Nauticus Robotics, Inc PRE 14A, filed Sep 15, 2025
Nauticus Robotics, Inc. (KITT)
PRE 14A
2025-09-15
For: 2025-09-15
View Original
Added on
October 19, 2026
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the appropriate box:
x | Preliminary Proxy Statement | |||||||
¨ | Confidential, for use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |||||||
¨ | Definitive Proxy Statement | |||||||
¨ | Definitive Additional Materials | |||||||
¨ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12 | |||||||
NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x | No fee required. | ||||
¨ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | ||||
¨ | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per.Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. | ||||
Nauticus Robotics, Inc.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On October 23, 2025
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) of Nauticus Robotics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “Nauticus Robotics,” “we,” “us” or “our”). The meeting will be held on October 23, 2025 at 10 a.m. Central Time at 1550 Lamar Street, Suite 2000, Houston, Texas 77010. You will be able to attend the Special Meeting, submit your questions and vote during the meeting by using the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or on the voting instruction form accompanying these proxy materials.
The Special Meeting will be held for the following purposes:
1.To approve, pursuant to Nasdaq Rule 5635, the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock upon the conversion of shares of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated August 6, 2025 between the Company and ATW Special Situations II, LLC (the “Purchase Agreement”) and the corresponding Certificate of Designations of Rights and Preferences of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Nasdaq Stock Issuance Proposal”);
2.To approve a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the event that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, one or more of the other proposals to be voted on at the Special Meeting (the "Adjournment Proposal").
These items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice.
This Notice of Special Meeting, the accompanying proxy statement and form of proxy are first being mailed on or about September [•], 2025 to stockholders of record as of September [•], 2025. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date may vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Your execution of the enclosed proxy will not affect your right as a stockholder to attend the Special Meeting and to vote in person. A list of stockholders of record will be available during the Special Meeting for inspection by stockholders for any legally valid purpose relating to the Special Meeting.
The enclosed Proxy Statement is also available via the Internet at www.proxyvote.com, www.sec.gov, and the Company’s website at www.nauticusrobotics.com under “Investor Relations.” Stockholders may also request a copy of the Proxy Statement by contacting our main office at (281) 942-9069. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not intended to be incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement and references to our website address in this Proxy Statement are inactive textual references only.
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR each of the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. We urge you to read these proxy materials in their entirety and to consider them carefully, including the effect that adopting or failing to adopt the proposals will have on stockholders.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, please vote electronically via the Internet, by telephone, or complete, sign, date, and return the accompanying proxy card and mail it promptly in the enclosed postage paid return envelope.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ John Symington
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
September [•], 2025
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Notice | |||||
Proxy Statement Summary | |||||
Cautionary Note Regards Forward-Looking Statement | |||||
Item 1: Nasdaq Stock Issuance Proposal | |||||
Description of Capital Stock | |||||
Item 2: Adjournment Proposal | |||||
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management | |||||
Stockholder Proposals | |||||
Stockholder Communications | |||||
Householding of Proxy Materials | |||||
Solicitation of Proxies | |||||
Where You Can Find More Information | |||||
Other Matters | |||||
| Appendix A - Certificate of Designations of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock | |||||
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PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 23, 2025
INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
This proxy statement (this “Proxy Statement”) and the accompanying proxy card are being furnished to stockholders of Nauticus Robotics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Nauticus Robotics,” the “Company,” “our,” “us,” or “we”), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our board of directors (the “Board”) for use at our Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held on October 23, 2025, including any adjournment, postponement or rescheduling thereof (the “Special Meeting”).
Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on September [•], 2025, the record date for determination of the stockholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting (the “Record Date”), will be entitled to vote at the Special Meeting.
This summary highlights information that is contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you should read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting. This Proxy Statement and the related proxy materials were first mailed to stockholders and made available on the internet on or about September [•], 2025.
Unless otherwise indicated in the Proxy Statement, share-related information has been adjusted to reflect the one-for-nine reverse split of the Company’s outstanding common stock effected on September 5, 2025 (the “Reverse Split”).
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
All stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials via the Internet at www.proxyvote.com, www.sec.gov, and the Company’s website at www.nauticusrobotics.com under “Investor Relations.”
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
Why am I receiving these materials?
We have sent you these proxy materials because the Board of the Company is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Special Meeting of Stockholders, including at any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. You are invited to attend the Special Meeting to vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. However, you do not need to attend the meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may simply complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card, or follow the instructions below to submit your proxy by telephone or through the Internet.
How do I attend and participate in the Special Meeting?
The meeting will be held on October 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time at 1550 Lamar Street, Suite 2000, Houston, Texas 77010. You may attend, vote and ask questions at the Special Meeting by attending in person. If you are a stockholder of record, you will be asked to provide the 16-digit control number proxy card. If you are a
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beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, follow the instructions from your broker or bank.
You may submit a question at any point during the Special Meeting (until the floor is closed to questions). Stockholder questions or comments are welcome, but we will only answer questions pertinent to Special Meeting matters, subject to time constraints. Questions regarding personal matters and statements of advocacy are not pertinent to Special Meeting matters and therefore will not be addressed. Questions that are substantially similar may be grouped and answered together to avoid repetition.
Will a list of record stockholders as of the Record Date be available?
A list of our record stockholders as of the close of business on the Record Date, will be made available for inspection at the Special Meeting. In addition, for the ten days prior to the Special Meeting, the list will be available for examination by any stockholder of record for a legally valid purpose by contacting our Corporate Secretary at our corporate headquarters.
Who can vote at the Special Meeting?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on September [•], 2025, will be entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. On the Record Date, there were [•] shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), outstanding and entitled to vote.
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If, on September [•], 2025 your shares were registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote in person during the meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card or vote by proxy through the Internet or by telephone to ensure your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
If, on September [•], 2025 your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name”. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Special Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Special Meeting.
What if another matter is properly brought before the meeting?
Pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders will be limited to the purposes stated in the Notice of the Meeting.
How do I vote?
For each proposal, you may either vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting. The Board recommends you vote “For” each of the proposals presented in this Proxy.
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The procedures for voting are as follows:
Stockholders of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If on September [•], 2025 your shares were registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote in person during the Special Meeting or vote by proxy before the Special Meeting in the following ways:
1.via the Internet at www.proxyvote.com;
2.by phone by calling 1-800-690-6903; or
3.by signing and returning a proxy card.
Proxies submitted via the Internet or by telephone must be received by 11:59 P.M., Eastern Time, on October 22, 2025.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card or vote by proxy over the telephone or on the Internet as instructed above to ensure your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owners: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, you should have received voting instructions from that organization rather than from the Company. To vote prior to the Special Meeting, simply follow the voting instructions to ensure that your vote is counted. Alternatively, you may vote by telephone or over the Internet as instructed by your broker or bank. To vote at the Special Meeting, you must obtain a control number from your broker, bank or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker, bank or other agent included with these proxy materials, or contact that organization to request a control number.
Internet proxy voting will be provided to allow you to vote your shares online, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. However, please be aware that you must bear any costs associated with your Internet access, such as usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of the Record Date.
If I am a stockholder of record and I do not vote, or if I return a proxy card or otherwise vote without giving specific voting instructions, what happens?
If you are a stockholder of record and do not vote by completing your proxy card, through the Internet, by telephone or electronically during the Special Meeting, your shares will not be voted.
If you return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without marking voting selections, your shares will be voted “For” each proposal presented in this Proxy Statement. If any other matter is properly presented at the meeting, your proxyholder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his or her best judgment.
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If I am a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and I do not provide my broker or bank with voting instructions, what happens?
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and you do not instruct your broker, bank or other agent how to vote your shares, your broker, bank or other agent may still be able to vote your shares in its discretion. Although the shares of Common Stock are listed for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”), brokerage firms and nominees that are members of the NYSE generally abide by the rules of the NYSE with respect to matters regarding the exercise of discretion in the voting of shares on behalf of beneficial owners of those shares. In this regard, under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), which are also applicable to Nasdaq-listed companies, brokers, banks and other securities intermediaries that are subject to NYSE rules may use their discretion to vote your “uninstructed” shares with respect to matters considered to be “routine” under the NYSE rules, but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker, banker or other agent has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares and the broker, banker or other agent cannot vote the shares because the matter is considered “non-routine” under NYSE rules. In this regard, Proposals 1 and 2 are considered to be “non-routine” under NYSE rules meaning that your broker may not vote your shares on those proposals in the absence of your voting instructions.
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, and you do not plan to attend the meeting, in order to ensure your shares are voted in the way you would prefer, you must provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other agent by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your broker, bank or other agent.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. We have engaged Morrow Sodali LLC (the “Proxy Solicitor”) to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting. We have agreed to pay the Proxy Solicitor a fee of $10,000 plus disbursements. In addition to the mailing of these proxy materials, the solicitation of proxies or votes may be made, by telephone or by electronic communication by our directors, officers and employees, who will not receive any additional compensation for such solicitation activities. In addition to these proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.
What does it mean if I receive more than one set of proxy materials?
If you receive more than one set of proxy materials, your shares may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts. Please follow the voting instructions on each set of proxy materials to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:
•You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date.
•You may grant a subsequent proxy through the Internet or by telephone.
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•You may deliver a written notice that you are revoking your proxy to Nauticus Robotics Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 17146 Feathercraft Lane, Suite 450, Webster, TX 77598 at or prior to the Special Meeting.
•You may vote during the Special Meeting, if you are a stockholder of record as of the Record Date. Simply attending the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.
Your most current proxy card or Internet or telephone proxy is the one that is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If your shares are held by your broker, bank or other agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker, bank or other agent.
What are “broker non-votes”?
As discussed above, when a beneficial owner of shares held in street name does not give voting instructions to his or her broker, bank or other securities intermediary holding his or her shares as to how to vote on matters deemed to be “non-routine” under NYSE rules, the broker, bank or other such agent cannot vote the shares. These unvoted shares are counted as “broker non-votes.” Proposals 1 and 2 are considered to be “non-routine” under NYSE rules and we therefore expect broker non-votes to exist in connection with those proposals.
As a reminder, if you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, in order to ensure your shares are voted in the way you would prefer, you must provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other agent by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your broker, bank or other agent.
How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?
The following table summarizes the minimum vote needed to approve each proposal and the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes.
| Proposal Number | Proposal Description | Vote Required | Effect of Abstentions | Broker Discretionary Votes Allowed | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Nasdaq Stock Issuance Proposal | Majority of Votes Cast | No Effect | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Adjournment Proposal | Majority of Votes Cast | No Effect | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||
What is the quorum requirement?
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least one third (33.33%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present at the meeting in
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person or represented by proxy. On the Record Date, there were [•] shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Thus, the holders of [•] shares must be present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting to have a quorum.
Your shares will be counted toward the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you attend the virtual meeting. Abstentions will be counted toward the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, either the Board, the chairperson of the meeting or, if directed to be voted on by the chairperson of the meeting, the holders of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present at the meeting or represented by proxy may adjourn the meeting to another date.
Who can help answer my questions?
If you have questions about the proposals or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card, you may contact the Company's proxy solicitor at:
Sodali & Co
333 Ludlow Street, 5th Floor, South Tower
Stamford, CT 06902
Individuals call toll-free: (800) 662-5200
Banks and brokers call: (203) 658-9400
Email: KITT.info@investor.sodali.com
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Special Meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Special Meeting. In addition, final voting results will be published in a current report on Form 8-K that we expect to file within four business days after the Special Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Form 8-K within four business days after the meeting, we intend to file a Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional Form 8-K to publish the final results.
What proxy materials are available on the Internet?
All stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials via the Internet at www.proxyvote.com, www.sec.gov, and the Company’s website at www.nauticusrobotics.com under “Investor Relations.”
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This proxy statement (this “proxy statement”) contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this proxy statement. 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. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “continue,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “would” and other similar words and expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
The forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of our management and are inherently subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstances and their potential effects and speak only as of the date such statements are made. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties 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 described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and other sections in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by us on April 15, 2025, in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed subsequent to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in our prospectus or any prospectus supplement which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
These and other factors could cause actual results to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and speak only as of the date hereof. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated or that we will achieve or realize these plans, intentions, or expectations.
All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
In addition, statements of belief and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date they are made, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and you are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
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PROPOSAL 1
NASDAQ STOCK ISSUANCE PROPOSAL
We are seeking approval of the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of shares of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated August 6, 2025 between the Company and ATW Special Situations II, LLC (the “Purchase Agreement”) and the corresponding Certificate of Designations of Rights and Preferences of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designations”), in accordance with Nasdaq Rule 5635.
Overview
As described in more details below, on August 6, 2025, the Company agreed to issue and sell 3,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock $0.0001 par value (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) under the Purchase Agreement in a private offering to ATW Special Situations II, LLC (the "Investor") at a price per share of $980 (the “Preferred Offering”) for an aggregate purchase price of $2,940,000. The Preferred Offering also relates to the offering of the shares of the Company’s Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of or otherwise pursuant to the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock (the “Underlying Preferred Stock Shares”). On August 8, 2025, the Company and the Investor closed on the initial closing transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, and the Company issued 3,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock to the Investor.
In addition, by written notice from the Investor to the Company and subject to other terms and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to issue and sell to the Investor, at one or more additional closings, up to 5,000 additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock for an aggregate maximum purchase price of $4,900,000.
The Company’s Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and, as such, the Company is subject to the applicable rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), including Nasdaq Listing Rules 5635. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) requires the Company to obtain stockholder approval prior to certain issuances with respect to Common Stock or securities convertible into Common Stock other than in a public offering if the price is below the “Minimum Price” (as determined in accordance with Nasdaq rules) in an amount greater than or equal to 20% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding prior to such issuance, regardless of whether such shares are issued to one person or group or are more widely distributed. The Series B Preferred Stock currently has a conversion price greater than or equal to the Minimum Price as of the date of the Purchase Agreement. However, the Certificate of Designations of the Series B Preferred Stock contains adjustment provisions that provide for the reduction of the conversion price thereof upon certain issuances of securities by the Company at an offering price below such conversion price, as well as, upon certain triggering events, to convert on an Alternate Conversion Price, as discussed in details below. The issuance of Common Stock upon the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock at such a reduced conversion price may result in certain holders acquiring more than 20% of the amount of Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the issuance of the Underlying Preferred Stock Shares at a price below the Minimum Price. Accordingly, the Company needs stockholder approval of the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon any such reset of the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock.
Assuming that all 3,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock are issued and all such shares are converted into Common Stock, 435,682 shares of Common Stock could be issued assuming a conversion price of $8.2629 per share (equivalent to $0.9181 per share prior to the Reverse Split, or 1,815,541 shares if the Floor Price of $1.6524 per share (equivalent to $0.1836 per share prior to the Reverse Split) applies. Assuming the issuance of all 5,000
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additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock to the Investor under the Purchase Agreement, and the issuance of all shares of Common Stock upon conversion of such additional 5,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, an aggregate of 968,183 shares of Common Stock could be issued, assuming conversion at the initial conversion price of $8.2629 per share (equivalent to $0.9181 per share prior to the Reverse Split), or 4,841,443 shares if the Floor Price of $1.6524 per share (equivalent to $0.1836 per share prior to the Reverse Split) applies. Because the conversion price of the Series B Preferred Stock may be adjusted, the number of shares that will actually be issued may be more or less than such number of shares. In addition, under the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock, a holder may not convert the Preferred Stock if such holder or any of its affiliates would beneficially own (to the extent that after giving effect to such conversion) a number of shares of Common Stock which would exceed 9.99% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion.
Securities Purchase Agreement
On August 6, 2025, the Company agreed to issue and sell 3,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock under the Purchase Agreement in a private offering to the Investor at a price per share of $980 for an aggregate purchase price of $2,940,000. On August 8, 2025, the Company and the Investor closed on the initial closing transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, and the Company issued 3,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock to the Investor.
In addition, by written notice from Investor to the Company and subject to other terms and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, the Company shall issue and sell to Investor, at one or more additional closings, up to 5,000 additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock for an aggregate maximum purchase price of $4,900,000.
This description of the Purchase Agreement and the transactions related thereto does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Purchase Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our current report on Form 8-K filed on August 7, 2025, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
The following is a summary of the material terms and provisions of the Series B Preferred Stock. This summary is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the Certificate of Designations, attached as Appendix A of this proxy statement, and our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended.
On August 7, 2025, the Company designated 50,000 shares of the Company’s authorized and unissued preferred stock as Series B Preferred Stock (“Preferred Shares”) and established the rights, preferences and privileges of the Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to the Certificate of Designations filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, as summarized below:
General. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock has a stated value of $1,000 per share and, when issued, the Series B Preferred Stock will be fully paid and non-assessable.
Ranking. The Series B Preferred Stock, with respect to the payment of dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company, ranks senior to all capital stock of the Company, unless the Required Holders (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) consent to the creation of other capital stock of the Company that is senior or on parity in rank (which, for the avoidance of doubt, such parity stock shall include the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value, of the Company) to the Series B Preferred Stock.
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Dividends. The holders of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to a 10% per annum dividends, on an as-if converted basis, equal to and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of Common Stock, when and if actually paid. The dividends are payable to each record holder of the Series B Preferred Stock in shares of Common Stock so long as there has been no Equity Conditions Failure (as defined in the Certificate of Designations), and the Company may, at its option, under certain circumstances, capitalize the dividend by increasing the stated value of each Preferred Shares or elect a combination of the capitalized dividend and a payment in dividend shares.
Purchase Rights. If at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any options, convertible securities, or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to all or substantially all of the record holders of any class of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then each holder of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which such holder could have acquired if such holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of all the Series B Preferred Stock held by such holder immediately prior to the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights at the Alternate Conversion Price (as defined below); subject to certain limitations on beneficial ownership.
Conversion Rights
Conversion at Option of Holder. At any time from and after the first date of issuance of any Preferred Shares (the “Initial Issuance Date”), each holder of Series B Preferred Stock may convert all, or any part, of the outstanding Series B Preferred Stock, at any time at such holder’s option, into shares of the Common Stock (which converted shares of Common Stock are referred to as “Conversion Shares” herein) at the fixed “Conversion Price” of $0.9181, which is subject to proportional adjustment upon the occurrence of any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination and/or similar transactions. The amounts to be converted include unpaid dividends and other charges for the Preferred Shares. On September 5, 2025, the Company implemented a one-for-nine reverse split of its Common Stock. Following the Reverse Split, the Conversion Price was adjusted to $8.2629.
Voluntary Adjustment Right. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq, the Company has the right, at any time, with the written consent of the Required Holders, to lower the fixed conversion price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”).
Alternate Conversion at the Holder’s Election. At any time after the Initial Issuance Date, a holder may elect to convert the Series B Preferred Stock held by such holder at the “Alternate Conversion Price” equal to the lesser of:
•the Conversion Price; and
•the greater of:
◦the floor price of $0.1836 (the “Floor Price”); and
◦98% of the lowest volume weighted average price ("VWAP") of the Common Stock during the 10 consecutive trading days immediately prior to such conversion.
On September 5, 2025, the Company implemented a one-for-nine reverse split of its Common Stock. Following the Reverse Split, the Floor Price was adjusted to $1.6524.
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Alternate Conversion Upon a Triggering Event. Following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Triggering Event (as defined below), each holder may alternatively elect to convert the Series B Preferred Stock at the “Alternate Conversion Price”.
The Certificate of Designations contains standard and customary triggering events (each, a “Triggering Event” including certain Bankruptcy Triggering Event (as defined therein)), including but not limited to: (i) the suspension from trading or the failure to list the Common Stock within certain time periods; (ii) failure to declare or pay any dividend when due; (iii) the occurrence of any default under, redemption of or acceleration prior to maturity of at least an aggregate of $500,000 of Indebtedness (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) of the Company, (iv) the Company’s failure to cure a conversion failure or failure to deliver shares of the Common Stock upon conversion, or notice of the Company’s intention not to comply with a request for conversion of any Series B Preferred Stock, and (v) bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company.
From and after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Triggering Event, the dividend rate in effect shall automatically be increased to the lesser of 18% per annum and the maximum rate permitted under applicable law.
If at the time of a conversion the Alternate Conversion Price is determined to be the Floor Price because such Floor Price is greater than 98% of the lowest VWAP of a share of Common Stock during the ten (10) trading day period ending and including the trading day immediately preceding the delivery or deemed delivery of the applicable conversion notice, then the Conversion Amount (as defined in the Certificates of Designations), shall automatically increase pro rata, by the applicable Alternate Conversion Floor Amount (as defined therein).
Other Adjustments. In connection with the Preferred Offering, the Company has agreed to seek stockholder approval at a special meeting of stockholders to be held not later than November 3, 2025 of the issuance of all of the Conversion Shares issuable pursuant to the Purchase Agreement at a conversion price below the Conversion Price in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Capital Market (the date of such approval, the “Stockholder Approval Date”). If, at any time on or after the date of the Purchase Agreement, the Company issues any shares of Common Stock for a consideration per share (the “New Issuance Price”) less than a price equal to the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issuance, the Conversion Price shall be reduced to the New Issuance Price.
If on either of (i) the 30th calendar day after the Initial Issuance Date or (ii) the 60th calendar day after the Initial Issuance Date, as applicable, (each, an “Adjustment Date”), the Conversion Price then in effect is greater than the greater of (A) the Floor Price and (B) the Market Price (as defined therein) then in effect (each an “Adjustment Price”), on such Adjustment Date the Conversion Price shall automatically lower to such Adjustment Price.
Bankruptcy Triggering Event Redemption Right. Upon any Bankruptcy Triggering Event, the Company shall immediately redeem in cash all amounts due under the Series B Preferred Stock at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) a 25% redemption premium on the Conversion Amount to be redeemed; and (2) the product of (X) the Conversion Rate (calculated using the lowest Alternate Conversion Price during the period commencing on the 20th Trading Day immediately preceding such public announcement and ending on the date the Company makes the entire redemption payment), multiplied by (Y) the equity value at a 25% redemption premium, unless the holder waives such right to receive such payment. The equity value of the Common Stock underlying the Series B Preferred Stock is calculated using the greatest closing sale price of the Common Stock on any trading day during the period commencing on the trading day immediately preceding such Bankruptcy Triggering Event and ending on the date the Company makes the entire payment required.
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Change of Control Exchange. Upon a change of control of the Company, each holder may require the Company to exchange such holder’s shares of Series B Preferred Stock for consideration equal to the Change of Control Election Price (as defined in the Certificate of Designations), to be satisfied at the Company’s election in either (x) cash or (y) rights convertible into such securities or other assets to which such holder would have been entitled with respect to such shares of Common Stock had such shares of Common Stock been held by such holder upon consummation of such corporate event.
Company Optional Redemption. At any time the Company shall have the right to redeem in cash all, but not less than all, the shares of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding at a 25% redemption premium to the greater of (i) the Conversion Amount being redeemed, and (ii) the product of (1) the Conversion Rate with respect to the Conversion Amount being redeemed, multiplied by (2) the equity value of the Common Stock underlying the Series B Preferred Stock. The equity value of the Common Stock underlying the Series B Preferred Stock is calculated using the greatest closing sale price of the Common Stock on any trading day during the period commencing on the trading day immediately preceding the date the Company notifies the holders of the Company’s election to redeem and ending on the trading day immediately prior to the date the Company makes the entire payment required.
Fundamental Transactions. The Certificate of Designations prohibits the Company from entering specified fundamental transactions (including, without limitation, mergers, business combinations and similar transactions) unless the Company (or the Company’s successor) assumes in writing all of the Company’s obligations under the Certificate of Designations and the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Certificate of Designations).
Voting Rights. The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock shall have no voting power and no right to vote on any matter at any time, either as a separate series or class or together with any other series or class of share of capital stock, and shall not be entitled to call a meeting of such holders for any purpose nor shall they be entitled to participate in any meeting of the holders of Common Stock, except as provided in the Certificate of Designations (or as otherwise required by applicable law).
Covenants. The Certificate of Designations contains a variety of obligations on the Company’s part not to engage in specified activities. In particular, the Company will not, and will cause the Company’s subsidiaries to not, redeem, repurchase or declare any dividend or distribution on any of the Company’s capital stock (other than as required under the Certificate of Designations) and will not incur any indebtedness other than ordinary course trade payables or, subject to certain exceptions, incur any liens. In addition, the Company will not issue any Preferred Shares (except as contemplated in the Purchase Agreement) or issue any other securities that would cause a breach or default under the Certificate of Designations.
Reservation Requirements. So long as any Series B Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the Company shall at all times reserve at least 100% of the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the conversion of all Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding.
This description of the Preferred Stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the form of the Certificate of Designations, attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement.
Reasons for Seeking Stockholder Approval
Our Common Stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and, as such, we are subject to the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The Company is restricted from issuing all shares of Common Stock that are otherwise issuable
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pursuant to the Certificate of Designations and the Purchase Agreement (without regard to any limitations set forth therein) by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635.
In connection with the execution of the Purchase Agreement we agreed to hold a meeting of stockholders to, among other things, obtain the consent of the stockholders of the Company pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635 for the issuance of all shares of our Common Stock that are issuable pursuant to the Certificate of Designations and the Purchase Agreement (without regard to any limitations set forth therein).
Stockholder approval of this Proposal 1 will constitute stockholder approval for purposes of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635.
Our Board has determined that the Purchase Agreement, and the Common Stock that may be issued thereby, are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders given the potential additional capital that may be obtained by the Company in the future from sales and issuances of up to 5,000 additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock under the terms of the Purchase Agreement.
We cannot predict if the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock will convert their holdings into Common Stock. Assuming that all shares of Series B Preferred Stock are issued and all instruments are converted into Common Stock, 435,682 shares of Common Stock could be issued assuming a conversion price of $8.2629 per share (equivalent to $0.9181 per share prior to the Reverse Split). Assuming the issuance of all 5,000 additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock to the Investor under the Purchase Agreement, and the issuance of all shares of Common Stock upon conversion of such additional 5,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, 968,183 shares of Common Stock could be issued, assuming conversion at the initial conversion price of $8.2629 per share (equivalent to $0.9181 per share prior to the Reverse Split). The maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of an aggregate of 8,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock at the Floor Price would be 4,841,443.
Therefore, we are seeking stockholder approval under this Proposal 1 to fully issue all shares of Common Stock that are issuable pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (without regard to any limitations thereon set forth in the Purchase Agreement), if necessary, under the terms of the Purchase Agreement.
Risks Relating to the Series B Preferred Stock and the Issuance of the Common Stock Upon Conversion
The issuance of our Common Stock in connection with the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock will cause substantial dilution, which may materially affect the trading price of our common stock and earnings per share. Assuming that all 3,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock are issued and all instruments are converted into Common Stock, 435,682 shares of Common Stock could be issued assuming a conversion price of $8.2629 per share (equivalent to $0.9181 per share prior to the Reverse Split, or 1,815,541 shares if the Floor Price of $1.6524 per share (equivalent to $0.1836 per share prior to the Reverse Split) applies. Assuming the issuance of all 5,000 additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock to the Investor under the Purchase Agreement, and the issuance of all shares of Common Stock upon conversion of such additional 5,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, an aggregate of 968,183 shares of Common Stock could be issued, assuming conversion at the initial conversion price of $8.2629 per share (equivalent to $0.9181 per share prior to the Reverse Split), or 4,841,443 shares if the Floor Price of $1.6524 per share (equivalent to $0.1836 per share prior to the Reverse Split) applies.
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Moreover, if as of the maturity date of the Series B Preferred Stock our Common Stock is not listed for trading on a stock exchange or any event of default (as defined in the Certificates of Designations) has occurred and is continuing on the maturity date of the Series B Preferred Stock, and in certain other limited circumstances, then payment under the Series B Preferred Stock must be made in cash.
Whether or not the Company has sufficient funds to pay required amounts under the Series B Preferred Stock, a required repayment in cash could have a material adverse effect on the Company, including its financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, prospects, and cash flows. In addition, while the Company expects to obtain substantial economic and other benefits in connection with the issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock, if the Company defaults on any terms or obligations relating to the Series B Preferred Stock, the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, prospects, and cash flows would be materiality and adversely impacted.
Interests of Directors, Officers, and Affiliates
None of our current directors, officers or affiliates has an interest in the Series B Preferred Stock to be issued under the Purchase Agreement, except for the Investor and its affiliates, which are existing stockholders.
Consequences of Non-Approval
If we do not receive the approval contemplated in this Proposal 1, we will not be able to satisfy all of our obligations under the Purchase Agreement. Furthermore, the Investor will not be able to vote or convert their shares of Series B Preferred Stock at a conversion price below the current conversion price thereof. Under the Purchase Agreement, the consent of the Investor is required in order for the Company to be permitted to issue certain securities in capital raising transactions. If this proposal is not approved, the Investor may withhold such consent, preventing the Company from conducting such an offering. The Company may be unable to obtain alternative financing, which could prevent the Company from having sufficient resources to fund its operations. Additionally, if stockholders do not approve this proposal at the Special Meeting, the Company must also include a proposal to approve this proposal at a subsequent meeting of stockholders to be held on or before January 2, 2026. In the event that stockholder approval is not obtained at such subsequent meeting, the Company must cause additional meetings of stockholders to be held every sixty (60) calendar days thereafter until such approval is obtained. The Company would bear the costs associated with including this proposal for stockholder approval at subsequent stockholder meetings.
Accordingly, our Board believes that providing the Company the flexibility to fully issue shares of Common Stock that are issuable pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (without regard to any limitations thereon set forth in the Purchase Agreement) is in the best interest of the Company.
Effect on Current Stockholders
The issuance of shares of Common Stock as contemplated by this Proposal 1 would result in an increase in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, and our stockholders will incur dilution of their percentage ownership.
If this proposal is approved, existing stockholders will suffer dilution in ownership interests and voting rights as a result of the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Assuming the issuance of the maximum number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock (i.e. 8,000 shares) provided under the Purchase Agreement and the issuance of all shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Series B
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Preferred Stock, 968,183 shares of Common Stock could be issued, assuming conversion at the initial conversion price of $8.2629 per share, (equivalent to $0.9181 per share prior to the Reverse Split). Because the conversion price of the Series B Preferred Stock may be adjusted, the number of shares that will actually be issued may be more or less than such number of shares. The ownership interest of the existing stockholders (other than the Investor) would be correspondingly reduced. If the Floor Price of $1.6524 per share (equivalent to $0.1836 per share prior to the Reverse Split) applies, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion would increase to 4,841,443. The numbers of shares of Common Stock described above does not give effect to (i) the potential future issuance of additional shares of Common Stock due to potential future anti-dilution adjustments on the Series B Preferred Stock, (ii) the potential future issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to outstanding Series A preferred stock, options and warrants, or (iii) any other potential future issuances of Common Stock. The sale into the public market of these shares also could materially and adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock.
If this proposal is approved, the issuance of the Common Stock could have an anti-takeover effect because such issuance would make it more difficult for, or discourage an attempt by, a party to obtain control of the Company by tender offer or other means. The issuance of the Common Stock will increase the number of shares entitled to vote, increase the number of votes required to approve a change of control of the Company, and dilute the interest of a party attempting to obtain control of the Company. The Board does not have any current knowledge of any effort by any third party to accumulate the Company’s securities or obtain control of the Company by any means.
In connection with the issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock and following the Reverse Split, the Conversion Price of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock has been adjusted to $8.2629.
Required Vote and Recommendation of Board of Directors
Approval of Proposal 1 requires the affirmative vote of stockholders representing a majority of votes cast at the Meeting. Abstentions and “broker non-votes,” if any, will have no effect on the outcome of this vote.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF, PURSUANT TO NASDAQ RULE 5635, THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND THE CORRESPONDING CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS OF RIGHTS AND PREFERENCES OF SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK (WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY LIMITATIONS THEREON SET FORTH IN THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT).
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following summary sets forth the material terms of our securities including capital stock. The following summary is not intended to be a complete summary of the rights and preferences of such securities, and is qualified by reference to our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (“Charter”), our Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended (“Bylaws”) and the Certificates of Designations of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, respectively, which are filed with the Securities Exchange Commission or are included as exhibits to the proxy statement. We urge you to read such documents in their entirety for a complete description of the rights and preferences of our securities.
Authorized and Outstanding Stock
Our Charter authorizes the issuance of 635,000,000 total shares, consisting of (a) 625,000,000 shares of Common Stock, and (b) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
Common Stock
Voting Power
Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of preferred stock, the holders of Common Stock possess all voting power for the election of our directors and all other matters requiring stockholder action. Holders of the Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on matters to be voted on by stockholders.
Dividends
Subject to applicable law and the rights and preferences of any holders of any outstanding series of our preferred stock, the holders of the Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to the payment of dividends on the Common Stock when, as and if declared by our Board in accordance with applicable law. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition. It is the present intention of the Board to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, our Board does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Liquidation
Subject to the rights and preferences of any holders of any shares of any outstanding series of our preferred stock, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the funds and assets of the Company that may be legally distributed to our stockholders shall be distributed among the holders of the then outstanding the Common Stock pro rata in accordance with the number of shares of the Common Stock held by each such holder.
Preemptive or Other Rights
There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock.
Preferred Stock
Series A Preferred Stock
Under the Certificate of Designations of Rights and Preferences of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series A Certificate of Designations"), we are authorized to issue up to 40,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred Stock"). As of September 9, 2025, 15,096 shares of Series A Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding.
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General. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock has a stated value of $1,000 per share and, when issued, the Series A Preferred Stock will be fully paid and non-assessable.
Ranking. The Series A Preferred Stock, with respect to the payment of dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company, ranks senior to all capital stock of the Company, unless the Required Holders (as defined in the Series A Certificate of Designations) consent to the creation of other capital stock of the Company that is senior or equal in rank to the Series A Preferred Stock. Series A Preferred Stock ranks on a parity with Series B Preferred Stock.
Dividends. The holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to a 5% per annum dividends, on an as-if converted basis, equal to and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of Common Stock, when and if actually paid. The dividends are payable to each record holder of the Series A Preferred Stock in shares of Common Stock so long as there has been no Equity Conditions Failure (as defined in the Series A Certificate of Designations), and the Company may, at its option, under certain circumstances, capitalize the dividend by increasing the stated value of each Preferred Shares or elect a combination of the capitalized dividend and a payment in dividend shares.
Purchase Rights. If at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any options, convertible securities, or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to all or substantially all of the record holders of any class of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then each holder of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which such holder could have acquired if such holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of all the Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder immediately prior to the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights at the Alternate Conversion Price (as defined below); subject to certain limitations on beneficial ownership.
Conversion Rights
Conversion at Option of Holder. Each holder of Series A Preferred Stock may convert all, or any part, of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, at any time at such holder’s option, into shares of the Common Stock (which converted shares of Common Stock are referred to as “Conversion Shares” herein) at the initial fixed “Conversion Price” of $1.23, which is subject to proportional adjustment upon the occurrence of any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination and/or similar transactions. The amounts to be converted include unpaid dividends and other charges for the Preferred Shares. In connection with the issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock and following the Reverse Split, the Conversion Price of Series A Preferred Stock has been adjusted to $8.2629.
Voluntary Adjustment Right. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq, the Company has the right, at any time, with the written consent of the Required Holders, to lower the fixed conversion price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the Board.
Alternate Conversion at the Holder’s Election. At any time after the Initial Issuance Date, a holder may elect to convert the Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder at the “Alternate Conversion Price” equal to the lesser of:
•the Conversion Price; and
•the greater of:
•the floor price of $0.246 (the “Floor Price”); and
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•98% of the lowest volume weighted average price ("VWAP") of the Common Stock during the 10 consecutive trading days immediately prior to such conversion.
Following the Reverse Split, the Floor Price of the Series A Preferred Stock has been adjusted to $2.214.
Alternate Conversion Upon a Triggering Event. Following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Triggering Event (as defined below), each holder may alternatively elect to convert the Series A Preferred Stock at the “Alternate Conversion Price”.
The Series A Certificate of Designations contains standard and customary triggering events (each, a “Triggering Event” including certain Bankruptcy Triggering Event (as defined therein)), including but not limited to: (i) the suspension from trading or the failure to list the Common Stock within certain time periods; (ii) failure to declare or pay any dividend when due; (iii) the occurrence of any default under, redemption of or acceleration prior to maturity of at least an aggregate of $500,000 of Indebtedness (as defined in that certain Exchange Agreement pursuant to which the Series A Preferred Stock were issued) of the Company, (iv) the Company’s failure to cure a conversion failure of failure to deliver shares of the Common Stock upon conversion, or notice of the Company’s intention not to comply with a request for conversion of any Series A Preferred Stock, and (iv) bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company.
From and after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Triggering Event, the dividend rate in effect shall automatically be increased to the lesser of 18% per annum or the maximum rate permitted under applicable law.
If at the time of a conversion the Alternate Conversion Price is determined to be the Floor Price because such Floor Price is greater than 98% of the then ten-day volume weighted average price of a share of Common Stock, then the Conversion Amount (as defined in the Certificates of Designations), shall automatically increase pro rata, by the applicable Alternate Conversion Floor Amount (as defined therein).
Other Adjustments. In connection with the exchange, the Company has agreed to seek stockholder approval at a special meeting of stockholders to be held not later than December 31, 2024 of the issuance of Conversion Shares at a conversion price below the Conversion Price (the date of such approval, the “Stockholder Approval Date”). If, on or after the Stockholder Approval Date, the Company issues any shares of Common Stock for a consideration per share (the “New Issuance Price”) less than a price equal to the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issuance, the Conversion Price shall be reduced to the New Issuance Price.
If on either of (i) the 30th calendar day after the date the Preferred Shares are issued (the “Initial Issuance Date”) or (ii) the 60th calendar day after the Initial Issuance Date, as applicable, (each, an “Adjustment Date”), the Conversion Price then in effect is greater than the greater of (A) the Floor Price and (B) the Market Price (as defined in the Series A Certificate of Designations) then in effect (the “Adjustment Price”), on the Adjustment Date the Conversion Price shall automatically lower to the Adjustment Price.
Bankruptcy Triggering Event Redemption Right. Upon any Bankruptcy Triggering Event, the Company shall immediately redeem in cash all amounts due under the Series A Preferred Stock at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 1.25 times the Conversion Amount to be redeemed; and (2) the product of (X) the Conversion Rate (calculated using the lowest Alternate Conversion Price during the period commencing on the 20th Trading Day immediately preceding such public announcement and ending on the date the Company makes the entire redemption payment), multiplied by (Y) 1.25 times the equity value, unless the holder waives such right to receive such
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payment. The equity value of the Common Stock underlying the Series A Preferred Stock is calculated using the greatest closing sale price of the Common Stock on any trading day immediately preceding such bankruptcy Triggering Event and the date the Company makes the entire payment required.
Change of Control Exchange. Upon a change of control of the Company, each holder may require the Company to exchange the holder’s shares of Series A Preferred Stock for consideration equal to the Change of Control Election Price (as defined in the Series A Certificate of Designations), to be satisfied at the Company’s election in either (x) cash or (y) rights convertible into such securities or other assets to which such holder would have been entitled with respect to such shares of Common Stock had such shares of Common Stock been held by such holder upon consummation of such corporate event.
Company Optional Redemption. At any time the Company shall have the right to redeem in cash all, but not less than all, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding at a 25% redemption premium to the greater of (i) the Conversion Amount being redeemed, and (ii) the product of (1) the Conversion Rate with respect to the Conversion Amount being redeemed, multiplied by (2) the equity value of the Common Stock underlying the Series A Preferred Stock. The equity value of the Common Stock underlying the Series A Preferred Stock is calculated using the greatest closing sale price of the Common Stock on any trading day immediately preceding the date the Company notifies the holders of the Company’s election to redeem and the date the Company makes the entire payment required.
Fundamental Transactions. The Series A Certificate of Designations prohibits the Company from entering specified fundamental transactions (including, without limitation, mergers, business combinations and similar transactions) unless the Company (or the Company’s successor) assumes in writing all of the Company’s obligations under the Series A Certificate of Designations and the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Series A Certificate of Designations).
Voting Rights. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall have no voting power and no right to vote on any matter at any time, either as a separate series or class or together with any other series or class of share of capital stock, and shall not be entitled to call a meeting of such holders for any purpose nor shall they be entitled to participate in any meeting of the holders of Common Stock, except as provided in the Series A Certificate of Designations (or as otherwise required by applicable law).
Covenants. The Series A Certificate of Designations contains a variety of obligations on the Company’s part not to engage in specified activities. In particular, the Company will not, and will cause the Company’s subsidiaries to not, redeem, repurchase or declare any dividend or distribution on any of the Company’s capital stock (other than as required under the Series A Certificate of Designations) and will not incur any indebtedness other than ordinary course trade payables or, subject to certain exceptions, incur any liens. In addition, the Company will not issue any preferred stock or issue any other securities that would cause a breach or default under the Series A Certificate of Designations.
Reservation Requirements. So long as any Series A Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the Company shall at all times reserve at least 100% of the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the conversion of all Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding.
Series B Preferred Stock
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Under the Certificate of Designations of Rights and Preferences of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, we are authorized to issue up to 50,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. As of September 9, 2025, 3,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding. See Proposal 1 for a detailed description of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our Charter and Bylaws limit the liability of our directors, and provide for the indemnification of our current and former officers and directors, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.
We have entered into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our Charter and Bylaws. The Charter and Bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director or employee for any liability arising out of his or her actions.
In connection with the closing of our de-SPAC Business Combination (the “Closing”), CleanTech Acquisition Corp. (“CLAQ”) purchased a tail policy with respect to liability coverage for the benefit of former CLAQ officers and directors. We will maintain such tail policy for a period of no less than six (6) years following the Closing.
These provisions may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
We believe that these provisions, the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law; Charter and Bylaws
The Charter and Bylaws contain, and the General Corporate Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”) contains, provisions, as summarized in the following paragraphs, that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the Board. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, reduce our vulnerability to a hostile change of control and enhance the Board’s ability to maximize stockholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire the Company. However, these provisions may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a merger or acquisition of the Company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or other takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the prevailing market price for the shares of Common Stock held by stockholders.
Delaware Law
We are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL. Section 203 generally prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with any “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain exceptions) the business combination or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the determination of
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interested stockholder status, did own) 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. These provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing changes in control of the Company not approved in advance by the Board.
Special Meetings
The Charter provides that special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by or at the direction of the Board, the Chairperson of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. The Bylaws prohibit the conduct of any business at a special meeting other than as specified in the notice for such meeting. These provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers or changes in control or management of the Company.
Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business
The Bylaws state that in order for a stockholder to propose nominations of candidates to be elected as directors or any other proper business to be considered by stockholders at the annual meeting, such stockholder must, among other things, provide notice thereof in writing to the secretary at the principal executive offices of Nauticus Robotics within the time periods set forth in the Bylaws. Such notice must contain, among other things, certain information about the stockholder giving the notice (and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made) and certain information about any nominee or other proposed business. Stockholder proposals of business other than director nominations cannot be submitted in connection with special meetings of stockholders.
The Bylaws allow the presiding officer at a meeting of stockholders to adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings which may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if such rules and regulations are not followed. These provisions may also defer, delay or discourage a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to influence or obtain control of the Company.
Supermajority Voting for Amendments to Our Governing Documents
The Charter requires the affirmative vote of at least 66⅔% of the voting power of all shares of Common Stock then outstanding to adopt, amend or repeal certain provisions of the Charter. The Charter provides that the Board is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws and that our stockholders may amend the Bylaws only with the approval of at least 66⅔% of the voting power of all shares of our Common Stock then outstanding. These provisions make it more difficult for stockholders to change the Charter or Bylaws and may, therefore, defer, delay or discourage a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to amend the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise attempting to influence or obtain control of the Company.
No Cumulative Voting
The DGCL provides that a stockholder’s right to vote cumulatively in the election of directors does not exist unless the certificate of incorporation specifically provides otherwise. The Charter does not provide for cumulative voting. The prohibition on cumulative voting has the effect of making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of the Board.
Classified Board of Directors
The Charter provides that the Board is divided into three classes of directors, with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. The terms of Class I, Class II and Class III directors end at our 2026, 2027 and 2028 annual meetings of stockholders, respectively. Directors of each class the term of
21
which shall then expire shall be elected to hold office for a three-year term. The classification of directors has the effect of making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of our Board and require a longer time period to do so. The Charter provides that the number of directors will be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Board. The classification of directors has the effect of making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of our Board. As a result, in most circumstances, a person can gain control of the Board only by successfully engaging in a proxy contest at two or more meetings of stockholders at which directors are elected.
Removal of Directors; Vacancies
The Charter and Bylaws provide that, so long as the Board is classified, directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 and 2/3% of the voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Therefore, because stockholders cannot call a special meeting of stockholders, as discussed above, stockholders may only submit a stockholder proposal for the purpose of removing a director at an annual meeting. The Charter and Bylaws provide that vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors shall be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office or by a sole remaining director. Therefore, while stockholders may remove a director, stockholders are not able to elect new directors to fill any resulting vacancies that may be created as a result of such removal.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
The DGCL permits any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders to be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of stock entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. The Charter and Bylaws preclude stockholder action by written consent. This prohibition, combined with the fact stockholders cannot call a special meeting, as discussed above, means that stockholders are limited in the manner in which they can bring proposals and nominations for stockholder consideration, making it more difficult to effect change in our governing documents and the Board.
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PROPOSAL 2
ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL
Overview
In the Adjournment Proposal, we are asking stockholders to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by the Board to vote in favor of adjourning the Special Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. If our stockholders approve this Proposal 2, we could adjourn the Special Meeting, and any adjourned session of the Special Meeting, to use the additional time to solicit additional proxies in favor of the other proposals contained in this Proxy Statement.
Required Vote and Recommendation of Board of Directors
Approval of Proposal 2 requires the affirmative vote of stockholders representing a majority of votes cast at the Meeting, although less than a quorum. Abstentions and “broker non-votes,” if any, will have no effect on the outcome of this vote.
The Board of Directors believes that, if the number of voting shares voting in favor of any of the Proposals presented at the Special Meeting is insufficient to approve a Proposal, it is in the best interests of our stockholders to enable the Board of Directors, for a limited period of time, to continue to seek to obtain a sufficient number of additional votes in favor of the Proposal. Any signed proxies received by us in which no voting instructions are provided on such matter will be voted in favor of an adjournment in these circumstances. The time and place of the adjourned meeting will be announced at the time the adjournment is taken. Any adjournment of the Special Meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies will allow our stockholders who have already sent in their proxies to revoke them at any time prior to their use at the Special Meeting as adjourned.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF A PROPOSAL TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING TO A LATER DATE OR DATES, IF NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE, TO PERMIT FURTHER SOLICITATION AND VOTE OF PROXIES IN THE EVENT THAT THERE ARE INSUFFICIENT VOTES FOR, OR OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION WITH, ONE OR MORE OF THE OTHER PROPOSALS TO BE VOTED ON AT THE SPECIAL MEETING.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth information known to us regarding the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock as of September 9, 2025:
•each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock;
•each named executive officer and director of the Company; and
•all current executive officers and directors of the Company, as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provides that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including convertible or exercisable securities that are currently convertible or exercisable within 60 days.
The beneficial ownership percentages set forth in the table below are based on 4,982,049 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of September 9, 2025.
Common stock issuable upon the conversion of convertible securities such as Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock or the exercise of exercisable securities such as options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that are currently convertible or exercisable or will become convertible or exercisable within 60 days of September 9, 2025 are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the securities. These shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
Unless otherwise noted in the footnotes to the following table, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to their beneficially owned Common Stock.
Name of Beneficial Owner1 | Number of Shares | % of Class2 | ||||||
| Five Percent Holders | ||||||||
Entities affiliated with ATW Partners LLC3 | 2,212,766 | 30.8 % | ||||||
Material Impact Fund II, L.P.4 | 953,418 | 16.1 % | ||||||
| Directors and Executive Officers | ||||||||
| John W. Gibson, Jr. | 11,904 | * | ||||||
| Victoria Hay | - | * | ||||||
| Jimena Begaries | - | * | ||||||
| John Symington | - | * | ||||||
| John D. Yamokoski | 2,865 | * | ||||||
| Jim Bellingham | 3,048 | * | ||||||
| William “Bill” H. Flores | 4,501 | * | ||||||
Adam Sharkawy5 | 956,466 | 16.1 % | ||||||
Eli Spiro6 | 3,564 | * | ||||||
All Directors and Executive Officers | 999,014 | 16.7 % | ||||||
* Less than 1%
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1 The business address of each of the individuals is c/o Nauticus Robotics, Inc., 17146 Feathercraft Lane, Suite 450, Webster, TX 77598
2 Percentages calculated by including assumption of conversion as specified in the footnotes below.
3 Consists of (i) 38 shares issuable upon exercise of the SPA Warrants held by ATW Special Situations I, LLC, (ii) 3,111 shares issuable upon the conversion of debt issued pursuant to the September 2023 Term Loan held by ATW Special Situations I, LLC and ATW Special Situations II, LLC, (iii) 77,774 shares issuable upon the conversion of debt issued pursuant to the January 2024 Term Loan held by ATW Special Situations I, LLC, ATW Special Situations II, LLC and ATW Special Situations III, LLC, (iv) 1,386,922 shares issuable upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock held by ATW Special Situations I, LLC; (v) 435,682 shares issuable upon conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock held by ATW Special Situations II, LLC, and (vi) 312,239 shares issuable upon conversion of the November 2024 Debentures held by ATW Special Situations I, LLC, assuming conversion of the entirety of each of these tranches, all subject to a contractual limitation that after giving effect of any conversion, it would not beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion. Antonio Ruiz-Gimenez and Kerry Propper are the managing members (“Managing Members”) of ATW Partners Opportunities Management, LLC, which is the manager (the “Manager”) of ATW Special Situations I, LLC and ATW Special Situations III, LLC, and Antonio Ruiz-Gimenez is the managing member of ATW Special Situations II, LLC (together with ATW Special Situations I, LLC and ATW Special Situations III, LLC, the “ATW funds”). The ATW funds, the Manager and the Managing Members may be deemed to have shared voting and dispositive power with respect to the securities beneficially owned by ATW funds. The business address of ATW funds, the Manager and the Managing Members is 1 Pennsylvania Plaza, Suite 4810, New York, New York 10119
4 Consists of (i) 9,301 shares issued as merger consideration, (ii) 11,799 shares issuable upon exercise of the SPA Warrants, (iii) 1,029 shares issuable upon the conversion of debt issued pursuant to the September 2023 Term Loan, (iv) 155,484 shares issuable upon the conversion of debt issued pursuant to the January 2024 Term Loan,, and (v) 775,805 shares issuable upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, assuming conversion of the entirety of each of these tranches. Our director, Adam Sharkawy is a founder and managing partner at Material Impact Fund II, L.P. The business address of Material Impact Fund II, L.P. is 131 Dartmouth Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
5 Consists of 3,048 shares held directly and shares held indirectly by Material Impact Fund II, L.P. consisting of (i) 9,301 shares issued as merger consideration, (ii) 11,799 shares issuable upon exercise of the SPA Warrants, (iii) 1,029 shares issuable upon the conversion of debt issued pursuant to the September 2023 Term Loan, (iv) 155,484 shares issuable upon the conversion of debt issued pursuant to the January 2024 Term Loan,, and (v) 775,805 shares issuable upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock. Our director, Adam Sharkawy is a founder and managing partner at Material Impact Fund II, L.P. The business address of Material Impact Fund II, L.P. is 131 Dartmouth Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
6 Consists of 3048 shares held directly and 516 shares held indirectly by Dumby I L.P. Mr. Spiro’s wife is General Partner of Dumby I L.P. and Mr. Spiro is not a limited partner of Dumby I L.P. Mr. Spiro disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held indirectly, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
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Stockholder Proposals
Any proposal of a shareholder intended to be included in our proxy statement and form of proxy/voting instruction card for the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8 must be received by us no later than December 30, 2025, unless the date of our 2026 annual meeting is more than 30 days before or after June 25, 2026, in which case the proposal must be received a reasonable time before we begin to print and send our proxy materials. Section 1.10 and Section 1.11 of Article I of the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended (the “Bylaws”), sets out a detailed procedure for stockholder proposed director candidates and other stockholder proposals. Proposals must be sent via registered, certified, or express mail (or other means that allows the stockholder to determine when the proposal was received by the Secretary) to the Company’s Secretary at Attn: Corporate Secretary, 17146 Feathercraft Lane, Suite 450, Webster, TX 77598. Proposals must contain the information required under the Company’s Bylaws, a copy of which is available upon request to the Company’s Secretary, and also must comply with the SEC’s regulations regarding the inclusion of stockholder proposals in Company-sponsored proxy materials.
Stockholders intending to present a proposal or nominate a director for election at the Company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders without having the proposal or nomination included in the Company’s proxy statement must comply with the requirements set forth in the Bylaws. Section 1.10 and Section 1.11 of Article I of the Bylaws sets out a detailed procedure for stockholder proposed director candidates and other stockholder proposals. The Bylaws require, among other things, that the Secretary of the Company receive the proposal or nomination not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. However, if the Company changes the date of the annual meeting of Stockholders by more than 30 days before or 70 days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, then (1) in case of an election of director, stockholder’s notice must be received not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (A) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and (B) the tenth day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting is first made; and (2) in case of a proposal other than directors election, stockholder’s notice must be received not later than the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or, if later, the tenth day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was first made.. For the Company’s 2026 annual meeting of shareholders, the Company’s Secretary must receive the proposal or nomination not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to June 25, 2026 (i.e., no earlier than February 25 and no later than March 27, 2026). Proposals must contain the information required under the Bylaws, a copy of which is available upon request to the Company’s Secretary. In addition, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act.
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Stockholder Communications
Stockholders and interested parties who wish to communicate with the Board of Directors, or with any individual director, may do so by correspondence addressed to the Board of Directors, or to an individual director, at the principal executive offices of the Company at Nauticus Robotics, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 17146 Feathercraft Lane, Suite 450, Webster, TX 77598. All such communications received from stockholders are sent directly to members of the Board of Directors.
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Householding of Proxy Materials
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for Special Meeting materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single set of Special Meeting materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
A number of brokers with account holders who are Nauticus Robotics stockholders will be “householding” the Company’s proxy materials. A single set of Special Meeting materials will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate set of Special Meeting materials, please notify your broker or the Company. Direct your written request to Nauticus Robotics, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 17146 Feathercraft Lane, Suite 450, Webster, TX 77598. We will deliver promptly, upon such written request, a separate set of Special Meeting materials to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of such documents was delivered. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Special Meeting materials at their addresses and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their brokers.
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Solicitation of Proxies
The Company will bear the costs of soliciting proxies from the Company’s stockholders. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by the Company’s directors, officers and employees by personal interview, telephone or telegram. Such directors, officers and employees will not be additionally compensated for such solicitation, but may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith. Arrangements will also be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock held of record by such persons, and the Company will reimburse such brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith. The Company has engaged Morrow Sodali LLC to assist the Company with the solicitation of proxies for the Special Meeting. The Company expects to pay Morrow Sodali LLC a fee of $10,000, plus disbursements for its services.
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Where You Can Find More Information
This Proxy Statement is available free of charge on our internet website, www.nauticusrobotics.com. On our website, we make available our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and other information and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish them to, the SEC. Such information will also be available at www.sec.gov. This reference to our website is for the convenience of investors as required by the SEC and shall not be deemed to incorporate any information on, or accessible through, our website into this Proxy Statement.
We will provide without charge to any person from whom a proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors, upon the written request of such person, a copy of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements and schedules thereto (as well as exhibits thereto, if specifically requested), our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other information and any amendments to those reports. Written requests for such information should be directed to Nauticus Robotics, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 17146 Feathercraft Lane, Suite 450, Webster, TX 77598.
You should rely only on the information contained in this Proxy Statement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this Proxy Statement.
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OTHER MATTERS
In accordance with the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, the business transacted at the Special Meeting will be limited to the matters set forth in the Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders and this Proxy Statement.
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APPENDIX A
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS
OF RIGHTS AND PREFERENCES OF
SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
OF
NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC.
OF RIGHTS AND PREFERENCES OF
SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
OF
NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC.
I, John W. Gibson Jr., hereby certify that I am the Chief Execution Officer and President of Nauticus Robotics, Inc. (the “Company”), a corporation organized and existing under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), and further do hereby certify:
That pursuant to the authority expressly conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) by the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and Section 151(g) of the DGCL, the Board on ______, 20___ adopted the following resolution determining it desirable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders for the Company to create a series of fifty thousand (50,000) shares of preferred stock designated as “Series B Convertible Preferred Stock”, none of which shares have been issued as of the date hereof, to be issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement (as defined in below), in accordance with the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement:
RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board, in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, a series of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company be and hereby is created pursuant to this certificate of designations (this “Certificate of Designations”), and that the designation and number of shares established pursuant hereto and the voting and other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights of the shares of such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof are as follows:
TERMS OF SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
1.Designation and Number of Shares. There shall hereby be created and established a series of preferred stock of the Company designated as “Series B Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series B Convertible Preferred Stock”). The authorized number of shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Shares”) shall be fifty thousand (50,000) shares. Each Preferred Share shall have a par value of $0.0001 per share. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 32 below.
2.Ranking. Except to the extent that the Required Holders (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) expressly consent to the creation of Parity Stock (as defined below) or Senior Preferred Stock (as defined below) in accordance with Section 16, all shares of capital stock of the Company shall be junior in rank to all Preferred Shares with respect to the preferences as to dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company (such junior stock is referred to herein collectively as “Junior Stock”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Preferred Shares will, with respect to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding-up and dissolution, rank (A) junior to the Senior Preferred Stock, (B) on parity with the Parity Stock (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include the Series A Convertible Preferred
A1
APPENDIX A
Stock, $0.0001 par value, of the Company (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and (C) senior to the Junior Stock. The rights of all such shares of capital stock of the Company shall be subject to the rights, powers, preferences and privileges of the Preferred Shares. Without limiting any other provision of this Certificate of Designations, without the prior express consent of the Required Holders, voting separately as a single class, the Company shall not hereafter authorize or issue any additional or other shares of capital stock that is (i) of senior rank to the Preferred Shares in respect of the preferences as to dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company (collectively, the “Senior Preferred Stock”), (ii) of pari passu rank to the Preferred Shares in respect of the preferences as to dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company (collectively, the “Parity Stock”) or (iii) any Junior Stock having a maturity date or any other date requiring redemption or repayment of such shares of Junior Stock that is prior to September 30, 2026. In the event of the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation, the Preferred Shares shall maintain their relative rights, powers, designations, privileges and preferences provided for herein and no such merger or consolidation shall result inconsistent therewith.
3.Dividends. In addition to Section 7, Section 8 and/or Section 15 below, from and after the first date of issuance of any Preferred Shares (the “Initial Issuance Date”), each holder of a Preferred Share (each, a “Holder” and collectively, the “Holders”) shall be entitled to receive dividends (“Dividends”), which Dividends shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and twelve 30-day months and shall be payable in arrears on the first Trading Day of each Fiscal Quarter (each, an “Dividend Date”) with the first Dividend Date being the first Trading Day of the initial Fiscal Quarter commencing after the Initial Issuance Date.
a.Dividends shall be payable on each Dividend Date, to each record holder of Preferred Shares on the applicable Dividend Date, in shares of Common Stock (“Dividend Shares”) so long as there has been no Equity Conditions Failure; provided however, that the Company may, at its option following notice to each Holder (or shall be required if an Equity Conditions Failure exists that is not waived in writing by the Required Holders), capitalize such Dividend by increasing the Stated Value of each Preferred Share on such Dividend Date (“Capitalized Dividend”) or, if no Equity Conditions Failure exists, elect a combination of a Capitalized Dividend and a payment in Dividend Shares. The Company shall deliver a written notice (each, an “Dividend Election Notice”) to each Holder of the Preferred Shares on or prior to the tenth (10th) Trading Day immediately prior to the applicable Dividend Date (each, an “Dividend Notice Due Date”) (the date such notice is delivered to all of the Holders, the “Dividend Notice Date”) which notice (i) either (A) confirms that Dividend to be paid on such Dividend Date shall be paid entirely in Dividend Shares or (B) elects to effect a Capitalized Dividend or a combination of Capitalized Dividend and a payment in Dividend Shares and specifies the amount of Dividend that shall be a Capitalized Dividend and the amount of Dividend, if any, that shall be paid in Dividend Shares and (ii) certifies that there has been no Equity Conditions Failure. If an Equity Conditions Failure has occurred as of the Dividend Notice Date, then unless the Company has elected to effect a Capitalized Dividend, the Dividend Election Notice shall indicate that unless such applicable Holder waives the Equity Conditions Failure, the Dividend shall
A-2
APPENDIX A
be effected as a Capitalized Dividend. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if no Equity Conditions Failure has occurred as of the Dividend Notice Date, but an Equity Conditions Failure occurs at any time prior to the Dividend Date, (A) the Company shall provide each Holder a subsequent notice to that effect and (B) unless such applicable Holder waives the Equity Conditions Failure, the Dividend shall be paid to such Holder in cash. Dividend to be paid on a Dividend Date in Dividend Shares shall be paid in a number of fully paid and nonassessable shares (rounded to the nearest whole share) of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (1) the amount of Dividend payable on such Dividend Date less any Capitalized Dividend and (2) the Dividend Conversion Price in effect on the applicable Dividend Date.
b.When any Dividend Shares are to be paid on a Dividend Date to a Holder, the Company shall (i) (A) provided that the Company’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) is participating in the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program (“FAST”), credit such aggregate number of Dividend Shares to which such Holder shall be entitled to such Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system, or (B) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST, issue and deliver on the applicable Dividend Date, to the address set forth in the register maintained by the Company for such purpose pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement or to such address as specified by such Holder in writing to the Company at least two (2) Business Days prior to the applicable Dividend Date, a certificate, registered in the name of such Holder or its designee, for the number of Dividend Shares to which such Holder shall be entitled and (ii) with respect to each Dividend Date, increase the Stated Value of the Preferred Shares by the amount of any Capitalized Dividend.
c.Prior to the payment of Dividends on a Dividend Date, Dividends on the Preferred Shares shall accrue at the Dividend Rate and be payable by way of inclusion of the Dividends in the Conversion Amount (as defined below) on each Conversion Date (as defined below) in accordance with Section 4(b) or upon any redemption in accordance with Section 9 or upon any required payment upon any Bankruptcy Triggering Event (as defined below). From and after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Triggering Event (as defined below), the Dividend Rate in effect with respect to such determination shall automatically be increased to the lesser of 18% per annum or the maximum rate permitted under applicable law (the “Default Rate”). In the event that such Triggering Event is subsequently cured (and no other Triggering Event then exists (including, without limitation, for the Company’s failure to pay such Dividends at the Default Rate on the applicable Dividend Date)), the adjustment referred to in the preceding sentence shall cease to be effective as of the calendar day immediately following the date of such cure; provided that the Dividends as calculated and unpaid at such increased rate during the continuance of such Triggering Event shall continue to apply to the extent relating to the days after the occurrence of such Triggering Event through and including the date of such cure of such Triggering Event.
4.Conversion. At any time after the Initial Issuance Date, each Preferred Share shall be convertible into validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock (the “Conversion Shares”), on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 4.
A-3
APPENDIX A
a.Holder’s Conversion Right. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(d), at any time or times on or after the Initial Issuance Date, each Holder shall be entitled to convert any portion of the outstanding Preferred Shares held by such Holder into validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Conversion Shares in accordance with Section 4(c) at the Conversion Rate (as defined below). The Company shall not issue any fraction of a share of Common Stock upon any conversion. If the issuance would result in the issuance of a fraction of a share of Common Stock, the Company shall round such fraction of a share of Common Stock up to the nearest whole share. The Company shall pay any and all transfer, stamp, issuance and similar taxes, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) that may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of Common Stock upon conversion of any Preferred Shares.
b.Conversion Rate. Except as otherwise provided herein, the number of Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of any Preferred Share pursuant to this Section 4 shall be determined by dividing (x) the Conversion Amount of such Preferred Share by (y) the Conversion Price (as defined below) (the “Conversion Rate”).
For purposes of this Certificate of Designations, the term “Conversion Amount” means, with respect to each Preferred Share, as of the applicable date of determination, 120% of the sum of (1) the Stated Value thereof plus (2) any Additional Amount thereon as of such date of determination plus (3) any other amounts thereon owed to such Holder, pursuant to this Certificate of Designations or any other Transaction Document.
For purposes of this Certificate of Designations, the term “Conversion Price” means, with respect to each Preferred Share, as of any Conversion Date or other date of determination, $0.9181, subject to adjustment as provided herein.
c.Mechanics of Conversion. The conversion of each Preferred Share shall be conducted in the following manner:
i. Optional Conversion. To convert one or more Preferred Shares into Conversion Shares on any date (a “Conversion Date”), a Holder shall deliver (whether via electronic mail or otherwise), for receipt on or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York time, on such date, a copy of an executed notice of conversion of the Preferred Share(s) subject to such conversion in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I (the “Conversion Notice”) to the Company. If required by Section 4(c)(ii), within two (2) Trading Days following a conversion of any such Preferred Shares as aforesaid, such Holder shall surrender to a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for delivery to the Company the original certificates, if any, representing the Preferred Shares (the “Preferred Share Certificates”) so converted as aforesaid (or an indemnification undertaking with respect to the Preferred Shares in the case of its loss, theft or destruction as contemplated by Section 18(b)). On the date of receipt of a Conversion Notice, the Company shall transmit by electronic mail an acknowledgment of confirmation and representation as to whether such shares of Common Stock may then be resold pursuant to Rule 144 or Section 4(a)(1) of the 1933 Act or an
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APPENDIX A
effective and available registration statement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit II, of receipt of such Conversion Notice to such Holder and the Transfer Agent, which confirmation shall constitute an instruction to the Transfer Agent to process such Conversion Notice in accordance with the terms set forth herein. On or before the first (1st) Trading Day following each date on which the Company has received a Conversion Notice (or such earlier date as required pursuant to the 1934 Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation for the settlement of a trade initiated on the applicable Conversion Date of such Conversion Shares issuable pursuant to such Conversion Notice) (the “Share Delivery Deadline”), the Company shall (1) provided that the Transfer Agent is participating in the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program (“FAST”) and such shares of Common Stock (i) (A) may then be sold by the applicable Holder pursuant to an available and effective registration statement and (B) such Holder provides such documentation or other information evidencing the sale of the shares of Common Stock as the Company, the Transfer Agent or legal counsel to the Company shall reasonably request (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include the requirement of a medallion guarantee or a legal opinion) or (ii) may be sold by such Holder pursuant to Rule 144 of the 1933 Act, as applicable, including the requirements under Rule 144(i) or Section 4(a)(1) of the 1933 Act (the “Resale Eligibility Conditions”), credit such aggregate number of Conversion Shares to which such Holder shall be entitled pursuant to such conversion to such Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system, or (2) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST or the Resale Eligibility Conditions are not satisfied, upon the request of such Holder, issue and deliver (via reputable overnight courier) to the address as specified in such Conversion Notice, a certificate, registered in the name of such Holder or its designee, for the number of Conversion Shares to which such Holder shall be entitled. If the number of Preferred Shares represented by the Preferred Share Certificate(s) submitted for conversion pursuant to Section 4(c)(ii) is greater than the number of Preferred Shares being converted, then the Company shall, as soon as practicable and in no event later than one (1) Trading Day after receipt of the Preferred Share Certificate(s) and at its own expense, issue and mail to such Holder (or its designee) by overnight courier service a new Preferred Share Certificate or a new Book-Entry (in either case, in accordance with Section 18(d)) representing the number of Preferred Shares not converted. The Person or Persons entitled to receive the Conversion Shares issuable upon a conversion of Preferred Shares shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Conversion Shares on the Conversion Date; provided, that such Person shall be deemed to have waived any voting rights of any such Conversion Shares that may arise during the period commencing on such Conversion Date, through, and including, such applicable Share Delivery Deadline, as necessary, such that the aggregate voting rights of any Common Stock (including such Conversion Shares) beneficially owned by such Person and/or any of its Attribution Parties, collectively, on any such date of determination shall not exceed the Maximum Percentage (as defined below) as a result of any such conversion of such applicable Preferred Shares with respect thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Holder delivers a Conversion Notice
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to the Company prior to the date of issuance of Preferred Shares to such Holder, whereby such Holder elects to convert such Preferred Shares pursuant to such Conversion Notice, the Share Delivery Deadline with respect to any such Conversion Notice shall be the later of (x) the date of issuance of such Preferred Shares and (y) the first (1st) Trading Day after the date of such Conversion Notice.
ii. Company’s Failure to Timely Convert. If the Company shall fail, for any reason or for no reason, on or prior to the applicable Share Delivery Deadline, if the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST or the Resale Eligibility Conditions are not satisfied, to issue and deliver to such Holder (or its designee) a certificate for the number of Conversion Shares to which such Holder is entitled and register such Conversion Shares on the Company’s share register or, if the Transfer Agent is participating in FAST and the Resale Eligibility Conditions are satisfied, to credit such Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC for such number of Conversion Shares to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion of any Conversion Amount (as the case may be) (each, a “Conversion Failure”), and if on or after such Share Delivery Deadline such Holder acquires (in an open market transaction, stock loan or otherwise) shares of Common Stock corresponding to all or any portion of the number of Conversion Shares issuable upon such conversion that such Holder is entitled to receive from the Company and has not received from the Company in connection with such Conversion Failure (a “Buy-In”), then, in addition to all other remedies available to such Holder, the Company shall, within one (1) Business Day after receipt of such Holder’s request and in such Holder’s discretion, either: (I) pay cash to such Holder in an amount equal to such Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, stock loan costs and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so acquired (including, without limitation, by any other Person in respect, or on behalf, of such Holder) (the “Buy-In Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to so issue and deliver such certificate (and to issue such Conversion Shares) or credit to the balance account of such Holder or such Holder’s designee, as applicable, with DTC for the number of Conversion Shares to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be) (and to issue such Conversion Shares) shall terminate, or (II) promptly honor its obligation to so issue and deliver to such Holder a certificate or certificates representing such Conversion Shares or credit the balance account of such Holder or such Holder’s designee, as applicable, with DTC for the number of Conversion Shares to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be) and pay cash to such Holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (x) such number of shares of Common Stock multiplied by (y) the lowest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the applicable Conversion Notice and ending on the date of such issuance and payment under this clause (II) (each, a “Buy-In Payment Amount”). In addition to the foregoing, if on or prior to the Share Delivery Deadline the Transfer Agent is not participating in FAST or the Resale Eligibility Conditions are not satisfied, the Company shall fail to issue and deliver
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to such Holder (or its designee) a certificate and register such Conversion Shares on the Company’s share register or, if the Transfer Agent is participating in the FAST and the Resale Eligibility Conditions are satisfied, the Transfer Agent shall fail to credit the balance account of such Holder or such Holder’s designee, as applicable, with DTC for the number of Conversion Shares to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion hereunder or pursuant to the Company’s obligation pursuant to clause (ii) below, then, in addition to all other remedies available to such Holder, (X) the Company shall pay to such Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Conversion Amount of the Preferred Shares being converted, $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the second Trading Day and increasing to $40 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after the Share Delivery Deadline until such Conversion Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such conversion and (Y) such Holder, upon written notice to the Company, may void its Conversion Notice with respect to, and retain or have returned, as the case may be, all, or any portion, of such Preferred Shares that has not been converted pursuant to such Conversion Notice; provided that the voiding of a Conversion Notice shall not affect the Company’s obligations to make any payments which have accrued prior to the date of such notice pursuant to this Section 4(c)(ii) or otherwise. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity, including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver certificates representing Conversion Shares (or to electronically deliver such Conversion Shares) upon the conversion of the Preferred Shares as required pursuant to the terms hereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to any given Conversion Failure, this Section 4(c)(ii) shall not apply to a Holder to the extent the Company has already paid such amounts in full to such Holder with respect to such Conversion Failure pursuant to the analogous sections of the Securities Purchase Agreement.
iii. Registration; Book-Entry. At the time of issuance of any Preferred Shares hereunder, the applicable Holder may, by written request (including by electronic-mail) to the Company, elect to receive such Preferred Shares in the form of one or more Preferred Share Certificates or in Book-Entry form. The Company (or the Transfer Agent, as custodian for the Preferred Shares) shall maintain a register (the “Register”) for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Holders of each Preferred Share and the Stated Value of the Preferred Shares and whether the Preferred Shares are held by such Holder in Preferred Share Certificates or in Book-Entry form (the “Registered Preferred Shares”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The Company and each Holder of the Preferred Shares shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as the owner of a Preferred Share for all purposes (including, without limitation, the right to receive payments and Dividends hereunder) notwithstanding notice to the contrary. A Registered Preferred Share may be assigned, transferred or sold only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register. Upon its receipt of a
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written request to assign, transfer or sell one or more Registered Preferred Shares by such Holder thereof, the Company shall record the information contained therein in the Register and issue one or more new Registered Preferred Shares in the same aggregate Stated Value as the Stated Value of the surrendered Registered Preferred Shares to the designated assignee or transferee pursuant to Section 18, provided that if the Company does not so record an assignment, transfer or sale (as the case may be) of such Registered Preferred Shares within one (1) Business Day of such a request, then the Register shall be automatically deemed updated to reflect such assignment, transfer or sale (as the case may be). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 4, following conversion of any Preferred Shares in accordance with the terms hereof, the applicable Holder shall not be required to physically surrender such Preferred Shares held in the form of a Preferred Share Certificate to the Company unless (A) the full or remaining number of Preferred Shares represented by the applicable Preferred Share Certificate are being converted (in which event such certificate(s) shall be delivered to the Company as contemplated by this Section 4(c)(iii)) or (B) such Holder has provided the Company with prior written notice (which notice may be included in a Conversion Notice) requesting reissuance of Preferred Shares upon physical surrender of the applicable Preferred Share Certificate. Each Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the Stated Value and Dividends converted and/or paid (as the case may be) and the dates of such conversions and/or payments (as the case may be) or shall use such other method, reasonably satisfactory to such Holder and the Company, so as not to require physical surrender of a Preferred Share Certificate upon conversion. If the Company does not update the Register to record such Stated Value and Dividends converted and/or paid (as the case may be) and the dates of such conversions and/or payments (as the case may be) within one (1) Business Day of such occurrence, then the Register shall be automatically deemed updated to reflect such occurrence. In the event of any dispute or discrepancy, the records of the Company establishing the number of Preferred Shares to which the record holder is entitled shall be controlling and determinative in the absence of manifest error. A Holder and any transferee or assignee, by acceptance of a certificate, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following conversion of any Preferred Shares, the number of Preferred Shares represented by such certificate may be less than the number of Preferred Shares stated on the face thereof. Each Preferred Share Certificate shall bear the following legend:
ANY TRANSFEREE OR ASSIGNEE OF THIS CERTIFICATE SHOULD CAREFULLY REVIEW THE TERMS OF THE CORPORATION’S CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS RELATING TO THE SHARES OF SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE, INCLUDING SECTION 4(c)(iii) THEREOF. THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE LESS THAN THE NUMBER OF
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APPENDIX A
SHARES OF SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK STATED ON THE FACE HEREOF PURSUANT TO SECTION 4(c)(iii) OF THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS RELATING TO THE SHARES OF SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE.
iv. Pro Rata Conversion; Disputes. In the event that the Company receives a Conversion Notice from more than one Holder for the same Conversion Date and the Company can convert some, but not all, of such Preferred Shares submitted for conversion, the Company shall convert from each Holder electing to have Preferred Shares converted on such date a pro rata amount of such Holder’s Preferred Shares submitted for conversion on such date based on the number of Preferred Shares submitted for conversion on such date by such Holder relative to the aggregate number of Preferred Shares submitted for conversion on such date. In the event of a dispute as to the number of Conversion Shares issuable to a Holder in connection with a conversion of Preferred Shares, the Company shall issue to such Holder the number of Conversion Shares not in dispute and resolve such dispute in accordance with Section 23. If a Conversion Notice delivered to the Company would result in a breach of Section 4(d) below, and the applicable Holder does not elect in writing to withdraw, in whole, such Conversion Notice, the Company shall hold such Conversion Notice in abeyance until such time as such Conversion Notice may be satisfied without violating Section 4(d) below (with such calculations thereunder made as of the date such Conversion Notice was initially delivered to the Company).
d.Limitation on Beneficial Ownership
1.
(i) Beneficial Ownership. The Company shall not effect the conversion of any of the Preferred Shares held by a Holder, and such Holder shall not have the right to convert any of the Preferred Shares held by such Holder pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Certificate of Designations and any such conversion shall be null and void and treated as if never made, to the extent that after giving effect to such conversion, such Holder together with the other Attribution Parties collectively would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% (the “Maximum Percentage”) of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder and the other Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock held by such Holder and all other Attribution Parties plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (A) conversion of the remaining, nonconverted Preferred Shares beneficially owned by such Holder or any of the other Attribution Parties and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any convertible notes, convertible preferred stock
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APPENDIX A
or warrants, including the Preferred Shares) beneficially owned by such Holder or any other Attribution Party subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained in this Section 4(d)(i). For purposes of this Section 4(d)(i), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. For the avoidance of doubt, the calculation of the Maximum Percentage shall take into account the concurrent exercise and/or conversion, as applicable, of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company beneficially owned by such Holder and/or any other Attribution Party, as applicable. For purposes of determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock a Holder may acquire upon the conversion of such Preferred Shares without exceeding the Maximum Percentage, such Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (x) the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K or other public filing with the SEC, as the case may be, (y) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (z) any other written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent, if any, setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (the “Reported Outstanding Share Number”). If the Company receives a Conversion Notice from a Holder at a time when the actual number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is less than the Reported Outstanding Share Number, the Company shall notify such Holder in writing of the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding and, to the extent that such Conversion Notice would otherwise cause such Holder’s beneficial ownership, as determined pursuant to this Section 4(d)(i), to exceed the Maximum Percentage, such Holder must notify the Company of a reduced number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to such Conversion Notice. For any reason at any time, upon the written or oral request of any Holder, the Company shall within one (1) Business Day confirm orally and in writing or by electronic mail to such Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including such Preferred Shares, by such Holder and any other Attribution Party since the date as of which the Reported Outstanding Share Number was reported. In the event that the issuance of shares of Common Stock to a Holder upon conversion of such Preferred Shares results in such Holder and the other Attribution Parties being deemed to beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than the Maximum Percentage of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (as determined under Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act), the number of shares so issued by which such Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties’ aggregate beneficial ownership exceeds the Maximum Percentage (the “Excess Shares”) shall be deemed null and void and shall be cancelled ab initio, and such Holder shall not have the power to vote or to transfer the Excess Shares. Upon delivery of a written notice to the Company, any Holder may from time to time increase (with such increase not effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after delivery of such notice) or decrease the Maximum Percentage of such Holder to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% as specified in such notice; provided that (i) any such increase in the Maximum Percentage will not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after
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such notice is delivered to the Company and (ii) any such increase or decrease will apply only to such Holder and the other Attribution Parties and not to any other Holder that is not an Attribution Party of such Holder. For purposes of clarity, the shares of Common Stock issuable to a Holder pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Designations in excess of the Maximum Percentage shall not be deemed to be beneficially owned by such Holder for any purpose including for purposes of Section 13(d) or Rule 16a-1(a)(1) of the 1934 Act. No prior inability to convert such Preferred Shares pursuant to this paragraph shall have any effect on the applicability of the provisions of this paragraph with respect to any subsequent determination of convertibility. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 4(d)(i) to the extent necessary to correct this paragraph (or any portion of this paragraph) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended beneficial ownership limitation contained in this Section 4(d)(i) or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitation contained in this paragraph may not be amended, modified or waived and shall apply to a successor holder of such Preferred Shares.
(ii)Principal Market Regulation. The Company shall not issue any shares of Common Stock upon conversion of any Preferred Shares or otherwise pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Designations if the issuance of such shares of Common Stock would exceed the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which the Company may issue upon conversion of the Preferred Shares without breaching the Company’s obligations under the rules and regulations the listing rules of the Principal Market (the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued without violating such rules and regulations, the “Exchange Cap”), except that such limitation shall not apply in the event that the Company obtains the approval of its stockholders as required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Principal Market for issuances of shares of Common Stock in excess of such amount. Until such approval is obtained, no Holder shall be issued in the aggregate, upon conversion of any Preferred Shares, shares of Common Stock in an amount greater than the product of (i) the Exchange Cap as of the Initial Issuance Date multiplied by (ii) the quotient of (1) the aggregate number of Preferred Shares issued to such Holder on the Initial Issuance Date, divided by (2) the aggregate number of shares of Preferred Shares and Parity Stock outstanding as of the Initial Issuance Date (with respect to each Holder, the “Exchange Cap Allocation”). In the event that any Holder shall sell or otherwise transfer any of such Holder’s Preferred Shares, the transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of such Holder’s Exchange Cap Allocation with respect to such portion of such Preferred Shares so transferred, and the restrictions of the prior sentence shall apply to such transferee with respect to the portion of the Exchange Cap Allocation so allocated to such transferee. Upon conversion in full of a Holder’s Preferred Shares, the difference (if any) between such Holder’s Exchange Cap Allocation and the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued to such Holder upon such Holder’s conversion in full of such Preferred Shares shall be allocated, to the remaining holders of Preferred Shares and Parity Stock on a pro
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rata basis in proportion to the shares of Common Stock underlying the shares of preferred stock of the Company then held by each such holder of Preferred Shares and/or Parity Stock, as applicable.
a.Right of Alternate Conversion.
(i) Alternate Optional Conversion. Subject to Section 4(d), at any time, at the option of any Holder, such Holder may convert (each, an “Alternate Optional Conversion”, and the date of such Alternate Optional Conversion, an “Alternate Optional Conversion Date”) all, or any number, of Preferred Shares into shares of Common Stock (such aggregate Conversion Amount of the Preferred Shares to be converted pursuant to this Section 4(e)(i), the “Alternate Optional Conversion Amount”) at the Alternate Conversion Price (each, an “Alternate Optional Conversion”).
(ii) Alternate Conversion Upon a Triggering Event. Subject to Section 4(d), at any time after the earlier of a Holder’s receipt of a Triggering Event Notice (as defined below) and such Holder becoming aware of a Triggering Event (such earlier date, the “Alternate Conversion Right Commencement Date”) and ending (such ending date, the “Alternate Conversion Right Expiration Date”, and each such period, an “Alternate Conversion Right Period”) on the twentieth (20th) Trading Day after the later of (x) the date such Triggering Event is cured and (y) such Holder’s receipt of a Triggering Event Notice that includes (I) a reasonable description of the applicable Triggering Event, (II) a certification as to whether, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, such Triggering Event is capable of being cured and, if applicable, a reasonable description of any existing plans of the Company to cure such Triggering Event and (III) a certification as to the date the Triggering Event occurred and, if cured on or prior to the date of such Triggering Event Notice, the applicable Alternate Conversion Right Expiration Date, such Holder may, at such Holder’s option, by delivery of a Conversion Notice to the Company (the date of any such Conversion Notice, each an “Triggering Event Conversion Date” and together with each Alternate Optional Conversion Date, each, an “Alternate Conversion Date”), convert all, or any number of Preferred Shares (such Conversion Amount of the Preferred Shares to be converted pursuant to this Section 4(e)(ii), the “Triggering Event Conversion Amount” and together with each Alternate Optional Conversion Amount, each, an “Alternate Conversion Amount”) into shares of Common Stock at the Alternate Conversion Price (each, a “Triggering Event Conversion”, and together with each Alternate Optional Conversion, each an “Alternate Conversion”).
(iii) Mechanics of Alternate Conversion. On any Alternate Conversion Date, a Holder may voluntarily convert any number of Preferred Shares held by such Holder pursuant to Section 4(c) (with “Alternate Conversion Price” replacing “Conversion Price” for all purposes hereunder with respect to such Alternate Conversion and, solely with respect to the calculation of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of any Conversion Amount of Preferred
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Shares in a Triggering Event Conversion, with “Redemption Premium of the Conversion Amount” replacing “Conversion Amount” in clause (x) of the definition of Conversion Rate in Section 4(b) above with respect to such Triggering Event Conversion) by designating in the Conversion Notice delivered pursuant to this Section 4(e) of this Certificate of Designations that such Holder is electing to use the Alternate Conversion Price for such conversion; provided that in the event of the Conversion Floor Price Condition, on the applicable Alternate Conversion Date the Stated Value of the remaining Preferred Shares of such Holder shall automatically increase, pro rata, by the applicable Alternate Conversion Floor Amount or, at the Company’s option, the Company shall deliver the applicable Alternate Conversion Floor Amount to such applicable Holder on the applicable Alternate Conversion Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4(e)(iii), but subject to Section 4(d), until the Company delivers to such Holder the shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled pursuant to the applicable Alternate Conversion of such Holder’s Preferred Shares, such Preferred Shares may be converted by such Holder into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 4(c) without regard to this Section 4(e)(iii). In the event of an Alternate Conversion pursuant to this Section 4(e)(iii) of all, or any portion, of any Preferred Shares of a Holder, such Holder’s damages would be uncertain and difficult to estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates and the uncertainty of the availability of a suitable substitute investment opportunity for such Holder. Accordingly, any redemption premium due under this Section 4(e)(iii), together the Alternate Conversion Price used in such Alternate Conversion, as applicable, is intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, a reasonable estimate of, such Holder’s actual loss of its investment opportunity and not as a penalty.
5.Triggering Events.
a.General. Unless waived by the Holder, each of the following events shall constitute a “Triggering Event” and each of the events in clauses 5(a)(viii), 5(a)(ix), and 5(a)(x), shall constitute a “Bankruptcy Triggering Event”:
(i) the suspension from trading or the failure of the Common Stock to be trading or listed (as applicable) on an Eligible Market for a period of five (5) consecutive Trading Days or the delisting, removal or withdrawal, as applicable, of registration of the Common Stock under the 1934 Act with respect to a going-private transaction;
(ii) the Company’s (A) failure to cure a Conversion Failure by delivery of the required number of shares of Common Stock within five (5) Trading Days after the applicable Conversion Date or exercise date (as the case may be) or (B) notice, written or oral, to any holder of Preferred Shares, including, without limitation, by way of public announcement or through any of its agents, at any time, of its intention not to comply, as required, with a request for conversion of any Preferred Shares into shares of Common Stock that is requested in accordance
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with the provisions of this Certificate of Designations, other than pursuant to Section 4(d) hereof;
(iii) except to the extent the Company is in compliance with Section 11(b) below, at any time following the tenth (10th) consecutive day that a Holder’s Authorized Share Allocation (as defined in Section 11(a) below) is less than 100% of the number of shares of Common Stock that such Holder would be entitled to receive upon a conversion, in full, of all of the Preferred Shares then held by such Holder (assuming for purposes hereof that (x) the Preferred Shares are convertible at the Floor Price then in effect, (y) dividends on the Preferred Shares shall accrue through September 30, 2026 and will be converted in shares of Common Stock at a dividend conversion price equal to the Floor Price then in effect, and (z) any such conversion shall not take into account any limitations on the conversion of the Preferred Shares set forth herein);
(iv) subject to the provisions of Section 170 of the DGCL, the Board fails to declare any Dividend to be capitalized or paid in accordance with Section 3;
(v) the Company’s failure to pay to any Holder any Dividend when required to be paid hereunder (whether or not declared by the Board) or any other amount when and as due under this Certificate of Designations (including, without limitation, the Company’s failure to pay any redemption payments or amounts hereunder), the Securities Purchase Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any other agreement, document, certificate or other instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (in each case, whether or not permitted pursuant to the DGCL), except, in the case of a failure to pay Dividends when and as due, in each such case only if such failure remains uncured for a period of at least five (5) Trading Days;
(vi) the Company fails to remove any restrictive legend on any certificate or any shares of Common Stock issued to the applicable Holder upon conversion or exercise (as the case may be) of any Securities acquired by such Holder under the Transaction Documents as and when required by such Securities or the Securities Purchase Agreement, as applicable, unless otherwise then prohibited by applicable federal securities laws, and any such failure remains uncured for at least five (5) days;
(vii) the occurrence of any default under, redemption of or acceleration prior to maturity of at least an aggregate of $500,000 of Indebtedness (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(viii) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or liquidation proceedings or other proceedings for the relief of debtors shall be instituted by or against the Company or any Subsidiary and, if instituted against the Company or any Subsidiary by a third party, shall not be dismissed within thirty (30) days of their initiation;
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APPENDIX A
(ix) the commencement by the Company or any Subsidiary of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree, order, judgment or other similar document in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal, state or foreign law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the execution of a composition of debts, or the occurrence of any other similar federal, state or foreign proceeding, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, the taking of corporate action by the Company or any Subsidiary in furtherance of any such action or the taking of any action by any Person to commence a Uniform Commercial Code foreclosure sale or any other similar action under federal, state or foreign law;
(x) the entry by a court of (i) a decree, order, judgment or other similar document in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary of a voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (ii) a decree, order, judgment or other similar document adjudging the Company or any Subsidiary as bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary under any applicable federal, state or foreign law or (iii) a decree, order, judgment or other similar document appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree, order, judgment or other similar document or any such other decree, order, judgment or other similar document unstayed and in effect for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days;
(xi) a final judgment or judgments for the payment of money aggregating in excess of $1,000,000 are rendered against the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries and which judgments are not, within thirty (30) days after the entry thereof, bonded, discharged, settled or stayed pending appeal, or are not discharged within thirty (30) days after the expiration of such stay; provided, however, any judgment which is covered by insurance or an indemnity from a credit worthy party shall not be included in calculating the $1,000,000 amount set forth above so long as the Company provides each Holder a written statement from such insurer or indemnity provider (which written statement shall be reasonably satisfactory to each Holder) to the effect that such judgment is covered
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by insurance or an indemnity and the Company or such Subsidiary (as the case may be) will receive the proceeds of such insurance or indemnity within thirty (30) days of the issuance of such judgment;
(xii) the Company and/or any Subsidiary, individually or in the aggregate, either (i) fails to pay, when due, or within any applicable grace period, any payment with respect to any Indebtedness in excess of $1,000,000 due to any third party (other than, with respect to unsecured Indebtedness only, payments contested by the Company and/or such Subsidiary (as the case may be) in good faith by proper proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside for the payment thereof in accordance with GAAP) or is otherwise in breach or violation of any agreement for monies owed or owing in an amount in excess of $1,000,000, which breach or violation permits the other party thereto to declare a default or otherwise accelerate amounts due thereunder, or (ii) suffer to exist any other circumstance or event that would, with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice, result in a default or event of default under any agreement binding the Company or any Subsidiary, which default or event of default would or is likely to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, operations (including results thereof), liabilities, properties, condition (including financial condition) or prospects of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, individually or in the aggregate;
(xiii) other than as specifically set forth in another clause of this Section 5(a), the Company or any Subsidiary breaches any representation or warranty in any material respect (other than representations or warranties subject to material adverse effect or materiality, which may not be breached in any respect) or any covenant or other term or condition of any Transaction Document, except, in the case of a breach of a covenant or other term or condition that is curable, only if such breach remains uncured for a period of two (2) consecutive Trading Days;
(xiv) (xvi) a false or inaccurate certification (including a false or inaccurate deemed certification) by the Company that either (A) the Equity Conditions are satisfied, (B) there has been no Equity Conditions Failure, or (C) as to whether any Triggering Event has occurred;
(xv) any Preferred Shares remain outstanding on or after September 30, 2026;
(xvi) any breach or failure in any respect by the Company or any Subsidiary to comply with any provision of Section 13 of this Certificate of Designations;
(xvii) the electronic transfer by the Company of shares of Common Stock through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation is no longer available or is subject to a “chill”;
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(xviii) any Change of Control occurs without the prior written consent of the Required Holders;
(xix) any Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) occurs; or
(xx) any provision of any Transaction Document shall at any time for any reason (other than pursuant to the express terms thereof) cease to be valid and binding on or enforceable against the Company, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested, directly or indirectly, by the Company or any Subsidiary, or a proceeding shall be commenced by the Company or any Subsidiary or any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over any of them, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall deny in writing that it has any liability or obligation purported to be created under one or more Transaction Documents.
b.Notice of a Triggering Event. Upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event with respect to the Preferred Shares, the Company shall within two (2) Business Days deliver written notice thereof via electronic mail and overnight courier (with next day delivery specified) (a “Triggering Event Notice”) to each Holder.
c.Mandatory Redemption upon Bankruptcy Triggering Event. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, and notwithstanding any conversion that is then required or in process, upon any Bankruptcy Triggering Event, the Company shall immediately redeem, in cash, each of the Preferred Shares then outstanding at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount to be redeemed multiplied by (B) the Required Premium and (ii) the product of (X) the Conversion Rate (calculated using the lowest Alternate Conversion Price during the period commencing on the 20th Trading Day immediately preceding such public announcement and ending on the date the Company makes the entire redemption payment pursuant to this Section 5(c)) with respect to the Conversion Amount in effect immediately following the date of initial public announcement (or public filing of bankruptcy documents, as applicable) of such Bankruptcy Triggering Event multiplied by (Y) the product of (1) the Required Premium multiplied by (2) the greatest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date immediately preceding such Bankruptcy Triggering Event and ending on the date the Company makes the entire payment required to be made under this Section 5(c), without the requirement for any notice or demand or other action by any Holder or any other person or entity, provided that a Holder may, in its sole discretion, waive such right to receive payment upon a Bankruptcy Triggering Event, in whole or in part, and any such waiver shall not affect any other rights of such Holder or any other Holder hereunder, including any other rights in respect of such Bankruptcy Triggering Event or any right to conversion (or Alternate Conversion), as applicable.
6.Rights Upon Fundamental Transactions.
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a.Assumption. The Company shall not enter into or be party to a Fundamental Transaction unless the Successor Entity assumes in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Certificate of Designations and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(a) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders, including agreements to deliver to each holder of Preferred Shares in exchange for such Preferred Shares a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Certificate of Designations, including, without limitation, having a stated value and dividend rate equal to the stated value and dividend rate of the Preferred Shares held by the Holders and having similar ranking to the Preferred Shares, and reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders. Upon the occurrence of any Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Certificate of Designations and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Certificate of Designations and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein and therein. In addition to the foregoing, upon consummation of a Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall deliver to each Holder confirmation that there shall be issued upon conversion or redemption of the Preferred Shares at any time after the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, in lieu of the shares of Common Stock (or other securities, cash, assets or other property (except such items still issuable under Sections 7 and 15, which shall continue to be receivable thereafter)) issuable upon the conversion or redemption of the Preferred Shares prior to such Fundamental Transaction, such shares of the publicly traded common stock (or their equivalent) of the Successor Entity (including its Parent Entity) which each Holder would have been entitled to receive upon the happening of such Fundamental Transaction had all the Preferred Shares held by each Holder been converted immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitations on the conversion of the Preferred Shares contained in this Certificate of Designations), as adjusted in accordance with the provisions of this Certificate of Designations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such Holder may elect, at its sole option, by delivery of written notice to the Company to waive this Section 6(a) to permit the Fundamental Transaction without the assumption of the Preferred Shares. The provisions of this Section 6 shall apply similarly and equally to successive Fundamental Transactions and shall be applied without regard to any limitations on the conversion or redemption of the Preferred Shares.
b.Notice of a Change of Control; Change of Control Election Notice. No sooner than the earlier of (x) twenty (20) Trading Days prior to the consummation of a Change of Control or (y) the public announcement of the entry into an agreement with respect to a Change of Control, nor later than ten (10) Trading Days prior to the consummation of a Change of Control (the “Change of Control Date”), the Company shall deliver written notice thereof via electronic mail and overnight courier to each Holder (a “Change of Control Notice”). At any time during the period beginning after a Holder’s receipt of a Change of Control Notice or such Holder becoming aware of a Change of Control if a Change of Control Notice is not delivered to such Holder in
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accordance with the immediately preceding sentence (as applicable) and ending on twenty (20) Trading Days after the later of (A) the date of consummation of such Change of Control or (B) the date of receipt of such Change of Control Notice or (C) the date of the announcement of such Change of Control, such Holder may require, by delivering written notice thereof (“Change of Control Election Notice”) to the Company (which Change of Control Election Notice shall indicate the number of Preferred Shares subject to such election), to have the Company exchange such Holder’s Preferred Shares designated in such Change of Control Election Notice for consideration equal to the Change of Control Election Price (as defined below), to be satisfied at the Company’s election (such election to pay in cash or by delivery of the Rights (as defined below), a “Consideration Election”), in either (I) rights (with a beneficial ownership limitation in the form of Section 4(d) hereof, mutatis mutandis) (collectively, the “Rights”), convertible in whole, or in part, at any time, without the requirement to pay any additional consideration, at the option of the Required Holders, into such Corporate Event Consideration (as defined below) applicable to such Change of Control equal in value to the Change of Control Election Price (as determined with the fair market value of the aggregate number of Successor Shares (as defined below) issuable upon conversion of the Rights to be determined in increments of 10% (or such greater percentage as the applicable Holder may notify the Company from time to time) of the portion of the Change of Control Election Price attributable to such Successor Shares (the “Successor Share Value Increment”), with the aggregate number of Successor Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights with respect to the first Successor Share Value Increment determined based on 70% of the VWAP of the Successor Shares on the date the Rights are issued and on each of the nine (9) subsequent Trading Days, in each case, the aggregate number of additional Successor Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights shall be determined based upon a Successor Share Value Increment at 70% of the VWAP of the Successor Shares in effect for such corresponding Trading Day (such ten (10) Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the date the Rights are issued, the “Rights Measuring Period”)) or (II) in cash; provided, that the Company shall not consummate a Change of Control if the Corporate Event Consideration includes capital stock or other equity interest (the “Successor Shares”) either in an entity that is not listed on an Eligible Market or an entity in which the daily share volume for the applicable Successor Shares for each of the twenty (20) Trading Days prior to the date of consummation of such Change of Control is less than the aggregate number of Successor Shares issuable to all Holders upon conversion in full of the applicable Rights (without regard to any limitations on conversion therein, assuming the exercise in full of the Rights on the date of issuance of the Rights and assuming the VWAP of the Successor Shares for each Trading Day in the Rights Measuring Period is the VWAP on the Trading Day ended immediately prior to the time of consummation of the Change of Control). The Company shall give each Holder written notice of each Consideration Election at least twenty (20) Trading Days prior to the time of consummation of such Change of Control. Payment of such amounts or delivery of the Rights, as applicable, shall be made by the Company (or at the Company’s direction) to each Holder on the later of (x) the second (2nd) Trading Day after the date of such request and (y) the date of consummation of such Change of Control (or, with respect to any Right, if applicable, such later time that holders of shares of Common Stock are initially entitled to receive Corporate Event Consideration with respect to the shares of Common Stock of such holder). Any
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Corporate Event Consideration included in the Rights, if any, pursuant to this Section 6(b) is pari passu with the Corporate Event Consideration to be paid to holders of shares of Common Stock and the Company shall not permit a payment of any Corporate Event Consideration to the holders of shares of Common Stock without on or prior to such time delivering the Right to the Holders in accordance herewith. Cash payments, if any, required by this Section 6(b) shall have priority to payments to all other stockholders of the Company in connection with such Change of Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6(b), but subject to Section 4(d), until the applicable Change of Control Election Price is paid in full to the applicable Holder in cash or Corporate Event Consideration in accordance herewith, the Preferred Shares submitted by such Holder for exchange or payment, as applicable, under this Section 6(b) may be converted, in whole or in part, by such Holder into Common Stock pursuant to Section 4 or in the event the Conversion Date is after the consummation of such Change of Control, stock or equity interests of the Successor Entity substantially equivalent to the Company’s shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 6(a). In the event of the Company’s repayment or exchange, as applicable, of any of the Preferred Shares under this Section 6(b), such Holder’s damages would be uncertain and difficult to estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates and the uncertainty of the availability of a suitable substitute investment opportunity for a Holder. Accordingly, any Required Premium due under this Section 6(b) is intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, a reasonable estimate of such Holder’s actual loss of its investment opportunity and not as a penalty. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in connection with any redemption hereunder at a time a Holder is entitled to receive a cash payment under any of the other Transaction Documents, at the option of such Holder delivered in writing to the Company, the applicable redemption price hereunder shall be increased by the amount of such cash payment owed to such Holder under such other Transaction Document and, upon payment in full or conversion in accordance herewith, shall satisfy the Company’s payment obligation under such other Transaction Document.
7.Rights Upon Issuance of Purchase Rights and Other Corporate Events.
a.Purchase Rights. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 8 and Section 15 below, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to all or substantially all of the record holders of any class of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then each Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which such Holder could have acquired if such Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of all the Preferred Shares (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of the Preferred Shares and assuming for such purpose that all the Preferred Shares were converted at the Alternate Conversion Price as of the applicable record date) held by such Holder immediately prior to the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights; provided, however, to the extent that such Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in such Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding
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the Maximum Percentage, then such Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent of the Maximum Percentage (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right (and beneficial ownership) to such extent of any such excess) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance (and, if such Purchase Right has an expiration date, maturity date or other similar provision, such term shall be extended by such number of days held in abeyance, if applicable) for the benefit of such Holder until such time or times, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in such Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times such Holder shall be granted such right (and any Purchase Right granted, issued or sold on such initial Purchase Right or on any subsequent Purchase Right held similarly in abeyance (and, if such Purchase Right has an expiration date, maturity date or other similar provision, such term shall be extended by such number of days held in abeyance, if applicable)) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation
b.Other Corporate Events. In addition to and not in substitution for any other rights hereunder, prior to the consummation of any Fundamental Transaction pursuant to which holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive securities or other assets with respect to or in exchange for shares of Common Stock (a “Corporate Event”), the Company shall make appropriate provision to ensure that each Holder will thereafter have the right, at such Holder’s option, to receive upon a conversion of all the Preferred Shares held by such Holder (i) such securities or other assets (the “Corporate Event Consideration”) to which such Holder would have been entitled with respect to such shares of Common Stock had such shares of Common Stock been held by such Holder upon the consummation of such Corporate Event (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of the Preferred Shares set forth in this Certificate of Designations) or (ii) in lieu of the shares of Common Stock otherwise receivable upon such conversion, such securities or other assets received by the holders of shares of Common Stock in connection with the consummation of such Corporate Event in such amounts as such Holder would have been entitled to receive had the Preferred Shares held by such Holder initially been issued with conversion rights for the form of such consideration (as opposed to shares of Common Stock) at a conversion rate for such consideration commensurate with the Conversion Rate of an Alternate Conversion. Provision made pursuant the preceding sentence shall be in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders. The provisions of this Section 7 shall apply similarly and equally to successive Corporate Events and shall be applied without regard to any limitations on the conversion or redemption of the Preferred Shares set forth in this Certificate of Designations.
8.Rights Upon Issuance of Other Securities.
a.Adjustment of Conversion Price upon Issuance of Common Stock. If and whenever on or after the Subscription Date the Company grants, issues or sells (or enters into any agreement to grant, issue or sell), or in accordance with this Section 8(a) is deemed to have granted, issued or sold, any shares of Common Stock (including the granting, issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock owned or held by or for the account of the Company, but excluding any Excluded Securities granted, issued or sold
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or deemed to have been granted, issued or sold) for a consideration per share (the “New Issuance Price”) less than a price equal to the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such granting, issuance or sale or deemed granting, issuance or sale (such Conversion Price then in effect is referred to herein as the “Applicable Price”) (the foregoing a “Dilutive Issuance”), then, immediately after such Dilutive Issuance, the Conversion Price then in effect shall be reduced to an amount equal to the New Issuance Price. For all purposes of the foregoing (including, without limitation, determining the adjusted Conversion Price and the New Issuance Price under this Section 8(a)), the following shall be applicable:
(i) Issuance of Options. If the Company in any manner grants, issues or sells (or enters into any agreement to grant, issue or sell) any Options and the lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is at any time issuable upon the exercise of any such Option or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of any such Option or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof is less than the Applicable Price, then such share of Common Stock shall be deemed to be outstanding and to have been issued and sold by the Company at the time of the granting, issuance or sale of such Option for such price per share. For purposes of this Section 8(a)(i), the “lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is at any time issuable upon the exercise of any such Option or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of any such Option or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof” shall be equal to (1) the lower of (x) the sum of the lowest amounts of consideration (if any) received or receivable by the Company with respect to any one share of Common Stock upon the granting, issuance or sale of such Option, upon exercise of such Option and upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Security issuable upon exercise of such Option or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof and (y) the lowest exercise price set forth in such Option for which one share of Common Stock is issuable (or may become issuable assuming all possible market conditions) upon the exercise of any such Options or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of any such Option or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof, minus (2) the sum of all amounts paid or payable to the holder of such Option (or any other Person) with respect to any one share of Common Stock upon the granting, issuance or sale of such Option, upon exercise of such Option and upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Security issuable upon exercise of such Option or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof plus the value of any other consideration (including, without limitation, consideration consisting of cash, debt forgiveness, assets or any other property) received or receivable by, or benefit conferred on, the holder of such Option (or any other Person). Except as contemplated below, no further adjustment of the Conversion Price shall be made upon the actual issuance of such share of Common Stock or of such Convertible Securities upon the exercise of such Options or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof or upon the actual issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Securities.
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(ii)Issuance of Convertible Securities. If the Company in any manner issues or sells (or enters into any agreement to issue or sell) any Convertible Securities and the lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is at any time issuable upon the conversion, exercise or exchange thereof or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof is less than the Applicable Price, then such share of Common Stock shall be deemed to be outstanding and to have been issued and sold by the Company at the time of the issuance or sale (or the time of execution of such agreement to issue or sell, as applicable) of such Convertible Securities for such price per share. For the purposes of this Section 8(a)(ii), the “lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is at any time issuable upon the conversion, exercise or exchange thereof or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof” shall be equal to (1) the lower of (x) the sum of the lowest amounts of consideration (if any) received or receivable by the Company with respect to one share of Common Stock upon the issuance or sale (or pursuant to the agreement to issue or sell, as applicable) of the Convertible Security and upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Security or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof and (y) the lowest conversion price set forth in such Convertible Security for which one share of Common Stock is issuable (or may become issuable assuming all possible market conditions) upon conversion, exercise or exchange thereof or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof minus (2) the sum of all amounts paid or payable to the holder of such Convertible Security (or any other Person) with respect to any one share of Common Stock upon the issuance or sale (or the agreement to issue or sell, as applicable) of such Convertible Security plus the value of any other consideration received or receivable (including, without limitation, any consideration consisting of cash, debt forgiveness, assets or other property) by, or benefit conferred on, the holder of such Convertible Security (or any other Person). Except as contemplated below, no further adjustment of the Conversion Price shall be made upon the actual issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Securities or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof, and if any such issuance or sale of such Convertible Securities is made upon exercise of any Options for which adjustment of the Conversion Price has been or is to be made pursuant to other provisions of this Section 8(a), except as contemplated below, no further adjustment of the Conversion Price shall be made by reason of such issuance or sale.
(iii)Change in Option Price or Rate of Conversion. If the purchase or exercise price provided for in any Options, the additional consideration, if any, payable upon the issue, conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities, or the rate at which any Convertible Securities are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock increases or decreases at any time (other than proportional changes in conversion or exercise prices, as applicable, in connection with an event referred to in Section 8(a) below), the Conversion Price in effect at the time of such increase or decrease shall be adjusted to the Conversion Price which would have been in effect at such time had such Options or Convertible Securities provided for such increased or decreased purchase price, additional consideration or increased or decreased conversion rate (as the case
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may be) at the time initially granted, issued or sold. For purposes of this Section 8(a)(iii), if the terms of any Option or Convertible Security (including, without limitation, any Option or Convertible Security that was outstanding as of the Subscription Date) are increased or decreased in the manner described in the immediately preceding sentence, then such Option or Convertible Security and the shares of Common Stock deemed issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange thereof shall be deemed to have been issued as of the date of such increase or decrease. No adjustment pursuant to this Section 8(a) shall be made if such adjustment would result in an increase of the Conversion Price then in effect.
(iv)Calculation of Consideration Received. If any Option and/or Convertible Security and/or Adjustment Right is issued in connection with the issuance or sale or deemed issuance or sale of any other securities of the Company (as determined by the Required Holder, the “Primary Security”, and such Option and/or Convertible Security and/or Adjustment Right, the “Secondary Securities”), together comprising one integrated transaction (or one or more transactions if such issuances or sales or deemed issuances or sales of securities of the Company either (A) have at least one investor or purchaser in common, (B) are consummated in reasonable proximity to each other and/or (C) are consummated under the same plan of financing), the aggregate consideration per share of Common Stock with respect to such Primary Security shall be deemed to be equal to the difference of (x) the lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock was issued (or was deemed to be issued pursuant to Section 8(a)(i) or 8(a)(ii) above, as applicable) in such integrated transaction solely with respect to such Primary Security, minus (y) with respect to such Secondary Securities, the sum of (I) the Black Scholes Consideration Value of each such Option, if any, (II) the fair market value (as determined by the Required Holder in good faith) or the Black Scholes Consideration Value, as applicable, of such Adjustment Right, if any, and (III) the fair market value (as determined by the Required Holder) of such Convertible Security, if any, in each case, as determined on a per share basis in accordance with this Section 8(a)(iv). If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued or sold or deemed to have been issued or sold for cash, the consideration received therefor (for the purpose of determining the consideration paid for such Common Stock, Option or Convertible Security, but not for the purpose of the calculation of the Black Scholes Consideration Value) will be deemed to be the net amount of consideration received by the Company therefor. If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued or sold for a consideration other than cash, the amount of such consideration received by the Company (for the purpose of determining the consideration paid for such Common Stock, Option or Convertible Security, but not for the purpose of the calculation of the Black Scholes Consideration Value) will be the fair value of such consideration, except where such consideration consists of publicly traded securities, in which case the amount of consideration received by the Company for such securities will be the arithmetic average of the VWAPs of such security for each of the five (5) Trading Days immediately preceding the date of receipt. If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued to the owners of the non-surviving entity in
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connection with any merger in which the Company is the surviving entity, the amount of consideration therefor (for the purpose of determining the consideration paid for such Common Stock, Option or Convertible Security, but not for the purpose of the calculation of the Black Scholes Consideration Value) will be deemed to be the fair value of such portion of the net assets and business of the non-surviving entity as is attributable to such shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities (as the case may be). The fair value of any consideration other than cash or publicly traded securities will be determined jointly by the Company and the Required Holder. If such parties are unable to reach agreement within ten (10) days after the occurrence of an event requiring valuation (the “Valuation Event”), the fair value of such consideration will be determined within five (5) Trading Days after the tenth (10th) day following such Valuation Event by an independent, reputable appraiser jointly selected by the Company and the Required Holder. The determination of such appraiser shall be final and binding upon all parties absent manifest error and the fees and expenses of such appraiser shall be borne by the Company.
(v) Record Date. If the Company takes a record of the holders of shares of Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them (A) to receive a dividend or other distribution payable in shares of Common Stock, Options or in Convertible Securities or (B) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities, then such record date will be deemed to be the date of the issuance or sale of the shares of Common Stock deemed to have been issued or sold upon the declaration of such dividend or the making of such other distribution or the date of the granting of such right of subscription or purchase (as the case may be).
b.Adjustment of Conversion Price upon Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock. Without limiting any provision of Section 7 or Section 15, if the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately reduced. Without limiting any provision of Section 7 or Section 15, if the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date combines (by any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such combination will be proportionately increased. Any adjustment pursuant to this Section 8(b) shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such subdivision or combination. If any event requiring an adjustment under this Section 8(b) occurs during the period that a Conversion Price is calculated hereunder, then the calculation of such Conversion Price shall be adjusted appropriately to reflect such event.
c.Holder’s Right of Adjusted Conversion Price. In addition to and not in limitation of the other provisions of this Section 8(c), if the Company in any manner issues or sells or enters into any agreement to issue or sell, any Common Stock, Options
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or Convertible Securities (excluding any Permitted VRT (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) (any such securities, “Variable Price Securities”) after the Subscription Date that are issuable pursuant to such agreement or convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Common Stock at a price which varies or may vary with the market price of the shares of Common Stock, including by way of one or more reset(s) to a fixed price, but exclusive of such formulations reflecting share splits, share combinations, and share dividends (each of the formulations for such variable price being herein referred to as, the “Variable Price”), the Company shall provide written notice thereof via electronic mail and overnight courier to each Holder on the date of such agreement and/or the issuance of such shares of Common Stock, Convertible Securities or Options, as applicable. From and after the date the Company enters into such agreement or issues any such Variable Price Securities, each Holder shall have the right, but not the obligation, in its sole discretion to substitute the Variable Price for the Conversion Price upon conversion of the Preferred Shares by designating in the Conversion Notice delivered upon any conversion of Preferred Shares that solely for purposes of such conversion such Holder is relying on the Variable Price rather than the Conversion Price then in effect. A Holder’s election to rely on a Variable Price for a particular conversion of Preferred Shares shall not obligate such Holder to rely on a Variable Price for any future conversions of Preferred Shares.
d.Calculations. All calculations under this Section 8 shall be made by rounding to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as applicable. The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any given time shall not include shares owned or held by or for the account of the Company, and the disposition of any such shares shall be considered an issue or sale of Common Stock.
e.Voluntary Adjustment by Company. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Principal Market, the Company may at any time any Preferred Shares remain outstanding, with the prior written consent of the Required Holder, reduce the then current Conversion Price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the Board.
f.Adjustments. If on either of (i) the thirtieth (30th) calendar day after the Initial Issuance Date or (ii) the sixtieth (60th) calendar day after the Initial Issuance Date, as applicable, (each, an “Adjustment Date”), the Conversion Price then in effect is greater than the greater of (A) the Floor Price and (B) the Market Price then in effect (the “Adjustment Price”), on the Adjustment Date the Conversion Price shall automatically lower to the Adjustment Price.
g.Exchange Right. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Company or any of its Subsidiaries consummates any Subsequent Placement (other than with respect to Excluded Securities), and a Holder elects in writing to the Company to participate in such Subsequent Placement, each such Holder may, at the option of such Holder as elected in writing to the Company, exchange all, or any part, of the Preferred Shares of such Holder into the securities in such Subsequent Placement (with the aggregate amount of such securities to be issued in such exchange equal to such aggregate amount of such securities with a purchase price valued at 125% of the
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Conversion Amount of the Preferred Shares delivered by such Holder in exchange therefor).
9.Redemption at the Company’s Election. At any time, the Company shall have the right to redeem all, but not less than all, of the Preferred Shares then outstanding (the “Company Optional Redemption Amount”) on the Company Optional Redemption Date (each as defined below) (a “Company Optional Redemption”). The Preferred Shares subject to redemption pursuant to this Section 9 shall be redeemed by the Company in cash at a price (the “Company Optional Redemption Price”) equal to 125% of the greater of (i) the Conversion Amount being redeemed as of the Company Optional Redemption Date and (ii) the product of (1) the Conversion Rate with respect to the Conversion Amount being redeemed as of the Company Optional Redemption Date multiplied by (2) the greatest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date immediately preceding such Company Optional Redemption Notice Date and ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date the Company makes the entire payment required to be made under this Section 9. The Company may exercise its right to require redemption under this Section 9 by delivering a written notice thereof by electronic mail and overnight courier to all, but not less than all, of the Holders (the “Company Optional Redemption Notice” and the date all of the Holders received such notice is referred to as the “Company Optional Redemption Notice Date”). Such Company Optional Redemption Notice shall be irrevocable; provided that the Company Optional Redemption Notice may be conditioned upon the consummation of a refinancing transaction or a Going Private Transaction. The Company Optional Redemption Notice shall (x) state the date on which the Company Optional Redemption shall occur (the “Company Optional Redemption Date”) which date shall not be less than ten (10) Trading Days nor more than twenty (20) Trading Days following the Company Optional Redemption Notice Date, and (y) state the aggregate Conversion Amount of the Preferred Shares which is being redeemed in such Company Optional Redemption from such Holder and all of the other Holders of the Preferred Shares pursuant to this Section 9 on the Company Optional Redemption Date. The Company shall deliver the applicable Company Optional Redemption Price to each Holder in cash on the applicable Company Optional Redemption Date. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, at any time prior to the date the Company Optional Redemption Price is paid, in full, the Company Optional Redemption Amount may be converted, in whole or in part, by any Holder into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 4. All Conversion Amounts converted by a Holder after the Company Optional Redemption Notice Date shall reduce the Company Optional Redemption Amount of the Preferred Shares of such Holder required to be redeemed on the Company Optional Redemption Date. In the event of the Company’s redemption of any of the Preferred Shares under this Section 9, a Holder’s damages would be uncertain and difficult to estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates and the uncertainty of the availability of a suitable substitute investment opportunity for such Holder. Accordingly, any redemption premium due under this Section 9 is intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, a reasonable estimate of such Holder’s actual loss of its investment opportunity and not as a penalty. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall have no right to effect a Company Optional Redemption if any Triggering Event has occurred and continuing, but any Triggering Event shall have no effect upon any Holder’s right to convert Preferred Shares in its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to a Going Private Transaction, the Company may effect a Company Optional Redemption under this Section 9, but with “Change of Control
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Election Price” replacing “Company Optional Redemption Price” for all purposes in this Section 9 in connection therewith.
10.Noncircumvention. The Company hereby covenants and agrees that the Company will not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, scheme of arrangement, dissolution, issue or sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Certificate of Designations, and will at all times in good faith carry out all the provisions of this Certificate of Designations and take all action as may be required to protect the rights of the Holders hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other provision of this Certificate of Designations or the other Transaction Documents, the Company (a) shall not increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon the conversion of any Preferred Shares above the Conversion Price then in effect, (b) shall take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of Preferred Shares and (c) shall, so long as any Preferred Shares are outstanding, take all action necessary to reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Preferred Shares, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the conversion of the Preferred Shares then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on conversion contained herein). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if after the sixty (60) calendar day anniversary of the Initial Issuance Date, each Holder is not permitted to convert such Holder’s Preferred Shares in full for any reason (other than pursuant to restrictions set forth in Section 4(d) hereof), the Company shall use its best efforts to promptly remedy such failure, including, without limitation, obtaining such consents or approvals as necessary to effect such conversion into shares of Common Stock.
11.Authorized Shares.
a.Reservation. So long as any Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the Company shall at all times reserve at least 100% of the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the conversion, including without limitation, Alternate Conversions, of all of the Preferred Shares then outstanding (assuming for purposes hereof that (x) the Preferred Shares are convertible at the Floor Price then in effect, (y) dividends on the Preferred Shares shall accrue through September 30, 2026 and will be converted in shares of Common Stock at a dividend conversion price equal to the Floor Price then in effect, and (z) any such conversion shall not take into account any limitations on the conversion of the Preferred Shares set forth herein) (the “Required Reserve Amount”). The Required Reserve Amount (including, without limitation, each increase in the number of shares so reserved) shall be allocated pro rata among the Holders based on the number of the Preferred Shares held by each Holder on the Initial Issuance Date or increase in the number of reserved shares, as the case may be (the “Authorized Share Allocation”). In the event that a Holder shall sell or otherwise transfer any of such Holder’s Preferred Shares, each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of such Holder’s Authorized Share Allocation. Any shares of Common Stock reserved and allocated to any Person which ceases to hold any Preferred Shares shall be allocated to the remaining Holders of Preferred Shares, pro rata based on the
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APPENDIX A
number of the Preferred Shares then held by the Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Holder may allocate its Authorized Share Allocation to any other of the securities of the Company held by such Holder (or any of its designees) by delivery of a written notice to the Company.
b.Insufficient Authorized Shares. If, notwithstanding Section 11(a) and not in limitation thereof, at any time while any of the Preferred Shares remain outstanding the Company does not have a sufficient number of authorized and unreserved shares of Common Stock to satisfy its obligation to reserve for issuance upon conversion of the Preferred Shares at least a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Required Reserve Amount (an “Authorized Share Failure”), then the Company shall immediately take all action necessary to increase the Company’s authorized shares of Common Stock to an amount sufficient to allow the Company to reserve the Required Reserve Amount for the Preferred Shares then outstanding (or deemed outstanding pursuant to Section 11(a) above). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, as soon as practicable after the date of the occurrence of an Authorized Share Failure, but in no event later than seventy-five (75) days after the occurrence of such Authorized Share Failure, the Company shall hold a meeting of its stockholders for the approval of an increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. In connection with such meeting, the Company shall provide each stockholder with a proxy statement and shall use its best efforts to solicit its stockholders’ approval of such increase in authorized shares of Common Stock and to cause its board of directors to recommend to the stockholders that they approve such proposal (or, if a majority of the voting power then in effect of the capital stock of the Company consents to such increase, in lieu of such proxy statement, deliver to the stockholders of the Company an information statement that has been filed with (and either approved by or not subject to comments from) the SEC with respect thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any such time of an Authorized Share Failure, the Company is able to obtain the written consent of a majority of the shares of its issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock to approve the increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, the Company may satisfy this obligation by obtaining such consent and submitting for filing with the SEC an Information Statement on Schedule 14C. In the event that the Company is prohibited from issuing shares of Common Stock to a Holder upon any conversion due to the failure by the Company to have sufficient shares of Common Stock available out of the authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock (such unavailable number of shares of Common Stock, the “Authorized Failure Shares”), in lieu of delivering such Authorized Failure Shares to such Holder, the Company shall pay cash in exchange for the redemption of such portion of the Conversion Amount of the Preferred Shares convertible into such Authorized Failure Shares at a price equal to the sum of (i) the product of (x) such number of Authorized Failure Shares and (y) the greatest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date such Holder delivers the applicable Conversion Notice with respect to such Authorized Failure Shares to the Company and ending on the date of such issuance and payment under this Section 11(b); and (ii) to the extent such Holder purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Holder of Authorized Failure Shares, any brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any, of such Holder incurred in connection therewith. Nothing
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contained in Section 11(a) or this Section 11(b) shall limit any obligations of the Company under any provision of the Securities Purchase Agreement.
12.Voting Rights. The holders of the Preferred Shares shall have no voting power and no right to vote on any matter at any time, either as a separate series or class or together with any other series or class of share of capital stock, and shall not be entitled to call a meeting of such holders for any purpose nor shall they be entitled to participate in any meeting of the holders of Common Stock, except as provided in this Section 12 and Section 16 or as otherwise required by the DGCL. To the extent that under the DGCL the vote of the holders of the Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class or series, as applicable, is required to authorize a given action of the Company, the affirmative vote or consent of the Required Holders of the Preferred Shares, voting together in the aggregate and not in separate series unless required under the DGCL, represented at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is presented or by written consent of the Required Holders (except as otherwise may be required under the DGCL), voting together in the aggregate and not in separate series unless required under the DGCL, shall constitute the approval of such action by both the class or the series, as applicable. Holders of the Preferred Shares shall be entitled to written notice of all stockholder meetings or written consents (and copies of proxy materials and other information sent to stockholders) with respect to which they would be entitled to vote, which notice would be provided pursuant to the Company’s bylaws (the “Bylaws”) and the DGCL.
13.Covenants. Without the prior consent of the Required Holders:
a.Incurrence of Indebtedness. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, incur or guarantee, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness).
b.Existence of Liens. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, allow or suffer to exist any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or other encumbrance upon or in any property or assets (including accounts and contract rights) owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, “Liens”) other than Permitted Liens.
c.Restricted Payments and Investments. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, redeem, defease, repurchase, repay or make any payments in respect of, by the payment of cash or cash equivalents (in whole or in part, whether by way of open market purchases, tender offers, private transactions or otherwise), all or any portion of any Indebtedness (other pursuant to this Certificate of Designations) whether by way of payment in respect of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on, such Indebtedness or make any Investment, as applicable, if at the time such payment with respect to such Indebtedness and/or Investment, as applicable, is due or is otherwise made or, after giving effect to such payment, (i) an event constituting a Triggering Event has occurred and is continuing or (ii) an event that with the passage of time and without being cured would constitute a Triggering Event has occurred and is continuing.
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d.Restriction on Redemption and Cash Dividends. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, redeem, repurchase or declare or pay any cash dividend or distribution on any of its capital stock (other than as required by this Certificate of Designations).
e.Restriction on Transfer of Assets. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, spin-off, split-off, close, convey or otherwise dispose of any assets or rights of the Company or any Subsidiary owned or hereafter acquired whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, other than (i) sales, leases, licenses, assignments, transfers, conveyances and other dispositions of such assets or rights by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business consistent with its past practice and, (ii) sales of inventory and product in the ordinary course of business.
f.Change in Nature of Business. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by or publicly contemplated to be conducted by the Company and each of its Subsidiaries on the Subscription Date or any business substantially related or incidental thereto. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, directly or indirectly, modify its or their corporate structure or purpose.
g.Preservation of Existence, Etc. The Company shall maintain and preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve, its existence, rights and privileges, and become or remain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to become or remain, duly qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of the properties owned or leased by it or in which the transaction of its business makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to become or remain duly qualified or in good standing could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
h.Maintenance of Properties, Etc. The Company shall maintain and preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve, all of its material properties which are necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to materially comply, at all times with the provisions of all leases to which it is a party as lessee or under which it occupies property, so as to prevent any loss or forfeiture thereof or thereunder.
i.Maintenance of Intellectual Property. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, take all action necessary or advisable to maintain all of the Intellectual Property Rights of the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries that are necessary or material to the conduct of its business in full force and effect.
j.Maintenance of Insurance. The Company shall maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance with responsible and reputable insurance companies or associations (including, without limitation, comprehensive general liability, hazard, rent and business interruption insurance) with respect to its properties (including
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all real properties leased or owned by it) and business, in such amounts and covering such risks as is required by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto or as is carried generally in accordance with sound business practice by companies in similar businesses similarly situated.
k.Transactions with Affiliates. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into, renew, extend or be a party to, any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease, transfer or exchange of property or assets of any kind or the rendering of services of any kind) with any affiliate, except transactions in the ordinary course of business in a manner and to an extent consistent with past practice and necessary or desirable for the prudent operation of its business, for fair consideration and on terms no less favorable to it or its Subsidiaries than would be obtainable in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an affiliate thereof.
l.Restricted Issuances. The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Required Holders, (i) issue any Preferred Shares (other than as contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement and this Certificate of Designations), (ii) issue any other securities that would cause a breach or default under this Certificate of Designations or (iii) issue any securities at a New Issuance Price less than the Floor Price then in effect.
m. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. To the extent that it may lawfully do so, the Company (A) agrees that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law (wherever or whenever enacted or in force) that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Certificate of Designations; and (B) expressly waives all benefits or advantages of any such law and agrees that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power granted to the Holders by this Certificate of Designations, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
n.Taxes. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall pay when due all material taxes, fees or other charges of any nature whatsoever (together with any related interest or penalties) now or hereafter imposed or assessed against the Company and its Subsidiaries or their respective assets or upon their ownership, possession, use, operation or disposition thereof or upon their rents, receipts or earnings arising therefrom (except where the failure to pay would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries). The Company and its Subsidiaries shall file on or before the due date therefor all personal property tax returns (except where the failure to file would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and its Subsidiaries may contest, in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, taxes for which they maintain adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP.
o.PCAOB Registered Auditor. At all times any Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the Company shall have engaged an independent auditor to audit its financial
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statements that is registered with (and in compliance with the rules and regulations of) the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
p. Independent Investigation. At the request of the Required Holders either (x) at any time when a Triggering Event has occurred and is continuing, (y) upon the occurrence of an event that with the passage of time or giving of notice would constitute a Triggering Event or (z) at any time such Required Holders reasonably believe a Triggering Event may have occurred or be continuing, the Company shall hire an independent, reputable investment bank selected by the Company and approved by such Holder (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) to investigate as to whether any breach of this Certificate of Designations has occurred (the “Independent Investigator”). If the Independent Investigator determines that such breach of this Certificate of Designations has occurred, the Independent Investigator shall notify the Company of such breach and the Company shall deliver written notice to each Holder of such breach. In connection with such investigation, the Independent Investigator may, during normal business hours, inspect all contracts, books, records, personnel, offices and other facilities and properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries and, to the extent available to the Company after the Company uses reasonable efforts to obtain them, the records of its legal advisors and accountants and any books of account, records, reports and other papers not contractually required of the Company to be confidential or secret, or subject to attorney-client or other evidentiary privilege, and the Independent Investigator may make such copies and inspections thereof as the Independent Investigator may reasonably request. The Company shall furnish the Independent Investigator with such financial and operating data and other information with respect to the business and properties of the Company as the Independent Investigator may reasonably request. The Company shall permit the Independent Investigator to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company with, and to make proposals and furnish advice with respect thereto to, the Company’s officers, directors, key employees and independent public accountants or any of them (and by this provision the Company authorizes said accountants to discuss with such Independent Investigator the finances and affairs of the Company and any Subsidiaries), all at such reasonable times, upon reasonable notice, and as often as may be reasonably requested.
14.Liquidation, Dissolution, Winding-Up. In the event of a Liquidation Event, the Holders shall be entitled to receive in cash out of the assets of the Company, whether from capital or from earnings available for distribution to its stockholders (the “Liquidation Funds”), before any amount shall be paid to the holders of any of shares of Junior Stock, but pari passu with any Parity Stock then outstanding, an amount per Preferred Share equal to the greater of (A) 125% of the Conversion Amount of such Preferred Share on the date of such payment and (B) the amount per share such Holder would receive if such Holder converted such Preferred Share into Common Stock immediately prior to the date of such payment, provided that if the Liquidation Funds are insufficient to pay the full amount due to the Holders and holders of shares of Parity Stock, then each Holder and each holder of Parity Stock shall receive a percentage of the Liquidation Funds equal to the full amount of Liquidation Funds payable to such Holder and such holder of Parity Stock as a liquidation preference, in accordance with their respective certificate of designations (or equivalent), as a percentage of the full amount of Liquidation Funds payable to all holders of Preferred Shares and all holders of shares of Parity
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APPENDIX A
Stock. To the extent necessary, the Company shall cause such actions to be taken by each of its Subsidiaries so as to enable, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the proceeds of a Liquidation Event to be distributed to the Holders in accordance with this Section 14. All the preferential amounts to be paid to the Holders under this Section 14 shall be paid or set apart for payment before the payment or setting apart for payment of any amount for, or the distribution of any Liquidation Funds of the Company to the holders of shares of Junior Stock in connection with a Liquidation Event as to which this Section 14 applies.
15.Distribution of Assets. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 7 and Section 8, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distributions of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to any or all holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (the “Distributions”), then each Holder, as holders of Preferred Shares, will be entitled to such Distributions as if such Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of the Preferred Shares (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of the Preferred Shares and assuming for such purpose that the Preferred Share was converted at the Alternate Conversion Price as of the applicable record date) immediately prior to the date on which a record is taken for such Distribution or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of Common Stock are to be determined for such Distributions (provided, however, that to the extent that such Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in such Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then such Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent of the Maximum Percentage (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution (and beneficial ownership) to such extent of any such excess) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of such Holder until such time or times as its right thereto would not result in such Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times, if any, such Holder shall be granted such Distribution (and any Distributions declared or made on such initial Distribution or on any subsequent Distribution held similarly in abeyance) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation).
16.Vote to Change the Terms of or Issue Preferred Shares. In addition to any other rights provided by law, except where the vote or written consent of the holders of a greater number of shares is required by law or by another provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, without first obtaining the affirmative vote at a meeting duly called for such purpose or the written consent without a meeting of the Required Holders, voting together as a single class, the Company shall not: (a) amend or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to, its Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws, or file any certificate of designations or articles of amendment of any series of shares of preferred stock, if such action would adversely alter or change in any respect the preferences, rights, privileges or powers, or restrictions provided for the benefit of the Preferred Shares hereunder, regardless of whether any such action shall be by means of amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or by merger, consolidation or otherwise; (b) increase or decrease (other than by conversion) the authorized number of shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock; (c) without limiting any provision of Section 2, create or authorize (by reclassification or otherwise) any new class or series of Senior Preferred Stock or Parity
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APPENDIX A
Stock; (d) purchase, repurchase or redeem any shares of Junior Stock (other than pursuant to the terms of the Company’s equity incentive plans and options and other equity awards granted under such plans (that have in good faith been approved by the Board)); (e) without limiting any provision of Section 2, pay dividends or make any other distribution on any shares of any Junior Stock; (f) issue any Preferred Shares other than as contemplated hereby or pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement; or (g) without limiting any provision of Section 10, whether or not prohibited by the terms of the Preferred Shares, circumvent a right of the Preferred Shares hereunder.
17.Transfer of Preferred Shares. A Holder may offer, sell or transfer some or all of its Preferred Shares without the consent of the Company subject only to the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Purchase Agreement.
18.Reissuance of Preferred Share Certificates and Book Entries.
a.Transfer. If any Preferred Shares are to be transferred, the applicable Holder shall surrender the applicable Preferred Share Certificate to the Company (or, if the Preferred Shares are held in Book-Entry form, a written instruction letter to the Company), whereupon the Company will forthwith issue and deliver upon the order of such Holder a new Preferred Share Certificate (in accordance with Section 18(d)) (or evidence of the transfer of such Book-Entry), registered as such Holder may request, representing the outstanding number of Preferred Shares being transferred by such Holder and, if less than the entire outstanding number of Preferred Shares is being transferred, a new Preferred Share Certificate (in accordance with Section 18(d)) to such Holder representing the outstanding number of Preferred Shares not being transferred (or evidence of such remaining Preferred Shares in a Book-Entry for such Holder). Such Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of the Preferred Share Certificate or evidence of Book-Entry issuance, as applicable, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of Section 4(c)(i) following conversion or redemption of any of the Preferred Shares, the outstanding number of Preferred Shares represented by the Preferred Share Certificates or Book-Entry may be less than the number of Preferred Shares stated on the face of the Preferred Share Certificates or Book-Entry.
b.Lost, Stolen or Mutilated Preferred Share Certificate. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Preferred Share Certificate (as to which a written certification and the indemnification contemplated below shall suffice as such evidence), and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of any indemnification undertaking by the applicable Holder to the Company in customary and reasonable form and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of such Preferred Share Certificate, the Company shall execute and deliver to such Holder a new Preferred Share Certificate (in accordance with Section 18(d)) representing the applicable outstanding number of Preferred Shares.
c.Preferred Share Certificate and Book-Entries Exchangeable for Different Denominations and Forms. Each Preferred Share Certificate is exchangeable, upon the surrender hereof by the applicable Holder at the principal office of the Company, for a
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APPENDIX A
new Preferred Share Certificate or Preferred Share Certificate(s) or new Book-Entry (in accordance with Section 18(d)) representing, in the aggregate, the outstanding number of the Preferred Shares in the original Preferred Share Certificate, and each such new Preferred Share Certificate and/or new Book-Entry, as applicable, will represent such portion of such outstanding number of Preferred Shares from the original Preferred Share Certificate as is designated in writing by such Holder at the time of such surrender. Each Book-Entry may be exchanged into one or more new Preferred Share Certificates or split by the applicable Holder by delivery of a written notice to the Company into two or more new Book-Entries (in accordance with Section 18(d)) representing, in the aggregate, the outstanding number of the Preferred Shares in the original Book-Entry, and each such new Book-Entry and/or new Preferred Share Certificate, as applicable, will represent such portion of such outstanding number of Preferred Shares from the original Book-Entry as is designated in writing by such Holder at the time of such surrender.
d.Issuance of New Preferred Share Certificate or Book-Entry. Whenever the Company is required to issue a new Preferred Share Certificate or a new Book-Entry pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Designations, such new Preferred Share Certificate or new Book-Entry (i) shall represent, as indicated on the face of such Preferred Share Certificate or in such Book-Entry, as applicable, the number of Preferred Shares remaining outstanding (or in the case of a new Preferred Share Certificate or new Book-Entry being issued pursuant to Section 18(a) or Section 18(c), the number of Preferred Shares designated by such Holder) which, when added to the number of Preferred Shares represented by the other new Preferred Share Certificates or other new Book-Entry, as applicable, issued in connection with such issuance, does not exceed the number of Preferred Shares remaining outstanding under the original Preferred Share Certificate or original Book-Entry, as applicable, immediately prior to such issuance of new Preferred Share Certificate or new Book-Entry, as applicable, and (ii) shall have an issuance date, as indicated on the face of such new Preferred Share Certificate or in such new Book-Entry, as applicable, which is the same as the issuance date of the original Preferred Share Certificate or in such original Book-Entry, as applicable.
19.Remedies, Characterizations, Other Obligations, Breaches and Injunctive Relief. The remedies provided in this Certificate of Designations shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Certificate of Designations and any of the other Transaction Documents, at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), and nothing herein shall limit any Holder’s right to pursue actual and consequential damages for any failure by the Company to comply with the terms of this Certificate of Designations. No failure on the part of a Holder to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise by such Holder of any right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. In addition, the exercise of any right or remedy of a Holder at law or equity or under this Certificate of Designations or any of the documents shall not be deemed to be an election of such Holder’s rights or remedies under such documents or at law or equity. The Company covenants to each Holder that there shall be no characterization concerning this instrument other than as expressly provided herein. Amounts set forth or provided for herein with respect to payments, conversion and the like (and the computation thereof) shall be the amounts to be received by a Holder and
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shall not, except as expressly provided herein, be subject to any other obligation of the Company (or the performance thereof). No failure on the part of a Holder to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise by such Holder of any right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. In addition, the exercise of any right or remedy of any Holder at law or equity or under Preferred Shares or any of the documents shall not be deemed to be an election of such Holder’s rights or remedies under such documents or at law or equity. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Holders and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate. The Company therefore agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, each Holder shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to specific performance and/or temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive or other equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages and without posting a bond or other security. The Company shall provide all information and documentation to a Holder that is requested by such Holder to enable such Holder to confirm the Company’s compliance with the terms and conditions of this Certificate of Designations.
20.Payment of Collection, Enforcement and Other Costs. If (a) any Preferred Shares are placed in the hands of an attorney for collection or enforcement or is collected or enforced through any legal proceeding or a Holder otherwise takes action to collect amounts due under this Certificate of Designations with respect to the Preferred Shares or to enforce the provisions of this Certificate of Designations or (b) there occurs any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership of the Company or other proceedings affecting Company creditors’ rights and involving a claim under this Certificate of Designations, then the Company shall pay the costs reasonably incurred by such Holder for such collection, enforcement or action or in connection with such bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership or other proceeding, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements. The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that no amounts due under this Certificate of Designations with respect to any Preferred Shares shall be affected, or limited, by the fact that the purchase price paid for each Preferred Share was less than the original Stated Value thereof.
21.Construction; Headings. This Certificate of Designations shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and the Holders and shall not be construed against any such Person as the drafter hereof. The headings of this Certificate of Designations are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Certificate of Designations. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Certificate of Designations instead of just the provision in which they are found. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, all section references are to sections of this Certificate of Designations. Terms used in this Certificate of Designations and not otherwise defined herein, but defined in the other Transaction Documents, shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms on the Initial Issuance Date in such other Transaction Documents unless otherwise consented to in writing by the Required Holders.
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22.Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver. No failure or delay on the part of a Holder in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party. This Certificate of Designations shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and all Holders and shall not be construed against any Person as the drafter hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 22 shall permit any waiver of any provision of Section 4(d).
23.Dispute Resolution.
a.Submission to Dispute Resolution.
(i) In the case of a dispute relating to a Closing Bid Price, a Closing Sale Price, a Conversion Price, an Alternate Conversion Price, a VWAP or a fair market value or the arithmetic calculation of a Conversion Rate, or the applicable redemption price (as the case may be) (including, without limitation, a dispute relating to the determination of any of the foregoing), the Company or the applicable Holder (as the case may be) shall submit the dispute to the other party via electronic mail (A) if by the Company, within two (2) Business Days after the occurrence of the circumstances giving rise to such dispute or (B) if by such Holder at any time after such Holder learned of the circumstances giving rise to such dispute. If such Holder and the Company are unable to promptly resolve such dispute relating to such Closing Bid Price, such Closing Sale Price, such Conversion Price, such Alternate Conversion Price, such VWAP or such fair market value, or the arithmetic calculation of such Conversion Rate or such applicable redemption price (as the case may be), at any time after the second (2nd) Business Day following such initial notice by the Company or such Holder (as the case may be) of such dispute to the Company or such Holder (as the case may be), then such Holder may, with the consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), select an independent, reputable investment bank to resolve such dispute.
(ii) Such Holder and the Company shall each deliver to such investment bank (A) a copy of the initial dispute submission so delivered in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 23 and (B) written documentation supporting its position with respect to such dispute, in each case, no later than 5:00 p.m. (New York time) by the fifth (5th) Business Day immediately following the date on which such Holder selected such investment bank (the “Dispute Submission Deadline”) (the documents referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (A) and (B) are collectively referred to herein as the “Required Dispute Documentation”) (it being understood and agreed that if either such Holder or the Company fails to so deliver all of the Required Dispute Documentation by the Dispute Submission Deadline, then the party who fails to so submit all of the Required Dispute Documentation shall no longer be entitled to (and hereby waives its right to) deliver or submit any written documentation or other support to such investment bank with respect to such dispute and such investment bank shall resolve such dispute based solely on the Required Dispute Documentation
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that was delivered to such investment bank prior to the Dispute Submission Deadline). Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by both the Company and such Holder or otherwise requested by such investment bank, neither the Company nor such Holder shall be entitled to deliver or submit any written documentation or other support to such investment bank in connection with such dispute (other than the Required Dispute Documentation).
(iii) The Company and such Holder shall cause such investment bank to determine the resolution of such dispute and notify the Company and such Holder of such resolution no later than ten (10) Business Days immediately following the Dispute Submission Deadline. The fees and expenses of such investment bank shall be borne by the party in whose favor the investment bank decides such dispute or, in the event that the investment bank determines that the applicable calculation is in between the amounts submitted by the Company and such Holder, then half of such fees and expenses shall be borne by the Company and half of such fees and expenses shall be borne by the Holder, and such investment bank’s resolution of such dispute shall be final and binding upon all parties absent manifest error.
b.Miscellaneous. The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that (i) this Section 23 constitutes an agreement to arbitrate between the Company and each Holder (and constitutes an arbitration agreement) under the rules then in effect under Delaware Rapid Arbitration Act, as amended, (ii) the terms of this Certificate of Designations and each other applicable Transaction Document shall serve as the basis for the selected investment bank’s resolution of the applicable dispute, such investment bank shall be entitled (and is hereby expressly authorized) to make all findings, determinations and the like that such investment bank determines are required to be made by such investment bank in connection with its resolution of such dispute and in resolving such dispute such investment bank shall apply such findings, determinations and the like to the terms of this Certificate of Designations and any other applicable Transaction Documents, (iii) the applicable Holder (and only such Holder with respect to disputes solely relating to such Holder), in its sole discretion, shall have the right to submit any dispute described in this Section 23 to any state or federal court sitting in Wilmington Delaware, in lieu of utilizing the procedures set forth in this Section 23 and (iv) nothing in this Section 23 shall limit such Holder from obtaining any injunctive relief or other equitable remedies (including, without limitation, with respect to any matters described in this Section 23).
24.Notices; Currency; Payments.
a.Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Certificate of Designations must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered on the earliest of: (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by electronic mail (provided that such sent email is kept on file (whether electronically or otherwise) by the sending party and the sending party does not receive an automatically generated message from the recipient’s email server that such e-mail could not be delivered to such recipient); or (iii)
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one (1) Business Day after deposit with an overnight courier service with next day delivery specified, in each case, properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The mailing address and e-mail address for any such communications to the Company shall be: Nauticus Robotics, Inc. 17146 Feathercraft Lane, Suite 450, Webster, Texas 77598, Attention: John Gibson, CEO, e-mail address: jgibson@nauticusrobotics.com, or such other mailing address and/or e-mail address as the Company has specified by written notice given to each of the Holders in accordance with this Section 24(a) not later than five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change. The mailing address and e-mail address for any such communications to any Holder shall be as set forth on such Holder’s respective signature page to the Securities Purchase Agreement, or such other mailing address and/or e-mail address as such Holder has specified by written notice given to the Company in accordance with this Section 24(a) not later than five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender’s e-mail containing the time, date and recipient’s e-mail or (C) provided by an overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by e-mail or receipt from an overnight courier service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.
b.The Company shall provide each Holder with prompt written notice of all actions taken pursuant to this Certificate of Designations, including in reasonable detail a description of such action and the reason therefore. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall give written notice to each Holder (i) immediately upon any adjustment of the Conversion Price, setting forth in reasonable detail, and certifying, the calculation of such adjustment and (ii) at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date on which the Company closes its books or takes a record (A) with respect to any dividend or distribution upon the Common Stock, or (B) for determining rights to vote with respect to any Fundamental Transaction, dissolution or liquidation, provided in each case that such information shall be made known to the public prior to or in conjunction with such notice being provided to such Holder.
c.Currency. All dollar amounts referred to in this Certificate of Designations are in United States Dollars (“U.S. Dollars”), and all amounts owing under this Certificate of Designations shall be paid in U.S. Dollars. All amounts denominated in other currencies (if any) shall be converted into the U.S. Dollar equivalent amount in accordance with the Exchange Rate on the date of calculation. “Exchange Rate” means, in relation to any amount of currency to be converted into U.S. Dollars pursuant to this Certificate of Designations, the U.S. Dollar exchange rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the relevant date of calculation (it being understood and agreed that where an amount is calculated with reference to, or over, a period of time, the date of calculation shall be the final date of such period of time).
d.Payments. Whenever any payment of cash is to be made by the Company to any Person pursuant to this Certificate of Designations, unless otherwise expressly set forth herein, such payment shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America by wire transfer of immediately available funds pursuant to wire transfer instructions that Holder shall provide to the Company in writing from time to time.
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Whenever any amount expressed to be due by the terms of this Certificate of Designations is due on any day which is not a Business Day, the same shall instead be due on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day.
25.Waiver of Notice. To the extent permitted by law, the Company hereby irrevocably waives demand, notice, presentment, protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Certificate of Designations and the Securities Purchase Agreement.
26.Governing Law. This Certificate of Designations shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Certificate of Designations shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware. Except as otherwise required by Section 23 above, the Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in Wilmington, Delaware, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein (i) shall be deemed or operate to preclude any Holder from bringing suit or taking other legal action against the Company in any other jurisdiction to collect on the Company’s obligations to such Holder, to realize on any collateral or any other security for such obligations, or to enforce a judgment or other court ruling in favor of such Holder or (ii) shall limit, or shall be deemed or construed to limit, any provision of Section 23 above. THE COMPANY AND EACH HOLDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
27.Judgment Currency.
a.If for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against the Company in any court in any jurisdiction it becomes necessary to convert into any other currency (such other currency being hereinafter in this Section 27 referred to as the “Judgment Currency”) an amount due in U.S. Dollars under this Certificate of Designations, the conversion shall be made at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Trading Day immediately preceding:
(i) the date actual payment of the amount due, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of New York or in the courts of any other jurisdiction that will give effect to such conversion being made on such date: or
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(ii) the date on which the foreign court determines, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of any other jurisdiction (the date as of which such conversion is made pursuant to this Section 27(a)(ii) being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Conversion Date”).
b.If in the case of any proceeding in the court of any jurisdiction referred to in Section 27(a)(ii) above, there is a change in the Exchange Rate prevailing between the Judgment Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the applicable party shall pay such adjusted amount as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of US dollars which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial order at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Judgment Conversion Date.
c.Any amount due from the Company under this provision shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other amounts due under or in respect of this Certificate of Designations.
28.TAXES.
a.All payments made by the Company hereunder or under any other Transaction Document shall be made in accordance with the terms of the respective Transaction Document and shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, withholding, deduction or other defense. Without limiting the foregoing, all such payments shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding (i) taxes imposed on the net income of a Holder by the jurisdiction in which such Holder is organized or where it has its principal lending office, (ii) with respect to any payments made by the Company hereunder, taxes (including, but not limited to, backup withholding) to the extent such taxes are imposed due to the failure of the applicable recipient of such payment to provide the Company with whichever (if any) is applicable of valid and properly completed and executed IRS Forms W-9, W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI, and/or W-8IMY, when requested in writing by the Company, and (iii) with respect to any payments made by the Company, taxes to the extent such taxes are imposed due to the failure of the applicable recipient of such payment to comply with FATCA (all such nonexcluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings and liabilities, collectively or individually, “Taxes”). If the Company shall be required to deduct or to withhold any Taxes from or in respect of any amount payable hereunder or under any other Transaction Document:
(i) the amount so payable shall be increased to the extent necessary so that after making all required deductions and withholdings (including Taxes on amounts payable to a Holder pursuant to this sentence) such Holder receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made,
(ii) the Company shall make such deduction or withholding,
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(iii) the Company shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, and
(iv)as promptly as possible thereafter, the Company shall send such Holder an official receipt (or, if an official receipt is not available, such other documentation as shall be satisfactory to such Holder, as the case may be) showing payment. In addition, the Company agrees to pay any present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies that arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery, registration or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Preferred Shares or any other Transaction Document (collectively, “Other Taxes”).
b.The Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold each Holder and each of their affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors (each, an “Indemnified Party”) each Indemnified Party harmless from and against Taxes or Other Taxes (including, without limitation, any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 28) paid by any Indemnified Party as a result of any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery, registration or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Preferred Shares or any other Transaction Document, and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses for nonpayment, late payment or otherwise) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. This indemnification shall be paid within thirty (30) days from the date on which such Holder makes written demand therefor, which demand shall identify the nature and amount of such Taxes or Other Taxes.
c.If the Company fails to perform any of its obligations under this Section 28, the Company shall indemnify such Holder for any taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable as a result of any such failure. The obligations of the Company under this Section 28 shall survive the repayment and/or conversion, as applicable, in full of the Preferred Shares and all other amounts payable with respect thereto.
d.If any Indemnified Party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 28 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 28), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 28 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including taxes) of such Indemnified Party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such Indemnified Party, shall repay to such Indemnified Party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (d) (plus any penalties, interest, or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such Indemnified Party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (d), in no event will the Indemnified Party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to
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this paragraph (d) the payment of which would place the Indemnified Party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the Indemnified Party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph (d) shall not be construed to require any Indemnified Party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
29.Severability. If any provision of this Certificate of Designations is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Certificate of Designations so long as this Certificate of Designations as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s).
30.Maximum Payments. Without limitation Section 9(d) of the Securities Purchase Agreement, nothing contained herein shall be deemed to establish or require the payment of a rate of interest or other charges in excess of the maximum permitted by applicable law. In the event that the rate of interest required to be paid or other charges hereunder exceed the maximum permitted by such law, any payments in excess of such maximum shall be credited against amounts owed by the Company to the applicable Holder and thus refunded to the Company.
31. Stockholder Matters; Amendment.
a.Stockholder Matters. Any stockholder action, approval or consent required, desired or otherwise sought by the Company pursuant to the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation, this Certificate of Designations or otherwise with respect to the issuance of Preferred Shares may be effected by written consent of the Company’s stockholders or at a duly called meeting of the Company’s stockholders, all in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the DGCL. This provision is intended to comply with the applicable sections of the DGCL permitting stockholder action, approval and consent affected by written consent in lieu of a meeting.
b.Amendment. Except for Section 4(d) and this Section 31(b), which may not be amended, modified or waived hereunder, this Certificate of Designations or any provision hereof may be amended by obtaining the affirmative vote at a meeting duly called for such purpose, or written consent without a meeting in accordance with the DGCL, of the Required Holders, voting separate as a single class, and with such other stockholder approval, if any, as may then be required pursuant to the DGCL and the
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Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, and notwithstanding anything this Certificate of Designations or the Transaction Documents to the contrary, no provision of the Preferred Shares or this Certificate of Designations shall be amended, modified or waived, and no consent, approval, objection, determination or selection shall be made by the Required Holders thereunder or hereunder, in each case, to the extent any such amendment, modification, waiver, consent, approval, objection, determination or selection would disproportionately and materially adversely affect any rights of any Holder of the Preferred Shares (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding the payment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any legal fees and/or expenses of any Holder in connection therewith), unless any such Holder shall have previously consented in writing to such amendment, modification, waiver, consent, approval, objection, determination or selection. Except (a) to the extent otherwise expressly provided in this Certificate of Designations or the Certificate of Incorporation with respect to voting or approval rights of a particular class or series of capital stock or (b) to the extent otherwise provided pursuant to the DGCL, the holders of each outstanding class or series of shares of the Company shall not be entitled to vote as a separate voting group on any amendment to the terms of this Certificate of Designations with respect to which such class or series would otherwise be entitled under the DGCL to vote as a separate voting group.
32.Certain Defined Terms. For purposes of this Certificate of Designations, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
a.“1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
b. “1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
c.“Additional Amount” means, as of the applicable date of determination, with respect to each Preferred Share, all declared and unpaid Dividends on such Preferred Share.
d.“Adjustment Right” means any right granted with respect to any securities issued in connection with, or with respect to, any issuance or sale (or deemed issuance or sale in accordance with Section 8(a)) of shares of Common Stock (other than rights of the type described in Section 7(a) hereof) that could result in a decrease in the net consideration received by the Company in connection with, or with respect to, such securities (including, without limitation, any cash settlement rights, cash adjustment or other similar rights).
e. “Affiliate” or “Affiliated” means, with respect to any Person, any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the 1933 Act.
f.“Alternate Conversion Floor Amount” means an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the higher of (I) the highest price that the Common
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Stock trades at on the Trading Day immediately preceding the relevant Alternate Conversion Date and (II) the applicable Alternate Conversion Price and (B) the difference obtained by subtracting (I) the number of shares of Common Stock delivered (or to be delivered) to such Holder on the applicable Share Delivery Deadline with respect to such Alternate Conversion from (II) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the applicable Conversion Amount that such Holder has elected to be the subject of the applicable Alternate Conversion, by (y) the applicable Alternate Conversion Price without giving effect to clause (x) of such definition.
g.“Alternate Conversion Price” means, with respect to any Alternate Conversion that price which shall be the lowest of (i) the applicable Conversion Price as in effect on the applicable Conversion Date of the applicable Alternate Conversion, and (ii) the greater of (x) the Floor Price and (y) 98% of the lowest VWAP of the Common Stock during the ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period ending and including the Trading Day immediately preceding the delivery or deemed delivery of the applicable Conversion Notice (such period, the “Alternate Conversion Measuring Period”). All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or similar transaction that proportionately decreases or increases the Common Stock during such Alternate Conversion Measuring Period.
h.“Applicable Date” means the earlier to occur of (x) the first date on which a registration statement covering the resale by the Investors (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) of all the Conversion Shares is declared effective by the SEC (and each prospectus contained therein is available for use on such date) and (y) the first date on which all of the Conversion Shares are eligible to be resold by the Investors pursuant to Rule 144 (or, if a Current Public Information Failure (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) has occurred and is continuing, such later date after which the Company has cured such Current Public Information Failure)(in each case, without regard to any limitations on exercise herein).
i. “Approved Stock Plan” means any employee benefit plan or agreement which has been approved by the Board prior to or subsequent to the Subscription Date pursuant to which shares of Common Stock and standard options to purchase Common Stock may be issued to any employee, officer, consultant or director for services provided to the Company in their capacity as such.
j. “Attribution Parties” means, collectively, the following Persons and entities: (i) any investment vehicle, including, any funds, feeder funds or managed accounts, currently, or from time to time after the Initial Issuance Date, directly or indirectly managed or advised by a Holder’s investment manager or any of its Affiliates or principals, (ii) any direct or indirect Affiliates of such Holder or any of the foregoing, (iii) any Person acting or who could be deemed to be acting as a Group together with such Holder or any of the foregoing and (iv) any other Persons whose beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock would or could be aggregated with such Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties for purposes of Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. For clarity, the purpose of the foregoing is to subject collectively such Holder and all other Attribution Parties to the Maximum Percentage.
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APPENDIX A
k. “Black Scholes Consideration Value” means the value of the applicable Option, Convertible Security or Adjustment Right (as the case may be) as of the date of issuance thereof calculated using the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg utilizing (i) an underlying price per share equal to the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the public announcement of the execution of definitive documents with respect to the issuance of such Option, Convertible Security or Adjustment Right (as the case may be), (ii) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the remaining term of such Option, Convertible Security or Adjustment Right (as the case may be) as of the date of issuance of such Option, Convertible Security or Adjustment Right (as the case may be), (iii) a zero cost of borrow and (iv) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100 day volatility obtained from the “HVT” function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the date of issuance of such Option, Convertible Security or Adjustment Right (as the case may be).
l.“Bloomberg” means Bloomberg, L.P.
m.“Book-Entry” means each entry on the Register evidencing one or more Preferred Shares held by a Holder in lieu of a Preferred Share Certificate issuable hereunder.
n.“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any Governmental Authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.
o.“Change of Control” means any Fundamental Transaction other than (i) any merger of the Company or any of its, direct or indirect, wholly-owned Subsidiaries with or into any of the foregoing Persons, (ii) any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of the shares of Common Stock in which holders of the Company’s voting power immediately prior to such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification continue after such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification to hold publicly traded securities and, directly or indirectly, are, in all material respects, the holders of the voting power of the surviving entity (or entities with the authority or voting power to elect the members of the board of directors (or their equivalent if other than a corporation) of such entity or entities) after such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification, or (iii) pursuant to a migratory merger effected solely for the purpose of changing the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
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APPENDIX A
p.“Change of Control Election Price” means, with respect to any given Change of Control, such price equal to the greatest of (i) the product of (A) the Required Premium multiplied by (B) the Conversion Amount of the Preferred Shares subject to the applicable election, as applicable, (ii) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount of the Preferred Shares being redeemed or exchanged, as applicable, multiplied by (B) the quotient determined by dividing (I) the greatest Closing Sale Price of the shares of Common Stock during the period beginning on the date immediately preceding the earlier to occur of (1) the consummation of the applicable Change of Control and (2) the public announcement of such Change of Control and ending on the date such Holder delivers the Change of Control Election Notice by (II) the Alternate Conversion Price then in effect, and (iii) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount of the Preferred Shares being redeemed multiplied by (B) the quotient of (I) the aggregate cash consideration and the aggregate cash value of any non-cash consideration per share of Common Stock to be paid to such holders of the shares of Common Stock upon consummation of such Change of Control (any such non-cash consideration constituting publicly-traded securities shall be valued at the highest of the Closing Sale Price of such securities as of the Trading Day immediately prior to the consummation of such Change of Control, the Closing Sale Price of such securities on the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of such proposed Change of Control and the Closing Sale Price of such securities on the Trading Day immediately prior to the public announcement of such proposed Change of Control) divided by (II) the Conversion Price then in effect.
q.“Closing Bid Price” and “Closing Sale Price” means, for any security as of any date, the last closing bid price and last closing trade price, respectively, for such security on the Principal Market, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market begins to operate on an extended hours basis and does not designate the closing bid price or the closing trade price (as the case may be) then the last bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security prior to 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg, or if the foregoing do not apply, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, is reported for such security by Bloomberg, the average of the bid prices, or the ask prices, respectively, of any market makers for such security as reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices). If the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price (as the case may be) of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Required Holders. If the Company and the Required Holders are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 23. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions during such period.
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r.“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
s. “Common Stock” means (i) the Company’s shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and (ii) any capital stock into which such common stock shall have been changed or any share capital resulting from a reclassification of such common stock.
t.“Contingent Obligation” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person with respect to any Indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation of another Person if the primary purpose or intent of the Person incurring such liability, or the primary effect thereof, is to provide assurance to the obligee of such liability that such liability will be paid or discharged, or that any agreements relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of such liability will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss with respect thereto.
u.“Conversion Floor Price Condition” means that the relevant Alternate Conversion Price is being determined based on clause (x) of such definitions.
v.“Convertible Securities” means any stock or other security (other than Options) that is at any time and under any circumstances, directly or indirectly, convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for, or which otherwise entitles the holder thereof to acquire, any shares of Common Stock.
w.“Dividend Conversion Price” means, with respect to any given Dividend Date, that price which shall be the lowest of (i) the applicable Conversion Price as in effect on the applicable Dividend Date, (ii) 90% of the lowest VWAP of the Common Stock during the five (5) consecutive Trading Day period ending and including the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable Dividend Date (such period, the “Dividend Conversion Measuring Period”). All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or similar transaction that proportionately decreases or increases the Common Stock during such Dividend Conversion Measuring Period.
x.“Dividend Rate” means, as of any date of determination, ten percent (10%) per annum; provided, further, that such rate shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in accordance with Section 3.
y.“Eligible Market” means The New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market.
z.“Equity Conditions” means, with respect to an given date of determination: (i) on each day during the period beginning thirty calendar days prior to such applicable date of determination and ending on and including such applicable date of determination all shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with the event requiring this determination, as applicable, in the event requiring this determination at the Dividend Conversion Price then in effect (without regard to any limitations on conversion
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APPENDIX A
set forth herein) (each, a “Required Minimum Securities Amount”) shall be eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144 (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) without the need for registration under any applicable federal or state securities laws (in each case, disregarding any limitation on conversion of the Preferred Shares, other issuance of securities with respect to the Preferred Shares) and no Current Public Information Failure exists or is continuing; (ii) on each day during the period beginning thirty calendar days prior to the applicable date of determination and ending on and including the applicable date of determination (the “Equity Conditions Measuring Period”), the Common Stock (including all shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares) is listed or designated for quotation (as applicable) on an Eligible Market and shall not have been suspended from trading on an Eligible Market (other than suspensions of not more than two (2) days and occurring prior to the applicable date of determination due to business announcements by the Company) nor shall delisting or suspension by an Eligible Market have been threatened (with a reasonable prospect of delisting occurring after giving effect to all applicable notice, appeal, compliance and hearing periods) or reasonably likely to occur or pending as evidenced by (A) a writing by such Eligible Market or (B) the Company falling below the minimum listing maintenance requirements of the Eligible Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or designated for quotation, as applicable; (iii) during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, the Company shall have delivered all shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares on a timely basis as set forth in Section 4 hereof and all other shares of capital stock required to be delivered by the Company on a timely basis as set forth in the other Transaction Documents; (iv) any shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with the event requiring determination may be issued in full without violating Section 4(d) hereof; (v) any shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with the event requiring determination may be issued in full without violating the rules or regulations of the Eligible Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or designated for quotation (as applicable); (vi) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, no public announcement of a pending, proposed or intended Fundamental Transaction shall have occurred which has not been abandoned, terminated or consummated; (vii) the Company shall have no knowledge of any fact that would reasonably be expected to cause the applicable Required Minimum Securities Amount of shares of Common Stock issuable in connection with the event requiring such determination to not be eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144 without the need for registration under any applicable federal or state securities laws (in each case, disregarding any limitation on conversion of the Preferred Shares, other issuance of securities with respect to the Preferred Shares), (viii) none of the Holders shall be in possession of any material, non-public information provided to any of them by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective affiliates, employees, officers, representatives, agents or the like; (ix) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, the Company otherwise shall have been in compliance with each, and shall not have breached any representation or warranty in any material respect (other than representations or warranties subject to material adverse effect or materiality, which may not be breached in any respect) or any covenant or other term or condition of any Transaction Document, including, without limitation, the Company shall not have failed to timely make any payment pursuant to any Transaction Document; (x) on each Trading Day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, there shall not have occurred any
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APPENDIX A
Volume Failure or Price Failure as of such applicable date of determination; (xi) on the applicable date of determination (A) no Authorized Share Failure shall exist or be continuing and the applicable Required Minimum Securities Amount of shares of Common Stock are available under the certificate of incorporation of the Company and reserved by the Company to be issued pursuant to this Certificate of Designations and (B) all shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with the event requiring this determination may be issued in full without resulting in an Authorized Share Failure; (xii) on each day during the Equity Conditions Measuring Period, there shall not have occurred and there shall not exist a Triggering Event or an event that with the passage of time or giving of notice would constitute a Triggering Event; or (xiii) the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the event requiring the satisfaction of the Equity Conditions are duly authorized and listed and eligible for trading without restriction on an Eligible Market.
aa.“Equity Conditions Failure” means that on any day during the period commencing twenty (20) Trading Days prior to such applicable date of determination, the Equity Conditions have not been satisfied (or waived in writing by the applicable Holder).
bb. “Excluded Securities” means (i) shares of Common Stock or standard options to purchase Common Stock issued to directors, officers or employees of the Company for services rendered to the Company in their capacity as such pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan (as defined above), provided that (A) all such issuances (taking into account the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such options) after the Subscription Date pursuant to this clause (i) do not, in the aggregate, exceed more than 10% of the Common Stock issued and outstanding on a fully-diluted basis, giving effect to the exercise or conversion of Convertible Securities, immediately prior to the Subscription Date and (B) the exercise price of any such options is not lowered, none of such options are amended to increase the number of shares issuable thereunder and none of the terms or conditions of any such options are otherwise materially changed in any manner that adversely affects any of the Holders; (ii) shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion or exercise, as applicable, of Convertible Securities or Options (other than standard options to purchase Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (i) above) issued prior to the Subscription Date, provided that the conversion price or exercise price, as applicable, of any such Convertible Securities or Options (other than standard options to purchase Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (i) above) is not lowered, none of such Convertible Securities or Options (other than standard options to purchase Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (i) above) are amended to increase the number of shares issuable thereunder and none of the terms or conditions of any such Convertible Securities or Options (other than standard options to purchase Common Stock issued pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (i) above) are otherwise materially changed in any manner that adversely affects any of the Holders; (iii) the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares or otherwise pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Designations; provided, that the terms of this Certificate of Designations are not amended, modified or changed on or after the Subscription Date
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(other than antidilution adjustments pursuant to the terms thereof in effect as of the Subscription Date); and (iv) the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to a Permitted VRT (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement).
cc. “FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Certificate of Designation (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.
dd. “Floor Price” means $0.1836 (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations and similar events), or, subject to the rules and regulations of the Principal Market, such lower price as the Company and the Required Holders may agree, from time to time.
ee. “Fundamental Transaction” means (A) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, (i) consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) another Subject Entity, or (ii) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its “significant subsidiaries” (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) to one or more Subject Entities, or (iii) make, or allow one or more Subject Entities to make, or allow the Company to be subject to or have its Common Stock be subject to or party to one or more Subject Entities making, a purchase, tender or exchange offer that is accepted by the holders of at least either (x) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entities making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer, become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iv) consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with one or more Subject Entities whereby all such Subject Entities, individually or in the aggregate, acquire, either (x) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all the Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such stock purchase agreement or other business combination were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that the Subject Entities become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (v) reorganize, recapitalize or reclassify its Common Stock, (B) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, allow
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any Subject Entity individually or the Subject Entities in the aggregate to be or become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, whether through acquisition, purchase, assignment, conveyance, tender, tender offer, exchange, reduction in outstanding shares of Common Stock, merger, consolidation, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, scheme of arrangement, reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification or otherwise in any manner whatsoever, of either (x) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding Common Stock not held by all such Subject Entities as of the date of this Certificate of Designations calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all such Subject Entities were not outstanding, or (z) a percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company sufficient to allow such Subject Entities to effect a statutory short form merger or other transaction requiring other stockholders of the Company to surrender their shares of Common Stock without approval of the stockholders of the Company or (C) directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, the issuance of or the entering into any other instrument or transaction structured in a manner to circumvent, or that circumvents, the intent of this definition in which case this definition shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this definition to the extent necessary to correct this definition or any portion of this definition which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended treatment of such instrument or transaction.
ff. “GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.
gg. “Going Private Transaction” means any Change of Control (i) pursuant to which, the Company (and the Successor Entity, if applicable) ceases to have any securities registered under the 1934 Act or (ii) that results in the purchase and/or cancellation of all of the Common Stock of the Company solely for cash (and not in whole, or in part, for any other securities of any Person).
hh. “Governmental Authority” means any federal, foreign, state, county, municipal, provincial, or local governmental authority, court, judicial body, arbitration tribunal, government or self-regulatory organization, commission, tribunal or organization, or any regulatory, administrative, or other agency, or any political or other subdivision, department, commission, board, bureau, branch, division, ministry, or instrumentality of any of the foregoing.
ii. “Group” means a “group” as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act and as defined in Rule 13d-5 thereunder.
jj. “Indebtedness” means of any Person means, without duplication (A) all indebtedness for borrowed money, (B) all obligations issued, undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services, including, without limitation, “capital leases” in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles
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APPENDIX A
consistently applied for the periods covered thereby (other than trade payables entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), (C) all reimbursement or payment obligations with respect to letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments, (D) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, including obligations so evidenced incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses, (E) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect to any property or assets acquired with the proceeds of such indebtedness (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property), (F) all monetary obligations under any leasing or similar arrangement which, in connection with United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied for the periods covered thereby, is classified as a capital lease, (G) all indebtedness referred to in clauses (A) through (F) above secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever in or upon any property or assets (including accounts and contract rights) with respect to any asset or property owned by any Person, even though the Person which owns such assets or property has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness, and (H) all Contingent Obligations in respect of indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (A) through (G) above.
kk. “Intellectual Property Rights” means, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, all of their rights or licenses to use all trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, original works of authorship, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, governmental authorizations, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights and all applications and registrations therefor.
ll. “Investment” means any beneficial ownership (including stock, partnership or limited liability company interests) of or in any Person, or any loan, advance or capital contribution to any Person or the acquisition of all, or substantially all, of the assets of another Person or the purchase of any assets of another Person for greater than the fair market value of such assets.
mm. “Liquidation Event” means, whether in a single transaction or series of transactions, the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or such Subsidiaries the assets of which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
nn. “Market Price” means, with respect to any Adjustment Date, the Closing Bid Price of the Common Stock as of the Trading Day ended immediately prior to such applicable Adjustment Date.
oo. “Material Adverse Effect” means any material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, liabilities, operations, results of operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, if any,
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individually or taken as a whole, or on the transactions contemplated hereby or on the other Transaction Documents (as defined below), or by the agreements and instruments to be entered into in connection therewith or on the authority or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents.
pp. “Options” means any rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities.
qq. “Parent Entity” of a Person means an entity that, directly or indirectly, controls the applicable Person and whose common stock or equivalent equity security is quoted or listed on an Eligible Market, or, if there is more than one such Person or Parent Entity, the Person or Parent Entity with the largest public market capitalization as of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction.
rr. “Permitted Indebtedness” means (i) Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 3(s) to the Securities Purchase Agreement, as in effect as of the Subscription Date and (ii) Indebtedness secured by Permitted Liens or unsecured but as described in clauses (iv) and (v) of the definition of Permitted Liens.
ss. “Permitted Liens” means (i) any Lien for taxes not yet due or delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, (ii) any statutory Lien arising in the ordinary course of business by operation of law with respect to a liability that is not yet due or delinquent, (iii) any Lien created by operation of law, such as materialmen’s liens, mechanics’ liens and other similar liens, arising in the ordinary course of business with respect to a liability that is not yet due or delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (iv) Liens (A) upon or in any equipment acquired or held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to secure the purchase price of such equipment or Indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition or lease of such equipment, or (B) existing on such equipment at the time of its acquisition, provided that the Lien is confined solely to the property so acquired and improvements thereon, and the proceeds of such equipment, in either case, with respect to Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000, (v) Liens incurred in connection with the extension, renewal or refinancing of the Indebtedness secured by Liens of the type described in clause (iv) above, provided that any extension, renewal or replacement Lien shall be limited to the property encumbered by the existing Lien and the principal amount of the Indebtedness being extended, renewed or refinanced does not increase, and (vi) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payments of custom duties in connection with the importation of goods, and (vii) Liens arising from judgments, decrees or attachments in circumstances not constituting a Triggering Event under Section 5(a)(xi).
tt. “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity or a government or any department or agency thereof.
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uu. “Price Failure” means, with respect to a particular date of determination, the VWAP of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the twenty (20) Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding such date of determination fails to exceed $0.369 (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions occurring after the Subscription Date). All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions during any such measuring period.
vv. “Principal Market” means, as of any time of determination, the principal trading market, if any, in which the shares of Common Stock then trade.
ww. “Redemption Premium of the Conversion Amount” means the Conversion Amount to be redeemed multiplied by 125%.
xx. “Required Premium” means 125%.
yy. “SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or the successor thereto.
zz. “Securities” shall have the meaning as set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
aaa. “Securities Purchase Agreement” means that certain amended and restated securities purchase agreement by and among the Company and the initial holders of Preferred Shares, dated as of the Subscription Date, as may be amended from time in accordance with the terms thereof.
bbb. “Stated Value” shall mean $1,000 per share, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations, reorganizations, reclassifications, combinations, subdivisions or other similar events occurring after the Initial Issuance Date with respect to the Preferred Shares.
ccc. “Stock Combination Event” means the occurrence at any time and from time to time on or after the Subscription Date of any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination recapitalization or other similar transaction involving the Common Stock.
ddd. “Subject Entity” means any Person, Persons or Group or any Affiliate or associate of any such Person, Persons or Group.
eee. “Subscription Date” means August 5, 2025.
fff. “Subsequent Placement” means any direct, or indirect, issuance, offer, sale, grant of any option or right to purchase, or otherwise disposal of (or announcement of any issuance, offer, sale, grant of any option or right to purchase or other disposition of) any equity security or any equity-linked or related security (including, without limitation, any “equity security” (as that term is defined under Rule 405 promulgated
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under the 1933 Act), any Convertible Securities, any debt, any preferred stock or any purchase rights) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
ggg. “Subsidiary” shall have the meaning set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
hhh. “Successor Entity” means the Person (or, if so elected by the Required Holders, the Parent Entity) formed by, resulting from or surviving any Fundamental Transaction or the Person (or, if so elected by the Required Holders, the Parent Entity) with which such Fundamental Transaction shall have been entered into.
iii. “Trading Day” means, as applicable, (x) with respect to all price or trading volume determinations relating to the Common Stock, any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded, provided that “Trading Day” shall not include any day on which the Common Stock is scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the Common Stock is suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time) unless such day is otherwise designated as a Trading Day in writing by the applicable Holder or (y) with respect to all determinations other than price determinations relating to the Common Stock, any day on which The New York Stock Exchange (or any successor thereto) is open for trading of securities.
jjj. “Transaction Documents” means the Securities Purchase Agreement, this Certificate of Designations and each of the other agreements and instruments entered into or delivered by the Company or any of the Holders in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement, all as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
kkk. “Volume Failure” means, with respect to a particular date of determination, the aggregate daily dollar trading volume (as reported on Bloomberg) of the Common Stock on the Principal Market on any Trading Day during the twenty (20) Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding such date of determination (such period, the “Volume Failure Measuring Period”), is less than $75,000.
lll. “VWAP” means, for any security as of any date, the dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the Principal Market (or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for such security, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which such security is then traded), during the period beginning at 9:30 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “VAP” function (set to 09:30 start time and 16:00 end time) or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such
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APPENDIX A
security during the period beginning at 9:30 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for such security by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest closing bid price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for such security as reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices). If the VWAP cannot be calculated for such security on such date on any of the foregoing bases, the VWAP of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Required Holders. If the Company and the Required Holders are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 23. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction during such period.
33.Disclosure. Upon receipt or delivery by the Company of any notice in accordance with the terms of this Certificate of Designations, unless the Company has in good faith determined that the matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company shall on or prior to 9:00 am, New York city time on the Business Day immediately following such notice delivery date, publicly disclose such material, non-public information on a Current Report on Form 8-K or otherwise. In the event that the Company believes that a notice contains material, non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company so shall indicate to the applicable Holder explicitly in writing in such notice (or promptly (but no later than the next Business Day) following receipt of notice from such Holder, as applicable), and in the absence of any such written indication in such notice (or notification from the Company promptly (but no later than the next Business Day) following receipt of notice from such Holder), such Holder shall be entitled to presume that information contained in the notice does not constitute material, non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Nothing contained in this Section 33 shall limit any obligations of the Company, or any rights of any Holder, under Section 4(i) of the Securities Purchase Agreement.
34.Absence of Trading and Disclosure Restrictions. The Company acknowledges and agrees that no Holder is a fiduciary or agent of the Company and that each Holder shall have no obligation to (a) maintain the confidentiality of any information provided by the Company or (b) refrain from trading any securities while in possession of such information in the absence of a written non-disclosure agreement signed by an officer of such Holder that explicitly provides for such confidentiality and trading restrictions. In the absence of such an executed, written non-disclosure agreement, the Company acknowledges that each Holder may freely trade in any securities issued by the Company, may possess and use any information provided by the Company in connection with such trading activity, and may disclose any such information to any third party.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Designations of the Certificate of Incorporation of Nauticus Robotics, Inc. to be signed by its Chief Executive Officer and President on this __ day of August, 2025.
NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC.
By: _______________________
Name: John W. Gibson, Jr.
Title: Chief Executive Officer and President
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EXHIBIT I
NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC.
CONVERSION NOTICE
Reference is made to the Certificate of Designations of the Certificate of Incorporation of Nauticus Robotics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) establishing the terms, preferences and rights of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value (the “Preferred Shares”) of the Company (the “Certificate of Designations”). In accordance with and pursuant to the Certificate of Designations, the undersigned hereby elects to convert the number of Preferred Shares indicated below into shares of common stock, $0.0001 value per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company, as of the date specified below.
| Date of Conversion: | ||||||||||||||
Aggregate number of Preferred Shares to be converted: | ||||||||||||||
Aggregate Stated Value of such Preferred Shares to be converted: | ||||||||||||||
Aggregate accrued and unpaid Dividends with respect to such Preferred Shares to be converted: | ||||||||||||||
| AGGREGATE CONVERSION AMOUNT TO BE CONVERTED: | ||||||||||||||
| Please confirm the following information: | ||||||||||||||
Conversion Price: | ||||||||||||||
Number of shares of Common Stock to be issued: | ||||||||||||||
☐ If this Conversion Notice is being delivered with respect to an Alternate Conversion, check here if Holder is electing to use the following Alternate Conversion Price:____________ Please issue the Common Stock into which the applicable Preferred Shares are being converted to Holder, or for its benefit, as follows: ☐ Check here if requesting delivery as a certificate to the following name and to the following address: | ||||||||||||||
A-60
APPENDIX A
Issue to: | ||||||||||||||
☐ Check here if requesting delivery by Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian as follows: | ||||||||||||||
DTC Participant: | ||||||||||||||
DTC Number: | ||||||||||||||
Account Number: | ||||||||||||||
Date: _____________ __, Name of Registered Holder | |||||
By: Name: Title: Tax ID:_____________________ E-mail Address: | |||||
A-61
APPENDIX A
EXHIBIT II
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Company hereby acknowledges this Conversion Notice, (a) certifies that the above indicated number of shares of Common Stock [are][are not] eligible to be resold by the applicable Holder either (i) pursuant to Rule 144 or Section 4(a)(1) of the 1933 Act (subject to such Holder’s execution and delivery to the Company of a customary 144 or Section 4(a)(1) representation letter) or (ii) an effective and available registration statement and (b) hereby directs _________________ to issue the above indicated number of shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Transfer Agent Instructions dated _____________, 20__ from the Company and acknowledged and agreed to by ________________________.
NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
Name:
Title:
A-62
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting:
The Notice and Proxy Statement is available at www.proxyvote.com
NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC.
Special Meeting of Stockholders
This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors
The shareholders hereby appoint John W. Gibson, Jr. and John Symington, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint their substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of common stock of NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC. that the shareholders are entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 10:00 AM, CDT on October 23, 2025, at 1550 Lamar Street, Suite 2000, Houston, TX 77010, and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations.
Continued and to be signed on the reverse side
NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC. 17146 FEATHERCRAFT LANE #450 WEBSTER, TX 77598 | VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 P.M. ET on 10/22/2025. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. | |||||||
ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. | ||||||||
VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 P.M. ET on 10/22/2025. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. | ||||||||
VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. | ||||||||
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: ☒ | ||
| THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED | ||
| The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 1 and 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| For | Against | Abstain | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1. | To approve the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock upon the conversion of shares of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement and the corresponding Certificate of Designations. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ||||||||||||||||
| 2. | To approve a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ||||||||||||||||
NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] | Date | Signature (Joint Owners) | Date | |||||||||||