ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc 6-K, filed Mar 14, 2022
ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. (RETO)
About this 6-K
ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc filed this 6-K on March 14, 2022.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of March 2022
Commission File Number: 001-38307
RETO ECO-SOLUTIONS, INC.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
c/o Beijing REIT Technology Development Co., Ltd.
Building X-702, 60 Anli Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
People’s Republic of China 100101
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ☒ Form 40-F ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ☐
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On March 10, 2022, ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “Note”) to Streeterville Capital, LLC, an institutional accredited investor (the “Investor”). The Note will mature 12 months after the purchase price of the Note is delivered from the Investor to the Company (the “Purchase Price Date”). The Note has an original principal amount of $3,105,000 and Investor gave consideration of $3,000,000, reflecting an original issue discount of $90,000 and $15,000 for Investor’s fees, costs and other transaction expenses incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of the Note. The transaction contemplated under the Agreement was closed on March 11, 2022 and the Company anticipates using the proceeds for general working capital purposes.
Interest accrues on the outstanding balance of the Note at 5% per annum. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default as defined in the Note, interest accrues at the lesser of 22% per annum or the maximum rate permitted by applicable law. In addition, upon any Event of Default, the Investor may accelerate the outstanding balance payable under the Note, which will increase automatically upon such acceleration by 15% or 5%, depending on the nature of the Event of Default.
Pursuant to the terms of the Note, the Company must obtain Investor’s consent for certain fundamental transactions such as consolidation, merger with or into another entity (excerpt for a reincorporation merger), disposition of substantial assets, change of control, reorganization or recapitalization. Any occurrence of a fundamental transaction without Investor’s prior written consent will be deemed an Event of Default.
Investor may convert all or any part the outstanding balance of the Note at any time after six months from the Purchase Price Date upon three trading days’ notice, into the Company’s common shares, par value $0.001 (the “Common Shares”), at a price equal to the lower of (i) $2.00 per share, and (ii) 85% multiplied by the lowest daily volume weighted average price during the ten trading days immediately preceding the applicable measurement date, subject to a floor price of $1.00 per share, as adjusted pursuant to the terms of the Note, as well as certain adjustments and ownership limitations specified in the Note. In the event that the floor price is higher than the conversion price, the Company may either agree to lower the floor price to equal the applicable conversion price or satisfy the conversion in cash in an amount equal to 110% multiplied by the portion of the outstanding balance being converted. The reduction in the floor price will be limited to each specific conversion.
The cumulative number of Common Shares issued upon conversion may not exceed 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company before the issuance (the “Issuance Cap”). However, the Company agrees to use reasonable commercial efforts to obtain shareholder approval of the issuance of additional Common Shares exceeding the Issuance Cap, if necessary, in accordance with Nasdaq rules or seek to rely on the home country exemption under the Nasdaq rules. If the Company fails to obtain such shareholder approval or rely on the home country exemption rule, the Company must pay the outstanding balance under the Note in cash. Investor is prohibited from effecting any conversion of the Note to the extent that, as a result of such conversion, Investor together with its affiliates, would beneficially own more than 4.99% of the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of Common Shares upon such conversion of the Note, which beneficial ownership limitation may be increased by the holder up to, but not exceeding, 9.99%.
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The Note provides for liquidated damages upon failure to comply with any of the terms or provisions of the Note. The Company may prepay the outstanding balance of the Note, in part or in full, subject to certain notice requirements, as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company has reserved 13,000,000 Common Shares from its authorized and unissued Common Shares to provide for all issuances of Common Shares under the Note (the “Share Reserve”). The Company further agrees to add additional Common Shares to the Share Reserve in increments of 1,000,000 shares under certain circumstances.
The Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants. The Company has agreed, among others, to grant the Investor a participation right of 25% of the amount raised in any equity or debt financing of the Company. The Company has further agreed not to engage in future variable rate transactions without the Investor’s consent, subject to certain exemptions.
The Company relied on the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Regulation D promulgated thereunder in connection with the issuance and sale of the Note and underlying Common Shares.
The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Note and the Agreement, a copy of each of which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 and Exhibit 10.1 hereto, respectively and each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
| (d) | Exhibits. |
The following is filed as an exhibit to this report:
| Exhibit Number | Exhibit | |
| 4.1 | Convertible Promissory Note dated March 10, 2022 | |
| 10.1 | Securities Purchase Agreement between ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. and Streeterville Capital, LLC dated March 10, 2022 |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 14, 2022
RETO ECO-SOLUTIONS, INC.
| By: | /s/ Hengfang Li | ||
| Name: | Hengfang Li | ||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | ||
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Exhibit 4.1
CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE
| Effective Date: March 10, 2022 | U.S. $3,105,000.00 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Reto Eco-Solutions, Inc., a British Virgin Islands corporation (“Borrower”), promises to pay to Streeterville Capital, LLC, a Utah limited liability company, or its successors or assigns (“Lender”), $3,105,000.00 and any interest, fees, charges, and late fees accrued hereunder on the date that is twelve (12) months after the Purchase Price Date (the “Maturity Date”) in accordance with the terms set forth herein and to pay simple interest on the Outstanding Balance at the rate of five percent (5%) per annum from the Purchase Price Date until the same is paid in full. All interest calculations hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve (12) thirty (30) day months and shall be payable in accordance with the terms of this Note. This Convertible Promissory Note (this “Note”) is issued and made effective as of March 10, 2022 (the “Effective Date”). This Note is issued pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement dated March 10, 2022, as the same may be amended from time to time, by and between Borrower and Lender (the “Purchase Agreement”). Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Attachment 1 attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.
This Note carries an OID of $90,000.00. In addition, Borrower agrees to pay $15,000.00 to Lender to cover Lender’s legal fees, accounting costs, due diligence, monitoring and other transaction costs incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of this Note (the “Transaction Expense Amount”), all of which amount is fully earned and included in the initial principal balance of this Note. The purchase price for this Note shall be $3,000,000.00 (the “Purchase Price”), computed as follows: $3,105,000.00 original principal balance, less the OID, less the Transaction Expense Amount. The Purchase Price shall be payable by Lender by wire transfer of immediately available funds.
1. Payment; Prepayment.
1.1. Payment. All payments owing hereunder shall be in lawful money of the United States of America or Conversion Shares (as defined below), as provided for herein, and delivered to Lender at the address or bank account furnished to Borrower for that purpose. All payments shall be applied first to (a) costs of collection, if any, then to (b) fees and charges, if any, then to (c) accrued and unpaid interest, and thereafter, to (d) principal.
1.2. Prepayment. So long as no Event of Default (as defined below) has occurred and is continuing, Borrower shall have the right, exercisable on not less than three (3) Trading Days prior written notice to Lender to prepay the Outstanding Balance (less such portion of the Outstanding Balance for which Borrower has received a Conversion Notice (as defined below) from Lender where the applicable Conversion Shares have not yet been delivered) of this Note, in part or in full, in accordance with this Section 1.2. Any notice of prepayment hereunder (an “Optional Prepayment Notice”) shall be delivered to Lender at its registered address or through email and shall state: (i) that Borrower is exercising its right to prepay this Note, and (ii) the date of prepayment, which shall be not less than three (3) Trading Days from the date of the Optional Prepayment Notice. On the date fixed for prepayment (the “Optional Prepayment Date”), Borrower shall make payment of the Optional Prepayment Amount (as defined below) to or upon the order of Lender as may be specified by Lender in writing to Borrower. For the avoidance of doubt, Lender shall be entitled to exercise its conversion rights until the Optional Prepayment Date. If Borrower exercises its right to prepay this Note, Borrower shall make payment to Lender of an amount in cash equal to 120% multiplied by the then Outstanding Balance of this Note being repaid (the “Optional Prepayment Amount”). In the event Borrower delivers the Optional Prepayment Amount to Lender prior to the Optional Prepayment Date, the Optional Prepayment Amount shall not be deemed to have been paid to Lender until the Optional Prepayment Date. In the event Borrower delivers the Optional Prepayment Amount without an Optional Prepayment Notice, then the Optional Prepayment Date will be deemed to be the date that is three (3) Trading Days from the date that the Optional Prepayment Amount was delivered to Lender and Lender shall be entitled to exercise its conversion rights set forth herein during such three (3) Trading Day period. In addition, if Borrower delivers an Optional Prepayment Notice and fails to pay the Optional Prepayment Amount due to Lender within two (2) Trading Days following the Optional Prepayment Date, Borrower shall forever forfeit its right to prepay this Note.
2. Security. This Note is unsecured.
3. Conversions. Lender has the right at any time after the date that is six (6) months from the Purchase Price Date until the Outstanding Balance has been paid in full, at its election, to convert (“Conversion”) all or any portion of the Outstanding Balance into fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares, par value $0.001 (the “Common Shares”), of Borrower (“Conversion Shares”) as per the following conversion formula: the number of Conversion Shares equals the amount being converted (the “Conversion Amount”) divided by the Conversion Price; provided, however, that in the event the Floor Price is higher than the Conversion Price, Borrower may either agree to lower the Floor Price to be equal to the applicable Conversion Price or satisfy the Conversion in cash, provided that such cash payment shall be in an amount equal to 110% multiplied by the portion of the Outstanding Balance being converted. Conversion notices in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (each, a “Conversion Notice”) may be effectively delivered to Borrower by any method set forth in the “Notices” Section of the Purchase Agreement, and all Conversions shall be cashless and not require further payment from Lender. Borrower shall deliver the Conversion Shares from any Conversion to Lender in accordance with Section 8 below. Borrower shall deliver any cash payments owing hereunder to Lender via wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account designated by Lender within three (3) Trading Days of its receipt of a Conversion Notice. In the event Lender delivers a Conversion Notice to Borrower and the Conversion Price is below the Floor Price, then Borrower shall have twenty-four (24) hours within which to elect to pay the amount owing in cash rather than delivering Conversion Shares by delivering written notice of such election to Lender. If Borrower does not elect to make the payment in cash within twenty-four (24) hours of its receipt of a Conversion Notice, then Borrower will be deemed to have elected to lower the Floor Price and honor the Conversion Notice by delivering Conversion Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, any reduction in the Floor Price will be limited to each specific conversion and not permanent.
4. Trigger Events; Defaults; and Remedies.
4.1. Trigger Events. The following are trigger events under this Note (each, a “Trigger Event”): (a) Borrower fails to pay any principal, interest, fees, charges, or any other amount when due and payable hereunder; (b) Borrower fails to deliver any Conversion Shares in accordance with the terms hereof; (c) a receiver, trustee or other similar official shall be appointed over Borrower or a material part of its assets and such appointment shall remain uncontested for twenty (20) days or shall not be dismissed or discharged within sixty (60) days; (d) Borrower becomes insolvent or generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due; (e) Borrower makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (f) Borrower files a petition for relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law (domestic or foreign); (g) an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding is commenced or filed against Borrower; (h) Borrower defaults or otherwise fails to observe or perform any covenant, obligation, condition or agreement of Borrower contained herein or in any other Transaction Document (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), other than those specifically set forth in this Section 4.1 and Section 4 of the Purchase Agreement; (i) any representation, warranty or other statement made or furnished by or on behalf of Borrower to Lender herein, in any Transaction Document, or otherwise in connection with the issuance of this Note is false, incorrect, incomplete or misleading in any material respect when made or furnished; (j) the occurrence of a Fundamental Transaction without Lender’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld; (k) Borrower effectuates a reverse split of its Common Shares without twenty (20) Trading Days prior written notice to Lender; (l) any money judgment, writ or similar process is entered or filed against Borrower or any subsidiary of Borrower or any of its property or other assets for more than $100,000.00, and shall remain unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of twenty (20) calendar days unless otherwise consented to by Lender; (m) Borrower fails to be DWAC Eligible; (n) Borrower fails to maintain the Share Reserve (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) as required in the Purchase Agreement; (o) Borrower fails to observe or perform any covenant set forth in Section 4 of the Purchase Agreement; or (p) Borrower, any affiliate of Borrower, breaches any covenant or other term or condition contained in any Other Agreements.
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4.2. Trigger Event Remedies. At any time following the occurrence of any Trigger Event, Lender may, at its option, increase the Outstanding Balance by applying the Trigger Effect (subject to the limitation set forth below).
4.3. Defaults. At any time following the occurrence of a Trigger Event, Lender may, at its option, send written notice to Borrower demanding that Borrower cure the Trigger Event within five (5) Trading Days. If Borrower fails to cure the Trigger Event within the required five (5) Trading Day cure period, the Trigger Event will automatically become an event of default hereunder (each, an “Event of Default”).
4.4. Default Remedies. At any time and from time to time following the occurrence of any Event of Default, Lender may accelerate this Note by written notice to Borrower, with the Outstanding Balance becoming immediately due and payable in cash at the Mandatory Default Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of any Trigger Event described in clauses (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) of Section 4.1, an Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred and the Outstanding Balance as of the date of such Trigger Event shall become immediately and automatically due and payable in cash at the Mandatory Default Amount, without any written notice required by Lender for the Trigger Event to become an Event of Default. At any time following the occurrence of any Event of Default, upon written notice given by Lender to Borrower, interest shall accrue on the Outstanding Balance beginning on the date the applicable Event of Default occurred at an interest rate equal to the lesser of twenty-two percent (22%) per annum or the maximum rate permitted under applicable law (“Default Interest”). For the avoidance of doubt, Lender may continue making Conversions at any time following a Trigger Event or an Event of Default until such time as the Outstanding Balance is paid in full. In connection with acceleration described herein, Lender need not provide, and Borrower hereby waives, any presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, and Lender may immediately and without expiration of any grace period enforce any and all of its rights and remedies hereunder and all other remedies available to it under applicable law. Such acceleration may be rescinded and annulled by Lender at any time prior to payment hereunder and Lender shall have all rights as a holder of the Note until such time, if any, as Lender receives full payment pursuant to this Section 4.4. No such rescission or annulment shall affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Nothing herein shall limit Lender’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to Borrower’s failure to timely deliver Conversion Shares upon Conversion of the Note as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
5. Unconditional Obligation; No Offset. Borrower acknowledges that this Note is an unconditional, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of Borrower not subject to offset (other than pursuant to Section 12 below), deduction or counterclaim of any kind. Borrower hereby waives any rights of offset it now has or may have hereafter against Lender, its successors and assigns, and agrees to make the payments or Conversions called for herein in accordance with the terms of this Note.
6. Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Note shall be effective unless it is in the form of a writing signed by the party granting the waiver. No waiver of any provision or consent to any prohibited action shall constitute a waiver of any other provision or consent to any other prohibited action, whether or not similar. No waiver or consent shall constitute a continuing waiver or consent or commit a party to provide a waiver or consent in the future except to the extent specifically set forth in writing.
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7. Adjustment upon Subdivision or Combination of Common Shares. Without limiting any provision hereof, if Borrower at any time on or after the Effective Date subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding Common Shares into a greater number of shares, the Ceiling Price and Floor Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately reduced. Without limiting any provision hereof, if Borrower at any time on or after the Effective Date combines (by combination, reverse stock split or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding Common Shares into a smaller number of shares, the Ceiling Price and Floor Price in effect immediately prior to such combination will be proportionately increased. Any adjustment pursuant to this Section 7 shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such subdivision or combination. If any event requiring an adjustment under this Section 7 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.
8. Method of Conversion Share Delivery. On or before the close of business on the third (3rd) Trading Day following the date of delivery of a Conversion Notice (the “Delivery Date”), Borrower shall, provided it is DWAC Eligible at such time and such Conversion Shares are eligible for delivery via DWAC, deliver or cause its transfer agent to deliver the applicable Conversion Shares electronically via DWAC to the account designated by Lender in the applicable Conversion Notice. If Borrower is not DWAC Eligible or such Conversion Shares are not eligible for delivery via DWAC, it shall deliver to Lender or its broker (as designated in the Conversion Notice), via reputable overnight courier, a certificate representing the number of Common Shares equal to the number of Conversion Shares to which Lender shall be entitled, registered in the name of Lender or its designee. For the avoidance of doubt, Borrower has not met its obligation to deliver Conversion Shares by the Delivery Date unless Lender or its broker, as applicable, has actually received the certificate representing the applicable Conversion Shares no later than the close of business on the relevant Delivery Date pursuant to the terms set forth above. Moreover, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Transaction Document, in the event Borrower or its transfer agent refuses to deliver any Conversion Shares without a restrictive securities legend to Lender on grounds that such issuance is in violation of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Rule 144”), Borrower shall deliver or cause its transfer agent to deliver the applicable Conversion Shares to Lender with a restricted securities legend, but otherwise in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8. In conjunction therewith, Borrower will also deliver to Lender a written explanation from its counsel or its transfer agent’s counsel opining as to why the issuance of the applicable Conversion Shares violates Rule 144.
9. Conversion Delays. If Borrower fails to deliver Conversion Shares in accordance with the timeframe stated in Section 8, Lender may at any time prior to receiving the applicable Conversion Shares rescind in whole or in part such Conversion, with a corresponding increase to the Outstanding Balance (any returned amount will tack back to the Purchase Price Date for purposes of determining the holding period under Rule 144). In addition, for each Conversion, in the event that Conversion Shares are not delivered by the third (3rd) Trading Day (inclusive of the day of the Conversion), a late fee equal to 2% of the applicable Conversion Share Value rounded to the nearest multiple of $100.00 but with a floor of $500.00 per day (but in any event the cumulative amount of such late fees for each Conversion shall not exceed 200% of the applicable Conversion Share Value) will be assessed for each day after the third (3rd) Trading Day (inclusive of the day of the Conversion) until Conversion Share delivery is made; and such late fee will be added to the Outstanding Balance (such fees, the “Conversion Delay Late Fees”).
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10. Ownership Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Note or the other Transaction Documents, Borrower shall not effect any conversion of this Note to the extent that after giving effect to such conversion would cause Lender (together with its affiliates) to beneficially own a number of Common Shares exceeding 4.99% of the number of Common Shares outstanding on such date (including for such purpose the Common Shares issuable upon such issuance) (the “Maximum Percentage”). For purposes of this section, beneficial ownership of Common Shares will be determined pursuant to Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the term “4.99%” above shall be replaced with “9.99%” at such time as the Market Capitalization is less than $10,000,000.00. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, if the term “4.99%” is replaced with “9.99%” pursuant to the preceding sentence, such increase to “9.99%” shall remain at 9.99% until increased, decreased or waived by Lender as set forth below. The foregoing ownership limitation is enforceable, unconditional and non-waivable and shall apply to all affiliates and assigns of Lender.
11. Issuance Cap. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Note or the other Transaction Documents, Borrower and Lender agree that the total cumulative number of Conversion Shares issued to Lender hereunder may not exceed the requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) (“Nasdaq 19.99% Cap”), except that such limitation will not apply following Shareholder Approval (defined below). Upon the earlier of (a) the date that is nine (9) months from the Purchase Price Date, and (b) the date on which the number of Common Shares issued to Investor reaches the Nasdaq 19.99% Cap, Borrower will use reasonable commercial efforts to obtain shareholder approval of the issuance of additional Conversion Shares, if necessary, in accordance with the requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), to enable Borrower to issues Conversion Shares pursuant to this Note in compliance with the Nasdaq 19.99% Cap (the “Shareholder Approval”). If the Borrower is unable to issue Conversion Shares in excess of the Nasdaq 19.99% Cap as result of its failure to obtain such Shareholder Approval or its failure to elect to rely on the home country exemption under the Nasdaq rules, then any Conversion Notices submitted by Lender to Borrower must be repaid in cash. For the avoidance of doubt, Lender may continue to submit Conversion Notices after reaching the Nasdaq 19.99% Cap and Borrower must repay the applicable Conversion Amounts in cash.
12. Sales Limitation. While this Note is outstanding and for thirty (30) days thereafter, Lender agrees that so long as no Trigger Event has occurred, Lender will limit its sales of Conversion Shares on the open market in any given calendar week to fifteen percent (15%) of the weekly trading volume of the Common Shares on Borrower’s principal trading market for such week. In the event Lender breaches such covenant, Borrower’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be to charge to Lender a fee equal to the net proceeds (gross proceeds less trading fees, transfer agent fees and legal opinion costs) Lender received from excess sales in any given week (the “Excess Sales Fee”). So long as this Note is outstanding, any Excess Sales Fees will be offset against the Outstanding Balance. In the event the Note is no longer outstanding, any Excess Sales Fees will be paid via wire transfer of immediately available funds.
13. Opinion of Counsel. In the event that an opinion of counsel is needed for any matter related to this Note, Lender has the right to have any such opinion provided by its counsel.
14. Governing Law; Venue. This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Note shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York. The provisions set forth in the Purchase Agreement to determine the proper venue for any disputes are incorporated herein by this reference.
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15. Arbitration of Disputes. By its issuance or acceptance of this Note, each party agrees to be bound by the Arbitration Provisions (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) set forth as an exhibit to the Purchase Agreement.
16. Cancellation. After repayment or conversion of the entire Outstanding Balance, this Note shall be deemed paid in full, shall automatically be deemed canceled, and shall not be reissued.
17. Amendments. The prior written consent of both parties hereto shall be required for any change or amendment to this Note.
18. Assignments. Borrower may not assign this Note without the prior written consent of Lender. Any Common Shares issued upon conversion of this Note may be offered, sold, assigned or transferred by Lender without the consent of Borrower. This Note may be offered, sold, assigned or transferred by Lender without the consent of Borrower.
19. Notices. Whenever notice is required to be given under this Note, unless otherwise provided herein, such notice shall be given in accordance with the subsection of the Purchase Agreement titled “Notices.”
20. Liquidated Damages. Lender and Borrower agree that in the event Borrower fails to comply with any of the terms or provisions of this Note, Lender’s damages would be uncertain and difficult (if not impossible) to accurately estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates, future share prices, future trading volumes and other relevant factors. Accordingly, Lender and Borrower agree that any fees, balance adjustments, Default Interest or other charges assessed under this Note are not penalties but instead are intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, liquidated damages (under Lender’s and Borrower’s expectations that any such liquidated damages will tack back to the Purchase Price Date for purposes of determining the holding period under Rule 144). Therefore, no additional penalty claims, lost profits or liquidated damages shall be claimed in excess of agreed liquidated damage amounts under this Note.
21. Severability. If any part of this Note is construed to be in violation of any law, such part shall be modified to achieve the objective of Borrower and Lender to the fullest extent permitted by law and the balance of this Note shall remain in full force and effect.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has caused this Note to be duly executed as of the Effective Date.
| BORROWER: | ||
| Reto Eco-Solutions, Inc. | ||
| By: | /s/ Hengfang Li | |
| Hengfang Li, Chief Executive Officer | ||
ACKNOWLEDGED, ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
LENDER:
| Streeterville Capital, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ John M. Fife |
|
| John M. Fife, President | ||
[Signature Page to Convertible Promissory Note]
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ATTACHMENT 1
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Note, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
A1. “Closing Bid Price” and “Closing Trade Price” means the last closing bid price and last closing trade price, respectively, for the Common Shares on its principal market, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if its 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 the Common Shares prior to 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if its principal market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for the Common Shares, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of the Common Shares on the principal securities exchange or trading market where the Common Shares are 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 the Common Shares in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for the Common Shares as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, is reported for the Common Shares by Bloomberg, the average of the bid prices, or the ask prices, respectively, of any market makers for the Common Shares as reported by OTC Markets Group, Inc., and any successor thereto. If the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Trade Price cannot be calculated for the Common Shares on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Trade Price (as the case may be) of the Common Shares on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by Lender and Borrower. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or other similar transaction during such period.
A2. “Ceiling Price” means $2.00 per Common Share, as may be adjusted pursuant to the terms of this Note.
A3. “Conversion Price” means the lower of: (i) the Ceiling Price, and (ii) eighty-five percent (85%) multiplied by the lowest daily VWAP during the ten (10) Trading Days immediately preceding the applicable measurement date.
A4. “Conversion Share Value” means the product of the number of Conversion Shares deliverable pursuant to any Conversion Notice multiplied by the Closing Trade Price of the Common Shares on the Delivery Date for such Conversion.
A5. “DTC” means the Depository Trust Company or any successor thereto.
A6. “DTC/FAST Program” means the DTC’s Fast Automated Securities Transfer program.
A7. “DWAC” means the DTC’s Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system.
A8. “DWAC Eligible” means that (a) Borrower’s Common Shares are eligible at DTC for full services pursuant to DTC’s operational arrangements, including without limitation transfer through DTC’s DWAC system; (b) Borrower has been approved (without revocation) by DTC’s underwriting department; (c) Borrower’s transfer agent is approved as an agent in the DTC/FAST Program; (d) the Conversion Shares are otherwise eligible for delivery via DWAC; and (e) Borrower’s transfer agent does not have a policy prohibiting or limiting delivery of the Conversion Shares via DWAC.
A9. “Floor Price” means $1.00 per Common Share, as may be adjusted pursuant to the terms of this Note.
A10. “Fundamental Transaction” means that (a) (i) Borrower or any of its subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not Borrower or any of its subsidiaries is the surviving corporation) any other person or entity, or (ii) Borrower or any of its subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its respective properties or assets to any other person or entity, or (iii) Borrower or any of its subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, allow any other person or entity to make a purchase, tender or exchange offer that is accepted by the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock of Borrower (not including any shares of voting stock of Borrower held by the person or persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the persons or entities making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer), or (iv) Borrower or any of its subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with any other person or entity whereby such other person or entity acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock of Borrower (not including any shares of voting stock of Borrower held by the other persons or entities making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other persons or entities making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination), or (v) Borrower or any of its subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, reorganize, recapitalize or reclassify the Common Shares, other than an increase in the number of authorized shares of Borrower’s Common Shares, or (b) any “person” or “group” (as these terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder shall, after the Purchase Price Date, become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, of 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding voting stock of Borrower.
Attachment 1 to Convertible Promissory Note, Page 1
A11. “Major Trigger Event” means any Trigger Event occurring under Sections 4.1(a), 4.1(n) or 4.1(o).
A12. “Mandatory Default Amount” means the Outstanding Balance following the application of the Trigger Effect.
A13. “Market Capitalization” means a number equal to (a) the average VWAP of the Common Shares for the immediately preceding fifteen (15) Trading Days, multiplied by (b) the aggregate number of outstanding Common Shares as reported on Borrower’s most recent annual or quarterly filing with the SEC.
A14. “Minor Trigger Event” means any Trigger Event that is not a Major Trigger Event.
A15. “OID” means an original issue discount.
A16. “Other Agreements” means, collectively, all existing and future agreements and instruments between, among or by Borrower (or an affiliate), on the one hand, and Lender (or an affiliate), on the other hand.
A17. “Outstanding Balance” means as of any date of determination, the Purchase Price, as reduced or increased, as the case may be, pursuant to the terms hereof for payment, Conversion, offset, or otherwise, plus the OID, plus the Transaction Expense Amount, accrued but unpaid interest, collection and enforcements costs (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by Lender, transfer, stamp, issuance and similar taxes and fees related to Conversions, and any other fees or charges (including without limitation Conversion Delay Late Fees) incurred under this Note.
A18. “Purchase Price Date” means the date the Purchase Price for this Note is delivered by Lender to Borrower.
A19. “Trading Day” means any day on which Nasdaq (or such other principal market for the Common Shares) is open for trading.
A20. “Trigger Effect” means multiplying the Outstanding Balance as of the date the applicable Trigger Event occurred (after giving effect to any opportunity to cure) by (a) fifteen percent (15%) for each occurrence of any Major Trigger Event, or (b) five percent (5%) for each occurrence of any Minor Trigger Event, and then adding the resulting product to the Outstanding Balance as of the date the applicable Trigger Event occurred, with the sum of the foregoing then becoming the Outstanding Balance under this Note as of the date the applicable Trigger Event occurred; provided that the Trigger Effect may only be applied three (3) times hereunder with respect to Major Trigger Events and three (3) times hereunder with respect to Minor Trigger Events; and provided further that the Trigger Effect shall not apply to any Trigger Event pursuant to Section 4.1(b) hereof.
A21. “VWAP” means the volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the principal market for a particular Trading Day or set of Trading Days, as the case may be, as reported by Bloomberg.
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Attachment 1 to Convertible Promissory Note, Page 2
EXHIBIT A
Streeterville Capital, LLC
303 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1040
Chicago, Illinois 60601
| ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. | Date:_______________ |
Attn: __________________
Building X-702, 60 Anli Road
Chaoyang District, Beijing
People’s Republic of China 100101
CONVERSION NOTICE
The above-captioned Lender hereby gives notice to ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc., a British Virgin Islands exempted holding company (the “Borrower”), pursuant to that certain Convertible Promissory Note made by Borrower in favor of Lender on March 10, 2022 (the “Note”), that Lender elects to convert the portion of the Note balance set forth below into fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares of Borrower as of the date of conversion specified below. Said conversion shall be based on the Conversion Price set forth below. In the event of a conflict between this Conversion Notice and the Note, the Note shall govern, or, in the alternative, at the election of Lender in its sole discretion, Lender may provide a new form of Conversion Notice to conform to the Note. Capitalized terms used in this notice without definition shall have the meanings given to them in the Note.
| A. | Date of Conversion: _______________ |
| B. | Conversion #: ___________________ |
| C. | Conversion Amount: ____________ |
| D. | Conversion Price: _______________ |
| E. | Conversion Shares: _______________ (C divided by D) |
| F. | Remaining Outstanding Balance of Note: ____________* |
| * | Subject to adjustments for corrections, defaults, interest and other adjustments permitted by the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), the terms of which shall control in the event of any dispute between the terms of this Conversion Notice and such Transaction Documents. |
Please transfer the Conversion Shares electronically (via DWAC) to the following account:
| Broker: | Address: | |||
| DTC#: | ||||
| Account #: | ||||
| Account Name: |
To the extent the Conversion Shares are not able to be delivered to Lender electronically via the DWAC system, deliver all such certificated shares to Lender via reputable overnight courier after receipt of this Conversion Notice (by facsimile transmission or otherwise) to:
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
[Signature Page Follows]
Exhibit A to Convertible Promissory Note, Page 1
| Sincerely, | ||
| Lender: | ||
| Streeterville Capital, LLC | ||
| By: |
|
|
| John M. Fife, President | ||
Exhibit A to Convertible Promissory Note, Page 2
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Exhibit 10.1
Securities Purchase Agreement
This Securities Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of March 10, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and between ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc., a British Virgin Islands corporation (“Company”), and Streeterville Capital, LLC, a Utah limited liability company, or its successors and/or assigns (“Investor”).
A. Company and Investor are executing and delivering this Agreement in reliance upon an exemption from securities registration afforded by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
B. Investor desires to purchase and Company desires to issue and sell, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement a Convertible Promissory Note, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, in the original principal amount of $3,105,000.00 (the “Note”), convertible into common shares, $0.001 par value per share, of Company (the “Common Shares”), upon the terms and subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in the Note.
C. This Agreement, the Note, and all other certificates, documents, agreements, resolutions and instruments delivered to any party under or in connection with this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time, are collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction Documents”.
D. For purposes of this Agreement: “Conversion Shares” means all Common Shares issuable upon conversion of all or any portion of the Note; and “Securities” means the Note and the Conversion Shares.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Company and Investor hereby agree as follows:
1. Purchase and Sale of Securities.
1.1. Purchase of Securities. Company shall issue and sell to Investor and Investor shall purchase from Company the Note. In consideration thereof, Investor shall pay the Purchase Price (as defined below) to Company.
1.2. Form of Payment. On the Closing Date (as defined below), Investor shall pay the Purchase Price to Company via wire transfer of immediately available funds against delivery of the Note.
1.3. Closing Date. Subject to the satisfaction (or written waiver) of the conditions set forth in Section 5 and Section 6 below, the date of the issuance and sale of the Note pursuant to this Agreement (the “Closing Date”) shall be March 10, 2022, or another mutually agreed upon date. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall occur on the Closing Date by means of the exchange by email of signed .pdf documents, but shall be deemed for all purposes to have occurred at the offices of Hansen Black Anderson Ashcraft PLLC in Lehi, Utah.
1.4. Transaction Expense Amount; Issuance Expenses. The Note carries an original issue discount of $90,000.00 (the “OID”). In addition, Company agrees to pay $15,000.00 to Investor to cover Investor’s legal fees, accounting costs, due diligence, monitoring and other transaction costs incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of the Securities (the “Transaction Expense Amount”), all of which amount is included in the initial principal balance of the Note. The “Purchase Price”, therefore, shall be $3,000,000.00, computed as follows: $3,105,000.00 initial principal balance, less the OID, less the Transaction Expense Amount.
2. Investor’s Representations and Warranties. Investor represents and warrants to Company that as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as follows (unless as of a specific date therein, in which case they shall be accurate as of such date):
2.1. Organization; Authority. Investor is an entity duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation with full right, corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and performance by such Investor of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of such Investor. Each Transaction Document to which it is a party has been duly executed by Investor, and when delivered by Investor in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of such Investor, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.
2.2. Own Account. Investor understands that the Securities are “restricted securities” and have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and is acquiring the Securities as principal for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Securities or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, has no present intention of distributing any of such Securities in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and has no direct or indirect arrangement or understandings with any other persons to distribute or regarding the distribution of such Securities in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law (this representation and warranty not limiting Investor’s right to sell the Securities in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws). Investor is acquiring the Securities hereunder in the ordinary course of its business.
2.3. Investor Status. At the time Investor was offered the Securities, it was, and as of the date hereof it is, and on each date on which it converts the Note it will be an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D of the 1933 Act.
2.4. Experience of Investor. Investor, either alone or together with its representatives, has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Securities, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment.
2.5. General Solicitation. Investor is not, to its knowledge, purchasing the Securities as a result of any advertisement, article, notice or other communication regarding the Securities published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television or radio or presented at any seminar or, to the knowledge of Investor, any other general solicitation or general advertisement.
2.6. Access to Information. Investor acknowledges that it has had the opportunity to review the Transaction Documents (including all exhibits and schedules thereto) and all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) and has been afforded (i) the opportunity to ask such questions as it has deemed necessary of, and to receive answers from, representatives of the Company concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the Securities and the merits and risks of investing in the Securities; (ii) access to information about the Company and its financial condition, results of operations, business, properties, management and prospects sufficient to enable it to evaluate its investment; and (iii) the opportunity to obtain such additional information that the Company possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to the investment.
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2.7. No Public Market. Investor is aware that there is currently no public market for the Note, that there is no guarantee that a public market will develop at any time in the future and Investor understands that the Securities are unregistered and may not presently be sold except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Investor understands that the Securities cannot be readily sold or liquidated in case of an emergency or other financial need. Investor further acknowledges and agrees that the Securities must be held indefinitely unless it is subsequently registered under the 1933 Act or an exemption from such registration is available, and Investor has been advised or is aware of the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act as in effect from time to time, which permits limited resale of securities purchased in a private placement subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including, among other things: the availability of certain current public information about Company and the resale occurring following the required holding period under Rule 144.
2.8. Certain Transactions and Confidentiality. Other than consummating the transactions contemplated hereunder, Investor has not, nor has any person acting on behalf of or pursuant to any understanding with Investor, directly or indirectly executed any purchases or sales, including Short Sales, of the securities of the Company during the period commencing as of the time that Investor first received a term sheet (written or oral) from the Company or any other person representing the Company setting forth the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereunder and ending immediately prior to the execution hereof. Other than to other party to this Agreement or to Investor’s representatives, including, without limitation, its officers, directors, partners, legal and other advisors, employees, agents and affiliates, Investor has maintained the confidentiality of all disclosures made to it in connection with this transaction (including the existence and terms of this transaction). For purposes hereof, “Short Sales” means all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO under the 1934 Act (but shall not be deemed to include locating and/or borrowing Common Shares).
2.9. No Participation in the Management of Business. Investor acknowledges that it does not have any intention to control or participate in the management of the business of Company. Investor hereby agrees that it shall not seek to control or participate in the management of the business of Company. Investor further agrees that it shall not seek to appoint any director of Company or cause any change to the board of directors of Company in any way.
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3. Company’s Representations and Warranties. Company represents and warrants to Investor that as of the Closing Date: (i) Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has the requisite corporate power to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted; (ii) Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary; (iii) Company has registered its Common Shares under Section 12(b) of the 1934 Act, and is obligated to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act; (iv) each of the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly and validly authorized by Company and all necessary actions have been taken; (v) the Transaction Documents have been duly executed and delivered by Company and constitute the valid and binding obligations of Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, except (a) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (b) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (c) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law; (vi) the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by Company, the issuance of Securities in accordance with the terms hereof, and the consummation by Company of the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents do not and will not conflict with or result in a breach by Company of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under (a) Company’s formation documents or bylaws, each as currently in effect, (b) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, or other material agreement or instrument to which Company is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets are bound, including, without limitation, any listing agreement for the Common Shares, or (c) any existing applicable law, rule, or regulation or any applicable decree, judgment, or order of any court, United States federal, state or foreign regulatory body, administrative agency, or other governmental body having jurisdiction over Company or any of Company’s properties or assets; (vii) except as has been obtained prior to Closing, no further authorization, approval or consent of any court, governmental body, regulatory agency, self-regulatory organization, or stock exchange or market or the stockholders or any lender of Company is required to be obtained by Company for the issuance of the Securities to Investor or the entering into of the Transaction Documents; (viii) none of Company’s filings with the SEC contained, at the time they were filed, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (ix) Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by Company with the SEC under the 1934 Act on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such report, schedule, form, statement or other document prior to the expiration of any such extension; (x) there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board or body pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against or affecting Company before or by any governmental authority or non-governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality or any other person, wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding would have a material adverse effect on Company or which would adversely affect the validity or enforceability of, or the authority or ability of Company to perform its obligations under, any of the Transaction Documents; (xi) Company has not consummated any financing transaction that has not been disclosed in a periodic filing or current report with the SEC under the 1934 Act; (xii) Company is not, nor has it been at any time in the previous twelve (12) months, a “Shell Company,” as such type of “issuer” is described in Rule 144(i)(1) under the 1933 Act; (xiii) with respect to any commissions, placement agent or finder’s fees or similar payments that will or would become due and owing by Company to any person or entity as a result of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (“Broker Fees”), any such Broker Fees will be made in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and only to a person or entity that is a registered investment adviser or registered broker-dealer; (xiv) Investor shall have no obligation with respect to any Broker Fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other persons for fees of a type contemplated in this subsection that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each of Investor, Investor’s employees, officers, directors, stockholders, members, managers, agents, and partners, and their respective affiliates, from and against all claims, losses, damages, costs (including the costs of preparation and reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses suffered in respect of any such claimed Broker Fees; (xv) when issued, the Conversion Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid for and non-assessable, free and clear of all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances; (xvi) neither Investor nor any of its officers, directors, stockholders, members, managers, employees, agents or representatives has made any representations or warranties to Company or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives except as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents and, in making its decision to enter into the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, Company is not relying on any representation, warranty, covenant or promise of Investor or its officers, directors, members, managers, employees, agents or representatives other than as set forth in the Transaction Documents; (xvii) Company acknowledges that the State of Utah has a reasonable relationship and sufficient contacts to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and any dispute that may arise related thereto such that the venue of the State of Utah, as set forth more specifically in Section 9.2 below, shall be applicable to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated therein; (xviii) Company has consulted with counsel and conducted its own due diligence, and understands that Investor is not registered as a ‘dealer’ under the 1934 Act, and agrees that the parties’ performance of the obligations under the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents do not violate Section 15 of the 1934 Act or any other applicable securities laws; and (xix) Company has performed due diligence and background research on Investor and its affiliates including, without limitation, John M. Fife, and, to its satisfaction, has made inquiries with respect to all matters Company may consider relevant to the undertakings and relationships contemplated by the Transaction Documents, including, among other things, the following: http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=7505107&ticker=UAHC; SEC Civil Case No. 07-C-0347 (N.D. Ill.); SEC Civil Action No. 07-CV-347 (N.D. Ill.); and FINRA Case #2011029203701. In addition, various affiliates of Investor are involved in ongoing litigation with the SEC regarding broker-dealer registration (see SEC Civil Case No. 1:20-cv-05227 (N.D. Ill.)). Company, being aware of the matters and legal issues described in subsections (xviii) and (xix) above, acknowledges and agrees that such matters, or any similar matters, have no bearing on the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and covenants and agrees it will not use any such information or legal theory as a defense to performance of its obligations under the Transaction Documents or in any attempt to avoid, modify, reduce, rescind or void such obligations.
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4. Company Covenants. Until all of Company’s obligations under the Note are paid and performed in full, or within the timeframes otherwise specifically set forth below, Company will at all times comply with the following covenants: (i) Company will timely file on the applicable deadline all reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act, and will take all reasonable action under its control to ensure that adequate current public information with respect to Company, as required in accordance with Rule 144 of the 1933 Act, is publicly available, and will not terminate its status as an issuer required to file reports under the 1934 Act even if the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder would permit such termination; (ii) when issued, the Conversion Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid for and non-assessable, free and clear of all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances; (iii) the Common Shares will be listed for trading on Nasdaq or NYSE; (iv) trading in the Common Shares not to be suspended, halted, chilled, frozen, reach zero bid or otherwise cease trading on Company’s principal trading market for a period of more than thirty (30) days; (v) from the Closing Date until thirty (30) days after the Note is satisfied in full, Company will not make any Restricted Issuance (as defined below) or enter into any other debt transaction without Investor’s prior written consent, which consent may be granted or withheld in Investor’s sole and absolute discretion, other than in connection with an Exempt Issuance (as defined below); (vi) Company shall not enter into any agreement or otherwise agree to any covenant, condition, or obligation that locks up, restricts in any way or otherwise prohibits Company: (a) from entering into a variable rate transaction with Investor or any affiliate of Investor, or (b) from issuing Common Shares to Investor or any affiliate of Investor; and (vii) Company hereby grants to Investor a participation right, whereby Investor shall have the right to participate in Investor’s discretion in up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount raised in any Restricted Issuance (provided Investor has consented to such Restricted Issuance) or other equity or debt financing of Company. In furtherance thereof, should Company seek to raise capital via any Restricted Issuance, or other equity or debt financing transaction, it shall provide Investor written notice of such proposed transaction, along with copies of the proposed transaction documents. Investor shall then have up to three (3) calendar days to elect to purchase up to twenty-five (25%) of the debt or equity securities proposed to be issued in such transaction on the most favorable terms and conditions offered to any other purchaser of the same securities. The parties agree that in the event Company breaches the covenant set forth in Section 4(vii) above, Investor’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be to receive, as liquidated damages, an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the amount Investor would have been entitled to invest under the participation right. For purposes hereof, the term “Restricted Issuance” means any issuance of any Company securities, or the incurrence or guaranty of any debt obligations, that (A) have or may have conversion rights of any kind, contingent, conditional or otherwise, in which the number of shares that may be issued pursuant to such conversion right varies with the market price of the Common Shares, and/or (B) are or may become convertible into Common Shares (including without limitation convertible debt, warrants or convertible preferred stock), with a conversion price that varies with the market price of the Common Shares, even if such security only becomes convertible following an event of default, the passage of time, or another trigger event or condition. For the avoidance of doubt, the issuance of Common Shares under, pursuant to, in exchange for or in connection with any contract or instrument, whether convertible or not, is deemed a Restricted Issuance for purposes hereof if the number of Common Shares to be issued is based upon or related in any way to the market price of the Common Shares, including, but not limited to, Common Shares issued in connection with a Section 3(a)(9) exchange, a Section 3(a)(10) settlement, or any other similar settlement or exchange. For the further avoidance of doubt, Fixed Price Offerings (as defined below), will not be considered to be Restricted Issuances. For purposes hereof, the term “ATM” means a continuous primary offering, whereby the Company, with the help of a FINRA-registered broker-dealer as an agent, sells newly issued equity securities, registered off of a shelf-registration statement, into a securities exchange at prevailing market prices. For purposes hereof, the term “Fixed Price Offering” means an offering of equity securities at a fixed price with no resets or other variable price components (e.g., shelf takedowns, ATMs, and sales of Common Shares). For purposes hereof, “Exempt Issuance” means (a) the issuance of Common Shares or Common Share equivalents to employees, officers, directors or vendors of Company pursuant to any stock or option plan duly adopted for such purpose, by the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of directors established for such purpose, (b) the issuance of securities upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any Securities issued hereunder and/or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into Common Shares issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement, provided that such securities have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities, (c) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions, divestitures, licenses, partnerships, collaborations or strategic transactions approved by the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of directors established for such purpose, which acquisitions, divestitures, licenses, partnerships, collaborations or strategic transactions can have a Restricted Issuance component, provided that any such issuance shall only be to a person (or to the equity holders of a person) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an asset in a business synergistic with the business of Company and shall provide to Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities, (d) the entry into, or issuance of securities pursuant to, an “at-the-market” facility, or (e) the issuance of warrants with no price reset.
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5. Conditions to Company’s Obligation to Sell. The obligation of Company hereunder to issue and sell the Securities to Investor at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:
5.1. Investor shall have executed this Agreement and delivered the same to Company.
5.2. Investor shall have delivered the applicable Purchase Price to Company in accordance with Section 1.2 above.
5.3. The representations and warranties of Investor contained herein (or, to the extent representations or warranties are qualified by materiality, in all respects) are accurate in all material respects on the Closing Date (unless as of a specific date therein in which case they shall be accurate in all material respects as of such date).
5.4. All obligations, covenants and agreements of Investor required to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been performed.
6. Conditions to Investor’s Obligation to Purchase. The obligation of Investor hereunder to purchase the Securities at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following applicable conditions, provided that these conditions are for Investor’s sole benefit and may be waived by Investor at any time in its sole discretion:
6.1. Company shall have executed this Agreement delivered the same to Investor.
6.2. With respect to the Closing, Company shall have executed and delivered the Note to Investor.
6.3. Prior to the Closing, Company shall have delivered to Investor a fully executed Irrevocable Letter of Instructions to Transfer Agent (the “TA Letter”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B acknowledged and agreed to in writing by Company’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”).
6.4. Prior to the Closing, Company shall have delivered to Investor a fully executed Officer’s Certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C evidencing Company’s approval of the Transaction Documents.
6.5. Prior to the Closing, Company shall have delivered to Investor a fully executed Share Issuance Resolution substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.
7. Reservation of Shares. On the date hereof, Company will reserve 13,000,000 Common Shares from its authorized and unissued Common Shares to provide for all issuances of Common Shares under the Note (the “Share Reserve”). Company further agrees to add additional Common Shares to the Share Reserve in increments of 1,000,000 shares as and when requested by Investor if as of the date of any such request the number of shares being held in the Share Reserve is less than three (3) times the number of Common Shares obtained by dividing the Outstanding Balance (as defined in the Note) as of the date of the request by the Conversion Price (as defined in the Note). Company shall further require the Transfer Agent to hold the Common Shares reserved pursuant to the Share Reserve exclusively for the benefit of Investor and to issue such shares to Investor promptly upon Investor’s delivery of a Conversion Notice under any Note. Finally, Company shall require the Transfer Agent to issue Common Shares pursuant to the Note to Investor out of its authorized and unissued shares, and not the Share Reserve, to the extent Common Shares have been authorized, but not issued, and are not included in the Share Reserve. The Transfer Agent shall only issue shares out of the Share Reserve to the extent there are no other authorized shares available for issuance and then only with Investor’s written consent.
8. OFAC; Patriot Act.
8.1. OFAC Certification. Company certifies that (i) it is not acting on behalf of any person, group, entity, or nation named by any Executive Order or the United States Treasury Department, through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) or otherwise, as a terrorist, “Specially Designated Nation”, “Blocked Person”, or other banned or blocked person, entity, nation, or transaction pursuant to any law, order, rule or regulation that is enforced or administered by OFAC or another department of the United States government, and (ii) Company is not engaged in this transaction on behalf of, or instigating or facilitating this transaction on behalf of, any such person, group, entity or nation.
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8.2. Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither Company, nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, agent, employee or other person acting on behalf of Company or any subsidiary has, in the course of his actions for, or on behalf of, Company, used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee.
8.3. Patriot Act. Company shall not (i) be or become subject at any time to any law, regulation, or list of any government agency (including, without limitation, the OFAC) that prohibits or limits Investor from making any advance or extension of credit to Company or from otherwise conducting business with Company, or (ii) fail to provide documentary and other evidence of Company’s identity as may be requested by Investor at any time to enable Investor to verify Company’s identity or to comply with any applicable law or regulation, including, without limitation, Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act of 2001, 31 U.S.C. Section 5318. Company shall comply with all requirements of law relating to money laundering, anti-terrorism, trade embargos and economic sanctions, now or hereafter in effect. Upon Investor’s request from time to time, Company shall certify in writing to Investor that Company’s representations, warranties and obligations under this Section 8.3 remain true and correct and have not been breached. Company shall immediately notify Investor in writing if any of such representations, warranties or covenants are no longer true or have been breached or if Company has a reasonable basis to believe that they may no longer be true or have been breached. In connection with such an event, Company shall comply with all requirements of law and directives of governmental authorities and, at Investor’s request, provide to Investor copies of all notices, reports and other communications exchanged with, or received from, governmental authorities relating to such an event. Company shall also reimburse Investor any expense incurred by Investor in evaluating the effect of such an event on the loan secured hereby, in obtaining any necessary license from governmental authorities as may be necessary for Investor to enforce its rights under the Transaction Documents, and in complying with all requirements of law applicable to Investor as the result of the existence of such an event and for any penalties or fines imposed upon Investor as a result thereof.
9. Miscellaneous. The provisions set forth in this Section 9 shall apply to this Agreement, as well as all other Transaction Documents as if these terms were fully set forth therein; provided, however, that in the event there is a conflict between any provision set forth in this Section 9 and any provision in any other Transaction Document, the provision in such other Transaction Document shall govern.
9.1. Arbitration of Claims. The parties shall submit all Claims (as defined in Exhibit E) arising under this Agreement, or any other Transaction Document, or any other agreement between the parties and their affiliates, or any Claim relating to the relationship of the parties, to binding arbitration pursuant to the arbitration provisions set forth in Exhibit E attached hereto (the “Arbitration Provisions”). For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that the injunction described in Section 9.3 below may be pursued in an arbitration that is separate and apart from any other arbitration regarding all other Claims arising under the Transaction Documents. The parties hereby acknowledge and agree that the Arbitration Provisions are unconditionally binding on the parties hereto and are severable from all other provisions of this Agreement. By executing this Agreement, Company represents, warrants and covenants that Company has reviewed the Arbitration Provisions carefully, consulted with legal counsel about such provisions (or waived its right to do so), understands that the Arbitration Provisions are intended to allow for the expeditious and efficient resolution of any dispute hereunder, agrees to the terms and limitations set forth in the Arbitration Provisions, and that Company will not take a position contrary to the foregoing representations. Company acknowledges and agrees that Investor may rely upon the foregoing representations and covenants of Company regarding the Arbitration Provisions.
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9.2. Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York. Each party consents to and expressly agrees that the exclusive venue and arbitral seat for arbitration of any dispute arising out of or relating to any Transaction Document or the relationship of the parties or their affiliates shall be in Salt Lake County, Utah. Without modifying the parties’ obligations to resolve disputes hereunder pursuant to the Arbitration Provisions, for any litigation arising in connection with any of the Transaction Documents (and notwithstanding the terms (specifically including any governing law and venue terms) of any transfer agent services agreement or other agreement between the Transfer Agent and Company, such litigation specifically includes, without limitation any action between or involving Company and the Transfer Agent under the TA Letter or otherwise related to Investor in any way (specifically including, without limitation, any action where Company seeks to obtain an injunction, temporary restraining order, or otherwise prohibit the Transfer Agent from issuing Common Shares to Investor for any reason)), each party hereto hereby (i) consents to and expressly submits to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah, (ii) expressly submits to the exclusive venue of any such courts for the purposes hereof, (iii) agrees to not bring any such action (specifically including, without limitation, any action where Company seeks to obtain an injunction, temporary restraining order, or otherwise prohibit the Transfer Agent from issuing Common Shares to Investor for any reason) outside of any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah, and (iv) waives any claim of improper venue and any claim or objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or any other claim, defense or objection to the bringing of any such proceeding in such jurisdiction or to any claim that such venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper. Finally, Company covenants and agrees to name Investor as a party in interest in, and provide written notice to Investor in accordance with Section 9.10 below prior to bringing or filing, any action (including without limitation any filing or action against any person or entity that is not a party to this Agreement, including without limitation the Transfer Agent) that is related in any way to the Transaction Documents or any transaction contemplated herein or therein, including without limitation any action brought by Company to enjoin or prevent the issuance of any Common Shares to Investor by the Transfer Agent, and further agrees to timely name Investor as a party to any such action. Company acknowledges that the governing law and venue provisions set forth in this Section 9.2 are material terms to induce Investor to enter into the Transaction Documents and that but for Company’s agreements set forth in this Section 9.2 Investor would not have entered into the Transaction Documents.
9.3. Specific Performance. Company acknowledges and agrees that Investor may suffer irreparable harm in the event that Company fails to perform any material provision of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents in accordance with its specific terms. It is accordingly agreed that Investor shall be entitled to one or more injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement or such other Transaction Document and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof or thereof, this being in addition to any other remedy to which the Investor may be entitled under the Transaction Documents, at law or in equity. Company specifically agrees that: (a) following an Event of Default (as defined in the Note) under the Note, Investor shall have the right to seek and receive injunctive relief from a court or an arbitrator prohibiting Company from issuing any of its common or preferred shares to any party unless the Note is being paid in full simultaneously with such issuance; and (b) following a breach of Section 4(vi) above, Investor shall have the right to seek and receive injunctive relief from a court or arbitrator invalidating such lock-up. Company specifically acknowledges that Investor’s right to obtain specific performance constitutes bargained for leverage and that the loss of such leverage would result in irreparable harm to Investor. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event Investor seeks to obtain an injunction from a court or an arbitrator against Company or specific performance of any provision of any Transaction Document, such action shall not be a waiver of any right of Investor under any Transaction Document, at law, or in equity, including without limitation its rights to arbitrate any Claim pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Documents, nor shall Investor’s pursuit of an injunction prevent Investor, under the doctrines of claim preclusion, issues preclusion, res judicata or other similar legal doctrines, from pursuing other Claims in the future in a separate arbitration.
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9.4. Calculation Disputes. Notwithstanding the Arbitration Provisions, in the case of a dispute as to any determination or arithmetic calculation under the Transaction Documents, including without limitation, calculating the Outstanding Balance, Conversion Price, Conversion Shares, or VWAP (as defined in the Note) (each, a “Calculation”), Company or Investor (as the case may be) shall submit any disputed Calculation via email or facsimile with confirmation of receipt (i) within two (2) Trading Days after receipt of the applicable notice giving rise to such dispute to Company or Investor (as the case may be) or (ii) if no notice gave rise to such dispute, at any time after Investor learned of the circumstances giving rise to such dispute. If Investor and Company are unable to agree upon such Calculation within two (2) Trading Days of such disputed Calculation being submitted to Company or Investor (as the case may be), then Investor will promptly submit via email or facsimile the disputed Calculation to Unkar Systems Inc. (“Unkar Systems”). Investor shall cause Unkar Systems to perform the Calculation and notify Company and Investor of the results no later than ten (10) Trading Days from the time it receives such disputed Calculation. Unkar Systems’ determination of the disputed Calculation shall be binding upon all parties absent demonstrable error. Unkar Systems’ fee for performing such Calculation shall be paid by the incorrect party, or if both parties are incorrect, by the party whose Calculation is furthest from the correct Calculation as determined by Unkar Systems. In the event Company is the losing party, no extension of the Delivery Date (as defined in the Note) shall be granted and Company shall incur all effects for failing to deliver the applicable shares in a timely manner as set forth in the Transaction Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Investor may, in its sole discretion, designate an independent, reputable investment bank or accounting firm other than Unkar Systems to resolve any such dispute and in such event, all references to “Unkar Systems” herein will be replaced with references to such independent, reputable investment bank or accounting firm so designated by Investor.
9.5. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
9.6. Headings. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.
9.7. Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform to such statute or rule of law. Any provision hereof which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof.
9.8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the other Transaction Documents, contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither Company nor Investor makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. For the avoidance of doubt, all prior term sheets or other documents between Company and Investor, or any affiliate thereof, related to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (collectively, “Prior Agreements”), that may have been entered into between Company and Investor, or any affiliate thereof, are hereby null and void and deemed to be replaced in their entirety by the Transaction Documents. To the extent there is a conflict between any term set forth in any Prior Agreement and the term(s) of the Transaction Documents, the Transaction Documents shall govern.
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9.9. Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by both parties hereto.
9.10. Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing (unless otherwise specified herein) and shall be deemed effectively given on the earliest of: (i) the date delivered, if delivered by personal delivery as against written receipt therefor or by email to an executive officer named below or such officer’s successor, or by facsimile (with successful transmission confirmation which is kept by sending party), or (ii) the earlier of the date delivered or the third Trading Day after mailing by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, with delivery costs and fees prepaid, in each case, addressed to each of the other parties thereunto entitled at the following addresses (or at such other addresses as such party may designate by five (5) calendar days’ advance written notice similarly given to each of the other parties hereto):
If to Company:
ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc.
Attn: Hengfang Li
c/o Beijing REIT Technology Development Co., Ltd.
Building X-702, 60 Anli Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
People’s Republic of China 100101
Email: lhf@reit.cc and bjreit@reit.cc
With a copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice):
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
Attn: Wei Wang, Esq.
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10105
Email: wwang@egsllp.com
Facsimile: (212) 370-7889
If to Investor:
Streeterville Capital, LLC
Attn: John Fife
303 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1040
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Email:jfife@chicagoventure.com
With a copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice):
Hansen Black Anderson Ashcraft PLLC
Attn: Jonathan Hansen
3051 West Maple Loop Drive, Suite 325
Lehi, Utah 84043
Email: jhansen@hbaa.law
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9.11. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement or any of the severable rights and obligations inuring to the benefit of or to be performed by Investor hereunder may be assigned by Investor to its affiliates, in whole or in part, without the need to obtain Company’s consent thereto. Except as set forth above, neither Investor nor Company may assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement or delegate its duties hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party. consent of Investor.
9.12. Survival. The representations and warranties of Company and the agreements and covenants set forth in this Agreement shall survive the Closing hereunder notwithstanding any due diligence investigation conducted by or on behalf of Investor. Each party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other and all its officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents for loss or damage arising as a result of or related to any breach or alleged breach by the other party of any of its representations, warranties and covenants set forth in this Agreement or any of its covenants and obligations under this Agreement, including advancement of expenses as they are incurred.
9.13. Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
9.14. Investor’s Rights and Remedies Cumulative. All rights, remedies, and powers conferred in this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights or remedies, and shall be in addition to every other right, power, and remedy that Investor may have, whether specifically granted in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or existing at law, in equity, or by statute, and any and all such rights and remedies may be exercised from time to time and as often and in such order as Investor may deem expedient.
9.15. Attorneys’ Fees and Cost of Collection. In the event of any arbitration or action at law or in equity to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents, the parties agree that the party who is awarded the most money (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be determined without regard to any statutory fines, penalties, fees, or other charges awarded to any party) shall be deemed the prevailing party for all purposes and shall therefore be entitled to an additional award of the full amount of the attorneys’ fees, deposition costs, and expenses paid by such prevailing party in connection with arbitration or litigation without reduction or apportionment based upon the individual claims or defenses giving rise to the fees and expenses. Nothing herein shall restrict or impair an arbitrator’s or a court’s power to award fees and expenses for frivolous or bad faith pleading. If (i) any Note is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection or enforcement prior to commencing arbitration or legal proceedings, or is collected or enforced through any arbitration or legal proceeding, or Investor otherwise takes action to collect amounts due under any Note or to enforce the provisions of such Note, or (ii) there occurs any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership of Company or other proceedings affecting Company’s creditors’ rights and involving a claim under any Note; then Company shall pay the costs incurred by Investor for such collection, enforcement or action or in connection with such bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership or other proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses, deposition costs, and disbursements.
9.16. Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in the form of a writing signed by the party granting the waiver. No waiver of any provision or consent to any prohibited action shall constitute a waiver of any other provision or consent to any other prohibited action, whether or not similar. No waiver or consent shall constitute a continuing waiver or consent or commit a party to provide a waiver or consent in the future except to the extent specifically set forth in writing.
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9.17. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO DEMAND THAT ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, OR THE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE PARTIES HERETO BE TRIED BY JURY. THIS WAIVER EXTENDS TO ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO DEMAND A TRIAL BY JURY ARISING UNDER COMMON LAW OR ANY APPLICABLE STATUTE, LAW, RULE OR REGULATION. FURTHER, EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SUCH PARTY IS KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING SUCH PARTY’S RIGHT TO DEMAND TRIAL BY JURY.
9.18. Time is of the Essence. Time is expressly made of the essence with respect to each and every provision of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.
9.19. Voluntary Agreement. Company has carefully read this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and has asked any questions needed for Company to understand the terms, consequences and binding effect of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and fully understand them. Company has had the opportunity to seek the advice of an attorney of Company’s choosing, or has waived the right to do so, and is executing this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence by Investor or anyone else.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Investor and Company have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
| INVESTOR: | ||
| Streeterville Capital, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ John M. Fife | |
| John M. Fife, President | ||
| COMPANY: | ||
| ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. | ||
| By: | /s/ Hengfang Li | |
| Hengfang Li, Chief Executive Officer | ||
[Signature Page to Securities Purchase Agreement]
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ATTACHED EXHIBITS:
| Exhibit A | Note |
| Exhibit B | TA Letter |
| Exhibit C | Officer’s Certificate |
| Exhibit D | Share Issuance Resolution |
| Exhibit E | Arbitration Provisions |
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Exhibit E
ARBITRATION PROVISIONS
1. Dispute Resolution. For purposes of this Exhibit E, the term “Claims” means any disputes, claims, demands, causes of action, requests for injunctive relief, requests for specific performance, questions regarding severability of any provisions of the Transaction Documents, liabilities, damages, losses, or controversies whatsoever arising from, related to, or connected with the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Documents and any communications between the parties related thereto, including without limitation any claims of mutual mistake, mistake, fraud, misrepresentation, failure of formation, failure of consideration, promissory estoppel, unconscionability, failure of condition precedent, rescission, and any statutory claims, tort claims, contract claims, or claims to void, invalidate or terminate the Agreement (or these Arbitration Provisions (defined below)) or any of the other Transaction Documents. The parties to this Agreement (the “parties”) hereby agree that the Claims may be arbitrated in one or more Arbitrations pursuant to these Arbitration Provisions (one for an injunction or injunctions and a separate one for all other Claims). The parties hereby agree that the arbitration provisions set forth in this Exhibit E (“Arbitration Provisions”) are binding on each of them. As a result, any attempt to rescind the Agreement (or these Arbitration Provisions) or any other Transaction Document) or declare the Agreement (or these Arbitration Provisions) or any other Transaction Document invalid or unenforceable pursuant to Section 29 of the 1934 Act or for any other reason is subject to these Arbitration Provisions. These Arbitration Provisions shall also survive any termination or expiration of the Agreement. Any capitalized term not defined in these Arbitration Provisions shall have the meaning set forth in the Agreement.
Arbitration. Except as otherwise provided herein, all Claims must be submitted to arbitration (“Arbitration”) to be conducted exclusively in Salt Lake County, Utah and pursuant to the terms set forth in these Arbitration Provisions. Subject to the arbitration appeal right provided for in Paragraph 5 below (the “Appeal Right”), the parties agree that the award of the arbitrator rendered pursuant to Paragraph 4 below (the “Arbitration Award”) shall be (a) final and binding upon the parties, (b) the sole and exclusive remedy between them regarding any Claims, counterclaims, issues, or accountings presented or pleaded to the arbitrator, and (c) promptly payable in United States dollars free of any deduction or offset (with respect to monetary awards). Subject to the Appeal Right, any costs or fees, including without limitation attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with or incident to enforcing the Arbitration Award shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be charged against the party resisting such enforcement. The Arbitration Award shall include default interest (as defined or otherwise provided for in the Note, “Default Interest”) (with respect to monetary awards) at the rate specified in the Note for Default Interest both before and after the Arbitration Award. Judgment upon the Arbitration Award will be entered and enforced by any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah.
3. The Arbitration Act. The parties agree that these Arbitration Provisions will be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. 1-16 et seq. (as amended or superseded from time to time, the “Arbitration Act”). The parties hereby incorporate herein the provisions and procedures set forth in the Arbitration Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to, and to the maximum extent permitted by the Arbitration Act, in the event of conflict or variation between the terms of these Arbitration Provisions and the provisions of the Arbitration Act, the terms of these Arbitration Provisions shall control and the parties hereby waive or otherwise agree to vary the effect of all requirements of the Arbitration Act that may conflict with or vary from these Arbitration Provisions.
4. Arbitration Proceedings. Arbitration between the parties will be subject to the following:
4.1 Initiation of Arbitration. The parties agree that a party may initiate Arbitration by giving written notice to the other party (“Arbitration Notice”) in the same manner that notice is permitted under Section 9.10 of the Agreement; provided, however, that the Arbitration Notice may not be given by email or fax. Arbitration will be deemed initiated as of the date that the Arbitration Notice is deemed delivered to such other party under Section 9.10 of the Agreement (the “Service Date”). After the Service Date, information may be delivered, and notices may be given, by email or fax pursuant to Section 9.10 of the Agreement or any other method permitted thereunder. The Arbitration Notice must describe the nature of the controversy, the remedies sought, and the election to commence Arbitration proceedings. All Claims in the Arbitration Notice must be pleaded consistent with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
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4.2 Selection and Payment of Arbitrator.
(a) Within ten (10) calendar days after the Service Date, Investor shall select and submit to Company the names of five (5) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Services (http://www.utahadrservices.com) (such five (5) designated persons hereunder are referred to herein as the “Proposed Arbitrators”). For the avoidance of doubt, each Proposed Arbitrator must be qualified as a “neutral” with Utah ADR Services. Within five (5) calendar days after Investor has submitted to Company the names of the Proposed Arbitrators, Company must select, by written notice to Investor, one (1) of the Proposed Arbitrators to act as the arbitrator for the parties under these Arbitration Provisions. If Company fails to select one of the Proposed Arbitrators in writing within such 5-day period, then Investor may select the arbitrator from the Proposed Arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to Company.
(b) If Investor fails to submit to Company the Proposed Arbitrators within ten (10) calendar days after the Service Date pursuant to subparagraph (a) above, then Company may at any time prior to Investor so designating the Proposed Arbitrators, identify the names of five (5) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Service by written notice to Investor. Investor may then, within five (5) calendar days after Company has submitted notice of its Proposed Arbitrators to Investor, select, by written notice to Company, one (1) of the Proposed Arbitrators to act as the arbitrator for the parties under these Arbitration Provisions. If Investor fails to select in writing and within such 5-day period one (1) of the five (5) Proposed Arbitrators selected by Company, then Company may select the arbitrator from its five (5) previously selected Proposed Arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to Investor.
(c) If a Proposed Arbitrator chosen to serve as arbitrator declines or is otherwise unable to serve as arbitrator, then the party that selected such Proposed Arbitrator may select one (1) of the other five (5) Proposed Arbitrators within three (3) calendar days of the date the chosen Proposed Arbitrator declines or notifies the parties he or she is unable to serve as arbitrator. If all five (5) Proposed Arbitrators decline or are otherwise unable to serve as arbitrator, then the arbitrator selection process shall begin again in accordance with this Paragraph 4.2.
(d) The date that the Proposed Arbitrator selected pursuant to this Paragraph 4.2 agrees in writing (including via email) delivered to both parties to serve as the arbitrator hereunder is referred to herein as the “Arbitration Commencement Date”. If an arbitrator resigns or is unable to act during the Arbitration, a replacement arbitrator shall be chosen in accordance with this Paragraph 4.2 to continue the Arbitration. If Utah ADR Services ceases to exist or to provide a list of neutrals and there is no successor thereto, then the arbitrator shall be selected under the then prevailing rules of the American Arbitration Association.
(e) Subject to Paragraph 4.10 below, the cost of the arbitrator must be paid equally by both parties. Subject to Paragraph 4.10 below, if one party refuses or fails to pay its portion of the arbitrator fee, then the other party can advance such unpaid amount (subject to the accrual of Default Interest thereupon), with such amount being added to or subtracted from, as applicable, the Arbitration Award.
4.3 Applicability of Certain Federal Rules. The parties agree that the Arbitration shall be conducted generally in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Federal Rules of Evidence. More specifically, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply, without limitation, to the filing of any pleadings, motions or memoranda, the conducting of discovery, and the taking of any depositions. The Federal Rules of Evidence shall apply to any hearings, whether telephonic or in person, held by the arbitrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the parties’ intent that the incorporation of such rules will in no event supersede these Arbitration Provisions. In the event of any conflict between the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or the Federal Rules of Evidence and these Arbitration Provisions, these Arbitration Provisions shall control.
4.4 Answer and Default. An answer and any counterclaims to the Arbitration Notice shall be required to be delivered to the party initiating the Arbitration within twenty (20) calendar days after the Arbitration Commencement Date. If an answer is not delivered by the required deadline, the arbitrator must provide written notice to the defaulting party stating that the arbitrator will enter a default award against such party if such party does not file an answer within five (5) calendar days of receipt of such notice. If an answer is not filed within the five (5) day extension period, the arbitrator must render a default award, consistent with the relief requested in the Arbitration Notice, against a party that fails to submit an answer within such time period.
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4.5 Related Litigation. The party that delivers the Arbitration Notice to the other party shall have the option to also commence concurrent legal proceedings with any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah (“Litigation Proceedings”), subject to the following: (a) the complaint in the Litigation Proceedings is to be substantially similar to the claims set forth in the Arbitration Notice, provided that an additional cause of action to compel arbitration will also be included therein, (b) so long as the other party files an answer to the complaint in the Litigation Proceedings and an answer to the Arbitration Notice, the Litigation Proceedings will be stayed pending an Arbitration Award (or Appeal Panel Award (defined below), as applicable) hereunder, (c) if the other party fails to file an answer in the Litigation Proceedings or an answer in the Arbitration proceedings, then the party initiating Arbitration shall be entitled to a default judgment consistent with the relief requested, to be entered in the Litigation Proceedings, and (d) any legal or procedural issue arising under the Arbitration Act that requires a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction may be determined in the Litigation Proceedings. Any award of the arbitrator (or of the Appeal Panel (defined below)) may be entered in such Litigation Proceedings pursuant to the Arbitration Act.
4.6 Discovery. Pursuant to Section 118(8) of the Arbitration Act, the parties agree that discovery shall be conducted as follows:
(a) Written discovery will only be allowed if the likely benefits of the proposed written discovery outweigh the burden or expense thereof, and the written discovery sought is likely to reveal information that will satisfy a specific element of a claim or defense already pleaded in the Arbitration. The party seeking written discovery shall always have the burden of showing that all of the standards and limitations set forth in these Arbitration Provisions are satisfied. The scope of discovery in the Arbitration proceedings shall also be limited as follows:
(i) To facts directly connected with the transactions contemplated by the Agreement.
(ii) To facts and information that cannot be obtained from another source or in another manner that is more convenient, less burdensome or less expensive than in the manner requested.
(b) No party shall be allowed (i) more than fifteen (15) interrogatories (including discrete subparts), (ii) more than fifteen (15) requests for admission (including discrete subparts), (iii) more than ten (10) document requests (including discrete subparts), or (iv) more than three (3) depositions (excluding expert depositions) for a maximum of seven (7) hours per deposition. The costs associated with depositions will be borne by the party taking the deposition. The party defending the deposition will submit a notice to the party taking the deposition of the estimated attorneys’ fees that such party expects to incur in connection with defending the deposition. If the party defending the deposition fails to submit an estimate of attorneys’ fees within five (5) calendar days of its receipt of a deposition notice, then such party shall be deemed to have waived its right to the estimated attorneys’ fees. The party taking the deposition must pay the party defending the deposition the estimated attorneys’ fees prior to taking the deposition, unless such obligation is deemed to be waived as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence. If the party taking the deposition believes that the estimated attorneys’ fees are unreasonable, such party may submit the issue to the arbitrator for a decision. All depositions will be taken in New York City, New York.
(c) All discovery requests (including document production requests included in deposition notices) must be submitted in writing to the arbitrator and the other party. The party submitting the written discovery requests must include with such discovery requests a detailed explanation of how the proposed discovery requests satisfy the requirements of these Arbitration Provisions and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The receiving party will then be allowed, within five (5) calendar days of receiving the proposed discovery requests, to submit to the arbitrator an estimate of the attorneys’ fees and costs associated with responding to such written discovery requests and a written challenge to each applicable discovery request. After receipt of an estimate of attorneys’ fees and costs and/or challenge(s) to one or more discovery requests, consistent with subparagraph (c) above, the arbitrator will within three (3) calendar days make a finding as to the likely attorneys’ fees and costs associated with responding to the discovery requests and issue an order that (i) requires the requesting party to prepay the attorneys’ fees and costs associated with responding to the discovery requests, and (ii) requires the responding party to respond to the discovery requests as limited by the arbitrator within twenty-five (25) calendar days of the arbitrator’s finding with respect to such discovery requests. If a party entitled to submit an estimate of attorneys’ fees and costs and/or a challenge to discovery requests fails to do so within such 5-day period, the arbitrator will make a finding that (A) there are no attorneys’ fees or costs associated with responding to such discovery requests, and (B) the responding party must respond to such discovery requests (as may be limited by the arbitrator) within twenty-five (25) calendar days of the arbitrator’s finding with respect to such discovery requests. Any party submitting any written discovery requests, including without limitation interrogatories, requests for production subpoenas to a party or a third party, or requests for admissions, must prepay the estimated attorneys’ fees and costs, before the responding party has any obligation to produce or respond to the same, unless such obligation is deemed waived as set forth above.
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(d) In order to allow a written discovery request, the arbitrator must find that the discovery request satisfies the standards set forth in these Arbitration Provisions and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The arbitrator must strictly enforce these standards. If a discovery request does not satisfy any of the standards set forth in these Arbitration Provisions or the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the arbitrator may modify such discovery request to satisfy the applicable standards, or strike such discovery request in whole or in part.
(e) Each party may submit expert reports (and rebuttals thereto), provided that such reports must be submitted within sixty (60) days of the Arbitration Commencement Date. Each party will be allowed a maximum of two (2) experts. Expert reports must contain the following: (i) a complete statement of all opinions the expert will offer at trial and the basis and reasons for them; (ii) the expert’s name and qualifications, including a list of all the expert’s publications within the preceding ten (10) years, and a list of any other cases in which the expert has testified at trial or in a deposition or prepared a report within the preceding ten (10) years; and (iii) the compensation to be paid for the expert’s report and testimony. The parties are entitled to depose any other party’s expert witness one (1) time for no more than four (4) hours. An expert may not testify in a party’s case-in-chief concerning any matter not fairly disclosed in the expert report.
4.6 Dispositive Motions. Each party shall have the right to submit dispositive motions pursuant Rule 12 or Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (a “Dispositive Motion”). The party submitting the Dispositive Motion may, but is not required to, deliver to the arbitrator and to the other party a memorandum in support (the “Memorandum in Support”) of the Dispositive Motion. Within seven (7) calendar days of delivery of the Memorandum in Support, the other party shall deliver to the arbitrator and to the other party a memorandum in opposition to the Memorandum in Support (the “Memorandum in Opposition”). Within seven (7) calendar days of delivery of the Memorandum in Opposition, as applicable, the party that submitted the Memorandum in Support shall deliver to the arbitrator and to the other party a reply memorandum to the Memorandum in Opposition (“Reply Memorandum”). If the applicable party shall fail to deliver the Memorandum in Opposition as required above, or if the other party fails to deliver the Reply Memorandum as required above, then the applicable party shall lose its right to so deliver the same, and the Dispositive Motion shall proceed regardless.
4.7 Confidentiality. All information disclosed by either party (or such party’s agents) during the Arbitration process (including without limitation information disclosed during the discovery process or any Appeal (defined below)) shall be considered confidential in nature. Each party agrees not to disclose any confidential information received from the other party (or its agents) during the Arbitration process (including without limitation during the discovery process or any Appeal) unless (a) prior to or after the time of disclosure such information becomes public knowledge or part of the public domain, not as a result of any inaction or action of the receiving party or its agents, (b) such information is required by a court order, subpoena or similar legal duress to be disclosed if such receiving party has notified the other party thereof in writing and given it a reasonable opportunity to obtain a protective order from a court of competent jurisdiction prior to disclosure, or (c) such information is disclosed to the receiving party’s agents, representatives and legal counsel on a need to know basis who each agree in writing not to disclose such information to any third party. The arbitrator is hereby authorized and directed to issue a protective order to prevent the disclosure of privileged information and confidential information upon the written request of either party.
4.8 Authorization; Timing; Scheduling Order. Subject to all other portions of these Arbitration Provisions, the parties hereby authorize and direct the arbitrator to take such actions and make such rulings as may be necessary to carry out the parties’ intent for the Arbitration proceedings to be efficient and expeditious. For the avoidance of doubt, the arbitrator is empowered to decide any procedural issues, jurisdictional issues, and issues regarding whether a particular dispute is subject to Arbitration. The parties hereby agree that an Arbitration Award must be made within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the Arbitration Commencement Date. The arbitrator is hereby authorized and directed to hold a scheduling conference within ten (10) calendar days after the Arbitration Commencement Date in order to establish a scheduling order with various binding deadlines for discovery, expert testimony, and the submission of documents by the parties to enable the arbitrator to render a decision prior to the end of such 120-day period.
4.9 Relief. The arbitrator shall have the right to award or include in the Arbitration Award (or in a preliminary ruling) any relief which the arbitrator deems proper under the circumstances, including, without limitation, specific performance and injunctive relief, provided that the arbitrator may not award exemplary or punitive damages.
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4.10 Fees and Costs. As part of the Arbitration Award, the arbitrator is hereby directed to require the losing party (the party being awarded the least amount of money by the arbitrator, which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be determined without regard to any statutory fines, penalties, fees, or other charges awarded to any party) to (a) pay the full amount of any unpaid costs and fees of the Arbitration, and (b) reimburse the prevailing party for all reasonable attorneys’ fees, arbitrator costs and fees, deposition costs, other discovery costs, and other expenses, costs or fees paid or otherwise incurred by the prevailing party in connection with the Arbitration.
5. Arbitration Appeal.
5.1 Initiation of Appeal. Following the entry of the Arbitration Award, either party (the “Appellant”) shall have a period of thirty (30) calendar days in which to notify the other party (the “Appellee”), in writing, that the Appellant elects to appeal (the “Appeal”) the Arbitration Award (such notice, an “Appeal Notice”) to a panel of arbitrators as provided in Paragraph 5.2 below. The date the Appellant delivers an Appeal Notice to the Appellee is referred to herein as the “Appeal Date”. The Appeal Notice must be delivered to the Appellee in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 4.1 above with respect to delivery of an Arbitration Notice. In addition, together with delivery of the Appeal Notice to the Appellee, the Appellant must also pay for (and provide proof of such payment to the Appellee together with delivery of the Appeal Notice) a bond in the amount of 110% of the sum the Appellant owes to the Appellee as a result of the Arbitration Award the Appellant is appealing. In the event an Appellant delivers an Appeal Notice to the Appellee (together with proof of payment of the applicable bond) in compliance with the provisions of this Paragraph 5.1, the Appeal will occur as a matter of right and, except as specifically set forth herein, will not be further conditioned. In the event a party does not deliver an Appeal Notice (along with proof of payment of the applicable bond) to the other party within the deadline prescribed in this Paragraph 5.1, such party shall lose its right to appeal the Arbitration Award. If no party delivers an Appeal Notice (along with proof of payment of the applicable bond) to the other party within the deadline described in this Paragraph 5.1, the Arbitration Award shall be final. The parties acknowledge and agree that any Appeal shall be deemed part of the parties’ agreement to arbitrate for purposes of these Arbitration Provisions and the Arbitration Act.
5.2 Selection and Payment of Appeal Panel. In the event an Appellant delivers an Appeal Notice to the Appellee (together with proof of payment of the applicable bond) in compliance with the provisions of Paragraph 5.1 above, the Appeal will be heard by a three (3) person arbitration panel (the “Appeal Panel”).
(a) Within ten (10) calendar days after the Appeal Date, the Appellee shall select and submit to the Appellant the names of ten (10) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Services (http://www.utahadrservices.com) (such ten (10) designated persons hereunder are referred to herein as the “Proposed Appeal Arbitrators”). For the avoidance of doubt, each Proposed Appeal Arbitrator must be qualified as a “neutral” with Utah ADR Services, and shall not be the arbitrator who rendered the Arbitration Award being appealed (the “Original Arbitrator”). Within five (5) calendar days after the Appellee has submitted to the Appellant the names of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators, the Appellant must select, by written notice to the Appellee, three (3) of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators to act as the members of the Appeal Panel. If the Appellant fails to select three (3) of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators in writing within such 5-day period, then the Appellee may select such three (3) arbitrators from the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to the Appellant.
(b) If the Appellee fails to submit to the Appellant the names of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators within ten (10) calendar days after the Appeal Date pursuant to subparagraph (a) above, then the Appellant may at any time prior to the Appellee so designating the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators, identify the names of five (5) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Service (none of whom may be the Original Arbitrator) by written notice to the Appellee. The Appellee may then, within five (5) calendar days after the Appellant has submitted notice of its selected arbitrators to the Appellee, select, by written notice to the Appellant, three (3) of such selected arbitrators to serve on the Appeal Panel. If the Appellee fails to select in writing within such 5-day period three (3) of the arbitrators selected by the Appellant to serve as the members of the Appeal Panel, then the Appellant may select the three (3) members of the Appeal Panel from the Appellant’s list of five (5) arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to the Appellee.
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(c) If a selected Proposed Appeal Arbitrator declines or is otherwise unable to serve, then the party that selected such Proposed Appeal Arbitrator may select one (1) of the other five (5) designated Proposed Appeal Arbitrators within three (3) calendar days of the date a chosen Proposed Appeal Arbitrator declines or notifies the parties he or she is unable to serve as an arbitrator. If at least three (3) of the five (5) designated Proposed Appeal Arbitrators decline or are otherwise unable to serve, then the Proposed Appeal Arbitrator selection process shall begin again in accordance with this Paragraph 5.2; provided, however, that any Proposed Appeal Arbitrators who have already agreed to serve shall remain on the Appeal Panel.
(d) The date that all three (3) Proposed Appeal Arbitrators selected pursuant to this Paragraph 5.2 agree in writing (including via email) delivered to both the Appellant and the Appellee to serve as members of the Appeal Panel hereunder is referred to herein as the “Appeal Commencement Date”. No later than five (5) calendar days after the Appeal Commencement Date, the Appellee shall designate in writing (including via email) to the Appellant and the Appeal Panel the name of one (1) of the three (3) members of the Appeal Panel to serve as the lead arbitrator in the Appeal proceedings. Each member of the Appeal Panel shall be deemed an arbitrator for purposes of these Arbitration Provisions and the Arbitration Act, provided that, in conducting the Appeal, the Appeal Panel may only act or make determinations upon the approval or vote of no less than the majority vote of its members, as announced or communicated by the lead arbitrator on the Appeal Panel. If an arbitrator on the Appeal Panel ceases or is unable to act during the Appeal proceedings, a replacement arbitrator shall be chosen in accordance with Paragraph 5.2 above to continue the Appeal as a member of the Appeal Panel. If Utah ADR Services ceases to exist or to provide a list of neutrals, then the arbitrators for the Appeal Panel shall be selected under the then prevailing rules of the American Arbitration Association.
(d) Subject to Paragraph 5.7 below, the cost of the Appeal Panel must be paid entirely by the Appellant.
5.3 Appeal Procedure. The Appeal will be deemed an appeal of the entire Arbitration Award. In conducting the Appeal, the Appeal Panel shall conduct a de novo review of all Claims described or otherwise set forth in the Arbitration Notice. Subject to the foregoing and all other provisions of this Paragraph 5, the Appeal Panel shall conduct the Appeal in a manner the Appeal Panel considers appropriate for a fair and expeditious disposition of the Appeal, may hold one or more hearings and permit oral argument, and may review all previous evidence and discovery, together with all briefs, pleadings and other documents filed with the Original Arbitrator (as well as any documents filed with the Appeal Panel pursuant to Paragraph 5.4(a) below). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the Appeal, the Appeal Panel shall not permit the parties to conduct any additional discovery or raise any new Claims to be arbitrated, shall not permit new witnesses or affidavits, and shall not base any of its findings or determinations on the Original Arbitrator’s findings or the Arbitration Award.
5.4 Timing.
(a) Within seven (7) calendar days of the Appeal Commencement Date, the Appellant (i) shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Appeal Panel copies of the Appeal Notice, all discovery conducted in connection with the Arbitration, and all briefs, pleadings and other documents filed with the Original Arbitrator (which material Appellee shall have the right to review and supplement if necessary), and (ii) may, but is not required to, deliver to the Appeal Panel and to the Appellee a Memorandum in Support of the Appellant’s arguments concerning or position with respect to all Claims, counterclaims, issues, or accountings presented or pleaded in the Arbitration. Within seven (7) calendar days of the Appellant’s delivery of the Memorandum in Support, as applicable, the Appellee shall deliver to the Appeal Panel and to the Appellant a Memorandum in Opposition to the Memorandum in Support. Within seven (7) calendar days of the Appellee’s delivery of the Memorandum in Opposition, as applicable, the Appellant shall deliver to the Appeal Panel and to the Appellee a Reply Memorandum to the Memorandum in Opposition. If the Appellant shall fail to substantially comply with the requirements of clause (i) of this subparagraph (a), the Appellant shall lose its right to appeal the Arbitration Award, and the Arbitration Award shall be final. If the Appellee shall fail to deliver the Memorandum in Opposition as required above, or if the Appellant shall fail to deliver the Reply Memorandum as required above, then the Appellee or the Appellant, as the case may be, shall lose its right to so deliver the same, and the Appeal shall proceed regardless.
(b) Subject to subparagraph (a) above, the parties hereby agree that the Appeal must be heard by the Appeal Panel within thirty (30) calendar days of the Appeal Commencement Date, and that the Appeal Panel must render its decision within thirty (30) calendar days after the Appeal is heard (and in no event later than sixty (60) calendar days after the Appeal Commencement Date).
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5.5 Appeal Panel Award. The Appeal Panel shall issue its decision (the “Appeal Panel Award”) through the lead arbitrator on the Appeal Panel. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, the Appeal Panel Award shall (a) supersede in its entirety and make of no further force or effect the Arbitration Award (provided that any protective orders issued by the Original Arbitrator shall remain in full force and effect), (b) be final and binding upon the parties, with no further rights of appeal, (c) be the sole and exclusive remedy between the parties regarding any Claims, counterclaims, issues, or accountings presented or pleaded in the Arbitration, and (d) be promptly payable in United States dollars free of any deduction or offset (with respect to monetary awards). Any costs or fees, including without limitation attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with or incident to enforcing the Appeal Panel Award shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be charged against the party resisting such enforcement. The Appeal Panel Award shall include Default Interest (with respect to monetary awards) at the rate specified in the Note for Default Interest both before and after the Arbitration Award. Judgment upon the Appeal Panel Award will be entered and enforced by a state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah.
5.6 Relief. The Appeal Panel shall have the right to award or include in the Appeal Panel Award any relief which the Appeal Panel deems proper under the circumstances, including, without limitation, specific performance and injunctive relief, provided that the Appeal Panel may not award exemplary or punitive damages.
5.7 Fees and Costs. As part of the Appeal Panel Award, the Appeal Panel is hereby directed to require the losing party (the party being awarded the least amount of money by the arbitrator, which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be determined without regard to any statutory fines, penalties, fees, or other charges awarded to any party) to (a) pay the full amount of any unpaid costs and fees of the Arbitration and the Appeal Panel, and (b) reimburse the prevailing party (the party being awarded the most amount of money by the Appeal Panel, which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be determined without regard to any statutory fines, penalties, fees, or other charges awarded to any part) the reasonable attorneys’ fees, arbitrator and Appeal Panel costs and fees, deposition costs, other discovery costs, and other expenses, costs or fees paid or otherwise incurred by the prevailing party in connection with the Arbitration (including without limitation in connection with the Appeal).
6. Miscellaneous.
6.1 Severability. If any part of these Arbitration Provisions is found to violate or be illegal under applicable law, then such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make such provision enforceable under applicable law, and the remainder of the Arbitration Provisions shall remain unaffected and in full force and effect.
6.2 Interpretation. The headings of these Arbitration Provisions are for convenience of reference only and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, these Arbitration Provisions.
6.3 Waiver. No waiver of any provision of these Arbitration Provisions shall be effective unless it is in the form of a writing signed by the party granting the waiver.
6.4 Time is of the Essence. Time is expressly made of the essence with respect to each and every provision of these Arbitration Provisions.
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