account, and we had $1,122,742 of cash held outside of the trust account, after payment of costs related to the Initial
Public Offering, and available for working capital purposes. We incurred $14,215,163 in transaction costs, including $5,000,000
of underwriting fees, $8,750,000 of deferred underwriting fees and $465,163 of other costs.
We
paid a total of $5,000,000 in underwriting discounts and commissions and $465,163 for other costs and expenses related to the
Initial Public Offering. In addition, the underwriters agreed to defer $8,750,000 in underwriting discounts and commissions. The
underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per unit, or $8,750,000 in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable
to the underwriters from the amounts held in the trust account solely in the event that we complete our initial business combination,
subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
As
a “smaller reporting company,” we are not required to provide the information called for by this Item.
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Referencesin this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company” referto Empower Ltd. References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors,and references to the “sponsor” refer to Empower Sponsor Holdings LLC. The following discussion and analysis of theCompany’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statementsand the notes related thereto which are included in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of thisAnnual Report on Form 10-K. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-lookingstatements. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result ofmany factors, including those set forth under “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Item 1A.Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We
are a blank check company incorporated in the Cayman Islands on August 19, 2020 formed for the purpose of effecting our initial
business combination We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash derived from the proceeds of the Initial
Public Offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, our shares, debt or a combination of cash, shares and debt.
We
expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to
complete our initial business combination will be successful.
47
Resultsof Operations
We
have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any operating revenues to date. Our only activities from inception through
December 31, 2020 were organizational activities and those necessary to prepare for the Initial Public Offering, described below
and looking for a business combination. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our
initial business combination. We expect to generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on marketable securities
held after the Initial Public Offering. We expect that we will incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company
(for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses in connection with
searching for, and completing, our initial business combination.
For
the period from August 19, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, we had a net loss of $221,009, which consisted of formation
and operating costs of $273,915, offset by interest earned on marketable securities held in the trust account of $49,118 and an
unrealized gain on marketable securities held in the trust account of $3,788.
Liquidityand Capital Resources
On October 9, 2020, we consummated the Initial Public Offering of 25,000,000 units, at a price of $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of $250,000,000. After deducting underwriting fees of $5,000,000, we received net proceeds of $245,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, we consummated the sale of 4,666,667 private placement warrants to the sponsor at a price of $1.50 per private placement warrant generating gross proceeds of $7,000,000. We incurred $465,163 of other offering costs, resulting in net cash provided by financing activities of $251,554,837 for the period from August 19, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020. Deferred underwriting costs of $8,750,000 were also incurred in connection with the Initial Public Offering, but are not payable until consummation of our initial business combination.
For the period from August 19, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, cash used in investing activities was $250,000,000. Following the Initial Public Offering, and the sale of the private placement warrants, we invested $250,000,000 in the trust account.
For
the period from August 19, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, cash used in operating activities was $474,208. Net loss
of $221,009 was impacted by formation expenses paid by the sponsor of $5,000, interest earned on marketable securities held in
the trust account of $49,118 and an unrealized gain on marketable securities of $3,788. Changes in operating assets and liabilities
used $205,293 of cash from operating activities.
At
December 31, 2020, we had cash and marketable securities held in the trust account of $250,052,906. We intend to use substantially
all of the funds held in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account, which interest
shall be net of taxes payable and excluding deferred underwriting commissions, to complete our initial business combination. We
may withdraw interest from the trust account to pay taxes, if any. To the extent that our share capital or debt is used, in whole
or in part, as consideration to complete our initial business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account will
be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue
our growth strategies.
As
of December 31, 2020, we had cash of $1,080,629 held outside of the trust account. We intend to use the funds held outside the
trust account primarily to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses,
travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners,
review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, structure, negotiate and complete our initial
business combination.
In
order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with our initial business combination, our
sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as
may be required. If we complete our initial business combination, we may repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the
trust account released to us. In the event that our initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working
capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts, but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for
such repayment. Up to $2,000,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants, at a price of $1.50 per warrant, at the option
of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants.
48
We
do not believe we will need to raise additional funds in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business for
at least the next 12 months. However, if our estimate of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due
diligence and negotiating our initial business combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient
funds available to operate our business prior to our initial business combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional
financing either to complete our initial business combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of
our public shares upon completion of our initial business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur
debt in connection with such initial business combination.
Off-BalanceSheet Financing Arrangements
We
have no obligations, assets or liabilities, which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2020.
We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often
referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet
arrangements. We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities,
guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities, or purchased any non-financial assets.
ContractualObligations
We
do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities, other than as
described below.
The
underwriter is entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per unit, or $8,750,000 in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable
to the underwriters from the amounts held in the trust account solely in the event that we complete our initial business combination,
subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
We
entered into a forward purchase agreement to which Empower Funding LLC (“Empower Funding”), has received commitments
from one or more funds affiliated with MidOcean, and is an affiliate of the sponsor, will purchase an aggregate of up to 5,000,000
forward purchase units, consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one-third of one warrant to purchase one Class A ordinary
share for $10.00 per unit, or up to $50,000,000 in the aggregate, in a private placement to close substantially concurrently with
the closing of our initial business combination, subject to approval at such time by the MidOcean investment committee. The allocation
of the forward purchase securities among the ultimate MidOcean funds that will be funding the forward purchase will be determined
by MidOcean, in its sole discretion, at the time of our initial business combination. If the sale of the forward purchase units
fails to close, for any reason, the Company may lack sufficient funds to consummate our initial business combination. The forward
purchase shares and forward purchase warrants will be identical to the Class A ordinary shares included in the units sold in the
Initial Public Offering, except that they will be subject to certain registration rights.
CriticalAccounting Policies
The
preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses
during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical
accounting policies:
ClassA Ordinary Shares Subject to Redemption
We
account for our Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards
Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Class A ordinary shares subject
to mandatory redemption are classified as a liability instrument and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable ordinary
shares (including ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to
redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other
times, ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. Our Class A ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights
that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, Class A ordinary
shares subject to possible redemption are presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’
equity section of our balance sheet.
49
NetLoss Per Ordinary Share
We
apply the two-class method in calculating earnings per share. Ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, which are not currently
redeemable and are not redeemable at fair value, have been excluded from the calculation of basic net loss per ordinary share
since such shares, if redeemed, only participate in their pro rata share of the trust account earnings. Our net loss is adjusted
for the portion of income that is attributable to ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, as these shares only participate
in the earnings of the trust account and not our income or losses.
RecentAccounting Standards
Management
does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have
a material effect on our financial statements.
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Following
the consummation of our Initial Public Offering, the net proceeds of our Initial Public Offering, including amounts in the trust
account, have been invested in U.S. government treasury bills, notes or bonds with a maturity of 185 days or less or in certain
money market funds that invest solely in US treasuries. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will
be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk.
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
This
information appears following Item 16 of this Report and is included herein by reference.
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
Evaluationof Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure
controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed
in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods
specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures
designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated
and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow
timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As
required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out
an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020.
Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2020,
our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 (e) and 15d-15 (e) under the Exchange Act) were effective.
Management’sReport on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
This
Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial
reporting or an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm due to a transition period established
by rules of the SEC for newly public companies.
Changesin Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There
were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of
the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially
affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B.
Other Information
None.
50
PART
III
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Directorsand Executive Officers
Our
directors and offices are as follows:
| Name | Age | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew<br><br> Rubel | 62 | Executive<br><br> Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
| Graham<br><br> Clempson | 59 | President<br><br> and Director |
| Andrew<br><br> Spring | 52 | Chief<br><br> Financial Officer |
| Krishnan<br><br> (Kandy) Anand | 63 | Director |
| Gina<br><br> Bianchini | 48 | Director |
| Jeffrey<br><br> Jones | 59 | Director |
| Beth<br><br> Kaplan | 62 | Director |
MatthewRubel. Mr. Rubel has served as our Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of Board since
August 2020. Mr. Rubel has served as the Chairman of MidOcean’s Executive Board since joining the firm in 2018, where
he leads the Executive Board’s efforts to provide industry insights to MidOcean’s investment teams and portfolio companies.
Mr. Rubel
is a renowned retail and brand Chief Executive Officer, having led many successful global brands and businesses. Most recently,
Mr. Rubel served as Chief Executive Officer, President, and Board Member of Varsity Brands, a leader in sport, spirit
and achievement products, which he strategically focused and integrated. Previously, Mr. Rubel served as Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and President of Collective Brands, Inc., which included Payless ShoeSource, Sperry Topsider, Saucony, Stride
Rite and Keds. Prior to Collective Brands, Mr. Rubel was Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Cole Haan LLC,
from 1999 to 2005. Prior to Cole Haan, he served in senior management roles at J. Crew Group, Revlon and Murjani International
Ltd.
Mr. Rubel
has been a director of numerous multinational retail and consumer branded companies. He currently serves as Executive Chairman
of MidOcean’s portfolio company KidKraft, and also on the Boards of TreeHouse Foods, The Joint Chiropractic and MidOcean’s
portfolio company Image Skincare. He previously was an Independent Director at Hudson’s Bay Company (“HBC”),
where he served on the Special Committee for HBC’s going private transaction. Mr. Rubel also served as an Independent
Director of HSNi, the holding company of HSN and Cornerstone Brands. In addition, Mr. Rubel served as an Independent Director
at SUPERVALU, ELF Cosmetics and Furniture Brands and as an advisor to early stage technology and retail companies, including Celect,
Inc., Retail Next, First Insight and AfterPay.
Mr. Rubel
has also worked closely as a Senior Advisor with TPG Capital, TPG Growth and Roark Capital. He was a presidential appointee to
the White House Advisory Committee for Trade Policy Negotiation from 2010 to 2018. Mr. Rubel holds a Bachelor of Science
from Ohio University and an MBA from the University of Miami.
GrahamClempson. Mr. Clempson has served as our President and a Director on our Board since August 2020.
He is Vice Chairman of MidOcean, which he co-founded in 2003, and serves on MidOcean’s Executive Board with a focus
on the firm’s Investment Strategy, Portfolio Management and Business Development functions based in New York. Prior to his
current position, Mr. Clempson was MidOcean’s European Managing Partner, based in London, from the firm’s inception
until 2012.
In
addition to his role at MidOcean, Mr. Clempson serves as Managing Partner at Quartic Capital LLP, which he founded in 2012.
Quartic Capital LLP invests in and manages complex portfolios of secondary private equity assets, in partnership with Coller Capital,
a leading global secondary private equity investment firm.
51
Prior
to co-founding MidOcean, Mr. Clempson held various leadership positions in the European finance and private equity sectors,
including CEO of Morgan Grenfell Private Equity, European Managing Partner of Deutsche Bank Capital Partners, and Co-Head of
European Investment Banking at Deutsche Bank, with particular responsibility for the bank’s Financial Sponsor Coverage,
Leveraged Finance and High Yield departments. Mr. Clempson began his career at Bankers Trust Company in 1983.
Mr. Clempson
currently serves on the board of directors of Display Data Plc, Bandier Holdings LLC, Allied Film Makers Ltd and Thorough Events
Holdings Ltd, as well as a member of the Board of Governors of the Parsons School of Design in New York. Mr. Clempson’s
previous board roles have included Piaggio & C. SpA, Laurel Pub Co Ltd and United Biscuits Plc. Mr. Clempson received
his M.A. in Law from Oxford University.
AndrewSpring. Mr. Spring has served as our Chief Financial Officer since August 2020. Mr. Spring
is currently a Managing Director and the Chief Financial Officer of MidOcean, having joined the firm at its inception, over 17
years ago. Mr. Spring is a Certified Public Accountant and is admitted to the New York Bar. He currently is a member of the
Board of Directors of Literacy Inc. He also serves as a Director for MidOcean Absolute Return Credit Master Fund, Ltd., MidOcean
Absolute Return Credit Offshore Fund Ltd., MidOcean Credit Opportunity Offshore Fund Ltd. and MidOcean Select Floating Rate Fund
Offshore Ltd. Prior to MidOcean, Mr. Spring served as a Director at Deutsche Bank Capital Partners. Mr. Spring’s
additional experience includes working as Counsel at Citigroup Investments, Inc., Associate Counsel at World Color Press, Inc.,
an associate at White & Case LLP and as a senior auditor at Deloitte & Touche LLP. Mr. Spring holds a Bachelor
of Science degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, as well as his J.D. from Cornell Law School.
Krishnan(Kandy) Anand. Mr. Anand has served as a Director on our Board since October 2020. Mr. Anand brings
more than 30 years of senior leadership and boardroom experience within the consumer sector, including his time as Chief Growth
Officer at Molson Coors Beverage Company (formerly Molson Coors Brewing Company) from 2016 to 2019. Prior to that, he served as
the CEO of their International business for nearly seven years. Before joining Molson Coors, Mr. Anand held multiple leadership
roles within Unilever as well as The Coca-Cola Company, including President of their Philippines business. Mr. Anand
currently serves on the Board of Directors of Folium Bio Sciences and Wingstop Inc., where he sits on the Audit and Compensation
Committees. He previously served on the Board of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Limited, where he served as Chairman of the Compensation
Committee, as well as a member of the Nominating and Governance Committees. Mr. Anand also sat on the company’s Board
Transaction Committee during its sale to Restaurant Brands International. Mr. Anand holds a B. Tech degree in Mechanical
Engineering from IIT Delhi and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad.
GinaBianchini. Ms. Bianchini has served as a Director on our Board since October 2020. Ms. Bianchini brings
in-depth knowledge and experience in building and operating companies in the digital media and technology sector. She currently
serves as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mighty Networks, a SaaS platform that helps businesses sell digital memberships,
experiences, relationships, and expertise to their members via community, content, online courses, and subscription commerce.
Before Mighty Networks, Ms. Bianchini co-founded Ning, a pioneering global platform for creating niche social networks. Under
her leadership, Ning grew to approximately 100 million people in 300,000 active social networks across subcultures,
professional networks, entertainment, politics, and education, before being acquired in 2010. In addition to Mighty Networks,
Ms. Bianchini serves as a member of the Board of Directors for TEGNA, a broadcast and digital media company. She previously served
as a member of the Board of Directors for Scripps Networks Interactive Inc., from 2012 until they were acquired in 2018 by Discovery
Communications. Ms. Bianchini holds a B.A. degree in Political Science from Stanford University and an MBA from Stanford Graduate
School of Business.
JeffreyJones. Mr. Jones has served as a Director on our Board since October 2020. Mr. Jones brings extensive
corporate leadership and boardroom experience, including his most recent management role serving as Chief Financial Officer of
Vail Resorts, Inc., where he also served as President of Lodging, Retail and Real Estate and held a seat on the Board of Directors.
During his time at Vail Resorts, Inc., from 2003 until his retirement in 2012, Mr. Jones held overall responsibility for
the finance, accounting, treasury, investor relations and strategic development functions as well as operations oversight of the
lodging, retail, and real estate segments of the business. He remains actively involved in the corporate community, currently
serving as a Director on the Boards of Summit Hotel Properties, Noodles & Company, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts and
ClubCorp. Mr. Jones is also a Director of the Advisory Board of U.S. Bank and a Director of the Leeds School of Business,
University of Colorado Boulder. Mr. Jones holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mercyhurst College.
52
BethKaplan. Ms. Kaplan has served as a Director on our Board since October 2020. Ms. Kaplan brings extensive
experience in operating, advising and investing in the consumer sector, including her former role as President and Chief Operating
Officer at Rent the Runway, where she continues to serve as a member of the Board of Directors. Ms. Kaplan is also currently the
managing member of Axcel Partners, LLC, investing in consumer-facing early stage and growth companies. Prior to her time
at Rent the Runway, she served as President, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer, and Director at General Nutrition Centers
Inc. (“GNC”), during which she played an integral role in the company’s 2011 IPO. Before joining GNC, Ms. Kaplan
held numerous leadership positions within Bath & Body Works, Rite Aid Drugstores and Procter & Gamble. In addition to
her current role on the Board of Rent the Runway, Ms. Kaplan also serves on the Boards of the Meredith Corporation, Howard Hughes
Corporation and Crocs, as well as a director and advisor of Care/of and Leesa Sleep. She also does advisory work for numerous
growth stage companies. Ms. Kaplan holds a Bachelor of Science degree and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of
Pennsylvania.
Numberand Terms of Office of Officer and Directors
Our
board of directors is divided into three classes, with only one class of directors being appointed in each year, and with each
class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual general meeting) serving a three-year term. In accordance
with the NYSE corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual general meeting until one year after our
first fiscal year end following our listing on the NYSE. The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of Mr.
Anand and Ms. Bianchini, will expire at our first annual general meeting. The term of office of the second class of directors,
consisting of Mr. Jones and Ms. Kaplan, will expire at our second annual general meeting. The term of office of the third class
of directors, consisting of Mr. Rubel and Mr. Clempson, will expire at our third annual general meeting.
Prior
to the completion of an initial business combination, any vacancy on the board of directors may be filled by a nominee chosen
by holders of a majority of our founder shares. In addition, prior to the completion of an initial business combination, holders
of a majority of our founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors for any reason.
Pursuant
to an agreement entered into with our sponsor, our sponsor, upon and following consummation of an initial business combination,
will be entitled to nominate three individuals for appointment to our board of directors, as long as our sponsor holds any securities
covered by the registration and shareholder rights agreement.
Our
officers are appointed by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific
terms of office. Our board of directors is authorized to appoint persons to the offices set forth in our amended and restated
memorandum and articles of association as it deems appropriate. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association
provide that our officers may consist of one or more chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president, chief financial
officer, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer and such other offices as may be determined by the board of directors.
Committeesof the Board of Directors
Our
board of directors has two standing committees: an audit committee and a compensation, nominating and corporate governance committee.
Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, the rules of the NYSE and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act require
that the audit committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors. Subject to phase-in rules and
a limited exception, the rules of the NYSE require that the compensation, nominating and corporate governance committee of a listed
company be comprised solely of independent directors.
Each
committee is governed by a charter that complies with the rules of the NYSE. Each committee charter is available on our website
at www.empowermidocean.com.
53
AuditCommittee
Jeffrey
Jones, Krishnan (Kandy) Anand and Gina Bianchini serve as members of our audit committee. Under the NYSE listing standards and
applicable SEC rules, all the directors on the audit committee must be independent. Our board of directors has determined that
each of Mr. Jones, Mr. Anand and Ms. Bianchini are independent under the NYSE listing standards and SEC rules applicable
to audit committee members. Mr. Jones serves as the chairman of the audit committee. Each member of the audit committee is
financially literate and our board of directors has determined that Mr. Jones qualifies as an “audit committee
financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.
The
audit committee is responsible for:
| ● | meeting<br><br>with our independent registered public accounting firm regarding, among other issues, audits, and adequacy of our accounting and<br><br>control systems; |
|---|---|
| ● | monitoring<br><br>the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | establishing, supervising and reviewing policies for audit partner<br>rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | inquiring<br><br>and discussing with management our compliance with applicable laws and regulations; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | pre-approving all<br><br>audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm, including<br><br>the fees and terms of the services to be performed; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | the appointment, compensation, retention, replacement and oversight<br>of the work of any independent registered public accounting firm (including resolution of disagreements between management and<br>the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | establishing<br><br>procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls<br><br>or reports which raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | monitoring<br><br>compliance on a quarterly basis with the terms of this offering and, if any noncompliance is identified, immediately taking all<br><br>action necessary to rectify such noncompliance or otherwise causing compliance with the terms of this offering; and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | reviewing<br><br>and approving all payments made to our existing shareholders, executive officers or directors and their respective affiliates.<br><br>Any payments made to members of our audit committee will be reviewed and approved by our board of directors, with the interested<br><br>director or directors abstaining from such review and approval. |
| --- | --- |
Compensation,Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Beth
Kaplan, Krishnan (Kandy) Anand and Gina Bianchini serve as members of the compensation, nominating and corporate governance committee.
Under the NYSE listing standards and applicable SEC rules, all the directors on this committee must be independent. Our board
of directors has determined that each of Ms. Kaplan, Mr. Anand and Ms. Bianchini are independent under the NYSE listing standards
and SEC rules applicable to compensation committee members. Ms. Kaplan serves as chair of the committee.
The compensation, nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for overseeing the selection of persons to be nominated to serve on our board of directors. The compensation, nominating and corporate governance committee is also responsible for overseeing our compensation policies and determinations, as further described below. We have adopted a committee charter, which details the principal functions of the committee, including:
| ● | reviewing<br><br>and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation,<br><br>evaluating our Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving<br><br>the remuneration (if any) of our Chief Executive Officer based on such evaluation; |
|---|---|
| ● | reviewing<br><br>and approving the compensation of all of our other Section 16 executive officers; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | reviewing<br><br>our executive compensation policies and plans; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | implementing<br><br>and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans; |
| --- | --- |
54
| ● | assisting<br><br>management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements; |
|---|---|
| ● | approving<br><br>all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our executive officers<br><br>and employees; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | producing<br><br>a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | reviewing,<br><br>evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors. |
| --- | --- |
The
charter also provides that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation
consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of
the work of any such adviser.
However,
before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation
committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by the NYSE and the SEC.
CompensationCommittee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None
of our executive officers currently serves, and in the past year has not served, as a member of the compensation committee of
any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors.
Codeof Ethics
We
have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. Our Code of Ethics is posted on our website
located at www.empowermidocean.com. If we make any amendments to our Code of Ethics other than technical, administrative
or other non-substantive amendments, or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Ethics
applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer principal accounting officer or controller or persons
performing similar functions requiring disclosure under applicable SEC or NYSE rules, we will disclose the nature of such amendment
or waiver on our website.
Conflictsof Interest
Under
Cayman Islands law, directors and officers owe the following fiduciary duties:
| ● | duty<br><br>to act in good faith in what the director or officer believes to be in the best interests of the Company as a whole; |
|---|---|
| ● | duty<br><br>to exercise powers for the purposes for which those powers were conferred and not for a collateral purpose; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | directors<br><br>should not improperly fetter the exercise of future discretion; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | duty<br><br>to exercise powers fairly as between different sections of shareholders; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | duty<br><br>not to put themselves in a position in which there is a conflict between their duty to the Company and their personal interests;<br><br>and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | duty<br><br>to exercise independent judgment. |
| --- | --- |
In
addition to the above, directors also owe a duty of care which is not fiduciary in nature. This duty has been defined as a requirement
to act as a reasonably diligent person having both the general knowledge, skill and experience that may reasonably be expected
of a person carrying out the same functions as are carried out by that director in relation to the Company and the general knowledge
skill and experience of that director.
As
set out above, directors have a duty not to put themselves in a position of conflict and this includes a duty not to engage in
self-dealing, or to otherwise benefit as a result of their position. However, in some instances what would otherwise be a breach
of this duty can be forgiven and/or authorized in advance by the shareholders providedthat there is full disclosure
by the directors. This can be done by way of permission granted in the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association
or alternatively by shareholder approval at general meetings.
Certain
of our Founders, officers and directors presently have, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary and contractual
duties to other entities. As a result, if any of our Founders, officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity
which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, then, subject to
their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law, he or she will need to honor such fiduciary or contractual obligations to present
such business combination opportunity to such entity, before we can pursue such opportunity. If these other entities decide to
pursue any such opportunity, we may be precluded from pursuing the same. However, we do not expect these duties to materially
affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association
provide that we renounce our interest in any business combination opportunity offered to any Founder, director or officer unless
such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company and
it is an opportunity that we are able to complete on a reasonable basis.
55
Below
is a table summarizing the entities to which our executive officers and directors currently have fiduciary duties, contractual
obligations or other material management relationships:
| Individual | Entity | Type of Business | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Rubel | MidOcean Partners^(1)^ | Private Equity | Chairman of Executive Board |
| KidKraft | Manufacturing | Executive Chairman | |
| TreeHouse Foods | Food Processing | Director | |
| The Joint Chiropractic | Chiropractic Care | Director | |
| Image Skincare | Skincare | Director | |
| TOMS Shoes | Footwear | Director | |
| Graham Clempson | MidOcean Partners^(1)^ | Private Equity | Vice Chairman and Co-founder |
| Bandier Holdings LLC | Sportswear | Director | |
| Display Data PLC | Information Services | Director | |
| Thorough Events Holdings Ltd | Events Services | Director | |
| Allied Film Makers Ltd | Production | Director | |
| Andrew Spring | MidOcean Partners^(1)^ | Private Equity | Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer |
| Krishnan (Kandy) Anand | Folium Bio Sciences | Wholesaler | Director |
| Wingstop Inc. | Restaurants | Director | |
| Gina Bianchini | Mighty Networks | Software | Chief Executive Officer |
| TEGNA | Broadcasting | Director | |
| Jeffrey Jones | Noodles & Company | Restaurants | Chairman of the Board |
| Hershey Entertainment & Resorts | Entertainment | Lead Independent Director | |
| Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. | REIT | Lead Independent Director | |
| ClubCorp | Golf and Membership Clubs | Director | |
| Beth Kaplan | Axcel Partners, LLC | Private Equity | Managing Member |
| Meredith Corporation | Media | Director | |
| Howard Hughes Corporation | Real Estate | Director | |
| Crocs | Consumer Shoe Brand | Director | |
| Rent the Runway | Apparel Rental Services | Director and Advisor | |
| Care/of | Health Technology | Director and Advisor | |
| Leesa Sleep | Mattress Retailer | Director and Advisor | |
| (1) | Includes<br><br>MidOcean Partners and certain of its funds, affiliates, and other related entities, including certain portfolio companies in which<br><br>the funds and other related entities invest. | ||
| --- | --- |
56
Potential
investors should also be aware of the following other potential conflicts of interest:
| ● | Our<br><br>executive officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in<br><br>a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and our search for a business combination and their other<br><br>businesses. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination. Each<br><br>of our executive officers is engaged in several other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation,<br><br>and our executive officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. |
|---|---|
| ● | Our<br><br>sponsor subscribed for founder shares prior to the date of our Initial Public Offering and purchased private placement warrants<br><br>at the time of the Initial Public Offering. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | We<br><br>entered into a forward purchase agreement with Empower Funding, which is an affiliate of our sponsor, at the time of the Initial<br><br>Public Offering. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Our<br><br>sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive<br><br>their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and public shares held by them in connection with (i) the completion<br><br>of our initial business combination, and (ii) a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum<br><br>and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A<br><br>ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100%<br><br>of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public<br><br>Offering or during any extension period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class<br><br>A ordinary shares. Additionally, our sponsor has agreed to waive its rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account<br><br>with respect to its founder shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame. If<br><br>we do not complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, the private placement warrants will expire<br><br>worthless. Except as described herein, our sponsor and our directors and executive officers have agreed not to transfer, assign<br><br>or sell any of their founder shares until the earliest of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination<br><br>and (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds<br><br>$12.00 per share (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like)<br><br>for at least 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination,<br><br>or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of<br><br>our public shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. Except as described<br><br>herein, the private placement warrants will not be transferable until 30 days following the completion of our initial business<br><br>combination. Because each of our executive officers and director nominees will own ordinary shares or warrants directly or indirectly,<br><br>they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which<br><br>to effectuate our initial business combination. |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Our<br><br>officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention<br><br>or resignation of any such officers and directors is included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect<br><br>to our initial business combination. In addition, our Founders, sponsor, officers and directors may sponsor, form or participate<br><br>in other blank check companies similar to ours during the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination. Any<br><br>such companies may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an acquisition target, particularly in the event there<br><br>is overlap among investment mandates. |
| --- | --- |
57
We
are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, Founders,
officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with
our sponsor or any of our Founders, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion
from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that such initial
business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. We are not required to obtain such an opinion in any
other context.
Furthermore,
in no event will our sponsor or any of our existing officers, or their respective affiliates, be paid by us any finder’s
fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the completion of
our initial business combination. We currently expect our sponsor to provide us with office space, administrative and support
services at no cost, but we may incur costs for office space and administrative and support services in the future.
We
cannot assure you that any of the above mentioned conflicts will be resolved in our favor.
If
we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval of an ordinary
resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or
by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at a general meeting. In such case, our sponsor and each member of our management
team have agreed to vote their founder shares and public shares in favor of our initial business combination.
Limitationon Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Cayman
Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification
of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to
public policy, such as to provide indemnification against willful default, willful neglect, civil fraud or the consequences of
committing a crime. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide for indemnification of our officers
and directors to the maximum extent permitted by law, including for any liability incurred in their capacities as such, except
through their own actual fraud, willful default or willful neglect. We have entered into agreements with our directors and officers
to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our amended and restated memorandum
and articles of association. We have purchased a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures
our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures
us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.
Our
officers and directors have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account,
and have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in the future as a result of, or arising
out of, any services provided to us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever (except to
the extent they are entitled to funds from the trust account due to their ownership of public shares). Accordingly, any indemnification
provided will only be able to be satisfied by us if (i) we have sufficient funds outside of the trust account or (ii) we consummate
an initial business combination.
Our
indemnification obligations may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against our officers or directors for breach of
their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our
officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. Furthermore,
a shareholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against
our officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
We
believe that these provisions, the insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced
officers and directors.
58
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
None
of our executive officers or directors have received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. Our sponsor, executive
officers and directors, or their respective affiliates will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection
with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business
combinations. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made by us to our sponsor, executive
officers or directors, or their affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial business combination will be made using funds
held outside the trust account. Other than quarterly audit committee review of such reimbursements, we do not expect to have any
additional controls in place governing our reimbursement payments to our directors and executive officers for their out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with our activities on our behalf in connection with identifying and consummating an initial business
combination. Other than these payments and reimbursements, no compensation of any kind, including finder’s and consulting
fees, will be paid by the Company to our sponsor or officers, or their respective affiliates, prior to completion of our initial
business combination.
After
the completion of our initial business combination, directors or members of our management team who remain with us may be paid
consulting or management fees from the combined company. All of these fees will be fully disclosed to shareholders, to the extent
then known, in the proxy solicitation materials or tender offer materials furnished to our shareholders in connection with a proposed
business combination. We have not established any limit on the amount of such fees that may be paid by the combined company to
our directors or members of management. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of the proposed
business combination, because the directors of the post-combination business will be responsible for determining executive officer
and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our executive officers will be determined, or recommended to the board
of directors for determination, either by a compensation committee constituted solely by independent directors or by a majority
of the independent directors on our board of directors.
We
do not intend to take any action to ensure that members of our management team maintain their positions with us after the consummation
of our initial business combination, although it is possible that some or all of our executive officers and directors may negotiate
employment or consulting arrangements to remain with us after our initial business combination. The existence or terms of any
such employment or consulting arrangements to retain their positions with us may influence our management’s motivation in
identifying or selecting a target business but we do not believe that the ability of our management to remain with us after the
consummation of our initial business combination will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential business
combination. We are not party to any agreements with our executive officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination
of employment.
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The
following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary
shares as of March 1, 2021 by:
| ● | each<br><br>person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares; |
|---|---|
| ● | each<br><br>of our executive officers and directors; and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | all<br><br>our executive officers and directors as a group. |
| --- | --- |
59
Unless
otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all
of our ordinary shares beneficially owned by them. The following table does not reflect record or beneficial ownership of the
private placement warrants as these warrants are not exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus.
| Class B Ordinary Shares ^(2)^ | Class A Ordinary Shares | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner^(1)^ | Numberof Shares<br><br><br><br><br><br>Beneficially Owned | ^^ | Approximate Percentage of Class | Numberof Shares<br><br><br><br><br><br>Beneficially Owned | Approximate Percentage of Class | Approximate Percentage of Voting Control | ||||||||
| Sculptor<br><br> Capital LP ^(3)^ | — | ^^ | — | 2,287,075 | 9.1 | % | 7.3 | % | ||||||
| Glazer Capital, LLC ^(4)^ | — | ^^ | — | 2,253,641 | 9.0 | % | 7.2 | % | ||||||
| Periscope Capital Inc. ^(5)^ | — | ^^ | — | 1,449,100 | 5.8 | % | 4.6 | % | ||||||
| Empower Sponsor Holdings LLC | 6,250,000 | ^(6)^ | 100.0 | % | — | — | 20.0 | % | ||||||
| Matthew Rubel | — | ^(7)^ | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Graham Clempson | — | ^(7)^ | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Andrew Spring | — | ^(7)^ | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Krishnan (Kandy) Anand | — | ^(7)^ | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Gina Bianchini | — | ^(7)^ | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Jeffrey Jones | — | ^(7)^ | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Beth Kaplan | — | ^(7)^ | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| All officers and directors as a group (7 individuals) | — | ^(7)^ | — | |||||||||||
| (1) | Unless<br><br>otherwise noted, the business address of each of our shareholders is 245 Park Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, NY 10167. | |||||||||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||||||||
| (2) | Interests<br><br>shown consist solely of founder shares, classified as Class B ordinary shares. Such shares will automatically convert into Class<br><br>A ordinary shares at the time of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof Excludes Class<br><br>A ordinary shares issuable pursuant to the forward purchase agreement, as such shares will only be issued, if at all, at the time<br><br>of our initial business combination. | |||||||||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||||||||
| (3) | Based<br><br>on the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 5, 2021 by Sculptor Capital LP. According to its Schedule 13G/A, Sculptor<br><br>Capital reported having sole voting power over no shares, shared voting power over 2,287,075 Class A ordinary shares, sole dispositive<br><br>power over no shares and shared dispositive power over 2,287,075 Class A ordinary shares. The Schedule 13G/A contained information<br><br>as of December 31, 2020. The address of Sculptor Capital is 9 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019. | |||||||||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||||||||
| (4) | Based<br><br>on the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 16, 2021 by Glazer Capital, LLC. According to its Schedule 13G/A, Glazer<br><br>Capital reported having sole voting power over no shares, shared voting power over 2,253,641 Class A ordinary shares, sole dispositive<br><br>power over no shares and shared dispositive power over 2,253,641 Class A ordinary shares. The Schedule 13G/A contained information<br><br>as of December 31, 2020. The address of Glazer Capital is 250 West 55th Street, Suite 30A, New York, New York 10019. | |||||||||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||||||||
| (5) | Based<br><br>on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 16, 2021 by Periscope Capital Inc. According to its Schedule 13G, Periscope<br><br>Capital reported having sole voting power over no shares, shared voting power over 1,449,100 Class A ordinary shares, sole dispositive<br><br>power over no shares and shared dispositive power over 1,449,100 Class A ordinary shares. The Schedule 13G contained information<br><br>as of December 31, 2020. The address of Periscope Capital is 333 Bay Street, Suite 1240, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 2R2. | |||||||||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||||||||
| (6) | Our<br><br>sponsor, Empower Sponsor Holdings LLC, is the record holder of the shares reported. The managing member of our sponsor is MidOcean<br><br>Associates V, L.P. (“Associates”). The general partner of Associates is Ultramar Capital, Ltd. (“Ultramar”),<br><br>which is controlled by James Edward Virtue (“Virtue”). Accordingly, each of Associates, Ultramar and Virtue may be<br><br>deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by our sponsor. Each of Associates, Ultramar and Virtue disclaims beneficial<br><br>ownership of any shares except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. | |||||||||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||||||||
| (7) | Does<br><br>not include any shares indirectly owned by this individual as a result of the individual’s membership interest in our sponsor.<br><br>Each of these individuals disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. | |||||||||||||
| --- | --- |
60
Our
sponsor beneficially owns 20% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares and has the right to appoint all of our directors
prior to our initial business combination. Holders of our public shares do not have the right to appoint any directors to our
board of directors prior to our initial business combination. Because of this ownership block, our sponsor may be able to effectively
influence the outcome of all other matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including amendments to our amended and restated
memorandum and articles of association and approval of significant corporate transactions including our initial business combination.
Our
sponsor has agreed (a) to vote any founder shares and public shares held by it in favor of any proposed business combination and
(b) not to redeem any founder shares or public shares held by it in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial
business combination.
We
have entered into a forward purchase agreement pursuant to which Empower Funding has agreed to subscribe for an aggregate of up
to 5,000,000 forward purchase units, consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one-third of one warrant to purchase one
Class A ordinary share for $10.00 per unit, or up to $50,000,000 in the aggregate, in a private placement to close substantially
concurrently with the closing of our initial business combination, subject to approval at such time by the MidOcean investment
committee.
The
forward purchase agreement also provides that the forward purchase investors are entitled to registration rights with respect
to (A) the forward purchase shares, (B) the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the forward purchase warrants and
(C) any other Class A ordinary shares acquired by the forward purchase investors, including any acquisitions after we complete
our initial business combination.
Our
sponsor, Empower Funding and our officers and directors are deemed to be our “promoters” as such term is
defined under the federal securities laws.
Transfersof Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants
The
founder shares and private placement warrants and any Class A ordinary shares issued upon conversion or exercise thereof are each
subject to transfer restrictions pursuant to lock-up provisions in the agreement entered into by our sponsor and management team.
Our sponsor and our directors and executive officers have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until
the earliest of (a) one year after the completion of our initial business combination and (b) subsequent to our initial business
combination, (x) if the closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share
subdivisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading
day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation,
merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our public shareholders having the right to exchange
their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. The private placement warrants and the respective Class
A ordinary shares underlying such warrants are not transferable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business
combination. The foregoing restrictions are not applicable to transfers (a) to our officers or directors, any affiliates or family
members of any of our officers or directors, any members of our sponsor, or any affiliates of our sponsor, including to funds
affiliated with MidOcean, and to limited partners of funds affiliated with MidOcean; (b) in the case of an individual, by gift
to a member of one of the individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the individual’s
immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization; (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of
laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic
relations order; (e) by private sales or transfers made in connection with the consummation of a business combination at prices
no greater than the price at which the founder shares, private placement warrants or Class A ordinary shares, as applicable, were
originally purchased; (f) by virtue of our sponsor’s organizational documents upon liquidation or dissolution of our sponsor;
(g) to the Company for no value for cancellation in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination; (h)
in the event of our liquidation prior to the completion of our initial business combination; or (i) in the event of our completion
of a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our public shareholders having the
right to exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property subsequent to our completion of our initial
business combination; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (e) these permitted transferees must enter into
a written agreement agreeing to be bound by these transfer restrictions and the other restrictions contained in the letter agreement.
61
EquityCompensation Plans
As
of December 31, 2020, we had no compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which equity securities
were authorized for issuance.
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Founder
Shares
On
August 21, 2020, our sponsor purchased 7,187,500 founder shares for an aggregate price of $25,000. Our sponsor agreed to forfeit
up to 937,500 founder shares to the extent that the over-allotment option was not exercised in full by the underwriters. The forfeiture
was to be adjusted to the extent that the over-allotment option was not exercised in full by the underwriters so that the founder
shares would represent 20.0% of our issued and outstanding shares after our Initial Public Offering. The underwriters declined
to exercised their 45-day over-allotment option in connection with our Initial Public Offering; thus, the 937,500 founder shares
were forfeited by our sponsor.
Our
sponsor and our officers and directors agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder
shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or (B) subsequent
to our initial business combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of the ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share
(as adjusted for share splits, share dividends, rights issuances, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like)
for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination,
or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, amalgamation, share exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction
that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property.
Private
Placement Warrants
Simultaneously
with the closing of our Initial Public Offering, we sold 4,666,667 private placement warrants to our sponsor at a price of $1.50
per private placement warrant, generating gross proceeds of $7 million. Each private placement warrant is exercisable for one
ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share. A portion of the net proceeds from the private placement was added to the proceeds
from our Initial Public Offering held in the trust account. If we do not complete our initial business combination by October
9, 2022, the private placement warrants will expire worthless. The private placement warrants are non-redeemable and exercisable
on a cashless basis so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees.
Our
sponsor and our officers and directors agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their private
placement warrants until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination.
Related
Party Loans
In
order to finance transaction costs in connection with a business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor, or certain
of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us working capital loans. If we complete a business combination,
we would repay the working capital loans out of the proceeds of the trust account released to us. Otherwise, the working capital
loans can be repaid only out of funds held outside the trust account. In the event that a business combination does not close,
we may use a portion of proceeds held outside the trust account to repay the working capital loans but no proceeds held in the
trust account would be used to repay the working capital loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such working capital loans,
if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. The working capital loans would either
be repaid upon consummation of a business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $2,000,000
of such working capital loans may be convertible into warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant. The warrants would be identical
to the private placement warrants. To date, we had no borrowings under the working capital loans.
62
Reimbursement
Our
sponsor, officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred
in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable
business combinations. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers,
directors or our or any of their affiliates and will determine which expenses and the amount of expenses that will be reimbursed.
There is no cap or ceiling on the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such persons in connection with activities
on our behalf.
Registration
and Shareholder Rights
The
holders of the founder shares, private placement warrants and any warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital
loans (and any Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the private placement warrants, upon the exercise of warrants
that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans and upon conversion of the founder shares) are entitled to registration
rights pursuant to a registration and shareholder rights agreement signed on the effective date of the Initial Public Offering.
The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that we register such
securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements
filed subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination. However, the registration and shareholder rights agreement
provides that we will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination
of the applicable lockup period, which occurs (i) in the case of the founder shares, as described in the following paragraph,
and (ii) in the case of the private placement warrants and the respective Class A ordinary shares underlying such warrants, 30
days after the completion of our initial business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing
of any such registration statements.
Pursuant
to the forward purchase agreement, we will agree that we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to (i) within 30 days after
the closing of the initial business combination, file a registration statement with the SEC for a secondary offering of (A) the
forward purchase investors’ forward purchase shares, (B) the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the forward
purchase investors’ forward purchase warrants and (C) any other Class A ordinary shares acquired by the forward purchase
investors, including any acquisitions after we complete our initial business combination, (ii) cause such registration statement
to be declared effective promptly thereafter, but in no event later than 90 days after the closing of the initial business combination
and (iii) maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement and to ensure the registration statement does not contain
a material omission or misstatement, including by way of amendment or other update, as required, until the earlier of (A) the
date on which a forward purchase investor ceases to hold the securities covered thereby and (B) the date all of the securities
covered thereby can be sold publicly without restriction or limitation under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and without the
requirement to be in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) under the Securities Act, subject to certain conditions and limitations set
forth in the forward purchase agreement. We will bear the cost of registering these securities.
Except
as described herein, our sponsor and our directors and executive officers have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell their founder
shares until the earliest of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination and (B) subsequent to our initial
business combination, (x) if the closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted
for share sub-divisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within
any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete
a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our public shareholders having the right
to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same
restrictions and other agreements of our sponsor with respect to any founder shares. We refer to such transfer restrictions throughout
this Annual Report as the lock-up.
In
addition, pursuant to the registration and shareholder rights agreement, our sponsor, upon and following consummation of an initial
business combination, will be entitled to nominate three individuals for appointment to our board of directors, as long as our
sponsor holds any securities covered by the registration and shareholder rights agreement, in addition to other rights as detailed
in the registration and shareholder rights agreement.
63
Forward
Purchase Agreement
The
Company entered into a forward purchase agreement to which Empower Funding, a newly formed Delaware limited liability company
which has received commitments from one or more funds affiliated with MidOcean, and is an affiliate of our sponsor, will purchase
an aggregate of up to 5,000,000 forward purchase units, consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one-third of one warrant
to purchase one Class A ordinary share for $10.00 per unit, or up to $50,000,000 in the aggregate, in a private placement to close
substantially concurrently with the closing of an initial business combination, subject to approval at such time by the MidOcean
investment committee. The allocation of the forward purchase securities among the ultimate MidOcean funds that will be funding
the forward purchase will be determined by MidOcean, in its sole discretion, at the time of an initial business combination. If
the sale of the forward purchase units fails to close, for any reason, the Company may lack sufficient funds to consummate an
initial business combination. The forward purchase shares and forward purchase warrants will be identical to the Class A ordinary
shares included in the units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except that they will be subject to certain registration rights.
Policy
for Approval of Related Party Transactions
The
audit committee of our board of directors has adopted a charter, providing for the review, approval and/or ratification of “related
party transactions,” which are those transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K as promulgated
by the SEC, by the audit committee. At its meetings, the audit committee shall be provided with the details of each new, existing,
or proposed related party transaction, including the terms of the transaction, any contractual restrictions that the Company has
already committed to, the business purpose of the transaction, and the benefits of the transaction to the Company and to the relevant
related party. Any member of the committee who has an interest in the related party transaction under review by the committee
shall abstain from voting on the approval of the related party transaction, but may, if so requested by the chairman of the committee,
participate in some or all of the committee’s discussions of the related party transaction. Upon completion of its review
of the related party transaction, the committee may determine to permit or to prohibit the related party transaction.
Director
Independence
The rules of the NYSE require that a majority of our board of directors be independent. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person that, in the opinion of the Company’s board of directors, has no material relationship with the listed company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company). Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Anand, Ms. Bianchini, Mr. Jones and Ms. Kaplan are “independent directors” as defined in the NYSE listing standards. Our independent directors meet in executive session at which only independent directors are present as part of regularly scheduled meetings.
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The
following is a summary of fees paid or to be paid to Marcum LLP, or Marcum, for services rendered.
Audit Fees. Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our year-end financial statements
and services that are normally provided by Marcum in connection with regulatory filings. The aggregate fees billed by Marcum for
professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of the financial information included
in our Forms 10-Q for the respective periods and other required filings with the SEC for the period from August 19, 2020 (inception)
through December 31, 2020 totaled $39,140. The above amounts include interim procedures and audit fees, as well as attendance
at audit committee meetings.
Audit-RelatedFees. Audit-related services consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to performance
of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include
attest services that are not required by statute or regulation and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting
standards. We did not pay Marcum for consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards for the period from
August 19, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020.
TaxFees. We did not pay Marcum for tax planning and tax advice for the period from August 19, 2020 (inception) through December
31, 2020.
AllOther Fees. We did not pay Marcum for other services for the period from August 19, 2020 (inception) through December 31,
2020.
Pre-ApprovalPolicy
Our
audit committee was formed upon the consummation of our Initial Public Offering. As a result, the audit committee did not pre-approve
all of the foregoing services, although any services rendered prior to the formation of our audit committee were approved by our
board of directors. Since the formation of our audit committee, and on a going-forward basis, the audit committee has and will
pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit services to be performed for us by our auditors, including the fees
and terms thereof (subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in the Exchange Act which are approved
by the audit committee prior to the completion of the audit).
64
PART
IV
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
| (a) | The<br><br> following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K: |
|---|---|
| (1) | Financial<br><br> Statements: |
| --- | --- |
| Page | |
| --- | --- |
| Report<br><br> of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-2 |
| Balance<br><br> Sheet | F-3 |
| Statement<br><br> of Operations | F-4 |
| Statement<br><br> of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity | F-5 |
| Statement<br><br> of Cash Flows | F-6 |
| Notes<br><br> to Financial Statements | F-7 |
| (2) | Financial<br><br> Statement Schedules: |
| --- | --- |
None.
| (3) | Exhibits |
|---|
The
exhibits listed in the below Exhibit Index are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
65
Item 16.
Form 10-K Summary
Not
applicable.
66
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused
this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized**.**
| EMPOWER LTD. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date:<br><br> March 5, 2021 | By: | /s/<br> Matthew Rubel |
| Matthew<br><br> Rubel | ||
| Executive Chairman and <br><br>Chief<br> Executive Officer |
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this Report has been signed below by the following persons
on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| /s/ Matthew<br><br> Rubel | Executive<br><br>Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | March<br> 5, 2021 |
| Matthew<br><br> Rubel | (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| /s/ Graham<br><br> Clempson | President<br><br> and Director | March<br> 5, 2021 |
| Graham<br><br> Clempson | ||
| /s/ Andrew<br><br> Spring | Chief<br><br>Financial Officer | March<br> 5, 2021 |
| Andrew<br><br> Spring | (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |
| /s/<br>Krishnan (Kandy) Anand | Director | March<br> 5, 2021 |
| Krishnan<br><br> (Kandy) Anand | ||
| /s/<br>Gina Bianchini | Director | March<br> 5, 2021 |
| Gina<br><br> Bianchini | ||
| /s/ Jeffrey<br><br> Jones | Director | March<br> 5, 2021 |
| Jeffrey<br><br> Jones | ||
| Director | ||
| Beth<br><br> Kaplan |
67
EMPOWERLTD.
INDEXTO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| Report<br><br> of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-2 |
|---|---|
| Financial Statements: | |
| Balance<br><br> Sheet | F-3 |
| Statement<br><br> of Operations | F-4 |
| Statement<br><br> of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity | F-5 |
| Statement<br><br> of Cash Flows | F-6 |
| Notes<br><br> to Financial Statements | F-7 to F-16 |
F-1
REPORTOF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Empower Ltd.
Opinionon the Financial Statements
We
have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Empower Ltd. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020, the related statements
of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the period from August 19, 2020 (inception) through December
31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020, and the results
of its operations and its cash flows for the period from August 19, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basisfor Opinion
These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the “PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company
in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
and the PCAOB.
We
conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error
or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial
reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not
for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our
audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to
error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence
regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/
Marcum LLP
Marcum
LLP
We
have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.
Houston, TX
March
5, 2021
F-2
EMPOWERLTD.
BALANCESHEET
DECEMBER31, 2020
| ASSETS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Current Assets | ||
| Cash | 1,080,629 | |
| Prepaid expenses | 379,166 | |
| Total Current Assets | 1,459,795 | |
| Cash and marketable securities held in trust account | 250,052,096 | |
| Total Assets | 251,512,701 | |
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||
| Current liabilities - accrued expenses | 173,873 | |
| Deferred underwriting fee payable | 8,750,000 | |
| Total Liabilities | 8,923,873 | |
| Commitments | ||
| Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, 23,753,855 shares at redemption value | 237,588,818 | |
| Shareholders’ Equity | ||
| Preference shares, 0.0001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding | — | |
| Class A ordinary shares, 0.0001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 1,246,145 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 23,753,855 shares subject to possible redemption) | 125 | |
| Class B ordinary shares, 0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 6,250,000 shares issued and outstanding | 625 | |
| Additional paid-in capital | 5,220,269 | |
| Accumulated deficit | (221,009 | ) |
| Total Shareholders’ Equity | 5,000,010 | |
| Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | 251,512,701 |
All values are in US Dollars.
Theaccompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-3
EMPOWERLTD.
STATEMENTOF OPERATIONS
FORTHE PERIOD FROM AUGUST 19, 2020 (INCEPTION) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020
| Formation and operating costs | $ | 273,915 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loss from operations | (273,915 | ) | |
| Other income: | |||
| Interest earned on marketable securities held in trust account | 49,118 | ||
| Unrealized gain on marketable securities held in trust account | 3,788 | ||
| Other income | 52,906 | ||
| Net loss | $ | (221,009 | ) |
| Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted ^(1)^ | 7,011,052 | ||
| Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share ^(2)^ | $ | (0.04 | ) |
| (1) | Excludes an aggregate of<br><br> 23,753,855 shares subject to possible redemption. | ||
| --- | --- | ||
| (2) | Net<br><br> loss per ordinary share – basic and diluted excludes income attributable to ordinary shares subject to possible<br><br> redemption of $50,271 for the period from August 19, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 (see Note<br><br> 2). |
Theaccompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-4
EMPOWERLTD.
STATEMENTOF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FORTHE PERIOD FROM AUGUST 19, 2020 (INCEPTION) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020
| Class A<br> <br>OrdinaryShares | Class B<br> <br>OrdinaryShares | Additional<br> <br>Paid-in | Retained | Total<br> <br>Shareholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Earnings | Equity | |||||||||||||||
| Balance – August 19, 2020 (inception) | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||
| Issuance of Class B ordinary shares to sponsor^(1)^ | — | — | 7,187,500 | 719 | 24,281 | — | 25,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Sale of 25,000,000 units, net of underwriting discounts and offering costs | 25,000,000 | 2,500 | — | — | 235,782,337 | — | 235,784,837 | ||||||||||||||
| Sale of 4,666,667 private placement warrants | — | — | — | — | 7,000,000 | — | 7,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Forfeiture of founder shares | — | — | (937,500 | ) | (94 | ) | 94 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption | (23,753,855 | ) | (2,375 | ) | — | — | (237,586,443 | ) | — | (237,588,818 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | (221,009 | ) | (221,009 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Balance – December 31, 2020 | 1,246,145 | $ | 125 | 6,250,000 | $ | 625 | $ | 5,220,269 | $ | (221,009 | ) | $ | 5,000,010 |
Theaccompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-5
EMPOWERLTD.
STATEMENTOF CASH FLOWS
FORTHE PERIOD FROM AUGUST 19, 2020 (INCEPTION) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Net loss | $ | (221,009 | ) |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | |||
| Payment of formation costs through issuance of Class B ordinary shares | 5,000 | ||
| Interest earned on marketable securities held in trust account | (49,118 | ) | |
| Unrealized gain on marketable securities held in trust account | (3,788 | ) | |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||
| Prepaid expenses | (379,166 | ) | |
| Accrued expenses | 178,873 | ||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (474,208 | ) | |
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | |||
| Investment of cash in trust account | (250,000,000 | ) | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (250,000,000 | ) | |
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | |||
| Proceeds from sale of Units, net of underwriting discounts paid | 245,000,000 | ||
| Proceeds from sale of private placement warrants | 7,000,000 | ||
| Proceeds from promissory note – related party | 150,295 | ||
| Repayment of promissory note – related party | (150,295 | ) | |
| Payment of offering costs | (445,163 | ) | |
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 251,554,837 | ||
| Net Change in Cash | 1,080,629 | ||
| Cash – Beginning | — | ||
| Cash – Ending | $ | 1,080,629 | |
| Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities: | |||
| Offering costs paid by sponsor in exchange for the issuance of Class B ordinary shares | 20,000 | ||
| Initial classification of Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption | $ | 237,804,830 | |
| Change in value of Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption | $ | (216,012 | ) |
| Deferred underwriting fee payable | $ | 8,750,000 |
Theaccompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-6
NOTE1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Empower
Ltd. (the “Company”) is a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on August 19, 2020.
The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization
or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “initial business combination”).
The
Company is not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of completing an initial business combination.
The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated
with early stage and emerging growth companies.
As
of December 31, 2020, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from August 19, 2020 (inception)
through December 31, 2020 relates to the Company’s formation and the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”),
which is described below. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of an initial business
combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds
derived from the Initial Public Offering.
The
registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering became effective on October 6, 2020. On October 9, 2020,
the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of 25,000,000 units (the “units” and, with respect to the Class
A ordinary shares included in the units sold, the “public shares”), at $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds
of $250,000,000 which is described in Note 3.
Simultaneously
with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of 4,666,667 warrants (the “private placement
warrants”) at a price of $1.50 per private placement warrant in a private placement to Empower Sponsor Holdings LLC (the
“sponsor”), generating gross proceeds of $7,000,000, which is described in Note 4.
Transaction
costs amounted to $14,215,163, consisting of $5,000,000 of underwriting fees, $8,750,000 of deferred underwriting fees and $465,163
of other offering costs.
Following
the closing of the Initial Public Offering on October 9, 2020, an amount of $250,000,000 ($10.00 per unit) from the net proceeds
of the sale of the units in the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private placement warrants was placed in a trust account
(the “trust account”) and invested in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), with a maturity of 185 days or less,
or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund meeting certain conditions of Rule 2a-7 of
the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of an initial business combination
and (ii) the distribution of the funds in the trust account to the Company’s shareholders, as described below.
The
Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public
Offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied
generally toward completing an initial business combination. The Company must complete its initial business combination with one
or more target businesses that together have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the net assets held in the trust account
(excluding any deferred underwriting commissions held in the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into an initial
business combination. The Company will only complete an initial business combination if the post-initial business combination
company owns or acquires 50% or more of the issued and outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling
interest in the target business sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment
Company Act. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect an initial business combination.
The
Company will provide its shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares upon the completion
of an initial business combination either (i) in connection with a shareholder meeting called to approve the initial business
combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek shareholder approval of an initial
business combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company. The shareholders will be entitled to redeem their
shares for a pro rata portion of the amount held in the trust account (initially $10.00 per share), calculated as of two business
days prior to the completion of an initial business combination, including any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the
trust account and not previously released to the Company to pay its tax obligations. There will be no redemption rights upon the
completion of a an initial business combination with respect to the Company’s warrants.
F-7
If
the Company seeks shareholder approval in connection with an initial business combination, it receives an ordinary resolution
under Cayman Islands law approving an initial business combination, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shareholders
who vote at a general meeting of the Company. If a shareholder vote is not required under applicable law or stock exchange listing
requirements and the Company does not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company will, pursuant
to its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules
of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and file tender offer documents containing substantially the same
information as would be included in a proxy statement with the SEC prior to completing an initial business combination. If the
Company seeks shareholder approval in connection with an initial business combination, the sponsor has agreed to vote its founder
shares (as defined in Note 5) and any public shares purchased in or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of approving an
initial business combination and to waive its redemption rights with respect to any such shares in connection with a shareholder
vote to approve an initial business combination. However, in no event will the Company redeem its public shares in an amount that
would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem its
public shares, without voting, and if they do vote, irrespective of whether they vote for or against a proposed an initial business
combination.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if the Company seeks shareholder approval of an initial business combination and it does not conduct redemptions
pursuant to the tender offer rules, the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provides that
a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting
in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the public shares
without the Company’s prior written consent.
The
sponsor has agreed (a) to waive its redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and public shares held by it in connection
with the completion of an initial business combination and (b) not to propose an amendment to the Amended and Restated Memorandum
and Articles of Association (i) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the public
shares if the Company does not complete an initial business combination within the Combination Period (as defined below) or (ii)
with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless
the Company provides the public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares in conjunction with any such amendment
and (iii) to waive its rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to the founder shares if the Company
fails to complete an initial business combination.
The
Company will have until October 9, 2022 (the “Combination Period”) to complete an initial business combination. If
the Company is unable to complete an initial business combination within the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all
operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than 10 business days thereafter,
redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit
in the trust account, including interest earned (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses and net of taxes
payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’
rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably
possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining shareholders and the Company’s board of directors,
dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to its obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and
the requirements of other applicable law.
The
sponsor has agreed to waive its liquidation rights with respect to the founder shares if the Company fails to complete an initial
business combination within the Combination Period. However, if the sponsor acquires public shares in or after the Initial Public
Offering, such public shares will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account if the Company fails to complete
an initial business combination within the Combination Period. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred
underwriting commission (see Note 6) held in the trust account in the event the Company does not complete an initial business
combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the trust account
that will be available to fund the redemption of the public shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the
per share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than the Initial Public Offering price per unit
($10.00).
F-8
The
sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to the Company, if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered
or products sold to the Company, or by a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction
agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the trust account to below (1) $10.00 per Public Share or (2) such lesser amount per
Public Share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account due to reductions in the value of
trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes. This liability will not apply with
respect to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account nor will
it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Moreover,
in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the sponsor will not be responsible
to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the sponsor will
have to indemnify the trust account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (other than
the Company’s independent auditors), prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business,
execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust
account.
Risksand Uncertainties
Management
continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus
could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company,
the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The financial statements do not
include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
NOTE2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basisof Presentation
The
accompanying financial statements are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
EmergingGrowth Company
The
Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart
Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting
requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to,
not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy
statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder
approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further,
Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial
accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared
effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised
financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and
comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The
Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and
it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the
new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s
financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which
has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting
standards used.
F-9
Useof Estimates
The
preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Making
estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect
of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered
in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual
results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Cashand Cash Equivalents
The
Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
The Company did not have any cash equivalents as of December 31, 2020.
MarketableSecurities Held in Trust Account
At
December 31, 2020, substantially all of the assets held in the trust account were held in U.S. Treasury Bills.
ClassA Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption
The
Company accounts for its Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Class A ordinary shares
subject to mandatory redemption are classified as a liability instrument and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable
ordinary shares (including ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or
subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as
temporary equity. At all other times, ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. The Company’s Class
A ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject
to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption are presented at
redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheet.
IncomeTaxes
The
Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 requires the recognition
of deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the financial statements and tax basis
of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax loss and tax credit carry forwards. ASC
740 additionally requires a valuation allowance to be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred
tax assets will not be realized.
ASC
740 also clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and
prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position
taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not
to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized
tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties
as of December 31, 2020. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments,
accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities
since inception.
The
Company is considered an exempted Cayman Islands Company and is presently not subject to income taxes or income tax filing requirements
in the Cayman Islands or the United States. As such, the Company’s tax provision was zero for the period presented.
F-10
NetLoss Per Ordinary Share
Net
loss per ordinary share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the
period. The Company applies the two-class method in calculating earnings per share. Ordinary shares subject to possible redemption
at December 31, 2020, which are not currently redeemable and are not redeemable at fair value, have been excluded from the calculation
of basic net loss per ordinary share since such shares, if redeemed, only participate in their pro rata share of the trust account
earnings. The Company has not considered the effect of warrants sold in the Initial Public Offering and the private placement
to purchase 13,000,000 ordinary shares in the calculation of diluted loss per share, since the exercise of the warrants into ordinary
shares is contingent upon the occurrence of future events. As a result, diluted net loss per ordinary share is the same as basic
net loss per ordinary share for the period presented.
Reconciliationof Net Loss Per Ordinary Share
The
Company’s net loss is adjusted for the portion of income that is attributable to ordinary shares subject to possible redemption,
as these shares only participate in the earnings of the trust account and not the income or losses of the Company. Accordingly,
basic and diluted loss per ordinary share is calculated as follows:
| For the Period from August<br><br> 19, 2020 (Inception) Through <br> December 31,<br> 2020 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Net loss | $ | (221,009 | ) |
| Less: Income attributable to ordinary shares subject to possible redemption | (50,271 | ) | |
| Adjusted net loss | $ | (271,280 | ) |
| Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 7,011,052 | ||
| Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share | $ | (0.04 | ) |
Concentrationof Credit Risk
Financial
instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution
which, at times may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on this
account and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.
FairValue of Financial Instruments
The
fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC Topic 820, “Fair
Value Measurement,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying financial statements, primarily due
to their short-term nature.
RecentAccounting Standards
Management
does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material
effect on the accompanying financial statements.
F-11
NOTE3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
Pursuant
to the Initial Public Offering, the Company sold 25,000,000 units, at a purchase price of $10.00 per unit. Each unit consists
of one Class A ordinary share and one-third of one redeemable warrant (“public warrant”). Each whole public warrant
entitles the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see
Note 7).
NOTE4. PRIVATE PLACEMENT
Simultaneously
with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the sponsor purchased an aggregate of 4,666,667 private placement warrants at
a price of $1.50 per private placement warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $7,000,000. Each private placement warrant
is exercisable for one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 7). The proceeds
from the sale of the private placement warrants were added to the net proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the trust
account. If the Company does not complete an initial business combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the
sale of the private placement warrants held in the trust account will be used to fund the redemption of the public shares (subject
to the requirements of applicable law) and the private placement warrants will expire worthless.
NOTE5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
FounderShares
During
the period ended August 21, 2020, the sponsor paid $25,000 to cover certain offering and formation costs of the Company in consideration
for 7,187,500 shares of Class B ordinary shares (the “founder shares”). The founder shares include an aggregate of
up to 937,500 shares subject to forfeiture by the sponsor to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised
in full or in part, so that the number of founder shares will collectively represent 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding
shares upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering. On November 23, 2020, the underwriters’ election to exercise
their over-allotment option expired unexercised, resulting in the forfeiture of 937,500 shares. Accordingly, as of November 23,
2020, there are 6,250,000 founder shares issued and outstanding.
The
sponsor has agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of its founder shares until the earlier
to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of an initial business combination; and (B) subsequent to an initial business combination,
(x) if the closing price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions,
share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period
commencing at least 150 days after a an initial business combination, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation,
merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s shareholders having the right to
exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property.
PromissoryNote — Related Party
On
August 21, 2020, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to the sponsor (the “Promissory Note”), pursuant
to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $300,000. The Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and
payable on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2020 or (i) the consummation of the Initial Public Offering. The outstanding balance
under the Note of $150,295 was repaid at the closing of the Initial Public Offering on October 9, 2020.
RelatedParty Loans
In
order to finance transaction costs in connection with an initial business combination, the sponsor or an affiliate of the sponsor
or certain of the Company’s directors and officers may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required
(“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes an initial business combination, the Company would repay the Working
Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the trust account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be
repaid only out of funds held outside the trust account. In the event that an initial business combination does not close, the
Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the trust account to repay the Working Capital Loans, but no proceeds held
in the trust account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital
Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. The Working Capital Loans
would either be repaid upon consummation of an initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion,
up to $2,000,000 of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-initial business combination entity
at a price of $1.50 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants.
F-12
NOTE6. COMMITMENTS
Registrationand Shareholders Rights
Pursuant
to a registration and shareholder rights agreement entered into on October 9, 2020, the holders of the founder shares, private
placement warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans (and any Class A ordinary shares
issuable upon the exercise of the private placement warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital
Loans and upon conversion of the founder shares) will be entitled to registration rights. The holders of these securities are
entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the
holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to
completion of an initial business combination. However, the registration and shareholder rights agreement provides that the Company
will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable
lockup period. The registration and shareholders rights agreement does not contain liquidating damages or other cash settlement
provisions resulting from delays in registering the Company’s securities. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in
connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Pursuant
to the forward purchase agreement, the Company agreed that it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) within 30 days
after the closing of the an initial business combination, file a registration statement with the SEC for a secondary offering
of (A) the forward purchase investors’ forward purchase shares, (B) the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of
the forward purchase investors’ forward purchase warrants and (C) any other Class A ordinary shares acquired by the forward
purchase investors, including any acquisitions after the Company completes an initial business combination, (ii) cause such registration
statement to be declared effective promptly thereafter, but in no event later than 90 days after the closing of an initial business
combination and (iii) maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement and to ensure the registration statement does
not contain a material omission or misstatement, including by way of amendment or other update, as required, until the earlier
of (A) the date on which a forward purchase investor ceases to hold the securities covered thereby and (B) the date all of the
securities covered thereby can be sold publicly without restriction or limitation under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and
without the requirement to be in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) under the Securities Act, subject to certain conditions and limitations
set forth in the forward purchase agreement. The Company will bear the cost of registering these securities.
UnderwritingAgreement
The
Company granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 3,750,000 additional units to cover over-allotments at the
Initial Public Offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. On November 23, 2020, the underwriters’
election to exercise their over-allotment option expired unexercised.
The
underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per unit, or $8,750,000 in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable
to the underwriters from the amounts held in the trust account solely in the event that the Company completes an initial business
combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
ForwardPurchase Agreement
The
Company entered into a forward purchase agreement to which Empower Funding LLC (“Empower Funding”), a newly formed
Delaware limited liability company which has received commitments from one or more funds affiliated with MidOcean Partners (“MidOcean”),
and is an affiliate of the sponsor, will purchase an aggregate of up to 5,000,000 forward purchase units, consisting of one Class
A ordinary share and one-third of one warrant to purchase one Class A ordinary share for $10.00 per unit, or up to $50,000,000
in the aggregate, in a private placement to close substantially concurrently with the closing of an initial business combination,
subject to approval at such time by the MidOcean investment committee. The allocation of the forward purchase securities among
the ultimate MidOcean funds that will be funding the forward purchase will be determined by MidOcean, in its sole discretion,
at the time of an initial business combination. If the sale of the forward purchase units fails to close, for any reason, the
Company may lack sufficient funds to consummate an initial business combination. The forward purchase shares and forward purchase
warrants will be identical to the Class A ordinary shares included in the units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except that
they will be subject to certain registration rights.
F-13
NOTE7. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
PreferenceShares — The Company is authorized to issue 5,000,000 preference shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share, with
such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s board
of directors. At December 31, 2020, there were no preference shares issued or outstanding.
ClassA Ordinary Shares — The Company is authorized to issue 500,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, with a par value of
$0.0001 per share. Holders of Class A ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share. At December 31, 2020, there were
1,246,145 Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding, excluding 23,753,855 Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption.
ClassB Ordinary Shares — The Company is authorized to issue 50,000,000 Class B ordinary shares, with a par value of $0.0001
per share. Holders of the Class B ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share. At December 31, 2020, there were 6,250,000
Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding.
Holders
of Class A ordinary shares and holders of Class B ordinary shares will vote together as a single class on all other matters submitted
to a vote of the Company’s shareholders except as otherwise required by law.
The
Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares at the time of an initial business combination
or earlier at the option of the holders thereof at a ratio such that the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion
of all founder shares will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of (i) the total number of ordinary
shares issued and outstanding upon completion of Initial Public Offering, plus (ii) the total number of Class A ordinary shares
issued or deemed issued or issuable upon conversion or exercise of any equity-linked securities or rights issued or deemed issued,
by the Company in connection with or in relation to the consummation of an initial business combination, excluding any forward
purchase securities and Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities exercisable for or convertible into Class A ordinary
shares issued, deemed issued, or to be issued, to any seller in the initial business combination and any private placement warrants
issued to the sponsor, its affiliates or any member of the Company’s management team upon conversion of Working Capital
Loans. In no event will the Class B ordinary shares convert into Class A ordinary shares at a rate of less than one-to-one.
Warrants— Public warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise
of the public warrants. The public warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of an initial
business combination and (b) one year from the closing of the Initial Public Offering. The public warrants will expire five years
from the completion of an initial business combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
The
Company will not be obligated to deliver any Class A ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of a public warrant and will have
no obligation to settle such public warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance
of the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating thereto
is available, subject to the Company satisfying its obligations with respect to registration, or a valid exemption from registration
is available. No warrant will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, and the Company will not be obligated to issue any
shares to holders seeking to exercise their warrants, unless the issuance of the shares upon such exercise is registered or qualified
under the securities laws of the state of the exercising holder, or an exemption is available.
F-14
The
Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 20 business days, after the closing of an initial business
combination, it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement, under the Securities
Act, of the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, and the Company will use its commercially reasonable
efforts to cause the same to become effective within 60 business days after the closing of an initial business combination, and
to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement and a current prospectus relating to those Class A ordinary shares
until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement; provided that if our Class A ordinary shares
are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition
of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders
of public warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of
the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elects, the Company will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration
statement, but the Company will use its commercially reasonably efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue
sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. If a registration statement covering the Class A ordinary shares issuable
upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60^th^ day after the closing of an initial business combination,
warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company has
failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with
Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption, but the Company will use its commercially reasonably efforts to register
or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.
Redemptionof Warrants When the Price per Class A Ordinary Share Equals or Exceeds $18.00 — Once the warrants become exercisable,
the Company may redeem the outstanding public warrants:
| ● | in whole<br><br> and not in part; |
|---|---|
| ● | at a price of $0.01<br><br> per public warrant; |
| ● | upon a minimum of<br><br> 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder and |
| ● | if, and only if,<br><br> the closing price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations,<br><br> reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like), for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third<br><br> trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. |
If
and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if the Company are
unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
Redemptionof Warrants When the Price per Class A Ordinary Share Equals or Exceeds $10.00 — Once the warrants become exercisable,
the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants:
| ● | in whole<br><br> and not in part; |
|---|---|
| ● | at $0.10 per warrant<br><br> upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption provided that holders will be able to exercise their warrants<br><br> on a cashless basis prior to redemption and receive that number of shares based on the redemption date and the fair market<br><br> value of the Class A ordinary shares; and |
| ● | if, and only if,<br><br> the closing price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $10.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations,<br><br> reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) on the trading day prior to the date on which the Company send the notice<br><br> of redemption to warrant holders. |
F-15
The
exercise price and number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the public warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances
including in the event of a share dividend, extraordinary dividend or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation.
However, except as described below, the public warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of ordinary shares at a price below
its exercise price. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the public warrants. If the Company
is unable to complete an initial business combination within the Combination Period and the Company liquidates the funds held
in the trust account, holders of public warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their public warrants, nor
will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the trust account with respect to such public
warrants. Accordingly, the public warrants may expire worthless.
In
addition, if (x) the Company issues additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes
in connection with the closing of an initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20
per Class A ordinary share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s
board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to the sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any founder
shares held by the sponsor or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “newly issued price”),
(y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon,
available for the funding of an initial business combination on the date of the consummation of an initial business combination
(net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of its Class A ordinary shares during the 20 trading day
period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company consummates its initial business combination (such price,
the “market value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest
cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the market value and the newly issued price, the $18.00 per share redemption trigger
price will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the market value and the newly issued price,
and the $10.00 per share redemption trigger price will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to the higher of the market
value and the newly issued price.
The
private placement warrants are identical to the public warrants underlying the units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except
that the private placement warrants and the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the private placement warrants
will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of an initial business combination, subject
to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the private placement warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis and be non-redeemable,
except as described above, so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the private placement
warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the private placement warrants
will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the public warrants.
NOTE8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The
Company follows the guidance in ASC Topic 820 for its financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair
value at each reporting period, and non-financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at least
annually.
The
fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reflects management’s estimate of amounts that the Company
would have received in connection with the sale of the assets or paid in connection with the transfer of the liabilities in an
orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In connection with measuring the fair value of its assets
and liabilities, the Company seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs (market data obtained from independent sources) and
to minimize the use of unobservable inputs (internal assumptions about how market participants would price assets and liabilities).
The following fair value hierarchy is used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable
inputs used in order to value the assets and liabilities:
| Level<br><br> 1: | Quoted<br><br> prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for an asset or liability is a market in which<br><br> transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing<br><br> basis. |
|---|---|
| Level<br><br> 2: | Observable<br><br> inputs other than Level 1 inputs. Examples of Level 2 inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or<br><br> liabilities and quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. |
| --- | --- |
| Level<br><br> 3: | Unobservable<br><br> inputs based on our assessment of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. |
| --- | --- |
The
following table presents information about the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at
December 31, 2020, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair
value:
| Description | Level | December 31,<br> 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assets: | |||
| Cash and marketable securities held in trust account | 1 | $ | 250,052,906 |
NOTE9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The
Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the financial
statements were issued. Based upon this review, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment
or disclosure in the financial statements.
F-16
Exhibit 4.5
Description of securities
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and our affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law (2020 Revision) of the Cayman Islands (the “Companies Law”) and the common law of the Cayman Islands. Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we are authorized to issue 500,000,000 Class A ordinary shares and 50,000,000 Class B ordinary shares, as well as 5,000,000 preference shares, $0.0001 par value each. The following description summarizes certain terms of our shares as set out more particularly in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Because it is only a summary, it may not contain all the information that is important to you. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Annual Report.
Units
Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-third of one redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described in the warrant agreement we entered into with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on October 6, 2020 (the “warrant agreement”). Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its warrants only for a whole number of the company's Class A ordinary shares. This means only a whole warrant may be exercised at any given time by a warrant holder.
The Class A ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units commenced separate trading on the New York Stock Exchange on November 27, 2020. Unit holders have the option to continue to hold units or separate their units into the component securities. Holders will need to have their brokers contact our transfer agent in order to separate the units into Class A ordinary shares and warrants. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. Accordingly, unless you hold at least three units, you will not be able to receive or trade a whole warrant.
Additionally, the units will automatically separate into their component parts and will not be traded after completion of our initial business combination.
Ordinary Shares
Ordinary shareholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. Except as described below, holders of Class A ordinary shares and holders of Class B ordinary shares will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders except as required by law. Unless specified in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, or as required by applicable provisions of the Companies Law or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of a majority of our ordinary shares that are voted is required to approve any such matter voted on by our shareholders. Approval of certain actions will require a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares that are voted, and pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association; such actions include amending our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and approving a statutory merger or consolidation with another company. Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being appointed in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the appointment of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voted for the appointment of directors can appoint all of the directors. Our shareholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor. Prior to our initial business combination, only holders of our founder shares will have the right to vote on the appointment of directors. Holders of our public shares will not be entitled to vote on the appointment of directors during such time. In addition, prior to the completion of an initial business combination, holders of a majority of our founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors for any reason. In addition, in a vote to transfer the Company by way of continuation of the Cayman Islands to another jurisdiction (which requires the approval of at least two thirds of the votes of all ordinary shares), holders of our Class B ordinary shares will have ten votes for every Class B ordinary share and holders of our Class A ordinary shares will have one vote for every Class A ordinary share. The provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association governing the appointment or removal of directors prior to our initial business combination and our continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands prior to our initial business combination may only be amended by a special resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of our ordinary shares who attend and vote at our general meeting which shall include the affirmative vote of a simple majority of our Class B ordinary shares.
Because our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorize the issuance of up to 500,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, if we were to enter into a business combination, we may (depending on the terms of such a business combination) be required to increase the number of Class A ordinary shares which we are authorized to issue at the same time as our shareholders vote on the business combination to the extent we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination.
Our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being appointed in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual general meeting) serving a three-year term. In accordance with the NYSE corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual general meeting until one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on the NYSE. There is no requirement under the Companies Law for us to hold annual or general meetings to appoint directors. We may not hold an annual general meeting to appoint new directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination. Prior to the completion of an initial business combination, any vacancy on the board of directors may be filled by a nominee chosen by holders of a majority of our founder shares. In addition, prior to the completion of an initial business combination, holders of a majority of our founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors for any reason.
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares upon the completion of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our income taxes, if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share. The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. The redemption rights will include the requirement that a beneficial owner must identify itself in order to valid redeem its shares. Our sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and public shares held by them in connection with (i) the completion of our initial business combination, and (ii) a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering or during any extended time that we have to consummate a business combination beyond 24 months as a result of a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (an “Extension Period”) or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares. Unlike many blank check companies that hold shareholder votes and conduct proxy solicitations in conjunction with their initial business combinations and provide for related redemptions of public shares for cash upon completion of such initial business combinations even when a vote is not required by law, if a shareholder vote is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements, if a shareholder vote is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other reasons, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC, and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association require these tender offer documents to contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC's proxy rules. If, however, a shareholder approval of the transaction is required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other reasons, we will, like many blank check companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval of an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at a general meeting. However, the participation of our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates in privately-negotiated transactions , if any, could result in the approval of our initial business combination even if a majority of our public shareholders vote, or indicate their intention to vote, against such initial business combination. For purposes of seeking approval of the majority of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association require that at least five days' notice will be given of any general meeting.
2
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in our Initial Public Offering (“Excess Shares”), without our prior consent. However, we would not be restricting our shareholders' ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination. Our shareholders' inability to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce their influence over our ability to complete our initial business combination, and such shareholders could suffer a material loss in their investment if they sell such Excess Shares on the open market. Additionally, such shareholders will not receive redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if we complete our initial business combination. And, as a result, such shareholders will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose such shares would be required to sell their shares in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval of an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at a general meeting. In such case, our sponsor and each member of our management team have agreed to vote their founder shares and public shares in favor of our initial business combination. . Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction or vote at all.
Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our income taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders' rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Our sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares they hold if we fail to consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering or during any Extension Period (although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame). Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, if we wind up for any other reason prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, we will follow the foregoing procedures with respect to the liquidation of the trust account as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject to applicable Cayman Islands law.
In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company after a business combination, our shareholders are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of shares, if any, having preference over the ordinary shares. Our shareholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the ordinary shares, except that we will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash at a per share price equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our income taxes, if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, upon the completion of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations described herein.
3
Founder Shares
The founder shares are designated as Class B ordinary shares and, except as described below, are identical to the Class A ordinary shares , and holders of founder shares have the same shareholder rights as public shareholders, except that: (a) prior to our initial business combination, only holders of the founder shares have the right to vote on the appointment of directors and holders of a majority of our founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors for any reason; (b) the founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below; (c) in a vote to transfer the Company by way of continuation out of the Cayman Islands to another jurisdiction (which requires the approval of at least two thirds of the votes of all ordinary shares), holders of our founder shares will have ten votes for every founder share and holders of our Class A ordinary shares will have one vote for every Class A ordinary share; (d) our sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to (i) waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares (ii) to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares and public shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares; and (iii) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares they hold if we fail to consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering or during any Extension Period (although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame); (e) the founder shares will automatically convert into our Class A ordinary shares at the time of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof as described herein; and (f) the founder shares (and the Class A ordinary shares into which they may be converted) are entitled to registration rights. If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval of an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at a general meeting. In such case, our sponsor and each member of our management team have agreed to vote their founder shares and public shares in favor of our initial business combination.
The founder shares are designated as Class B ordinary shares and will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares (which such Class A ordinary shares delivered upon conversion will not have redemption rights or be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account if we do not consummate an initial business combination) at the time of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof at a ratio such that the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of all founder shares will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of (i) the total number of ordinary shares issued and outstanding upon completion of our Initial Public Offering, plus (ii) the total number of Class A ordinary shares issued or deemed issued or issuable upon conversion or exercise of any equity-linked securities or rights issued or deemed issued, by the Company in connection with or in relation to the consummation of the initial business combination, excluding any forward purchase securities and Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities exercisable for or convertible into Class A ordinary shares issued, deemed issued, or to be issued, to any seller in the initial business combination and any private placement warrants issued to our sponsor, its affiliates or any member of our management team upon conversion of working capital loans. In no event will the Class B ordinary shares convert into Class A ordinary shares at a rate of less than one-to-one.
Except as described herein, our sponsor and our directors and executive officers have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until earliest of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination and (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our public shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. We refer to such transfer restrictions throughout as the lock-up. Any permitted transferees would be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our sponsor and our directors and executive officers with respect to any founder shares.
4
Prior to our initial business combination, only holders of our founder shares will have the right to vote on the appointment of directors. Holders of our public shares will not be entitled to vote on the appointment of directors during such time. In addition, prior to the completion of an initial business combination, holders of a majority of our founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors for any reason. These provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by a special resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of our ordinary shares who attend and vote at our general meeting which shall include the affirmative vote of a simple majority of our Class B ordinary shares. With respect to any other matter submitted to a vote of our shareholders, including any vote in connection with our initial business combination, except as required by law, holders of our founder shares and holders of our public shares will vote together as a single class, with each share entitling the holder to one vote.
Register of Members
Under Cayman Islands law, we must keep a register of members and there will be entered therein:
| ● | the names and addresses of the members, a statement of<br>the shares held by each member, and of the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid, on the shares of each member and the<br>voting rights of shares of each member; |
|---|---|
| ● | whether voting rights are attached to the share in issue; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | the date on which the name of any person was entered on<br>the register as a member; and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | the date on which any person ceased to be a member. |
| --- | --- |
Under Cayman Islands law, the register of members of our company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (i.e., the register of members will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a member registered in the register of members will be deemed as a matter of Cayman Islands law to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in the register of members. However, there are certain limited circumstances where an application may be made to a Cayman Islands court for a determination on whether the register of members reflects the correct legal position. Further, the Cayman Islands court has the power to order that the register of members maintained by a company should be rectified where it considers that the register of members does not reflect the correct legal position. If an application for an order for rectification of the register of members were made in respect of our ordinary shares, then the validity of such shares may be subject to re-examination by a Cayman Islands court.
Preference Shares
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorize 5,000,000 preference shares and provide that preference shares may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our board of directors will be authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. Our board of directors will be able to, without shareholder approval, issue preference shares with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the ordinary shares and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of our board of directors to issue preference shares without shareholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of existing management. We have no preference shares issued and outstanding at the date hereof. Although we do not currently intend to issue any preference shares, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future.
5
Warrants
Public Shareholders’ Warrants
Each whole warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing on the later of one year from the closing of our Initial Public Offering and 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination, except as discussed in the immediately succeeding paragraph. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its warrants only for a whole number of Class A ordinary shares. This means only a whole warrant may be exercised at a given time by a warrant holder. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. Accordingly, unless you purchase at least three units, you will not be able to receive or trade a whole warrant. The warrants will expire five years after the completion of our initial business combination, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
We will not be obligated to deliver any Class A ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the Class A ordinary shares underlying the warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to our satisfying our obligations described below with respect to registration, or a valid exemption from registration is available. No warrant will be exercisable and we will not be obligated to issue a Class A ordinary share upon exercise of a warrant unless the Class A ordinary share issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a warrant, the holder of such warrant will not be entitled to exercise such warrant and such warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant. In the event that a registration statement is not effective for the exercised warrants, the purchaser of a unit containing such warrant will have paid the full purchase price for the unit solely for the Class A ordinary share underlying such unit.
We have agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than twenty business days after the closing of our initial business combination, we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, and we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the same to become effective within 60 business days after the closing of our initial business combination, and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement and a current prospectus relating to those Class A ordinary shares until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement; provided that if our Class A ordinary shares are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, require holders of public warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but we will use our commercially reasonably efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. If a registration statement covering the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60^th^ day after the closing of the initial business combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption, but we will use our commercially reasonably efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of Class A ordinary shares equal to the lesser of (A) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” (defined below) less the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the fair market value and (B) 0.361 per warrant. The “fair market value” as used in this paragraph shall mean the volume weighted average price of the Class A ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date on which the notice of exercise is received by the warrant agent.
6
Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinaryshare equals or exceeds $18.00*.* Once the warrants become exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding warrants (except as described herein with respect to the private placement warrants):
| ● | in whole and not in part; |
|---|---|
| ● | upon a minimum of 30 days' prior written notice of redemption<br>to each warrant holder; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | if, and only if, the closing price of the Class A ordinary<br>shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise<br>price of a warrant as described under the heading “— Warrants — Public Shareholders' Warrants — Anti-dilution<br>Adjustments”) on the trading day prior to the date on which we send the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. |
| --- | --- |
We will not redeem the warrants as described above unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those Class A ordinary shares is available throughout the 30-day redemption period. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
We have established the last of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the warrants, each warrant holder will be entitled to exercise his, her or its warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. Any such exercise would not be done on a “cashless” basis and would require the exercising warrant holder to pay the exercise price for each warrant being exercised. However, the price of the Class A ordinary shares may fall below the $18.00 redemption trigger price (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant as described under the heading “— Warrants — Public Shareholders' Warrants — Anti-dilution Adjustments”) as well as the $11.50 (for whole shares) warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.
Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinaryshare equals or exceeds $10.00. Once the warrants become exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding warrants:
| ● | in whole and not in part, and only if the private placement<br>warrants are simultaneously redeemed; |
|---|---|
| ● | at a price of $0.01 per warrant; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | at $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days' prior written<br>notice of redemption provided that holders will be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis prior to redemption<br>and receive that number of shares determined by reference to the table below, based on the redemption date and the “fair<br>market value” of our Class A ordinary shares (as defined below) except as otherwise described below; and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | if, and only if, the closing price of our Class A ordinary<br>shares equals or exceeds $10.00 per public share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or<br>the exercise price of a warrant as described under the heading “— Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants<br>— Anti-dilution Adjustmentsº) on the trading day prior to the date on which we send the notice of redemption to the<br>warrant holders. |
| --- | --- |
Beginning on the date the notice of redemption is given until the warrants are redeemed or exercised, holders may elect to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis. The numbers in the table below represent the number of Class A ordinary shares that a warrant holder will receive upon such cashless exercise in connection with a redemption by us pursuant to this redemption feature, based on the “fair market value” of our Class A ordinary shares on the corresponding redemption date (assuming holders elect to exercise their warrants and such warrants are not redeemed for $0.10 per warrant), determined for these purposes based on volume weighted average price of our Class A ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants, and the number of months that the corresponding redemption date precedes the expiration date of the warrants, each as set forth in the table below. We will provide our warrant holders with the final fair market value no later than one business day after the 10-trading day period described above ends.
7
Pursuant to the warrant agreement, references above to Class A ordinary shares shall include a security other than Class A ordinary shares into which the Class A ordinary shares have been converted or exchanged for in the event we are not the surviving company in our initial business combination. The numbers in the table below will not be adjusted when determining the number of Class A ordinary shares to be issued upon exercise of the warrants if we are not the surviving entity following our initial business combination.
The share prices set forth in the column headings of the table below will be adjusted as of any date on which the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant or the exercise price of a warrant is adjusted as set forth under the heading “— Anti-dilution Adjustments” below. If the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant is adjusted, the adjusted share prices in the column headings will equal the share prices immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the exercise price of the warrant after such adjustment and the denominator of which is the price of the warrant immediately prior to such adjustment. In such an event, the number of shares in the table below shall be adjusted by multiplying such share amounts by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares deliverable upon exercise of a warrant immediately prior to such adjustment and the denominator of which is the number of shares deliverable upon exercise of a warrant as so adjusted. If the exercise price of a warrant is adjusted, (a) in the case of an adjustment pursuant to the fifth paragraph under the heading “— Anti-dilution Adjustments” below, the adjusted share prices in the column headings will equal the unadjusted share price multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price as set forth under the heading “ — Anti-dilution Adjustments” and the denominator of which is $10.00 and (b) in the case of an adjustment pursuant to the second paragraph under the heading “— Anti-dilution Adjustments” below, the adjusted share prices in the column headings will equal the unadjusted share price less the decrease in the exercise price of a warrant pursuant to such exercise price adjustment.
| Redemption Date | Fair Market Value of Class A Ordinary Shares | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (period to expiration of warrants) | ≤10.00 | 11.00 | 12.00 | 13.00 | 14.00 | 15.00 | 16.00 | 17.00 | ≥18.00 | |||||||||
| 60 months | 0.261 | 0.281 | 0.297 | 0.311 | 0.324 | 0.337 | 0.348 | 0.358 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 57 months | 0.257 | 0.277 | 0.294 | 0.310 | 0.324 | 0.337 | 0.348 | 0.358 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 54 months | 0.252 | 0.272 | 0.291 | 0.307 | 0.322 | 0.335 | 0.347 | 0.357 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 51 months | 0.246 | 0.268 | 0.287 | 0.304 | 0.320 | 0.333 | 0.346 | 0.357 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 48 months | 0.241 | 0.263 | 0.283 | 0.301 | 0.317 | 0.332 | 0.344 | 0.356 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 45 months | 0.235 | 0.258 | 0.279 | 0.298 | 0.315 | 0.330 | 0.343 | 0.356 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 42 months | 0.228 | 0.252 | 0.274 | 0.294 | 0.312 | 0.328 | 0.342 | 0.355 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 39 months | 0.221 | 0.246 | 0.269 | 0.290 | 0.309 | 0.325 | 0.340 | 0.354 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 36 months | 0.213 | 0.239 | 0.263 | 0.285 | 0.305 | 0.323 | 0.339 | 0.353 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 33 months | 0.205 | 0.232 | 0.257 | 0.280 | 0.301 | 0.320 | 0.337 | 0.352 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 30 months | 0.196 | 0.224 | 0.250 | 0.274 | 0.297 | 0.316 | 0.335 | 0.351 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 27 months | 0.185 | 0.214 | 0.242 | 0.268 | 0.291 | 0.313 | 0.332 | 0.350 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 24 months | 0.173 | 0.204 | 0.233 | 0.260 | 0.285 | 0.308 | 0.329 | 0.348 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 21 months | 0.161 | 0.193 | 0.223 | 0.252 | 0.279 | 0.304 | 0.326 | 0.347 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 18 months | 0.146 | 0.179 | 0.211 | 0.242 | 0.271 | 0.298 | 0.322 | 0.345 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 15 months | 0.130 | 0.164 | 0.197 | 0.230 | 0.262 | 0.291 | 0.317 | 0.342 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 12 months | 0.111 | 0.146 | 0.181 | 0.216 | 0.250 | 0.282 | 0.312 | 0.339 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 9 months | 0.090 | 0.125 | 0.162 | 0.199 | 0.237 | 0.272 | 0.305 | 0.336 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 6 months | 0.065 | 0.099 | 0.137 | 0.178 | 0.219 | 0.259 | 0.296 | 0.331 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 3 months | 0.034 | 0.065 | 0.104 | 0.150 | 0.197 | 0.243 | 0.286 | 0.326 | 0.361 | |||||||||
| 0 months | — | — | 0.042 | 0.115 | 0.179 | 0.233 | 0.281 | 0.323 | 0.361 |
8
The exact fair market value and redemption date may not be set forth in the table above, in which case, if the fair market value is between two values in the table or the redemption date is between two redemption dates in the table, the number of Class A ordinary shares to be issued for each warrant exercised will be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the number of shares set forth for the higher and lower fair market values and the earlier and later redemption dates, as applicable, based on a 365 or 366-day year, as applicable. For example, if the volume weighted average price of our Class A ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of the warrants is $11.00 per share, and at such time there are 57 months until the expiration of the warrants, holders may choose to, in connection with this redemption feature, exercise their warrants for 0.277 Class A ordinary shares for each whole warrant. For an example where the exact fair market value and redemption date are not as set forth in the table above, if the volume weighted average price of our Class A ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of the warrants is $13.50 per share, and at such time there are 38 months until the expiration of the warrants, holders may choose to, in connection with this redemption feature, exercise their warrants for 0.298 Class A ordinary shares for each whole warrant. In no event will the warrants be exercisable on a cashless basis in connection with this redemption feature for more than 0.361 Class A ordinary shares per warrant (subject to adjustment). Finally, as reflected in the table above, if the warrants are out of the money and about to expire, they cannot be exercised on a cashless basis in connection with a redemption by us pursuant to this redemption feature, since they will not be exercisable for any Class A ordinary shares.
This redemption feature differs from the typical warrant redemption features used by many other blank check companies, which typically only provide for a redemption of warrants for cash (other than the private placement warrants) when the trading price for the Class A ordinary shares exceeds $18.00 per share for a specified period of time. This redemption feature is structured to allow for all of the outstanding warrants to be redeemed when the Class A ordinary shares are trading at or above $10.00 per public share, which may be at a time when the trading price of our Class A ordinary shares is below the exercise price of the warrants. We have established this redemption feature to provide us with the flexibility to redeem the warrants without the warrants having to reach the $18.00 per share threshold set forth above under “— Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $18.00.” Holders choosing to exercise their warrants in connection with a redemption pursuant to this feature will, in effect, receive a number of shares for their warrants based on an option pricing model with a fixed volatility input as of the the Initial Public Offering prospectus. This redemption right provides us with an additional mechanism by which to redeem all of the outstanding warrants, and therefore have certainty as to our capital structure as the warrants would no longer be outstanding and would have been exercised or redeemed. We will be required to pay the applicable redemption price to warrant holders if we choose to exercise this redemption right and it will allow us to quickly proceed with a redemption of the warrants if we determine it is in our best interest to do so. As such, we would redeem the warrants in this manner when we believe it is in our best interest to update our capital structure to remove the warrants and pay the redemption price to the warrant holders.
As stated above, we can redeem the warrants when the Class A ordinary shares are trading at a price starting at $10.00, which is below the exercise price of $11.50, because it will provide certainty with respect to our capital structure and cash position while providing warrant holders with the opportunity to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis for the applicable number of shares. If we choose to redeem the warrants when the Class A ordinary shares are trading at a price below the exercise price of the warrants, this could result in the warrant holders receiving fewer Class A ordinary shares than they would have received if they had chosen to wait to exercise their warrants for Class A ordinary shares if and when such Class A ordinary shares were trading at a price higher than the exercise price of $11.50.
No fractional Class A ordinary shares will be issued upon exercise. If, upon exercise, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will round down to the nearest whole number of the number of Class A ordinary shares to be issued to the holder. If, at the time of redemption, the warrants are exercisable for a security other than the Class A ordinary shares pursuant to the warrant agreement (for instance, if we are not the surviving company in our initial business combination), the warrants may be exercised for such security. At such time as the warrants become exercisable for a security other than the Class A ordinary shares, the Company (or surviving company) will use its commercially reasonable efforts to register under the Securities Act the security issuable upon the exercise of the warrants.
9
Maximum Percentage Procedures*.*A holder of a warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person's affiliates), to the warrant agent's actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% (or such other amount as a holder may specify) of the Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.
Anti-dilution Adjustments*.*If the number of outstanding Class A ordinary shares is increased by a capitalization or share dividend payable in Class A ordinary shares, or by a split-up of ordinary shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such capitalization or share dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable on exercise of each warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding ordinary shares. A rights offering made to all or substantially all holders of ordinary shares entitling holders to purchase Class A ordinary shares at a price less than the “historical fair market value” (as defined below) will be deemed a share dividend of a number of Class A ordinary shares equal to the product of (i) the number of Class A ordinary shares actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for Class A ordinary shares) and (ii) one minus the quotient of (x) the price per Class A ordinary share paid in such rights offering and (y) the historical fair market value. For these purposes, (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for Class A ordinary shares, in determining the price payable for Class A ordinary shares, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) “historical fair market value” means the volume weighted average price of Class A ordinary shares as reported during the 10 trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the Class A ordinary shares trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.
In addition, if we, at any time while the warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to all or substantially all of the holders of the Class A ordinary shares on account of such Class A ordinary shares (or other securities into which the warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above, (b) any cash dividends or cash distributions which, when combined on a per share basis with all other cash dividends and cash distributions paid on the Class A ordinary shares during the 365-day period ending on the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution does not exceed $0.50 (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any other adjustments and excluding cash dividends or cash distributions that resulted in an adjustment to the exercise price or to the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable on exercise of each warrant) but only with respect to the amount of the aggregate cash dividends or cash distributions equal to or less than $0.50 per share, (c) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of Class A ordinary shares in connection with a proposed initial business combination, (d) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of Class A ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares, or (e) in connection with the redemption of our public shares upon our failure to complete our initial business combination, then the warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each Class A ordinary share in respect of such event.
If the number of outstanding Class A ordinary shares is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse share sub-division or reclassification of Class A ordinary shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse share sub-division, reclassification or similar event, the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable on exercise of each warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding Class A ordinary shares.
Whenever the number of Class A ordinary shares purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants is adjusted, as described above, the warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which will be the number of Class A ordinary shares purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants immediately prior to such adjustment and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of Class A ordinary shares so purchasable immediately thereafter.
10
In addition, if (x) we issue additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities, excluding the forward purchase securities, for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per ordinary share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by our board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to our sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares held by our sponsor or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the consummation of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of our Class A ordinary shares during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which we consummate our initial business combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above under “— Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $18.00” and “— Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $10.00” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $10.00 per share redemption trigger price described above under “—Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding Class A ordinary shares (other than those described above or that solely affects the par value of such Class A ordinary shares), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of us as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which we are dissolved, the holders of the warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the warrants and in lieu of the Class A ordinary shares immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of Class A ordinary shares or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their warrants immediately prior to such event. However, if such holders were entitled to exercise a right of election as to the kind or amount of securities, cash or other assets receivable upon such consolidation or merger, then the kind and amount of securities, cash or other assets for which each warrant will become exercisable will be deemed to be the weighted average of the kind and amount received per share by such holders in such consolidation or merger that affirmatively make such election, and if a tender, exchange or redemption offer has been made to and accepted by such holders (other than a tender, exchange or redemption offer made by the company in connection with redemption rights held by shareholders of the company as provided for in the company's amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or as a result of the redemption of Class A ordinary shares by the company if a proposed initial business combination is presented to the shareholders of the company for approval) under circumstances in which, upon completion of such tender or exchange offer, the maker thereof, together with members of any group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act) of which such maker is a part, and together with any affiliate or associate of such maker (within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) and any members of any such group of which any such affiliate or associate is a part, own beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) more than 50% of the issued and outstanding Class A ordinary shares, the holder of a warrant will be entitled to receive the highest amount of cash, securities or other property to which such holder would actually have been entitled as a shareholder if such warrant holder had exercised the warrant prior to the expiration of such tender or exchange offer, accepted such offer and all of the Class A ordinary shares held by such holder had been purchased pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, subject to adjustment (from and after the consummation of such tender or exchange offer) as nearly equivalent as possible to the adjustments provided for in the warrant agreement. If less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of Class A ordinary shares in such a transaction is payable in the form of Class A ordinary shares in the successor entity that is listed for trading on a national securities exchange or is quoted in an established over-the-counter market, or is to be so listed for trading or quoted immediately following such event, and if the registered holder of the warrant properly exercises the warrant within thirty days following public disclosure of such transaction, the warrant exercise price will be reduced as specified in the warrant agreement based on the Black-Scholes value (as defined in the warrant agreement) of the warrant. The purpose of such exercise price reduction is to provide additional value to holders of the warrants when an extraordinary transaction occurs during the exercise period of the warrants pursuant to which the holders of the warrants otherwise do not receive the full potential value of the warrants. The purpose of such exercise price reduction is to provide additional value to holders of the warrants when an extraordinary transaction occurs during the exercise period of the warrants pursuant to which the holders of the warrants otherwise do not receive the full potential value of the warrants.
11
The warrants are issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder for the purpose of (i) curing any ambiguity or correcting any mistake, or defective provision (ii) amending the provisions relating to cash dividends on ordinary shares as contemplated by and in accordance with the warrant agreement or (iii) adding or changing any provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the warrant agreement as the parties to the warrant agreement may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem to not adversely affect the rights of the registered holders of the warrants, provided that the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then-outstanding public warrants is required to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of ordinary shares and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive Class A ordinary shares. After the issuance of Class A ordinary shares upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders.
No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of Class A ordinary shares to be issued to the warrant holder.
We have agreed that, subject to applicable law, any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating in any way to the warrant agreement will be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and we irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction will be the exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. This provision applies to claims under the Securities Act but does not apply to claims under the Exchange Act or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum.
Private Placement Warrants
Except as described below, the private placement warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the warrants included as part of the units. The private placement warrants (including the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the private placement warrants) are not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination (except pursuant to limited exceptions to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the initial purchasers of the private placement warrants) and they will not be redeemable by us so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees. Our sponsor, or its permitted transferees, has the option to exercise the private placement warrants on a cashless basis. If the private placement warrants are held by holders other than our sponsor or its permitted transferees, the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us in all redemption scenarios and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the units being sold in our Initial Public Offering. Any amendment to the terms of the private placement warrants or any provision of the warrant agreement with respect to the private placement warrants will require a vote of holders of at least 50% of the number of the then outstanding private placement warrants.
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If holders of the private placement warrants elect to exercise them on a cashless basis, they would pay the exercise price by surrendering his, her or its warrants for that number of Class A ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “Sponsor fair market value” (defined below) over the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the Sponsor fair market value. For these purposes, the “Sponsor fair market value” shall mean the average reported closing price of the Class A ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of warrant exercise is sent to the warrant agent. The reason that we have agreed that these warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by our sponsor and its permitted transferees is because it is not known at this time whether they will be affiliated with us following a business combination. If they remain affiliated with us, their ability to sell our securities in the open market will be significantly limited. We expect to have policies in place that restrict insiders from selling our securities except during specific periods of time. Even during such periods of time when insiders will be permitted to sell our securities, an insider cannot trade in our securities if he or she is in possession of material non-public information. Accordingly, unlike public shareholders who could exercise their warrants and sell the Class A ordinary shares received upon such exercise freely in the open market in order to recoup the cost of such exercise, the insiders could be significantly restricted from selling such securities. As a result, we believe that allowing the holders to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis is appropriate.
In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. Up to $2,000,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post business combination entity at a price of $1.50 per warrant at the option of the lender. Such warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants.
Forward Purchase Securities
We have entered into a forward purchase agreement pursuant to which Empower Funding, which has received commitments from one or more funds affiliated with MidOcean, has agreed to subscribe for an aggregate of up to 5,000,000 forward purchase units, consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one-third of one warrant to purchase one Class A ordinary share for $10.00 per unit, or up to $50,000,000 in the aggregate, in a private placement to close substantially concurrently with the closing of our initial business combination, subject to approval at such time by the MidOcean investment committee. The allocation of the forward purchase securities among the ultimate MidOcean funds that will be funding the forward purchase will be determined by MidOcean, in its sole discretion, at the time of our initial business combination. If the sale of the forward purchase units fails to close, for any reason, we may lack sufficient funds to consummate our initial business combination. The forward purchase shares and forward purchase warrants will be identical to the Class A ordinary shares and warrants included in the units, except that they will be subject to certain registration rights.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of our initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of our initial business combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to our initial business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with a business combination, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
Our Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent
The transfer agent for our ordinary shares and warrant agent for our warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. We have agreed to indemnify Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in its roles as transfer agent and warrant agent, its agents and each of its shareholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any claims and losses due to any gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.
Certain Differences in Corporate Law
Cayman Islands companies are governed by the Companies Law. The Companies Law is modeled on English Law but does not follow recent English Law statutory enactments, and differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the certain differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
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Mergers and Similar Arrangements*.*In certain circumstances, the Companies Law allows for mergers or consolidations between two Cayman Islands companies, or between a Cayman Islands exempted company and a company incorporated in another jurisdiction (providedthat is facilitated by the laws of that other jurisdiction).
Where the merger or consolidation is between two Cayman Islands companies, the directors of each company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation containing certain prescribed information. That plan or merger or consolidation must then be authorized by either (a) a special resolution (usually a majority of 66 2/3% in value of the voting shares voted at a general meeting) of the shareholders of each company; or (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company's articles of association. No shareholder resolution is required for a merger between a parent company (i.e., a company that owns at least 90% of the issued shares of each class in a subsidiary company) and its subsidiary company. The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest of a constituent company must be obtained, unless the court waives such requirement. If the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies is satisfied that the requirements of the Companies Law (which includes certain other formalities) have been complied with, the Registrar of Companies will register the plan of merger or consolidation.
Where the merger or consolidation involves a foreign company, the procedure is similar, save that with respect to the foreign company, the directors of the Cayman Islands exempted company are required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, they are of the opinion that the requirements set out below have been met: (i) that the merger or consolidation is permitted or not prohibited by the constitutional documents of the foreign company and by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the foreign company is incorporated, and that those laws and any requirements of those constitutional documents have been or will be complied with; (ii) that no petition or other similar proceeding has been filed and remains outstanding or order made or resolution adopted to wind up or liquidate the foreign company in any jurisdictions; (iii) that no receiver, trustee, administrator or other similar person has been appointed in any jurisdiction and is acting in respect of the foreign company, its affairs or its property or any part thereof; and (iv) that no scheme, order, compromise or other similar arrangement has been entered into or made in any jurisdiction whereby the rights of creditors of the foreign company are and continue to be suspended or restricted.
Where the surviving company is the Cayman Islands exempted company, the directors of the Cayman Islands exempted company are further required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, they are of the opinion that the requirements set out below have been met: (i) that the foreign company is able to pay its debts as they fall due and that the merger or consolidated is bona fide and not intended to defraud unsecured creditors of the foreign company; (ii) that in respect of the transfer of any security interest granted by the foreign company to the surviving or consolidated company (a) consent or approval to the transfer has been obtained, released or waived; (b) the transfer is permitted by and has been approved in accordance with the constitutional documents of the foreign company; and (c) the laws of the jurisdiction of the foreign company with respect to the transfer have been or will be complied with; (iii) that the foreign company will, upon the merger or consolidation becoming effective, cease to be incorporated, registered or exist under the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction; and (iv) that there is no other reason why it would be against the public interest to permit the merger or consolidation.
Where the above procedures are adopted, the Companies Law provides for a right of dissenting shareholders to be paid a payment of the fair value of his shares upon their dissenting to the merger or consolidation if they follow a prescribed procedure. In essence, that procedure is as follows: (a) the shareholder must give his written objection to the merger or consolidation to the constituent company before the vote on the merger or consolidation, including a statement that the shareholder proposes to demand payment for his shares if the merger or consolidation is authorized by the vote; (b) within 20 days following the date on which the merger or consolidation is approved by the shareholders, the constituent company must give written notice to each shareholder who made a written objection; (c) a shareholder must within 20 days following receipt of such notice from the constituent company, give the constituent company a written notice of his intention to dissent including, among other details, a demand for payment of the fair value of his shares; (d) within seven days following the date of the expiration of the period set out in paragraph (b) above or seven days following the date on which the plan of merger or consolidation is filed, whichever is later, the constituent company, the surviving company or the consolidated company must make a written offer to each dissenting shareholder to purchase his shares at a price that the company determines is the fair value and if the company and the shareholder agree the price within 30 days following the date on which the offer was made, the company must pay the shareholder such amount; and (e) if the company and the shareholder fail to agree a price within such 30 day period, within 20 days following the date on which such 30 day period expires, the company (and any dissenting shareholder) must file a petition with the Cayman Islands Grand Court to determine the fair value and such petition must be accompanied by a list of the names and addresses of the dissenting shareholders with whom agreements as to the fair value of their shares have not been reached by the company. At the hearing of that petition, the court has the power to determine the fair value of the shares together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid by the company upon the amount determined to be the fair value. Any dissenting shareholder whose name appears on the list filed by the company may participate fully in all proceedings until the determination of fair value is reached. These rights of a dissenting shareholder are not available in certain circumstances, for example, to dissenters holding shares of any class in respect of which an open market exists on a recognized stock exchange or recognized interdealer quotation system at the relevant date or where the consideration for such shares to be contributed are shares of any company listed on a national securities exchange or shares of the surviving or consolidated company.
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Moreover, Cayman Islands law has separate statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction or amalgamation of companies in certain circumstances, schemes of arrangement will generally be more suited for complex mergers or other transactions involving widely held companies, commonly referred to in the Cayman Islands as a “scheme of arrangement” which may be tantamount to a merger. In the event that a merger was sought pursuant to a scheme of arrangement (the procedures for which are more rigorous and take longer to complete than the procedures typically required to consummate a merger in the United States), the arrangement in question must be approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meeting summoned for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the terms of the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder would have the right to express to the court the view that the transaction should not be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it satisfies itself that:
| ● | we are not proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope<br>of our corporate authority and the statutory provisions as to majority vote have been complied with; |
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| ● | the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting<br>in question; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | the arrangement is such as a businessman would reasonably<br>approve; and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | the arrangement is not one that would more properly be<br>sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Law or that would amount to a “fraud on the minority.” |
| --- | --- |
If a scheme of arrangement or takeover offer (as described below) is approved, any dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights (providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares), which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations.
Squeeze-out Provisions*.*When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares to whom the offer relates within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith, collusion or inequitable treatment of the shareholders.
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Further, transactions similar to a merger, reconstruction and/or an amalgamation may in some circumstances be achieved through means other than these statutory provisions, such as a share capital exchange, asset acquisition or control, or through contractual arrangements of an operating business.
Shareholders’ Suits*.*Derivative actions have been brought in the Cayman Islands courts, and the Cayman Islands courts have confirmed the availability for such actions. In most cases, we will be the proper plaintiff in any claim based on a breach of duty owed to us, and a claim against (for example) our officers or directors usually may not be brought by a shareholder. However, based both on Cayman Islands authorities and on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority and be applied by a court in the Cayman Islands, exceptions to the foregoing principle apply in circumstances in which:
| ● | a company is acting, or proposing to act, illegally or<br>beyond the scope of its authority; |
|---|---|
| ● | the act complained of, although not beyond the scope of<br>the authority, could be effected if duly authorized by more than the number of votes which have actually been obtained; or |
| --- | --- |
| ● | those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud<br>on the minority.” |
| --- | --- |
A shareholder may have a direct right of action against us where the individual rights of that shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed.
Enforcement of Civil Liabilities*.*The Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides less protection to investors. Additionally, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the Federal courts of the United States.
We have been advised by our Cayman Islands legal counsel, that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against us predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, and or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
Special Considerations for Exempted Companies*.*We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law. The Companies Law distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:
| ● | an exempted company does not have to file an annual return<br>of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies; |
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| ● | an exempted company's register of members is not open to<br>inspection; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general<br>meeting; |
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| ● | an exempted company may issue shares with no par value; |
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| ● | an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the<br>imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance); |
| --- | --- |
| ● | an exempted company may register by way of continuation<br>in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands; |
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| ● | an exempted company may register as a limited duration<br>company; and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio<br>company. |
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“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain provisions designed to provide certain rights and protections that will apply to us until the completion of our initial business combination. These provisions cannot be amended without a special resolution under Cayman Islands law. As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a resolution is deemed to be a special resolution where it has been approved by either (i) the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (or any higher threshold specified in a company's articles of association) of a company's shareholders entitled to vote and so voting at a general meeting for which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution has been given; or (ii) if so authorized by a company's articles of association, by a unanimous written resolution of all of the company's shareholders. Other than as described above, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that special resolutions must be approved either by at least two-thirds of our shareholders who attend and vote at a general meeting of the company (i.e., the lowest threshold permissible under Cayman Islands law), or by a unanimous written resolution of all of our shareholders.
Our sponsor and its permitted transferees, if any, who collectively beneficially own 20% of our ordinary shares will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. Specifically, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide, among other things, that:
| ● | If we have not consummated an initial business combination<br>within 24 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose<br>of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares,<br>at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest<br>earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our income taxes that were paid by us or<br>are payable by us, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then-outstanding public<br>shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders' rights as shareholders (including the right to receive<br>further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to<br>the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case of clauses<br>(ii) and (iii) to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable<br>law; |
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| ● | Prior to or in connection with our initial business combination,<br>we may not issue additional securities that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii)<br>vote as a class with our public shares (a) on our initial business combination or on any other proposal presented to shareholders<br>prior to or in connection with the completion of an initial business combination or (b) to approve an amendment to our amended<br>and restated memorandum and articles of association to (x) extend the time we have to consummate a business combination beyond<br>24 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering or (y) amend the foregoing provisions; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | Although we do not intend to enter into a business combination<br>with a target business that is affiliated with our sponsor, Founders, our directors or our officers, we are not prohibited from<br>doing so. In the event we enter into such a transaction, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from<br>independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that such a business<br>combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view; |
| --- | --- |
| ● | If a shareholder vote on our initial business combination<br>is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business<br>or other reasons, we will offer to redeem our public shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act,<br>and will file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination which contain substantially<br>the same financial and other information about our initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under<br>Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act; |
| --- | --- |
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| ● | So long as our securities are then listed on the NYSE,<br>our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value<br>of at least 80% of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the amount of deferred underwriting commissions held in trust<br>and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination; |
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| ● | If our shareholders approve an amendment to our amended<br>and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide<br>holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination<br>or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing<br>of our Initial Public Offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary<br>shares, we will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their ordinary shares upon<br>such approval at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account,<br>including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our income taxes, if<br>any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein; and |
| --- | --- |
| ● | We will not effectuate our initial business combination<br>solely with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations. |
| --- | --- |
In addition, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that under no circumstances will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001.
The Companies Law permits a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands to amend its memorandum and articles of association with the approval of a special resolution which requires the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of such company's issued and outstanding ordinary shares who attend and vote at a general meeting or by way of unanimous written resolution. A company's articles of association may specify that the approval of a higher majority is required but, provided the approval of the required majority is obtained, any Cayman Islands exempted company may amend its memorandum and articles of association regardless of whether its memorandum and articles of association provide otherwise.
Accordingly, although we could amend any of the provisions relating to our structure and business plan which are contained in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we view all of these provisions as binding obligations to our shareholders and neither we, nor our officers or directors, will take any action to amend or waive any of these provisions unless we provide dissenting public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares.
Anti-Money Laundering — Cayman Islands
If any person in the Cayman Islands knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that another person is engaged in criminal conduct or money laundering or is involved with terrorism or terrorist financing and property and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of business in the regulated sector or other trade, profession, business or employment, the person will be required to report such knowledge or suspicion to (i) the Financial Reporting Authority of the Cayman Islands, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Law (2020 Revision) of the Cayman Islands if the disclosure relates to criminal conduct or money laundering or (ii) a police officer of the rank of constable or higher, or the Financial Reporting Authority, pursuant to the Terrorism Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, if the disclosure relates to involvement with terrorism or terrorist financing and property. Such a report shall not be treated as a breach of confidence or of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by any enactment or otherwise.
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Certain Anti-takeover Provisions of our Amended and RestatedMemorandum and Articles of Association
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that our board of directors will be classified into three classes of directors. As a result, in most circumstances, a person can gain control of our board only by successfully engaging in a proxy contest at two or more annual general meetings.
Our authorized but unissued Class A ordinary shares and preference shares are available for future issuances without shareholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved Class A ordinary shares and preference shares could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Securities Eligible for Future Sale
The Class A ordinary shares sold in our Initial Public Offering (25,000,000 Class A ordinary shares are freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any Class A ordinary shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the outstanding founder shares (6,250,000 founder shares) and all of the outstanding private placement warrants (4,666,667 private placement warrants) are restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering.
Upon the closing of the sale of the forward purchase units, all of the forward purchase shares, forward purchase warrants and Class A ordinary shares underlying the forward purchase warrants will be restricted securities under Rule 144.
Rule 144
Pursuant to Rule 144, a person who has beneficially owned restricted shares or warrants for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities providedthat (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale and have filed all required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the twelve months (or such shorter period as we were required to file reports) preceding the sale.
Persons who have beneficially owned restricted shares or warrants for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of:
| ● | 1% of the total number of ordinary shares then-outstanding,<br>which equals 312,500 shares; or |
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| ● | the average weekly reported trading volume of the Class<br>A ordinary shares during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale. |
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Sales by our affiliates under Rule 144 are also limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.
Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companiesor Former Shell Companies
Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or issuers that have been at any time previously a shell company. However, Rule 144 also includes an important exception to this prohibition if the following conditions are met:
| ● | the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell<br>company has ceased to be a shell company; |
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| ● | the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting<br>requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; |
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| ● | the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act<br>reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding twelve months (or such shorter period that the<br>issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and at least one year has elapsed from<br>the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a<br>shell company. |
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As a result, our sponsor will be able to sell its founder shares and private placement warrants, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 144 without registration one year after we have completed our initial business combination.
Registration and Shareholder Rights
The holders of the founder shares, private placement warrants and any warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans (and any Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the private placement warrants, upon the exercise of warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans and upon conversion of the founder shares) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration and shareholder rights agreement which was executed at the closing of our Initial Public Offering. The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination. However, the registration and shareholder rights agreement provides that we will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lockup period, which occurs (i) in the case of the founder shares, as described in the following paragraph, and (ii) in the case of the private placement warrants and the respective Class A ordinary shares underlying such warrants, 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Pursuant to the forward purchase agreement, we have agreed that we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to (i) within 30 days after the closing of the initial business combination, file a registration statement with the SEC for a secondary offering of (A) the forward purchase investors' forward purchase shares, (B) the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the forward purchase investors' forward purchase warrants and (C) any other Class A ordinary shares acquired by the forward purchase investors, including any acquisitions after we complete our initial business combination, (ii) cause such registration statement to be declared effective promptly thereafter, but in no event later than 90 days after the closing of the initial business combination and (iii) maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement and to ensure the registration statement does not contain a material omission or misstatement, including by way of amendment or other update, as required, until the earlier of (A) the date on which a forward purchase investor ceases to hold the securities covered thereby and (B) the date all of the securities covered thereby can be sold publicly without restriction or limitation under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and without the requirement to be in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) under the Securities Act, subject to certain conditions and limitations set forth in the forward purchase agreement. We will bear the cost of registering these securities.
Except as described herein, our sponsor and our directors and executive officers have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell their founder shares until the earliest of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination and (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our public shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our sponsor with respect to any founder shares.
In addition, pursuant to the registration and shareholder rights agreement, our sponsor, upon and following consummation of an initial business combination, will be entitled to nominate three individuals for appointment to our board of directors, as long as our sponsor holds any securities covered by the registration and shareholder rights agreement, in addition to other rights as detailed in the registration and shareholder rights agreement.
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Exhibit 10.7
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNITYAGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 9, 2020, by and between Empower Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), and Matthew Rubel (“Indemnitee”).
**WHEREAS,**highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held companies and corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such companies and corporations;
**WHEREAS,**the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. The amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company (the “Articles”) provide for the indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable Cayman Islands law. The Articles provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement and reimbursement rights;
**WHEREAS,**the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
**WHEREAS,**the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s shareholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
**WHEREAS,**it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so protected against liabilities;
**WHEREAS,**this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Articles of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
**WHEREAS,**Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he or she be so indemnified.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein and subject to the provisions of the letter agreement dated as of October 6, 2020, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
| 1. | SERVICES TO THE COMPANY |
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In consideration of the Company’s covenants and obligations hereunder, Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve as an officer, director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as applicable, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or until Indemnitee is removed. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director, officer, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as provided in Section 17. This Agreement, however, shall not impose any obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by applicable law and the Articles or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any.
| 2. | DEFINITIONS |
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As used in this Agreement:
(a) References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, advisor, fiduciary or other official of another company, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.
(b) The terms “Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.
(c) “Delaware Court” shall mean the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.
(d) A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:
(i) Acquisition of Shares by Third Party. Other than an affiliate of Empower Sponsor Holdings LLC (the “Sponsor”), any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (1) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (2) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors and such acquisition would not constitute a Change in Control under part (iii) of this definition;
(ii) Change in Board of Directors. Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board, and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date hereof or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “ContinuingDirectors”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;
(iii) Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination: (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a company or corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (2) other than an affiliate of the Sponsor, no Person (excluding any company or corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the surviving company or corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (3) at least a majority of the board of directors of the company or corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination;
(iv) Liquidation. The approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale, or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions); or
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(v) Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act, whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.
(e) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.
(f) “Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(g) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other company or corporation, constituent company or corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent.
(h) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(i) “Expenses” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding, including reasonable compensation for time spent by the Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
(j) References to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan.
(k) References to “serving at the request of theCompany” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.
(l) “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm or a member of a law firm with significant experience in matters of corporate law and that neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.
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(m) The term “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) any employment benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company or of any company or corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company; and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company or of a company or corporation owned directly or indirectly by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company.
(n) The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative or related nature, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by him or her or of any action (or failure to act) on his or her part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he or she is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.
(o) The term “Subsidiary,” with respect to any Person, shall mean any company or corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.
(p) The phrase “to the fullest extent permittedby applicable law and the Articles” shall include, but not be limited to: (a) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the provision of applicable Cayman Islands law that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of applicable Cayman Islands law, and (b) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of applicable Cayman Islands law adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a company or corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.
| 3. | INDEMNITY IN THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS |
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To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually, and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful; provided, in no event shall Indemnitee be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless or advanced any amounts hereunder in respect of any Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (if any) that Indemnitee may incur by reason of his or her own actual fraud or intentional misconduct. Indemnitee shall not be found to have committed actual fraud or intentional misconduct for any purpose of this Agreement unless or until a court of competent jurisdiction shall have made a finding to that effect.
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| 4. | INDEMNITY IN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY |
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To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that any court in which the Proceeding was brought or the Delaware Court shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, to be held harmless or to exoneration.
| 5. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL |
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Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company also shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
| 6. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS |
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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness or deponent in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party or threatened to be made a party, he or she shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection therewith.
| 7. | ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND EXONERATION RIGHTS |
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Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4 or 5, but subject to Section 27, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights shall be available under this Section 7 on account of Indemnitee’s conduct which constitutes a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders or is an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.
| 8. | CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY |
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(a) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law and the Articles, if the indemnification, hold harmless and/or exoneration rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying, holding harmless or exonerating Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.
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(b) The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.
(c) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall seek payments or advances from the Company only to the extent that such payments or advances are unavailable from any insurance policy of the Company covering Indemnitee.
| 9. | EXCLUSIONS |
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Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification, advance Expenses, hold harmless or exoneration payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:
(a) for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity or advancement provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity or advancement provision or otherwise;
(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (or any successor rule) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or
(c) except as otherwise provided in Sections 14(f) and (g) hereof, prior to a Change in Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law and the Articles.
| 10. | ADVANCES OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIM |
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(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, and to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall pay the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee (or reasonably expected by Indemnitee to be incurred by Indemnitee within three months) in connection with any Proceeding within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, prior to the final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing a Proceeding to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. To the fullest extent required by applicable law and the Articles, such payments of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon the Company’s receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to repay the advanced amounts to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, applicable law and the Articles or otherwise. If it shall be determined by a final judgment or other final adjudication that Indemnitee was not so entitled to indemnification, any advancement shall be returned to the Company (without interest) by the Indemnitee. This Section 10(a) shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which an indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment is excluded pursuant to Section 9, but shall apply to any Proceeding referenced in Section 9(b) prior to a final determination that Indemnitee is liable therefor.
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(b) The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.
(c) The Company shall not settle any action, claim or Proceeding (in whole or in part) which would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.
| 11. | PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION |
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(a) Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding, claim, issue or matter therein which may be subject to indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights, or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, or otherwise.
(b) Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written application to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Such application(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written application for indemnification by Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 12(a) of this Agreement.
| 12. | PROCEDURE UPON APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION |
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(a) A determination, if required by applicable law and the Articles, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods, which shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, (iii) if there are no Disinterested Directors or if such directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (iv) by vote of the shareholders by ordinary resolution. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(b) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12(b). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Board, the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(b) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Delaware Court, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).
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(c) The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
| 13. | PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS |
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(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(b) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a final judicial determination that any or all such indemnification is expressly prohibited under applicable law and the Articles; provided, however, that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.
(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors, manager, or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member. The provisions of this Section 13(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.
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(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
| 14. | REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE |
|---|
(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 5, 6, 7 or the last sentence of Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (vi) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vii) payment to Indemnitee pursuant to any hold harmless or exoneration rights under this Agreement or otherwise is not made in accordance with this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by the Delaware Court to such indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or advancement rights. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association. Except as set forth herein, the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.
(c) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated to receive advancement of Expenses under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated and to receive advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 10 until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).
(d) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law and the Articles.
(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
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(f) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) pay to Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee: (i) to enforce his or her rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement or contribution agreement or provision of the Articles now or hereafter in effect; or (ii) for recovery or advances under any insurance policy maintained by any person for the benefit of Indemnitee, regardless of the outcome and whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration right, advancement, contribution or insurance recovery, as the case may be (unless such judicial proceeding or arbitration was not brought by Indemnitee in good faith).
(g) Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under New York law for amounts which the Company indemnifies, holds harmless or exonerates, or advances, or is obliged to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate or advance for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification, to be held harmless, exonerated, contribution, reimbursement or advancement of any Expenses and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.
| 15. | SECURITY |
|---|
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, to the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of Indemnitee.
| 16. | NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE; SUBROGATION; PRIORITY OF OBLIGATIONS |
|---|
(a) The rights of Indemnitee as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law and the Articles, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of shareholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any Proceeding (regardless of when such Proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) or claim, issue or matter therein arising out of, or related to, any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law and the Articles, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Articles or this Agreement, then this Agreement (without any further action by the parties hereto) shall automatically be deemed to be amended to require that the Company indemnifies the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) The Articles permit the Company to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond (“Indemnification Arrangements”) on behalf of Indemnitee against any liability asserted against him or her or incurred by or on behalf of him or in such capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement and the Articles. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any such Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or of Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any such Indemnification Arrangement.
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(c) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, trustees, partners, managers, managing members, fiduciaries, employees, or agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, trustee, partner, managers, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
(d) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights. No such payment by the Company shall be deemed to relieve any insurer of its obligations.
(e) The Company’s obligation to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payments or advancement of expenses from such Enterprise. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, (i) Indemnitee shall have no obligation to reduce, offset, allocate, pursue or apportion any indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement, contribution or insurance coverage among multiple parties possessing such duties to Indemnitee prior to the Company’s satisfaction and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) the Company shall perform fully its obligations under this Agreement without regard to whether Indemnitee holds, may pursue or has pursued any indemnification, advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage rights against any person or entity other than the Company.
(f) Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the Company is the primary indemnitor, and any indemnification or advancement obligation of the Sponsor or its affiliates or members or any other Person is secondary.
| 17. | DURATION OF AGREEMENT |
|---|
All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other company or corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other Enterprise which Indemnitee serves at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement) by reason of his or her Corporate Status, whether or not he or she is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement can be provided under this Agreement.
| 18. | SEVERABILITY |
|---|
If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and the Articles and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
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| 19. | ENFORCEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT |
|---|
(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer or key employee of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer or key employee of the Company.
(b) Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under the Articles of the Company as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(c) The indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise at the Company’s request, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
(d) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
(e) The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, enforce this Agreement by seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which he or she may be entitled. The Company and Indemnitee further agree that Indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court of competent jurisdiction, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles.
| 20. | MODIFICATION AND WAIVER |
|---|
No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
| 21. | NOTICES |
|---|
All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide in writing to the Company.
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(b) If to the Company, to:
Empower Ltd.
c/o MidOcean Partners
245 Park Avenue, 38^th^ Floor
New York, NY 10167
with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Attn: Stuart Neuhauser, Esq.
or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee in writing by the Company.
| 22. | APPLICABLE LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION |
|---|
This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country; (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court; and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum, or is subject (in whole or in part) to a jury trial. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the parties hereby agree that the mailing of process and other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided by Section 21 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable law and the Articles, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.
| 23. | IDENTICAL COUNTERPARTS |
|---|
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
| 24. | MISCELLANEOUS |
|---|
The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
| 25. | PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS |
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No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.
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| 26. | ADDITIONAL ACTS |
|---|
If for the validation of any of the provisions in this Agreement any act, resolution, approval or other procedure is required to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company undertakes to cause such act, resolution, approval or other procedure to be affected or adopted in a manner that will enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
| 27. | WAIVER OF CLAIMS TO TRUST ACCOUNT |
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Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Indemnitee hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to any monies in the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering for the benefit of the Company and holders of shares issued in such offering, and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to the Company and will not seek recourse against such trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, Indemnitee acknowledges and agrees that any indemnification provided hereto will only be able to be satisfied by the Company if (i) the Company has sufficient funds outside of the Trust Account to satisfy its obligations hereunder or (ii) the Company consummates a Business Combination.
| 28. | MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE |
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The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain in effect during the entire period for which the Company is obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee under this Agreement, one or more policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies to provide the officers/directors of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts and omissions and to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement. The Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director or officer under such policy or policies. In all such insurance policies, the Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide the Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors and officers.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indemnity Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.
| EMPOWER LTD. | |
|---|---|
| By: | /s/ Matthew Rubel |
| Name:<br> Matthew Rubel | |
| Title:<br> Chairman and CEO | |
| INDEMNITEE | |
| --- | |
| /s/ Matthew Rubel | |
| Name:<br> Matthew Rubel | |
| Address: |
[Signature Pageto Indemnity Agreement]
Exhibit 10.8
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 9, 2020, by and between Empower Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), and Andrew Spring (“Indemnitee”).
**WHEREAS,**highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held companies and corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such companies and corporations;
**WHEREAS,**the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. The amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company (the “Articles”) provide for the indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable Cayman Islands law. The Articles provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement and reimbursement rights;
**WHEREAS,**the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
**WHEREAS,**the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s shareholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
**WHEREAS,**it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so protected against liabilities;
**WHEREAS,**this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Articles of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
**WHEREAS,**Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he or she be so indemnified.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein and subject to the provisions of the letter agreement dated as of October 6, 2020, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
| 1. | SERVICES TO THE COMPANY |
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In consideration of the Company’s covenants and obligations hereunder, Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve as an officer, director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as applicable, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or until Indemnitee is removed. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director, officer, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as provided in Section 17. This Agreement, however, shall not impose any obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by applicable law and the Articles or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any.
| 2. | DEFINITIONS |
|---|
As used in this Agreement:
(a) References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, advisor, fiduciary or other official of another company, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.
(b) The terms “Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.
(c) “Delaware Court” shall mean the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.
(d) A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:
(i) Acquisition of Shares by Third Party. Other than an affiliate of Empower Sponsor Holdings LLC (the “Sponsor”), any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (1) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (2) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors and such acquisition would not constitute a Change in Control under part (iii) of this definition;
(ii) Change in Board of Directors. Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board, and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date hereof or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “ContinuingDirectors”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;
(iii) Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination: (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a company or corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (2) other than an affiliate of the Sponsor, no Person (excluding any company or corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the surviving company or corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (3) at least a majority of the board of directors of the company or corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination;
(iv) Liquidation. The approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale, or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions); or
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(v) Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act, whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.
(e) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.
(f) “Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(g) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other company or corporation, constituent company or corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent.
(h) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(i) “Expenses” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding, including reasonable compensation for time spent by the Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
(j) References to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan.
(k) References to “serving at the request of theCompany” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.
(l) “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm or a member of a law firm with significant experience in matters of corporate law and that neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.
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(m) The term “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) any employment benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company or of any company or corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company; and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company or of a company or corporation owned directly or indirectly by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company.
(n) The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative or related nature, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by him or her or of any action (or failure to act) on his or her part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he or she is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.
(o) The term “Subsidiary,” with respect to any Person, shall mean any company or corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.
(p) The phrase “to the fullest extent permittedby applicable law and the Articles” shall include, but not be limited to: (a) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the provision of applicable Cayman Islands law that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of applicable Cayman Islands law, and (b) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of applicable Cayman Islands law adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a company or corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.
| 3. | INDEMNITY IN THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS |
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To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually, and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful; provided, in no event shall Indemnitee be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless or advanced any amounts hereunder in respect of any Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (if any) that Indemnitee may incur by reason of his or her own actual fraud or intentional misconduct. Indemnitee shall not be found to have committed actual fraud or intentional misconduct for any purpose of this Agreement unless or until a court of competent jurisdiction shall have made a finding to that effect.
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| 4. | INDEMNITY IN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY |
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To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that any court in which the Proceeding was brought or the Delaware Court shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, to be held harmless or to exoneration.
| 5. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL |
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Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company also shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
| 6. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS |
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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness or deponent in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party or threatened to be made a party, he or she shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection therewith.
| 7. | ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND EXONERATION RIGHTS |
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Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4 or 5, but subject to Section 27, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights shall be available under this Section 7 on account of Indemnitee’s conduct which constitutes a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders or is an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.
| 8. | CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY |
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(a) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law and the Articles, if the indemnification, hold harmless and/or exoneration rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying, holding harmless or exonerating Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.
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(b) The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.
(c) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall seek payments or advances from the Company only to the extent that such payments or advances are unavailable from any insurance policy of the Company covering Indemnitee.
| 9. | EXCLUSIONS |
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Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification, advance Expenses, hold harmless or exoneration payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:
(a) for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity or advancement provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity or advancement provision or otherwise;
(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (or any successor rule) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or
(c) except as otherwise provided in Sections 14(f) and (g) hereof, prior to a Change in Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law and the Articles.
| 10. | ADVANCES OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIM |
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(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, and to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall pay the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee (or reasonably expected by Indemnitee to be incurred by Indemnitee within three months) in connection with any Proceeding within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, prior to the final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing a Proceeding to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. To the fullest extent required by applicable law and the Articles, such payments of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon the Company’s receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to repay the advanced amounts to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, applicable law and the Articles or otherwise. If it shall be determined by a final judgment or other final adjudication that Indemnitee was not so entitled to indemnification, any advancement shall be returned to the Company (without interest) by the Indemnitee. This Section 10(a) shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which an indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment is excluded pursuant to Section 9, but shall apply to any Proceeding referenced in Section 9(b) prior to a final determination that Indemnitee is liable therefor.
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(b) The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.
(c) The Company shall not settle any action, claim or Proceeding (in whole or in part) which would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.
| 11. | PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION |
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(a) Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding, claim, issue or matter therein which may be subject to indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights, or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, or otherwise.
(b) Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written application to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Such application(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written application for indemnification by Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 12(a) of this Agreement.
| 12. | PROCEDURE UPON APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION |
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(a) A determination, if required by applicable law and the Articles, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods, which shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, (iii) if there are no Disinterested Directors or if such directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (iv) by vote of the shareholders by ordinary resolution. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(b) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12(b). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Board, the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(b) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Delaware Court, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).
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(c) The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
| 13. | PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS |
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(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(b) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a final judicial determination that any or all such indemnification is expressly prohibited under applicable law and the Articles; provided, however, that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.
(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors, manager, or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member. The provisions of this Section 13(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.
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(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
| 14. | REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE |
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(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 5, 6, 7 or the last sentence of Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (vi) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vii) payment to Indemnitee pursuant to any hold harmless or exoneration rights under this Agreement or otherwise is not made in accordance with this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by the Delaware Court to such indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or advancement rights. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association. Except as set forth herein, the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.
(c) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated to receive advancement of Expenses under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated and to receive advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 10 until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).
(d) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law and the Articles.
(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
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(f) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) pay to Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee: (i) to enforce his or her rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement or contribution agreement or provision of the Articles now or hereafter in effect; or (ii) for recovery or advances under any insurance policy maintained by any person for the benefit of Indemnitee, regardless of the outcome and whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration right, advancement, contribution or insurance recovery, as the case may be (unless such judicial proceeding or arbitration was not brought by Indemnitee in good faith).
(g) Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under New York law for amounts which the Company indemnifies, holds harmless or exonerates, or advances, or is obliged to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate or advance for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification, to be held harmless, exonerated, contribution, reimbursement or advancement of any Expenses and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.
| 15. | SECURITY |
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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, to the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of Indemnitee.
| 16. | NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE; SUBROGATION; PRIORITY OF OBLIGATIONS |
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(a) The rights of Indemnitee as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law and the Articles, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of shareholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any Proceeding (regardless of when such Proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) or claim, issue or matter therein arising out of, or related to, any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law and the Articles, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Articles or this Agreement, then this Agreement (without any further action by the parties hereto) shall automatically be deemed to be amended to require that the Company indemnifies the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) The Articles permit the Company to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond (“Indemnification Arrangements”) on behalf of Indemnitee against any liability asserted against him or her or incurred by or on behalf of him or in such capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement and the Articles. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any such Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or of Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any such Indemnification Arrangement.
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(c) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, trustees, partners, managers, managing members, fiduciaries, employees, or agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, trustee, partner, managers, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
(d) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights. No such payment by the Company shall be deemed to relieve any insurer of its obligations.
(e) The Company’s obligation to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payments or advancement of expenses from such Enterprise. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, (i) Indemnitee shall have no obligation to reduce, offset, allocate, pursue or apportion any indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement, contribution or insurance coverage among multiple parties possessing such duties to Indemnitee prior to the Company’s satisfaction and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) the Company shall perform fully its obligations under this Agreement without regard to whether Indemnitee holds, may pursue or has pursued any indemnification, advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage rights against any person or entity other than the Company.
(f) Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the Company is the primary indemnitor, and any indemnification or advancement obligation of the Sponsor or its affiliates or members or any other Person is secondary.
| 17. | DURATION OF AGREEMENT |
|---|
All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other company or corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other Enterprise which Indemnitee serves at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement) by reason of his or her Corporate Status, whether or not he or she is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement can be provided under this Agreement.
| 18. | SEVERABILITY |
|---|
If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and the Articles and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
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| 19. | ENFORCEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT |
|---|
(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer or key employee of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer or key employee of the Company.
(b) Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under the Articles of the Company as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(c) The indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise at the Company’s request, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
(d) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
(e) The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, enforce this Agreement by seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which he or she may be entitled. The Company and Indemnitee further agree that Indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court of competent jurisdiction, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles.
| 20. | MODIFICATION AND WAIVER |
|---|
No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
| 21. | NOTICES |
|---|
All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide in writing to the Company.
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(b) If to the Company, to:
Empower Ltd.
c/o MidOcean Partners
245 Park Avenue, 38^th^ Floor
New York, NY 10167
with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Attn: Stuart Neuhauser, Esq.
or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee in writing by the Company.
| 22. | APPLICABLE LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION |
|---|
This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country; (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court; and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum, or is subject (in whole or in part) to a jury trial. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the parties hereby agree that the mailing of process and other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided by Section 21 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable law and the Articles, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.
| 23. | IDENTICAL COUNTERPARTS |
|---|
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
| 24. | MISCELLANEOUS |
|---|
The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
| 25. | PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS |
|---|
No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.
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| 26. | ADDITIONAL ACTS |
|---|
If for the validation of any of the provisions in this Agreement any act, resolution, approval or other procedure is required to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company undertakes to cause such act, resolution, approval or other procedure to be affected or adopted in a manner that will enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
| 27. | WAIVER OF CLAIMS TO TRUST ACCOUNT |
|---|
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Indemnitee hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to any monies in the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering for the benefit of the Company and holders of shares issued in such offering, and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to the Company and will not seek recourse against such trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, Indemnitee acknowledges and agrees that any indemnification provided hereto will only be able to be satisfied by the Company if (i) the Company has sufficient funds outside of the Trust Account to satisfy its obligations hereunder or (ii) the Company consummates a Business Combination.
| 28. | MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE |
|---|
The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain in effect during the entire period for which the Company is obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee under this Agreement, one or more policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies to provide the officers/directors of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts and omissions and to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement. The Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director or officer under such policy or policies. In all such insurance policies, the Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide the Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors and officers.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indemnity Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.
| EMPOWER LTD. | |
|---|---|
| By: | /s/ Matthew Rubel |
| Name: Matthew Rubel | |
| Title:<br> Chairman and CEO | |
| INDEMNITEE | |
| --- | |
| /s/ Andrew Spring | |
| Name: Andrew Spring | |
| Address: |
[Signature Pageto Indemnity Agreement]
Exhibit 10.9
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 9, 2020, by and between Empower Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), and Beth Kaplan (“Indemnitee”).
**WHEREAS,**highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held companies and corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such companies and corporations;
**WHEREAS,**the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. The amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company (the “Articles”) provide for the indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable Cayman Islands law. The Articles provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement and reimbursement rights;
**WHEREAS,**the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
**WHEREAS,**the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s shareholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
**WHEREAS,**it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so protected against liabilities;
**WHEREAS,**this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Articles of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
**WHEREAS,**Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he or she be so indemnified.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein and subject to the provisions of the letter agreement dated as of October 6, 2020, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
| 1. | SERVICES TO THE COMPANY |
|---|
In consideration of the Company’s covenants and obligations hereunder, Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve as an officer, director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as applicable, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or until Indemnitee is removed. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director, officer, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as provided in Section 17. This Agreement, however, shall not impose any obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by applicable law and the Articles or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any.
| 2. | DEFINITIONS |
|---|
As used in this Agreement:
(a) References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, advisor, fiduciary or other official of another company, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.
(b) The terms “Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.
(c) “Delaware Court” shall mean the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.
(d) A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:
(i) Acquisition of Shares by Third Party. Other than an affiliate of Empower Sponsor Holdings LLC (the “Sponsor”), any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (1) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (2) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors and such acquisition would not constitute a Change in Control under part (iii) of this definition;
(ii) Change in Board of Directors. Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board, and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date hereof or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “ContinuingDirectors”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;
(iii) Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination: (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a company or corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (2) other than an affiliate of the Sponsor, no Person (excluding any company or corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the surviving company or corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (3) at least a majority of the board of directors of the company or corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination;
(iv) Liquidation. The approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale, or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions); or
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(v) Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act, whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.
(e) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.
(f) “Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(g) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other company or corporation, constituent company or corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent.
(h) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(i) “Expenses” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding, including reasonable compensation for time spent by the Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
(j) References to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan.
(k) References to “serving at the request of theCompany” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.
(l) “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm or a member of a law firm with significant experience in matters of corporate law and that neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.
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(m) The term “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) any employment benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company or of any company or corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company; and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company or of a company or corporation owned directly or indirectly by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company.
(n) The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative or related nature, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by him or her or of any action (or failure to act) on his or her part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he or she is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.
(o) The term “Subsidiary,” with respect to any Person, shall mean any company or corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.
(p) The phrase “to the fullest extent permittedby applicable law and the Articles” shall include, but not be limited to: (a) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the provision of applicable Cayman Islands law that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of applicable Cayman Islands law, and (b) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of applicable Cayman Islands law adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a company or corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.
| 3. | INDEMNITY IN THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS |
|---|
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually, and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful; provided, in no event shall Indemnitee be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless or advanced any amounts hereunder in respect of any Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (if any) that Indemnitee may incur by reason of his or her own actual fraud or intentional misconduct. Indemnitee shall not be found to have committed actual fraud or intentional misconduct for any purpose of this Agreement unless or until a court of competent jurisdiction shall have made a finding to that effect.
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| 4. | INDEMNITY IN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY |
|---|
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that any court in which the Proceeding was brought or the Delaware Court shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, to be held harmless or to exoneration.
| 5. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL |
|---|
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company also shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
| 6. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS |
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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness or deponent in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party or threatened to be made a party, he or she shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection therewith.
| 7. | ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND EXONERATION RIGHTS |
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Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4 or 5, but subject to Section 27, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights shall be available under this Section 7 on account of Indemnitee’s conduct which constitutes a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders or is an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.
| 8. | CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY |
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(a) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law and the Articles, if the indemnification, hold harmless and/or exoneration rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying, holding harmless or exonerating Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.
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(b) The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.
(c) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall seek payments or advances from the Company only to the extent that such payments or advances are unavailable from any insurance policy of the Company covering Indemnitee.
| 9. | EXCLUSIONS |
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Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification, advance Expenses, hold harmless or exoneration payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:
(a) for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity or advancement provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity or advancement provision or otherwise;
(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (or any successor rule) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or
(c) except as otherwise provided in Sections 14(f) and (g) hereof, prior to a Change in Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law and the Articles.
| 10. | ADVANCES OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIM |
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(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, and to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall pay the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee (or reasonably expected by Indemnitee to be incurred by Indemnitee within three months) in connection with any Proceeding within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, prior to the final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing a Proceeding to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. To the fullest extent required by applicable law and the Articles, such payments of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon the Company’s receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to repay the advanced amounts to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, applicable law and the Articles or otherwise. If it shall be determined by a final judgment or other final adjudication that Indemnitee was not so entitled to indemnification, any advancement shall be returned to the Company (without interest) by the Indemnitee. This Section 10(a) shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which an indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment is excluded pursuant to Section 9, but shall apply to any Proceeding referenced in Section 9(b) prior to a final determination that Indemnitee is liable therefor.
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(b) The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.
(c) The Company shall not settle any action, claim or Proceeding (in whole or in part) which would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.
| 11. | PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION |
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(a) Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding, claim, issue or matter therein which may be subject to indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights, or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, or otherwise.
(b) Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written application to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Such application(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written application for indemnification by Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 12(a) of this Agreement.
| 12. | PROCEDURE UPON APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION |
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(a) A determination, if required by applicable law and the Articles, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods, which shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, (iii) if there are no Disinterested Directors or if such directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (iv) by vote of the shareholders by ordinary resolution. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(b) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12(b). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Board, the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(b) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Delaware Court, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).
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(c) The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
| 13. | PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS |
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(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(b) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a final judicial determination that any or all such indemnification is expressly prohibited under applicable law and the Articles; provided, however, that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.
(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors, manager, or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member. The provisions of this Section 13(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.
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(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
| 14. | REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE |
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(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 5, 6, 7 or the last sentence of Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (vi) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vii) payment to Indemnitee pursuant to any hold harmless or exoneration rights under this Agreement or otherwise is not made in accordance with this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by the Delaware Court to such indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or advancement rights. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association. Except as set forth herein, the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.
(c) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated to receive advancement of Expenses under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated and to receive advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 10 until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).
(d) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law and the Articles.
(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
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(f) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) pay to Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee: (i) to enforce his or her rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement or contribution agreement or provision of the Articles now or hereafter in effect; or (ii) for recovery or advances under any insurance policy maintained by any person for the benefit of Indemnitee, regardless of the outcome and whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration right, advancement, contribution or insurance recovery, as the case may be (unless such judicial proceeding or arbitration was not brought by Indemnitee in good faith).
(g) Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under New York law for amounts which the Company indemnifies, holds harmless or exonerates, or advances, or is obliged to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate or advance for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification, to be held harmless, exonerated, contribution, reimbursement or advancement of any Expenses and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.
| 15. | SECURITY |
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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, to the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of Indemnitee.
| 16. | NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE; SUBROGATION; PRIORITY OF OBLIGATIONS |
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(a) The rights of Indemnitee as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law and the Articles, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of shareholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any Proceeding (regardless of when such Proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) or claim, issue or matter therein arising out of, or related to, any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law and the Articles, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Articles or this Agreement, then this Agreement (without any further action by the parties hereto) shall automatically be deemed to be amended to require that the Company indemnifies the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) The Articles permit the Company to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond (“Indemnification Arrangements”) on behalf of Indemnitee against any liability asserted against him or her or incurred by or on behalf of him or in such capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement and the Articles. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any such Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or of Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any such Indemnification Arrangement.
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(c) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, trustees, partners, managers, managing members, fiduciaries, employees, or agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, trustee, partner, managers, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
(d) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights. No such payment by the Company shall be deemed to relieve any insurer of its obligations.
(e) The Company’s obligation to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payments or advancement of expenses from such Enterprise. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, (i) Indemnitee shall have no obligation to reduce, offset, allocate, pursue or apportion any indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement, contribution or insurance coverage among multiple parties possessing such duties to Indemnitee prior to the Company’s satisfaction and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) the Company shall perform fully its obligations under this Agreement without regard to whether Indemnitee holds, may pursue or has pursued any indemnification, advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage rights against any person or entity other than the Company.
(f) Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the Company is the primary indemnitor, and any indemnification or advancement obligation of the Sponsor or its affiliates or members or any other Person is secondary.
| 17. | DURATION OF AGREEMENT |
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All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other company or corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other Enterprise which Indemnitee serves at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement) by reason of his or her Corporate Status, whether or not he or she is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement can be provided under this Agreement.
| 18. | SEVERABILITY |
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If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and the Articles and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
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| 19. | ENFORCEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT |
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(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer or key employee of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer or key employee of the Company.
(b) Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under the Articles of the Company as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(c) The indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise at the Company’s request, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
(d) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
(e) The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, enforce this Agreement by seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which he or she may be entitled. The Company and Indemnitee further agree that Indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court of competent jurisdiction, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles.
| 20. | MODIFICATION AND WAIVER |
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No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
| 21. | NOTICES |
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All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide in writing to the Company.
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(b) If to the Company, to:
Empower Ltd.
c/o MidOcean Partners
245 Park Avenue, 38^th^ Floor
New York, NY 10167
with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Attn: Stuart Neuhauser, Esq.
or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee in writing by the Company.
| 22. | APPLICABLE LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION |
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This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country; (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court; and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum, or is subject (in whole or in part) to a jury trial. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the parties hereby agree that the mailing of process and other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided by Section 21 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable law and the Articles, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.
| 23. | IDENTICAL COUNTERPARTS |
|---|
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
| 24. | MISCELLANEOUS |
|---|
The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
| 25. | PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS |
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No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.
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| 26. | ADDITIONAL ACTS |
|---|
If for the validation of any of the provisions in this Agreement any act, resolution, approval or other procedure is required to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company undertakes to cause such act, resolution, approval or other procedure to be affected or adopted in a manner that will enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
| 27. | WAIVER OF CLAIMS TO TRUST ACCOUNT |
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Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Indemnitee hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to any monies in the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering for the benefit of the Company and holders of shares issued in such offering, and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to the Company and will not seek recourse against such trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, Indemnitee acknowledges and agrees that any indemnification provided hereto will only be able to be satisfied by the Company if (i) the Company has sufficient funds outside of the Trust Account to satisfy its obligations hereunder or (ii) the Company consummates a Business Combination.
| 28. | MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE |
|---|
The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain in effect during the entire period for which the Company is obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee under this Agreement, one or more policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies to provide the officers/directors of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts and omissions and to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement. The Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director or officer under such policy or policies. In all such insurance policies, the Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide the Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors and officers.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indemnity Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.
| EMPOWER LTD. | |
|---|---|
| By: | /s/ Matthew Rubel |
| Name: Matthew Rubel | |
| Title: Chairman<br> and CEO | |
| INDEMNITEE | |
| --- | |
| /s/ Beth Kaplan | |
| Name: Beth Kaplan | |
| Address: |
[Signature Pageto Indemnity Agreement]
Exhibit 10.10
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 9, 2020, by and between Empower Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), and Gina Bianchini (“Indemnitee”).
**WHEREAS,**highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held companies and corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such companies and corporations;
**WHEREAS,**the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. The amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company (the “Articles”) provide for the indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable Cayman Islands law. The Articles provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement and reimbursement rights;
**WHEREAS,**the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
**WHEREAS,**the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s shareholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
**WHEREAS,**it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so protected against liabilities;
**WHEREAS,**this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Articles of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
**WHEREAS,**Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he or she be so indemnified.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein and subject to the provisions of the letter agreement dated as of October 6, 2020, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
| 1. | SERVICES TO THE COMPANY |
|---|
In consideration of the Company’s covenants and obligations hereunder, Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve as an officer, director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as applicable, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or until Indemnitee is removed. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director, officer, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as provided in Section 17. This Agreement, however, shall not impose any obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by applicable law and the Articles or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any.
| 2. | DEFINITIONS |
|---|
As used in this Agreement:
(a) References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, advisor, fiduciary or other official of another company, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.
(b) The terms “Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.
(c) “Delaware Court” shall mean the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.
(d) A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:
(i) Acquisition of Shares by Third Party. Other than an affiliate of Empower Sponsor Holdings LLC (the “Sponsor”), any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (1) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (2) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors and such acquisition would not constitute a Change in Control under part (iii) of this definition;
(ii) Change in Board of Directors. Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board, and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date hereof or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “ContinuingDirectors”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;
(iii) Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination: (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a company or corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (2) other than an affiliate of the Sponsor, no Person (excluding any company or corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the surviving company or corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (3) at least a majority of the board of directors of the company or corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination;
(iv) Liquidation. The approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale, or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions); or
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(v) Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act, whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.
(e) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.
(f) “Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(g) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other company or corporation, constituent company or corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent.
(h) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(i) “Expenses” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding, including reasonable compensation for time spent by the Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
(j) References to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan.
(k) References to “serving at the request of theCompany” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.
(l) “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm or a member of a law firm with significant experience in matters of corporate law and that neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.
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(m) The term “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) any employment benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company or of any company or corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company; and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company or of a company or corporation owned directly or indirectly by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company.
(n) The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative or related nature, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by him or her or of any action (or failure to act) on his or her part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he or she is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.
(o) The term “Subsidiary,” with respect to any Person, shall mean any company or corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.
(p) The phrase “to the fullest extent permittedby applicable law and the Articles” shall include, but not be limited to: (a) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the provision of applicable Cayman Islands law that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of applicable Cayman Islands law, and (b) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of applicable Cayman Islands law adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a company or corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.
| 3. | INDEMNITY IN THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS |
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To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually, and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful; provided, in no event shall Indemnitee be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless or advanced any amounts hereunder in respect of any Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (if any) that Indemnitee may incur by reason of his or her own actual fraud or intentional misconduct. Indemnitee shall not be found to have committed actual fraud or intentional misconduct for any purpose of this Agreement unless or until a court of competent jurisdiction shall have made a finding to that effect.
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| 4. | INDEMNITY IN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY |
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To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that any court in which the Proceeding was brought or the Delaware Court shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, to be held harmless or to exoneration.
| 5. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL |
|---|
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company also shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
| 6. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS |
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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness or deponent in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party or threatened to be made a party, he or she shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection therewith.
| 7. | ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND EXONERATION RIGHTS |
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Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4 or 5, but subject to Section 27, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights shall be available under this Section 7 on account of Indemnitee’s conduct which constitutes a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders or is an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.
| 8. | CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY |
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(a) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law and the Articles, if the indemnification, hold harmless and/or exoneration rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying, holding harmless or exonerating Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.
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(b) The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.
(c) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall seek payments or advances from the Company only to the extent that such payments or advances are unavailable from any insurance policy of the Company covering Indemnitee.
| 9. | EXCLUSIONS |
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Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification, advance Expenses, hold harmless or exoneration payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:
(a) for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity or advancement provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity or advancement provision or otherwise;
(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (or any successor rule) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or
(c) except as otherwise provided in Sections 14(f) and (g) hereof, prior to a Change in Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law and the Articles.
| 10. | ADVANCES OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIM |
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(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, and to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall pay the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee (or reasonably expected by Indemnitee to be incurred by Indemnitee within three months) in connection with any Proceeding within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, prior to the final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing a Proceeding to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. To the fullest extent required by applicable law and the Articles, such payments of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon the Company’s receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to repay the advanced amounts to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, applicable law and the Articles or otherwise. If it shall be determined by a final judgment or other final adjudication that Indemnitee was not so entitled to indemnification, any advancement shall be returned to the Company (without interest) by the Indemnitee. This Section 10(a) shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which an indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment is excluded pursuant to Section 9, but shall apply to any Proceeding referenced in Section 9(b) prior to a final determination that Indemnitee is liable therefor.
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(b) The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.
(c) The Company shall not settle any action, claim or Proceeding (in whole or in part) which would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.
| 11. | PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION |
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(a) Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding, claim, issue or matter therein which may be subject to indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights, or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, or otherwise.
(b) Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written application to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Such application(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written application for indemnification by Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 12(a) of this Agreement.
| 12. | PROCEDURE UPON APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION |
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(a) A determination, if required by applicable law and the Articles, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods, which shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, (iii) if there are no Disinterested Directors or if such directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (iv) by vote of the shareholders by ordinary resolution. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(b) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12(b). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Board, the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(b) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Delaware Court, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).
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(c) The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
| 13. | PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS |
|---|
(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(b) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a final judicial determination that any or all such indemnification is expressly prohibited under applicable law and the Articles; provided, however, that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.
(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors, manager, or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member. The provisions of this Section 13(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.
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(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
| 14. | REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE |
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(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 5, 6, 7 or the last sentence of Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (vi) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vii) payment to Indemnitee pursuant to any hold harmless or exoneration rights under this Agreement or otherwise is not made in accordance with this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by the Delaware Court to such indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or advancement rights. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association. Except as set forth herein, the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.
(c) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated to receive advancement of Expenses under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated and to receive advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 10 until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).
(d) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law and the Articles.
(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
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(f) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) pay to Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee: (i) to enforce his or her rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement or contribution agreement or provision of the Articles now or hereafter in effect; or (ii) for recovery or advances under any insurance policy maintained by any person for the benefit of Indemnitee, regardless of the outcome and whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration right, advancement, contribution or insurance recovery, as the case may be (unless such judicial proceeding or arbitration was not brought by Indemnitee in good faith).
(g) Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under New York law for amounts which the Company indemnifies, holds harmless or exonerates, or advances, or is obliged to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate or advance for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification, to be held harmless, exonerated, contribution, reimbursement or advancement of any Expenses and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.
| 15. | SECURITY |
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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, to the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of Indemnitee.
| 16. | NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE; SUBROGATION; PRIORITY OF OBLIGATIONS |
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(a) The rights of Indemnitee as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law and the Articles, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of shareholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any Proceeding (regardless of when such Proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) or claim, issue or matter therein arising out of, or related to, any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law and the Articles, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Articles or this Agreement, then this Agreement (without any further action by the parties hereto) shall automatically be deemed to be amended to require that the Company indemnifies the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) The Articles permit the Company to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond (“Indemnification Arrangements”) on behalf of Indemnitee against any liability asserted against him or her or incurred by or on behalf of him or in such capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement and the Articles. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any such Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or of Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any such Indemnification Arrangement.
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(c) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, trustees, partners, managers, managing members, fiduciaries, employees, or agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, trustee, partner, managers, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
(d) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights. No such payment by the Company shall be deemed to relieve any insurer of its obligations.
(e) The Company’s obligation to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payments or advancement of expenses from such Enterprise. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, (i) Indemnitee shall have no obligation to reduce, offset, allocate, pursue or apportion any indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement, contribution or insurance coverage among multiple parties possessing such duties to Indemnitee prior to the Company’s satisfaction and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) the Company shall perform fully its obligations under this Agreement without regard to whether Indemnitee holds, may pursue or has pursued any indemnification, advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage rights against any person or entity other than the Company.
(f) Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the Company is the primary indemnitor, and any indemnification or advancement obligation of the Sponsor or its affiliates or members or any other Person is secondary.
| 17. | DURATION OF AGREEMENT |
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All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other company or corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other Enterprise which Indemnitee serves at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement) by reason of his or her Corporate Status, whether or not he or she is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement can be provided under this Agreement.
| 18. | SEVERABILITY |
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If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and the Articles and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
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| 19. | ENFORCEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT |
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(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer or key employee of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer or key employee of the Company.
(b) Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under the Articles of the Company as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(c) The indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise at the Company’s request, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
(d) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
(e) The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, enforce this Agreement by seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which he or she may be entitled. The Company and Indemnitee further agree that Indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court of competent jurisdiction, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles.
| 20. | MODIFICATION AND WAIVER |
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No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
| 21. | NOTICES |
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All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide in writing to the Company.
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(b) If to the Company, to:
Empower Ltd.
c/o MidOcean Partners
245 Park Avenue, 38^th^ Floor
New York, NY 10167
with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Attn: Stuart Neuhauser, Esq.
or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee in writing by the Company.
| 22. | APPLICABLE LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION |
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This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country; (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court; and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum, or is subject (in whole or in part) to a jury trial. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the parties hereby agree that the mailing of process and other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided by Section 21 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable law and the Articles, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.
| 23. | IDENTICAL COUNTERPARTS |
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This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
| 24. | MISCELLANEOUS |
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The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
| 25. | PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS |
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No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.
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| 26. | ADDITIONAL ACTS |
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If for the validation of any of the provisions in this Agreement any act, resolution, approval or other procedure is required to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company undertakes to cause such act, resolution, approval or other procedure to be affected or adopted in a manner that will enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
| 27. | WAIVER OF CLAIMS TO TRUST ACCOUNT |
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Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Indemnitee hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to any monies in the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering for the benefit of the Company and holders of shares issued in such offering, and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to the Company and will not seek recourse against such trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, Indemnitee acknowledges and agrees that any indemnification provided hereto will only be able to be satisfied by the Company if (i) the Company has sufficient funds outside of the Trust Account to satisfy its obligations hereunder or (ii) the Company consummates a Business Combination.
| 28. | MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE |
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The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain in effect during the entire period for which the Company is obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee under this Agreement, one or more policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies to provide the officers/directors of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts and omissions and to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement. The Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director or officer under such policy or policies. In all such insurance policies, the Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide the Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors and officers.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indemnity Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.
| EMPOWER LTD. | |
|---|---|
| By: | /s/ Matthew Rubel |
| Name: Matthew Rubel | |
| Title:<br> Chairman and CEO | |
| INDEMNITEE | |
| --- | |
| /s/ Gina Bianchini | |
| Name: Gina Bianchini | |
| Address: |
[Signature Pageto Indemnity Agreement]
Exhibit 10.11
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 9, 2020, by and between Empower Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), and Graham Clempson (“Indemnitee”).
**WHEREAS,**highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held companies and corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such companies and corporations;
**WHEREAS,**the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. The amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company (the “Articles”) provide for the indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable Cayman Islands law. The Articles provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement and reimbursement rights;
**WHEREAS,**the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
**WHEREAS,**the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s shareholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
**WHEREAS,**it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so protected against liabilities;
**WHEREAS,**this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Articles of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
**WHEREAS,**Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he or she be so indemnified.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein and subject to the provisions of the letter agreement dated as of October 6, 2020, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
| 1. | SERVICES TO THE COMPANY |
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In consideration of the Company’s covenants and obligations hereunder, Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve as an officer, director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as applicable, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or until Indemnitee is removed. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director, officer, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as provided in Section 17. This Agreement, however, shall not impose any obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by applicable law and the Articles or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any.
| 2. | DEFINITIONS |
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As used in this Agreement:
(a) References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, advisor, fiduciary or other official of another company, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.
(b) The terms “Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.
(c) “Delaware Court” shall mean the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.
(d) A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:
(i) Acquisition of Shares by Third Party. Other than an affiliate of Empower Sponsor Holdings LLC (the “Sponsor”), any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (1) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (2) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors and such acquisition would not constitute a Change in Control under part (iii) of this definition;
(ii) Change in Board of Directors. Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board, and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date hereof or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “ContinuingDirectors”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;
(iii) Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination: (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a company or corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (2) other than an affiliate of the Sponsor, no Person (excluding any company or corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the surviving company or corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (3) at least a majority of the board of directors of the company or corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination;
(iv) Liquidation. The approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale, or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions); or
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(v) Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act, whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.
(e) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.
(f) “Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(g) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other company or corporation, constituent company or corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent.
(h) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(i) “Expenses” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding, including reasonable compensation for time spent by the Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
(j) References to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan.
(k) References to “serving at the request of theCompany” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.
(l) “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm or a member of a law firm with significant experience in matters of corporate law and that neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.
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(m) The term “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) any employment benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company or of any company or corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company; and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company or of a company or corporation owned directly or indirectly by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company.
(n) The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative or related nature, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by him or her or of any action (or failure to act) on his or her part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he or she is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.
(o) The term “Subsidiary,” with respect to any Person, shall mean any company or corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.
(p) The phrase “to the fullest extent permittedby applicable law and the Articles” shall include, but not be limited to: (a) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the provision of applicable Cayman Islands law that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of applicable Cayman Islands law, and (b) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of applicable Cayman Islands law adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a company or corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.
| 3. | INDEMNITY IN THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS |
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To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually, and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful; provided, in no event shall Indemnitee be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless or advanced any amounts hereunder in respect of any Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (if any) that Indemnitee may incur by reason of his or her own actual fraud or intentional misconduct. Indemnitee shall not be found to have committed actual fraud or intentional misconduct for any purpose of this Agreement unless or until a court of competent jurisdiction shall have made a finding to that effect.
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| 4. | INDEMNITY IN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY |
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To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that any court in which the Proceeding was brought or the Delaware Court shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, to be held harmless or to exoneration.
| 5. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL |
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Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company also shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
| 6. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS |
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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness or deponent in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party or threatened to be made a party, he or she shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection therewith.
| 7. | ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND EXONERATION RIGHTS |
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Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4 or 5, but subject to Section 27, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights shall be available under this Section 7 on account of Indemnitee’s conduct which constitutes a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders or is an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.
| 8. | CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY |
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(a) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law and the Articles, if the indemnification, hold harmless and/or exoneration rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying, holding harmless or exonerating Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.
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(b) The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.
(c) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall seek payments or advances from the Company only to the extent that such payments or advances are unavailable from any insurance policy of the Company covering Indemnitee.
| 9. | EXCLUSIONS |
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Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification, advance Expenses, hold harmless or exoneration payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:
(a) for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity or advancement provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity or advancement provision or otherwise;
(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (or any successor rule) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or
(c) except as otherwise provided in Sections 14(f) and (g) hereof, prior to a Change in Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law and the Articles.
| 10. | ADVANCES OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIM |
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(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, and to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall pay the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee (or reasonably expected by Indemnitee to be incurred by Indemnitee within three months) in connection with any Proceeding within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, prior to the final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing a Proceeding to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. To the fullest extent required by applicable law and the Articles, such payments of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon the Company’s receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to repay the advanced amounts to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, applicable law and the Articles or otherwise. If it shall be determined by a final judgment or other final adjudication that Indemnitee was not so entitled to indemnification, any advancement shall be returned to the Company (without interest) by the Indemnitee. This Section 10(a) shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which an indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment is excluded pursuant to Section 9, but shall apply to any Proceeding referenced in Section 9(b) prior to a final determination that Indemnitee is liable therefor.
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(b) The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.
(c) The Company shall not settle any action, claim or Proceeding (in whole or in part) which would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.
| 11. | PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION |
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(a) Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding, claim, issue or matter therein which may be subject to indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights, or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, or otherwise.
(b) Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written application to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Such application(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written application for indemnification by Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 12(a) of this Agreement.
| 12. | PROCEDURE UPON APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION |
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(a) A determination, if required by applicable law and the Articles, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods, which shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, (iii) if there are no Disinterested Directors or if such directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (iv) by vote of the shareholders by ordinary resolution. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(b) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12(b). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Board, the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(b) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Delaware Court, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).
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(c) The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
| 13. | PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS |
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(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(b) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a final judicial determination that any or all such indemnification is expressly prohibited under applicable law and the Articles; provided, however, that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.
(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors, manager, or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member. The provisions of this Section 13(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.
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(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
| 14. | REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE |
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(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 5, 6, 7 or the last sentence of Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (vi) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vii) payment to Indemnitee pursuant to any hold harmless or exoneration rights under this Agreement or otherwise is not made in accordance with this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by the Delaware Court to such indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or advancement rights. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association. Except as set forth herein, the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.
(c) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated to receive advancement of Expenses under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated and to receive advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 10 until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).
(d) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law and the Articles.
(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
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(f) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) pay to Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee: (i) to enforce his or her rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement or contribution agreement or provision of the Articles now or hereafter in effect; or (ii) for recovery or advances under any insurance policy maintained by any person for the benefit of Indemnitee, regardless of the outcome and whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration right, advancement, contribution or insurance recovery, as the case may be (unless such judicial proceeding or arbitration was not brought by Indemnitee in good faith).
(g) Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under New York law for amounts which the Company indemnifies, holds harmless or exonerates, or advances, or is obliged to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate or advance for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification, to be held harmless, exonerated, contribution, reimbursement or advancement of any Expenses and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.
| 15. | SECURITY |
|---|
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, to the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of Indemnitee.
| 16. | NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE; SUBROGATION; PRIORITY OF OBLIGATIONS |
|---|
(a) The rights of Indemnitee as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law and the Articles, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of shareholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any Proceeding (regardless of when such Proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) or claim, issue or matter therein arising out of, or related to, any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law and the Articles, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Articles or this Agreement, then this Agreement (without any further action by the parties hereto) shall automatically be deemed to be amended to require that the Company indemnifies the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) The Articles permit the Company to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond (“Indemnification Arrangements”) on behalf of Indemnitee against any liability asserted against him or her or incurred by or on behalf of him or in such capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement and the Articles. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any such Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or of Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any such Indemnification Arrangement.
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(c) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, trustees, partners, managers, managing members, fiduciaries, employees, or agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, trustee, partner, managers, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
(d) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights. No such payment by the Company shall be deemed to relieve any insurer of its obligations.
(e) The Company’s obligation to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payments or advancement of expenses from such Enterprise. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, (i) Indemnitee shall have no obligation to reduce, offset, allocate, pursue or apportion any indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement, contribution or insurance coverage among multiple parties possessing such duties to Indemnitee prior to the Company’s satisfaction and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) the Company shall perform fully its obligations under this Agreement without regard to whether Indemnitee holds, may pursue or has pursued any indemnification, advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage rights against any person or entity other than the Company.
(f) Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the Company is the primary indemnitor, and any indemnification or advancement obligation of the Sponsor or its affiliates or members or any other Person is secondary.
| 17. | DURATION OF AGREEMENT |
|---|
All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other company or corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other Enterprise which Indemnitee serves at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement) by reason of his or her Corporate Status, whether or not he or she is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement can be provided under this Agreement.
| 18. | SEVERABILITY |
|---|
If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and the Articles and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
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| 19. | ENFORCEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT |
|---|
(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer or key employee of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer or key employee of the Company.
(b) Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under the Articles of the Company as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(c) The indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise at the Company’s request, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
(d) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
(e) The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, enforce this Agreement by seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which he or she may be entitled. The Company and Indemnitee further agree that Indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court of competent jurisdiction, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles.
| 20. | MODIFICATION AND WAIVER |
|---|
No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
| 21. | NOTICES |
|---|
All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide in writing to the Company.
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(b) If to the Company, to:
Empower Ltd.
c/o MidOcean Partners
245 Park Avenue, 38^th^ Floor
New York, NY 10167
with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Attn: Stuart Neuhauser, Esq.
or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee in writing by the Company.
| 22. | APPLICABLE LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION |
|---|
This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country; (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court; and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum, or is subject (in whole or in part) to a jury trial. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the parties hereby agree that the mailing of process and other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided by Section 21 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable law and the Articles, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.
| 23. | IDENTICAL COUNTERPARTS |
|---|
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
| 24. | MISCELLANEOUS |
|---|
The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
| 25. | PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS |
|---|
No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.
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| 26. | ADDITIONAL ACTS |
|---|
If for the validation of any of the provisions in this Agreement any act, resolution, approval or other procedure is required to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company undertakes to cause such act, resolution, approval or other procedure to be affected or adopted in a manner that will enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
| 27. | WAIVER OF CLAIMS TO TRUST ACCOUNT |
|---|
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Indemnitee hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to any monies in the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering for the benefit of the Company and holders of shares issued in such offering, and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to the Company and will not seek recourse against such trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, Indemnitee acknowledges and agrees that any indemnification provided hereto will only be able to be satisfied by the Company if (i) the Company has sufficient funds outside of the Trust Account to satisfy its obligations hereunder or (ii) the Company consummates a Business Combination.
| 28. | MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE |
|---|
The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain in effect during the entire period for which the Company is obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee under this Agreement, one or more policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies to provide the officers/directors of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts and omissions and to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement. The Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director or officer under such policy or policies. In all such insurance policies, the Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide the Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors and officers.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indemnity Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.
| EMPOWER LTD. | |
|---|---|
| By: | /s/ Matthew Rubel |
| Name: Matthew Rubel | |
| Title: Chairman and CEO | |
| INDEMNITEE | |
| --- | |
| /s/ Graham Clempson | |
| Name: Graham Clempson | |
| Address: |
[Signature Pageto Indemnity Agreement]
Exhibit 10.12
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 9, 2020, by and between Empower Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), and Jeffrey Jones (“Indemnitee”).
**WHEREAS,**highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held companies and corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such companies and corporations;
**WHEREAS,**the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. The amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company (the “Articles”) provide for the indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable Cayman Islands law. The Articles provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement and reimbursement rights;
**WHEREAS,**the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
**WHEREAS,**the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s shareholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
**WHEREAS,**it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so protected against liabilities;
**WHEREAS,**this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Articles of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
**WHEREAS,**Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he or she be so indemnified.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein and subject to the provisions of the letter agreement dated as of October 6, 2020, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
| 1. | SERVICES TO THE COMPANY |
|---|
In consideration of the Company’s covenants and obligations hereunder, Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve as an officer, director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as applicable, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or until Indemnitee is removed. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director, officer, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as provided in Section 17. This Agreement, however, shall not impose any obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by applicable law and the Articles or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any.
| 2. | DEFINITIONS |
|---|
As used in this Agreement:
(a) References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, advisor, fiduciary or other official of another company, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.
(b) The terms “Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.
(c) “Delaware Court” shall mean the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.
(d) A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:
(i) Acquisition of Shares by Third Party. Other than an affiliate of Empower Sponsor Holdings LLC (the “Sponsor”), any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (1) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (2) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors and such acquisition would not constitute a Change in Control under part (iii) of this definition;
(ii) Change in Board of Directors. Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board, and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date hereof or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “ContinuingDirectors”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;
(iii) Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination: (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a company or corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (2) other than an affiliate of the Sponsor, no Person (excluding any company or corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the surviving company or corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (3) at least a majority of the board of directors of the company or corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination;
(iv) Liquidation. The approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale, or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions); or
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(v) Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act, whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.
(e) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.
(f) “Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(g) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other company or corporation, constituent company or corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent.
(h) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(i) “Expenses” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding, including reasonable compensation for time spent by the Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
(j) References to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan.
(k) References to “serving at the request of theCompany” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.
(l) “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm or a member of a law firm with significant experience in matters of corporate law and that neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.
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(m) The term “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) any employment benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company or of any company or corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company; and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company or of a company or corporation owned directly or indirectly by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company.
(n) The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative or related nature, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by him or her or of any action (or failure to act) on his or her part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he or she is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.
(o) The term “Subsidiary,” with respect to any Person, shall mean any company or corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.
(p) The phrase “to the fullest extent permittedby applicable law and the Articles” shall include, but not be limited to: (a) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the provision of applicable Cayman Islands law that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of applicable Cayman Islands law, and (b) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of applicable Cayman Islands law adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a company or corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.
| 3. | INDEMNITY IN THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS |
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To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually, and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful; provided, in no event shall Indemnitee be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless or advanced any amounts hereunder in respect of any Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (if any) that Indemnitee may incur by reason of his or her own actual fraud or intentional misconduct. Indemnitee shall not be found to have committed actual fraud or intentional misconduct for any purpose of this Agreement unless or until a court of competent jurisdiction shall have made a finding to that effect.
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| 4. | INDEMNITY IN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY |
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To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that any court in which the Proceeding was brought or the Delaware Court shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, to be held harmless or to exoneration.
| 5. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL |
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Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company also shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
| 6. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS |
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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness or deponent in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party or threatened to be made a party, he or she shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection therewith.
| 7. | ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND EXONERATION RIGHTS |
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Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4 or 5, but subject to Section 27, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights shall be available under this Section 7 on account of Indemnitee’s conduct which constitutes a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders or is an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.
| 8. | CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY |
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(a) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law and the Articles, if the indemnification, hold harmless and/or exoneration rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying, holding harmless or exonerating Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.
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(b) The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.
(c) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall seek payments or advances from the Company only to the extent that such payments or advances are unavailable from any insurance policy of the Company covering Indemnitee.
| 9. | EXCLUSIONS |
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Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification, advance Expenses, hold harmless or exoneration payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:
(a) for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity or advancement provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity or advancement provision or otherwise;
(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (or any successor rule) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or
(c) except as otherwise provided in Sections 14(f) and (g) hereof, prior to a Change in Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law and the Articles.
| 10. | ADVANCES OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIM |
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(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, and to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall pay the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee (or reasonably expected by Indemnitee to be incurred by Indemnitee within three months) in connection with any Proceeding within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, prior to the final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing a Proceeding to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. To the fullest extent required by applicable law and the Articles, such payments of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon the Company’s receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to repay the advanced amounts to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, applicable law and the Articles or otherwise. If it shall be determined by a final judgment or other final adjudication that Indemnitee was not so entitled to indemnification, any advancement shall be returned to the Company (without interest) by the Indemnitee. This Section 10(a) shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which an indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment is excluded pursuant to Section 9, but shall apply to any Proceeding referenced in Section 9(b) prior to a final determination that Indemnitee is liable therefor.
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(b) The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.
(c) The Company shall not settle any action, claim or Proceeding (in whole or in part) which would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.
| 11. | PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION |
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(a) Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding, claim, issue or matter therein which may be subject to indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights, or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, or otherwise.
(b) Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written application to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Such application(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written application for indemnification by Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 12(a) of this Agreement.
| 12. | PROCEDURE UPON APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION |
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(a) A determination, if required by applicable law and the Articles, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods, which shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, (iii) if there are no Disinterested Directors or if such directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (iv) by vote of the shareholders by ordinary resolution. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(b) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12(b). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Board, the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(b) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Delaware Court, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).
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(c) The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
| 13. | PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS |
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(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(b) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a final judicial determination that any or all such indemnification is expressly prohibited under applicable law and the Articles; provided, however, that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.
(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors, manager, or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member. The provisions of this Section 13(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.
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(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
| 14. | REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE |
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(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 5, 6, 7 or the last sentence of Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (vi) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vii) payment to Indemnitee pursuant to any hold harmless or exoneration rights under this Agreement or otherwise is not made in accordance with this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by the Delaware Court to such indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or advancement rights. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association. Except as set forth herein, the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.
(c) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated to receive advancement of Expenses under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated and to receive advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 10 until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).
(d) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law and the Articles.
(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
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(f) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) pay to Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee: (i) to enforce his or her rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement or contribution agreement or provision of the Articles now or hereafter in effect; or (ii) for recovery or advances under any insurance policy maintained by any person for the benefit of Indemnitee, regardless of the outcome and whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration right, advancement, contribution or insurance recovery, as the case may be (unless such judicial proceeding or arbitration was not brought by Indemnitee in good faith).
(g) Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under New York law for amounts which the Company indemnifies, holds harmless or exonerates, or advances, or is obliged to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate or advance for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification, to be held harmless, exonerated, contribution, reimbursement or advancement of any Expenses and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.
| 15. | SECURITY |
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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, to the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of Indemnitee.
| 16. | NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE; SUBROGATION; PRIORITY OF OBLIGATIONS |
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(a) The rights of Indemnitee as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law and the Articles, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of shareholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any Proceeding (regardless of when such Proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) or claim, issue or matter therein arising out of, or related to, any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law and the Articles, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Articles or this Agreement, then this Agreement (without any further action by the parties hereto) shall automatically be deemed to be amended to require that the Company indemnifies the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) The Articles permit the Company to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond (“Indemnification Arrangements”) on behalf of Indemnitee against any liability asserted against him or her or incurred by or on behalf of him or in such capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement and the Articles. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any such Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or of Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any such Indemnification Arrangement.
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(c) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, trustees, partners, managers, managing members, fiduciaries, employees, or agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, trustee, partner, managers, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
(d) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights. No such payment by the Company shall be deemed to relieve any insurer of its obligations.
(e) The Company’s obligation to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payments or advancement of expenses from such Enterprise. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, (i) Indemnitee shall have no obligation to reduce, offset, allocate, pursue or apportion any indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement, contribution or insurance coverage among multiple parties possessing such duties to Indemnitee prior to the Company’s satisfaction and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) the Company shall perform fully its obligations under this Agreement without regard to whether Indemnitee holds, may pursue or has pursued any indemnification, advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage rights against any person or entity other than the Company.
(f) Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the Company is the primary indemnitor, and any indemnification or advancement obligation of the Sponsor or its affiliates or members or any other Person is secondary.
| 17. | DURATION OF AGREEMENT |
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All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other company or corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other Enterprise which Indemnitee serves at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement) by reason of his or her Corporate Status, whether or not he or she is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement can be provided under this Agreement.
| 18. | SEVERABILITY |
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If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and the Articles and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
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| 19. | ENFORCEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT |
|---|
(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer or key employee of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer or key employee of the Company.
(b) Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under the Articles of the Company as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(c) The indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise at the Company’s request, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
(d) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
(e) The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, enforce this Agreement by seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which he or she may be entitled. The Company and Indemnitee further agree that Indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court of competent jurisdiction, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles.
| 20. | MODIFICATION AND WAIVER |
|---|
No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
| 21. | NOTICES |
|---|
All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide in writing to the Company.
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(b) If to the Company, to:
Empower Ltd.
c/o MidOcean Partners
245 Park Avenue, 38^th^ Floor
New York, NY 10167
with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Attn: Stuart Neuhauser, Esq.
or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee in writing by the Company.
| 22. | APPLICABLE LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION |
|---|
This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country; (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court; and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum, or is subject (in whole or in part) to a jury trial. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the parties hereby agree that the mailing of process and other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided by Section 21 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable law and the Articles, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.
| 23. | IDENTICAL COUNTERPARTS |
|---|
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
| 24. | MISCELLANEOUS |
|---|
The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
| 25. | PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS |
|---|
No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.
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| 26. | ADDITIONAL ACTS |
|---|
If for the validation of any of the provisions in this Agreement any act, resolution, approval or other procedure is required to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company undertakes to cause such act, resolution, approval or other procedure to be affected or adopted in a manner that will enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
| 27. | WAIVER OF CLAIMS TO TRUST ACCOUNT |
|---|
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Indemnitee hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to any monies in the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering for the benefit of the Company and holders of shares issued in such offering, and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to the Company and will not seek recourse against such trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, Indemnitee acknowledges and agrees that any indemnification provided hereto will only be able to be satisfied by the Company if (i) the Company has sufficient funds outside of the Trust Account to satisfy its obligations hereunder or (ii) the Company consummates a Business Combination.
| 28. | MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE |
|---|
The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain in effect during the entire period for which the Company is obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee under this Agreement, one or more policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies to provide the officers/directors of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts and omissions and to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement. The Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director or officer under such policy or policies. In all such insurance policies, the Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide the Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors and officers.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indemnity Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.
| EMPOWER LTD. | |
|---|---|
| By: | /s/ Matthew Rubel |
| Name: Matthew Rubel | |
| Title:<br> Chairman and CEO | |
| INDEMNITEE | |
| --- | |
| /s/ Jeffrey Jones | |
| Name: Jeffrey Jones | |
| Address: |
[Signature Pageto Indemnity Agreement]
Exhibit 10.13
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 9, 2020, by and between Empower Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), and Krishnan Anand (“Indemnitee”).
**WHEREAS,**highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held companies and corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such companies and corporations;
**WHEREAS,**the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. The amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company (the “Articles”) provide for the indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable Cayman Islands law. The Articles provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement and reimbursement rights;
**WHEREAS,**the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
**WHEREAS,**the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s shareholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
**WHEREAS,**it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so protected against liabilities;
**WHEREAS,**this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Articles of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
**WHEREAS,**Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he or she be so indemnified.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein and subject to the provisions of the letter agreement dated as of October 6, 2020, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
| 1. | SERVICES TO THE COMPANY |
|---|
In consideration of the Company’s covenants and obligations hereunder, Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve as an officer, director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as applicable, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or until Indemnitee is removed. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director, officer, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as provided in Section 17. This Agreement, however, shall not impose any obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by applicable law and the Articles or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any.
| 2. | DEFINITIONS |
|---|
As used in this Agreement:
(a) References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, advisor, fiduciary or other official of another company, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.
(b) The terms “Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.
(c) “Delaware Court” shall mean the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.
(d) A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:
(i) Acquisition of Shares by Third Party. Other than an affiliate of Empower Sponsor Holdings LLC (the “Sponsor”), any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (1) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (2) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors and such acquisition would not constitute a Change in Control under part (iii) of this definition;
(ii) Change in Board of Directors. Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board, and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date hereof or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “ContinuingDirectors”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;
(iii) Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination: (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 51% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a company or corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (2) other than an affiliate of the Sponsor, no Person (excluding any company or corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the surviving company or corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (3) at least a majority of the board of directors of the company or corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination;
(iv) Liquidation. The approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale, or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions); or
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(v) Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act, whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.
(e) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.
(f) “Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(g) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other company or corporation, constituent company or corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent.
(h) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(i) “Expenses” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding, including reasonable compensation for time spent by the Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
(j) References to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan.
(k) References to “serving at the request of theCompany” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.
(l) “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm or a member of a law firm with significant experience in matters of corporate law and that neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.
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(m) The term “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) any employment benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company or of any company or corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company; and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company or of a company or corporation owned directly or indirectly by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company.
(n) The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative or related nature, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by him or her or of any action (or failure to act) on his or her part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he or she is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.
(o) The term “Subsidiary,” with respect to any Person, shall mean any company or corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.
(p) The phrase “to the fullest extent permittedby applicable law and the Articles” shall include, but not be limited to: (a) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the provision of applicable Cayman Islands law that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of applicable Cayman Islands law, and (b) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of applicable Cayman Islands law adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a company or corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.
| 3. | INDEMNITY IN THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS |
|---|
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually, and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful; provided, in no event shall Indemnitee be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless or advanced any amounts hereunder in respect of any Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (if any) that Indemnitee may incur by reason of his or her own actual fraud or intentional misconduct. Indemnitee shall not be found to have committed actual fraud or intentional misconduct for any purpose of this Agreement unless or until a court of competent jurisdiction shall have made a finding to that effect.
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| 4. | INDEMNITY IN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY |
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To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that any court in which the Proceeding was brought or the Delaware Court shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, to be held harmless or to exoneration.
| 5. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL |
|---|
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company also shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
| 6. | INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS |
|---|
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness or deponent in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party or threatened to be made a party, he or she shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection therewith.
| 7. | ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND EXONERATION RIGHTS |
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Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4 or 5, but subject to Section 27, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights shall be available under this Section 7 on account of Indemnitee’s conduct which constitutes a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders or is an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.
| 8. | CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY |
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(a) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law and the Articles, if the indemnification, hold harmless and/or exoneration rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying, holding harmless or exonerating Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.
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(b) The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.
(c) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall seek payments or advances from the Company only to the extent that such payments or advances are unavailable from any insurance policy of the Company covering Indemnitee.
| 9. | EXCLUSIONS |
|---|
Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, but subject to Section 27, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification, advance Expenses, hold harmless or exoneration payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:
(a) for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity or advancement provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity or advancement provision or otherwise;
(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (or any successor rule) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or
(c) except as otherwise provided in Sections 14(f) and (g) hereof, prior to a Change in Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law and the Articles.
| 10. | ADVANCES OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIM |
|---|
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, and to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law and the Articles, the Company shall pay the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee (or reasonably expected by Indemnitee to be incurred by Indemnitee within three months) in connection with any Proceeding within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, prior to the final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing a Proceeding to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. To the fullest extent required by applicable law and the Articles, such payments of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon the Company’s receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to repay the advanced amounts to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, applicable law and the Articles or otherwise. If it shall be determined by a final judgment or other final adjudication that Indemnitee was not so entitled to indemnification, any advancement shall be returned to the Company (without interest) by the Indemnitee. This Section 10(a) shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which an indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment is excluded pursuant to Section 9, but shall apply to any Proceeding referenced in Section 9(b) prior to a final determination that Indemnitee is liable therefor.
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(b) The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.
(c) The Company shall not settle any action, claim or Proceeding (in whole or in part) which would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.
| 11. | PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION |
|---|
(a) Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding, claim, issue or matter therein which may be subject to indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights, or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, or otherwise.
(b) Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written application to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Such application(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written application for indemnification by Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 12(a) of this Agreement.
| 12. | PROCEDURE UPON APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION |
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(a) A determination, if required by applicable law and the Articles, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods, which shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, (iii) if there are no Disinterested Directors or if such directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (iv) by vote of the shareholders by ordinary resolution. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(b) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12(b). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Board, the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(b) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Delaware Court, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).
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(c) The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
| 13. | PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS |
|---|
(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by the Disinterested Directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(b) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a final judicial determination that any or all such indemnification is expressly prohibited under applicable law and the Articles; provided, however, that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.
(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors, manager, or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member, by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, trustee, general partner, manager or managing member. The provisions of this Section 13(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.
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(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
| 14. | REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE |
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(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 5, 6, 7 or the last sentence of Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (vi) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vii) payment to Indemnitee pursuant to any hold harmless or exoneration rights under this Agreement or otherwise is not made in accordance with this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by the Delaware Court to such indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or advancement rights. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association. Except as set forth herein, the Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.
(c) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated to receive advancement of Expenses under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated and to receive advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 10 until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).
(d) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law and the Articles.
(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
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(f) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) pay to Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee: (i) to enforce his or her rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement or contribution agreement or provision of the Articles now or hereafter in effect; or (ii) for recovery or advances under any insurance policy maintained by any person for the benefit of Indemnitee, regardless of the outcome and whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration right, advancement, contribution or insurance recovery, as the case may be (unless such judicial proceeding or arbitration was not brought by Indemnitee in good faith).
(g) Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under New York law for amounts which the Company indemnifies, holds harmless or exonerates, or advances, or is obliged to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate or advance for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification, to be held harmless, exonerated, contribution, reimbursement or advancement of any Expenses and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.
| 15. | SECURITY |
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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, to the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of Indemnitee.
| 16. | NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE; SUBROGATION; PRIORITY OF OBLIGATIONS |
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(a) The rights of Indemnitee as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law and the Articles, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of shareholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any Proceeding (regardless of when such Proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) or claim, issue or matter therein arising out of, or related to, any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law and the Articles, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Articles or this Agreement, then this Agreement (without any further action by the parties hereto) shall automatically be deemed to be amended to require that the Company indemnifies the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) The Articles permit the Company to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond (“Indemnification Arrangements”) on behalf of Indemnitee against any liability asserted against him or her or incurred by or on behalf of him or in such capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement and the Articles. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any such Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or of Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any such Indemnification Arrangement.
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(c) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, trustees, partners, managers, managing members, fiduciaries, employees, or agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, trustee, partner, managers, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
(d) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights. No such payment by the Company shall be deemed to relieve any insurer of its obligations.
(e) The Company’s obligation to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payments or advancement of expenses from such Enterprise. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 27, (i) Indemnitee shall have no obligation to reduce, offset, allocate, pursue or apportion any indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement, contribution or insurance coverage among multiple parties possessing such duties to Indemnitee prior to the Company’s satisfaction and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) the Company shall perform fully its obligations under this Agreement without regard to whether Indemnitee holds, may pursue or has pursued any indemnification, advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage rights against any person or entity other than the Company.
(f) Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the Company is the primary indemnitor, and any indemnification or advancement obligation of the Sponsor or its affiliates or members or any other Person is secondary.
| 17. | DURATION OF AGREEMENT |
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All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other company or corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other Enterprise which Indemnitee serves at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement) by reason of his or her Corporate Status, whether or not he or she is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement can be provided under this Agreement.
| 18. | SEVERABILITY |
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If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and the Articles and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
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| 19. | ENFORCEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT |
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(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer or key employee of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer or key employee of the Company.
(b) Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under the Articles of the Company as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(c) The indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise at the Company’s request, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
(d) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
(e) The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, enforce this Agreement by seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which he or she may be entitled. The Company and Indemnitee further agree that Indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court of competent jurisdiction, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles.
| 20. | MODIFICATION AND WAIVER |
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No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
| 21. | NOTICES |
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All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide in writing to the Company.
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(b) If to the Company, to:
Empower Ltd.
c/o MidOcean Partners
245 Park Avenue, 38^th^ Floor
New York, NY 10167
with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Attn: Stuart Neuhauser, Esq.
or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee in writing by the Company.
| 22. | APPLICABLE LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION |
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This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country; (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court; and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum, or is subject (in whole or in part) to a jury trial. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the parties hereby agree that the mailing of process and other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided by Section 21 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable law and the Articles, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.
| 23. | IDENTICAL COUNTERPARTS |
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This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
| 24. | MISCELLANEOUS |
|---|
The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
| 25. | PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS |
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No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.
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| 26. | ADDITIONAL ACTS |
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If for the validation of any of the provisions in this Agreement any act, resolution, approval or other procedure is required to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Articles, the Company undertakes to cause such act, resolution, approval or other procedure to be affected or adopted in a manner that will enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
| 27. | WAIVER OF CLAIMS TO TRUST ACCOUNT |
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Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Indemnitee hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to any monies in the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering for the benefit of the Company and holders of shares issued in such offering, and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to the Company and will not seek recourse against such trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, Indemnitee acknowledges and agrees that any indemnification provided hereto will only be able to be satisfied by the Company if (i) the Company has sufficient funds outside of the Trust Account to satisfy its obligations hereunder or (ii) the Company consummates a Business Combination.
| 28. | MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE |
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The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain in effect during the entire period for which the Company is obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee under this Agreement, one or more policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies to provide the officers/directors of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts and omissions and to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement. The Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director or officer under such policy or policies. In all such insurance policies, the Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide the Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors and officers.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indemnity Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.
| EMPOWER LTD. | |
|---|---|
| By: | /s/ Matthew Rubel |
| Name: Matthew Rubel | |
| Title: Chairman and CEO | |
| INDEMNITEE | |
| --- | |
| /s/ Krishnan Anand | |
| Name: Krishnan Anand | |
| Address: |
[Signature Pageto Indemnity Agreement]
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT UNDERSECTION 302 OF
THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Matthew Rubel, certify that:
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 of Empower Ltd.;
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) [Reserved]
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
- The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting
Date: March 5, 2021
| /s/ Matthew Rubel |
|---|
| Matthew Rubel |
| Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman |
| (Principal Executive Officer) |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT UNDERSECTION 302 OF
THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Andrew Spring, certify that:
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 of Empower Ltd.;
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) [Reserved]
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
- The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting
Date: March 5, 2021
| /s/ Andrew Spring |
|---|
| Andrew Spring |
| Chief Financial Officer |
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Empower Ltd. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Matthew Rubel, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of the Company, do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
| ● | The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
|---|---|
| ● | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the periods presented therein. |
| --- | --- |
Date: March 5, 2021
| /s/ Matthew Rubel |
|---|
| Matthew Rubel |
| Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman |
| (Principal Executive Officer) |
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Empower Ltd. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Andrew Spring, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
| ● | The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
|---|---|
| ● | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the periods presented therein. |
| --- | --- |
Date: March 5, 2021
| /s/ Andrew Spring |
|---|
| Andrew Spring |
| Chief Financial Officer |
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |