Exhibit 2.1

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

dated as of

 

December 16, 2021

 

by and among

 

cLEANTECH Acquisition Corp.,

 

CLEANTECH MERGER SUB, INC.,

 

NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC.

 

and

 

Nicolaus Radford, solely in his capacity as the Stockholder Representative

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
       
Article I CERTAIN DEFINITIONS 3
       
  1.01 Definitions 3
  1.02 Construction 17
  1.03 Knowledge 18
Article II THE MERGER; CLOSING 18
       
  2.01 The Merger 18
  2.02 Effects of the Merger 19
  2.03 Closing 19
  2.04 Organizational Documents of Acquiror and the Surviving Company 19
  2.05 Directors and Officers of Acquiror and the Surviving Company 19
Article III EFFECTS OF THE MERGER 20
   
  3.01 Effect on Securities 20
  3.02 Equitable Adjustments 21
  3.03 Delivery of Merger Consideration 22
  3.04 Uncertificated Securities 22
  3.05 Treatment of Company Options 22
  3.06 Earnout 23
  3.07 Withholding 26
  3.08 No Fractional Shares 26
  3.09 Payment of Expenses 27
  3.10 Dissenting Shares 27
Article IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY 28
       
  4.01 Corporate Organization of the Company 28
  4.02 No Subsidiaries 28
  4.03 Due Authorization 28
  4.04 No Conflict 29
  4.05 Governmental Authorities; Consents 29
  4.06 Capitalization 29
  4.07 Financial Statements 31
  4.08 Undisclosed Liabilities 31
  4.09 Litigation and Proceedings 31
  4.10 Compliance with Laws 32

 

i

 

 

  4.11 Intellectual Property 32
  4.12 Contracts; No Defaults 36
  4.13 Company Benefit Plans 37
  4.14 Labor Matters 39
  4.15 Taxes 40
  4.16 Brokers’ Fees 42
  4.17 Insurance 42
  4.18 Real Property; Assets 43
  4.19 Environmental Matters 44
  4.20 Absence of Changes 44
  4.21 Affiliate Agreements 45
  4.22 Internal Controls 45
  4.23 Permits 45
  4.24 Registration Statement 45
  4.26 No Additional Representations and Warranties 46
Article V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR AND MERGER SUB 46
       
  5.01 Corporate Organization 46
  5.02 Due Authorization 47
  5.03 No Conflict 48
  5.04 Litigation and Proceedings 48
  5.05 Compliance with Laws 48
  5.06 Employee Benefit Plans 49
  5.07 Governmental Authorities; Consents 50
  5.08 Trust Account 50
  5.09 Taxes 51
  5.10 Brokers’ Fees 51
  5.11 Acquiror SEC Reports; Financial Statements; Sarbanes-Oxley Act 51
  5.12 Business Activities; Absence of Changes 52
  5.13 Registration Statement 54
  5.14 No Outside Reliance 54
  5.15 Capitalization 55
  5.16 Nasdaq Stock Market Listing 55
  5.17 Contracts; No Defaults 56

 

ii

 

 

  5.18 Title to Property 56
  5.19 Investment Company Act 57
  5.20 Affiliate Agreements 57
  5.21 Sponsor Support Agreement 57
Article VI COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY 57
       
  6.01 Conduct of Business 57
  6.02 Inspection 60
  6.03 No Acquiror Common Stock Transactions 61
  6.04 No Claim Against the Trust Account 61
  6.05 Proxy Solicitation; Other Actions 61
Article VII COVENANTS OF ACQUIROR 62
       
  7.01 Conduct of Acquiror During the Interim Period 62
  7.02 Trust Account 65
  7.03 Inspection 65
  7.04 Acquiror Nasdaq Listing 65
  7.05 Acquiror Public Filings 66
  7.06 Section 16 Matters 65
Article VIII JOINT COVENANTS 67
     
  8.01 Subscription Agreements 67
  8.02 Support of Transaction 67
  8.03 Preparation of Registration Statement; Special Meeting; Solicitation of Company Requisite Approval 67
  8.04 Tax Matters 69
  8.05 Confidentiality; Publicity 70
  8.06 Post-Closing Cooperation; Further Assurances 71
  8.07 Additional Insurance and Indemnity Matters 71
  8.08 HSR Act and Regulatory Approvals 72
  8.09 Employee Matters 74
  8.10 Non-Solicitation; Acquisition Proposals 75
Article IX CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS 76
       
  9.01 Conditions to Obligations of All Parties 76
  9.02 Additional Conditions to Obligations of Acquiror 77
  9.03 Additional Conditions to the Obligations of the Company 78

 

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Article X TERMINATION/EFFECTIVENESS 79
       
  10.01 Termination 79
  10.02 Effect of Termination 80
Article XI MISCELLANEOUS 80
       
  11.01 Waiver 80
  11.02 Notices 81
  11.03 Assignment 81
  11.04 Rights of Third Parties 81
  11.05 Expenses 82
  11.06 Governing Law 82
  11.07 Captions; Counterparts 82
  11.08 Schedules and Exhibits 82
  11.09 Entire Agreement 82
  11.10 Amendments 82
  11.11 Severability 83
  11.12 Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY 83
  11.13 Enforcement 83
  11.14 Non-Recourse 83
  11.15 Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants 84
  11.16 Stockholder Representative 84
  11.17 Acknowledgments 85

 

Exhibits

 

Exhibit A – Form of PubCo Bylaws  
Exhibit B – Form of PubCo Charter  
Exhibit C – Form of Acquiror Incentive Plan  
Exhibit D – Form of Surviving Company Bylaws  
Exhibit E – Form of Surviving Company Charter  
Exhibit F – Form of Earnout Escrow Agreement  
Exhibit G – Form of Director Nomination Agreement  
Exhibit H – Form of Lock-Up Agreement  
Exhibit I – Form of Registration Rights Agreement  

 

iv

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

This Agreement and Plan of Merger (this “Agreement”), dated as of 16, 2021, is entered into by and among CleanTech Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (prior to the Effective Time, “Acquiror” and, at and after the Effective Time, “PubCo”), CleanTech Merger Sub, Inc., a Texas corporation (“Merger Sub”), Nauticus Robotics, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “Company”), and Nicolaus Radford (the “Founder”), solely in his capacity as the Stockholder Representative pursuant to the designation in Section 11.16. Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Company are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “Party” and, collectively, as the “Parties”. Except as otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in Article I of this Agreement.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Acquiror is a special purpose acquisition company incorporated to acquire one or more operating businesses through a Business Combination;

 

WHEREAS, Merger Sub is a newly formed, wholly-owned, direct subsidiary of Acquiror, and was formed for the sole purpose of the Merger;

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, Merger Sub is to merge with and into the Company pursuant to the Merger, with the Company surviving as the Surviving Company;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger, the stockholders of the Company will be entitled to receive merger consideration in the form of the right to receive stock in PubCo, as more fulsomely described in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, in connection with the Transactions, the Sponsor entered into a letter agreement (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”) with Acquiror and the Company;

 

WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, in connection with the Transactions, certain Company Stockholders have entered into Support Agreements (each, a “Company Support Agreement”) with the Acquiror;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger, Acquiror, the Company, certain Acquiror Stockholders and certain Company Stockholders who will receive common stock of PubCo (the “PubCo Common Stock”) pursuant to Article III will enter into that certain Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), upon the Closing;

 

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company has entered into an Employment and Non-Competition Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”), which agreement will become effective as of the Closing;

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, prior to the date hereof, the parties hereto have conducted a private placement equity offering of the Acquiror to secure firm commitments for Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000) of Equity Financing pursuant to the terms of Subscription Agreements;

 

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution of the Agreement, the Company has entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with ATW Special Situations I, LLC (“ATW”), together with certain ancillary agreements thereto (the “ATW Convertible Note”);

 

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution of the Agreement, the Company has entered into a Term Loan Credit Agreement with RCB Equities #1, LLC , a California limited liability company (the “Bridge Loan” and together with the ATW Convertible Note, the “Transaction Finance Loans”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger, Acquiror shall adopt the amended and restated bylaws (the “PubCo Bylaws”) in the form set forth on Exhibit A;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger, Acquiror shall adopt, subject to obtaining the Acquiror Stockholder Approval, the amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “PubCo Charter”) in the form set forth on Exhibit B, to provide for, among other things an increase in the number of authorized shares of PubCo’s Common Stock;

 

WHEREAS, at the Closing, the shares of Company Common Stock (including shares of Company Preferred Stock that will be converted first into shares of Company Common Stock and then into shares of Company Common Stock as part of the Exchange), will be converted into shares of PubCo’s Common Stock;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Acquiror Organizational Documents, Acquiror shall provide an opportunity to its stockholders to have their Acquiror Common Stock redeemed for the consideration, and on the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations, set forth in this Agreement, the Acquiror Organizational Documents, the Trust Agreement, and the Proxy Statement in conjunction with, inter alia, obtaining approval from the stockholders of Acquiror for the Business Combination (the “Offer”);

 

WHEREAS, prior to the consummation of the Transactions, Acquiror shall, subject to obtaining the Acquiror Stockholder Approval, adopt the stock incentive plan (the “Acquiror Incentive Plan”) in the form set forth on Exhibit C;

 

WHEREAS, each of the parties intends that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (i) the Merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the Treasury Regulations and (ii) this Agreement be adopted as a “plan of reorganization” for purposes of Section 368 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g) (the “Intended Tax Treatment”); and

 

WHEREAS, the respective boards of directors or similar governing bodies of each of Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Company have each (i) approved and declared advisable the Transactions upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the DGCL (as defined below) and the Texas Business Organizations Code (the “TBOC”) and (ii) recommended to their respective stockholders the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Transactions.

 

 

2

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Company agree as follows:

 

Article I
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

1.01 Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Acquiror” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

Acquiror Affiliate Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 5.20.

 

Acquiror and Merger Sub Representations” means the representations and warranties of each of Acquiror and Merger Sub expressly and specifically set forth in Article V of this Agreement, as qualified by the Acquiror and Merger Sub Schedules. For the avoidance of doubt, the Acquiror and Merger Sub Representations are solely made by Acquiror and Merger Sub.

 

Acquiror and Merger Sub Schedules” means the disclosure schedules of Acquiror and Merger Sub.

 

Acquiror Benefit Plans” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06.

 

Acquiror Board” means the board of directors of Acquiror.

 

Acquiror Board Recommendation” has the meaning specified in Section 8.03(d).

 

Acquiror Common Stock” means Acquiror’s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

 

Acquiror Cure Period” has the meaning specified in Section 10.01(c).

 

Acquiror Incentive Plan” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Acquiror Incentive Plan Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 8.03(c).

 

Acquiror Organizational Documents” means the Certificate of Incorporation and Acquiror’s bylaws, in each case as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

Acquiror Private Placement Warrants” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Acquiror SEC Reports as of the date of this Agreement.

 

Acquisition Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 6.06(b).

 

Acquiror Public Warrant” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Acquiror SEC Reports as of the date of this Agreement.

 

Acquiror Rights” means Acquiror’s right to receive one-twentieth of one share of Acquiror Common Stock upon the happening of an Acquiror initial business combination (as such event is described in the Acquiror Organizational Documents).

 

Acquiror SEC Reports” has the meaning specified in Section 5.11(a).

 

Acquiror Stockholder” means a holder of Acquiror Common Stock.

 

Acquiror Stockholder Approval” has the meaning specified in Section 5.02(b).

 

Acquiror Units” means the units of the Acquiror issued in connection with its initial public offering, which such units are comprised of one share of Acquiror Common Stock, one Acquiror Right, and one-half of one Acquiror Public Warrant.

 

Acquiror Warrants” means, collectively, the Acquiror Public Warrants and the Acquiror Private Placement Warrants.

 

Action” means any claim, action, suit, assessment, arbitration or proceeding, in each case that is by or before any Governmental Authority.

 

Additional Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 8.03(c).

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person, through one or more intermediaries or otherwise.

 

Agreement” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

Amendment Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(c).

 

Ancillary Agreements” means this Agreement, PubCo Bylaws, PubCo Charter, the Sponsor Agreement Amendment, the Company Support Agreements, the Earnout Escrow Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Employment Agreement, the Lock-up Agreements and all the agreements, documents, instruments and certificates entered into in connection herewith or therewith and any and all exhibits and schedules thereto.

 

Anti-Corruption Laws” means any applicable Laws relating to anti-bribery or anti-corruption (governmental or commercial), including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, as amended (FCPA), and the U.S. Travel Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1952.

 

Antitrust Law” means the HSR Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, the Sherman Act, as amended, the Clayton Act, as amended, and any applicable foreign antitrust Laws and all other applicable Laws that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or lessening of competition through merger or acquisition.

 

4

 

 

ATW Convertible Note” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Audited Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 4.07.

 

Bridge Loan” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Business Combination” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Business Combination Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.07.

 

Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or Houston, Texas are authorized or required by Law to close.

 

Certificate of Incorporation” means the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Acquiror, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 14, 2021.

 

Certificate of Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

 

Claim” means any demand, claim, action, legal, judicial or administrative proceeding (whether at law or in equity) or arbitration.

 

Closing” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03.

 

Closing Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03.

 

Closing Share Price” means $10.00 per share.

 

Code” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Company” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

Company Affiliate Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 4.21.

 

Company Benefit Plan” has the meaning specified in Section 4.13(a).

 

Company Board” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

Company Board Recommendation” has the meaning specified in Section 8.03(e).

 

Company Capital Stock” means, as applicable, Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock.

 

Company Certificate of Incorporation” means the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation of the Company, as amended.

 

Company Common Stock” has the meaning specified in Section 4.06(a).

 

5

 

 

Company Convertible Notes” means (1) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated June 19, 2021, by and between Goradia Capital, LLC and the Company, as amended on December 16, 2021, (2) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, August 3, 2021, by and between Material Impact Fund II, L.P. and the Company, as amended on December 16, 2021, (3) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated October 22, 2021, by and between In-Q-Tel, Inc. and the Company, as amended on December 16, 2021, (4) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated July 28, 2020, by and between Schlumberger Technology Corporation and the Company, as amended on December 16, 2021 and (5) that certain Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note, dated December 7, 2020, by and between Transocean Inc. and the Company, as amended on December 16, 2021.

 

Company Convertible Note Conversion” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(a).

 

Company Cure Period” has the meaning specified in Section 10.01(b).

 

Company Intellectual Property” means all Owned Intellectual Property and all Intellectual Property used in, or necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company, as currently conducted.

 

Company Option” has the meaning specified in Section 3.05(a).

 

Company Preferred Stock” has the meaning specified in Section 4.06(a).

 

Company Preferred Stock Conversion” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(c).

 

Company Representations” means the representations and warranties of the Company expressly and specifically set forth in Article IV of this Agreement, as qualified by the Company Schedules. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company Representations are solely made by the Company.

 

Company Requisite Approval” has the meaning specified in Section 4.03.

 

Company Schedules” means the disclosure schedules of the Company.

 

Company Software” means all Owned Company Software and third party Software used in, or necessary for the conduct of, the business of the Company, as currently conducted.

 

Company Stockholder” means the holder of either a share of Company Common Stock or a share of Company Preferred Stock.

 

6

 

 

Company Stock Plan” means the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Company Support Agreements” has the meaning specified in the recitals.

 

Confidential Data” means all data for which the Company is required by Law, Contract or privacy policy to keep confidential or private, including all such data transmitted to the Company by customers of the Company or Persons that interact with the Company.

 

Confidentiality Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 11.09.

 

Consent Solicitation Statement” means the consent solicitation statement with respect to the solicitation by the Company of the Company Requisite Approval.

 

Contracts” means any legally binding contracts, agreements, subcontracts, leases, and purchase orders (other than any Company Benefit Plans).

 

Copyleft Terms” has the meaning specified in Section 4.11(g).

 

COVID-19” means SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, and any evolutions thereof or any other epidemics, pandemics or disease outbreaks.

 

COVID-19 Action” means an inaction or action by the Company, including the establishment of any policy, procedure or protocol, in response to COVID-19 or any COVID-19 Measures (i) that is consistent with the past practice of the Company in response to COVID-19 prior to the date of this Agreement (but only to the extent in compliance with applicable Law), or (ii) that would, given the totality of the circumstances under which the Company acted or did not act, be unreasonable for Acquiror to withhold, condition or delay consent with respect to such action or inaction (whether or not Acquiror has a consent right with respect thereto).

 

COVID-19 Measures” means any quarantine, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down, closure, sequester or any other Law, Governmental Order, Action, directive, guidelines or recommendations by any Governmental Authority in connection with or in response to COVID-19, including, but not limited to, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

 

DGCL” means the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

Director Nomination Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 9.02(e).

 

Dissenting Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 3.10.

 

DTC” has the meaning specified in Section 3.06(a).

 

Earnout Escrow Account” has the meaning specified in Section 3.06(b)(i).

 

Earnout Escrow Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 3.06(b)(i).

 

Earnout Escrow Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 3.06(b)(i).

 

7

 

 

Earnout Shares” means the shares of PubCo Common Stock that have been placed into escrow and are subject to forfeiture pursuant to Section 3.06.

 

Effective Time” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

 

Environmental Laws” means any and all applicable Laws relating to pollution, protection of the environment (including natural resources) and human health and safety, or the use, storage, emission, disposal or release of or exposure to Hazardous Materials.

 

Equity Financing” means the aggregate amount of cash actually invested in (or contributed to) Acquiror by the Equity Investors pursuant to any Subscription Agreements.

 

Equity Investor” means any Person that is a party to a Subscription Agreement.

 

Equity Value” means the sum of (i) Three Hundred Million ($300,000,000) plus (ii) (A) the amount of the aggregate exercise price of all Company Options that are outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Effective Time and (B) the amount by which (x) the outstanding liabilities and obligations of Acquiror with respect to the Transactions (including with respect to Indebtedness of Acquiror and Outstanding Acquiror Expenses) at the Closing (but prior to repayment thereof at the Closing) exceeds (y) $35,000,00. For the avoidance of doubt, the amount described in sub-clause (ii) of this definition of Equity Value shall not be less than zero (0) and the Equity Value shall not be less than Three Hundred Million ($300,000,000).

 

ERISA” has the meaning specified in Section 4.13(a).

 

ERISA Affiliate” has the meaning specified in Section 4.13(e).

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Exchange Ratio” means the ratio determined by dividing (a) the Per Share Merger Consideration Value, by (b) the Closing Share Price.

 

Financial Derivative/Hedging Arrangement” means any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) which is a rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any combination of these transactions.

 

Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 4.07.

 

Founder” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

8

 

 

Fraud” means an actual, intentional and knowing common law fraud (and not a constructive fraud, negligent misrepresentation or omission, or any form of fraud premised on recklessness or negligence), as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, by (a) the Company with respect to the Company Representations and Warranties (as qualified by the Company Schedules), or (b) Acquiror or Merger Sub with respect to the Acquiror and Merger Sub Representations (as qualified by Acquiror and Merger Sub Schedules); provided that (and without limiting any of the other elements for establishing such common law fraud) such fraud shall in no event be deemed to exist in the absence of actual conscious awareness (and not imputed or constructive knowledge) by or on behalf of the Named Party sought to be held liable therefor, on the date the particular representation or warranty is made hereunder, both (i) of the particular fact, event or condition that gives rise to a breach of the applicable representation or warranty contained herein, and (ii) that such fact, event or condition actually constitutes a breach of such representation or warranty, all with the express intention of such Named Party to deceive and mislead the other party hereto.

 

GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

 

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, provincial, municipal, local or foreign government, governmental authority, regulatory or administrative agency, governmental commission, department, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, arbitrator, court or tribunal.

 

Governmental Order” means any order, judgment, injunction, decree, writ, stipulation, determination or award, in each case, entered by or with any Governmental Authority.

 

Hazardous Material” means any material, substance or waste that is listed, regulated, or defined as “hazardous,” “toxic,” or “radioactive,” or as a “pollutant” or “contaminant” (or words of similar intent or meaning) under applicable Environmental Laws, including but not limited to petroleum, petroleum by-products, asbestos or asbestos-containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls, flammable or explosive substances, mold, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or pesticides.

 

HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, any obligations (whether or not contingent) consisting of (a) the outstanding principal amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on, and other payment obligations for, borrowed money, or payment obligations issued or incurred in substitution or exchange for payment obligations for borrowed money, (b) amounts owing as deferred purchase price for property or services, including “earnout” payments, (c) payment obligations evidenced by any promissory note, bond, debenture, mortgage or other debt instrument or debt security, (d) contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptance or similar facilities (in each case to the extent drawn), (e) payment obligations of a third party secured by (or for which the holder of such payment obligations has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien, other than a Permitted Lien, on assets or properties of such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (f) obligations under capitalized leases, (g) obligations under any Financial Derivative/Hedging Arrangement, (h) guarantees, make-whole agreements, hold harmless agreements or other similar arrangements with respect to any amounts of a type described in clauses (a) through (g) above and (i) with respect to each of the foregoing, any unpaid interest, breakage costs, prepayment or redemption penalties or premiums, or other unpaid fees or obligations; provided, however, that Indebtedness shall not include accounts payable to trade creditors and accrued expenses arising in the ordinary course of business.

 

Information or Document Request” means any request or demand for the production, delivery or disclosure of documents or other evidence, or any request or demand for the production of witnesses for interviews or depositions or other oral or written testimony, by any Regulatory Consent Authority relating to the transactions contemplated hereby or by any third party challenging the transactions contemplated hereby, including any so called “second request” for additional information or documentary material or any civil investigative demand made or issued by the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice or the United States Federal Trade Commission or any subpoena, interrogatory or deposition.

 

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Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property rights created, arising, or protected under applicable Law, including all: (i) patents, patent applications, patentable inventions and other patent rights (including any divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues and reexaminations thereof) (collectively, “Patents”); (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, taglines, social media identifiers (such as a Twitter® handle) brand names, logos, corporate names and other source identifiers and all goodwill related thereto; (iii) copyrights and designs; (iv) internet domain names; (v) trade secrets, know-how, inventions, processes, procedures, database rights, source code, confidential business information and other proprietary information and rights (collectively, “Trade Secrets”) and (vi) rights in Software.

 

Intended Tax Treatment” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Interim Period” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01.

 

International Trade Laws” means any Law relating to international trade, including: (i) import laws and regulations administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, (ii) export control regulations issued by the U.S. Department of State pursuant to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (22 C.F.R. 120 et seq.) and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce pursuant to the Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. 730 et seq.); (iii) sanctions laws and regulations as administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (31 C.F.R. Part 500 et seq.); (iv) U.S. anti-boycott laws and requirements (Section 999 of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or related provisions, or under the Export Administration Act, as amended, 50 U.S.C. App. Section 2407 et seq.).

 

IT Systems” means the Software, systems, servers, computers, hardware, firmware, middleware, networks, data communications lines, routers, hubs, switches and all other information technology and telecommunications assets, systems, and equipment, and all associated documentation, in each case, owned, used, held for use, leased, outsourced or licensed by or for the Company for use in the conduct of its business as it is currently conducted.

 

JOBS Act” has the meaning specified in Section 7.12.

 

Law” means any statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation or Governmental Order, in each case, of any Governmental Authority.

 

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Leased Real Property” means all real property leased, subleased, licensed or otherwise occupied by the Company.

 

Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, easement, right of way, purchase option, right of first refusal, covenant, restriction, security interest, title defect, encroachment or other survey defect, or other lien or encumbrance of any kind, except for any restrictions arising under any applicable Securities Laws.

 

Lock-Up Agreement” means a lock-up agreement in the form of Exhibit H hereto.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means any event, change or circumstance that has a material adverse effect on (i) the assets, business, results of operations or financial condition of the Company; provided, however, that in no event would any of the following (or the effect of any of the following), alone or in combination, be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been or will be, a “Material Adverse Effect”: (a) any change in applicable Laws or GAAP after the date hereof or any official interpretation thereof, (b) any change in interest rates or economic, political, business, financial, commodity, currency or market conditions generally, (c) the announcement or the execution of this Agreement, the pendency or consummation of the Merger or the performance of this Agreement, including the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, licensors, distributors, partners, providers and employees (provided, that the exceptions in this clause (c) shall not be deemed to apply to references to “Material Adverse Effect” in the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.04 and, to the extent related thereto, the condition in Section 9.02(a)), (d) any change generally affecting any of the industries or markets in which the Company operates or the economy as a whole, (e) the compliance with the terms of this Agreement or the taking of any action required by this Agreement or with the prior written consent of Acquiror (provided, that the exceptions in this clause (e) shall not be deemed to apply to references to “Material Adverse Effect” in the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.04 and, to the extent related thereto, the condition in Section 9.02(a)), (f) any earthquake, hurricane, tsunami, tornado, flood, mudslide, wild fire or other natural disaster, pandemic, weather condition, explosion fire, act of God or other force majeure event, including, for the avoidance of doubt, COVID-19 and any Law, directive, pronouncement or guideline issued by a Governmental Authority, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization or any industry group providing for business closures, changes to business operations, “sheltering-in-place” or other restrictions that relate to, or arise out of, an epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including the COVID-19 pandemic) or any change in such Law, directive, pronouncement or guideline or interpretation thereof following the date of this Agreement or the Company’s compliance therewith, (g) any national or international political or social conditions in countries in which, or in the proximate geographic region of which, the Company operates, including the engagement by the United States or such other countries in hostilities or the escalation thereof, whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence or the escalation of any military or terrorist attack (including any internet or “cyber” attack or hacking) upon the United States or such other country, or any territories, possessions, or diplomatic or consular offices of the United States or such other countries or upon any United States or such other country military installation, equipment or personnel, (h) any failure of the Company to meet any projections, forecasts or budgets or (i) any actions taken, or failures to take action, or such other changes or events, in each case, which Acquiror has requested or to which it has consented; provided, that clause (h) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any change or effect underlying such failure to meet projections or forecasts has resulted in, or contributed to, or would reasonably be expected to result in or contribute to, a Material Adverse Effect (to the extent such change or effect is not otherwise excluded from this definition of Material Adverse Effect), except in the case of clause (a), (b), (d), (f) and (g) to the extent that such change does not have a disproportionate impact on the Company as compared to other industry participants or (ii) the ability of the Company to consummate the Transactions.

 

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Material Contracts” has the meaning specified in Section 4.12(a).

 

Material Permits” has the meaning specified in Section 4.23.

 

Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

 

Merger Sub” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

Minimum Cash Condition” has the meaning specified in Section 9.03(h).

 

Multiemployer Plan” has the meaning specified in Section 4.13(e).

 

Named Parties” means (i) with respect to this Agreement, the Company, Acquiror and Merger Sub (and their permitted successors and assigns), and (ii) with respect to any Ancillary Agreement, the parties named in the preamble thereto (and their permitted successors and assigns), and “Named Party” means any of them.

 

Nasdaq” means the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Offer” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Open Source Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 4.11(f).

 

Outstanding Acquiror Expenses” has the meaning specified in Section 3.09(b).

 

Outstanding Company Expenses” has the meaning specified in Section 3.09(a).

 

Owned Company Software” means all Software owned or purported to be owned, in whole or in part, by the Company.

 

Owned Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned, in whole or in part, by the Company and includes the Owned Company Software.

 

PCAOB” means the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (or any successor thereto).

 

Per Share Merger Consideration” means with respect to any share of Company Common Stock, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, including those issued in connection with the Company Preferred Stock Conversion and the Company Convertible Note Conversion, a number of shares of Pubco’s Common Stock equal to (i) the Per Share Merger Consideration Value divided by (ii) the Closing Share Price.

 

Per Share Merger Consideration Value” means (a) the Equity Value divided by (b) the total number of shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, including (i) shares of Company Common Stock issued in connection with the Company Preferred Stock Conversion and the Company Convertible Note Conversion, and (ii) any shares of Company Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of all Company Options.

 

Permits” means all permits, licenses, certificates of authority, authorizations, approvals, registrations and other similar consents issued by or obtained from a Governmental Authority.

 

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Permitted Liens” means (i) statutory or common law Liens of mechanics, materialmen, warehousemen, landlords, carriers, repairmen, construction contractors and other similar Liens (A) that arise in the ordinary course of business, (B) that relate to amounts not yet delinquent or (C) that are being contested in good faith through appropriate Actions, and either are not material or appropriate reserves for the amount being contested have been established in accordance with GAAP, (ii) Liens arising under original purchase price conditional sales contracts and equipment leases with third parties entered into in the ordinary course of business, (iii) Liens for Taxes not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith through appropriate Actions to the extent appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, (iv) non-monetary Liens, encumbrances and restrictions on real property (including easements, covenants, rights of way and similar restrictions of record) that do not materially interfere with the present uses of such real property, (v) non-exclusive licenses of Owned Intellectual Property entered into in the ordinary course of business, (vi) Liens that secure obligations that are reflected as liabilities on the balance sheet included in the Unaudited Financial Statements or Liens the existence of which is referred to in the notes to the balance sheet included in the Unaudited Financial Statements, (vii) in the case of Leased Real Property, matters that would be disclosed by an accurate survey or inspection of such Leased Real Property, which do not materially interfere with the current use or occupancy of any Leased Real Property, (viii) requirements and restrictions of zoning, building and other applicable Laws and municipal by-laws, and development, site plan, subdivision or other agreements with municipalities, which do not materially interfere with the current use or occupancy of any Leased Real Property, (ix) statutory Liens of landlords for amounts that (A) are not due and payable, (B) are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and either are not material or appropriate reserves for the amount being contested have been established in accordance with GAAP or (C) may thereafter be paid without penalty and (x) Liens described on Schedule 1.01(b) or incurred in connection with activities permitted under Section 6.01 hereof (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any refinancings of existing indebtedness of the Company).

 

Person” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership (limited or general), limited liability company, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, governmental agency or instrumentality or other entity of any kind.

 

Personal Information” means any personal information that specifically identifies, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, any particular individual or household.

 

Privacy and Security Requirements” means, to the extent applicable to the Company, (a) any Laws relating to privacy and data security, including laws regulating the Processing of Protected Data; (b) the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard issued by the PCI Security Standards Council, as it may be amended from time to time (“PCI DSS”); (c) all Contracts between the Company and any Person that is applicable to the PCI DSS, privacy, data security and/or the Processing of Protected Data; (d) all policies and procedures applicable to the Company relating to the PCI DSS, privacy, data security and/or the Processing of Protected Data, including without limitation all website and mobile application privacy policies and internal information security procedures ; and (e) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-181 Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NICE Framework).

 

Pro Rata Basis” has the meaning specified in Section 3.06(e).

 

Processing” means the creation, collection, use (including, without limitation, for the purposes of sending telephone calls, text messages and emails), storage, maintenance, processing, recording, distribution, transfer, transmission, receipt, import, export, protection, safeguarding, access, disposal or disclosure or other activity regarding data (whether electronically or in any other form or medium).

 

Proposals” has the meaning specified in Section 8.03(c).

 

Protected Data” means Personal Information and Confidential Data.

 

Proxy Statement” means the proxy statement filed by Acquiror as part of the Registration Statement with respect to the Special Meeting for the purpose of soliciting proxies from Acquiror Stockholders to approve the Proposals (which shall also provide the Acquiror Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Acquiror Common Stock in conjunction with a stockholder vote on the Business Combination).

 

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PubCo” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

PubCo Board” means the board of directors of PubCo.

 

PubCo Bylaws” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

PubCo Charter” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

PubCo Option” has the meaning specified in Section 3.05(a).

 

PubCo’s Common Stock” means PubCo’s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, entitling the holder of each such share to 1 vote per share.

 

Real Estate Lease Documents” has the meaning specified in Section 4.18(b).

 

Redeeming Stockholder” means an Acquiror Stockholder who demands that Acquiror redeem its Acquiror Common Stock for cash in connection with the Offer and in accordance with the Acquiror Organizational Documents.

 

Registered Intellectual Property” has the meaning specified in Section 4.11(a).

 

Registration Rights Agreement” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto, and is in the form of Exhibit I hereto.

 

Registration Statement” has the meaning specified in Section 8.03(a).

 

Regulatory Consent Authorities” means the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice or the United States Federal Trade Commission, as applicable.

 

Release Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 3.06(b)(ii).

 

Representative” means, as to any Person, any of the officers, directors, managers, employees, agents, counsel, accountants, financial advisors, lenders, debt financing sources and consultants of such Person.

 

Retained Agents” has the meaning specified in Section 11.16(a).

 

Schedules” means the Acquiror and Merger Sub Schedules and the Company Schedules.

 

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Securities Laws” means the securities laws of any state, federal or foreign entity and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Series A Preferred Stock” has the meaning specified in Section 4.06(a).

 

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Series B Preferred Stock” has the meaning specified in Section 4.06(a).

 

Software” means any and all (a) computer programs, including any and all software implementation of algorithms, models and methodologies, whether in source code, object code, human readable form or other form, (b) databases and compilations, including any and all data and collections of data, whether machine readable or otherwise, (c) descriptions, flow charts and other documentation used to design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing, screens, user interfaces, report formats, firmware, development tools, templates, menus, buttons and icons and (d) all documentation including user manuals and other training documentation relating to any of the foregoing.

 

Special Meeting” means a meeting of the holders of Acquiror Common Stock to be held for the purpose of approving the Proposals.

 

Sponsor” means, individually, CleanTech Sponsor I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company or CleanTech Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and collectively, both of the foregoing.

 

Stock Issuance Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 8.03(c).

 

Stockholder Action” has the meaning specified in Section 7.09.

 

Stockholder Earnout Group” has the meaning specified in Section 3.06(a).

 

Stockholder Representative” has the meaning specified in Section 11.16(a).

 

Stock Power” has the meaning specified in Section 3.03(a).

 

Subscription Agreement” means an agreement executed by an Equity Investor pursuant to which such Equity Investor has committed to invest cash in Acquiror in order to acquire Acquiror Common Stock prior to or in connection with the Closing.

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to a Person, any corporation or other organization (including a limited liability company or a general or limited partnership), whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which such Person directly or indirectly owns or controls a majority of the securities or other interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization or any organization of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is, directly or indirectly, a general partner or managing member.

 

Substitute Awards” has the meaning specified in Section 3.05(b).

 

Surviving Company” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

 

Surviving Company Bylaws” means the form of bylaws set forth on Exhibit D.

 

Surviving Company Charter” means the form of amended and restated certificate of incorporation set forth on Exhibit E.

 

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Surviving Provisions” has the meaning specified in Section 10.02.

 

TBOC” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Tax” means any federal, state, provincial, territorial, local, foreign and other net income, alternative or add-on minimum, franchise, gross income, adjusted gross income or gross receipts, employment, withholding, payroll, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, license, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, personal property, real property, capital stock, profits, disability, registration, value added, estimated, customs duties, escheat, sales, use, or other tax, governmental fee or other like assessment, together with any interest, penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed with respect thereto by a Governmental Authority.

 

Tax Return” means any return, report, statement, refund, claim, declaration, information return, statement, estimate or other document filed or required to be filed with a Governmental Authority respect to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto and including any amendments thereof.

 

Terminating Acquiror Breach” has the meaning specified in Section 10.01(c).

 

Terminating Company Breach” has the meaning specified in Section 10.01(b).

 

Termination Date” has the meaning specified in Section 10.01(b).

 

Transaction Finance Loans” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Transaction Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 8.03(c).

 

Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to occur at or prior to the Closing on the Closing Date, including the Merger.

 

Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated under the Code.

 

Trust Account” has the meaning specified in Section 5.08(a).

 

Trust Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 5.08(a).

 

Trustee” has the meaning specified in Section 5.08(a).

 

Unaudited Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 4.07.

 

Unit Separation” means, the election of any holder of an Acquiror Unit, to separate such Acquiror Unit into Acquiror Common Stock, Acquiror Rights, and Acquiror Public Warrants.

 

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VWAP” means, for any security as of any date(s), the dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which such security is then traded during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “HP” function (set to weighted average) or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for such security by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest closing bid price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for such security as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. If the VWAP cannot be calculated for such security on such date(s) on any of the foregoing bases, the VWAP of such security on such date(s) shall be the fair market value per share on such date(s) as reasonably determined by the Acquiror.

 

Willful Breach” means, with respect to any agreement, a party’s knowing and intentional material breach of any of its representations or warranties as set forth in such agreement, or such party’s material breach of any of its covenants or other agreements set forth in such agreement, which material breach constitutes, or is a consequence of, a purposeful act or failure to act by such party with the knowledge that the taking of such act or failure to take such act would cause a material breach of such agreement.

 

Working Capital Loans” means any loans provided by the Sponsor or its Affiliates to the SPAC for the sole purpose of funding working capital expenses incurred in good faith by the SPAC in the ordinary course of business, which loans shall bear interest at a rate not to exceed 2% per annum and shall not exceed in the aggregate $1,000,000.

 

1.02 Construction.

 

(a) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, (i) words of any gender include each other gender, (ii) words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively, (iii) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereto” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement, (iv) the terms “Article”, “Section”, “Schedule”, “Exhibit” and “Annex” refer to the specified Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit or Annex of or to this Agreement unless otherwise specified, (v) the word “including” shall mean “including without limitation” and (vi) the word “or” shall be disjunctive but not exclusive.

 

(b) When used herein, “ordinary course of business” means an action taken, or omitted to be taken, in the ordinary and usual course of the Company’s or the Acquiror’s business, as applicable, consistent with past practice (including, for the avoidance of doubt, recent past practice in light of COVID-19). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, nothing herein shall prevent the Company from taking or failing to take any COVID-19 Actions and (x) no such COVD-19 Actions shall be deemed to violate or breach this Agreement in any way, (y) such COVID-19 Actions shall be deemed to constitute an action taken in the ordinary course and (z) no such COVID-19 Actions shall serve as a basis for Acquiror to terminate this Agreement or assert that any of the conditions to the Closing contained herein have not been satisfied, provided that such COVID-19 Actions do not disproportionately affect the Company as compared to other similarly situated companies that results in a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

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(c) Any reference in this Agreement to “Pubco” shall also mean Acquiror to the extent the matter relates to the pre-Closing period and any reference to “Acquiror” shall also mean “Pubco” to the extent the matter relates to the post-Closing period (including, for the purposes of this Section 1.02(c), the Effective Time).

 

(d) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, references to agreements and other documents shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other modifications thereto.

 

(e) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, references to statutes shall include all regulations promulgated thereunder and references to statutes or regulations shall be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending or replacing the statute or regulation.

 

(f) The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

 

(g) Whenever this Agreement refers to a number of days, such number shall refer to calendar days unless Business Days are specified. If any action is to be taken or given on or by a particular calendar day, and such calendar day is not a Business Day, then such action may be deferred until the next Business Day.

 

(h) All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined herein shall have the meanings given to them under GAAP.

 

(i) The phrases “delivered,” “provided to,” “furnished to,” “made available” and phrases of similar import when used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, means that a copy of the information or material referred to has been (A) provided no later than one calendar day prior to the date of this Agreement to the party to which such information or material is to be provided or furnished (i) in the virtual “data room” set up by the Company in connection with this Agreement or (ii) by delivery to such party or its legal counsel via electronic mail or hard copy form, or (B) with respect to Acquiror, filed with the SEC by Acquiror on or prior to the date hereof.

 

1.03 Knowledge. As used herein, the phrase “to the knowledge” shall mean the actual knowledge of, in the case of the Company, Founder and, in the case of Acquiror, Eli Spiro.

 

Article II
THE MERGER; CLOSING

 

2.01 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company being the surviving corporation (which is sometimes hereinafter referred to for the periods at and after the Effective Time as the “Surviving Company”) following the Merger and the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease. The Merger shall be consummated in accordance with this Agreement and the TBOC and evidenced by a certificate of merger between Merger Sub and the Company (the “Certificate of Merger”), such Merger to be consummated immediately upon filing of the Certificate of Merger or at such later time as may be agreed by Acquiror and the Company in writing and specified in the Certificate of Merger (the “Effective Time”).

 

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2.02 Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement and the TBOC. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and subject thereto, by virtue of the Merger and without further act or deed, at the Effective Time, all of the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Company and all of the debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Company.

 

2.03 Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall take place electronically through the exchange of documents via e-mail or facsimile on the date which is three (3) Business Days after the date on which all conditions set forth in Article IX shall have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver thereof) or such other time and place as Acquiror and the Company may mutually agree in writing. The date on which the Closing actually occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “Closing Date.” Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions set forth in Article IX of this Agreement, and provided this Agreement has not theretofore been terminated pursuant to its terms, on the Closing Date, the Company and Merger Sub shall cause the Certificate of Merger to be executed, acknowledged and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas as provided in Subchapter A, Chapter 10, Title 1 of the TBOC.

 

2.04 Organizational Documents of Acquiror and the Surviving Company.

 

(a) At the Closing and immediately prior to the Effective Time, the Certificate of Incorporation and the bylaws of Acquiror shall be amended and restated in their entirety to be the PubCo Charter and the PubCo Bylaws, respectively, until thereafter supplemented or amended in accordance with their terms and the DGCL.

 

(b) At the Effective Time by virtue of the Merger, the Company Certificate of Incorporation and the bylaws of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be amended and restated in their entireties to be the Surviving Company Charter and the Surviving Company Bylaws, respectively, until thereafter supplemented or amended in accordance with their terms and the TBOC.

 

2.05 Directors and Officers of Acquiror and the Surviving Company.

 

(a) Except as otherwise directed in writing by the Company, and conditioned upon the occurrence of the Closing, subject to any limitation with respect to any specific individual imposed under applicable Laws and the listing requirements of Nasdaq (for the avoidance of doubt, after giving effect to any exemptions available to a controlled company), Acquiror shall take all actions necessary or appropriate (including securing resignations or removals and making such appointments as are necessary) to cause, effective as of the Closing, the PubCo Board to consist of the persons designated by the Company in writing prior to Closing (including the persons contemplated to be on the PubCo Board pursuant to the Director Nomination Agreement). On the Closing Date, Acquiror shall enter into customary indemnification agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Company with such individuals elected as members of the PubCo Board as of the Closing, which indemnification agreements shall continue to be effective immediately following the Closing.

 

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(b) Except as otherwise directed in writing by the Company, and conditioned upon the occurrence of the Closing, Acquiror shall take all actions necessary or appropriate (including securing resignations or removals and making such appointments as are necessary) to cause the Persons constituting the officers of the Company prior to the Effective Time to be the officers of Acquiror (and holding the same titles as held at the Company) until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly appointed.

 

(c) The Company shall take all necessary action prior to the Effective Time such that (a) each director of the Company in office immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to be a director immediately following the Effective Time (including by causing each such director to tender an irrevocable resignation as a director, effective as of the Effective Time) and (b) certain directors or executive officers of the Company, determined by the Company and communicated in writing to Acquiror prior to the Closing Date, shall be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Surviving Company, effective as of immediately following the Effective Time, and, as of such time, shall be the only directors of the Surviving Company (including by causing the Company Board to adopt resolutions prior to the Effective Time that expand or decrease the size of the Company Board, as necessary, and appoint such persons to the vacancies resulting from the incumbent directors’ respective resignations or, if applicable, the newly created directorships upon any expansion of the size of the Company Board).  Each person appointed as a director of the Surviving Company pursuant to the preceding sentence shall remain in office as a director of the Surviving Company until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.

 

(d) Except as otherwise directed in writing by the Company, the Persons constituting the officers of the Company prior to the Effective Time shall continue to be the officers of the Surviving Company (and holding the same titles as held at the Company) until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly appointed.

 

Article III
EFFECTS OF THE MERGER

 

3.01 Effect on Securities. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement:

 

(a) immediately prior to the Company Preferred Stock Conversion and prior to the Effective Time, each Company Convertible Note that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to such time shall automatically convert into several shares of Company Common Stock in accordance with the terms of such Company Convertible Note (collectively, the “Company Convertible Note Conversion”). Each Company Convertible Note converted into shares of Company Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a Company Convertible Note shall thereafter cease to have any rights with respect to such securities;

 

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(b) immediately prior to the Effective Time, each share of Company Preferred Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to such time shall automatically convert into a number of shares of Company Common Stock in accordance with the Company Certificate of Incorporation (collectively, the “Company Preferred Stock Conversion”). All of the shares of Company Preferred Stock converted into shares of Company Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall cease to exist, and each holder of Company Preferred Stock shall thereafter cease to have any rights with respect to such securities;

 

(c) at the Effective Time (and, for the avoidance of doubt, following the Company Convertible Note Conversion and the Company Preferred Stock Conversion), by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any Company Stockholder, subject to and in consideration of the terms and conditions set forth herein (including without limitation delivery of the release contemplated by Section 3.04(a)(ii)), each share of Company Common Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than the Dissenting Shares), shall be converted into the right to receive the applicable Per Share Merger Consideration and the Earnout Shares. All of the shares of Company Common Stock converted into the right to receive consideration as described in this Section 3.01(c) shall no longer be outstanding and shall cease to exist, and each holder of Company Common Stock shall thereafter cease to have any rights with respect to such securities, except the right to receive the applicable consideration described in this Section 3.01(c) into which such share of Company Common Stock shall have been converted into in the Merger.

 

(d) at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any holder thereof, each share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall no longer be outstanding and shall thereupon be converted into and become one validly issued fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Surviving Company and all such shares shall constitute the only outstanding shares of capital stock of the Surviving Company as of immediately following the Effective Time; and

 

(e) at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any holder thereof, each share of Company Capital Stock held in the treasury of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be cancelled and no payment or distribution shall be made with respect thereto.

 

3.02 Equitable Adjustments. If, between the date of this Agreement and the Closing, the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, shares of Company Preferred Stock or shares of Acquiror Common Stock shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a different class, by reason of any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization, split, combination or exchange of shares, or any similar event shall have occurred, or if there shall have been any breach of Section 5.15(a) of this Agreement by Acquiror with respect to the number of its issued and outstanding shares of Acquiror Common Stock (or any other issued and outstanding equity security interests in Acquiror) or rights to acquire Acquiror Common Stock (or any other equity security interests in Acquiror), then any number, value (including dollar value) or amount contained herein which is based upon the number of shares of Company Common Stock, shares of Company Preferred Stock or shares of Acquiror Common Stock (or any other equity security interests in Acquiror), as applicable, will be appropriately adjusted to provide to the holders of Company Common Stock, the holders of shares of Company Preferred Stock or the holders of Acquiror Common Stock, as applicable, the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such event; provided, however, that this Section 3.02 shall not be construed to permit Acquiror, the Company or Merger Sub to take any action with respect to their respective securities that is prohibited by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

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3.03 Delivery of Merger Consideration.

 

(a) Concurrently with the delivery of the Consent Solicitation Statement, Acquiror shall cause to be delivered to each holder of record of Company Convertible Notes, Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock at the address provided to Acquiror by the Company, a stock power (each a “Stock Power”) with respect to such Company Convertible Notes, Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock, as applicable.

 

(b) Upon the receipt of a Stock Power duly, completely and validly executed, and such other documents as may reasonably be required by Acquiror, the holder of such shares of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock, as applicable, shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, and conditioned upon the occurrence of the Closing, the consideration described in Section 3.01(c) into which such Company Convertible Notes and shares of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock, as applicable, have been converted pursuant to Section 3.01(c) (after giving effect to Sections  3.01(a) and 3.01(b)). Until delivery of Stock Power as contemplated by this Section 3.03(b), each Company Convertible Note and share of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock shall be deemed at any time from and after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon delivery of Stock Power the consideration described in Section 3.01(c) which the holders of Company Convertible Notes and shares of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock, as applicable, were entitled to receive in respect of such shares pursuant to this Section 3.03(b).

 

3.04 Uncertificated Securities. The Company and the Acquiror each agree and acknowledge that the securities of the Company are not certificated, and no Company Stockholder shall be required to surrender any stock certificate in order to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration contemplated in Section 3.01(c).

 

3.05 Treatment of Company Options.

 

(a) Effective as of the Effective Time, each option to purchase shares of the Company Common Stock (a “Company Option”) granted under any Company Stock Plan that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether or not then vested or exercisable, shall be assumed by the PubCo and shall be converted into a stock option (a “PubCo Option”) to acquire shares of PubCo’s Common Stock in accordance with this Section 3.05(a). Each such PubCo Option as so assumed and converted shall continue to have, and shall be subject to, the same terms and conditions as applied to the Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time (but taking into account any changes thereto provided for in the applicable Company Stock Plan, in any award agreement or in such Company Option by reason of this Agreement or the Transactions). As of the Effective Time, each such PubCo Option as so assumed and converted shall be for that number of shares of PubCo’s Common Stock determined by multiplying the number of shares of the Company Common Stock subject to such Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio, which product shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares, at a per share exercise price determined by dividing the per share exercise price of such Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio, which quotient shall be rounded down to the nearest whole cent. The Company shall terminate the Company Stock Plan as of the Effective Time. As of the Effective Time, all Company Options shall no longer be outstanding and each holder of PubCo Options shall cease to have any rights with respect to such Company Options, except as set forth in this Section 3.05(a).

 

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(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversions described in this Section 3.05 will be subject to such modifications, if any, as are required to cause the conversion to be made in a manner consistent with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(v)(D).  Following the Effective Time, each PubCo Option shall be subject to the Acquiror Incentive Plan (and considered “Substitute Awards” for purposes thereof) and to the same terms and conditions, including, without limitation, any vesting conditions, as had applied to the corresponding Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, except for such terms rendered inoperative by reason of the Transactions, subject to such adjustments as reasonably determined by the PubCo Board to be necessary or appropriate to give effect to the conversion or the Transactions.

 

3.06 Earnout.

 

(a) Delivery of the Earnout Shares. At the Closing and immediately prior to the Effective Time, PubCo shall issue electronically through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), using DTC’s Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian System, to the Company Stockholders who have received shares of PubCo’s Common Stock pursuant to Section 3.01(d) (the “Stockholder Earnout Group”) and the Stockholder Earnout Group will deliver to the Earnout Escrow Agent (as defined below), Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand (7,500,000) shares (as such shares may be adjusted for any stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, exchange, subdivision or combination (the “Earnout Shares”), which shares shall be released, if at all, on a Pro Rata Basis, among the Stockholder Earnout Group in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Section 3.06. The parties agree that the Stockholder Earnout Group shall be treated, on a Pro Rata Basis, as the owners of the Earnout Shares for so long as they are in the Earnout Escrow Account for income Tax purposes, and shall file all Tax Returns consistent with such treatment. Effective as of the Closing, the Stockholder Earnout Group shall have the right to vote, on a Pro Rata Basis, each of the Earnout Shares until such Earnout Shares are forfeited as if the Stockholder Earnout Group was the owner of record of such Earnout Shares. Until Earnout Shares have been released or been forfeited hereunder, an amount equal to any dividends or distributions that would have been payable to the Stockholder Earnout Group if the Earnout Shares had been released prior to the record date for such dividends or distributions shall be delivered by Pubco to the Earnout Escrow Agent for the benefit of the Stockholder Earnout Group with respect to the Earnout Shares (the “Withholding Amount”). If any securities of Pubco or any other Person are included in the Withholding Amount, then any dividends or distributions in respect of or in exchange for any of such securities in the Withholding Amount, whether by way of stock splits or otherwise, shall be delivered to the Earnout Escrow Agent and included in the “Withholding Amount”, and will be released to the Stockholder Earnout Group upon the release of the corresponding securities. If and when the Earnout Shares are released in accordance with this Section 3.06, the Earnout Escrow Agent shall release to each member of the Stockholder Earnout Group, on a Pro Rata Basis, the aggregate amount of the Withholding Amount attributable to such Earnout Shares that have been released and, if applicable, shall continue to withhold any remaining Withholding Amount that is attributable to such Earnout Shares that have not yet been released until such Earnout Shares are released, in which case such remaining Withholding Amount shall be released to the Stockholder Earnout Group. If all or any portion of the Earnout Shares are forfeited to Pubco in accordance with this Section 3.06, then the portion of the Withholding Amount attributable to the portion of the Earnout Shares that have been forfeited to Pubco shall be automatically forfeited to Pubco without consideration and with no further action required of any person.

 

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(b) Procedures Applicable to the Earnout of the Earnout Shares.

 

(i) Upon receipt of the Earnout Shares, an escrow agent (the “Earnout Escrow Agent”) will place such Earnout Shares in an escrow account (the “Earnout Escrow Account”) established pursuant to an escrow agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F, to be entered into at the Closing by Acquiror, the Sponsor, the Stockholder Representative and the Earnout Escrow Agent (the “Earnout Escrow Agreement”).

 

(ii) Promptly upon the occurrence of any triggering event described in Section 3.06(c) below, PubCo and Stockholder Representative shall prepare and deliver, or cause to be prepared and delivered, a joint written share release instruction to the Earnout Escrow Agent (a “Release Notice”), which Release Notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the triggering event giving rise to the requested release and the specific release instructions with respect thereto (including the number of Earnout Shares to be released and the identity of the person to whom they should be released).

 

(iii) The Earnout Shares that are to be released from the Earnout Escrow Account and distributed to each member of the Stockholder Earnout Group shall be distributed to each member of the Stockholder Earnout Group on a Pro Rata Basis.

 

(iv) For the avoidance of doubt, any Earnout Shares to be released and distributed pursuant to this Section 3.06 to Company Stockholders shall be distributed and released as PubCo’s Common Stock.

 

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(c) Release of Earnout Shares. The Earnout Shares shall be released and delivered as follows:

 

(i) one-half of the Earnout Shares will be released from the Earnout Escrow Account, and distributed to each member of the Stockholder Earnout Group on a Pro Rata Basis in accordance with Section 3.06(b)(ii) upon receipt of the applicable Release Notice by the Earnout Escrow Agent, if, on or prior to the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Closing Date: (x) the VWAP of shares of PubCo’s Common Stock equals or exceeds $15.00 per share for twenty (20) of any thirty (30) consecutive trading days commencing after the Closing on Nasdaq, or (y) if PubCo consummates a transaction which results in the stockholders of PubCo having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property having a value equaling or exceeding $15.00 per share (for any non-cash proceeds, as determined based on the agreed valuation set forth in the applicable definitive agreements for such transaction or, in the absence of such valuation, as determined in good faith by the PubCo Board);

 

(ii) one-quarter of the Earnout Shares will be released from the Earnout Escrow Account, and distributed to each member of the Stockholder Earnout Group on a Pro Rata Basis in accordance with Section 3.06(b)(ii) upon receipt of the applicable Release Notice by the Earnout Escrow Agent, if, on or prior to the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Closing Date: (x) the VWAP of shares of PubCo’s Common Stock equals or exceeds $17.50 per share for twenty (20) of any thirty (30) consecutive trading days commencing after the Closing on Nasdaq, or (y) if PubCo consummates a transaction which results in the stockholders of PubCo having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property having a value equaling or exceeding $17.50 per share (for any non-cash proceeds, as determined based on the agreed valuation set forth in the applicable definitive agreements for such transaction or, in the absence of such valuation, as determined in good faith by PubCo Board);

 

(iii) one-quarter of the Earnout Shares will be released from the Earnout Escrow Account, and distributed to each member of the Stockholder Earnout Group on a Pro Rata Basis in accordance with Section 3.06(b)(ii) upon receipt of the applicable Release Notice by the Earnout Escrow Agent, if, on or prior to the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Closing Date: (x) the VWAP of shares of PubCo’s Common Stock equals or exceeds $20.00 per share for twenty (20) of any thirty (30) consecutive trading days commencing after the Closing on Nasdaq; provided, the last qualifying trading day constituting the triggering event hereunder must occur on or after December 31, 2022; or (y) if PubCo consummates a transaction which results in the stockholders of PubCo having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property having a value equaling or exceeding $20.00 per share (for any non-cash proceeds, as determined based on the agreed valuation set forth in the applicable definitive agreements for such transaction or, in the absence of such valuation, as determined in good faith by PubCo Board); and

 

(iv) if the conditions set forth in either Section 3.06(c)(i) or (ii) have not been satisfied following the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Closing Date, any Earnout Shares remaining in the Earnout Escrow Account shall be automatically released to PubCo for cancellation and the members of the Stockholder Earnout Group shall not have any right to receive such Earnout Shares or any benefit therefrom.

 

(d) The number of shares of PubCo’s Common Stock to be issued and released pursuant to Section 3.06(a), Section 3.06(b) and Section 3.06(c) and the VWAP price per share triggering events set forth in Section 3.06(c), shall be equitably adjusted for any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination or exchange of shares, or any similar event affecting the Acquiror Common Stock after the date of this Agreement.

 

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(e) As used in this Section 3.06, the term “Pro Rata Basis” shall mean, with respect to any member of the Stockholder Earnout Group, in accordance with the ratio calculated by dividing (x) the sum of the number of shares of PubCo’s Common Stock held by such member of the Stockholder Earnout Group by (y) the sum of the aggregate number of shares of PubCo’s Common Stock held by all of the members of the Stockholder Earnout Group, in each case, as of immediately following the Closing.

 

(f) The issuance of Earnout Shares shall be treated as an adjustment to the merger consideration by the parties for Tax purposes, unless otherwise required by applicable Law.

 

3.07 Withholding. Each of Acquiror, Merger Sub, the Company, the Surviving Company and their respective Affiliates shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any amounts otherwise deliverable or payable under this Agreement such amounts that any such Persons are required to deduct and withhold with respect to any of the deliveries and payments contemplated by this Agreement under the Code or any other applicable Law; provided that before making any deduction or withholding pursuant to this Section 3.07 other than with respect to compensatory payments made pursuant to this Agreement, Acquiror shall use commercially reasonably efforts to give the Company at least five days prior written notice of any anticipated deduction or withholding (together with any legal basis therefor) to provide the Company with sufficient opportunity to provide any forms or other documentation from the applicable equity holders or take such other steps in order to avoid such deduction or withholding and shall reasonably consult and cooperate with the Company in good faith to attempt to reduce or eliminate any amounts that would otherwise be deducted or withheld pursuant to this Section 3.07. To the extent that Acquiror, Merger Sub, the Company, the Surviving Company or any of their respective Affiliates withholds such amounts with respect to any Person and properly remits such withheld amounts to the applicable Governmental Authority, such withheld amounts shall be treated as having been paid to or on behalf of such Person for all purposes. In the case of any such payment payable to employees of the Company or its Affiliates in connection with the Merger treated as compensation, the parties shall cooperate to pay such amounts through the Company’s payroll to facilitate applicable withholding.

 

3.08 No Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no fractional shares of PubCo’s Common Stock or certificates or scripts representing such fractional shares shall be issued upon the conversion of Company Common Stock pursuant to Section 3.01(d), and any such fractional shares or interests therein shall not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any other rights of a holder of PubCo’s Common Stock. In lieu of the issuance of any such fractional share, each Person who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of PubCo Common Stock (after aggregating all fractional shares of PubCo Common Stock that otherwise would be received by such Person) shall have the number of PubCo Common Stock issued to such Person rounded up in the aggregate to the nearest whole number of shares of PubCo Common Stock.

 

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3.09 Payment of Expenses.

 

(a) No sooner than five or later than two Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall provide to Acquiror a written report setting forth a list of the following fees and expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company or the Company Stockholders in connection with the conduct of the Company’s sale process (including the evaluation and negotiation of business combinations with other third parties) and preparation, negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions (together with written invoices and wire transfer instructions for the payment thereof), solely to the extent such fees and expenses are incurred and expected to remain unpaid as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date: (i) the fees and disbursements of outside counsel to the Company or the Company Stockholders incurred in connection with the Transactions and (ii) the fees and expenses of any other agents, advisors, consultants, experts and financial advisors employed by the Company in connection with the Transactions (collectively, the “Outstanding Company Expenses”). On the Closing Date following the Closing, Acquiror shall pay or cause to be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds all such Outstanding Company Expenses.

 

(b) No sooner than five or later than two Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Acquiror shall provide to the Company a written report setting forth a list of all unpaid fees and disbursements of Acquiror, Merger Sub or the Sponsor for outside counsel and fees and expenses of Acquiror, Merger Sub or the Sponsor or for any other agents, advisors, consultants, experts and financial advisors employed by or on behalf of Acquiror, Merger Sub or the Sponsor in connection with Acquiror’s initial public offering (including any deferred underwriter fees), the Transactions or other proposed business combination with other third parties (together with written invoices and wire transfer instructions for the payment thereof) (collectively, the “Outstanding Acquiror Expenses”). On the Closing Date, Acquiror shall pay or cause to be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds all such Outstanding Acquiror Expenses.

 

3.10 Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and owned by a holder who is entitled to demand and has properly demanded appraisal of such shares in accordance with, and who complies in all respects with, Section 10.354 of the TBOC (such shares, “Dissenting Shares”) shall not be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration, and shall instead represent the right to receive payment of the fair value of such Dissenting Shares in accordance with and to the extent provided by Section 10.354 of the TBOC. At the Effective Time, (a) all Dissenting Shares shall be cancelled, extinguished and cease to exist and (b) the holders of Dissenting Shares shall be entitled only to such rights as may be granted to them under the TBOC. If any such holder fails to perfect or otherwise waives, withdraws or loses such holder’s right to appraisal under Section 10.354 of the TBOC or other applicable Law, then the right of such holder to be paid the fair value of such Dissenting Shares shall cease and such Dissenting Shares shall be deemed to have been converted, as of the Effective Time, into the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Company shall give Acquiror prompt notice (and in any event within two Business Days) of any demands received by the Company for appraisal of shares of Company Common Stock, attempted withdrawals of such demands and any other instruments served pursuant to the TBOC and received by the Company relating to rights to be paid the fair value of Dissenting Shares, and Acquiror shall have the right to participate in and, following the Effective Time, direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such demands. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Acquiror, make any payment with respect to, or settle or compromise or offer to settle or compromise, any such demands or waive any failure to timely deliver a written demand for appraisal or otherwise comply with the provisions under Section 10.354 of the TBOC, or agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.

 

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Article IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

Except as set forth in the Company Schedules to this Agreement (each of which qualifies (a) the correspondingly numbered representation, warranty or covenant, and (b) such other representations, warranties or covenants where its relevance as an exception to (or disclosure for purposes of) such other representation, warranty or covenant is reasonably apparent), the Company represents and warrants to Acquiror and Merger Sub as follows:

 

4.01 Corporate Organization of the Company.

 

(a) The Company has been duly incorporated, is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Texas and has the requisite corporate entity power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted. The Company Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws of the Company previously made available by the Company to Acquiror are true, correct and complete and are in effect as of the date of this Agreement.

 

(b) As listed on Schedule 4.01, the Company is licensed or duly qualified and in good standing as a foreign company in each jurisdiction in which the ownership of its property or the character of its activities is such as to require it to be so licensed or qualified or in good standing, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified has not had and would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.02 No Subsidiaries. The Company does not have any Subsidiaries.

 

4.03 Due Authorization. The Company has all requisite company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to this Agreement to which it is a party and (subject to the approvals described in Section 4.05 and the adoption of this Agreement and approval of the Merger by holders of (i) a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock and (ii) seventy-five percent (75%) of the then outstanding shares of Company Preferred Stock (the “Company Requisite Approval”)) to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and such Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized and approved by the Company Board and upon receipt of the Company Requisite Approval, no other company proceeding on the part of the Company is necessary to authorize this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreements or the Company’s performance hereunder or thereunder. This Agreement has been, and each such Ancillary Agreement will be, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization and execution by each other party hereto and thereto, constitutes, or will constitute, as applicable, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity. The Company Requisite Approval is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Company required to approve and adopt this Agreement and approve the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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4.04 No Conflict. Subject to the receipt of the consents, approvals, authorizations and other requirements set forth in Section 4.05 or on Schedule 4.05, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to this Agreement to which it is a party by the Company and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (a) conflict with or violate any provision of, or result in the breach of, the certificate of formation, bylaws or other organizational documents of the Company, (b) conflict with or result in any violation of any provision of any Law, Permit or Governmental Order applicable to the Company, or any of their respective properties or assets, (c) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any provision of or the loss of any benefit under, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination or acceleration of, or a right of termination, cancellation, modification, acceleration or amendment under, accelerate the performance required by, or result in the acceleration or trigger of any payment, posting of collateral (or right to require the posting of collateral), time of payment, vesting or increase in the amount of any compensation or benefit payable pursuant to, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract of the type required to be disclosed in Section 4.12(a), or any Leased Real Property document to which the Company is a party or by which any of them or any of their respective assets or properties may be bound or affected or (d) result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties, equity interests or assets of the Company, except (in the case of clauses (b), (c) or (d) above) for such violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.05 Governmental Authorities; Consents. Assuming the truth and completeness of the representations and warranties of the Acquiror contained in this Agreement, no consent, approval or authorization of, or designation, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Authority or notice, approval, consent waiver or authorization from any Governmental Authority is required on the part of the Company with respect to the Company’s execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for (a) applicable requirements of the HSR Act and any other applicable Antitrust Law, (b) the filing of the Certificate of Merger in accordance with the TBOC, (c) any consents, approvals, authorizations, designations, declarations, waivers or filings, the absence of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to consummate the Transactions, and (d) as otherwise disclosed on Schedule 4.05.

 

4.06 Capitalization.

 

(a) As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of the Company is 11,060,226 shares of capital stock consisting of: (i) 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Company Common Stock”) and (ii) 1,060,226 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 per share (the “Company Preferred Stock”), of which (1) 334,800 shares are designated as Series A Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and (2) 725,426 shares are designated as Series B Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”). As of December ___, 2021, there were: (a) 678,400 shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding; (b) 334,800 shares of Series A Preferred issued and outstanding; and (c) 725,426 shares Series B Preferred issued and outstanding.

 

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(b) All of the issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock (i) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, (ii) were issued in compliance in all material respects with applicable Securities Law, (iii) were not issued in breach or violation of any preemptive rights or Contract, and (iv) except as set forth on Schedule 4.06(b), are fully vested. Set forth on Schedule 4.06(b) is a true, correct and complete list of each holder of shares of Company Common Stock, Company Preferred Stock or other equity interests of the Company (other than Company Options) and the number of shares of Company Common Stock, Company Preferred Stock or other equity interests held by each such holder as of December ___, 2021. Except as set forth in this Section 4.06 or on Schedule 4.06(b) or pursuant to the Company Stock Plan, as of December ___ , 2021, there are no other shares of Company Common Stock, Company Preferred Stock or other equity interests of the Company authorized, reserved, issued or outstanding.

 

(c) Except for (i) Company Options granted pursuant to the Company Stock Plan, (ii) the Company Preferred Stock and (iii) the Company Convertible Notes as set forth on Schedule 4.06(c), as of the date hereof there are (x) no subscriptions, calls, options, warrants, rights or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Company Common Stock or the equity interests of the Company, or any other Contracts to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound obligating the Company to issue or sell any shares of capital stock of, other equity interests in or debt securities of, the Company and (y) no equity equivalents, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock ownership interests or similar rights in the Company. As of the date hereof, except as set forth on Schedule 4.06(c) there are no outstanding contractual obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any securities or equity interests of the Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.06(c), there are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of the Company having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matter for which the Company’s stockholders may vote. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.06(c), as of the date hereof the Company is not party to any shareholders’ agreement, voting agreement or registration rights agreement relating to its equity interests. With respect to each Company Option and Company Convertible Note, Schedule 4.06(c) sets forth, as of December ___ , 2021, the name of the holder of such Company Option or Company Convertible Note, the number of vested and unvested shares or common stock equivalent covered by such Company Option or Company Convertible Note, the date of grant and the cash exercise price, strike price or offset amount per share/unit of such Company Option or current outstanding balance under such Company Convertible Note. The Company has made available to Acquiror true and complete copy of the form of agreement evidencing each Company Option and Company Convertible Note, and has also delivered any other warrant agreements to the extent there are variations from the form of agreement, specifically identifying the Person(s) to whom such variant forms apply. The Company has made available to Acquiror a true and complete copy of the Company Stock Plan and form of agreement evidencing each Company Option, and has also delivered any other option agreements and restricted share agreements to the extent there are variations from the form of agreement, specifically identifying the Person(s) to whom such variant forms apply. Each Company Option (A) was granted, in all material respects, in compliance with all applicable Laws and all of the terms and conditions of the Company Stock Plan pursuant to which it was issued, (B) has an exercise price per Share equal to or greater than the fair market value of a Share at the close of business on the date of such grant, (C) has a grant date identical to the date on which the Company’s Board or compensation committee actually awarded such Company Option, (D) qualifies for the tax and accounting treatment afforded to such Company Option in the Company’s tax returns and the Company’s financial statements, respectively, and (E) docs not trigger any liability for the holder thereof under Section 409A of the Code.

 

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4.07 Financial Statements. Attached as Schedule 4.07 are (a) the audited balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2020, and the audited statements of operations and statements of cash flows of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, together with the auditor’s reports thereon (the “Audited Financial Statements”), and (b) the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of September 30, 2021 and the unaudited statements of operations, statements of redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit and statements of cash flows of the Company for the nine (9) months ended September 30, 2021 (the “Unaudited Financial Statements” and, together with the Audited Financial Statements, the “Financial Statements”). The Financial Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position, results of operations, income (loss), changes in equity and cash flows of the Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated in such Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP (except, in the case of the Unaudited Financial Statements, for the absence of footnotes and other presentation items and normal year-end adjustments) and were derived from the books and records of the Company, and the Audited Financial Statements have been audited in accordance with PCAOB auditing standards by a PCAOB qualified auditor.

 

4.08 Undisclosed Liabilities. There is no liability, debt or obligation against the Company that would be required to be set forth or reserved for on a balance sheet of the Company (and the notes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and in accordance with past practice, except for liabilities or obligations (a) reflected or reserved for on the Financial Statements or disclosed in the notes thereto, (b) that have arisen since the date of the most recent balance sheet included in the Unaudited Financial Statements in the ordinary course of business, (c) disclosed in the Company Schedules, (d) arising under or related to this Agreement and/or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Outstanding Company Expenses), or (e) that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.09 Litigation and Proceedings. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.09, there are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, Actions and, to the knowledge of the Company, there are no pending or threatened investigations against the Company, or otherwise affecting the Company or its assets, including any condemnation or similar proceedings, that would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any property, asset or business of the Company is subject to any Governmental Order, or, to the knowledge of the Company, any continuing investigation by, any Governmental Authority, in each case that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no unsatisfied judgment or any open injunction binding upon the Company which would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to consummate the Transactions.

 

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4.10 Compliance with Laws.

 

(a) Except (i) with respect to compliance with Environmental Laws (as to which certain representations and warranties are made solely pursuant to Section 4.19) and compliance with Tax Laws (which are being made solely pursuant to Sections 4.13 and  4.15), and (ii) where the failure to be, or to have been, in compliance with such Laws would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company is, and since December 31, 2018 has been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws. The Company has not received any written notice from any Governmental Authority of a violation of any applicable Law by the Company at any time since December 31, 2018, which violation would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) Since December 31, 2018, and except where the failure to be, or to have been, in compliance with such Laws would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) there has been no action taken by the Company or, to the knowledge of Company, any officer, director, manager, employee, agent or representative of Company, in each case, acting on behalf of the Company, in violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Law, (ii) the Company has not been convicted of violating any Anti-Corruption Laws or subjected to any investigation by a Governmental Authority for violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws, (iii) the Company has conducted or initiated any internal investigation or made a voluntary, directed, or involuntary disclosure to any Governmental Authority regarding any alleged act or omission arising under or relating to any noncompliance with any Anti-Corruption Law and (iv) the Company has not received any written notice or citation from a Governmental Authority for any actual or potential noncompliance with any applicable Anti-Corruption Law.

 

(c) Since December 31, 2018, and except where the failure to be, or to have been, in compliance with such Laws would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) there has been no action taken by the Company, or, to the knowledge of the Company, any officer, director, manager, employee, agent or representative of the Company, in each case, acting on behalf of the Company, in violation of any applicable International Trade Laws, (ii) the Company has not been convicted of violating any International Trade Laws or subjected to any investigation by a Governmental Authority for violation of any applicable International Trade Laws, (iii) the Company has not conducted or initiated any internal investigation or made a voluntary, directed, or involuntary disclosure to any Governmental Authority regarding any alleged act or omission arising under or relating to any noncompliance with any International Trade Laws and (iv) the Company has not received any written notice or citation from a Governmental Authority for any actual or potential noncompliance with any applicable International Trade Law.

 

4.11 Intellectual Property.

 

(a) Schedule 4.11(a) sets forth, as of the date hereof, a true and complete list, including owner, jurisdiction, and serial and application numbers, of all Patents, all registered copyrights, all registered trademarks, all domain name registrations and all pending registration applications for any of the foregoing, in each case, that are owned by the Company (the “Registered Intellectual Property”), all of which are valid, enforceable and subsisting. Except (i) as set forth on Schedule 4.11(a) or (ii) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company is the sole and exclusive owner of all right, title and interest in and to all Registered Intellectual Property set forth on Schedule 4.11(a) and all other Owned Intellectual Property free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens.

 

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(b) Except (i) as set forth on Schedule 4.11(b) or (ii) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, as of the date hereof, no Actions are pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened in writing (including unsolicited offers to license Patents) against the Company by any third party claiming infringement, misappropriation or other violation of Intellectual Property owned by such third party or by the Company or in the conduct of the Company’s business. Except (x) as set forth on Schedule 4.11(b) or (y) except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company is not a party to any pending Actions, as of the date of this Agreement, claiming infringement, misappropriation or other violation by any third party of any Owned Intellectual Property. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11(b), within the five (5) years preceding the date of this Agreement, the Company, its products and services and the conduct of the Company’s business have not infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated the Intellectual Property of any third party, except for such infringements, misappropriations, dilutions and other violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, no third party is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating any Owned Intellectual Property except for such infringements, misappropriations, dilutions and other violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, the Company either own(s), has a valid license to use or otherwise has the lawful right to use, all of the Company Intellectual Property and Company Software and IT Systems used in or necessary to conduct its business, except for such Company Intellectual Property and Company Software and IT Systems with respect to which the lack of such ownership, license or right to use would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and none of the foregoing will be materially adversely impacted by (nor will require the payment or grant of additional material amounts or material consideration as a result of) the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

(c) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company has undertaken commercially reasonable efforts to protect the confidentiality of any Trade Secrets included in the Owned Intellectual Property.

 

(d) No director, officer or employee of the Company has any ownership interest in any of the Owned Intellectual Property, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has implemented policies whereby employees and contractors of the Company who create or develop any Intellectual Property in the course of their employment or provision of services for the Company required to assign to the Company all of such employee’s or contractor’s rights therein, and all such employees and contractors have executed valid written agreements pursuant to which such Persons have assigned (or are obligated to assign) to the Company all of such employee’s or contractor’s rights in and to such Intellectual Property that did not vest automatically in the Company by operation of law (and, in the case of contractors, to the extent such Intellectual Property was intended to be proprietary to the Company), except in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(e) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11(e), no government funding and no facilities or other resources of any university, college, other educational institution or research center were used in the development of any Owned Intellectual Property.

 

(f) To the knowledge of the Company, the Owned Company Software and all Software that is used by the Company is not materially adversely impacted by any viruses, worms, Trojan horses and other known contaminants and does not contain any bugs, errors, or problems of a material nature that would materially disrupt its operation or have a Material Adverse Effect on the operation of other Software. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company is in material compliance with the terms and conditions (other than attribution or notice requirements) of all material licenses for “free software,” “open source software” or under a similar licensing or distribution term (including the GNU General Public License (GPL), GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), Affero General Public License (AGPL), Mozilla Public License (MPL), BSD licenses, the Artistic License, the Netscape Public License, the Sun Community Source License (SCSL) , Server Side Public License (SSPL) and the Apache License) (“Open Source Materials”) used by the Company in any way.

 

(g) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company has not (i) incorporated Open Source Materials into, or combined Open Source Materials with, any Owned Intellectual Property or Owned Company Software, (ii) distributed Open Source Materials in conjunction with any Owned Intellectual Property or Owned Company Software or (iii) used Open Source Materials in or with any Owned Intellectual Property or Owned Company Software (including any Open Source Materials that require, as a condition of use, modification and/or distribution of such Open Source Materials that other software incorporated into, derived from or distributed with such Open Source Materials be (A) disclosed or distributed in source code form, (B) licensed for the purpose of making derivative works or (C) redistributable at no charge), in each case of the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), in such a way that grants or otherwise requires the Company to (x) disclose, distribute, license, grant rights or otherwise provide to any third party any material Owned Intellectual Property, including the source code for any Owned Company Software, or (y) otherwise imposes any limitation, restriction or condition on the right or ability of the Company to use, distribute or enforce any Owner Intellectual Property or Owned Company Software (collectively, “Copyleft Terms”).

 

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(h) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11(h) (i) with respect to all material Owned Company Software, the Company is in actual possession or control of the applicable source code, object code, documentation, and know-how to the extent required for use, distribution, development, enhancement, maintenance and support of such Owned Company Software, (ii) the Company has not disclosed source code for Owned Company Software to a third party other than to employees or contractors pursuant to a written agreement that protects the Company’s rights in such source code and obligates the employee or contractor to strictly maintain the confidentiality of the source code, (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, no Person other than the Company is in possession of, or has rights to possess, any source code for Owned Company Software (other than contractors engaged to develop or maintain Owned Company Software), and (iv) except as set forth on Schedule 4.11(h) or under non-exclusive licenses granted by the Company to contractors engaged to perform services for the Company or to customers in the ordinary course of business, no Person other than the Company has any rights to use any Owned Company Software. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11(h), no source code for Owned Company Software is subject to any technology or source code escrow arrangement or obligation. No Person will have a right to access or possess any source code of Owned Company Software (whether as a result of an escrow agreement) or otherwise, as a result of the execution, delivery and performance by Company of this Agreement.

 

(i) The Owned Company Software performs materially in accordance with its specifications and materials provided to customers corresponding to such Software. Material reported defects and reports of errors are monitored in accordance with customary practices existing between the Company and its customers.

 

(j)  In connection with its collection, storage, transfer (including without limitation, any transfer across national borders) Processing and/or use of any information or Protected Data, the Company is and has been, in compliance with all Privacy and Security Requirements. The Company has commercially reasonable physical, technical, organizational and administrative security measures and policies in place to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all systems, information and Protected Data maintained and collected by it or on its behalf. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.11(i), the Company has not experienced any security incident that has compromised the integrity or availability of the Company’s network, systems, data or information. The Company is and has been in compliance in all material respects with all Privacy and Security Requirements relating to data loss, theft and breach of security notification obligations. The Company has not received, nor provided, any notice of any claims, actions, investigations, inquiries or alleged violations of Privacy and Security Requirements or any other security incidents. To the Company’s knowledge, the Company has not been subject to, and there are no complaints or audits, proceedings, investigations or claims pending against the Company by any Governmental Authority (including any audits relating to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)), or by any Person, in respect of the collection, use, storage, disclosure or other Processing of Protected Data.

 

(k) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the IT Systems are operational and adequate and sufficient for the current and reasonably anticipated future needs of the business of the Company, (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, there have been no unauthorized intrusions or breaches of the security, or material failures of the IT Systems currently used to provide material products to customers in the conduct of their business as it is currently conducted during the two-year period preceding the date hereof, (iii) the Company has in place adequate and commercially reasonable security controls and backup and disaster recovery plans and procedures in place, (iv) to the knowledge of the Company, there have been no unauthorized intrusions or breaches of the IT Systems in the two-year period preceding the date hereof that, pursuant to any legal requirement, would require the Company to notify customers or employees of such breach or intrusion.

 

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4.12 Contracts; No Defaults.

 

(a) Schedule 4.12(a) contains a listing of all Contracts (other than purchase orders) described in clauses (i) through (ix) below to which, as of the date of this Agreement, the Company is a party or by which its assets are bound (together with all material amendments, waivers or other changes thereto) (collectively, the “Material Contracts”). True, correct and complete copies of the Material Contracts have been delivered to or made available to Acquiror or its agents or representatives.

 

(i) each employee collective bargaining Contract;

 

(ii) any Contract pursuant to which the Company (A) licenses or is granted rights from a third party under Intellectual Property that is material to the business of the Company excluding click-wrap, shrink-wrap, off-the-shelf software licenses and any other software licenses that are commercially available on reasonable terms to the public generally with license, maintenance, support and other fees less than $50,000 per year or (B) licenses or grants to a third party to any rights in or to use Owned Intellectual Property or Owned Company Software (excluding non-exclusive licenses granted to customers, contractors, suppliers or service providers in the ordinary course of business);

 

(iii) any Contract which restricts in any material respect or contains any material limitations on the ability of the Company to compete in any line of business or in any geographic territory, in each case excluding customary confidentiality agreements (or clauses) or non-solicitation agreements (or clauses);

 

(iv) any Contract under which the Company has created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed Indebtedness, has the right to draw upon credit that has been extended for Indebtedness, or has granted a Lien on its assets, whether tangible or intangible, to secure any Indebtedness, in each case, in an amount in excess of $250,000;

 

(v) any Contract that is a definitive purchase and sale or similar agreement entered into in connection with an acquisition or disposition by the Company since December 31, 2020 of any Person or of any business entity or division or business of any Person (including through merger or consolidation or the purchase of a controlling equity interest in or substantially all of the assets of such Person or by any other manner), but excluding any Contracts in which the applicable acquisition or disposition has been consummated and there are no material obligations ongoing;

 

(vi) any Contract with outstanding obligations for the sale or purchase of personal property, fixed assets or real estate, other than sales or purchases in the ordinary course of business;

 

(vii) any Contract not made in the ordinary course of business and not disclosed pursuant to any other clause under this Section 4.12 and expected to result in revenue or require expenditures in excess of $1,000,000 in the calendar year ending December 31, 2021; and

 

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(viii) any joint venture Contract, partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or similar Contract that is material to the business of the Company.

 

(b) Except for any Material Contract that has terminated or will terminate upon the expiration of the stated term thereof prior to the Closing Date and except as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) such Material Contracts are in full force and effect and represent the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, represent the legal, valid and binding obligations of the other parties thereto, and, to the knowledge of the Company, are enforceable by the Company to the extent a party thereto in accordance with their terms, subject in all respects to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (ii) none of the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto is in material breach of or material default (or would be in material breach, violation or default but for the existence of a cure period) under any Material Contract, (iii) since December 31, 2020, the Company has not received any written or, to the knowledge of the Company, oral claim or notice of material breach of or material default under any Material Contract, (iv) to the knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred which, individually or together with other events, would reasonably be expected to result in a material breach of or a material default under any Material Contract by the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto (in each case, with or without notice or lapse of time or both) and (v) since December 31, 2020 through the date hereof, the Company has not received written notice from any customer or supplier that is a party to any Material Contract that such party intends to terminate or not renew any Material Contract.

 

4.13 Company Benefit Plans.

 

(a) Schedule 4.13(a) sets forth an accurate and complete list of each material Company Benefit Plan. “Company Benefit Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), and each equity-based, retirement, profit sharing, bonus, incentive, severance, separation, change in control, retention, deferred compensation, vacation, paid time off, medical, dental, life or disability plan, program, policy or Contract, and each other material employee compensation or benefit plan, program, policy or Contract that is maintained, sponsored or contributed to (or required to be contributed to) by the Company or pursuant to which the Company has or may have any material liabilities.

 

(b) The Company has made available or made available to Acquiror accurate summaries of each material Company Benefit Plan.

 

(c) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Company Benefit Plan and each Contract with any consultant and independent contractor has been administered in compliance with its terms and all applicable Laws, including ERISA and the Code and (ii) all contributions required to be made under the terms of any Company Benefit Plan and any Contract with any consultant and independent contractor as of the date this representation is made have been timely made or, if not yet due, have been properly reflected in the Company’s financial statements.

 

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(d) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Company Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code (i) has received a favorable determination or opinion letter as to its qualification or (ii) has been established under a standardized master and prototype or volume submitter plan for which a current favorable Internal Revenue Service advisory letter or opinion letter has been obtained by the plan sponsor and is valid as to the adopting employer. To the knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred that would reasonably be expected to result in the loss of the tax-qualified status of such plans.

 

(e) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its ERISA Affiliates sponsored, maintained, contributed to or was required to contribute to, at any point during the six (6) year period prior to the date hereof, a multiemployer pension plan (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA) (a “Multiemployer Plan”) or other defined pension plans, in each case, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code. At any point during the six (6) year period prior to the date hereof, the Company has not had any liability under Title IV of ERISA on account of being considered a single employer under Section 414 of the Code with any other Person. No circumstance or condition exists that would reasonably be expected to result in an actual obligation of the Company to pay money to any Multiemployer Plan or other pension plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and that is maintained by an ERISA Affiliate of the Company. No Company Benefit Plan or Contract with any consultant and independent contractor provides post-employment health insurance benefits other than as required under Section 4980B of the Code. For purposes of this Agreement, “ERISA Affiliate” means any entity (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Company, is considered under common control and treated as one employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

 

(f) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, with respect to the Company Benefit Plans and Contracts with consultants and independent contractors, no administrative investigation, audit or other administrative proceeding by the Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service or other Governmental Authorities is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

(g) There have been no “prohibited transactions” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Sections 406 or 407 of ERISA that are not otherwise exempt under Section 408 of ERISA and no breaches of fiduciary duty (as determined under ERISA) with respect to any Company Benefit Plan. There is no proceeding (other than routine and uncontested claims for benefits) pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, with respect to any Company Benefit Plan, Contract with any consultant and independent contractor or against the assets of any Company Benefit Plan or such Contract.

 

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(h) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.13(h), the consummation of the Transactions, alone or together with any other event, will not (i) result in a payment or benefit becoming due or payable, to any current or former employee, director, independent contractor or consultant, (ii) increase the amount or value of any benefit or compensation otherwise payable or required to be provided to any current or former employee, director, independent contractor or consultant, (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment, vesting or funding of any such benefit or compensation, (iv) result in the forgiveness in whole or in part of any outstanding loans made by the Company to any current or former employee, director, independent contractor or consultant or (v) limit the ability of the Company to terminate any Company Benefit Plan or Contract with any consultant or independent contractor.

 

(i) No amount or benefit that could be, or has been, received by any current or former employee, officer or director of the Company who is a “disqualified individual” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code could reasonably be expected to be characterized as an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code) as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company has not agreed to pay, gross up or otherwise indemnify any employee, director or contractor for any tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code, 409A of the Code or otherwise.

 

4.14 Labor Matters.

 

(a) (i) The Company is not a party to or bound by any labor agreement, collective bargaining agreement, or any other labor-related agreements or arrangements with any labor union, labor organization or works council and no such agreements or arrangements are currently being negotiated by the Company, (ii) no labor union or organization, works council or group of employees of the Company has made a pending written demand for recognition or certification and (iii) there are no representation or certification proceedings or petitions seeking a representation proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing to be brought or filed with the National Labor Relations Board or any other applicable labor relations authority.

 

(b) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company (i) is, and since January 1, 2019 has been, in compliance with all applicable Laws regarding employment and employment practices, including, without limitation, all laws respecting terms and conditions of employment, health and safety, employee classification, non-discrimination, wages and hours, immigration, disability rights or benefits, equal opportunity, plant closures and layoffs, affirmative action, workers’ compensation, labor relations, pay equity, overtime pay, employee leave issues, the proper classification of employees and independent contractors, the proper classification of exempt and non-exempt employees, and unemployment insurance, (ii) has not been adjudged to have committed any unfair labor practice as defined by the National Labor Relations Board or received written notice of any unfair labor practice complaint against it pending before the National Labor Relations Board that remains unresolved and (iii) since January 1, 2019, has not experienced any actual or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened arbitrations, grievances, labor disputes, strikes, lockouts, picketing, hand-billing, slowdowns or work stoppages against or affecting the Company.

 

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(c) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company is not delinquent in payments to any employees or former employees for any services or amounts required to be reimbursed or otherwise paid.

 

(d) To the knowledge of the Company, no employee of the Company at the level of senior vice president or above is in any material respect in violation of any term of any employment agreement, nondisclosure agreement, non-competition agreement, restrictive covenant or other obligation: (i) to the Company or (ii) to a former employer of any such employee relating (A) to the right of any such employee to be employed by the Company or (B) to the knowledge or use of Trade Secrets or proprietary information.

 

(e) To the knowledge of the Company, all employees of the Company are legally permitted to be employed by the Company in the jurisdiction in which such employees are employed in their current job capacities.

 

(f) The Company has not incurred any material liability or obligation under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988 or any similar state or local Law that remains unsatisfied.

 

4.15 Taxes. With respect to the following representations and warranties set forth in this Section 4.15 (other than Section 4.15(k)), except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15(a), all Tax Returns required by Law to be filed by the Company have been duly and timely filed (after giving effect to any valid extensions of time in which to make such filings).

 

(b) All amounts of Taxes shown due on any Tax Returns of the Company and all other amounts of Taxes owed by the Company have been timely paid.

 

(c) The Company has (i) withheld or collected all amounts of Taxes required to have been withheld or collected by it in connection with amounts paid to any employee, independent contractor, director, agent, manager, supplier, lender, creditor, shareholder (including the Company Stockholders)or any other third party, and (ii) reported and timely remitted such amounts required to have been withheld or collected, reported and remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority. All Forms W-2 or 1099 or other Tax Returns required with respect thereto have been properly completed and timely filed.

 

(d) The Company has (i) properly collected all sales Taxes required to be collected in the time and manner required by applicable Law and remitted all such sales Taxes to the applicable Taxing authority in the time and in the manner required by applicable Law and (ii) returned all sales Taxes erroneously collected from any Person to such Person in the time and in the manner required by applicable Law. The Company has properly requested, received and retained all necessary exemption certificates and other documentation supporting any claimed exemption of waiver of Taxes on sales or similar transactions as to which it would otherwise have been obligated to collect or withhold Taxes.

 

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(e) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15(e), the Company is not currently engaged in any audit, administrative or judicial proceeding with a taxing authority with respect to Taxes. The Company has not received any written notice from a taxing authority of a proposed deficiency of an amount of Taxes, other than any such deficiencies that have since been resolved. Within the last three (3) years, no written claim has been made by any Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where the Company does not file a Tax Return that such entity is or may be subject to Taxes by that jurisdiction in respect of Taxes that would be the subject of such Tax Return, which claim has not been resolved. There are no outstanding agreements extending or waiving the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim for, or the period for the collection or assessment or reassessment of, Taxes of the Company, and no written request for any such waiver or extension is currently pending.

 

(f) Neither the Company nor any predecessor thereof has constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in a distribution of stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code (or so much of Section 356 of the Code as relates to Section 355 of the Code) in the two years prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

(g) The Company has not been a party to any “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(2) for a taxable period for which the applicable statute of limitations remains open.

 

(h) Except with respect to deferred revenue or prepaid subscription revenues collected by the Company in the ordinary course of business, the Company will not be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any: (A) change in method of accounting for a taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Closing Date and made prior to the Closing; (B) ruling by, or written agreement with, a Governmental Authority (including any closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or any similar provision of Tax Law) issue or executed prior to the Closing; (C) installment sale or open transaction disposition made prior to the Closing; (D) prepaid amount received prior to the Closing; (E) intercompany transaction or excess loss accounts described in the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign income Tax Law) that existed prior to the Closing; or (F) Section 965 of the Code.

 

(i) There are no Liens with respect to Taxes on any of the assets of the Company, other than Permitted Liens.

 

(j) The Company does not have any liability for the Taxes of any other Person (i) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law) or (ii) as a transferee or successor.

 

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(k) The Company is not a party to or bound by, nor does it have any obligation to, any Governmental Authority or other Person under any Tax allocation, Tax sharing or Tax indemnification agreements (except, in each case, for any such agreements that are commercial contracts not primarily relating to Taxes).

 

(l) The Company has not made an election under Section 1362(a) of the Code to be treated as an “S corporation” for U.S. federal, state or local income tax purposes.

 

(m) The Company is not, and has not been at any time during the five (5) year period ending on the Closing Date, a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code.

 

(n) To the knowledge of the Company, the Company is in compliance with applicable United States and foreign transfer pricing Laws and regulations in all material respects, including the execution and maintenance of contemporaneous documentation substantiating the transfer pricing practices and methodology of the Company.

 

(o) To the knowledge of the Company, there are no facts, circumstances or plans that, either alone or in combination, could reasonably be expected to prevent the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.

 

(p) Other than the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.13, this Section 4.15 contains the exclusive representations and warranties of the Company with respect to Tax matters. Nothing in this Section 4.15 shall be construed as providing a representation or warranty with respect to (i) other than the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.15(g), any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning following the Closing Date or (ii) the existence, amount, expiration date or limitations on (or availability of) any Tax attribute.

 

4.16 Brokers’ Fees. Except as described on Schedule 4.16, no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by the Company for which the Company has any obligation.

 

4.17 Insurance. Schedule 4.17 contains a list of all material policies or programs of self-insurance of property, fire and casualty, product liability, workers’ compensation and other forms of insurance held by, or for the benefit of, the Company as of the date of this Agreement. True, correct and complete copies or comprehensive summaries of such insurance policies have been made available to Acquiror. With respect to each such insurance policy required to be listed on Schedule 4.17, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) all premiums due have been paid (other than retroactive or retrospective premium adjustments and adjustments in the respect of self-funded general liability and automobile liability fronting programs, self-funded health programs and self-funded general liability and automobile liability front programs, self-funded health programs and self-funded workers’ compensation programs that are not yet, but may be, required to be paid with respect to any period end prior to the Closing Date), (ii) the policy is legal, valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms and, except for policies that have expired under their terms in the ordinary course, is in full force and effect, (iii) the Company is not in breach or default (including any such breach or default with respect to the payment of premiums or the giving of notice), and, to the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute such a breach or default, or permit termination or modification, under the policy, and to the knowledge of the Company, no such action has been threatened and (iv) as of the date hereof, no written notice of cancellation, non-renewal, disallowance or reduction in coverage or claim or termination has been received other than in connection with ordinary renewals.

 

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4.18 Real Property; Assets.

 

(a) The Company does not own any real property. The Company is not a party to any agreement or option to purchase any real property or material interest therein.

 

(b) Schedule 4.18(b) contains a true, correct and complete list of all Leased Real Property. The Company has made available to Acquiror true, correct and complete copies of the leases, subleases, licenses and occupancy agreements (including all modifications, amendments, supplements, guaranties, extensions, renewals, waivers, side letters and other agreements relating thereto) for the Leased Real Property to which the Company is a party (the “Real Estate Lease Documents”), and such deliverables comprise all Real Estate Lease Documents relating to the Leased Real Property.

 

(c) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.18(c), each Real Estate Lease Document (i) is a legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, the other parties thereto, as applicable, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, and each such Real Estate Lease Document is in full force and effect, (ii) has not been amended or modified except as reflected in the Real Estate Lease Documents made available to Acquiror and (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, covers the entire estate it purports to cover and, subject to securing the consents or approvals, if any, required under the Real Estate Lease Documents to be obtained from any landlord, or lender to landlord (as applicable), in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company or the consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby by the Company, upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will entitle Acquiror or its Subsidiaries to the exclusive use (subject to the terms of the respective Real Estate Lease Documents in effect with respect to the Leased Real Property), occupancy and possession of the premises specified in the Real Estate Lease Documents for the purpose specified in the Real Estate Lease Documents.

 

(d) No material default or breach by (i) the Company or (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, any other parties thereto, as applicable, presently exists under any Real Estate Lease Documents. The Company has not received written or, to the knowledge of the Company, oral notice of default or breach under any Real Estate Lease Document which has not been cured. To the knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred that, and no condition exists which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a material default or breach under any Real Estate Lease Document by the Company or by the other parties thereto. The Company has not subleased or otherwise granted any Person the right to use or occupy any Leased Real Property or portion thereof which is still in effect. The Company has not collaterally assigned or granted any other security interest in the Leased Real Property or any interest therein which is still in effect. The Company has a good and valid leasehold title to each Leased Real Property subject only to Permitted Liens.

 

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(e) The Company has not received any written notice that remains outstanding as of the date of this Agreement that the current use and occupancy of the Leased Real Property and the improvements thereon (i) are prohibited by any Lien or law other than Permitted Liens or (ii) are in material violation of any of the recorded covenants, conditions, restrictions, reservations, easements or agreements applicable to such Leased Real Property.

 

4.19 Environmental Matters. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(a) the Company is and, during the last three (3) years, has been in compliance with all Environmental Laws;

 

(b) there has been no release of any Hazardous Materials at, in, on or under any Leased Real Property or, to the knowledge of the Company, at, in, on or under any formerly owned or leased real property, in each case during the time that the Company owned or leased such property;

 

(c) the Company is not subject to and has not received any Governmental Order that remains unresolved relating to any non-compliance with Environmental Laws by the Company or the investigation, sampling, monitoring, treatment, remediation, removal or cleanup of Hazardous Materials;

 

(d) no Action is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing and no investigation is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing, in each case with respect to the Company’s compliance with or liability under Environmental Law;

 

(e) the Company has made available to Acquiror all material environmental reports (including any Phase One or Phase Two environmental site assessments) and audits relating to the Leased Real Property or any formerly owned or operated real property in its possession, custody or reasonable control.

 

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article IV, this Section 4.19 contains the exclusive representations and warranties of the Company with respect to environmental matters.

 

4.20 Absence of Changes. Except (i) as set forth on Schedule 4.20 and (ii) in connection with the Transactions, from December 31, 2020 through and including the date of this Agreement, the Company (1) has, in all material respects, conducted its business and operated its properties in the ordinary course of business (including, for the avoidance of doubt, recent past practice in light of COVID-19), and (2) has not taken any action that is both material to the Company and would require the consent of Acquiror pursuant to Section 6.01 if such action had been taken after the date hereof.

 

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4.21 Affiliate Agreements. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.21 and except for, in the case of any employee, officer or director, any employment or indemnification Contract or Contract with respect to the issuance of equity in the Company, the Company is not a party to any transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding with any (i) present or former executive officer or director of any of the Company, (ii) beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of 5% or more of the capital stock or equity interests of any of the Company or (iii) Affiliate, “associate” or member of the “immediate family” (as such terms are respectively defined in Rules 12b-2 and 16a-1 under the Exchange Act) of any of the foregoing (each of the foregoing, a “Company Affiliate Agreement”).

 

4.22 Internal Controls. The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that: (a) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (b) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (c) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (d) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

 

4.23 Permits. The Company has timely obtained and holds all material Permits (the “Material Permits”) that are required to own, lease or operate its properties and assets and to conduct its business as currently conducted, except where the failure to obtain the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) each Material Permit is in full force and effect in accordance with its terms, (b) no outstanding written notice of revocation, cancellation or termination of any Material Permit has been received by the Company, (c) to the knowledge of the Company, none of such Permits upon its termination or expiration in the ordinary due course will not be renewed or reissued in the ordinary course of business upon terms and conditions substantially similar to its existing terms and conditions, (d) there are no Actions pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, that seek the revocation, cancellation, limitation, restriction or termination of any Material Permit and (e) the Company is in compliance with all Material Permits applicable to the Company.

 

4.24 Registration Statement. None of the information relating to the Company supplied by the Company, or by any other Person acting on behalf of the Company, in writing specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement will, as of the time the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.24, no representation or warranty is made by the Company with respect to information or statements made or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement that were not supplied by or on behalf of the Company for use therein.

 

4.25 Operation of the Business during COVID-19. None of the Company’s actions and inactions prior to the date of this Agreement in response to COVID-19: (i) has resulted in the Company experiencing any material business interruption or material losses, or (ii) if taken following the date of this Agreement would constitute a Material Adverse Effect or a material breach of the covenants set forth in Section 6.01.

 

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4.26 No Additional Representations and Warranties. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Article IV (as modified by the Company Schedules), the Company expressly disclaims any representations or warranties of any kind or nature, express or implied, including as to the condition, value or quality of the Company or the Company’s assets, and the Company specifically disclaims any representation or warranty with respect to merchantability, usage, suitability or fitness for any particular purpose with respect to the Company’s assets, or as to the workmanship thereof, or the absence of any defects therein, whether latent or patent, it being understood that such subject assets are being acquired “as is, where is” on the Closing Date, and in their present condition, and Acquiror and Merger Sub shall rely on their own examination and investigation thereof. None of the Company’s Affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders, partners, members or representatives has made, or is making, any representation or warranty whatsoever to Acquiror or its Affiliates, and no such party shall be liable in respect of the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to Acquiror or its Affiliates.

 

Article V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF ACQUIROR AND MERGER SUB

 

Except as set forth in the (A) Acquiror and Merger Sub Schedules to this Agreement (each of which qualifies (a) the correspondingly numbered representation, warranty or covenant if specified therein and (b) such other representations, warranties or covenants where its relevance as an exception to (or disclosure for purposes of) such other representation, warranty or covenant is reasonably apparent) or (B) Acquiror SEC Reports filed or furnished by Acquiror on or prior to the date hereof (excluding (x) any disclosures in such Acquiror SEC Reports under the headings “Risk Factors”, “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” or “Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk” and other disclosures that are predictive, cautionary, or forward looking in nature and (y) any exhibits or other documents appended thereto), each of Acquiror and Merger Sub represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

 

5.01 Corporate Organization.

 

(a) Acquiror is duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the Laws of Delaware and has the corporate power and authority to own, lease or operate its assets and properties and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted. The copies of the organizational documents of Acquiror previously delivered by Acquiror to the Company are true, correct and complete and are in effect as of the date of this Agreement. Acquiror is, and at all times has been, in compliance in all material respects with all restrictions, covenants, terms and provisions set forth in its respective organizational documents. Acquiror is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation in all jurisdictions in which its ownership of property or the character of its activities is such as to require it to be so licensed or qualified, except where failure to be so licensed or qualified has not and would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions.

 

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(b) Merger Sub is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of Texas, with full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder. Other than Merger Sub, Acquiror has no other Subsidiaries or any equity or other interests in any other Person.

 

5.02 Due Authorization.

 

(a) Each of Acquiror and Merger Sub has all requisite corporate or entity power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to this Agreement to which it is a party and (subject to the approvals described in Section 5.07) (in the case of Acquiror), upon receipt of the Acquiror Stockholder Approval and effectiveness of the PubCo Charter, to perform its respective obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and such Ancillary Agreements by each of Acquiror and Merger Sub and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly, validly and unanimously authorized by all requisite action and (in the case of Acquiror), except for the Acquiror Stockholder Approval, no other corporate or equivalent proceeding on the part of Acquiror or Merger Sub is necessary to authorize this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreements or Acquiror’s or Merger Sub’s performance hereunder or thereunder. This Agreement has been, and each such Ancillary Agreement will be, duly and validly executed and delivered by each of Acquiror and Merger Sub and, assuming due authorization and execution by each other party hereto and thereto, this Agreement constitutes, and each such Ancillary Agreement will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of Acquiror and Merger Sub, enforceable against each of Acquiror and Merger Sub in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.

 

(b) The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Special Meeting, by the holders of the Acquiror Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon, is required to approve: (i) the Transaction Proposal, (ii) the Stock Issuance Proposal, (iii) the Amendment Proposal, and (iv) the Acquiror Incentive Plan Proposal, in each case, assuming a quorum is present (the approval by Acquiror Stockholders of all of the foregoing, collectively, the “Acquiror Stockholder Approval”). The Acquiror Stockholder Approval are the only votes of any of Acquiror’s capital stock necessary in connection with the entry into this Agreement by Acquiror, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Closing).

 

(c) The Acquiror Board has duly adopted resolutions: (i) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the approval of the PubCo Charter) are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of Acquiror and its stockholders; (ii) determined that the fair market value of the Company is equal to at least 80% of the amount held in the Trust Account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) as of the date hereof; (iii) approved the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as a Business Combination; (iv) approved this Agreement, the Subscription Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the PubCo Charter), the execution and delivery by Acquiror of this Agreement, the Subscription Agreements and Acquiror’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the Subscription Agreements and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and (v) resolved to recommend to the stockholders of Acquiror approval of each of the matters requiring Acquiror Stockholder approval. The Board of Directors of Merger Sub has duly adopted resolutions (i) approving this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, the execution and delivery by Merger Sub of this Agreement and Merger Sub’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) declared this Agreement and the merger to be advisable and in the best interests of Merger Sub and its sole stockholder and (iii) recommended that Acquiror approve and adopt this Agreement and the Merger in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub.

 

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5.03 No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by each of Acquiror and Merger Sub and (in the case of Acquiror), upon receipt of the Acquiror Stockholder Approval and the effectiveness of the PubCo Charter, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (a) conflict with or violate any provision of, or result in the breach of, the Acquiror Organizational Documents, any organizational documents of any Subsidiaries of Acquiror or any of the organizational documents of Merger Sub, (b) conflict with or result in any violation of any provision of any Law or Governmental Order applicable to each of Acquiror or Merger Sub or any of their respective properties or assets, (c) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any provision of or the loss of any benefit under, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination or acceleration of, or a right of termination, cancellation, modification, acceleration or amendment under, accelerate the performance required by, or result in the acceleration or trigger of any payment, posting of collateral (or right to require the posting of collateral), time of payment, vesting or increase in the amount of any compensation or benefit payable pursuant to, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract to which each of Acquiror or Merger Sub or any their respective Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their respective assets or properties may be bound or affected or (d) result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of Acquiror or Merger Sub, except (in the case of clauses (b), (c) or (d) above) for such violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions.

 

5.04 Litigation and Proceedings. There are no pending or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened, Actions and, to the knowledge of Acquiror, there are no pending or threatened investigations, in each case, against Acquiror, or otherwise affecting Acquiror or its assets, including any condemnation or similar proceedings, which, if determined adversely, could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions. There is no unsatisfied judgment or any open injunction binding upon Acquiror which could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions.

 

5.05 Compliance with Laws.

 

(a) Except where the failure to be, or to have been, in compliance with such Laws would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions, Acquiror and its Subsidiaries are, and since the date of incorporation of Acquiror have been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws. Neither Acquiror nor its Subsidiaries has received any written notice from any Governmental Authority of a violation of any applicable Law by Acquiror or its Subsidiaries at any time since the date of incorporation of Acquiror, which violation would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions.

 

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(b) Since the date of incorporation of Acquiror, and except where the failure to be, or to have been, in compliance with such Laws would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions, (i) there has been no action taken by Acquiror, its Subsidiaries, or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, any officer, director, manager, employee, agent or representative of Acquiror or its Subsidiaries, in each case, acting on behalf of the Acquiror or its Subsidiaries, in violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Law, (ii) neither Acquiror nor its Subsidiaries has been convicted of violating any Anti-Corruption Laws or subjected to any investigation by a Governmental Authority for violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws, (iii) neither Acquiror nor its Subsidiaries has conducted or initiated any internal investigation or made a voluntary, directed, or involuntary disclosure to any Governmental Authority regarding any alleged act or omission arising under or relating to any noncompliance with any Anti-Corruption Law and (iv) neither Acquiror nor its Subsidiaries has received any written notice or citation from a Governmental Authority for any actual or potential noncompliance with any applicable Anti-Corruption Law.

 

(c) Since the date of incorporation of Acquiror, and except where the failure to be, or to have been, in compliance with such Laws would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions, (i) there has been no action taken by Acquiror, its Subsidiaries, or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, any officer, director, manager, employee, agent or representative of Acquiror or its Subsidiaries, in each case, acting on behalf of the Acquiror or its Subsidiaries, in violation of any applicable International Trade Laws, (ii) neither Acquiror nor its Subsidiaries has been convicted of violating any International Trade Laws or subjected to any investigation by a Governmental Authority for violation of any applicable International Trade Laws, (iii) neither Acquiror nor its Subsidiaries has conducted or initiated any internal investigation or made a voluntary, directed, or involuntary disclosure to any Governmental Authority regarding any alleged act or omission arising under or relating to any noncompliance with any International Trade Laws and (iv) neither Acquiror nor its Subsidiaries has received any written notice or citation from a Governmental Authority for any actual or potential noncompliance with any applicable International Trade Law.

 

5.06 Employee Benefit Plans. Except as may be contemplated by the Acquiror Incentive Plan Proposal, neither Acquiror, Merger Sub, nor any of their respective Subsidiaries maintains, contributes to or has any obligation or liability, or could reasonably be expected to have any obligation or liability, under, any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA or any other material, written plan, policy, program, arrangement or agreement (other than standard employment agreements that can be terminated at any time without severance or termination pay and upon notice of not more than 60 days or such longer period as may be required by applicable Law) providing compensation or benefits to any current or former director, officer, employee, independent contractor or other service provider, including, without limitation, all incentive, bonus, deferred compensation, vacation, holiday, cafeteria, medical, disability, stock purchase, stock option, stock appreciation, phantom stock, restricted stock or other stock-based compensation plans, policies, programs, practices or arrangements, but not including any plan, policy, program, arrangement or agreement that covers only former directors, officers, employees, independent contractors and service providers and with respect to which Acquiror, Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries have no remaining obligations or liabilities (collectively, the “Acquiror Benefit Plans”) and neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (either alone or in combination with another event) will (i) result in any material compensatory payment (including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or otherwise) becoming due to any shareholder, director, officer or employee of Acquiror, Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or (ii) result in the acceleration, vesting or creation of any rights of any shareholder, director, officer or employee of Acquiror, Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries to payments or benefits or increases in any existing payments or benefits or any loan forgiveness.

 

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5.07 Governmental Authorities; Consents. Assuming the truth and completeness of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement, no consent, approval or authorization of, or designation, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Authority is required on the part of Acquiror or Merger Sub with respect to Acquiror’s or Merger Sub’s execution or delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for applicable requirements of the HSR Act and any other applicable Antitrust Law, Securities Laws, Nasdaq and the filing and effectiveness of the Certificate of Merger and the PubCo Charter.

 

5.08 Trust Account.

 

(a) Set forth on Schedule 5.08 is a true and accurate record, as of the date identified on Schedule 5.08, of the balance invested in a trust account at Morgan Stanley (the “Trust Account”), maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation, acting as trustee (the “Trustee”), pursuant to the Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated July 14, 2021, by and between Acquiror and the Trustee (the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust Agreement is in full force and effect and is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Acquiror and, to the knowledge of Acquiror, the Trustee, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity. The Trust Agreement has not been terminated, repudiated, rescinded, amended or supplemented or modified, in any respect, and, to the knowledge of Acquiror, no such termination, repudiation, rescission, amendment, supplement or modification is contemplated. There are no side letters and there are no agreements, Contracts, arrangements or understandings, whether written or oral, with the Trustee or any other Person that would (i) cause the description of the Trust Agreement in the Acquiror SEC Reports to be inaccurate or (ii) entitle any Person (other than any Acquiror Stockholder who is a Redeeming Stockholder) to any portion of the proceeds in the Trust Account. Prior to the Closing, none of the funds held in the Trust Account may be released except in accordance with the Trust Agreement, Acquiror Organizational Documents and Acquiror’s final prospectus dated July 16, 2021. Amounts in the Trust Account are invested in United States Government securities or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Acquiror has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it to date under, and is not in material default, breach or delinquent in performance or any other respect (claimed or actual) in connection with, the Trust Agreement, and no event has occurred which, with due notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default or breach thereunder. There are no Actions pending or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened with respect to the Trust Account. Acquiror has not released any money from the Trust Account (other than interest income earned on the principal held in the Trust Account as permitted by the Trust Agreement). As of the Effective Time, the obligations of Acquiror to dissolve or liquidate pursuant to the Acquiror Organizational Documents shall terminate, and, as of the Effective Time, Acquiror shall have no obligation whatsoever pursuant to the Acquiror Organizational Documents to dissolve and liquidate the assets of Acquiror by reason of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Following the Effective Time, no Acquiror Stockholder shall be entitled to receive any amount from the Trust Account except to the extent such Acquiror Stockholder is a Redeeming Stockholder.

 

(b) As of the date hereof, assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein and the compliance by the Company with its respective obligations hereunder, Acquiror has no reason to believe that any of the conditions to the use of funds in the Trust Account will not be satisfied or funds available in the Trust Account will not be available to Acquiror on the Closing Date.

 

(c) As of the date hereof, Acquiror does not have, or have any present intention, agreement, arrangement or understanding to enter into or incur, any obligations with respect to or under any Indebtedness.

 

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5.09 Taxes.

 

(a) All material Tax Returns required by Law to be filed by Acquiror, if any, have been duly and timely filed (after giving effect to any valid extensions of time in which to make such filings).

 

(b) All material amounts of Taxes shown due on any Tax Returns of Acquiror and all other material amounts of Taxes owed by Acquiror have been timely paid.

 

(c) Acquiror has (i) withheld all material amounts of Taxes required to have been withheld by it in connection with amounts paid to any employee, independent contractor, director, agent, manager, supplier, lender, creditor, shareholder or any other third party, and (ii) remitted such amounts required to have been remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority. All Forms W-2 or 1099 or other Tax Returns required with respect thereto have been properly completed and timely filed.

 

(d) Acquiror is not currently engaged in any material audit, administrative or judicial proceeding with a taxing authority with respect to Taxes. Acquiror has not received any written notice from a taxing authority of a proposed deficiency of a material amount of Taxes, other than any such deficiencies that have since been resolved. No written claim has been made by any Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where Acquiror does not file a Tax Return that such entity is or may be subject to Taxes by that jurisdiction in respect of Taxes that would be the subject of such Tax Return, which claim has not been resolved. There are no outstanding agreements extending or waiving the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim for, or the period for the collection or assessment or reassessment of, material Taxes of Acquiror, and no written request for any such waiver or extension is currently pending.

 

(e) To the knowledge of Acquiror, there are no facts, circumstances or plans that, either alone or in combination, could reasonably be expected to prevent the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.

 

(f) Other than the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.06, this Section 5.09 contains the exclusive representations and warranties of Acquiror with respect to Tax matters. Nothing in this Section 5.09 shall be construed as providing a representation or warranty with respect to (i) any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning following the Closing Date or (ii) the existence, amount, expiration date or limitations on (or availability of) any Tax attribute.

 

5.10 Brokers’ Fees. Except for fees described on Schedule 5.10 (including the amounts owed with respect thereto), no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission (including any deferred underwriting commission) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Equity Financing) or as a result of the Closing, in each case, including based upon arrangements made by Acquiror or Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates, including the Sponsor.

 

5.11 Acquiror SEC Reports; Financial Statements; Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

(a) Acquiror has filed in all required reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC since the date of incorporation of the Acquiror (collectively, as they have been amended since the time of their filing and including all exhibits thereto, the “Acquiror SEC Reports”). None of the Acquiror SEC Reports, as of their respective dates (or if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement or the Closing Date, then on the date of such filing), contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The audited financial statements and unaudited interim financial statements (including, in each case, the notes and schedules thereto) included in the Acquiror SEC Reports complied as to form in all material respects with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto and except with respect to unaudited statements as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC), and fairly present (subject, in the case of the unaudited interim financial statements included therein, to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of complete footnotes) in all material respects the financial position of Acquiror as of the respective dates thereof and the results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods then ended.

 

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(b) Acquiror has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act). Such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to Acquiror and other material information required to be disclosed by Acquiror in the reports and other documents that it files or furnishes under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that all such material information is accumulated and communicated to Acquiror’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the certifications required pursuant to Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting Acquiror’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer to material information required to be included in Acquiror’s periodic reports required under the Exchange Act.

 

(c) Acquiror has established and maintained a system of internal controls. Such internal controls are sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of Acquiror’s financial reporting and the preparation of Acquiror’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.

 

(d) There are no outstanding loans or other extensions of credit made by Acquiror to any executive officer (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) or director of Acquiror. Acquiror has not taken any action prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

(e) Neither Acquiror (including any employee thereof) nor Acquiror’s independent auditors has identified or been made aware of (i) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the system of internal accounting controls utilized by Acquiror, (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves Acquiror’s management or other employees who have a role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal accounting controls utilized by Acquiror or (iii) any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing.

 

(f) As of the date hereof, there are no outstanding SEC comments from the SEC with respect to the Acquiror SEC Reports. None of the Acquiror SEC Reports filed on or prior to the date hereof is subject to ongoing SEC review or investigation as of the date hereof.

 

5.12 Business Activities; Absence of Changes.

 

(a) Since its incorporation, Acquiror has not conducted any business activities other than activities directed toward the accomplishment of a Business Combination. Except as set forth in the Acquiror Organizational Documents, there is no agreement, commitment or Governmental Order binding upon Acquiror or to which Acquiror is a party which has had or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or impairing any business practice of Acquiror or any acquisition of property by Acquiror or the conduct of business by Acquiror as currently conducted or as contemplated to be conducted as of the Closing other than such effects, individually or in the aggregate, which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions.

 

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(b) Acquiror does not own or have a right to acquire, directly or indirectly, any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, trust or other entity. Except for this Agreement and the Transactions, Acquiror has no interests, rights, obligations or liabilities with respect to, and is not party to, bound by or has its assets or property subject to, in each case whether directly or indirectly, any Contract or transaction which is, or could reasonably be interpreted as constituting, a Business Combination.

 

(c) Except for (i) this Agreement and the agreements expressly contemplated hereby (including any agreements permitted by Section 7.01) and (ii) with respect to fees and expenses of Acquiror’s legal, financial and other advisors, Acquiror is not, and at no time has been, party to any Contract with any other Person that would require payments by Acquiror in excess of $150,000 monthly, $250,000 in the aggregate annually with respect to any individual Contract or more than $500,000 in the aggregate annually when taken together with all other Contracts (other than this Agreement and the agreements expressly contemplated hereby (including any agreements permitted by Section 7.01)).

 

(d) There is no liability, debt or obligation against Acquiror or its Subsidiaries, except for liabilities and obligations (i) reflected or reserved for on Acquiror’s consolidated balance sheet for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021 or disclosed in the notes thereto (other than any such liabilities not reflected, reserved or disclosed as are not and would not be, in the aggregate, material to Acquiror and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole) or (ii) that have arisen since the date of Acquiror’s consolidated balance sheet for the quarterly period September 30, 2021 in the ordinary course of the operation of business of Acquiror and its Subsidiaries (other than any such liabilities as are not and would not be, in the aggregate, material to Acquiror and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole).

 

(e) Since its organization, Merger Sub has not conducted any business activities other than activities directed toward the accomplishment of the Merger. Except as set forth in Merger Sub’s organizational documents, there is no agreement, commitment, or Governmental Order binding upon Merger Sub or to which Merger Sub is a party which has had or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or impairing any business practice of Merger Sub or any acquisition of property by Merger Sub or the conduct of business by Merger Sub as currently conducted or as contemplated to be conducted as of the Closing other than such effects, individually or in the aggregate, which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Merger Sub to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(f) Merger Sub does not own or have a right to acquire, directly or indirectly, any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, trust or other entity.

 

(g) Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of effecting the Merger and has not engaged in any business activities or conducted any operations other than in connection with the Merger and has no, and at all times prior to the Effective Time except as contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements to this Agreement, will have no, assets, liabilities or obligations of any kind or nature whatsoever other than those incident to its formation.

 

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(h) Since the date of Acquiror’s formation through and including the date of this Agreement, (i) there has not been any change, development, condition, occurrence, event or effect relating to the Acquiror or its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, resulted in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions and (ii) Acquiror and its Subsidiaries have not taken any action that would require the consent of the Company pursuant to Section 7.01 if such action had been taken after the date of this Agreement.

 

5.13 Registration Statement. As of the time the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act, the Registration Statement (together with any amendments or supplements thereto) will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that Acquiror makes no representations or warranties as to the information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to Acquiror by or on behalf of the Company specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement.

 

5.14 No Outside Reliance. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article V or any other provision hereof, Acquiror and Merger Sub and its other Affiliates and any of its and their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders, partners, members or Representatives, acknowledge and agree that Acquiror and Merger Sub have made their own investigation of the Company and that they are relying only on that investigation and the specific representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement, and not on any other representation or statement made by the Company nor any of its Affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders, partners, members, agents or Representatives, and that none of such persons is making or has made any representation or warranty whatsoever, express or implied, other than those expressly given by the Company in Article IV, including without limitation any other implied warranty or representation as to condition, merchantability, suitability or fitness for a particular purpose or trade as to any of the assets of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is understood that any cost estimates, financial or other projections or other predictions that may be contained or referred to in the Acquiror and Merger Sub Schedules or elsewhere, as well as any information, documents or other materials (including any such materials contained in any “data room” (whether or not accessed by Acquiror or its representatives) or reviewed by Acquiror and Merger Sub pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreement) or management presentations that have been or shall hereafter be provided to Acquiror or any of its Affiliates, agents or representatives are not and will not be deemed to be representations or warranties of the Company, and no representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the foregoing except as may be expressly set forth in Article IV of this Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, Acquiror understands and agrees that any assets, properties and business of the Company are furnished “as is”, “where is” and subject to and except as otherwise provided in the representations and warranties of the Company expressly set forth in Article IV or any certificate delivered in accordance with Section 9.02(c), with all faults and without any other representation or warranty of any nature whatsoever.

 

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5.15 Capitalization.

 

(a) As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized capital stock of the Acquiror consists of 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of which 21,562,500 shares of Common Stock are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof and no preferred shares are issued and outstanding. 15,799,995 shares of Common Stock are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Acquiror Warrants. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Acquiror Common Stock and Acquiror Warrants (including the shares of Acquiror Common Stock underlying the Acquiror Warrants) (i) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, (ii) were issued in compliance in all material respects with applicable Law, (iii) were not issued in breach or violation of any preemptive rights or Contract and (iv) are fully vested and not otherwise subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Code Section 83.

 

(b) Except for this Agreement and the Acquiror Warrants there are (i) no subscriptions, calls, options, warrants, rights or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Acquiror Common Stock or any other equity interests of Acquiror, or any other Contracts to which Acquiror is a party or by which Acquiror is bound obligating (or in lieu of a cash payment, allowing) Acquiror to issue or sell any shares of capital stock of, other equity interests in or debt securities of, Acquiror, and (ii) no equity equivalents, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock ownership interests or similar rights in Acquiror. Except as otherwise required by Acquiror’s Organizational Documents in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of Acquiror to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any securities or equity interests of Acquiror. There are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of Acquiror having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matter for which Acquiror’s stockholders may vote. Acquiror is not a party to any shareholders’ agreement, voting agreement or registration rights agreement relating to Acquiror Common Stock or any other equity interests of Acquiror. Acquiror does not own any capital stock or any other equity interests in any other Person or has any right, option, warrant, conversion right, stock appreciation right, redemption right, repurchase right, agreement, arrangement or commitment of any character under which a Person is or may become obligated to issue or sell, or give any right to subscribe for or acquire, or in any way dispose of, any shares of the capital stock or other equity interests, or any securities or obligations exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into any shares of the capital stock or other equity interests, of such Person. There are no securities or instruments issued by or to which Acquiror is a party containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the consummation of the Transactions, in each case, that have not been, or will not be, waived on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(c) As of the date hereof, the authorized share capital of Merger Sub consists of 100 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 10 shares are issued and outstanding and beneficially held (and held of record) solely by Acquiror as of the date of this Agreement.

 

5.16 Nasdaq Stock Market Listing. The Acquiror Units, the Acquiror Public Warrants and the issued and outstanding shares of Acquiror Common Stock are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbols “CLAQU” (with respect to the Acquiror Units), “CLAQ” (with respect to the Acquiror Common Stock), “CLAQR” (with respect to the Acquiror Rights), and “CLAQW” (with respect to the Acquiror Public Warrants). Acquiror is in compliance in all material respects with the rules of the Nasdaq and there is no action or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened against Acquiror by Nasdaq, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or the SEC with respect to any intention by such entity to deregister the Acquiror Units, the Acquiror Common Stock or the Acquiror Public Warrants or terminate the listing of such on Nasdaq. None of Acquiror or its Affiliates has taken any action in an attempt to terminate the registration of the Acquiror Units, the Acquiror Common Stock or the Acquiror Public Warrants under the Exchange Act.

 

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5.17 Contracts; No Defaults.

 

(a) Schedule 5.17 contains a listing of all Contracts including every “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC) (other than confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements and this Agreement) to which, as of the date of this Agreement, Acquiror or one or more of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their respective assets are bound. True, correct and complete copies of the Contracts listed on Schedule 5.17 have been delivered to or made available to the Company or its agents or representatives.

 

(b) Each Contract of a type required to be listed on Schedule 5.17, whether or not set forth on Schedule 5.17, was entered into at arm’s length and in the ordinary course of business. Except for any Contract that has terminated or will terminate upon the expiration of the stated term thereof prior to the Closing Date, with respect to any Contract of the type described in Section 5.17(a), whether or not set forth on Schedule 5.17, (i) such Contracts are in full force and effect and represent the legal, valid and binding obligations of Acquiror or its Subsidiaries party thereto and, to the knowledge of Acquiror, represent the legal, valid and binding obligations of the other parties thereto, and, to the knowledge of Acquiror, are enforceable by Acquiror or its Subsidiaries to the extent a party thereto in accordance with their terms, subject in all respects to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (ii) none of Acquiror, its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, any other party thereto is in material breach of or material default (or would be in material breach, violation or default but for the existence of a cure period) under any such Contract, (iii) since the dates of their respective incorporations, neither Acquiror nor its Subsidiaries have received any written or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, oral claim or notice of material breach of or material default under any such Contract, (iv) to the knowledge of Acquiror, no event has occurred which, individually or together with other events, would reasonably be expected to result in a material breach of or a material default under any such Contract by Acquiror or its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, any other party thereto (in each case, with or without notice or lapse of time or both) and (v) since the dates of their respective incorporations, through the date hereof, neither Acquiror nor its Subsidiaries have received written notice from any other party to any such Contract that such party intends to terminate or not renew any such Contract.

 

5.18 Title to Property. Neither Acquiror nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) owns or leases any real or personal property or (b) is a party to any agreement or option to purchase any real property, personal property or other material interest therein.

 

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5.19 Investment Company Act. Neither Acquiror nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

5.20 Affiliate Agreements. None of Acquiror or its Subsidiaries is a party to any transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding with any (i) present or former executive officer or director of any of Acquiror or its Subsidiaries, (ii) beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of 5% or more of the capital stock or equity interests of any of the Company or (iii) Affiliate, “associate” or member of the “immediate family” (as such terms are respectively defined in Rules 12b-2 and 16a-1 under the Exchange Act) of any of the foregoing (each of the foregoing, an “Acquiror Affiliate Agreement”).

 

5.21 Sponsor Support Agreement. Acquiror has delivered to the Company a true, correct and complete copy of the Sponsor Support Agreement. The Sponsor Support Agreement is in full force and effect and has not been withdrawn or terminated, or otherwise amended or modified, in any respect, and no withdrawal, termination, amendment or modification is contemplated by Acquiror. The Sponsor Support Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Acquiror and, to the knowledge of Acquiror, each other party thereto and neither the execution or delivery by any party thereto of, nor the performance of any party’s obligations under, the Sponsor Support Agreement violates any provision of, or results in the breach of or default under, or requires any filing, registration or qualification under, any applicable Law. No event has occurred that, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute a default or breach on the part of Acquiror under any term or condition of the Sponsor Support Agreement.

 

Article VI
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

 

6.01 Conduct of Business. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing Date or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms (the “Interim Period”), the Company shall, except (1) as contemplated by the Transaction Finance Loans, (2) as contemplated by the Company Convertible Notes, (3) as set forth on Schedule 6.01, (4) as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, (5) as consented to by Acquiror in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed), or (6) as may be required by Law, (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct and operate its business in the ordinary course, and to preserve intact the current business organization and ongoing businesses of the Company, and maintain the existing relations and goodwill of the Company with customers, suppliers, joint venture partners, distributors and creditors of the Company, and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain all insurance policies of the Company or substitutes therefor. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as set forth on Schedule 6.01, as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as consented to by Acquiror in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed), or as may be required by Law, the Company shall not, during the Interim Period, except (1) as contemplated by the Transaction Finance Loans, (2) as contemplated by the Company Convertible Notes or (3) as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement:

 

(a) change or amend the certificate of formation or the bylaws of the Company;

 

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(b) (i) make, declare or pay any dividend or distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) to the stockholders of the Company in their capacities as stockholders, (ii) effect any recapitalization, reclassification, split or other change in its capitalization, or (iii) except pursuant to the Company Stock Plan or related Company Options, issue, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or offer to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital stock or other equity interests;

 

(c) except as set forth on Schedule 6.01(c), enter into, or amend or modify any material term of (in a manner adverse to the Company), terminate (excluding any expiration in accordance with its terms), or waive or release any material rights, claims or benefits under, any Material Contract (or any Contract, that if existing on the date hereof, would have been a Material Contract), any Real Estate Lease Document related to the Leased Real Property or any collective bargaining or similar agreement (including agreements with works councils and trade unions and side letters) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, other than entry into, amendments of, modifications of, terminations of, or waivers or releases under, such agreements in the ordinary course of business;

 

(d) sell, transfer, license, sublicense, covenant not to assert, lease, pledge or otherwise encumber or subject to any Lien, abandon, cancel, let lapse or convey or dispose of any assets, properties or business of the Company (including Owned Intellectual Property and Owned Company Software), except for (i) dispositions of obsolete or worthless assets, (ii) sales of tangible inventory in the ordinary course of business and (iii) sales, abandonment, lapses of tangible assets or tangible items or tangible materials in an amount not in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate, other than (1) Permitted Liens or (2) pledges and encumbrances on property and assets in the ordinary course of business and that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(e) except as set forth on Schedule 6.01(e) or otherwise required pursuant to Company Benefit Plans, in effect on the date of this Agreement, applicable Law, or policies or Contracts of the Company in effect on the date of this Agreement, (i) grant any material increase in compensation, benefits or severance to any employee, director or service provider of the Company other than any such individual with an annual base salary of less than $175,000, (ii) adopt, enter into or materially amend any Company Benefit Plan, or any collective bargaining or similar agreement (including agreements with works councils and trade unions and side letters) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, (iii) grant or provide any severance, termination payments, bonus, change of control, retention, or benefits to any employee of the Company, except in connection with the promotion or hiring (to the extent permitted by clause (iv) of this paragraph) or separation of any employee in the ordinary course of business or the firing of any employee, (iv) hire any employee of the Company or any other individual who is providing or will provide services to the Company other than any employee with an annual base salary of less than $175,000 (except to replace terminated employees) in the ordinary course of business, (v) adopt, enter into or materially amend Contracts with any consultants or independent contractors that involve consideration of more than $250,000 in the aggregate or (vi) take any action to accelerate the vesting, payment or funding of any cash compensation, payment or benefit;

 

(f) (i) fail to maintain its existence or acquire by merger or consolidation with, or merge or consolidate with, or purchase a material portion of the assets or equity of, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business organization or division thereof; or (ii) adopt or enter into a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of the Company (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement);

 

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(g) make any capital expenditures (or commitment to make any capital expenditures) that in the aggregate exceed $1,000,000, other than any capital expenditure (or series of related capital expenditures) consistent in all material respects with the Company’s annual capital expenditure budget for periods following the date hereof, made available to Acquiror or any capitalized Contract costs associated with new or existing customers;

 

(h) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (including to any of its officers, directors, agents or consultants), make any material change in its existing borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of such Persons, or enter into any “keep well” or similar agreement to maintain the financial condition of any other Person, except advances to directors, employees or officers of the Company in the ordinary course of business or as required under any provisions of the Company Certificate of Incorporation, the bylaws of the Company or any indemnification agreement to which the Company is a party, in each case as in effect as of the date hereof;

 

(i) make, revoke or change any material Tax election, adopt or change any material Tax accounting method or period, file any amendment to a material Tax Return, enter into any agreement with a Governmental Authority with respect to a material amount of Taxes, settle or compromise any examination, audit or other Action with a Governmental Authority of or relating to any material Taxes or settle or compromise any claim or assessment by a Governmental Authority in respect of material Taxes, consent to any extension or waiver of the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes, or enter into any Tax sharing or similar agreement (excluding any commercial contract not primarily related to Taxes);

 

(j) take any action, or knowingly fail to take any action, which action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment;

 

(k) acquire any fee interest in real property;

 

(l) enter into, renew or amend in any material respect any Company Affiliate Agreement;

 

(m) waive, release, compromise, settle or satisfy any pending or threatened material claim (which shall include, but not be limited to, any pending or threatened Action) or compromise or settle any liability, other than in the ordinary course of business or that otherwise do not exceed $500,000 in the aggregate;

 

(n) incur, create, assume, refinance, guarantee or otherwise become liable for (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) any Indebtedness in excess of $1,000,000, other than in connection with borrowings, extensions of credit and other financial accommodations under the Company’s existing credit facilities, notes and other existing Indebtedness and, in each case, any refinancings thereof, provided, that, in no event shall any such borrowing, extension of credit or other financial accommodation be subject to any prepayment fee or penalty or similar arrangement or amend, restate or modify in a manner materially adverse to the Company any terms of or any agreement with respect to any such outstanding Indebtedness (when taken as a whole); provided, further, that any action permitted under this Section 6.01(n) shall be deemed not to violate Section 6.01(b) or Section 6.01(c);

 

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(o) enter into any material new line of business outside of the business currently conducted by the Company as of the date of this Agreement (it being understood that this Section 6.01(o) shall not restrict the Company from extending its business into new geographies);

 

(p) make any material change in financial accounting methods, principles or practices, except insofar as may have been required by a change in GAAP (including pursuant to standards, guidelines and interpretations of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any similar organization) or applicable Law;

 

(q) enter into, renew or amend in any material respect, any Company Affiliate Agreement (or any Contract, that if existing on the date hereof, would have constituted a Company Affiliate Agreement);

 

(r) (i) disclose any source code for any Owned Company Software or any other material Trade Secrets to any Person (other than pursuant to a written agreement sufficient to protect the confidentiality thereof) or (ii) subject any Owned Intellectual Property or Owned Company Software to Copyleft Terms; and

 

(s) enter into any agreement to do any action prohibited under this Section 6.01.

 

6.02 Inspection. Subject to confidentiality obligations and similar restrictions that may be applicable to information furnished to the Company by third parties that may be in the Company’s possession from time to time, and except for any information which (x) relates to interactions with prospective buyers of the Company or the negotiation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or (y) in the judgment of legal counsel of the Company would result in the loss of attorney-client privilege or other privilege from disclosure or would conflict with any applicable Law or confidentiality obligations to which the is bound, the Company shall afford to Acquiror and its Representatives reasonable access during the Interim Period, during normal business hours and with reasonable advance notice, in such manner as to not interfere with the normal operation of the Company, to all of its properties, books, projections, plans, systems, Contracts, commitments, Tax Returns, records, commitments and analyses and, as reasonably requested by Acquiror or its Representatives, appropriate officers and employees of the Company, and shall furnish such Representatives with all financial and operating data and other information concerning the affairs of the Company that are in the possession of the Company as such Representatives may reasonably request, in each case, as necessary to facilitate consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that (i) such access may be modified to the extent the Company reasonably determines, in light of COVID-19 or COVID-19 Measures, that such access would jeopardize the health and safety of any employee of the Company and (ii) nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to provide Acquiror and its Representatives with the right to have access to any of the offices or information of any of the equityholders of the Company, that is not otherwise related to the Company or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. Acquiror hereby agrees that, during the Interim Period, (x) it shall not contact any employee (excluding executive officers), customer, supplier, distributor or other material business relation of the Company or (y) conduct or perform any invasive or subsurface investigations of the properties or facilities of the Company or its Affiliates, in each case, without the prior written consent of the Company. The parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make alternative arrangements for such disclosure where the restrictions in the preceding sentence apply. All information obtained by Acquiror and its Representatives under this Agreement shall be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement prior to the Effective Time.

 

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6.03 No Acquiror Common Stock Transactions. From and after the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, the Company shall not engage in any transactions involving the securities of Acquiror without the prior consent of Acquiror if the Company possesses material nonpublic information of the Acquiror.

 

6.04 No Claim Against the Trust Account. The Company acknowledges that Acquiror is a special purpose acquisition company with the power and privileges to effect a merger, asset acquisition, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Company and one or more businesses or assets, and the Company has read Acquiror’s final prospectus, dated July 16, 2021, and other Acquiror SEC Reports, the Acquiror Organizational Documents, and the Trust Agreement and understands that Acquiror has established the Trust Account described therein for the benefit of Acquiror’s public stockholders and that disbursements from the Trust Account are available only in the limited circumstances set forth therein. The Company further acknowledges and agrees that Acquiror’s sole assets consist of the cash proceeds of Acquiror’s initial public offering and private placements of its securities, and that substantially all of these proceeds have been deposited in the Trust Account for the benefit of its public shareholders. The Company further acknowledges that, if the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated by July 19, 2022, or such later date as approved by the shareholders of Acquiror to complete a Business Combination, Acquiror will be obligated to return to its stockholders the amounts being held in the Trust Account. Accordingly, the Company (on behalf of itself and its Affiliates) hereby waives any past, present or future claim of any kind against, and any right to access, the Trust Account, any trustee of the Trust Account and Acquiror to collect from the Trust Account any monies that may be owed to them by Acquiror or any of its Affiliates for any reason whatsoever, and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account at any time for any reason whatsoever. This Section 6.04 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

6.05 Proxy Solicitation; Other Actions.

 

(a) The Company has provided to Acquiror, for inclusion in the Registration Statement, to be filed by Acquiror hereunder, the audited financial statements, including balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of redeemable preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit and statements of cash flows as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, and the unaudited financial statements including balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of redeemable preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit and statements of cash flows as of and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, in each case, prepared in accordance with GAAP and Regulation S-X under the Securities Act (except (x) as otherwise noted therein to the extent permitted by Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, and, in the case of such audited financial statements, audited in accordance with PCAOB auditing standards by a PCAOB qualified auditor and (y) in the case of the unaudited financial statements, subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments and the absence of notes thereto). The Company shall be available to, and the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to make its officers and employees available to, in each case, during normal business hours and upon reasonable advanced notice, Acquiror and its counsel in connection with responding in a timely manner to comments on the Registration Statement from the SEC.

 

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(b) From and after the date on which the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act, the Company will give Acquiror prompt written notice of any action taken or not taken by the Company or of any development regarding the Company, in any such case which, to the knowledge of the Company, would cause the Registration Statement to contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, if any such action shall be taken or fail to be taken or such development shall otherwise occur, Acquiror and the Company shall cooperate fully to cause an amendment or supplement to be made promptly to the Registration Statement, such that the Registration Statement no longer contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided further, however, that no information received by Acquiror pursuant to this Section 6.05 shall operate as a waiver or otherwise affect any representation, warranty or agreement given or made by the party who disclosed such information, and no such information shall be deemed to change, supplement or amend the Company Schedules.

 

Article VII
COVENANTS OF ACQUIROR

 

7.01 Conduct of Acquiror During the Interim Period.

 

(a) During the Interim Period, except as set forth on Schedule 7.01 or as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as consented to by the Company in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed), Acquiror shall not and each shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

 

(i) change, modify or amend the Trust Agreement, the Acquiror Organizational Documents or the organizational documents of Merger Sub;

 

(ii) (A) make, declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of any of its outstanding capital stock or other equity interests; (B) split, combine, reclassify, subdivide or otherwise change any of its capital stock or other equity interests; or (C) other than the redemption of any shares of Acquiror Common Stock required by the Offer, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or offer to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any capital stock of, or other equity interests in, Acquiror;

 

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(iii) make, revoke or change any material Tax election, adopt or change any material Tax accounting method or period, file any amendment to a material Tax Return, enter into any agreement with a Governmental Authority with respect to a material amount of Taxes, settle or compromise any examination, audit or other Action with a Governmental Authority of or relating to any material Taxes or settle or compromise any claim or assessment by a Governmental Authority in respect of material Taxes, consent to any extension or waiver of the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes, or enter into any Tax sharing or similar agreement (excluding any commercial contract not primarily related to Taxes);

 

(iv) take any action, or knowingly fail to take any action, which action or failure to act could reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment;

 

(v) except for Working Capital Loans, enter into, renew or amend in any material respect, any Acquiror Affiliate Agreement (or any Contract, that if existing on the date hereof, would have constituted an Acquiror Affiliate Agreement);

 

(vi) except for Working Capital Loans, enter into, or amend or modify any material term of (in a manner adverse to Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries, including the Company), terminate excluding any expiration in accordance with its terms, or waive or release any material rights, claims or benefits under, any Contract of a type required to be listed on Schedule 5.17 (or any Contract, that if existing on the date hereof, would have been required to be listed on Schedule 5.17) or any collective bargaining or similar agreement (including agreements with works councils and trade unions and side letters) to which Acquiror or its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound;

 

(vii) waive, release, compromise, settle or satisfy any pending or threatened claim (which shall include, but not be limited to, any pending or threatened Action) or compromise or settle any liability;

 

(viii) except for Working Capital Loans, incur, create, assume, refinance, guarantee or otherwise become liable for (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) any Indebtedness;

 

(ix) (A) other than pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, offer, issue, deliver, grant or sell, or authorize or propose to offer, issue, deliver, grant or sell, any capital stock of, or other equity interests in, Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries or any securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such capital stock or equity interests, other than in connection with the exercise of any Acquiror Warrants outstanding on the date hereof, (B) amend, modify or waive any of the terms or rights set forth in, any warrant agreement with respect to Acquiror Warrants, including any amendment, modification or reduction of the warrant price set forth therein, (C) enter into any new Subscription Agreements or other agreements that contemplate Equity Financing, or (D) consummate the Equity Financing on terms materially different than those contained in such Subscription Agreements;

 

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(x) except as contemplated by the Acquiror Incentive Plan Proposal, (i) adopt or amend any Acquiror Benefit Plan, or enter into any employment contract or collective bargaining agreement or (ii) hire any employee of Acquiror or its Subsidiaries or any other individual who is providing or will provide services to Acquiror or its Subsidiaries;

 

(xi) (i) fail to maintain its existence or acquire by merger or consolidation with, or merge or consolidate with, or purchase the assets or equity of, any corporation, partnership (limited or general), limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business organization or division thereof; or (ii) adopt or enter into a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of Acquiror or its Subsidiaries (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement);

 

(xii) make any capital expenditures;

 

(xiii) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (including to any of its officers, directors, agents or consultants), make any change in its existing borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of such Persons, or enter into any “keep well” or similar agreement to maintain the financial condition of any other Person;

 

(xiv) enter into any new line of business outside of the business currently conducted by Acquiror and its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement;

 

(xv) make any change in financial accounting methods, principles or practices, except insofar as may have been required by a change in GAAP, including pursuant to standards, guidelines and interpretations of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any similar organization, or applicable Law;

 

(xvi) voluntarily fail to maintain, cancel or materially change coverage under any insurance policy in form and amount equivalent in all material respects to the insurance coverage currently maintained with respect to Acquiror and its Subsidiaries and their assets and properties; or

 

(xvii) enter into any agreement to do any action prohibited under this Section 7.01.

 

(b) During the Interim Period, Acquiror shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to comply with, and continue performing under, as applicable, the Acquiror Organizational Documents, the Trust Agreement and all other agreements or Contracts to which Acquiror or its Subsidiaries may be a party.

 

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7.02 Trust Account. Prior to or at the Closing (subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article IX), Acquiror shall make appropriate arrangements to cause the funds in the Trust Account to be disbursed in accordance with the Trust Agreement, and the funds received in the Equity Financing to be disbursed, for the following uses: (a) the redemption of any shares of Acquiror Common Stock in connection with the Offer; (b) the payment of the Outstanding Company Expenses and Outstanding Acquiror Expenses pursuant to Section 3.09; and (c) the balance after payment and disbursement of the amounts required under the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) to be disbursed to PubCo.

 

7.03 Inspection. Subject to confidentiality obligations and similar restrictions that may be applicable to information furnished to Acquiror or its Subsidiaries by third parties that may be in Acquiror’s or its Subsidiaries’ possession from time to time, and except for any information which in the opinion of legal counsel of Acquiror would result in the loss of attorney-client privilege or other privilege from disclosure or would conflict with any applicable Law or confidentiality obligations to which Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries is bound, Acquiror shall afford to the Company, its Affiliates and their respective Representatives reasonable access during the Interim Period, during normal business hours and with reasonable advance notice, to all of their respective properties, books, projections, plans, systems, Contracts, commitments, Tax Returns, records, commitments, analyses and appropriate officers and employees of Acquiror, and shall furnish such Representatives with all financial and operating data and other information concerning the affairs of Acquiror that are in the possession of Acquiror as such Representatives may reasonably request. The parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make alternative arrangements for such disclosure where the restrictions in the preceding sentence apply. All information obtained by the Company, its Affiliates and their respective Representatives under this Agreement shall be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement prior to the Effective Time.

 

7.04 Acquiror Nasdaq Listing.

 

(a) From the date hereof through the Closing, Acquiror shall use reasonable best efforts to ensure Acquiror remains listed as a public company on, and for shares of Acquiror Common Stock to be listed on, Nasdaq.

 

(b) Acquiror shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the PubCo’s Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Transactions (including the Earnout Shares) to be approved for listing on Nasdaq as promptly as practicable following the issuance thereof, subject to official notice of issuance, prior to the Closing Date.

 

7.05 Acquiror Public Filings. From the date hereof through the Closing, Acquiror will use reasonable best efforts to keep current and file all reports required to be filed or furnished with the SEC and otherwise comply in all material respects with its reporting obligations under applicable Securities Laws.

 

7.06 Section 16 Matters. Prior to the Closing, the Acquiror Board, or an appropriate committee of “non-employee directors” (as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act) thereof, shall adopt a resolution consistent with the interpretive guidance of the SEC so that the acquisition of Acquiror Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement (including the Earnout Shares) and the other agreements contemplated hereby, by any person owning securities of the Company who is expected to become a director or officer (as defined under Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) of Acquiror following the Closing shall be an exempt transaction for purposes of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 16b-3 thereunder.

 

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7.07 Exclusivity. During the Interim Period, Acquiror shall not take, nor shall it permit any of its Affiliates or Representatives to take, whether directly or indirectly, any action to solicit, initiate, continue or engage in discussions or negotiations with, or enter into any agreement with, or encourage, respond, provide information to or commence due diligence with respect to, any Person (other than the Company, its shareholders and/or any of their Affiliates or Representatives), concerning, relating to or which is intended or is reasonably likely to give rise to or result in, any offer, inquiry, proposal or indication of interest, written or oral relating to any Business Combination (a “Business Combination Proposal”) other than with the Company, its shareholders and their respective Affiliates and Representatives. Acquiror shall, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its Affiliates and Representatives to, immediately cease any and all existing discussions or negotiations with any Person conducted prior to the date hereof with respect to, or which is reasonably likely to give rise to or result in, a Business Combination Proposal.

 

7.08 Stockholder Action. Acquiror shall notify the Company promptly in connection with a written threat to file, or filing by, an Action related to this Agreement or the Transaction by any of its stockholders or holders of any Acquiror Warrants against Acquiror or its Subsidiaries or against any of their respective directors or officers (any such action, a “Stockholder Action”). Acquiror shall keep the Company reasonably apprised of the defense, settlement, prosecution or other developments with respect to any such Stockholder Action. Acquiror shall give the Company the opportunity to participate in, subject to a customary joint defense agreement, but not control the defense of any such litigation, to give due consideration to the Company’s advice with respect to such litigation and to not settle any such litigation without the prior written consent of the Company, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, Acquiror shall bear all of its costs of investigation and all of its defense and attorneys’ and other professionals’ fees related to such Stockholder Action.

 

7.09 Written Consent of Merger Sub. Acquiror shall promptly after the execution of this Agreement, and in any event no later than the end of the day following the date of this Agreement, deliver its written consent, as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, approving and adopting this Agreement and the Merger pursuant to Section 6.201 of the TBOC and in accordance with applicable law and the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Merger Sub, and Acquiror shall promptly deliver to the Company evidence of such action taken by written consent.

 

7.10 Incentive Equity Plan. Prior to the Closing Date, Acquiror shall approve, and subject to approval of the stockholders of Acquiror, adopt, the Acquiror Incentive Plan.

 

7.11 Obligations as an Emerging Growth Company and a Controlled Company. Acquiror shall, at all times during the period from the date hereof until the Closing: (a) take all actions necessary to continue to qualify as an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (“JOBS Act”) and to qualify, at the Effective Time, as a “controlled” company under the rules of the Nasdaq; and (b) not take any action that would cause Acquiror to not qualify as an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the JOBS Act or, at the Effective Time, as a “controlled” company under the rules of Nasdaq.

 

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Article VIII
JOINT COVENANTS

 

8.01 Subscription Agreements. Subject to the terms hereof, Company and Acquiror shall and shall cause their respective Affiliates to comply with its obligations, and enforce its rights, under the Subscription Agreements. Acquiror and Company shall give the other prompt notice of any breach by any party to the Subscription Agreements of which Acquiror or Company has become aware or any termination (or alleged or purported termination) of the Subscription Agreements. Acquiror shall keep the Company informed on a reasonably current basis in reasonable detail of the status of its efforts to obtain the proceeds of the Equity Financing and shall not permit any amendment or modification to, or any waiver of any material provision or remedy under, the Subscription Agreements entered into at or prior to the date hereof if such amendment, modification, waiver or remedy (i) would materially delay the occurrence of the Closing, (ii) reduces the aggregate amount of the Equity Financing, (iii) adds or imposes new conditions or amends the existing conditions to the consummation of the Equity Financing or (iv) is adverse to the interests of the Company, in each case, in any material respect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Minimum Cash Condition is satisfied, failure to obtain the proceeds from the Equity Financing shall not relieve Acquiror or Company their respective obligations to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, whether or not such Equity Financing is available.

 

8.02 Support of Transaction. Without limiting any covenant contained in Article VI or Article VII, including the obligations of the Company and Acquiror with respect to the notifications, filings, reaffirmations and applications described in Section 8.08, which obligations shall control to the extent of any conflict with the succeeding provisions of this Section 8.01, Acquiror and the Company shall each, and shall each cause their respective Subsidiaries to: (a) use commercially reasonable efforts to assemble, prepare and file any information (and, as needed, to supplement such information) as may be reasonably necessary to obtain as promptly as practicable all governmental and regulatory consents required to be obtained in connection with the Transactions, (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all material consents and approvals of third parties that any of Acquiror, the Company, or their respective Affiliates are required to obtain in order to consummate the Transactions, including any required approvals of parties to material Contracts with the Company, and (c) take such other action as may reasonably be necessary or as another party may reasonably request to satisfy the conditions of Article IX or otherwise to comply with this Agreement and to consummate the Transactions as soon as practicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Acquiror, Merger Sub or the Company be obligated to bear any expense or pay any fee or grant any concession in connection with obtaining any consents, authorizations or approvals pursuant to the terms of any Contract to which the Company is a party or otherwise in connection with the consummation of the Transactions.

 

8.03 Preparation of Registration Statement; Special Meeting; Solicitation of Company Requisite Approval.

 

(a) Promptly following the date hereof, Acquiror shall cause to be filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, and including the Proxy Statement contained therein, the “Registration Statement”) in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the PubCo’s Common Stock to be issued under this Agreement (including the Earnout Shares), which Registration Statement will also contain the Proxy Statement. Each of Acquiror and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement to comply with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, to have the Registration Statement declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing and to keep the Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to consummate the Merger. Acquiror acknowledges that the Company has furnished all information concerning the Company as may reasonably be requested by Acquiror in connection with such actions and the preparation of the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement. Promptly after the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act, Acquiror will cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to stockholders of Acquiror.

 

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(b) Each of Acquiror and the Company shall cooperate and mutually agree upon (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), any response to comments of the SEC or its staff with respect to the Registration Statement and any amendment to the Registration Statement filed in response thereto. If Acquiror or the Company becomes aware that any information contained in the Registration Statement shall have become false or misleading in any material respect or that the Registration Statement is required to be amended in order to comply with applicable Law, then (i) such party shall promptly inform the other parties and (ii) Acquiror, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, shall cooperate and mutually agree upon (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement. Acquiror and the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration Statement, as so amended or supplemented, to be filed with the SEC and the Proxy Statement to be disseminated to the holders of shares of Acquiror Common Stock, as applicable, in each case pursuant to applicable Law and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Acquiror Organizational Documents. Acquiror shall provide the other parties with copies of any written comments, and shall inform such other parties of any oral comments, that Acquiror receives from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Registration Statement promptly after the receipt of such comments and shall give the other parties a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any proposed written or oral responses to such comments prior to responding to the SEC or its staff.

 

(c) Acquiror agrees to include provisions in the Proxy Statement and to take reasonable action related thereto with respect to (i) approval of the Merger (the “Transaction Proposal”), (ii) approval of the PubCo Charter (the “Amendment Proposal”), (iii) approval of the issuance of PubCo’s Common Stock in connection with the Transactions (including pursuant to the consummation of the Subscription Agreements) in accordance with this Agreement, in each case to the extent required by Nasdaq listing rules (the “Stock Issuance Proposal”), (iv) the adoption of the Acquiror Incentive Plan (the “Acquiror Incentive Plan Proposal”) and (v) approval of any other proposals reasonably necessary or appropriate to consummate the transaction contemplated hereby (the “Additional Proposal” and together with the Agreement Proposal, Merger Proposal, Amendment Proposal, Acquiror Incentive Plan Proposal and the Stock Issuance Proposal, the “Proposals”). The Acquiror Incentive Plan Proposal shall provide that an aggregate number of shares of PubCo’s Common Stock equal to 5% of the fully diluted outstanding shares of PubCo’s Common Stock immediately after the Closing shall be reserved for issuance pursuant to the Acquiror Incentive Plan, subject to annual increases as provided therein. Without the prior written consent of the Company, the Proposals shall be the only matters (other than procedural matters) which Acquiror shall propose to be acted on by Acquiror’s stockholders at the Special Meeting.

 

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(d) Acquiror and the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to, as promptly as practicable, and in compliance with applicable Law (i) establish the record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the Special Meeting in accordance with the DGCL, (ii) cause the Proxy Statement to be disseminated to Acquiror’s stockholders and (iii) solicit proxies from the holders of Acquiror Common Stock to vote in favor of each of the Proposals. Acquiror shall, through the Acquiror Board, recommend to its stockholders that they approve each of the Proposals (the “Acquiror Board Recommendation”) and shall include the Acquiror Board Recommendation in the Proxy Statement. The Acquiror Board shall not (and no committee or subgroup thereof shall) change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, or publicly propose to change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, the Acquiror Board Recommendation. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.03(d), if on a date for which the Special Meeting is scheduled, Acquiror has not received proxies representing a sufficient number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock to obtain the Acquiror Stockholder Approval, whether or not a quorum is present, Acquiror shall have the right to make one or more successive postponements or adjournments of the Special Meeting.

 

(e) The Company shall solicit the Company Requisite Approval via written consent as soon as promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective. In connection therewith, Acquiror and the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to, as promptly as practicable, (i) cause the Consent Solicitation Statement to be disseminated to the Company Stockholders in compliance with applicable Law and (iii) solicit written consents from the Company Stockholders to give the Company Requisite Approval. The Company shall, through the Company Board, recommend to the Company Stockholders that they adopt this Agreement (the “Company Board Recommendation”) and shall include the Company Board Recommendation in the Consent Solicitation Statement. The Company Board shall not (and no committee or subgroup thereof shall) change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, or publicly propose to change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, the Company Board Recommendation. The Company will provide Acquiror with copies of all stockholder consents it receives within one (1) Business Day of receipt of the Company Requisite Approval. If the Company Requisite Approval is obtained, then promptly following the receipt of the required written consents, the Company will prepare and deliver to its stockholders who have not consented the notice required by Section 10.355 of the TBOC. Unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, the Company’s obligation to solicit written consents from the Company Stockholders to give the Company Requisite Approval in accordance with this Section 8.03(e) shall not be limited or otherwise affected by the making, commencement, disclosure, announcement or submission of any Acquisition Proposal.

 

8.04 Tax Matters.

 

(a) Transfer Taxes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the PubCo shall pay all transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration, value added or other similar Taxes incurred in connection with the Transactions. Pubco shall, at its own expense, file all necessary Tax Returns with respect to all such Taxes, and, if required by applicable Law, the Company will join in the execution of any such Tax Returns.

 

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(b) Tax Treatment. Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Company intend that the Transactions shall qualify for the Intended Tax Treatment. None of the parties or their respective Affiliates shall knowingly take or cause to be taken, or knowingly fail to take or knowingly cause to be failed to be taken, any action that would reasonably be expected to prevent qualification for such Intended Tax Treatment. Each party shall, unless otherwise required by a final determination within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (or any similar state, local or non-U.S. final determination) or a change in applicable Law, or based on a change in the facts and circumstances underlying the Transactions from the terms described in this Agreement, cause all Tax Returns to be filed on a basis of treating the Merger as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Each of the parties agrees to use reasonable best efforts to promptly notify all other parties of any challenge to the Intended Tax Treatment by any Governmental Authority.

 

(c) The Company, Acquiror and Merger Sub hereby adopt this Agreement as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a).

 

(d) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to Acquiror a certification from the Company pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(c) dated no more than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date and signed by a responsible corporate officer of the Company; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Acquiror’s sole remedy in the event the Company fails to deliver such certificate shall be to make a proper withholding of Tax to the extent required by applicable Law.

 

8.05 Confidentiality; Publicity.

 

(a) Acquiror acknowledges that the information being provided to it in connection with this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby is subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b) None of Acquiror, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates shall make any public announcement or issue any public communication regarding this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, or any matter related to the foregoing, without first obtaining the prior consent of the Company or Acquiror, as applicable (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), except if such announcement or other communication is required by applicable Law or legal process (including pursuant to the Securities Law or the rules of any national securities exchange), in which case Acquiror or the Company, as applicable, shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to coordinate such announcement or communication with the other party, prior to announcement or issuance and allow the other party a reasonable opportunity to comment thereon (which shall be considered by Acquiror or the Company, as applicable, in good faith); provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, each party and its Affiliates may make announcements and may provide information regarding this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby to its and their Affiliates, and its and their respective investors, directors, officers, employees, managers and advisors without the consent of any other party hereto; and provided further that, subject to Section 6.02 and this Section 8.05, the foregoing shall not prohibit any party hereto from communicating with third parties to the extent necessary for the purpose of seeking any third party consent.

 

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8.06 Post-Closing Cooperation; Further Assurances. Following the Closing, each party shall, on the request of any other party, execute such further documents, and perform such further acts, as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to give full effect to the allocation of rights, benefits, obligations and liabilities contemplated by this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

8.07 Additional Insurance and Indemnity Matters.

 

(a) Prior to the Closing, Acquiror and the Company shall reasonably cooperate in order to obtain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for PubCo and the Company that shall be effective as of Closing and will cover (i) those Persons who were directors and officers of the Company prior to the Closing and (ii) those Persons who will be the directors and officers of PubCo and its Subsidiaries (including the directors and officers of the Company) at and after the Closing on terms not less favorable than the better of (a) the terms of the current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in place for the Company’s directors and officers and (b) the terms of a typical directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy for a company whose equity is listed on Nasdaq which policy has a scope and amount of coverage that is reasonably appropriate for a company of similar characteristics (including the line of business and revenues) as PubCo and its Subsidiaries (including the Surviving Company).

 

(b) Prior to the Effective Time, Acquiror shall obtain, as of the Closing Date a “tail” insurance policy, to the extent available on commercially reasonable terms and at an aggregate cost of no higher than 300% of the premium of Acquiror’s directors’ and officers’ liabilities insurance policy as of the date of this Agreement, extending coverage for an aggregate period of six (6) years (or such other coverage period as mutually agreed by Acquiror and the Company) providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance with respect to claims arising from facts or events that occurred on or before the Closing covering (as direct beneficiaries) those persons who are as of the date of this Agreement currently covered by the Acquiror’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy, of the type and with the amount of coverage no less favorable than those of the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained as of the date of this Agreement by, or for the benefit of, the Acquiror; provided, however, that to the extent a policy as permitted by this Section 8.07(b) is purchased by Purchaser, the aggregate cost of such policy shall be deemed an Outstanding Acquiror Expense.

 

(c) Prior to the Effective Time, PubCo and the Surviving Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each present and former director or officer of the Company, or any other person that may be a director or officer of the Company prior to the Effective Time, against any costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages or liabilities incurred in connection with any actual or threatened Action or other action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time or relating to the enforcement by any such Person of his or her rights under this Section 8.07, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, to the fullest extent that the Company, would have been permitted under applicable Law and its certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents in effect on the date of this Agreement to indemnify such Person, and shall advance expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) of any such Person as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law (including, without limitation, in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by any such Person to enforce his or her rights under this Section 8.07). Without limiting the foregoing, PubCo shall, and shall cause the Surviving Company and its Subsidiaries to, (i) maintain for a period of not less than six years from the Effective Time provisions in its certificate of incorporation (if applicable), bylaws and other organizational documents concerning the indemnification and exoneration (including provisions relating to expense advancement) of officers and directors that are no less favorable to those Persons than the provisions of such certificates of incorporation (if applicable), bylaws and other organizational documents as of the date of this Agreement and (ii) not amend, repeal or otherwise modify such provisions in any respect that would adversely affect the rights of those Persons thereunder, in each case, except as required by Law. PubCo shall assume, and be liable for, and shall cause the Surviving Company and their respective Subsidiaries to honor, each of the covenants in this Section 8.07.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, this Section 8.07 shall survive the consummation of the Merger indefinitely and shall be binding, jointly and severally, on PubCo and the Surviving Company and all successors and assigns of PubCo and the Surviving Company. In the event that PubCo, the Surviving Company or any of their respective successors or assigns consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person or effects any division transaction, then, and in each such case, PubCo and the Surviving Company shall ensure that proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of PubCo or the Surviving Company, as the case may be, shall succeed to the obligations set forth in this Section 8.07. The obligations of PubCo and the Surviving Company under this Section 8.07 shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to materially and adversely affect any present and former director or officer of the Company, or other person that may be a director or officer of the Company prior to the Effective Time, to whom this Section 8.07 applies without the consent of the affected Person. The rights of each person entitled to indemnification or advancement hereunder shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights such Person may have under the Company Certificate of Incorporation, the bylaws of the Company, any other indemnification arrangement, any applicable law, rule or regulation or otherwise. The provisions of this Section 8.07 are expressly intended to benefit, and are enforceable by, each Person entitled to indemnification or advancement hereunder and their respective successors, heirs and representatives, each of whom is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Section 8.07.

 

8.08 HSR Act and Regulatory Approvals.

 

(a) In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each of Acquiror and the Company shall comply promptly but in no event later than ten (10) Business Days after the date hereof with the notification and reporting requirements of the HSR Act, if applicable. Each of Acquiror and the Company shall furnish to the other as promptly as reasonably practicable all information required for any application or other filing to be made by such other party pursuant to any Antitrust Law, if applicable. Each of Acquiror and the Company shall substantially comply with any Information or Document Requests.

 

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(b) Each of Acquiror and the Company shall request early termination of any waiting period under the HSR Act, if applicable, and exercise its reasonable best efforts to (i) obtain termination or expiration of the waiting period under the HSR Act, if applicable, and consents or approvals pursuant to any other applicable Antitrust Laws, (ii) prevent the entry in any Action brought by a Regulatory Consent Authority or any other Person of any Governmental Order which would prohibit, make unlawful or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (iii) if any such Governmental Order is issued in any such Action, cause such Governmental Order to be lifted.

 

(c) Each of Acquiror and the Company shall cooperate in good faith with the Regulatory Consent Authorities and exercise its reasonable best efforts to undertake promptly any and all action required to complete lawfully the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as soon as practicable (but in any event prior to the Termination Date) and any and all action necessary or advisable to avoid, prevent, eliminate or remove any impediment under Antitrust Law or the actual or threatened commencement of any proceeding in any forum by or on behalf of any Regulatory Consent Authority or the issuance of any Governmental Order that would delay, enjoin, prevent, restrain or otherwise prohibit the consummation of the Merger. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of Acquiror and the Company shall, and shall cause its respective Subsidiaries (as applicable) to, (i) propose, negotiate, commit to and effect, by consent decree, hold separate orders or otherwise, the sale, divesture, disposition, or license of any investments, assets, properties, products, rights, services or businesses of such party or any interest therein, and (ii) otherwise take or commit to take any actions that would limit such party’s freedom of action with respect to, or its or their ability to retain any assets, properties, products, rights, services or businesses of such party, or any interest or interests therein; provided, that any such action contemplated by this Section 8.08(c) is conditioned upon the consummation of the Merger. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 8.08 or any other provision of this Agreement shall require or obligate the Company’s Affiliates and investors, the Acquiror’s Affiliates and investors, including the Sponsor, their respective Affiliates and any investment funds or investment vehicles affiliated with, or managed or advised by, Acquiror’s Affiliates and investors, including the Sponsor, or any portfolio company (as such term is commonly understood in the private equity industry) or investment of Acquiror’s Affiliates and investors including, the Sponsor, or of any such investment fund or investment vehicle to take any action in connection with avoiding, preventing, eliminating or removing any impediment under Antitrust Law with respect to the Transactions, including selling, divesting, or otherwise disposing of, licensing, holding separate, or taking or committing to take any action that limits in any respect such Person’s or entity’s freedom of action with respect to, or its ability to retain, any business, products, rights, services, licenses, assets or properties of such Person or entity or any of such entity’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any interest therein.

 

(d) Each of the Acquiror and the Company shall promptly notify the other of any substantive communication with, and furnish to such other party copies of any notices or written communications received by, Acquiror or the Company, as applicable, or any of its respective Affiliates and any third party or Governmental Authority with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and each of the Acquiror and the Company shall permit counsel to such other party an opportunity to review in advance, and each of Acquiror and the Company shall consider in good faith the views of such other party’s counsel in connection with, any proposed communications by Acquiror or the Company, as applicable, and/or its respective Affiliates to any Governmental Authority concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that neither Acquiror nor the Company shall extend any waiting period or comparable period under the HSR Act, if applicable, or enter into any agreement with any Governmental Authority without the written consent of such other party. Each of the Acquiror and the Company agrees to provide, to the extent permitted by the applicable Governmental Authority, such other party and its counsel the opportunity, on reasonable advance notice, to participate in any substantive meetings or discussions, either in person or by telephone, between such party and/or any of its Affiliates, agents or advisors, on the one hand, and any Governmental Authority, on the other hand, concerning or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. Any materials exchanged in connection with this Section 8.07 may be redacted or withheld as necessary to address reasonable privilege or confidentiality concerns, and to remove references concerning the valuation of the Company or the Acquiror, as applicable, or other competitively sensitive material; provided, that each of Acquiror and the Company may, as it deems advisable and necessary, designate any materials provided to such other party under this Section 8.07 as “outside counsel only.” Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 8.07 or any other provision of this Agreement shall require or obligate the Company or any of its investors or Affiliates to, and Acquiror shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, agree or otherwise be required to, take any action with respect to the Company, or such investors or Affiliates, including selling, divesting, or otherwise disposing of, licensing, holding separate, or taking or committing to take any action that limits in any respect its freedom of action with respect to, or its ability to retain, any business, products, rights, services, licenses, assets or properties of the Company or such investors or Affiliates, or any interest therein.

 

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(e) Acquiror and Company shall each be responsible for one-half of all filing fees, if any, payable to the Regulatory Consent Authorities in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(f) Each of Acquiror and the Company shall not, and shall cause its respective Subsidiaries (as applicable) not to, acquire or agree to acquire, by merging with or into or consolidating with, or by purchasing a portion of the assets of or equity in, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division thereof, or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any assets, or take any other action, if the entering into of a definitive agreement relating to, or the consummation of such acquisition, merger or consolidation, or the taking of any other action, would reasonably be expected to: (i) impose any delay in the obtaining of, or increase the risk of not obtaining, any authorizations, consents, orders or declarations of any Regulatory Consent Authorities or the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period; (ii) increase the risk of any Governmental Authority entering an order prohibiting the consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby; (iii) increase the risk of not being able to remove any such order on appeal or otherwise; or (iv) delay or prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the restrictions and obligations set forth in this Section 8.08(f) shall not apply to or be binding upon Acquiror’s Affiliates, the Sponsor, their respective Affiliates or any investment funds or investment vehicles affiliated with, or managed or advised by, Acquiror’s Affiliates, the Sponsor, or any portfolio company (as such term is commonly understood in the private equity industry) or investment of Acquiror’s Affiliates, the Sponsor, or any such investment fund or investment vehicle.

 

8.09 Employee Matters. The Company and the Acquiror shall cooperate in good faith to identify certain employees of the Company who shall enter into new employment agreements in a form to be reasonably agreed upon between the Company and the Acquiror to be effective on the Closing Date.

 

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8.10 Non-Solicitation; Acquisition Proposals.

 

(a) Except as expressly permitted by this Section 8.10, from the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time or, if earlier, the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 11.01, each Party shall not, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its Representatives not to, directly or indirectly, (i) initiate, solicit or knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate any inquiries or requests for information with respect to, or the making of, any inquiry regarding, or any proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to result in or lead to, any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any negotiations or discussions concerning, or provide access to its properties, books and records or any confidential information or data to, any Person (other than a Party to this Agreement) relating to any proposal, offer, inquiry or request for information that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to result in or lead to, any Acquisition Proposal, (iii) approve, endorse or recommend, or propose publicly to approve, endorse or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal, (iv) execute or enter into, any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, confidentiality agreement, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, exchange agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement, option agreement or other similar agreement for or relating to any Acquisition Proposal or (v) resolve or agree to do any of the foregoing. Each Party also agrees that immediately following the execution of this Agreement it shall and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its Representatives to, cease any solicitations, discussions or negotiations with any Person (other than the Parties and their respective Representatives) conducted heretofore in connection with an Acquisition Proposal or any inquiry or request for information that could reasonably be expected to lead to, or result in, an Acquisition Proposal.

 

(b) The Company also agrees that within three (3) Business Days of the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall request each Person (other than the parties and their respective Representatives) that has prior to the date hereof executed a confidentiality agreement in connection with its consideration of acquiring the Company (and with whom the Company has had contact in the three (3) months prior to the date of this Agreement regarding the acquisition of the Company) to return or destroy all confidential information furnished to such Person by or on behalf of it or any of its subsidiaries prior to the date hereof and terminate access to any physical or electronic data room maintained by or on behalf of the Company. The Company shall promptly (and in any event within one Business Day) notify, in writing, Acquiror of the receipt of any inquiry, proposal, offer or request for information received after the date hereof that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to result in or lead to, any Acquisition Proposal. The Company shall promptly (and in any event within two Business Days) keep Acquiror reasonably informed of any material developments with respect to any such inquiry, proposal, offer, request for information or Acquisition Proposal (including any material changes thereto). Without limiting the foregoing, it is understood that any violation of the restrictions contained in this Section 6.06 by any Party’s Representatives acting on such Party’s behalf shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 6.06 by such Party.

 

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(c) For purposes of this Section 6.06, “Acquisition Proposal” means any proposal or offer from any Person or “group” (as defined in the Exchange Act) (other than Acquiror, Merger Sub or their respective Affiliates) relating to and Alternative Transaction. An “Alternative Transaction” means (A) with respect to the Company, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, (i) any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of a business that constitutes 20% or more of the net revenues, net income or assets of the Company, (ii) any direct or indirect acquisition of 20% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company (based on the fair market value thereof, as determined in good faith by the Company Board), including through the acquisition of one or more subsidiaries of the Company owning such assets, (iii) acquisition of beneficial ownership, or the right to acquire beneficial ownership, of 20% or more of the total voting power of the equity securities of the Company, any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any Person beneficially owning 20% or more of the total voting power of the equity securities of the Company, or any merger, reorganization, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving the Company (or any subsidiary of the Company whose business constitutes 20% or more of the net revenues, net income or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole) or (iv) any issuance or sale or other disposition (including by way of merger, reorganization, division, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction) of 20% or more of the total voting power of the equity securities of the Company; and (B) with respect to the Acquiror and Merger Sub, a transaction (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) concerning an initial business combination for Acquiror.

 

Article IX
CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS

 

9.01 Conditions to Obligations of All Parties. The obligations of the parties hereto to consummate, or cause to be consummated, the Merger are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived (if legally permitted) in a joint writing duly executed by all of such parties:

 

(a) HSR Act. The applicable waiting period(s) under the HSR Act in respect of the Transactions shall have expired or been terminated.

 

(b) No Prohibition. There shall not have been enacted or promulgated any Governmental Order, statute, rule or regulation enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions.

 

(c) Offer Completion. The Offer shall have been completed in accordance with the terms hereof, the Acquiror Organizational Documents and the Proxy Statement.

 

(d) Net Tangible Assets. The Acquiror shall not have redeemed shares of Acquiror Common Stock in the Offer in an amount that would cause Acquiror to have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Exchange Act).

 

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(e) Acquiror Stockholder Approval. The Acquiror Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained.

 

(f) Company Requisite Approval. The Company Requisite Approval shall have been obtained.

 

(g) Listing. PubCo’s Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Transactions (including the Earnout Shares) shall have been approved for listing on Nasdaq subject only to official notice of issuance thereof.

 

9.02 Additional Conditions to Obligations of Acquiror. The obligations of Acquiror to consummate, or cause to be consummated, the Merger are subject to the satisfaction of the following additional conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing by Acquiror:

 

(a) Representations and Warranties.

 

(i) Each of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in the first sentence of Section 4.01(a) (Due Incorporation), Section 4.03 (Due Authorization), Section 4.06 (Capitalization) and Section 4.16 (Broker’s Fees) and shall be true and correct (without giving any effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein) in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though then made (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, and in such case, shall be true and correct on and as of such earlier date).

 

(ii) Each of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement (other than the representations and warranties of the Company described in Section 9.02(a)(i) and (ii)) shall be true and correct (without giving any effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein) as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though then made (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, and in such case, shall be true and correct on and as of such earlier date), except, in either case, where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) Agreements and Covenants. Each of the covenants of the Company to be performed or complied with as of or prior to the Closing shall have been performed or complied with in all material respects.

 

(c) Officer’s Certificate. The Company shall have delivered to Acquiror a certificate signed by an officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date, certifying that, to the knowledge and belief of such officer, the conditions specified in Section 9.02(a) and Section 9.02(b) have been fulfilled.

 

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(d) Earnout Escrow Agreement. The Stockholder Representative shall deliver to the Company a duly executed counterpart of the Earnout Escrow Agreement.

 

(e) Director Nomination Agreement. The Company shall deliver to Acquiror a counterpart of the Director Nomination Agreement, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit G (the “Director Nomination Agreement”) duly executed by Company, which shall be effective immediately following the Effective Time.

 

(f) Lock-Up Agreements. The persons listed on Schedule 9.02(f) shall have entered into a Lock-up Agreement.

 

9.03 Additional Conditions to the Obligations of the Company. The obligation of the Company to consummate the Merger is subject to the satisfaction of the following additional conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing by the Company:

 

(a) Representations and Warranties.

 

(i) Each of the representations and warranties of Acquiror and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement (other than the representations and warranties of Acquiror and Merger Sub contained in Section 5.15 (Capitalization)) (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality”, “material adverse effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as if made anew at and as of that time, except with respect to representations and warranties which speak as to an earlier date, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects at and as of such date.

 

(ii) The representations and warranties of Acquiror and Merger Sub contained in Section 5.15 (Capitalization) shall be true and correct in all respects, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (immediately prior to the effectiveness of the PubCo Charter), as if made anew at and as of that time.

 

(b) Agreements and Covenants. Each of the covenants of Acquiror to be performed or complied with as of or prior to the Closing shall have been performed or complied with in all material respects.

 

(c) Officer’s Certificate. Acquiror and Merger Sub shall have delivered to the Company a certificate signed by an officer of Acquiror, dated the Closing Date, certifying that, to the knowledge and belief of such officer, the conditions specified in Section 9.03(a) and Section 9.03(b) have been fulfilled.

 

(d) PubCo Charter. The Certificate of Incorporation shall be amended and restated in the form of the PubCo Charter.

 

(e) Earnout Escrow Agreement. Acquiror shall deliver to the Company a duly executed counterpart of the Earnout Escrow Agreement, including the deposit of the Earnout Shares.

 

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(f) Director Nomination Agreement. Acquiror shall deliver to the Company a counterpart of the Director Nomination Agreement, duly executed by the Sponsor to be effective immediately following the Effective Time.

 

(g) Minimum Cash Condition. The aggregate cash available to Acquiror at the Closing from the Trust Account and the Equity Financing (after giving effect to the redemption of any shares of Acquiror Common Stock in connection with the Offer and the payment of the Outstanding Acquiror Expenses and the Outstanding Company Expenses) shall equal or exceed $50,000,000 (the “Minimum Cash Condition”).

 

Article X
TERMINATION/EFFECTIVENESS

 

10.01 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby abandoned:

 

(a) by written consent of the Company and Acquiror;

 

(b) prior to the Closing, by written notice to the Company from Acquiror if (i) there is any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of the Company set forth in this Agreement (or any breach on the part of the applicable Company Stockholder that is a party to a Company Support Agreement of Section 1 of such Company Support Agreement), such that the conditions specified in Section 9.02(a) or Section 9.02(b) would not be satisfied at the Closing (a “Terminating Company Breach”), except that, if such Terminating Company Breach is curable by the Company through the exercise of its commercially reasonable efforts, then, for a period of up to 30 days (or any shorter period of the time that remains between the date Acquiror provides written notice of such violation or breach and the Termination Date) after receipt by the Company of notice from Acquiror of such breach (the “Company Cure Period”), such termination shall not be effective, and such termination shall become effective only if the Terminating Company Breach is not cured within the Company Cure Period, (ii) the Closing has not occurred on or before June 30, 2022 (such applicable date, the “Termination Date”), or (iii) the consummation of the Merger is permanently enjoined or prohibited by the terms of a final, non-appealable Governmental Order or a statute, rule or regulation; provided that the right to terminate this Agreement under Section 10.01(b)(ii) shall not be available if the failure of Acquiror or Merger Sub to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been the primary cause of, or primarily resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or before such date;

 

(c) prior to the Closing, by written notice to Acquiror from the Company if (i) there is any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of Acquiror or Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement (or any breach on the part of the applicable holder of shares of Acquiror Common Stock that is a party to the Sponsor Support Agreement of Section 1 of such Sponsor Support Agreement), such that the conditions specified in Section 9.03(a) or Section 9.03(b) would not be satisfied at the Closing (a “Terminating Acquiror Breach”), except that, if any such Terminating Acquiror Breach is curable by Acquiror or Merger Sub, as applicable, through the exercise of its commercially reasonable efforts, then, for a period of up to 30 days (or any shorter period of the time that remains between the date the Company provides written notice of such violation or breach and the Termination Date) after receipt by Acquiror of notice from the Company of such breach (the “Acquiror Cure Period”), such termination shall not be effective, and such termination shall become effective only if the Terminating Acquiror Breach is not cured within the Acquiror Cure Period, (ii) the Closing has not occurred on or before the Termination Date, (iii) the consummation of the Merger is permanently enjoined or prohibited by the terms of a final, non-appealable Governmental Order or a statute, rule or regulation; provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under Section 10.01(c)(ii) shall not be available if the Company’s material failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been the primary cause of, or primarily resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or before such date; or

 

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(d) by written notice from either the Company or Acquiror to the other if the Acquiror Stockholder Approval is not obtained at the Special Meeting (subject to any adjournment or recess of the meeting).

 

10.02 Effect of Termination. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 10.02, in the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.01, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability on the part of any party hereto or its respective Affiliates, officers, directors, employees or stockholders, other than liability of any party hereto for any Willful Breach of this Agreement by such party occurring prior to such termination subject to Section 6.05. The provisions of Sections 6.05, 8.05, 10.02 and Article XI (collectively, the “Surviving Provisions”) and the Confidentiality Agreement, and any other Section or Article of this Agreement referenced in the Surviving Provisions, which are required to survive in order to give appropriate effect to the Surviving Provisions, shall in each case survive any termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a failure by Acquiror and Merger Sub to close in accordance with this Agreement when they are obligated to do so shall be deemed to be a Willful Breach of this Agreement.

 

Article XI
MISCELLANEOUS

 

11.01 Waiver. Any party to this Agreement may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law at any time prior to the Closing and before or after stockholder adoption of this Agreement, by action taken by its board of directors, or officers thereunto duly authorized, waive any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, or by action taken by its board of directors and without further action on the part of its stockholders to the extent permitted by applicable law, agree to an amendment or modification to this Agreement in the manner contemplated by Section 11.10 and by an agreement in writing executed in the same manner (but not necessarily by the same Persons) as this Agreement.

 

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11.02 Notices. All notices and other communications among the parties shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) when delivered in person, (ii) when delivered after posting in the United States mail having been sent registered or certified mail return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (iii) when delivered by FedEx (or other nationally recognized overnight delivery service) or (iv) when e-mailed during normal business hours (and otherwise as of the immediately following Business Day), addressed as follows:

 

(a) If to Acquiror or Merger Sub, to:

 

CleanTech Acquisition Corp.

207 W. 25th Street, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10001

Attention: Eli Spiro

E-mail: espiro@axxcesscapital.com

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

Attn: Giovanni Caruso

Email: gcaruso@loeb.com

 

(b) If to the Company to:

 

Nauticus Robotics, Inc.

17146 Feathercraft Lane, Suite 450

Webster, TX 77598

Attention: Nicolaus Radford, CEO & CTO

Email: nradford@nauticusrobotics.com

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Winston & Strawn LLP

800 Capitol Street, Suite 2400

Houston, TX 77002

Attn: Michael Blankenship

Facsimile No.: (713) 651-2678

Email: mblankenship@winston.com

 

or to such other address or addresses as the parties may from time to time designate in writing.

 

11.03 Assignment. No party hereto shall assign this Agreement or any part hereof without the prior written consent of the other parties. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns. Any attempted assignment in violation of the terms of this Section 11.03 shall be null and void, ab initio.

 

11.04 Rights of Third Parties. Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any Person, other than the parties hereto, any right or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing (a) in the event the Closing occurs, the present and former officers and directors of the Company and Acquiror (and their successors, heirs and representatives) are intended third-party beneficiaries of, and may enforce, Section 8.07 and (b) the past, present and future directors, officers, employees, incorporators, members, partners, stockholders, Affiliates, agents, attorneys, advisors and representatives of the parties, and any Affiliate of any of the foregoing (and their successors, heirs and representatives), are intended third-party beneficiaries of, and may enforce, Sections 11.14 and 11.16.

 

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11.05 Expenses. Except as otherwise provided herein (including Section  3.09, Section 8.08(e)) and Section 8.04(a)), each party hereto shall bear its own expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions herein contemplated whether or not such transactions shall be consummated, including all fees of its legal counsel, financial advisers and accountants.

 

11.06 Governing Law. This Agreement, the Transactions and all claims or causes of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles or rules of conflict of laws to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of Laws of another jurisdiction.

 

11.07 Captions; Counterparts. The captions in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part of or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

11.08 Schedules and Exhibits. The Schedules and Exhibits referenced herein are a part of this Agreement as if fully set forth herein. All references herein to Schedules and Exhibits shall be deemed references to such parts of this Agreement, unless the context shall otherwise require. Any disclosure made by a party in the Schedules with reference to any section or schedule of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a disclosure with respect to all other sections or schedules to which such disclosure may apply solely to the extent the relevance of such disclosure is reasonably apparent on the face of the disclosure in such Schedule. Certain information set forth in the Schedules is included solely for informational purposes.

 

11.09 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement) and that certain Confidentiality Agreement, dated August 11, 2021, between Acquiror and the Company (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), constitute the entire agreement among the parties relating to the transactions contemplated hereby and supersede any other agreements, whether written or oral, that may have been made or entered into by or among any of the parties hereto or any of their respective Subsidiaries relating to the transactions contemplated hereby. No representations, warranties, covenants, understandings, agreements, oral or otherwise, relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement exist between the parties except as expressly set forth or referenced in this Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement.

 

11.10 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended or modified in whole or in part, only by a duly authorized agreement in writing executed in the same manner as this Agreement and which makes reference to this Agreement. The approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of any of the parties shall not restrict the ability of the board of directors of any of the parties to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.01 or to cause such party to enter into an amendment to this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.10.

 

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11.11 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. The parties further agree that if any provision contained herein is, to any extent, held invalid or unenforceable in any respect under the Laws governing this Agreement, they shall take any actions necessary to render the remaining provisions of this Agreement valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law and, to the extent necessary, shall amend or otherwise modify this Agreement to replace any provision contained herein that is held invalid or unenforceable with a valid and enforceable provision giving effect to the intent of the parties.

 

11.12 Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. Any Action based upon, arising out of or related to this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court declines to exercise jurisdiction, any federal or state court located in the State of Delaware, and each of the parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such Action, waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction, venue or to convenience of forum, agrees that all claims in respect of the Action shall be heard and determined only in any such court, and agrees not to bring any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in any other court. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect the right of any party to serve process in any manner permitted by Law, or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against any other party in any other jurisdiction, in each case, to enforce judgments obtained in any Action brought pursuant to this Section 11.12. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

11.13 Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable damage for which monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy, would occur in the event that the parties do not perform their obligations under the provisions of this Agreement (including failing to take such actions as are required of them hereunder to consummate this Agreement) in accordance with its specified terms or otherwise breach such provisions. The parties acknowledge and agree that (a) the parties shall be entitled to an injunction, specific performance, or other equitable relief, to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, without proof of damages, prior to the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.01, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled under this Agreement, and (b) the right of specific enforcement is an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and without that right, none of the parties would have entered into this Agreement. Each party agrees that it will not oppose the granting of specific performance and other equitable relief on the basis that the other parties have an adequate remedy at Law or that an award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at Law or equity. The parties acknowledge and agree that any party seeking an injunction to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in accordance with this Section 11.13(a) shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with any such injunction.

 

11.14 Non-Recourse. This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may only be brought against, the Named Parties, and then only with respect to the specific obligations set forth herein or in an Ancillary Agreement with respect to such Named Party. Except to the extent a Named Party to this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement and then only to the extent of the specific obligations undertaken by such Named Party in this Agreement or in the applicable Ancillary Agreement, (a) no past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, stockholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney, advisor or representative or Affiliate of any named party to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, and (b) no past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, stockholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney, advisor or representative or Affiliate of any of the foregoing shall have any liability (whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise) for any one or more of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or other obligations or liabilities of any one or more of the Company, Acquiror or Merger Sub under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement of or for any claim based on, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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11.15 Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. Except in the case of Fraud, none of the representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or other agreements in this Agreement or in any certificate, statement or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement, including any rights arising out of any breach of such representations, warranties, covenants, obligations, agreements and other provisions, shall survive the Closing and shall terminate and expire upon the occurrence of the Effective Time (and there shall be no liability after the Closing in respect thereof), except for (a) those covenants and agreements contained herein or in any Ancillary Agreement that by their terms expressly apply in whole or in part after the Closing and then only with respect to any breaches occurring after the Closing, and (b) this Article XI.

 

11.16 Stockholder Representative.

 

(a) Upon approval by the Company Stockholders, each Company Stockholder shall be deemed to have irrevocably appointed the Founder as its representative and attorney-in-fact (in such capacity, the “Stockholder Representative”) to serve as the Stockholder Representative for and on behalf of the Company Stockholders with respect to matters relating to the Earnout Shares, including (i) sending or receiving notices or communications, (ii) entering into amendments or providing waivers of this Agreement or other Ancillary Agreements, (iii) making decisions with respect to the distribution and allocation of the Earnout Shares, (iv) retaining counsel, experts and other agents (any representatives so retained, the “Retained Agents”), and (v) entering into any settlement or submitting any dispute relating to the Earnout Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Stockholder Representative shall have no obligation to act. The Stockholder Representative shall have no liability to any Company Stockholder (or any other Person) with respect to actions taken or omitted to be taken in its capacity as the Stockholder Representative. In the absence of bad faith by the Stockholder Representative, the Stockholder Representative shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the opinions and advice of any Retained Agents; and the fact that any act was taken or omitted to be taken pursuant to the advice of counsel will be conclusive evidence of good faith. The Stockholder Representative may resign at any time after giving 30 days’ notice to the Company and the Company Stockholders; provided, however, in the event of the resignation or removal of the Stockholder Representative, a successor stockholder representative shall be appointed by the Founder.

 

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(b) The Stockholder Representative shall be reimbursed by PubCo for any and all reasonable and documented expenses, disbursements, costs and advances (including fees and disbursements of Retained Agents) incurred by the Stockholder Representative in his capacity as such.

 

(c) To the fullest extent permitted by Law, PubCo shall indemnify the Stockholder Representative and hold the Stockholder Representative harmless against any actions, suits, proceedings, claims, costs, amounts paid in settlement, liabilities, losses, damages, and other expenses arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the Stockholder Representative’s duties hereunder.

 

(d) A decision, act, consent or instruction of the Stockholder Representative shall constitute a decision of all Company Stockholders and shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all Company Stockholders. Acquiror is hereby entitled to rely on all statements, representations and decisions of the Stockholder Representative and shall have no liability to the Company Stockholders and the Stockholder Representative in connection with any actions taken or not taken in reliance on such statements, representations and decisions of the Stockholder Representative.

 

11.17 Acknowledgments. Each of the parties acknowledges and agrees (on its own behalf and on behalf of its respective Affiliates and its and their respective Representatives) that: (i) it has conducted its own independent investigation of the financial condition, results of operations, assets, liabilities, properties and projected operations of the other parties (and their respective Subsidiaries) and has been afforded satisfactory access to the books and records, facilities and personnel of the other parties (and their respective Subsidiaries) for purposes of conducting such investigation; (ii) the Company Representations constitute the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby; (iii) the Acquiror and Merger Sub Representations constitute the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of Acquiror and Merger Sub; (iv) except for the Company Representations by the Company, the Acquiror and Merger Sub Representations by Acquiror and Merger Sub, none of the parties hereto or any other Person makes, or has made, any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to any party hereto (or any party’s Affiliates) or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all other representations and warranties of any kind or nature expressed or implied (including (x) regarding the completeness or accuracy of, or any omission to state or to disclose, any information, including in the estimates, projections or forecasts or any other information, document or material provided to or made available to any party hereto or their respective Affiliates or Representatives in certain “data rooms,” management presentations or in any other form in expectation of the Transactions, including meetings, calls or correspondence with management of any party hereto (or any party’s Subsidiaries), and (y) any relating to the future or historical business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, prospects, assets or liabilities of any party hereto (or its Subsidiaries), or the quality, quantity or condition of any party’s or its Subsidiaries’ assets) are specifically disclaimed by all parties hereto and their respective Subsidiaries and all other Persons (including the Representatives and Affiliates of any party hereto or its Subsidiaries); and (v) each party hereto and its respective Affiliates and its and their respective Representatives are not relying on and have not relied on, any representations or warranties in connection with the Transactions or otherwise except the Company Representations by the Company, the Acquiror and Merger Sub Representations by Acquiror and Merger Sub and the other representations expressly made by a Person in the the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Company Support Agreements, the Earnout Escrow Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement (each of which is being made solely by the Person expressly making such representation in the applicable Ancillary Agreement and not by any other Person).

 

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Acquiror, Merger Sub, the Company and the Stockholder Representative have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  CLEANTECH ACQUSITION CORP
     
  By:

/s/ Eli Spiro

    Name: 

Eli Spiro

    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

     
  CLEANTECH MERGER SUB, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Eli Spiro
    Name:   Eli Spiro 
    Title: Managing Member

 

  NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC.
         
  By: /s/ Nicholaus A. Radford
    Name:  

Nicholaus A. Radford

    Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

  STOCKHOLDER REPRESENTATIVE
                        
  /s/ Nicholaus Radford
  Name:

Nicholaus Radford

 

 

 

 

Exhibit a

 

Form of AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

 

OF

 

[NAUTICUS ROBOTICS INC.]

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
ARTICLE I STOCKHOLDERS A-1
   
1.1 Place of Meetings A-1
1.2 Annual Meeting A-1
1.3 Special Meetings A-1
1.4 Notice of Meetings A-1
1.5 Voting List A-2
1.6 Quorum A-2
1.7 Adjournments A-2
1.8 Voting and Proxies A-3
1.9 Action at Meeting A-3
1.10 Nomination of Directors A-3
1.11 Notice of Business to be Brought Before a Meeting A-6
1.12 Conduct of Meetings A-9
     
ARTICLE II DIRECTORS A-10
   
2.1 General Powers A-10
2.2 Number, Election and Term A-10
2.3 Chairperson of the Board; Vice Chairperson of the Board A-10
2.4 Terms of Office A-11
2.5 Quorum A-11
2.6 Action at Meeting A-11
2.7 Removal A-11
2.8 Newly Created Directorships; Vacancies A-11
2.9 Resignation A-11
2.10 Regular Meetings A-11
2.11 Special Meetings A-11
2.12 Notice of Special Meetings A-12
2.13 Meetings by Conference Communications Equipment A-12
2.14 Action by Consent A-12
2.15 Committees A-12
2.16 Compensation of Directors A-12

 

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ARTICLE III OFFICERS A-13
   
3.1 Titles A-13
3.2 Election A-13
3.3 Qualification A-13
3.4 Tenure A-13
3.5 Resignation and Removal A-13
3.6 Vacancies A-13
3.7 President; Chief Executive Officer A-13
3.8 Vice Presidents A-14
3.9 Secretary and Assistant Secretaries A-14
3.10 Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers A-14
3.11 Salaries A-15
3.12 Delegation of Authority A-15
     
ARTICLE IV CAPITAL STOCK A-15
   
4.1 Stock Certificates; Uncertificated Shares A-15
4.2 Transfers A-16
4.3 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates A-16
4.4 Record Date A-16
4.5 Regulations A-17
     
ARTICLE V GENERAL PROVISIONS A-17
   
5.1 Fiscal Year A-17
5.2 Corporate Seal A-17
5.3 Waiver of Notice A-17
5.4 Voting of Securities A-17
5.5 Evidence of Authority A-17
5.6 Certificate of Incorporation A-17
5.7 Severability A-18
5.8 Pronouns A-18
5.9 Electronic Transmission A-18

 

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ARTICLE VI AMENDMENTS A-18
   
ARTICLE VII INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT A-18
   
7.1 Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings other than Those by or in the Right of the Corporation A-18
7.2 Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation A-18
7.3 Authorization of Indemnification A-19
7.4 Good Faith Defined A-19
7.5 Right of Claimant to Bring Suit A-20
7.6 Expenses Payable in Advance A-20
7.7 Nonexclusivity of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses A-20
7.8 Insurance A-21
7.9 Certain Definitions A-21
7.10 Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses A-21
7.11 Limitation on Indemnification A-21
7.12 Contract Rights A-21

 

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ARTICLE I

STOCKHOLDERS

 

1.1 Place of Meetings. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, if any, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of [Nauticus Robotics Inc.], (the “Corporation”), the Chairperson of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer or, if not so designated, at the principal office of the Corporation.

 

1.2 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting shall be held on a date and at a time designated by the Board, the Chairperson of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. The Corporation may postpone, recess, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled annual meeting of stockholders.

 

1.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by only the Board, the Chairperson of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, and may not be called by any other person or persons; provided that, prior to the Final Conversion Date (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), special meetings of stockholders for any purpose or purposes may also be called by or at the request of stockholders of the Corporation collectively holding shares of capital stock of the Corporation with voting power sufficient to provide the Requisite Stockholder Consent (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation). Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting. The Corporation may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that with respect to any special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation previously scheduled at the request of the Requisite Stockholder Consent, the Corporation shall not postpose, reschedule or cancel any such special meeting without the prior written consent of the stockholders who comprised the Requisite Stockholder Consent.

 

1.4 Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, notice of each meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation shall be effective if given by electronic transmission in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The notices of all meetings shall state the place, if any, date and time of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting). The notice of a special meeting shall state, in addition, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. If notice is given by mail, such notice shall be deemed given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. If notice is given by electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed given at the time specified in Section 232 of the DGCL.

 

 

 

 

1.5 Voting List. The Corporation shall prepare, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder; provided, that such list shall not be required to contain the electronic mail address or other electronic contact information of any stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting: (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (b) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be examined by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then such list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger contemplated by this Section 1.5 shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this Section 1.5 or entitled to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

1.6 Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, at each meeting of stockholders the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; provided, however, that where a separate vote by a class or classes or series of capital stock is required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of such class or classes or series of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on such matter, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to the vote on such matter. A quorum, once established at a meeting, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum.

 

1.7 Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned from time to time to any other time and to the same or some other place at which a meeting of stockholders may be held under these Bylaws by the Board, the chairperson of the meeting or, if directed to be voted on by the chairperson of the meeting, by a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, although less than a quorum. It shall not be necessary to notify any stockholder of any adjournment of thirty (30) days or less if the time and place of the adjourned meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting, are announced at the meeting at which adjournment is taken, unless after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting (in which case the Board shall fix the same or an earlier date as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record as of such date). At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

 

Exhibit A-2

 

 

1.8 Voting and Proxies. Each stockholder of record entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may vote in person or may authorize another person or persons to vote for such stockholder by proxy. Except as otherwise limited therein, proxies shall entitle the persons authorized thereby to vote at any adjournment of such meeting. Proxies shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation. No such proxy shall be voted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy expressly provides for a longer period. A proxy may be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power, regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the Corporation generally. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary of the Corporation.

 

1.9 Action at Meeting. When a quorum is present at any meeting, any matter other than the election of directors to be voted upon by the stockholders at such meeting shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of all of the shares of stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and voting affirmatively or negatively on such matter (or if one or more class, classes or series of stock are entitled to vote as a separate class or series, then a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the shares of stock of such class, classes or series entitled to vote as a separate class or series present or represented by proxy at the meeting and voting affirmatively or negatively on such matter), except when a different or minimum vote is required by law, regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, in which case such different or minimum vote shall be the required vote on such matter. When a quorum is present at any meeting, in any election by stockholders of directors other than in a contested election, directors shall be elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in favor or against the election of a nominee at a meeting of stockholders. In a contested election, (i) the directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders by the holders of stock entitled to vote in such election, and (ii) stockholders shall not be permitted to vote against a nominee. An election shall be considered contested if, as of the tenth (10th) day preceding the date on which the Corporation first mails its notice of meeting for such meeting to the stockholders of the Corporation, there are more nominees for election than directorships on the Board to be filled by election at the meeting.

 

1.10 Nomination of Directors.

 

(A) Except for any directors entitled to be elected by the holders of preferred stock, at any meeting of stockholders, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures in this Section 1.10 shall be eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board at an annual meeting of stockholders or a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting may be made (i) by or at the direction of the Board or any duly authorized committee thereof or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (x) timely complies with the notice procedures in Section 1.10(B), (y) is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of such notice and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (z) is entitled to vote at such meeting and on such election.

 

Exhibit A-3

 

 

(B) To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received in writing by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation as follows: (i) in the case of an election of directors at an annual meeting of stockholders, not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (which date of the preceding year’s annual meeting shall, for purposes of Sections 1.10 and 1.11 hereof with respect to the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders following the [listing of its shares on a national securities exchange], be deemed to have occurred on _________ ___, 20221); provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than thirty (30) days, or delayed by more than seventy (70), from the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice must be so received not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (A) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and (B) the tenth day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting is first made; or (ii) in the case of an election of directors at a special meeting of stockholders, provided that directors are to be elected at such special meeting as set forth in the Corporation’s notice of meeting and provided further that the nomination made by the stockholder is for one of the director positions that the notice of meeting states will be filled at such special meeting, not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the 90th day prior to such special meeting and (y) the tenth day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such special meeting for the election of directors is first made. The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at a meeting (or in the case of a stockholder giving the notice on behalf of a beneficial owner, the number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at the meeting on behalf of such beneficial owner) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the adjournment or postponement of a meeting (or the public disclosure thereof) commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice.

 

The stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth: (A) as to each proposed nominee (1) such person’s name, age, business address and, if known, residence address, (2) such person’s principal occupation or employment, (3) the class(es) and series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned, beneficially or of record, by such person, (4) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among (x) the stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made and the respective affiliates and associates of, or others acting in concert with, such stockholder and such beneficial owner, on the one hand, and (y) each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert with such nominee(s), on the other hand, including all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith were the “registrant” for purposes of such Item and the proposed nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, and (5) any other information concerning such person that must be disclosed as to nominees in proxy solicitations pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”); and (B) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made (1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (2) the class(es) and series and number of shares of stock of the corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned, beneficially or of record, by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (3) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding between or among such stockholder and/or such beneficial owner and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are being made or who may participate in the solicitation of proxies in favor of electing such nominee(s), (4) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, swaps, profit interests, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into by, or on behalf of, such stockholder or such beneficial owner, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or such beneficial owner with respect to shares of stock of the Corporation, (5) any other information relating to such stockholder and such beneficial owner that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (6) a representation that such stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and on such election and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person(s) named in its notice and (7) a representation whether such stockholder and/or such beneficial owner intends or is part of a group which intends (x) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock reasonably believed by such stockholder or such beneficial owner to be sufficient to elect the nominee (and such representation shall be included in any such proxy statement and form of proxy) and/or (y) otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such nomination (and such representation shall be included in any such solicitation materials). Not later than ten (10) days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, the information required by Items (A)(1)-(5) and (B)(1)-(5) of the prior sentence shall be supplemented by the stockholder giving the notice to provide updated information as of such record date. In addition, to be effective, the stockholder’s notice must be accompanied by the written consent of the proposed nominee to serve as a director if elected and to being named in the Corporation’s proxy statement and associated proxy card as a nominee of the stockholder. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as the Corporation may reasonably require to, among other things, determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation or whether such nominee would be independent under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission and stock exchange rules and the Corporation’s publicly disclosed corporate governance guidelines, as applicable. A stockholder shall not have complied with this Section 1.10(B) if the stockholder (or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made) solicits or does not solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such stockholder’s nominee in contravention of the representations with respect thereto required by this Section 1.10.

 

 

1Note to Draft: This provision will only be needed if SPAC does not have an annual meeting in 2022.

 

Exhibit A-4

 

 

(C) The chairperson of any meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination was made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.10 (including whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such stockholder’s nominee in compliance with the representations with respect thereto required by this Section 1.10), and if the chairperson should determine that a nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.10, the chairperson shall so declare to the meeting and such nomination shall not be brought before the meeting. Without limiting the foregoing, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, the Board shall also have the power to determine whether any nomination was made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.10 (including whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such stockholder’s nominee in compliance with the representations with respect thereto required by this Section 1.10).

 

(D) Except as otherwise required by law, nothing in this Section 1.10 shall obligate the Corporation or the Board to include in any proxy statement or other stockholder communication distributed on behalf of the Corporation or the Board information with respect to any nominee for director submitted by a stockholder.

 

(E) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.10, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the meeting to present a nomination, such nomination shall not be brought before the meeting, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nominee may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Article I, to be considered a “qualified representative” of the stockholder, a person must be authorized by a written instrument executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such written instrument or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the written instrument or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

 

(F) For purposes of this Article I, “public disclosure” shall include disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(G) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 1.10 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at any annual meeting is increased effective after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due under Section 1.10(B) and there is no public disclosure by the Corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by Section 1.10(B) with respect to nominations for such annual meeting shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such public disclosure is first made by the Corporation.

 

Exhibit A-5

 

 

1.11 Notice of Business to be Brought Before a Meeting.

 

(A) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business (other than the nominations of persons for election to the Board) must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action and must be (i) specified in a notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board or any duly authorized committee thereof, (ii) if not specified in a notice of meeting, otherwise brought before the meeting by the Board or any duly authorized committee thereof or the Chairperson of the Board or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder who (A) (1) was a stockholder of record of the Corporation both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 1.11 and at the time of the meeting, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (3) has complied with this Section 1.11 in all applicable respects or (B) properly made such proposal in compliance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. The foregoing clause (iii) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to propose business to be brought before an annual meeting of the stockholders. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, unless otherwise required by law, if a stockholder seeking to bring business before an annual meeting pursuant to clause (iii) of this Section 1.11(A) (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the meeting to present the proposed business, such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such proposed business may have been received by the Corporation.

 

(B) Without qualification, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must (i) provide Timely Notice (as defined below) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation and (ii) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 1.11. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the one-year anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than seventy (70) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not later than the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or, if later, the tenth day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was first made (such notice within such time periods, “Timely Notice”). In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of Timely Notice as described above.

 

(C) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 1.11, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth:

 

(i) As to each Proposing Person (as defined below), (A) the name and address of such Proposing Person (including, if applicable, the name and address that appear on the Corporation’s books and records); and (B) the class(es) and series and number of shares of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned of record and beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by such Proposing Person, except that such Proposing Person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of any class or series of the Corporation as to which such Proposing Person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) and (B) are referred to as “Stockholder Information”);

 

Exhibit A-6

 

 

(ii) As to each Proposing Person, (A) the full notional amount of any securities that, directly or indirectly, underlie any “derivative security” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(c) under the Exchange Act) that constitutes a “call equivalent position” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(b) under the Exchange Act) (“Synthetic Equity Position”) and that is, directly or indirectly, held or maintained by such Proposing Person with respect to any shares of any class(es) or series of shares of the Corporation; provided that, for the purposes of the definition of “Synthetic Equity Position,” the term “derivative security” shall also include any security or instrument that would not otherwise constitute a “derivative security” as a result of any feature that would make any conversion, exercise or similar right or privilege of such security or instrument becoming determinable only at some future date or upon the happening of a future occurrence, in which case the determination of the amount of securities into which such security or instrument would be convertible or exercisable shall be made assuming that such security or instrument is immediately convertible or exercisable at the time of such determination; and, provided, further, that any Proposing Person satisfying the requirements of Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act (other than a Proposing Person that so satisfies Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act solely by reason of Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E)) shall not be deemed to hold or maintain the notional amount of any securities that underlie a Synthetic Equity Position held by such Proposing Person as a hedge with respect to a bona fide derivatives trade or position of such Proposing Person arising in the ordinary course of such Proposing Person’s business as a derivatives dealer, (B) any rights to dividends on the shares of any class or series of shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such Proposing Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (C) any material pending or threatened legal proceeding in which such Proposing Person is a party or material participant involving the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any affiliate of the Corporation, (D) any other material relationship between such Proposing Person, on the one hand, and the Corporation and any affiliate of the Corporation, on the other hand, (E) any direct or indirect material interest in any material contract or agreement of such Proposing Person with the Corporation or any affiliate of the Corporation (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement), (F) a representation that such stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business, (G) a representation that such Proposing Person intends or is part of a group which intends to deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or otherwise solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal and (H) any other information relating to such Proposing Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such Proposing Person in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) through (G) are referred to as “Disclosable Interests”); provided, however, that Disclosable Interests shall not include any such disclosures with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner; and

 

Exhibit A-7

 

 

(iii) As to each item of business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting, (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting and any material interest in such business of each Proposing Person, (B) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment), and (C) a reasonably detailed description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings (x) between or among any of the Proposing Persons or (y) between or among any Proposing Person and any other record or beneficial holder(s) of shares of capital stock of the Corporation or persons(s) who have a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future of the shares of any class or series of the Corporation (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder; and (D) any other information relating to such item of business that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that the disclosures required by this paragraph (iii) shall not include any disclosures with respect to any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner.

 

For purposes of this Section 1.11, the term “Proposing Person” shall mean (i) the stockholder providing the notice of business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting, (ii) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the business proposed to be brought before the annual meeting is made, and (iii) any participant (as defined in paragraphs (a)(ii)-(vi) of Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A) with such stockholder in such solicitation.

 

(D) A Proposing Person shall update and supplement its notice to the Corporation of its intent to propose business at an annual meeting, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 1.11 shall be true and correct as of the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any proposal or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding matters, business or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of the stockholders.

 

Exhibit A-8

 

 

(E) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting that is not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 1.11. The chairperson of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether any proposed business was brought in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.11, and if the chairperson should determine that the business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 1.11, the chairperson shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted. Without limiting the foregoing, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, the Board shall also have the power to determine whether any proposed business was made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.11.

 

(F) This Section 1.11 is expressly intended to apply to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders other than any proposal made in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and included in the Corporation’s proxy statement. In addition to the requirements of this Section 1.11 with respect to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders, each Proposing Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such business. Nothing in this Section 1.11 shall be deemed to affect the rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

1.12 Conduct of Meetings.

 

(A) Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairperson of the Board, if any, or in the Chairperson’s absence by the Vice Chairperson of the Board, if any, or in the Vice Chairperson’s absence by the Chief Executive Officer, or in the Chief Executive Officer’s absence, by the President, or in the President’s absence by a Vice President, or in the absence of all of the foregoing persons by a chairperson designated by the Board. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the Secretary’s absence the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

(B) The Board may adopt by resolution such rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation as it shall deem appropriate including, without limitation, such guidelines and procedures as it may deem appropriate regarding the participation by means of remote communication of stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules, regulations and procedures as adopted by the Board, the chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairperson, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairperson of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as shall be determined; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairperson of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

Exhibit A-9

 

 

(C) The chairperson of the meeting shall announce at the meeting when the polls for each matter to be voted upon at the meeting will be opened and closed. After the polls close, no ballots, proxies or votes or any revocations or changes thereto may be accepted.

 

(D) In advance of any meeting of stockholders, the Board, the Chairperson of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer shall appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. One or more other persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is present, ready and willing to act at a meeting of stockholders, the chairperson of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Unless otherwise required by law, inspectors may be officers, employees or agents of the Corporation. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of such inspector’s duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability. The inspector shall have the duties prescribed by law and, when the vote is completed, shall certify their determination of the result of the vote taken and of such other facts as may be required by law. Every vote taken by ballots shall be counted by a duly appointed inspector or duly appointed inspectors.

 

ARTICLE II

DIRECTORS

 

2.1 General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, who may exercise all of the powers of the Corporation except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

2.2 Number, Election and Term. The total number of directors constituting the Board shall be as fixed in, or in the manner provided by, the Certificate of Incorporation. Election of directors need not be by written ballot. The term of office of each director shall be as specified in the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

2.3 Chairperson of the Board; Vice Chairperson of the Board. The Board may appoint from its members a Chairperson of the Board and a Vice Chairperson of the Board, neither of whom need be an employee or officer of the Corporation. If the Board appoints a Chairperson of the Board, such Chairperson shall perform such duties and possess such powers as are assigned by the Board and, if the Chairperson of the Board is also designated as the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, shall have the powers and duties of the Chief Executive Officer prescribed in Section 3.7 of these Bylaws. If the Board appoints a Vice Chairperson of the Board, such Vice Chairperson shall perform such duties and possess such powers as are assigned by the Board. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, the Chairperson of the Board or, in the Chairperson’s absence, the Vice Chairperson of the Board, if any, shall preside at all meetings of the Board.

 

Exhibit A-10

 

 

2.4 Terms of Office. Directors shall be elected for such terms and in the manner provided by the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. The term of each director shall continue until the election and qualification of his or her successor and be subject to his or her earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. For the avoidance of doubt, no decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

2.5 Quorum. The greater of (a) a majority of the directors at any time in office and (b) one-third of the number of directors established by the Board pursuant to Section 2.2 of these Bylaws shall constitute a quorum of the Board. If at any meeting of the Board there shall be less than a quorum, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

 

2.6 Action at Meeting. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board, unless a greater number is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

 

2.7 Removal. Directors of the Corporation may only be removed in the manner specified by the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

2.8 Newly Created Directorships; Vacancies. Any newly created directorship or vacancy on the Board, however occurring, shall be filled in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.

 

2.9 Resignation. Any director may resign by delivering a resignation in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. Such resignation shall be effective upon delivery unless it is specified to be effective at some later time or upon the happening of some later event.

 

2.10 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and place as shall be determined from time to time by the Board; provided that any director who is absent when such a determination is made shall be given notice of the determination. A regular meeting of the Board may be held without notice immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders.

 

2.11 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, or by one director in the event that there is only a single director in office.

 

Exhibit A-11

 

 

2.12 Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of the date, place and time of any special meeting of the Board shall be given to each director (a) in person or by telephone at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the meeting, (b) by sending written notice by reputable overnight courier, telecopy, facsimile, electronic mail or other means of electronic transmission, or delivering written notice by hand, to such director’s last known business, home or means of electronic transmission address at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the meeting, or (c) by sending written notice by first-class mail to such director’s last known business or home address at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the meeting. Such notice may be given by the Secretary or by the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or one of the directors calling the meeting. A notice or waiver of notice of a meeting of the Board need not specify the purposes of the meeting.

 

2.13 Meetings by Conference Communications Equipment. Directors may participate in meetings of the Board or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

2.14 Action by Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent to the action in writing or by electronic transmission.

 

2.15 Committees. The Board may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation with such lawfully delegable powers and duties as the Board thereby confers, to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members of the committee present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board and subject to the provisions of law, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Each such committee shall keep minutes and make such reports as the Board may from time to time request. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or the resolution of the Board designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.

 

2.16 Compensation of Directors. Directors may be paid such compensation for their services and such reimbursement for expenses of attendance at meetings as the Board may from time to time determine. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation or any of its parent or subsidiary entities in any other capacity and receiving compensation for such service.

 

Exhibit A-12

 

 

ARTICLE III

OFFICERS

 

3.1 Titles. The officers of the Corporation may consist of a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer, a Treasurer and a Secretary and such other officers with such other titles as the Board shall from time to time determine. The Board may appoint such other officers, including one or more Vice Presidents and one or more Assistant Treasurers or Assistant Secretaries, as it may deem appropriate from time to time.

 

3.2 Election. The Chief Executive Officer, President, Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected annually by the Board at its first meeting following the annual meeting of stockholders. Other officers may be appointed by the Board at such meeting or at any other meeting.

 

3.3 Qualification. No officer need be a stockholder. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.

 

3.4 Tenure. Except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, each officer shall hold office until such officer’s successor is duly elected and qualified, unless a different term is specified in the resolution electing or appointing such officer, or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal.

 

3.5 Resignation and Removal. Any officer may resign by delivering a resignation in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some later time or upon the happening of some later event. Any officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office. Except as the Board may otherwise determine, no officer who resigns or is removed shall have any right to any compensation as an officer for any period following such officer’s resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal, whether such officer’s compensation be by the month or by the year or otherwise, unless such compensation is expressly provided for in a duly authorized written agreement with the Corporation.

 

3.6 Vacancies. The Board may fill any vacancy occurring in any office. Each such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term of such officer’s predecessor and until a successor is duly elected and qualified, or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal.

 

3.7 President; Chief Executive Officer. Unless the Board has designated another person as the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general charge and supervision of the business of the Corporation subject to the direction of the Board, and shall perform all duties and have all powers that are commonly incident to the office of chief executive or that are delegated to such officer by the Board. The President shall perform such other duties and shall have such other powers as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer (if the President is not the Chief Executive Officer) may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Chief Executive Officer or the President (if the President is not the Chief Executive Officer), the Vice President (or if there shall be more than one, the Vice Presidents in the order determined by the Board) shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer and when so performing such duties shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chief Executive Officer.

 

Exhibit A-13

 

 

3.8 Vice Presidents. Each Vice President shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time prescribe. The Board may assign to any Vice President the title of Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or any other title selected by the Board.

 

3.9 Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The Secretary shall perform such duties and shall have such powers as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time prescribe. In addition, the Secretary shall perform such duties and have such powers as are incident to the office of the secretary, including without limitation the duty and power to give notices of all meetings of stockholders and special meetings of the Board, to attend all meetings of stockholders and the Board and keep a record of the proceedings, to maintain a stock ledger and prepare lists of stockholders and their addresses as required, to be custodian of corporate records and the corporate seal and to affix and attest to the same on documents.

 

Any Assistant Secretary shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary (or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary.

 

In the absence of the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary at any meeting of stockholders or directors, the chairperson of the meeting shall designate a temporary secretary to keep a record of the meeting.

 

3.10 Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers. The Treasurer shall perform such duties and shall have such powers as may from time to time be assigned by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the Treasurer shall perform such duties and have such powers as are incident to the office of treasurer, including without limitation the duty and power to keep and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Corporation, to deposit funds of the Corporation in depositories selected in accordance with these Bylaws, to disburse such funds as ordered by the Board, to make proper accounts of such funds, and to render as required by the Board statements of all such transactions and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

 

The Assistant Treasurers shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Treasurer may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer (or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order determined by the Board) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer.

 

Exhibit A-14

 

 

3.11 Salaries. Officers of the Corporation shall be entitled to such salaries, compensation or reimbursement as shall be fixed or allowed from time to time by the Board.

 

3.12 Delegation of Authority. Subject to these Bylaws and any contrary action by the Board, each officer of the Corporation shall, have in addition to the duties and powers specifically set forth in these Bylaws, such duties and powers as are customarily incident to his or her office, and such duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Board. In addition, the Board may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

 

ARTICLE IV

CAPITAL STOCK

 

4.1 Stock Certificates; Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of the Corporation’s stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Every holder of stock of the Corporation represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate, in such form as may be prescribed by law and by the Board, representing the number of shares held by such holder registered in certificate form. Each such certificate shall be signed in a manner that complies with Section 158 of the DGCL, and each officer appointed pursuant to Article III shall be an authorized officer for this purpose.

 

Each certificate for shares of stock which are subject to any restriction on transfer pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, applicable securities laws or any agreement among any number of stockholders or among such holders and the Corporation shall have conspicuously noted on the face or back of the certificate either the full text of the restriction or a statement of the existence of such restriction.

 

If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of each certificate representing shares of such class or series of stock, provided that in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of each certificate representing shares of such class or series of stock a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares, the registered owner thereof shall be given a notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to Sections 151, 156, 202(a) or 218(a) of the DGCL or, with respect to Section 151 of the DGCL, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

Exhibit A-15

 

 

4.2 Transfers. Shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law, the Certificate of Incorporation and in these Bylaws. Transfers of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation or by transfer agents designated to transfer shares of stock of the Corporation. Subject to applicable law, shares of stock represented by certificates shall be transferred only on the books of the Corporation by the surrender to the Corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate representing such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed, and with such proof of authority or the authenticity of signature as the Corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require. Except as may be otherwise required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, the Corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to vote with respect to such stock, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock until the shares have been transferred on the books of the Corporation in accordance with the requirements of these Bylaws.

 

4.3 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate or uncertificated shares in place of any previously issued certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon such terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe, including the presentation of reasonable evidence of such loss, theft or destruction and the giving of such indemnity and posting of such bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

4.4 Record Date. The Board may fix in advance a date as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action. Such record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and such record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action to which such record date relates. If the Board so fixes a record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination.

 

If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day before the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day before the day on which the meeting is held. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating to such purpose.

 

Exhibit A-16

 

 

A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.

 

4.5 Regulations. The issue, conversion and registration of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be governed by such other regulations as the Board may establish.

 

ARTICLE V

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

5.1 Fiscal Year. Except as from time to time otherwise designated by the Board, the fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January of each year and end on the last day of December in each year.

 

5.2 Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board.

 

5.3 Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, a written waiver signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before, at or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice required to be given to such person. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in any such waiver. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

5.4 Voting of Securities. Except as the Board may otherwise designate, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer or the Treasurer may waive notice, vote, consent, or appoint any person or persons to waive notice, vote or consent, on behalf of the Corporation, and act as, or appoint any person or persons to act as, proxy or attorney-in-fact for the Corporation (with or without power of substitution and re-substitution), with respect to the securities of any other entity which may be held by the Corporation.

 

5.5 Evidence of Authority. A certificate by the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, or a temporary Secretary, as to any action taken by the stockholders, directors, a committee or any officer or representative of the Corporation shall as to all persons who rely on the certificate in good faith be conclusive evidence of such action.

 

5.6 Certificate of Incorporation. All references in these Bylaws to the Certificate of Incorporation shall be deemed to refer to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and/or restated and in effect from time to time, including any certificate of designation relating to any outstanding series of preferred stock.

 

Exhibit A-17

 

 

5.7 Severability. Any determination that any provision of these Bylaws is for any reason inapplicable, illegal or ineffective shall not affect or invalidate any other provision of these Bylaws.

 

5.8 Pronouns. All pronouns used in these Bylaws shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine or neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the person or persons may require.

 

5.9 Electronic Transmission. For purposes of these Bylaws, “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

 

ARTICLE VI

AMENDMENTS

 

These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, or new Bylaws may be adopted by the Board or by the stockholders as expressly provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT

 

7.1 Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings other than Those by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to Section 7.3, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

7.2 Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to Section 7.3, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity by the Corporation for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

Exhibit A-18

 

 

7.3 Authorization of Indemnification. Any indemnification under this Article VII (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 7.1 or Section 7.2, as the case may be. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (i) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iv) by the stockholders. Such determination shall be made, with respect to former directors and officers, by any person or persons having the authority to act on the matter on behalf of the Corporation. To the extent, however, that a present or former director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding set forth in Section 7.1 or Section 7.2 or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith, without the necessity of authorization in the specific case.

 

7.4 Good Faith Defined. For purposes of any determination under Section 7.3, a person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful, if such person’s action is based on good faith reliance on the records or books of account of the Corporation or another enterprise, or on information supplied to such person by the officers of the Corporation or another enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Corporation or another enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Corporation or another enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Corporation or another enterprise. The term “another enterprise” as used in this Section 7.4 shall mean any other corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which such person is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent. The provisions of this Section 7.4 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the circumstances in which a person may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 7.1 or 7.2, as the case may be.

 

Exhibit A-19

 

 

7.5 Right of Claimant to Bring Suit. Notwithstanding any contrary determination in the specific case under Section 7.3, and notwithstanding the absence of any determination thereunder, if (i) following the final disposition of the applicable proceeding, a claim for indemnification under Sections 7.1 or 7.2 of this Article VII is not paid in full by the Corporation within ninety (90) days after the later of a written claim for indemnification has been received by the Corporation, or (ii) a claim for advancement of expenses under Section 7.6 of this Article VII is not paid in full by the Corporation within thirty (30) days after the Corporation has received a statement or statements requesting such amounts to be advanced, the claimant may at any time thereafter (but not before) bring suit against the Corporation in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware to recover the unpaid amount of the claim, together with interest thereon, or to obtain advancement of expenses, as applicable. It shall be a defense to any such action brought to enforce a right to indemnification (but not in an action brought to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the DGCL (or other applicable law) for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither a contrary determination in the specific case under Section 7.3 nor the absence of any determination thereunder shall be a defense to such application or create a presumption that the claimant has not met any applicable standard of conduct. If successful, in whole or in part, the claimant shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim, including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection therewith, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

7.6 Expenses Payable in Advance. Expenses, including without limitation attorneys’ fees, incurred by a current or former director or officer in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding to which such person is a party or is threatened to be made a party or otherwise involved as a witness or otherwise by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such current or former director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article VII or otherwise.

 

7.7 Nonexclusivity of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this Article VII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the Certificate of Incorporation, any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, it being the policy of the Corporation that, subject to Section 7.11, indemnification of the persons specified in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law. The provisions of this Article VII shall not be deemed to preclude the indemnification of any person who is not specified in Sections 7.1 or 7.2 but whom the Corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify under the provisions of the DGCL, or otherwise.

 

Exhibit A-20

 

 

7.8 Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power or the obligation to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article VII.

 

7.9 Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VII, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents so that any person who is or was a director or officer of such constituent corporation, or, while a director or officer of such constituent corporation, is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Article VII, references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect of any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Article VII.

 

7.10 Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VII shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

7.11 Limitation on Indemnification. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article VII to the contrary, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses (which shall be governed by Section 7.5), the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any current or former director or officer in connection with an action, suit proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless such action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

 

7.12 Contract Rights. The obligations of the Corporation under this Article VII to indemnify, and advance expenses to, a person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation shall be considered a contract between the Corporation and such person, and no modification or repeal of any provision of this Article VII shall affect, to the detriment of such person, such obligations of the Corporation in connection with a claim based on any act or failure to act occurring before such modification or repeal.

 

Exhibit A-21

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF

CLEANTECH ACQUISITION CORP.

 

CleanTech Acquisition Corp. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), does hereby certify as follows:

 

1. The name of the Corporation is CleanTech Acquisition Corp. The Corporation was incorporated under the name CleanTech Acquisition Corp. by the filing of its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 18, 2020 (the “Original Certificate”).

 

2. An Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which amended and restated the Original Certificate in its entirety, was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 14, 2021 (as amended from time to time, the “Existing Certificate”).

 

3. This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Second Amended and Restated Certificate”), which amends and restates the Existing Certificate in its entirety, has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL and has been adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation at a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 211 of the DGCL.

 

4. The text of the Existing Certificate is hereby amended and restated by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate to read in its entirety as set forth in EXHIBIT A attached hereto.

 

5. This Second Amended and Restated Certificate shall become effective on the date of filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CleanTech Acqusition Corp. has caused this Second Amended and Restated Certificate to be signed by a duly authorized officer of the Corporation, on [●], 2022.

 

  CLEANTECH ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Eli Spiro
  Name: Eli Spiro
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

ARTICLE I NAME

 

The name of the corporation is [Nauticus Robotics Inc.] (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

 

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is [c/o Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware, 19808, and the name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company].

 

ARTICLE III

 

PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) as it now exists or may hereafter be amended and supplemented.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

CAPITAL STOCK

 

The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is [●]. The total number of shares of Common Stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is [●], having a par value of $0.0001 per share, and the total number of shares of Preferred Stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is [●], having a par value of $0.0001 per share.

 

The designations and the powers, privileges and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof in respect of each class of capital stock of the Corporation are as follows:

 

A. COMMON STOCK.

 

1. General. The voting, dividend, liquidation, and other rights and powers of the Common Stock are subject to and qualified by the rights, powers and preferences of any series of Preferred Stock as may be designated by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) and outstanding from time to time.

 

2. Voting. Except as otherwise provided herein or expressly required by law, each holder of Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to vote on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders and shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Common Stock held of record by such holder as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on such matter. Except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation (as defined below)) that relates solely to the rights, powers, preferences (or the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof) or other terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation) or pursuant to the DGCL.

 

Exhibit B-2

 

 

Subject to the rights of any holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

 

3. Dividends. Subject to applicable law and the rights and preferences of any holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to the payment of dividends on the Common Stock when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors in accordance with applicable law.

 

4. Liquidation. Subject to the rights and preferences of any holders of any shares of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the funds and assets of the Corporation that may be legally distributed to the Corporation’s stockholders shall be distributed among the holders of the then outstanding Common Stock pro rata in accordance with the number of shares of Common Stock held by each such holder.

 

B. PREFERRED STOCK

 

Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, each of such series to have such terms as stated or expressed herein and in the resolution or resolutions providing for the creation and issuance of such series adopted by the Board of Directors as hereinafter provided.

 

Authority is hereby expressly granted to the Board of Directors from time to time to issue the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and in connection with the creation of any such series, by adopting a resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of the shares thereof and by filing a certificate of designation relating thereto in accordance with the DGCL (a “Certificate of Designation”), to determine and fix the number of shares of such series and such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including without limitation thereof, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, and to increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series as shall be stated and expressed in such resolutions, all to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the resolution or resolutions providing for the creation and issuance of any series of Preferred Stock may provide that such series shall be superior or rank equally or be junior to any other series of Preferred Stock to the extent permitted by law and this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation). Except as otherwise required by law, holders of any series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled only to such voting rights, if any, as shall expressly be granted thereto by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation).

 

The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

 

Exhibit B-3

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation it is further provided that:

 

A. Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the initial directors of the Corporation shall be classified with respect to the time for which they severally hold office into three classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III. The initial Class I directors shall serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of the stockholders following the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate; the initial Class II directors shall serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of the stockholders following the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate; and the initial Class III directors shall serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting following the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate. At each annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation beginning with the first annual meeting of the stockholders following the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the successors of the class of directors whose term expires at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of the stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to Class I, Class II and Class III.

 

B. Except as otherwise expressly provided by the DGCL or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed exclusively by one or more resolutions adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

C. Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the Board of Directors or any individual director may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 and 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at an election of directors.

 

D. Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, except as otherwise provided by law, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, retirement, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall be filled exclusively by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (other than any directors elected by the separate vote of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock), and shall not be filled by the stockholders. Any director appointed in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office until the expiration of the term to which such director shall have been appointed or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal.

 

E. Whenever the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more such other series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, removal and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article V, the number of directors that may be elected by the holders of any such series of Preferred Stock shall be in addition to the number fixed pursuant to paragraph B of this Article V, and the total number of directors constituting the whole Board of Directors shall be automatically adjusted accordingly. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Designation(s) in respect of one or more series of Preferred Stock, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of such Certificate of Designation(s), the terms of office of all such additional directors elected by the holders of such series of Preferred Stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such additional directors, shall forthwith terminate (in which case each such director thereupon shall cease to be qualified as, and shall cease to be, a director) and the total authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall automatically be reduced accordingly.

 

F. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation (as amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Bylaws”). In addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation in respect of one or more series of Preferred Stock) or the Bylaws of the Corporation, the adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the Corporation by the stockholders of the Corporation shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 and 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in an election of directors.

 

G. The directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.

 

Exhibit B-4

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

STOCKHOLDERS

 

A. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, and shall not be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, to the extent expressly so provided by the applicable Certificate of Designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares of the relevant series of Preferred Stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL.

 

B. Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called, for any purpose or purposes, at any time only by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and shall not be called by any other person or persons.

 

C. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of other business proposed to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

LIABILITY

 

No director of the Corporation shall have any personal liability to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or hereafter may be amended. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article VII, or the adoption of any provision of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Article VII, shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment, repeal, modification or adoption. If the DGCL is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article VII to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as so amended.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

The Corporation shall have the power to provide rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to its current and former officers, directors, employees and agents and to any person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

 

Exhibit B-5

 

 

ARTICLE IX

 

AMENDMENTS

 

A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate to the contrary, in addition to any vote required by applicable law, the following provisions in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate may be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded, in whole or in part, or any provision inconsistent therewith or herewith may be adopted, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two- thirds (66 and 2/3%) of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class: Part B of Article IV, Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article VIII, and this Article IX.

 

B. If any provision or provisions of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the provisions of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

Exhibit B-6

 

 

EXHIBIT C 

 

NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC.
2022 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Effective [DATE]

 

Section 1. General.

 

The purposes of the Nauticus Robotics, Inc. 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) are to (a) encourage the profitability and growth of the Company through short-term and long-term incentives that are consistent with the Company’s objectives; (b) give Participants an incentive for excellence in individual performance; (c) promote teamwork among Participants; and (d) give the Company a significant advantage in attracting and retaining key Employees, Directors and Consultants. To accomplish such purposes, the Plan provides that the Company may grant (i) Options, (ii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iii) Restricted Shares, (iv) Restricted Stock Units, (v) Performance-Based Awards (including performance-based Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units), (vi) Other Share-Based Awards, (vii) Other Cash-Based Awards or (viii) any combination of the foregoing. The Plan was originally adopted in connection with the consummation of the Company’s going public business combination (the “Going Public Transaction”) contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, entered into on [DATE], by and among the Company (f/k/a CleanTech Acquisition Corp.), a Delaware corporation, [Merger Sub.], a Texas corporation, Houston Mechatronics, Inc., a Texas corporation and Nicolaus Radford in his capacity as the Stockholder Representative thereunder (the “Merger Agreement”).

 

Section 2. Definitions.

 

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

 

(a) “Administrator” means the Board, or, if and to the extent the Board does not administer the Plan, the Committee in accordance with Section 3 of the Plan.

 

(b) “Affiliate” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified. An entity shall be deemed an Affiliate of the Company for purposes of this definition only for such periods as the requisite ownership or control relationship is maintained. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by,” or “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.

 

(c) “Articles of Incorporation” means the articles of incorporation of the Company, as amended and/or restated and in effect from time to time.

 

(d) “Automatic Exercise Date” means, with respect to an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right, the last business day of the applicable term of the Option pursuant to Section 7(k) or the Stock Appreciation Right pursuant to Section 8(h).

 

(e) “Award” means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Share, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance-Based Award, Other Share-Based Award or Other Cash-Based Award granted under the Plan.

 

(f) “Award Agreement” means a written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award granted under the Plan. Evidence of an Award may be in written or electronic form, may be limited to notation on the books and records of the Company and, with the approval of the Administrator, need not be signed by a representative of the Company or a Participant. Any shares of Common Stock that become deliverable to the Participant pursuant to the Plan may be issued in certificate form in the name of the Participant or in book-entry form in the name of the Participant. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

 

 

 

(g) “Beneficial Owner” (or any variant thereof) has the meaning defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

(h) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(i) “Bylaws” means the bylaws of the Company, as may be amended and/or restated from time to time.

 

(j) “Cause” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in any Company, Subsidiary or Affiliate unexpired employment, severance, or similar agreement or Award Agreement with a Participant, or if no such agreement exists or if such agreement does not define “Cause” (or a word of like import), Cause means (i) the Participant’s breach of fiduciary duty or duty of loyalty to the Company, (ii) the Participant’s conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, (iii) the Participant’s failure, refusal or neglect to perform and discharge his or her duties and responsibilities on behalf of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company (other than by reason of Disability) or to comply with any lawful directive of the Board or its designee, (iv) the Participant’s breach of any written policy of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (including, without limitation, those relating to sexual harassment or the disclosure or misuse of confidential information), (v) the Participant’s breach of any agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (including, without limitation, any confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation or assignment of inventions agreement), (vi) the Participant’s commission of fraud, dishonesty, theft, embezzlement, self-dealing, misappropriation or other malfeasance against the business of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof, or (vii) the Participant’s commission of acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or gross misconduct in the performance of any aspect of his or her lawful duties or responsibilities, which have or may be expected to have an adverse effect on the Company, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. A Participant’s employment shall be deemed to have terminated for “Cause” if, on the date his or her employment terminates, facts and circumstances exist that would have justified a termination for Cause, to the extent that such facts and circumstances are discovered within three (3) months following such termination. The Administrator, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to whether a Participant has been discharged for Cause.

 

(k) “Change in Capitalization” means any (i) merger, consolidation, reclassification, recapitalization, spin-off, spin-out, repurchase or other reorganization or corporate transaction or event, (ii) extraordinary dividend (whether in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock or other property), stock split or reverse stock split, (iii) combination or exchange of shares, (iv) other change in corporate structure or (v) payment of any other distribution, which, in any such case, the Administrator determines, in its sole discretion, affects the Common Stock such that an adjustment pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan is appropriate.

 

(l) “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(i) any Person, other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”), excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (A) of paragraph (iii) below or any acquisition directly from the Company; or

 

Exhibit C-2

 

 

(ii) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of Directors then serving on the Board: individuals who, during any period of two (2) consecutive years, constitute the Board and any new Director (other than a Director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including, but not limited to, a consent solicitation, relating to the election of Directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the two (2) year period or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; or

 

(iii) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation (A) that results in the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities (or such surviving entity or, if the Company or the entity surviving such merger is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof) outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, and (B) immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the Board of the entity surviving such merger or consolidation or, if the Company or the entity surviving such merger is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or

 

(iv) the consummation of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than (A) a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned directly or indirectly by stockholders of the Company following the completion of such transaction in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale or (B) a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the entity to which such assets are sold or disposed or, if such entity is a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof.

 

For each Award that constitutes deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, a Change in Control (where applicable) shall be deemed to have occurred under the Plan with respect to such Award only if a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or a change in ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company also constitutes a “change in control event” under Code Section 409A.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the holders of Class A Common Stock immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.

 

(m) “Change in Control Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12 of the Plan.

 

(n) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor thereto. Any reference to a section of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Exhibit C-3

 

 

(o) “Committee” means any committee or subcommittee the Board may appoint to administer the Plan. Subject to the discretion of the Board, the Committee shall be composed entirely of individuals who meet the qualifications of a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and any other qualifications required by the applicable stock exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are traded. If at any time or to any extent the Board shall not administer the Plan, then the functions of the Administrator specified in the Plan shall be exercised by the Committee. Except as otherwise provided in the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, any action of the Committee with respect to the administration of the Plan shall be taken by a majority vote at a meeting at which a quorum is duly constituted or unanimous written consent of the Committee’s members.

 

(p) “Common Stock” means common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company (and any stock or other securities into which such shares of common stock may be converted or into which they may be exchanged).

 

(q) “Company” means Nauticus Robotics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (or any successor corporation, except as the term “Company” is used in the definition of “Change in Control” above).

 

(r) “Consultant” means any current or prospective consultant or independent contractor of the Company or an Affiliate thereof, in each case, who is not an Employee, Executive Officer or Non-Employee Director.

 

(s) “Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board on or after the Effective Date.

 

(t) “Disability” means, with respect to any Participant who is an Employee, a permanent and total disability as defined in Code Section 22(e)(3).

 

(u) “Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 22 of the Plan.

 

(v) “Eligible Director” means a person who is (i) with respect to actions intended to obtain an exemption from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 16b-3, a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3; and (ii) with respect to actions undertaken to comply with the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any other securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted, an “independent director” under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any other securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted, or a person meeting any similar requirement under any successor rule or regulation.

 

(w) “Eligible Recipient” means: (i) an Employee; (ii) a Non-Employee Director; or (iii) a Consultant, in each case, who has been selected as an eligible recipient under the Plan by the Administrator; provided, that any Awards granted prior to the date an Eligible Recipient first performs services for the Company or an Affiliate thereof will not become vested or exercisable, and no shares of Common Stock shall be issued or other payment made to such Eligible Recipient with respect to such Awards, prior to the date on which such Eligible Recipient first performs services for the Company or an Affiliate thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Code Section 409A, “Eligible Recipient” means: an (1) Employee; (2) a Non-Employee Director; or (3) a Consultant, in each case, of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, who has been selected as an eligible recipient under the Plan by the Administrator.

 

(x) “Employee” shall mean any current or prospective employee of the Company or an Affiliate thereof, as described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h), including an Executive Officer or Director who is also treated as an employee.

 

(y) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

(z) “Executive Officer” means each Participant who is an executive officer (within the meaning of Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) of the Company.

 

(aa) “Exercise Price” means, with respect to any Award under which the holder may purchase shares of Common Stock, the price per share at which a holder of such Award granted hereunder may purchase shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Award, as determined by the Administrator in accordance with Code Section 409A, as applicable.

 

Exhibit C-4

 

 

(bb) “Fair Market Value” as of a particular date shall mean: (i) if the shares of Common Stock are listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including, without limitation, the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Fair Market Value shall be the closing price of a Share (or if no sales were reported, the closing price on the date immediately preceding such date) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination; (ii) if the shares of Common Stock are not then listed on a national securities exchange, the average of the highest reported bid and lowest reported asked prices for a Share as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such stock in such market; or (iii) whether or not the shares of Common Stock are then listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an over-the-counter market or the value of such shares is not otherwise determinable, such value as determined by the Administrator in good faith and in a manner not inconsistent with the regulations under Code Section 409A.

 

(cc) “Free Standing Rights” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) of the Plan.

 

(dd) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is designated by the Committee as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and that meets the requirements set out in the Plan.

 

(ee) “Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is not an Employee.

 

(ff) “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(gg) “Outstanding Common Stock” means the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, taking into account as outstanding for this purpose such Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Options or warrants, the conversion of convertible stock or debt, and the exercise of any similar right to acquire such Common Stock.

 

(hh) “Option” means an option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan.

 

(ii) “Other Cash-Based Award” means a cash Award granted to a Participant under Section 11 of the Plan, including cash awarded as a bonus or upon the attainment of Performance Goals or otherwise as permitted under the Plan.

 

(jj) “Other Share-Based Award” means a right or other interest granted to a Participant under the Plan that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, shares of Common Stock, including, but not limited to, unrestricted shares of Common Stock or dividend equivalents, each of which may be subject to the attainment of Performance Goals or a period of continued employment or other terms or conditions as permitted under the Plan.

 

(kk) “Participant” means any Eligible Recipient selected by the Administrator, pursuant to the Administrator’s authority provided for in Section 3 of the Plan, to receive an Award under the Plan, and, upon his or her death, his or her successors, heirs, executors and administrators, as the case may be, solely with respect to any Awards outstanding at the date of the Eligible Recipient’s death.

 

(ll) “Performance-Based Award” means any Award granted under the Plan that is subject to one or more Performance Goals. Any dividends or dividend equivalents payable or credited to a Participant with respect to any unvested Performance-Based Award shall be subject to the same Performance Goals as the shares of Common Stock or units underlying the Performance-Based Award.

 

Exhibit C-5

 

 

(mm) “Performance Goals” means performance goals based on performance criteria selected by the Administrator, which may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: (i) earnings before interest and taxes; (ii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (iii) net operating profit after tax; (iv) cash flow; (v) revenue; (vi) net revenues; (vii) sales; (viii) days sales outstanding; (ix) income; (x) net income; (xi) operating income; (xii) net operating income; (xiii) operating margin; (xiv) earnings; (xv) earnings per share; (xvi) return on equity; (xvii) return on investment; (xviii) return on capital; (xix) return on assets; (xx) return on net assets; (xxi) total shareholder return; (xxii) economic profit; (xxiii) market share; (xxiv) appreciation in the fair market value, book value or other measure of value of the shares of Common Stock; (xxv) expense or cost control; (xxvi) working capital; (xxvii) customer satisfaction; (xxviii) employee retention or employee turnover; (xxix) employee satisfaction or engagement; (xxx) environmental, health or other safety goals; (xxxi) individual performance; (xxxii) strategic objective milestones; (xxxiii) any other criteria specified by the Administrator in its sole discretion; and (xxxiv) any combination of, or a specified increase or decrease in, as applicable, any of the foregoing. Where applicable, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of attaining a specified level of the particular criteria or the attainment of a percentage increase or decrease in the particular criteria, and may be applied to one or more of the Company or an Affiliate thereof, or a division or strategic business unit of the Company, or may be applied to the performance of the Company relative to a market index, a group of other companies or a combination thereof, all as determined by the Administrator. The Performance Goals may include a threshold level of performance below which no payment shall be made (or no vesting shall occur), levels of performance at which specified payments shall be made (or specified vesting shall occur), and a maximum level of performance above which no additional payment shall be made (or at which full vesting shall occur). At the time such an Award is granted, the Administrator may specify any reasonable definition of the Performance Goals it uses. Such definitions may provide for equitable adjustments to the Performance Goals in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Company or an Affiliate thereof or the financial statements of the Company or an Affiliate thereof, in response to changes in applicable laws or regulations, or to account for items of gain, loss or expense determined to be unusual in nature, infrequent in occurrence or unusual in nature and infrequent in occurrence or related to the disposal of a segment of a business or related to a change in accounting principles. If the Administrator determines that a change in the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the Company or the manner in which the Company or an Affiliate conducts its business, or other events or circumstances render performance goals to be unsuitable, the Administrator may modify such Performance Goals in whole or in part, as the Committee deems appropriate. If a Participant is promoted, demoted or transferred to a different business unit or function during a performance period, the Administrator may determine that the Performance Goals or performance period are no longer appropriate and may (x) adjust, change or eliminate the Performance Goals or the applicable performance period as it deems appropriate to make such goals and period comparable to the initial goals and period, or (y) make a cash payment to the Participant in an amount determined by the Administrator.

 

(nn) “Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, however, a Person shall not include (i) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities; or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of stock of the Company.

 

(oo) “Plan” means this Nauticus Robotics, Inc. 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and/or amended and restated from time to time.

 

(pp) “Related Rights” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) of the Plan.

 

(qq) “Restricted Shares” means an Award of shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan subject to certain restrictions that lapse at the end of a specified period or periods.

 

(rr) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a notional account established pursuant to an Award granted to a Participant, as described in Section 10 of the Plan, that is (i) valued solely by reference to shares of Common Stock, (ii) subject to restrictions specified in the Award Agreement, and (iii) payable in cash or in shares of Common Stock (as specified in the Award Agreement). The Restricted Stock Units awarded to the Participant will vest according to the time-based criteria or Performance Goals, and vested Restricted Stock Units will be settled at the time(s), specified in the Award Agreement.

 

Exhibit C-6

 

 

(ss) “Restricted Period” means the period of time determined by the Administrator during which an Award or a portion thereof is subject to restrictions or, as applicable, the period of time within which performance is measured for purposes of determining whether an Award has been earned.

 

(tt) “Rule 16b-3” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) of the Plan.

 

(uu) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

 

(vv) “Stock Appreciation Right” means the right pursuant to an Award granted under Section 8 of the Plan to receive an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate Fair Market Value, as of the date such Award or portion thereof is surrendered, of the shares of Common Stock covered by such Award or such portion thereof, over (ii) the aggregate Exercise Price of such Award or such portion thereof.

 

(ww) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, any other Person as to which such first Person owns or otherwise controls, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting shares or other similar interests or a sole general partner interest or managing member or similar interest of such other Person. An entity shall be deemed a Subsidiary of the Company for purposes of this definition only for such periods as the requisite ownership or control relationship is maintained. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option or any determination relating to an Incentive Stock Option, “Subsidiary” means a corporation that is a subsidiary of the Company within the meaning of Code Section 424(f).

 

(xx) “Substitute Award” shall mean an Award granted under the Plan upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding equity awards granted by a company or other entity in connection with a corporate transaction, such as a merger, combination, consolidation, or acquisition of property or stock; provided, however, that in no event shall the term “Substitute Award” be construed to refer to an award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right. For the avoidance of doubt, the assumed stock options referenced at Section 4(a)(ii) of the Plan shall not constitute Substitute Awards and shall be treated as Awards granted under the Plan, including for purposes of the Plan’s share reserve and the share recycling provisions set forth in Section 4(c) of the Plan.

 

Section 3. Administration.

 

(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator in accordance with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (“Rule 16b-3”), to the extent applicable.

 

(b) Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Administrator, subject, in the case of any Committee, to any restrictions on the authority delegated to it by the Board, shall have the power and authority, without limitation:

 

(i) to select those Eligible Recipients who shall be Participants;

 

(ii) to determine whether and to what extent Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units, Other Share-Based Awards, Other Cash-Based Awards or a combination of any of the foregoing, are to be granted hereunder to Participants;

 

(iii) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be made subject to each Award;

 

(iv) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of each Award granted hereunder, including, but not limited to, (A) the restrictions applicable to Awards and the conditions under which restrictions applicable to such Awards shall lapse, (B) the Performance Goals and performance periods applicable to Awards, if any, (C) the Exercise Price of each Award, (D) the vesting schedule applicable to each Award, (E) any confidentiality or restrictive covenant provisions applicable to the Award, and (F) subject to the requirements of Code Section 409A (to the extent applicable), any amendments to the terms and conditions of outstanding Awards, including, but not limited to, extending the exercise period of such Awards and accelerating the vesting schedule of such Awards;

 

(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, which shall govern all Award Agreements evidencing Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units or Other Share-Based Awards, Other Cash-Based Awards or any combination of the foregoing granted hereunder;

 

(vi) to determine Fair Market Value;

 

Exhibit C-7

 

 

(vii) to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absence which may be granted to a Participant without constituting termination of the Participant’s employment for purposes of Awards granted under the Plan;

 

(viii) to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it shall from time to time deem advisable;

 

(ix) to reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan, any Award Agreement or other instrument or agreement relating to the Plan or an Award granted under the Plan; and

 

(x) to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any Award Agreement relating thereto), and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan and to exercise all powers and authorities either specifically granted under the Plan or necessary and advisable in the administration of the Plan.

 

(c) Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or traded, the Administrator may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one (1) or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it. Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may delegate to one (1) or more officers of the Company, the authority to act on behalf of the Committee with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of, or which is allocated to, the Committee herein, and which may be so delegated as a matter of law, except for grants of Awards to Directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 3(c), it is intended that any action under the Plan intended to qualify for the exemptions provided by Rule 16b-3 will be taken only by the Board or by a committee or subcommittee of two (2) or more Eligible Directors. However, the fact that any member of such committee or subcommittee shall fail to qualify as an Eligible Director shall not invalidate any action that is otherwise valid under the Plan.

 

(d) All decisions made by the Administrator pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company and the Participants. No member of the Board or the Committee, or any officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof acting on behalf of the Board or the Committee, shall be personally liable for any action, omission, determination, or interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and all members of the Board or the Committee and each and any officer or employee of the Company and of any Subsidiary thereof acting on their behalf shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company in respect of any such action, omission, determination or interpretation.

 

Exhibit C-8

 

 

Section 4. Shares Reserved for Issuance Under the Plan and Limitations on Awards.

 

(a) Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 5 of the Plan, the Administrator is authorized to deliver with respect to Awards granted under the Plan an aggregate of [_____] shares of Common Stock, which includes (i) [_____] shares of Common Stock available for new issuances under the Plan and (ii) [_____] shares of Common Stock relating to a portion of outstanding stock options assumed by the Company in connection with the Going Public Transaction; provided, that the total number of shares of Common Stock that will be reserved, and that may be issued, under the Plan will automatically increase on the first trading day of each calendar year, beginning with calendar year 2023, by a number of shares of Common Stock equal to three percent (3%) of the total number of Outstanding Common Stock on the last day of the prior calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may act prior to January 1 of a given year to provide that there will be no such increase in the share reserve for that year or that the increase in the share reserve for such year will be a lesser number of shares of Common Stock than provided herein.

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Awards granted during any fiscal year to any Non-Employee Director, taken together with any cash fees paid to such Non-Employee Director during the fiscal year with respect to such Director’s service as a Non-Employee Director, shall not exceed $[______] (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date Fair Market Value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes).

 

(c) Shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan may, in whole or in part, be authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or shares that shall have been or may be reacquired by the Company in the open market, in private transactions or otherwise. Any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award under the Plan that, after the Effective Date, are forfeited, canceled, settled or otherwise terminated without a distribution of shares of Common Stock to a Participant will thereafter be deemed to be available for Awards. In applying the immediately preceding sentence, if (i) shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or issued in respect of, or as part of, any Award are withheld to cover taxes or any applicable Exercise Price, such shares shall be treated as having been issued under the Plan and shall not be available for issuance under the Plan, and (ii) any Share-settled Stock Appreciation Rights or Options are exercised, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Stock Appreciation Rights or Options shall be deemed issued under the Plan and shall not be available for issuance under the Plan. In addition, shares of Common Stock (x) tendered to exercise outstanding Options or other Awards, (y) withheld to cover applicable taxes on any Awards or (z) repurchased on the open market using Exercise Price proceeds shall not be available for issuance under the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, (A) shares of Common Stock underlying Awards that are subject to the achievement of performance goals shall be counted against the share reserve based on the target value of such Awards unless and until such time as such Awards become vested and settled in shares of Common Stock, and (B) Awards that, pursuant to their terms, may be settled only in cash shall not count against the share reserve set forth in Section 4(a).

 

(d) Substitute Awards shall not reduce the shares of Common Stock authorized for grant under the Plan. In the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the shares of Common Stock authorized for grant under the Plan; provided, that Awards using such available shares of Common Stock shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.

 

Exhibit C-9

 

 

(e) In the event that the Company or an Affiliate thereof consummates a transaction described in Code Section 424(a) (e.g., the acquisition of property or stock from an unrelated corporation), persons who become Employees or Directors in account of such transaction may be granted Substitute Awards in substitution for awards granted by their former employer, and any such substitute Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted with an Exercise Price less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the grant date thereof; provided, however, the grant of such substitute Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall not constitute a “modification” as defined in Code Section 424(h)(3) and the applicable Treasury regulations.

 

Section 5. Equitable Adjustments.

 

In the event of any Change in Capitalization, including, without limitation, a Change in Control, an equitable substitution or proportionate adjustment shall be made, in each case, as may be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, in (a) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan, (b) the kind, number and Exercise Price subject to outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan; provided, however, that any such substitution or adjustment with respect to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall occur in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A, and (c) the kind, number and purchase price of shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding Restricted Shares or Other Share-Based Awards granted under the Plan, in each case as may be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion; provided, however, that any fractional shares of Common Stock resulting from the adjustment shall be eliminated. Such other equitable substitutions or adjustments shall be made as may be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in connection with a Change in Capitalization, the Administrator may provide, in its sole discretion, for the cancellation of any outstanding Award granted hereunder (i) in exchange for payment in cash or other property having an aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock covered by such Award, reduced by the aggregate Exercise Price or purchase price thereof, if any, and (ii) with respect to any Awards for which the Exercise Price or purchase price per share of Common Stock is greater than or equal to the then current Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock, for no consideration. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan to the contrary, any adjustment with respect to an Incentive Stock Option due to an adjustment or substitution described in this Section 5 shall comply with the rules of Code Section 424(a), and in no event shall any adjustment be made which would render any Incentive Stock Option granted hereunder to be disqualified as an incentive stock option for purposes of Code Section 422. The Administrator’s determinations pursuant to this Section 5 shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

Section 6. Eligibility.

 

The Participants under the Plan shall be selected from time to time by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, from among Eligible Recipients.

 

Section 7. Options.

 

(a) General. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, grant Options to Participants. Solely with respect to Participants who are Employees, the Administrator may grant Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options or a combination of both. With respect to all other Participants, the Administrator may grant only Nonqualified Stock Options. Each Participant who is granted an Option shall enter into an Award Agreement with the Company, containing such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion, which Award Agreement shall specify whether the Option is an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option and shall set forth, among other things, the Exercise Price of the Option, the term of the Option and provisions regarding exercisability of the Option granted thereunder. The provisions of each Option need not be the same with respect to each Participant. More than one Option may be granted to the same Participant and be outstanding concurrently hereunder. Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7 and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. The prospective recipient of an Option shall not have any rights with respect to such Award, unless and until such recipient has received an Award Agreement and, if required by the Administrator in the Award Agreement, executed and delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Company, within a period of sixty (60) days (or such other period as the Administrator may specify) after the award date.

 

Exhibit C-10

 

 

(b) Limits on Incentive Stock Options. If the Administrator grants Incentive Stock Options, then to the extent that the aggregate fair market value of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any individual during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company) exceeds $100,000, such Options will be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options to the extent required by Code Section 422. Subject to Section 5, the maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to Options intended to be Incentive Stock Options is [_____] shares of Common Stock and, for the avoidance of doubt, such share limit shall not be subject to the annual adjustment provided in Section 4(b).

 

(c) Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of shares of Common Stock purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion at the time of grant; provided, however, that (i) in no event shall the Exercise Price of an Option be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant, and (ii) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a ten percent (10%) stockholder of the Company (within the meaning of Code Section 422(b)(6)) shall have an Exercise Price per Share less than one-hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on such date.

 

(d) Option Term. The maximum term of each Option shall be fixed by the Administrator, but in no event shall (i) an Option be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date such Option is granted, and (ii) an Incentive Stock Option granted to a ten percent (10%) stockholder of the Company (within the meaning of Code Section 422(b)(6)) be exercisable more than five (5) years after the date such Option is granted. Each Option’s term is subject to earlier expiration pursuant to the applicable provisions in the Plan and the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator shall have the authority to accelerate the exercisability of any outstanding Option at such time and under such circumstances as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Plan (including, without limitation, Section 7(h)), if, on the date an outstanding Option would expire, the exercise of the Option, including by a “net exercise” or “cashless” exercise, would violate applicable securities laws or any insider trading policy maintained by the Company from time to time, the expiration date applicable to the Option will be extended, except to the extent such extension would violate Code Section 409A, to a date that is thirty (30) calendar days after the date the exercise of the Option would no longer violate applicable securities laws or any such insider trading policy.

 

(e) Exercisability. Each Option shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions, including the attainment of pre-established Performance Goals, as shall be determined by the Administrator in the applicable Award Agreement. The Administrator may also provide that any Option shall be exercisable only in installments, and the Administrator may waive such installment exercise provisions at any time, in whole or in part, based on such factors as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, an Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share.

 

(f) Method of Exercise. Options may be exercised in whole or in part by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased, accompanied by payment in full of the aggregate Exercise Price of the shares of Common Stock so purchased in cash or its equivalent, as determined by the Administrator. As determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, with respect to any Option or category of Options, payment in whole or in part may also be made (i) by means of consideration received under any cashless exercise procedure approved by the Administrator (including the withholding of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon exercise), (ii) in the form of unrestricted shares of Common Stock already owned by the Participant which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the shares of Common Stock as to which such Option shall be exercised, (iii) any other form of consideration approved by the Administrator and permitted by applicable law, or (iv) any combination of the foregoing. In determining which methods a Participant may utilize to pay the Exercise Price, the Administrator may consider such factors as it determines are appropriate; provided, however, that with respect to Incentive Stock Options, all such discretionary determinations shall be made by the Administrator at the time of grant and specified in the Award Agreement.

 

Exhibit C-11

 

 

(g) Rights as Stockholder. A Participant shall have no rights to dividends or any other rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to an Option until the Participant has given written notice of the exercise thereof, has paid in full for such shares and has satisfied the requirements of Section 16 of the Plan.

 

(h) Termination of Employment or Service. Unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, in the event that the employment or service of a Participant with the Company and all Affiliates thereof shall terminate, the following terms and conditions shall apply:

 

(i) In the event of the termination of a Participant’s employment or service by the Company without Cause or due to a resignation by the Participant for any reason, (A) Options granted to such Participant, to the extent that they are exercisable at the time of such termination, shall remain exercisable until the date that is ninety (90) days after such termination (with such period being extended to one (1) year after the date of such termination in the event of the Participant’s death during such ninety (90) day period), on which date they shall expire, and (B) Options granted to such Participant, to the extent that they were not exercisable at the time of such termination, shall expire at the close of business on the date of such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of its term.

 

(ii) In the event of the termination of a Participant’s employment or service as a result of the Participant’s Disability or death, (A) Options granted to such Participant, to the extent that they were exercisable at the time of such termination, shall remain exercisable until the date that is one (1) year after such termination, on which date they shall expire, and (B) Options granted to such Participant, to the extent that they were not exercisable at the time of such termination, shall expire at the close of business on the date of such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of its term.

 

(iii) In the event of the termination of a Participant’s employment or service for Cause, all outstanding Options granted to such Participant shall expire at the commencement of business on the date of such termination.

 

(iv) For purposes of determining which Options are exercisable upon termination of employment or service for purposes of this Section 7(h), Options that are not exercisable solely due to a blackout period shall be considered exercisable.

 

(v) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, an Incentive Stock Option may not be exercised more than three (3) months following the date as of which a Participant ceases to be an Employee for any reason other than death or Disability. In the event that an Option is exercisable following the date that is three (3) months following the date as of which a Participant ceases to be an Employee for any reason other than death or Disability, such Option shall be deemed to be a Nonqualified Stock Option.

 

(i) Other Change in Employment Status. An Option may be affected, both with regard to vesting schedule and termination, by leaves of absence, changes from full-time to part-time employment, partial disability or other changes in the employment status or service of a Participant, as evidenced in a Participant’s Award Agreement.

 

(j) Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon a Change in Control, all outstanding Options shall be subject to Section 12 of the Plan.

 

Exhibit C-12

 

 

(k) Automatic Exercise. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator in an Award Agreement or otherwise, or as otherwise directed by the Participant in writing to the Company, each vested and exercisable Option outstanding on the Automatic Exercise Date with an Exercise Price per Share that is less than the Fair Market Value per Share as of such date shall automatically and without further action by the Participant or the Company be exercised on the Automatic Exercise Date. In the sole discretion of the Administrator, payment of the exercise price of any such Option shall be made pursuant to Section 7(f)(i) or (ii), and the Company or any Affiliate shall deduct or withhold an amount sufficient to satisfy all taxes associated with such exercise in accordance with Section 16. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, this Section 7(k) shall not apply to an Option if the Participant’s employment or service has terminated on or before the Automatic Exercise Date. For the avoidance of doubt, no Option with an Exercise Price per Share that is equal to or greater the Fair Market Value per Share on the Automatic Exercise Date shall be exercised pursuant to this Section 7(k).

 

Section 8. Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(a) General. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted either alone (“Free Standing Rights”) or in conjunction with all or part of any Option granted under the Plan (“Related Rights”). Any Related Right that relates to a Nonqualified Stock Option may be granted at the same time the Option is granted or at any time thereafter, but before the exercise or expiration of the Option. Any Related Right that relates to an Incentive Stock Option must be granted at the same time the Incentive Stock Option is granted. The Administrator shall determine the Eligible Recipients to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Stock Appreciation Rights shall be made, the number of shares of Common Stock to be awarded, the price per Share, and all other conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Related Right may be granted for more shares of Common Stock than are subject to the Option to which it relates and any Stock Appreciation Right must be granted with an Exercise Price not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant. The provisions of Stock Appreciation Rights need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions set forth in this Section 8 and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable, as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

(b) Awards; Rights as Stockholder. The prospective recipient of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not have any rights with respect to such Award, unless and until such recipient has received an Award Agreement and, if required by the Administrator in the Award Agreement, executed and delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Company, within a period of sixty (60) days (or such other period as the Administrator may specify) after the award date. Participants who are granted Stock Appreciation Rights shall have no rights as stockholders of the Company with respect to the grant or exercise of such rights.

 

(c) Exercisability.

 

(i) Stock Appreciation Rights that are Free Standing Rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Administrator in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

(ii) Stock Appreciation Rights that are Related Rights shall be exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that the Options to which they relate shall be exercisable in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 above and this Section 8 of the Plan.

 

(d) Payment Upon Exercise.

 

(i) Upon the exercise of a Free Standing Right, the Participant shall be entitled to receive up to, but not more than, that number of shares of Common Stock, determined using the Fair Market Value, equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise over the price per share specified in the Free Standing Right multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which the Free Standing Right is being exercised.

 

(ii) A Related Right may be exercised by a Participant by surrendering the applicable portion of the related Option. Upon such exercise and surrender, the Participant shall be entitled to receive up to, but not more than, that number of shares of Common Stock, determined using the Fair Market Value, equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise over the Exercise Price specified in the related Option multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which the Related Right is being exercised. Options which have been so surrendered, in whole or in part, shall no longer be exercisable to the extent the Related Rights have been so exercised.

 

Exhibit C-13

 

 

(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may determine to settle the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right in cash (or in any combination of shares of Common Stock and cash).

 

(e) Termination of Employment or Service.

 

(i) Subject to Section 8(f), in the event of the termination of employment or service with the Company and all Affiliates thereof of a Participant who has been granted one or more Free Standing Rights, such rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Administrator in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

(ii) Subject to Section 8(f), in the event of the termination of employment or service with the Company and all Affiliates thereof of a Participant who has been granted one or more Related Rights, such rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as set forth in the related Options.

 

(f) Term.

 

(i) The term of each Free Standing Right shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Free Standing Right shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date such right is granted.

 

(ii) The term of each Related Right shall be the term of the Option to which it relates, but no Related Right shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date such right is granted.

 

(g) Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon a Change in Control, all outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to Section 12 of the Plan.

 

(h) Automatic Exercise. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator in an Award Agreement or otherwise, or as otherwise directed by the Participant in writing to the Company, each vested and exercisable Stock Appreciation Right outstanding on the Automatic Exercise Date with an Exercise Price per Share that is less than the Fair Market Value per Share as of such date shall automatically and without further action by the Participant or the Company be exercised on the Automatic Exercise Date. The Company or any Affiliate shall deduct or withhold an amount sufficient to satisfy all taxes associated with such exercise in accordance with Section 16. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, this Section 8(h) shall not apply to a Stock Appreciation Right if the Participant’s employment or service has terminated on or before the Automatic Exercise Date. For the avoidance of doubt, no Stock Appreciation Right with an Exercise Price per Share that is equal to or greater the Fair Market Value per Share on the Automatic Exercise Date shall be exercised pursuant to this Section 8(h).

 

Section 9. Restricted Shares.

 

(a) General. Each Award of Restricted Shares granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Restricted Shares may be issued either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The Administrator shall determine the Eligible Recipients to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Restricted Shares shall be made; the number of shares of Common Stock to be awarded; the price, if any, to be paid by the Participant for the acquisition of Restricted Shares; the Restricted Period, if any, applicable to Restricted Shares; the Performance Goals (if any) applicable to Restricted Shares; and all other conditions of the Restricted Shares. If the restrictions, Performance Goals and/or conditions established by the Administrator are not attained, a Participant shall forfeit his or her Restricted Shares in accordance with the terms of the grant. The terms and conditions applicable to the Restricted Shares need not be the same with respect to each Participant.

 

Exhibit C-14

 

 

(b) Awards and Certificates. The prospective recipient of Restricted Shares shall not have any rights with respect to any such Award, unless and until such recipient has received an Award Agreement and, if required by the Administrator in the Award Agreement, executed and delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Company, within a period of sixty (60) days (or such other period as the Administrator may specify) after the award date. Except as otherwise provided in herein, (i) each Participant who is granted an Award of Restricted Shares may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be issued a stock certificate in respect of such Restricted Shares; and (ii) any such certificate so issued shall be registered in the name of the Participant, and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to any such Award. The Company may require that the stock certificates, if any, evidencing Restricted Shares granted hereunder be held in the custody of the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any award of Restricted Shares, the Participant shall have delivered a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the shares of Common Stock covered by such Award. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, any Restricted Shares (whether before or after any vesting conditions have been satisfied) may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be issued in uncertificated form pursuant to the customary arrangements for issuing shares in such form.

 

(c) Restrictions and Conditions. The Restricted Shares granted pursuant to this Section 9 shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions and any additional restrictions or conditions as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant or thereafter:

 

(i) The Restricted Shares shall be subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in the Award Agreement and in the Plan.

 

(ii) The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide for the lapse of restrictions in installments and may accelerate or waive such restrictions in whole or in part based on such factors and such circumstances as the Administrator may determine, in its sole discretion, including, but not limited to, the attainment of certain Performance Goals, the Participant’s termination of employment or service as Non-Employee Director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate thereof, or the Participant’s death or Disability.

 

(iii) Subject to this Section 9(c)(iii), the Participant shall generally have the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to Restricted Shares during the Restricted Period. In the Administrator’s discretion and as provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant may be entitled to dividends or dividend equivalents on an Award of Restricted Shares, which will be payable in accordance with the terms of such grant as determined by the Administrator in accordance with Section 18 of the Plan. Certificates for unrestricted shares of Common Stock may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be delivered to the Participant only after the Restricted Period has expired without forfeiture in respect of such Restricted Shares, except as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall otherwise determine.

 

(iv) The rights of Participants granted Restricted Shares upon termination of employment or service as a Non-Employee Director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate thereof terminates for any reason during the Restricted Period shall be set forth in the Award Agreement.

 

(d) Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon a Change in Control, all outstanding Restricted Shares shall be subject to Section 12 of the Plan.

 

Exhibit C-15

 

 

Section 10. Restricted Stock Units.

 

(a) General. Restricted Stock Units may be issued either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The Administrator shall determine the Eligible Recipients to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Restricted Stock Units shall be made; the number of Restricted Stock Units to be awarded; the Restricted Period, if any, applicable to Restricted Stock Units; the Performance Goals (if any) applicable to Restricted Stock Units; and all other conditions of the Restricted Stock Units. If the restrictions, Performance Goals and/or conditions established by the Administrator are not attained, a Participant shall forfeit his or her Restricted Stock Units in accordance with the terms of the grant. The provisions of Restricted Stock Units need not be the same with respect to each Participant.

 

(b) Award Agreement. The prospective recipient of Restricted Stock Units shall not have any rights with respect to any such Award, unless and until such recipient has received an Award Agreement and, if required by the Administrator in the Award Agreement, executed and delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Company, within a period of sixty (60) days (or such other period as the Administrator may specify) after the award date.

 

(c) Restrictions and Conditions. The Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to this Section 10 shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions and any additional restrictions or conditions as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant or, subject to Code Section 409A, thereafter:

 

(i) The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide for the lapse of restrictions in installments and may accelerate or waive such restrictions in whole or in part based on such factors and such circumstances as the Administrator may determine, in its sole discretion, including, but not limited to, the attainment of certain Performance Goals, the Participant’s termination of employment or service as a Non-Employee Director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate thereof, or the Participant’s death or Disability.

 

(ii) Participants holding Restricted Stock Units shall have no voting rights. A Restricted Stock Unit may, at the Administrator’s discretion, carry with it a right to dividend equivalents, subject to Section 18 of the Plan. Such right would entitle the holder to be credited with an amount equal to all cash dividends paid on one Share while the Restricted Stock Unit is outstanding. The Administrator, in its discretion, may grant dividend equivalents from the date of grant or only after a Restricted Stock Unit is vested.

 

(iii) The rights of Participants granted Restricted Stock Units upon termination of employment or service as a Non-Employee Director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate thereof terminates for any reason during the Restricted Period shall be set forth in the Award Agreement.

 

(d) Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. Settlement of vested Restricted Stock Units shall be made to Participants in the form of shares of Common Stock, unless the Administrator, in its sole discretion, provides for the payment of the Restricted Stock Units in cash (or partly in cash and partly in shares of Common Stock) equal to the value of the shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be distributed to the Participant.

 

(e) Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon a Change in Control, all outstanding Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to Section 12 of the Plan.

 

Section 11. Other Share-Based or Cash-Based Awards.

 

(a) The Administrator is authorized to grant Awards to Participants in the form of Other Share-Based Awards or Other Cash-Based Awards, as deemed by the Administrator to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan and as evidenced by an Award Agreement. The Administrator shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards, consistent with the terms of the Plan, at the date of grant or thereafter, including any Performance Goals and performance periods. Shares of Common Stock or other securities or property delivered pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 11 shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, shares of Common Stock, other Awards, notes or other property, as the Administrator shall determine, subject to any required corporate action.

 

Exhibit C-16

 

 

(b) The prospective recipient of an Other Share-Based Award or Other Cash-Based Award shall not have any rights with respect to such Award, unless and until such recipient has received an Award Agreement and, if required by the Administrator in the Award Agreement, executed and delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Company, within a period of sixty (60) days (or such other period as the Administrator may specify) after the award date.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon a Change in Control, all outstanding Other Share-Based Awards and Other Cash-Based Awards shall be subject to Section 12 of the Plan.

 

Section 12. Change in Control.

 

The Administrator may provide in the applicable Award Agreement that an Award will vest on an accelerated basis upon the Participant’s termination of employment or service in connection with a Change in Control or upon the occurrence of any other event that the Administrator may set forth in the Award Agreement. If the Company is a party to an agreement that is reasonably likely to result in a Change in Control, such agreement may provide for: (i) the continuation of any Award by the Company, if the Company is the surviving corporation; (ii) the assumption of any Award by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary; (iii) the substitution by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary of equivalent awards for any Award, provided, however, that any such substitution with respect to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall occur in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A; or (iv) settlement of any Award for the Change in Control Price (less, to the extent applicable, the per share exercise or grant price), or, if the per share exercise or grant price equals or exceeds the Change in Control Price or if the Administrator determines that Award cannot reasonably become vested pursuant to its terms, such Award shall terminate and be canceled without consideration. To the extent that Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units or other Awards settle in shares of Common Stock in accordance with their terms upon a Change in Control, such shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive as a result of the Change in Control transaction the same consideration as the shares of Common Stock held by stockholders of the Company as a result of the Change in Control transaction. For purposes of this Section 12, “Change in Control Price” shall mean (A) the price per Share paid to stockholders of the Company in the Change in Control transaction, or (B) the Fair Market Value of a Share upon a Change in Control, as determined by the Administrator. To the extent that the consideration paid in any such Change in Control transaction consists all or in part of securities or other non-cash consideration, the value of such securities or other non-cash consideration shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator.

 

Section 13. Amendment and Termination.

 

(a) The Board or the Committee may amend, alter or terminate the Plan, but no amendment, alteration, or termination shall be made that would adversely alter or impair the rights of a Participant under any Award theretofore granted without such Participant’s prior written consent.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) approval of the Company’s stockholders shall be obtained for any amendment that would require such approval in order to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422, if applicable, any rules of the stock exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are traded or other applicable law, and (ii) without stockholder approval to the extent required by the rules of any applicable national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted, except as otherwise permitted under Section 5 of the Plan, (A) no amendment or modification may reduce the Exercise Price of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (B) the Administrator may not cancel any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right and replace it with a new Option or Stock Appreciation Right, another Award or cash and (C) the Administrator may not take any other action that is considered a “repricing” for purposes of the stockholder approval rules of the applicable securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system.

 

Exhibit C-17

 

 

(c) Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and Code Section 409A, the Administrator may modify, extend or renew outstanding Awards under the Plan, or accept the surrender of outstanding Awards (to the extent not already exercised) and grant new Awards in substitution of them (to the extent not already exercised).

 

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no alteration, modification or termination of an Award will, without the prior written consent of the Participant, adversely alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Award already granted under the Plan.

 

Section 14. Unfunded Status of Plan.

 

The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. Neither the Company, the Board nor the Committee shall be required to establish any special or separate fund or to segregate any assets to assure the performance of its obligations under the Plan. With respect to any payments not yet made or shares of Common Stock not yet transferred to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.

 

Section 15. Deferrals of Payment.

 

To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of shares of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Award, shall be deferred. The Administrator may also, in its sole discretion, establish one or more programs under the Plan to permit selected Participants the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of any such consideration, including any applicable election procedures, the timing of such elections, the mechanisms for payments of amounts, shares or other consideration so deferred, and such other terms, conditions, rules and procedures that the Administrator deems advisable for the administration of any such deferral program. Deferrals by Participants (or deferred settlement or payment required by the Administrator) shall be made in accordance with Code Section 409A, if applicable, and any other applicable law.

 

Section 16. Withholding Taxes.

 

Each Participant shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award first becomes includible in the gross income of such Participant for federal, state and/or local income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator regarding payment of, any federal, state, or local taxes of any kind, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to the Award. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on the making of such payments or arrangements, and the Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to such Participant. Whenever cash is to be paid pursuant to an Award granted hereunder, the Company shall have the right to deduct therefrom an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local withholding tax requirements related thereto. Whenever shares of Common Stock are to be delivered pursuant to an Award, the Company shall have the right to require the Participant to remit to the Company in cash an amount sufficient to satisfy any related federal, state and local taxes, domestic or foreign, to be withheld and applied to the tax obligations. With the approval of the Administrator, a Participant may satisfy the foregoing requirement by electing to have the Company withhold from delivery of shares of Common Stock or by delivering already owned unrestricted shares of Common Stock, in each case, having a value equal to the amount required to be withheld or other greater amount not exceeding the maximum statutory rate required to be collected on the transaction under applicable law, as applicable to the Participant, if such other greater amount would not, as determined by the Administrator, result in adverse financial accounting treatment (including in connection with the effectiveness of FASB Accounting Standards Update 2016-09). Such shares of Common Stock shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of which the amount of tax to be withheld is determined. Fractional share amounts shall be settled in cash. Such an election may be made with respect to all or any portion of the shares of Common Stock to be delivered pursuant to an Award. The Company may also use any other method of obtaining the necessary payment or proceeds, as permitted by law, to satisfy its withholding obligation with respect to any Option or other Award.

 

Exhibit C-18

 

 

Section 17. Certain Forfeitures.

 

The Administrator may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain events, in addition to the applicable vesting conditions of an Award. Such events may include, without limitation, breach of any non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that are contained in an Award Agreement or that are otherwise applicable to the Participant, a termination of the Participant’s employment for Cause, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company and its Subsidiaries and/or its Affiliates.

 

Section 18. Dividends; Dividend Equivalents.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, to the extent that an Award contains a right to receive dividends or dividend equivalents while such Award remains unvested, such dividends or dividend equivalents will be accumulated and paid once and to the extent that the underlying Award vests.

 

Section 19. Non-United States Employees. 

 

Without amending the Plan, the Administrator may grant Awards to eligible persons residing in non-United States jurisdictions on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan, including the terms of any award agreement or plan, adopted by the Company or any Subsidiary thereof to comply with, or take advantage of favorable tax or other treatment available under, the laws of any non-United States jurisdiction, as may in the judgment of the Administrator be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan and, in furtherance of such purposes the Administrator may make such modifications, amendments, procedures, sub-plans and the like as may be necessary or advisable to comply with provisions of laws in other countries or jurisdictions in which the Company or its Subsidiaries operates or has employees.

 

Section 20. Transfer of Awards.

 

No purported sale, assignment, mortgage, hypothecation, transfer, charge, pledge, encumbrance, gift, transfer in trust (voting or other) or other disposition of, or creation of a security interest in or lien on, any Award or any agreement or commitment to do any of the foregoing (each, a “Transfer”) by any holder thereof in violation of the provisions of the Plan or an Award Agreement will be valid, except with the prior written consent of the Administrator, which consent may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of the Administrator, and other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Any purported Transfer of an Award or any economic benefit or interest therein in violation of the Plan or an Award Agreement shall be null and void ab initio, and shall not create any obligation or liability of the Company, and any person purportedly acquiring any Award or any economic benefit or interest therein transferred in violation of the Plan or an Award Agreement shall not be entitled to be recognized as a holder of such shares of Common Stock. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator in accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence, an Option may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant or, during any period during which the Participant is under a legal disability, by the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. Under no circumstances will a Participant be permitted to transfer an Option or Stock Appreciation Right to a third-party financial institution without prior stockholder approval.

 

Exhibit C-19

 

 

Section 21. Continued Employment.

 

The adoption of the Plan shall not confer upon any Eligible Recipient any right to continued employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate thereof, as the case may be, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or an Affiliate thereof to terminate the employment or service of any of its Eligible Recipients at any time.

 

Section 22. Effective Date.

 

The Plan will be effective as of the date of consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement so long as the Plan has been approved by the Company’s stockholders. The Plan will be unlimited in duration and, in the event of Plan termination, will remain in effect as long as any shares of Common Stock awarded under it are outstanding and not fully vested; provided, however, that no Awards will be made under the Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date; provided further, that in no event may an Incentive Stock Option be granted more than ten years after the earlier of (a) the date of the adoption of the Plan by the Board or (b) the Effective Date.

 

Section 23. Code Section 409A.

 

The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under the Plan be either exempt from Code Section 409A or comply with Code Section 409A to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted and be administered consistent with such intent. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the “short-term deferral period” as defined in Code Section 409A shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless applicable law requires otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent required in order to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Code Section 409A, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided upon a “separation from service” to a Participant who is a “specified employee” shall be paid on the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following the Participant’s separation from service (or upon the Participant’s death, if earlier). In addition, for purposes of the Plan, each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided to the Participant pursuant to the Plan, which constitute deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A, shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Code Section 409A. Nothing contained in the Plan or an Award Agreement shall be construed as a guarantee of any particular tax effect with respect to an Award. The Company does not guarantee that any Awards provided under the Plan will be exempt from or in compliance with the provisions of Code Section 409A, and in no event will the Company be liable for any or all portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by a Participant on account of any Award being subject to, but not in compliance with, Code Section 409A.

 

Section 24. Compliance with Laws.

 

(a) The obligation of the Company to settle Awards in shares of Common Stock or other consideration shall be subject to (i) all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, (ii) such approvals as may be required by governmental agencies or the applicable national securities exchange on which the shares of Common Stock may be admitted, and (iii) policies maintained by the Company from time to time in order to comply with applicable laws, rules, regulations and corporate governance requirements, including, without limitation, with respect to insider trading restrictions. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling, any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award unless such shares have been properly registered for sale pursuant to the Securities Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel (if the Company has requested such an opinion), satisfactory to the Company, that such shares of Common Stock may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale under the Securities Act any of the shares of Common Stock to be offered or sold under the Plan. The Administrator shall have the authority to provide that all shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company issued under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable Award Agreement, the federal securities laws, or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or quoted and any other applicable federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws, rules, regulations and other requirements, and the Administrator may cause a legend or legends to be put on certificates representing shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company issued under the Plan to make appropriate reference to such restrictions or may cause such shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company issued under the Plan in book-entry form to be held subject to the Company’s instructions or subject to appropriate stop-transfer orders. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee reserves the right to add any additional terms or provisions to any Award granted under the Plan that it, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable in order that such Award complies with the legal requirements of any governmental entity to whose jurisdiction the Award is subject.

 

Exhibit C-20

 

 

(b) The Administrator may cancel an Award or any portion thereof if it determines, in its sole discretion, that legal or contractual restrictions and/or blockage and/or other market considerations would make the Company’s acquisition of shares of Common Stock from the public markets, the Company’s issuance of shares of Common Stock to the Participant, the Participant’s acquisition of shares of Common Stock from the Company and/or the Participant’s sale of shares of Common Stock to the public markets, illegal, impracticable or inadvisable. If the Administrator determines to cancel all or any portion of an Award in accordance with the foregoing, the Company shall, subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Code Section 409A, (i) pay to the Participant an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Award or portion thereof canceled (determined as of the applicable exercise date, or the date that the shares of Common Stock would have been vested or issued, as applicable), over (B) the aggregate Exercise Price (in the case of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right) or any amount payable as a condition of issuance of shares of Common Stock (in the case of any other Award), and such amount shall be delivered to the Participant as soon as practicable following the cancellation of such Award or portion thereof, or (ii) in the case of Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units or Other Share-Based Awards, provide the Participant with a cash payment or equity subject to deferred vesting and delivery consistent with the vesting restrictions applicable to such Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units or Other Share-Based Awards, or the underlying shares of Common Stock in respect thereof.

 

Section 25. Clawback/Recovery.

 

The Plan and all Awards issued hereunder shall be subject to any compensation recovery and/or recoupment policy adopted by the Company to comply with applicable law, including, without limitation, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or to comport with good corporate governance practices, as such policies may be amended from time to time. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary.

 

Section 26. Governing Law.

 

The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law of such state.

 

Section 27. Plan Document Controls.

 

The Plan and each Award Agreement together constitute the entire agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof; provided, that in the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and such Award Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall control.

 

Exhibit C-21

 

 

EXHIBIT D 

 

FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

 

OF

 

[NAUTICUS ROBOTICS INC.]

 

A Texas corporation

 

Adopted as of                          , 2022

 

ARTICLE I
OFFICES

 

Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation in the State of Texas shall be located at [_____]. The name of its registered agent at such address is [_____]. The registered office and/or registered agent of the corporation may be changed from time to time by action of the board of directors.

 

Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Texas, as the board of directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1. Meetings Generally. At least one meeting of the stockholders shall be held each year for the purpose of electing directors and conducting any proper business as may come before the meeting. The date, time and place of such meeting shall be determined by the highest ranking officer then in office (the “Ranking Officer”); provided, however, that if the Ranking Officer does not act, the board of directors shall determine the date, time and place, if any, and/or the means of remote communication, of such meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no annual meeting of stockholders need be held if not required by the corporation’s certificate of formation or by the Texas Business Organizations Code (the “TBOC”).

 

Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders may be called for any purpose and may be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Texas, as shall be stated in a written notice of meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. Except as otherwise provided in the corporation’s certificate of formation, such meetings may be called at any time by the board of directors or the Ranking Officer and shall be called by the Ranking Officer upon the written request of holders of shares entitled to cast not less than a majority of the votes at the meeting. Such written request shall state the purpose or purposes of the meeting and shall be delivered to the Ranking Officer. Upon such written request, the Ranking Officer shall fix a date, time and place, if any, and/or remote communication, for such meeting within two days of the date requested for such meeting; provided, however, that if the Ranking Officer does not act, the board of directors shall fix a date, time and place, if any, and/or remote communication for such meeting.

 

 

 

 

Section 3. Place of Meetings. The board of directors may designate any place, either within or without the State of Texas, and/or by means of remote communication, as the place of meeting for any regular meeting or for any special meeting called by the board of directors. If no designation is made, or if a special meeting be otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be the principal executive office of the corporation.

 

Section 4. Notice. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take action at a meeting, written or printed notice stating the place, if any, date, time, means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or purposes, of such meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. All such notices shall be delivered, either personally, by mail, by facsimile or by electronic mail, by or at the direction of the board of directors, the president or the secretary, and such notice shall be deemed to be delivered (i) upon confirmation of receipt if sent by facsimile, electronic mail or personal delivery or (ii) three (3) days after being deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at his, her or its address as the same appears on the records of the corporation. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 5. Stockholders List. The officer having charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of the stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, and/or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the corporation. If the corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

 

Section 6. Quorum. The holders of at least a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote thereon, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by statute or by the corporation’s certificate of formation. If a quorum is not present, the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, and entitled to vote at the meeting, may adjourn the meeting to another time and/or place. When a quorum is once present to commence a meeting of stockholders, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any stockholders or their proxies.

 

Exhibit D-2

 

 

Section 7. Adjourned Meetings. When a meeting is adjourned to another time and place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

Section 8. Vote Required. When a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders, unless the question is one upon which by express provisions of an applicable law or of the corporation’s certificate of formation a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

 

Section 9. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided by the TBOC or by the corporation’s certificate of formation or any amendments thereto and subject to Section 3 of Article VI hereof, every stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one (1) vote in person or by proxy for each share of common stock held (or deemed held) by such stockholder (it being understood that certain other classes or series of capital stock may, pursuant to the corporation’s certificate of formation, be entitled to vote on as as-if converted to common stock basis).

 

Section 10. Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of the stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the corporation generally. Any proxy is suspended when the person executing the proxy is present at a meeting of the stockholders and elects to vote, except that, when such proxy is coupled with an interest and the fact of the interest appears on the face of the proxy, the agent named in the proxy shall have all voting and other rights referred to in the proxy, notwithstanding the presence of the person executing the proxy. At each meeting of the stockholders, and before any voting commences, all proxies filed at or before the meeting shall be submitted to and examined by the secretary or a person designated by the secretary and no shares may be represented or voted under a proxy that has been found to be invalid or irregular.

 

Exhibit D-3

 

 

Section 11. Action by Written Consent. Unless otherwise provided in the corporation’s certificate of formation, any action required to be taken at any regular or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or any action which may be taken at any regular or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken and bearing the dates of signature of the stockholders who signed the consent or consents, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the state of Texas, or the corporation’s principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book or books in which proceedings of meetings of the stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, by reputable overnight courier service, or by facsimile or electronic mail, with confirmation of receipt. All consents properly delivered in accordance with this section shall be deemed to be recorded when so delivered. No written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the corporation as required by this section, written consents signed by the holders of a sufficient number of shares to take such corporate action are so recorded. Any action taken pursuant to such written consent or consents of the stockholders shall have the same force and effect as if taken by the stockholders at a meeting thereof.

 

Any copy, facsimile or other reliable reproduction of a consent in writing may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing for any and all purposes for which the original writing could be used; provided that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing.

 

ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS

 

Section 1. General Power. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of directors.

 

Section 2. Number, Election and Term of Office. The number of directors which shall constitute the first board shall be two (2). The number of directors shall be subject to change by the vote of holders of a majority of the stock then entitled to vote at an election of directors. The directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the stock present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting of the stockholders and entitled to vote in the election of directors. The directors shall be elected in this manner at any meeting of the stockholders, except as provided in Section 4 of this Article III. Each director elected shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal as hereinafter provided.

 

Section 3. Removal and Resignation. Any director or the entire board of directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Whenever the holders of any class or series are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the corporation’s certificate of formation, the provisions of this section shall apply, in respect to the removal without cause of a director or directors so elected, to the vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of that class or series and not to the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole. Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the corporation.

 

Exhibit D-4

 

 

Section 4. Vacancies. Except as otherwise provided in the corporation’s certificate of formation, board vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors shall be filled in the same manner in which directors are elected pursuant to Section 2 of this Article III. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such vacancy shall automatically reduce the number of directors pro tanto, until such time as the holders of the class of common stock which was entitled to elect the director whose office is vacant shall have exercised their right to elect a director to fill such vacancy, whereupon the number of directors shall be automatically increased pro tanto. Each director so chosen shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal as herein provided.

 

Section 5. Meetings and Notice. Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the board or directors and promptly communicated to all directors then in the office. Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by or at the request of any director or the Ranking Officer on at least forty- eight (48) hours’ notice to each director, either personally, by telephone, by mail, or by facsimile or electronic mail.

 

Section 6. Quorum, Required Vote and Adjournment. Each director shall be entitled to one vote except as otherwise provided in the corporation’s certificate of formation. Directors then in office (and specifically excluding any vacancies) and holding a majority of the votes of all directors (or such greater number required by applicable law) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of directors holding a majority of votes present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the board of directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

 

Section 7. Committees. The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation, which to the extent provided in such resolution or these Amended and Restated Bylaws shall have and may exercise the powers of the board of directors in the management and affairs of the corporation except as otherwise limited by law. The board of directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when required.

 

Section 8. Committee Rules. Each committee of the board of directors may fix its own rules of procedure and shall hold its meetings as provided by such rules, except as may otherwise be provided by a resolution of the board of directors designating such committee. Unless otherwise provided in such a resolution, the presence of at least a majority of the members of the committee shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. If a member and that member’s alternate, if alternates are designated by the board of directors as provided in Section 7 of this Article III, of such committee is or are absent or disqualified, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

Exhibit D-5

 

 

Section 9. Communications Equipment. Members of the board of directors or any committee thereof may participate in and act at any meeting of such board or committee through the use of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in the meeting pursuant to this Section shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

Section 10. Waiver of Notice and Presumption of Consent. Any member of the board of directors or any committee thereof who is present at a meeting shall be conclusively presumed to have waived notice of such meeting except, when such member attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Such member shall be conclusively presumed to have consented to any action taken unless his or her dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless his or her written dissent to such action shall be filed with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall be forwarded by registered mail to the secretary of the corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to any member who voted in favor of such action.

 

Section 11. Action by Written Consent. Unless otherwise restricted by the corporation’s certificate of formation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS

 

Section 1. Number. The officers of the corporation shall be elected by the board of directors and may consist of a chairman of the board, a president, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer, one or more vice presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, and such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary or desirable by the board of directors. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. In its discretion, the board of directors may choose not to fill any office for any period as it may deem advisable, except that the offices of president and secretary shall be filled as expeditiously as reasonably possible.

 

Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of the corporation shall be elected at any meeting of the board of directors. Vacancies may be filled or new offices created and filled at any meeting of the board of directors. Each officer shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal as hereinafter provided.

 

Section 3. Removal. Any officer or agent elected by the board of directors may be removed by the board of directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

 

Exhibit D-6

 

 

Section 4. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the board of directors for the unexpired portion of the term by the board of directors then in office.

 

Section 5. Compensation. Compensation of all officers shall be fixed by the board of directors, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by virtue of his or her also being a director of the corporation.

 

Section 6. Chairman of the Board. The chairman of the board, if one is appointed, shall have the powers and perform the duties incident to that position. Subject to the powers of the board of directors, he or she shall be in the general and active charge of the entire business and affairs of the corporation. He or she shall preside at meetings of the board of directors and the stockholders and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or provided in these Amended and Restated Bylaws. Whenever the president is unable to serve, by reason of sickness, absence or otherwise, the chairman of the board shall perform all the duties and responsibilities and exercise all the powers of the president.

 

Section 7. The President. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation; shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and board of directors at which he or she is present; subject to the powers of the board of directors, shall have general charge of the business, affairs and property of the corporation, and control over its officers, agents and employees; and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board of directors are carried into effect. The president shall execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts which the board of directors has authorized to be executed, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation. The president shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or as may be provided in these Amended and Restated Bylaws. If there is no chief executive officer, the president shall also have the duties of the chief executive officer as prescribed above.

 

Section 8. Chief Financial Officer. The chief financial officer of the corporation, if one is appointed, shall, under the direction of the chief executive officer (or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president), be responsible for all financial and accounting matters and for the direction of the offices of treasurer and controller. The chief financial officer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer (or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president) or the board of directors or as may be provided in these Amended and Restated Bylaws.

 

Section 9. Vice Presidents. The vice president, if one is appointed, or if there shall be more than one, the vice presidents in the order determined by the board of directors or by the president, shall, in the absence or disability of the president, act with all of the powers and be subject to all the restrictions of the president. The vice presidents shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors, the chief executive officer (or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president) or these Amended and Restated Bylaws may, from time to time, prescribe.

 

Exhibit D-7

 

 

Section 10. The Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The secretary shall attend all meetings of the board of directors, all meetings of the committees thereof and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings in a book or books to be kept for that purpose. Under the chief executive officer’s (or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president’s) supervision, the secretary shall give, or cause to be given, all notices required to be given by these Amended and Restated Bylaws or by law; shall have such powers and perform such duties as the board of directors, the chief executive officer (or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president) or these Amended and Restated Bylaws may, from time to time, prescribe; and shall have custody of the corporate seal of the corporation. The secretary, or an assistant secretary, shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such assistant secretary. The board of directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the corporation and to attest the affixing by his or her signature. The assistant secretary, or if there be more than one, the assistant secretaries in the order determined by the board of directors, shall, in the absence or disability of the secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors, the chief executive officer (or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president) or the secretary may, from time to time, prescribe.

 

Section 11. The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. The treasurer shall, subject to the authority of the chief financial officer, if one is appointed, have the custody of the corporate funds and securities; shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation; shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors; shall cause the funds of the corporation to be disbursed when such disbursements have been duly authorized, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements; shall render to the chief executive officer (or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president) and the board of directors, at its regular meeting or when the board of directors so requires, an account of the corporation; and shall have such powers and perform such duties as the board of directors, the chief executive officer (or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president) or these Amended and Restated Bylaws may, from time to time, prescribe. If required by the board of directors, the treasurer shall give the corporation a bond (which shall be rendered every six (6) years) in such sums and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the board of directors for the faithful performance of the duties of the office of treasurer and for the restoration to the corporation, in case of death, resignation, retirement, or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money, and other property of whatever kind in the possession or under the control of the treasurer belonging to the corporation. The assistant treasurer, or if there shall be more than one, the assistant treasurers in the order determined by the board of directors, shall in the absence or disability of the chief financial officer or treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the treasurer. The assistant treasurers shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors, the chief executive officer (or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president) or the treasurer may, from time to time, prescribe.

 

Section 12. Other Officers, Assistant Officers and Agents. Officers, assistant officers and agents, if any, other than those whose duties are provided for in these Amended and Restated Bylaws, shall have such authority and perform such duties as may from time to time be prescribed by resolution of the board of directors.

 

Exhibit D-8

 

 

Section 13. Absence or Disability of Officers. In the case of the absence or disability of any officer of the corporation and of any person hereby authorized to act in such officer’s place during such officer’s absence or disability, the board of directors may by resolution delegate the powers and duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director, or to any other person whom it may select.

 

ARTICLE V
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND OTHERS

 

Section 1. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings other than Those by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to Section 3 of this Article V, the corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or, while a director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

Section 2. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to Section 3 of this Article V, the corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or, while a director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity by the corporation for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.

 

Exhibit D-9

 

 

Section 3. Authorization of Indemnification. Any indemnification under this Article V (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article V, as the case may be. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (i) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iv) by the stockholders. Such determination shall be made, with respect to former directors and officers, by any person or persons having the authority to act on the matter on behalf of the corporation. To the extent, however, that a present or former director or officer of the corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding set forth in Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article V or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith, without the necessity of authorization in the specific case.

 

Section 4. Good Faith Defined. For purposes of any determination under Section 3 of this Article V, a person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful, if such person’s action is based on good faith reliance on the records or books of account of the corporation or another enterprise, or on information supplied to such person by the officers of the corporation or another enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the corporation or another enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the corporation or another enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the corporation or another enterprise. The term “another enterprise” as used in this Section 4 shall mean any other corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which such person is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent. The provisions of this Section 4 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the circumstances in which a person may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article V, as the case may be.

 

Section 5. Right of Claimant to Bring Suit. Notwithstanding any contrary determination in the specific case under Section 3 of this Article V, and notwithstanding the absence of any determination thereunder, if (i) following the final disposition of the applicable proceeding, a claim for indemnification under Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article V is not paid in full by the corporation within ninety (90) days after the later of a written claim for indemnification has been received by the corporation, or (ii) a claim for advancement of expenses under Section 6 of this Article V is not paid in full by the corporation within thirty (30) days after the corporation has received a statement or statements requesting such amounts to be advanced, the claimant may at any time thereafter (but not before) bring suit against the corporation in the federal courts of the United States or the courts of the State of Texas, in each case located in the County of Harris, to recover the unpaid amount of the claim, together with interest thereon, or to obtain advancement of expenses, as applicable. It shall be a defense to any such action brought to enforce a right to indemnification (but not in an action brought to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the TBOC (or other applicable law) for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the corporation. Neither a contrary determination in the specific case under Section 3 of this Article V nor the absence of any determination thereunder shall be a defense to such application or create a presumption that the claimant has not met any applicable standard of conduct. If successful, in whole or in part, the claimant shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim, including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection therewith, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

Exhibit D-10

 

 

Section 6. Expenses Payable in Advance. Expenses, including without limitation attorneys’ fees, incurred by a current or former director or officer in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding to which such person is a party or is threatened to be made a party or otherwise involved as a witness or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or, while a director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such current or former director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this Article V or otherwise.

 

Section 7. Nonexclusivity of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this Article V shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the certificate of formation, any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, it being the policy of the corporation that, subject to Section 11 of this Article V, indemnification of the persons specified in Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article V shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law. The provisions of this Article V shall not be deemed to preclude the indemnification of any person who is not specified in Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article V but whom the corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify under the provisions of the TBOC, or otherwise.

 

Section 8. Insurance. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power or the obligation to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article V.

 

Exhibit D-11

 

 

Section 9. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article V, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents so that any person who is or was a director or officer of such constituent corporation, or, while a director or officer of such constituent corporation, is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article V with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Article V, references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect of any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this Article V.

 

Section 10. Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article V shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

Section 11. Limitation on Indemnification. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article V to the contrary, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses (which shall be governed by Section 5 of this Article V), the corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any current or former director or officer in connection with an action, suit proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless such action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

 

Section 12. Contract Rights. The obligations of the corporation under this Article V to indemnify, and advance expenses to, a person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation shall be considered a contract between the corporation and such person, and no modification or repeal of any provision of this Article V shall affect, to the detriment of such person, such obligations of the corporation in connection with a claim based on any act or failure to act occurring before such modification or repeal.

 

Exhibit D-12

 

 

ARTICLE VI
CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

 

Section 1. Form. Every holder of stock in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate, signed by the chief executive officer (or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president), the chief financial officer or a vice president and the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation, certifying the number of shares of a specific class or series owned by such holder in the corporation. If such a certificate is countersigned (1) by a transfer agent or an assistant transfer agent other than the corporation or its employee or (2) by a registrar, other than the corporation or its employee, the signature of any such chief executive officer (or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president), chief financial officer, vice president, secretary, or assistant secretary may be facsimiles. In case any officer or officers who have signed, or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used on, any such certificate or certificates shall cease to be such officer or officers of the corporation whether because of death, resignation or otherwise before such certificate or certificates have been delivered by the corporation, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer or officers of the corporation. All certificates for shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified. The name of the person to whom the shares represented thereby are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered on the books of the corporation. Shares of stock of the corporation shall be transferred on the books of the corporation only by the holder of record thereof or by such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender to the corporation of the certificate or certificates for such shares endorsed by the appropriate person or persons, with such evidence of the authenticity of such endorsement, transfer, authorization, and other matters as the corporation may reasonably require, and accompanied by all necessary stock transfer stamps. In that event, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate or certificates, and record the transaction on its books. The board of directors may appoint a bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof to act as its transfer agent or registrar, or both in connection with the transfer of any class or series of securities of the corporation.

 

Section 2. Lost Certificates. The board of directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates previously issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the board of directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the corporation against any claim that may be made against the corporation on account of the loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

 

Section 3. Fixing a Record Date for Stockholder Meetings. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the board of directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be the close of business on the next day preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

Exhibit D-13

 

 

Section 4. Fixing a Record Date for Action by Written Consent. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors, and which date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors. If no record date has been fixed by the board of directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the board of directors is required by statute, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Texas, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested or by facsimile or electronic mail, with confirmation of receipt. If no record date has been fixed by the board of directors and prior action by the board of directors is required by statute, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

Section 5. Fixing a Record Date for Other Purposes. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment or any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purposes of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

Section 6. Registered Stockholders. Prior to the surrender to the corporation of the certificate or certificates for a share or shares of stock with a request to record the transfer of such share or shares, the corporation may treat the registered owner as the person entitled to receive dividends, to vote, to receive notifications, and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of an owner. The corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof.

 

Section 7. Subscriptions for Stock. Unless otherwise provided for in the applicable subscription agreement, subscriptions for shares shall be paid in full at such time, or in such installments and at such times, as shall be determined by the board of directors. Any call made by the board of directors for payment on subscriptions shall be uniform as to all shares of the same class or as to all shares of the same series. In case of default in the payment of any installment or call when such payment is due, the corporation may proceed to collect the amount due in the same manner as any debt due the corporation.

 

ARTICLE VII
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 1. Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the corporation’s certificate of formation, if any, may be declared by the board of directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of capital stock, subject to the provisions of the corporation’s certificate of formation. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or any other purpose, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

Exhibit D-14

 

 

Section 2. Checks, Drafts or Orders. All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money by or to the corporation and all notes and other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed by such officer(s) or agent(s) of the corporation, and in such manner, as shall be determined by resolution of the board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof.

 

Section 3. Contracts. The board of directors may authorize any officer or officers, or any agent or agents, of the corporation to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

Section 4. Loans. The corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or of its subsidiary, including any officer or employee who is a director of the corporation or its subsidiary, whenever, in the judgment of the directors, such loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guaranty or other assistance may be with or without interest, and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the board of directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing in this section contained shall be deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at common law or under any statute.

 

Section 5. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors.

 

Section 6. Corporate Seal. The board of directors may provide a corporate seal which shall be in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation and the words “Corporate Seal, Texas.” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

 

Section 7. Voting Securities Owned By Corporation. Voting securities in any other corporation held by the corporation shall be voted by the president, any vice president, the chief financial officer or the secretary, unless the board of directors specifically confers authority to vote with respect thereto, which authority may be general or confined to specific instances, upon some other person or officer. Any person authorized to vote securities shall have the power to appoint proxies, with general power of substitution.

 

Section 8. Inspection of Books and Records. Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records, and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean any purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as a stockholder. In every instance where an attorney or other agent shall be the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing which authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the corporation at its registered office in the State of Texas or at its principal place of business.

 

Exhibit D-15

 

 

Section 9. Exclusive Jurisdiction. The federal courts of the United States or the courts of the State of Texas, in each case located in the County of Harris, shall be the sole and exclusive forum from (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer of the corporation to the corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the TBOC or the corporation’s certificate of formation or Amended and Restated Bylaws or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

 

Section 10. Section Headings. Section headings in these Amended and Restated Bylaws are for convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.

 

Section 11. Inconsistent Provisions. If any provision of these Amended and Restated Bylaws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the corporation’s certificate of formation, the TBOC or any other applicable law, the provision of these Amended and Restated Bylaws shall not be given any effect to the extent of such inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.

 

ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS

 

Except for Article III and Article V hereof, these Amended and Restated Bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed and new Amended and Restated Bylaws adopted at any meeting of the board of directors by a majority vote. Article III and Article V hereof may be amended, altered, or repealed at any meeting of the board of directors only by a unanimous vote (or unanimous written consent in lieu thereof). The fact that the power to adopt, amend, alter, or repeal the Amended and Restated Bylaws has been conferred upon the board of directors shall not divest the stockholders of the same powers.

 

* * * * *

 

Exhibit D-16

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

FORM OF THE

[●]1 AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
FORMATION
OF
[NAUTICUS ROBOTICS INC.]

 

[Nauticus Robotics Inc.] (the “Corporation”), pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.059 of the Texas Business Organizations Code (the “TBOC”), hereby adopts this [●] Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation which accurately copies and makes new amendments to the [Amended and Restated] Certificate of Formation of the Company (the “Certificate of Formation”) and all amendments thereto that are in effect to date and as further amended by such [●] Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation.

 

ARTICLE ONE

DELETED ARTICLES

 

Article [XII] through Article [XIII], inclusive, to the Company’s Certificate of Formation are hereby deleted in their entirety.

 

ARTICLE TWO

AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES

 

Article [I] through Article [XI], inclusive, to the Company’s Certificate of Formation are hereby amended and restated in their entirety. The full text of each amended and restated Article [I] through Article [XI], inclusive, is contained in the [●] Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

ARTICLE THREE

STATEMENT OF APPROVAL

 

Each new amendment has been made in accordance with the provisions of the TBOC. The amendments to the Certificate of Formation and the [●] Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation have been approved in the manner required by the TBOC and the governing documents of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE FOUR

REQUIRED STATEMENTS

 

The [●] Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation, which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, accurately states the text of the Certificate of Formation being restated and each amendment to the Certificate of Formation being restated that is in effect, and as further amended by the [●] Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation. The attached [●] Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation does not contain any other changes in the Certificate of Formation being restated except for the information permitted to be omitted by the provisions of the TBOC applicable to the Company.

 

 

1 NTD: The numbering will depend on how the name change is processed (e.g. through an amendment and restatement or an amendment to the latest A&R charter).

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE FIVE

EFFECTIVENESS OF FILING

 

This document becomes effective when filed by the Secretary of State of the State of Texas.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

Exhibit E-2

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this [●] Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation has been executed by a duly authorized officer of [Nauticus Robotics Inc.], on this ____ day of _______, 2022.

 

  [NAUTICUS ROBOTICS INC.]
     
By:                               
  Name:   
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to the [●] Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation – [Nauticus Robotics Inc.]

 

Exhibit E-3

 

 

[●] AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION OF

[NAUTICUS ROBOTICS INC.]

 

The Corporation (defined below), under the Texas Business Organization Code, as amended (the “TBOC”), hereby adopts the following [●] Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation:

 

ARTICLE I

NAME

 

The name of the corporation is [Nauticus Robotics Inc.] (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II

REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

 

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Texas is [_____], and the name of the registered agent at such address is [_________] 2

 

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the TBOC.

 

ARTICLE IV

DURATION

 

The Corporation shall have perpetual existence.

 

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL STOCK

 

A. The aggregate number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 100 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001 per share.

 

B. Except as otherwise required by the TBOC, all shares of common stock shall be identical in all respects and shall entitle the holders thereof to the same rights and privileges, subject to the same qualifications, limitations and restrictions.

 

 

2 NTD: To discuss using CSC or other service provider.

 

Exhibit E-4

 

 

ARTICLE VI

INDEMNIFICATION

 

C. To the fullest extent permitted by the TBOC as the same exists or as may hereafter be amended, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Article VI shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for a breach of the director’s duty of loyalty, if any, to the Corporation or its shareholders, (ii) an act or omission not committed in good faith that constitutes a breach of duty of the director to the Corporation, (iii) an act or omission not committed in good faith that constitutes a breach of a duty owed by the director to the Corporation or its shareholders, (iv) willful or intentional misconduct in the performance of the director’s duty to the Corporation, or (v) a transaction from which the director received an improper benefit, regardless of whether the benefit resulted from an action taken within the scope of the director’s duties. No repeal or modification of this Article VI shall apply to or have any adverse effect on any right or protection of, or any limitation of the liability of, a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

 

D. The Corporation may indemnify, and advance expenses to, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any person who was or is a party to or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

 

ARTICLE VII

CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES

 

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the doctrine of corporate opportunity and any analogous doctrine (any such potential opportunity, a “Corporate Opportunity”) shall not apply to any stockholder, director, officer or any other person or entity (including, with respect to any of the foregoing that are entities, any affiliates and their respective directors, officers, partners, members and associated entities) in each case who is not a full-time employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (each, an “Exempted Person”). The Corporation renounces any interest or expectancy of the Corporation in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities (including Corporate Opportunities) that are from time to time presented to any Exempted Person. Each Exempted Person who acquires knowledge of a potential circumstance, transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be a Corporate Opportunity shall not (a) have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the Corporation and (b) shall not be liable to the Corporation, its subsidiaries or to the stockholders of the Corporation because such Exempted Person pursues or acquires for, or directs such opportunity to, itself or another Person or does not communicate such opportunity or information to the Corporation. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no potential transaction or business opportunity may be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity of the Corporation or its subsidiaries unless (a) the Corporation and its subsidiaries would be permitted to undertake such transaction or opportunity in accordance with this [●] Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, (b) the Corporation and its subsidiaries at such time have sufficient financial resources to undertake such transaction or opportunity and (c) such transaction or opportunity would be in the same line of business in which the Corporation and its subsidiaries are then engaged or a line of business that is reasonably related to, or a reasonable extension of, such line of business. No amendment or repeal of this Article VII shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any Exempted Person for or with respect to any activities or opportunities of which such Exempted Person becomes aware prior to such amendment or repeal. This Article VII shall not limit any protections or defenses available to, or indemnification or advancement rights of, any director or officer of the Corporation under this Eighth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”) or applicable law.

 

Exhibit E-5

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENT

 

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this [●] Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred on stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

 

ARTICLE XI

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The number of directors which shall constitute the whole board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by, or in the manner provided in, the Bylaws of the Corporation or in an amendment thereof duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or by the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE X

MEETINGS AND RECORDS

 

Meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be held within or without the State of Texas, as the Bylaws of the Corporation may provide. The books of the corporation may be kept (subject to any provision contained in the TBOC) outside the State of Texas at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE XI

BYLAWS

 

Except as otherwise provided in this [●] Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to make, repeal, alter, amend and rescind any or all of the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

Exhibit E-6

 

 

EXHIBIT F 

 

SHARE ESCROW AGREEMENT

 

THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [    ], by and between [    ], a Corporation; and, joint representatives (“company stockholder representatives”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation (“Escrow Agent”).

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Appointment

 

(a) [    ] hereby appoints the Escrow Agent as its escrow agent for the purposes set forth herein, and the Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment under the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

(b) All capitalized terms with respect to the Escrow Agent shall be defined herein. The Escrow Agent shall act only in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and shall have no duties or obligations with respect to the Underlying Agreement.

 

2. Escrow Shares

 

(a) [    ] agrees to deposit with the Escrow Agent Common shares of [    ] (“Escrow Shares”) on the date hereof. The Escrow Agent shall hold the Escrow Shares as a book-entry position registered in the name of “Continental Stock Transfer & Trust as Escrow Agent for the benefit of [    ].

 

(b) During the term of this Agreement, [    ] shall not have, or have, the right to exercise any voting rights with respect to any of the Escrow Shares. With respect to any matter for which the Escrow Shares are permitted to vote, the Escrow Agent shall vote, or cause to be voted the Escrow Shares in the same proportion that the number of common shares of owned by all other shareholders of are voted. In the absence of notice as to the proportion that the number of common shares of owned by all other shareholders of are voted, the Escrow Agent shall not vote any of the shares comprising the Escrow Shares.

 

(c) Any dividends paid with respect to the Escrow Shares shall be deemed part of the Escrow and be delivered to the Escrow Agent to be held in a bank account and be deposited in a non-interest bearing account to be maintained by the Escrow Agent in the name of the Escrow Agent.

 

(d) In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares, liquidation, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any distribution to holders of the common stock of, other than a regular cash dividend, the Escrow Shares shall be appropriately adjusted on a pro rata basis and consistent with the terms of the Agreements.

 

3. Disposition and Termination

 

(a) The Escrow Agent shall administer the Escrow Shares in accordance with written instructions provided by [    ] to the Escrow Agent to release the Escrow Shares, or any portion thereof, as set forth in such instruction. The Escrow Agent shall make distributions of the Escrow Shares only in accordance with a written instruction.

 

(b) Upon the delivery of all the Escrow Shares by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and instructions, this Agreement shall terminate, subject to the provisions of Section 6.

 

 

 

 

4. Escrow Agent

 

(a) The Escrow Agent shall have only those duties as are specifically and expressly provided herein, which shall be deemed purely ministerial in nature, and no other duties shall be implied. The Escrow Agent shall neither be responsible for, nor chargeable with, knowledge of, nor have any requirements to comply with, the terms and conditions of any other agreement, instrument or document between and any other person or entity, in connection herewith, if any, including without limitation the Underlying Agreement or nor shall the Escrow Agent be required to determine if any person or entity has complied with any such agreements, nor shall any additional obligation of the Escrow Agent be inferred from the terms of such agreements, even though reference thereto may be made in this Agreement.

 

(b) In the event of any conflict between the terms and provisions of this Agreement, those of the Underlying Agreement, any schedule or exhibit attached to this Agreement, or any other agreement between and or any other person or entity, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

 

(c) The Escrow Agent may rely upon and shall not be liable for acting or refraining from acting upon any written notice, document, instruction or request furnished to it hereunder and believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the without inquiry and without requiring substantiating evidence of any kind. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable to any beneficiary or other person for refraining from acting upon any instruction setting forth, claiming, containing, objecting to, or related to the transfer or distribution of the Escrow Shares, or any portion thereof, unless such instruction shall have been delivered to the Escrow Agent in accordance with Section 9 below and the Escrow Agent has been able to satisfy any applicable security procedures as may be required hereunder and as set forth in Section 10. The Escrow Agent shall be under no duty to inquire into or investigate the validity, accuracy or content of any such document, notice, instruction or request. The Escrow Agent shall have no duty to solicit any payments which may be due nor shall the Escrow Agent have any duty or obligation to confirm or verify the accuracy or correctness of any amounts deposited with it hereunder.

 

(d) The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith except to the extent that a final adjudication of a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the Escrow Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct was the primary cause of any loss to either or the beneficiary. The Escrow Agent may execute any of its powers and perform any of its duties hereunder directly or through affiliates or agents.

 

(e) The Escrow Agent may consult with counsel, accountants and other skilled persons to be selected and retained by it. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in accordance with, or in reliance upon, the advice or opinion of any such counsel, accountants or other skilled persons except to the extent that a final adjudication of a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the Escrow Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct was the primary cause of any loss to either or the beneficiary. In the event that the Escrow Agent shall be uncertain or believe there is some ambiguity as to its duties or rights hereunder or shall receive instructions, claims or demands from hereto which, in its opinion, conflict with any of the provisions of this Agreement, it shall be entitled to refrain from taking any action and its sole obligation shall be to keep safely all the property held in escrow until it shall be given a direction in writing which eliminates such ambiguity or uncertainty to the satisfaction of the Escrow Agent or by a final and non-appealable order or judgement of a court of competent jurisdiction agrees to pursue any redress or recourse in connection with any dispute without making the Escrow Agent a party to the same.

 

Exhibit F-2

 

 

5. Succession

 

(a) The Escrow Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties or obligations hereunder by giving thirty (30) days’ advance notice in writing of such resignation to specifying a date when such resignation a date when such resignation shall take effect, provided that such resignation shall not take effect until a successor Escrow Agent has been appointed in accordance with this Section 5. If [    ] has failed to appoint a successor Escrow Agent prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days following receipt of the notice of resignation, the Escrow Agent may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Escrow Agent or for other appropriate relief, and any such resulting appointment shall be binding upon all of the parties hereto. The Escrow Agent’s sole responsibility after such thirty (30) day notice period expires shall be to hold the Escrow Shares (without any obligation to reinvest the same) and to deliver the same to a designated substitute Escrow Agent, if any, or in accordance with the directions of a final order or judgement of a court of competent jurisdiction, at which time of delivery the Escrow Agent’s obligations hereunder shall ease and terminate, subject to the provisions of Section 7 below. In accordance with Section 7 below, the Escrow Agent shall have the right to withhold, as security, an amount of shares equal to any dollar amount due and owing to the Escrow Agent, plus any costs and expenses the Escrow Agent shall reasonably believe may be incurred by the Escrow Agent in connection with the termination of this Agreement.

 

(b) Any entity into which the Escrow Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any entity to which all or substantially all the escrow business may be transferred, shall be the Escrow Agent under this Agreement without further act.

 

6. Compensation and Reimbursement

 

The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to compensation for its services under this Agreement as Escrow Agent and for reimbursement for its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses, in the amounts and payable as set forth on Schedule 2. The Escrow Agent shall also be entitled to payments of any amounts to which the Escrow Agent is entitled under the indemnification provisions contained herein as set forth in Section 7. The obligations of [    ] set forth in this Section 6 shall survive the resignation, replacement or removal of the Escrow Agent or the termination of this Agreement.

 

7. Indemnity

 

(a) The Escrow Agent shall be indemnified and held harmless by from and against any expenses, including counsel fees and disbursements, or loss suffered by the Escrow Agent in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding involving any claim which in any way, directly or indirectly, arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services of the Escrow Agent hereunder, other than expenses or losses arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent. Promptly after the receipt by the Escrow Agent of notice of any demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, the Escrow Agent shall notify the other parties hereto in writing. In the event of the receipt of such notice, the Escrow Agent, in its sole discretion, may commence an action in the Nature of Interpleader in any state of federal court located in New York County, State of New York.

 

(b) The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in the exercise of its own best judgement, and may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the Escrow Agent), statement, instrument, report or other paper or document (not only as to its due execution and the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of any information therein contained) which is believed by the Escrow Agent to be genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement unless evidenced by a writing delivered to the Escrow Agent are affected, unless it shall have given its prior written consent thereto.

 

Exhibit F-3

 

 

(c) The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Agreement, and may consult with counsel of its own choice and shall have full and complete authorization and indemnification, for any action take or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the opinion of such counsel.

 

(d) This Section 7 shall survive termination of this Agreement or the resignation, replacement or removal of the Escrow Agent for any reason.

 

8. Patriot Act Disclosure/Taxpayer Identification Numbers/Tax Reporting

 

(a) Patriot Act Disclosure. Section 326 of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”) requires the Escrow Agent to implement reasonable procedures to verify the identity of any person that opens a new account with it. Accordingly, [    ] acknowledges that Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act and the Escrow Agents’ identity verification procedures require the Escrow Agent to obtain information which may be used to confirm identity including without limitation name, address and organizational documents (“identifying information”). agrees to provide the Escrow Agent with and consent to the Escrow Agent obtaining from third parties any such identifying information required as a condition of opening an account with or using any service provided by the Escrow Agent.

 

(b) Such underlying transaction does not constitute an installment sale requiring any tax reporting or withholding of imputed interest or original issue discount to the IRS or other taxing authority.

 

9. Notices

 

All communications hereunder shall be in writing and except for communications from [    ] setting forth, claiming, containing, objecting to, or in any way related to the full or partial transfer or distribution of the Escrow Shares, including but not limited to transfer instructions (all of which shall be specifically governed by Section 10 below), all notices and communications hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given and made if in writing and if (i) served by personal delivery upon the party for whom it is intended, (ii) delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by Federal Express or similar overnight courier, or (iii) sent by facsimile or email, electronically or otherwise, to the party at the address set forth below, or such other address as may be designated in writing hereafter, in the same manner, by such party:

 

If to the Escrow Agent:

 

Continental Stock Transfer and Trust

One State Street — 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Facsimile No: (212) 616-7615

Attention:

 

Notwithstanding the above, in the case of communications delivered to the Escrow Agent, such communications shall be deemed to have been given on the date received by an officer of the Escrow Agent or any employee of the Escrow Agent who reports directly to any such offer at the above-referenced office. In the event that the Escrow Agent, in its sole discretion, shall determine that an emergency exists, the Escrow Agent may use such other means of communication as the Escrow Agent deems appropriate. For purposes of this Agreement, “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which the Escrow Agent located at the notice address set forth above is authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed.

 

Exhibit F-4

 

 

10. Security Procedures

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary as set forth in Section 9, any instructions setting forth, claiming, containing, objecting to, or in any way related to the transfer distribution, including but not limited to any transfer instructions that may otherwise be set forth in a written instruction permitted pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement, may be given to the Escrow Agent only by confirmed facsimile or other electronic transmission (including e-mail) and no instruction for or related to the transfer or distribution of the Escrow Shares, or any portion thereof, shall be deemed delivered and effective unless the Escrow Agent actually shall have received such instruction by facsimile or other electronic transmission (including e-mail) at the number or e-mail address provided to by the Escrow Agent in accordance with Section 9 and as further evidenced by a confirmed transmittal to that number.

 

(a) In the event transfer instructions are so received by the Escrow Agent by facsimile or other electronic transmission (including e-mail), the Escrow Agent is authorized to seek confirmation of such instructions by telephone call-back to the person or persons designated on Schedule 1 hereto, and the Escrow Agent may rely upon the confirmation of anyone purporting to be the person or persons so designated. The persons and telephone numbers for call-backs may be changed only in writing actually received and acknowledged by the Escrow Agent. If the Escrow Agent is unable to contact any of the authorized representatives identified in Schedule 1, the Escrow Agent is hereby authorized both to receive written instructions from and seek confirmation of such instructions by officers of (collectively, the “Senior Officers”), as the case may be, which shall include the titles of Chief Executive Officer, General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer, President of Executive Vice President, as the Escrow Agent may select. Such Senior Officer shall deliver to the Escrow Agent a fully executed incumbency certificate, and the Escrow Agent may rely upon the confirmation of anyone purporting to be any such officer.

 

(b) [    ] acknowledges that the Escrow Agent is authorized to deliver the Escrow Shares to the custodian account of recipient designated by [    ] in writing.

 

11. Compliance with Court Officers

 

In the event that any escrow property shall be attached, garnished or levied upon by any court order, or the delivery thereof shall be stayed or enjoined by an order of a court, or any order, judgement of decree shall be made or entered by any court order affecting the property deposited under this Agreement, the Escrow Agent is hereby expressly authorized, in its sole discretion, to obey and comply with all writs, orders or decrees so entered or whether with or without jurisdiction, and in the event that the Escrow Agent reasonably obeys or complies with any such writ, order or decree it shall not be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other person, entity, firm or corporation, by reason of such compliance notwithstanding such writ, order or decree by subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside or vacated.

 

Exhibit F-5

 

 

12. Miscellaneous

 

Except for changes to transfer instructions as provided in Section 10, the provisions of this Agreement may be waived, altered, amended or supplemented, in whole or in part, only by a writing signed by the Escrow Agent and. Neither this Agreement nor any right or interest hereunder may be assigned in whole or in part by the Escrow Agent or except as provided in Section 5, without the prior consent of the Escrow Agent and. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of New York. Each of [    ] and the Escrow Agent irrevocably waives any objection on the grounds of venue, forum non-convenience or any similar grounds and irrevocably consents to service of process by mail or in any other manner permitted by applicable law and consents to the jurisdiction of any court of the State of New York or United States federal court, in each case, sitting in New York County, New York. To the extent that in any jurisdiction any party may now or hereafter be entitled to claim for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution attachment (before or after judgement), or other legal process, such party shall not claim, and it hereby irrevocably waives, such immunity. The parties further hereby waive any right to a trial by jury with respect to any lawsuit or judicial proceedings arising or relating to this Agreement. No party to this Agreement is liable to any other party for losses due to, or if it is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of, acts of God, fire, war, terrorism, floods, strikes, electrical outages, equipment or transmission failure, or other causes reasonably beyond its control.

 

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. All signatures of the parties to this Agreement may be transmitted by facsimile or other electronic transmission (including e-mail), and such facsimile or other electronic transmission (including e-mail) will, for all purposes, be deemed to be the original signature of such party whose signature it reproduces, and will be binding upon such party. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be prohibited or unenforceable by reason of any applicable law of a jurisdiction, then such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions thereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in such jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provisions in any other jurisdiction. A person who is not a party to this Agreement shall have no right to enforce any term of this Agreement. The parties represent, warrant and covenant that each document, notice, instruction or request provided by such party to the other party shall comply with applicable laws and regulations. Where, however, the conflicting provisions of any such applicable law may be waived, they are hereby irrevocably waived by the parties hereto to the fullest extent permitted by law, to the end that this Agreement shall be enforced as written. Except as expressly provided in Section 7 above, nothing in this Agreement, whether express or implied, shall be construed to give to any person or entity other than the Escrow Agent and any legal or equitable right, remedy, interest or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or the Escrow Shares escrowed hereunder.

 

[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

Exhibit F-6

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth above.

 

  By:         
   
  Name:  
   
  Title:                              
   
  Telephone: 
   
  ESCROW AGENT: CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER AND TRUST
   
  By:             
   
  Name:   
     
  Title:             

 

[Signature Page to Escrow Agreement]

 

Exhibit F-7

 

 

Schedule 1

 

Telephone Number(s) and authorized signature(s) for Person(s) Designated to give Escrow Asset Transfer Instructions

 

Name:          
   
Telephone:     
   
Number:    
   
Signature:    

 

Exhibit F-8

 

 

EXHIBIT G

 

FORM OF DIRECTOR NOMINATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS DIRECTOR NOMINATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [●], 2021 (the “Effective Time”), by and among Nauticus Robotics Inc., a Delaware corporation (f/k/a CleanTech Acquisition Corp.) (the “Company”), CleanTech Sponsor I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CleanTech Sponsor”) and CleanTech Investments, LLC (“CleanTech Investments” and together with CleanTech Sponsor, the “Sponsors). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the respective meanings given to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and certain of its affiliates have consummated the business combination and the other transactions (collectively, the “Transactions”) contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of [●], 2021, by and among the CleanTech Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, CleanTech Merger Sub, Inc., a Texas corporation, Nauticus Robotics (Texas), Inc., a Texas corporation (f/k/a Nauticus Robotics, Inc. and prior to December [__], 2021, Houston Mechatronics, Inc.), and Nicolaus Radford solely in his capacity as the Stockholder Representative thereunder (the “Merger Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, in their capacities as the co-sponsors of the special purpose acquisition company that was the predecessor to the Company, the Sponsors desire that, after giving effect to the Transactions, it will continue to have representation on the Board so as to continue to create value for its direct and indirect equityholders (collectively with the Sponsors, the “Sponsor Parties”) and for the other direct and indirect equityholders of the Company; and

 

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, the Sponsors desire to have certain director nomination rights with respect to the Company, and the Company desires to provide the Sponsors, on behalf of the Sponsor Parties, with such rights, in each case, on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficient of which are hereby acknowledged, each of the parties to this Agreement agrees as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

NOMINATION RIGHT

 

Section 1.1 Board Nomination Right.

 

(a) From the Effective Time until the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 2.1, at every meeting of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), or a committee thereof, or action by written consent, at or by which directors of the Company are appointed by the Board or are nominated to stand for election and elected by stockholders of the Company, the Sponsors shall have the right to appoint or nominate for election to the Board, as applicable, one (1) individual, to serve as an independent director (in accordance with NASDAQ rules) of the Company (the individual appointed or nominated by the Sponsors for election to the Board pursuant to this Section 1.1(a), a “Nominee”); provided, that such representative shall be reasonably acceptable to the Founder. At the Effective Time, unless otherwise designated by the Sponsors, the Nominee shall be [●], who the Founder has confirmed as being reasonably acceptable to the Founder.

 

 

 

 

(b) The Company shall take all necessary actions within its control, including but not limited to calling a meeting of the Board or executing an action by unanimous written consent of the Board, such that, as of the Effective Time, the Nominee shall either be elected by the Company’s stockholders at the meeting held to approve the Transactions or appointed to the Board as of the Effective Time as a director of the Company.

 

(c) From and after the Effective Time, the Company shall take all actions necessary (including, without limitation, calling special meetings of the Board and the stockholders of the Company and recommending, supporting and soliciting proxies) to ensure that: (i) the Nominee is included in the Board’s slate of nominees to the stockholders of the Company for the election of directors of the Company and recommended by the Board at any meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors of the Company; and (ii) the Nominee, if up for election, is included in the proxy statement prepared by management of the Company in connection with the Company’s solicitation of proxies or consents in favor of the foregoing for every meeting of the stockholders of the Company called with respect to the election of members of the Board, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by written resolution of the stockholders of the Company or the Board with respect to the election of directors of the Company.

 

(d) If the Nominee ceases to serve for any reason, the Sponsors shall be entitled to designate or nominate such person’s successor in accordance with this Agreement and the Board shall promptly fill the vacancy with such successor Nominee; provided, that such successor shall be reasonably acceptable to the Founder.

 

(e) [intentionally omitted]

 

(f) The Company shall indemnify the Nominee on the same basis as all other members of the Board and pursuant to an indemnity agreement with terms that are no less favorable to the Nominee than the indemnity agreements entered into between the Company and its other non-employee directors.

 

(g) The Nominee shall be entitled to compensation (including equity awards) that is consistent with the compensation received by other non-employee directors of the Company. In addition, the Company shall pay the reasonable, documented, out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Nominee in connection with his or her services provided to or on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including attending Board and committee meetings or events attended on behalf of the Company or at the Company’s request.

 

(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 1.1, the Sponsors shall not be entitled to designate a Person as a nominee to the Board upon a written determination by the Board or relevant committee thereof that the Person would not be qualified under any applicable law, rule or regulation to serve as a director of the Company. In such an event, the Sponsors shall be entitled to select a Person as a replacement Nominee and the Company shall take all necessary actions within its control to cause that Person to be nominated as a Nominee, including, without limitation, taking such necessary actions to cause that Person to be nominated as a Nominee at the same meeting (or, if permitted, pursuant to the same action by written consent of the stockholders) as the initial Person was to be nominated; provided, that any such replacement Nominee shall be reasonably acceptable to the Founder.

 

Exhibit G-2

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 2.1 Termination. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and become void and of no further force or effect, without any notice or other action by any Person, as of the fifteen (15)-month anniversary of the Effective Time.

 

Section 2.2 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to the Company hereunder shall be in writing (including electronic transmission) and shall be given in accordance with the provisions of the Merger Agreement. All notices, requests and other communications to the Sponsors hereunder shall be in writing (including electronic transmission) to the following address and shall be given in accordance with the provisions of the Merger Agreement:

 

If to Sponsors, to:

 

CleanTech Sponsor I LLC

207 W. 25th Street, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10001

Attention: Eli Spiro

E-mail: espiro@axxcesscapital.com

 

CleanTech Investments, LLC

207 W. 25th Street, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10001

Attention: Jonas Grossman

Email: jgrossman@chardan.com

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

Attn: Giovanni Caruso

Email: gcaruso@loeb.com

 

Exhibit G-3

 

 

Section 2.3 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party hereto. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties hereto as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

Section 2.4 Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned, directly or indirectly, including by operation of law, by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party hereto, except notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Sponsors may, in connection with a transfer of shares of the Company’s common stock to one of their Affiliates, assign its rights and obligations hereunder to such Affiliate transferee, in which case the prior consent of the Company shall not be required.

 

Section 2.5 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is exclusively for the benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and this Agreement shall not be deemed to confer upon or give to any other third party any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right by virtue of any applicable law in any jurisdiction to enforce any of the terms to this Agreement.

 

Section 2.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that, in entering into this Agreement, such party has not relied on any promises or assurances, written or oral, that are not reflected in this Agreement.

 

Section 2.7 Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles or rules of conflict of Laws to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of Laws of another jurisdiction.

 

Section 2.8 Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. Any Action based upon, arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may be brought in federal and state courts located in the State of Delaware, and each of the parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such Action, waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction, venue or to convenience of forum, agrees that all claims in respect of the Action shall be heard and determined only in any such court, and agrees not to bring any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in any other court. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any manner permitted by Law or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against the other party hereto in any other jurisdiction, in each case, to enforce judgments obtained in any Action brought pursuant to this Section 2.8. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF.

 

Exhibit G-4

 

 

Section 2.9 Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge that the rights of each party hereto to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby are unique and recognize and affirm that in the event of a breach of this Agreement by any party hereto, money damages may be inadequate and such non-breaching party may have no adequate remedy at law. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that such non-breaching party shall have the right to enforce its rights and the other party’s obligations hereunder by an action or actions for specific performance and/or injunctive relief (without posting of bond or other security), including any order, injunction or decree sought by such non-breaching party to cause the other party to perform its/their respective agreements and covenants contained in this Agreement and to cure breaches of this Agreement, without the necessity of proving actual harm and/or damages or posting a bond or other security therefore. Each party hereto further agrees that the only permitted objection that it may raise in response to any action for any such equitable relief is that it contests the existence of a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement.

 

Section 2.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or e-mail shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of the Agreement.

 

Section 2.11 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented at any time only by the written consent of all of the parties hereto, and any amendment, modification or supplement so effected shall be binding on all of the parties.

 

Section 2.12 Rights Cumulative. Except as otherwise expressly limited by this Agreement, all rights and remedies of each of the parties hereto under this Agreement will be cumulative, and the exercise of one or more rights or remedies will not preclude the exercise of any other right or remedy available under this Agreement or law.

 

Section 2.13 Further Assurances. Each of the parties hereto shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts and things as may be required to carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.

 

Section 2.14 Enforcement. Each of the parties hereto covenants and agrees that the disinterested members of the Board have the right to enforce, waive or take any other action with respect to this Agreement on behalf of the Company.

 

Section 2.15 Headings. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

[Signature Page Follows.]

 

Exhibit G-5

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as a deed as of the date first written above.

 

  Nauticus Robotics Inc.
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
  CleanTech Sponsor I LLC
     
  By:  
  Name:   
  Title:  
     
  CleanTech Investments, LLC
     
  By:                       
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Director Nomination Agreement]

 

Exhibit G-6

 

 

EXHIBIT H-1

 

FORM OF COMPANY STOCKHOLDER LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

 

THIS LOCK-UP AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of December ___, 2021, by and between the undersigned (the “Holder”) and Nauticus Robotics, Inc., a Delaware company, f/k/a CleanTech Acquisition Corp. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given such terms in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

BACKGROUND

 

A. Nauticus Robotics, Inc., a Delaware company, f/k/a CleanTech Acquisition Corp. (the “Acquiror”), CleanTech Merger Sub Inc., a Texas company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Acquiror (the “Merger Sub”), and Houston Mechatronics, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “Company”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December ___, 2021 (the “Merger Agreement”).

 

B. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Acquiror will become the 100% stockholder of the Company (the “Transaction”).

 

C. The Holder is the record and/or beneficial owner of equity securities of the Company, which will be exchanged for common stock of the Acquiror pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

 

D. As a condition of, and as a material inducement for the Company to enter into and consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Holder has agreed to execute and deliver this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

AGREEMENT

 

1. Lock-Up.

 

(a) During the Lock-up Period (as defined below), the Holder irrevocably agrees that it, he or she will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of the Lock-up Shares (as defined below), enter into a transaction that would have the same effect, or enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of such Lock-up Shares, whether any of these transactions are to be settled by delivery of any such Lock-up Shares, in cash or otherwise, publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement, or engage in any Short Sales (as defined below) with respect to any security of Acquiror.

 

(b) In furtherance of the foregoing, Acquiror will (i) place an irrevocable stop order on all Lock-up Shares, including those which may be covered by a registration statement, and (ii) notify Acquiror’s transfer agent in writing of the stop order and the restrictions on such Lock-up Shares under this Agreement and direct Acquiror’s transfer agent not to process any attempts by the Holder to resell or transfer any Lock-up Shares, except in compliance with this Agreement.

 

(c) For purposes hereof, “Short Sales” include, without limitation, all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and all types of direct and indirect stock pledges, forward sale contracts, options, puts, calls, swaps and similar arrangements (including on a total return basis), and sales and other transactions through non-US broker dealers or foreign regulated brokers.

 

 

 

 

(d) For purpose of this Agreement, the “Lock-up Period” means the earlier of (x) the date this is 180 days following the Closing Date, (y) the date on which the VWAP of shares of PubCo’s Common Stock equals or exceeds $13.00 per share for twenty (20) of any thirty (30) consecutive trading days commencing after the Closing on Nasdaq and (z) the date specified in a written waiver of the provisions of this Agreement duly executed by the Sponsors and the Acquiror.

 

The restrictions set forth herein shall not apply to: (1) transfers or distributions to the Holder’s current or former general or limited partners, managers or members, stockholders, other equity holders or direct or indirect affiliates (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) or to the estates of any of the foregoing; (2) transfers by bona fide gift to a member of the Holder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is the Holder or a member of the Holder’s immediate family for estate planning purposes; (3) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of the Holder; (4) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, in each case where such transferee agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement; (5) transfers or distributions of, or other transactions involving, securities other than the Lock-up Shares (including, without limitation, securities acquired in the PIPE or in open market transactions); or (6) in the case of Angela Berka (or Reginald Berka with respect to any community, marital or similar interest he may have in the following shares), the transfer of up to 1,000,000 shares of Lock-up Shares in a privately negotiated sale to another Company stockholder, who shall enter into a Lock-Up Agreement (or amend an existing Lock-Up Agreement) containing the same terms and conditions as this Agreement with respect to such shares, or the entry into any agreement with respect to such a sale entered into before, at or after the Effective Time.

 

In addition, the restrictions set forth herein shall not apply to any bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation, business combination, stock purchase or other similar transaction or series of related transactions after the Closing Date, if such transaction or transactions would result in a Change of Control; provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, consolidation, business combination, stock purchase or transaction or series of related transactions is not completed, the Lock-up Shares shall remain subject to the restrictions set forth herein. A “Change of Control” means (whether by tender offer, merger, consolidation, asset sale or other similar transaction, whether in one or a series of related transactions): (a) the sale of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of Acquiror and Acquiror subsidiaries to a third-party acquiror; (b) a sale resulting in no less than a majority of the voting power of the Acquiror being held by person that did not own a majority of the voting power prior to such sale; or (c) a merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization of Acquiror with or into a third-party acquiror that results in the inability of the pre-transaction equity holders to designate or elect a majority of the Board of Directors (or its equivalent) of the resulting entity or its parent company. In the event that all or a portion of the securities subject to any other lock-up agreement entered into, or otherwise applicable, in connection with the Transaction are released early from the restrictions of such other such other lock-up agreement (whether by release, waiver, amendment, modification, termination or otherwise), the Lock-up Shares subject to this Agreement shall be released on a pro rata basis.

 

2. Representations and Warranties. Each of the parties hereto, by their respective execution and delivery of this Agreement, hereby represents and warrants to the others and to all third party beneficiaries of this Agreement that (a) such party has the full right, capacity and authority to enter into, deliver and perform its respective obligations under this Agreement, (b) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such party and is the binding and enforceable obligation of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and (c) the execution, delivery and performance of such party’s obligations under this Agreement will not conflict with or breach the terms of any other agreement, contract, commitment or understanding to which such party is a party or to which the assets or securities of such party are bound. The Acquiror represents and warrants that each 5% stockholder of the Company, and each holder of founder shares of the Acquiror, has entered into a lock-up agreement on substantially the same terms as the terms provided for in this Agreement.

 

Exhibit H1-2

 

 

3. Beneficial Ownership. The Holder hereby represents and warrants that it does not beneficially own, directly or through its nominees (as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder), any shares of capital stock of Acquiror, or any economic interest in or derivative of such stock, other than those securities specified on the signature page hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, the shares of the Acquiror received by the Holder as merger consideration in the Transaction and beneficially owned by the Holder as specified on the signature hereto are collectively referred to as the “Lock-up Shares.”

 

4. No Additional Fees/Payment. Other than the consideration specifically referenced herein, the parties hereto agree that no fee, payment or additional consideration in any form has been or will be paid to the Holder in connection with this Agreement.

 

5. Notices . Any notices required or permitted to be sent hereunder shall be sent in writing, addressed as specified below, and shall be deemed given: (a) if by hand or recognized courier service, by 4:00 PM on a business day, addressee’s day and time, on the date of delivery, and otherwise on the first business day after such delivery; (b) if by fax or email, on the date that transmission is confirmed electronically, if by 4:00PM on a business day, addressee’s day and time, and otherwise on the first business day after the date of such confirmation; or (c) five days after mailing by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Notices shall be addressed to the respective parties as follows (excluding telephone numbers, which are for convenience only), or to such other address as a party shall specify to the others in accordance with these notice provisions:

 

(a)If to Acquiror, to:

 

Nauticus Robotics, Inc.

17146 Feathercraft Lane, Suite 450

Webster, TX 77598

Attention: Nicolaus Radford, CEO & CTO

Email: nradford@houstonmechatronics.com

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Winston & Strawn LLP

800 Capitol Street, Suite 2400

Houston, TX 77002

Attn: Michael Blankenship

Facsimile No.: (713) 651-2678

Email: mblankenship@winston.com

 

Exhibit H1-3

 

 

(b)If to the Holder, to the address set forth on the Holder’s signature page hereto, with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:

 

    [●]

Attention: [●]

Phone: [●]

E-mail: [●]

 

or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the others in writing in accordance herewith.

 

6. Enumeration and Headings. The enumeration and headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in facsimile and in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same agreement.

 

8. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement and the terms, covenants, provisions and conditions hereof shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the respective heirs, successors and assigns of the parties hereto. The Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement is entered into for the benefit of and is enforceable by Acquiror and its successors and assigns.

 

9. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such provision will be conformed to prevailing law rather than voided, if possible, in order to achieve the intent of the parties and, in any event, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall be binding upon the parties hereto.

 

10. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified by written agreement executed by each of the parties hereto.

 

11. 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 any 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.

 

12. No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.

 

13. Governing Law. The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

14. Controlling Agreement. To the extent the terms of this Agreement (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time) directly conflicts with a provision in the Merger Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

Exhibit H1-4

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Lock-up Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.

 

  Nauticus Robotics, Inc., f/k/a CleanTech Acquisition Corp.
   
  By:  
    Name:    
    Title:  

 

Exhibit H1-5

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Lock-up Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.

 

  HOLDER
   
  By:      
  Name:  
       
  Address:
     
  [●]  
     
  NUMBER OF Lock-up Shares:
     
  [●]  

 

Exhibit H1-6

 

 

EXHIBIT H-2

 

FORM OF SPONSOR LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

 

THIS LOCK-UP AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of [●], 2021, by and between the undersigned (the “Holder”) and Nauticus Robotics, Inc., a Delaware company, f/k/a CleanTech Acquisition Corp. (the “Acquiror”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given such terms in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

BACKGROUND

 

A. Acquiror, CleanTech Merger Sub, Inc., a Texas company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Acquiror (the “Merger Sub”), and Nauticus Robotics (Texas), Inc., a Texas corporation (f/k/a Nauticus Robotics, Inc. and prior to December [__], 2021, Houston Mechatronics, Inc.) (the “Company”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of [•], 2021 (the “Merger Agreement”).

 

B. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Acquiror will become the 100% stockholder of the Company (the “Transaction”).

 

C.   In order to induce Acquiror and the Company to proceed with the Transaction and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Holder, intending to be legally bound, agrees as follows.

AGREEMENT

 

1. Lock-Up.

 

(a) During the Lock-up Period (as defined below), the Holder irrevocably agrees that it, he or she will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of the Lock-up Shares (as defined below), enter into a transaction that would have the same effect, or enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of such Lock-up Shares, whether any of these transactions are to be settled by delivery of any such Lock-up Shares, in cash or otherwise, publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement, or engage in any Short Sales (as defined below) with respect to any security of Acquiror.

 

(b) In furtherance of the foregoing, Acquiror will (i) place an irrevocable stop order on all Lock-up Shares, including those which may be covered by a registration statement, and (ii) notify Acquiror’s transfer agent in writing of the stop order and the restrictions on such Lock-up Shares under this Agreement and direct Acquiror’s transfer agent not to process any attempts by the Holder to resell or transfer any Lock-up Shares, except in compliance with this Agreement.

 

(c) For purposes hereof, “Short Sales” include, without limitation, all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and all types of direct and indirect stock pledges, forward sale contracts, options, puts, calls, swaps and similar arrangements (including on a total return basis), and sales and other transactions through non-US broker dealers or foreign regulated brokers.

 

(d) For purpose of this Agreement, the “Lock-up Period” means the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the earlier of (i) the one year anniversary of the Closing Date (ii) the date on which the VWAP of shares of PubCo’s Common Stock equals or exceeds $13.00 per share for twenty (20) of any thirty (30) consecutive trading days commencing after the Closing on Nasdaq and (iii) the date specified in a written waiver of the provisions of this Agreement duly executed by the Acquiror.

 

 

 

 

The restrictions set forth herein shall not apply to: (1) transfers or distributions to the Holder’s current or former general or limited partners, managers or members, stockholders, other equity holders or direct or indirect affiliates (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) or to the estates of any of the foregoing; (2) transfers by bona fide gift to a member of the Holder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is the Holder or a member of the Holder’s immediate family for estate planning purposes; (3) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of the Holder; or (4) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, in each case where such transferee agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.

 

In addition, after the Closing Date, if there is a Change of Control, then upon the consummation of such Change of Control, all Lock-up Shares shall be released from the restrictions contained herein. A “Change of Control” means: (a) the sale of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of Acquiror and Acquiror subsidiaries to a third-party acquiror; (b) a sale resulting in no less than a majority of the voting power of the Acquiror being held by person that did not own a majority of the voting power prior to such sale; or (c) a merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization of Acquiror with or into a third-party acquiror that results in the inability of the pre-transaction equity holders to designate or elect a majority of the Board of Directors (or its equivalent) of the resulting entity or its parent company.

 

Each of the applicable Holders, Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (“Chardan”), Acquiror and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Escrow Agent”), hereby agree that the lock-up provisions in this Section 1 shall supersede the escrow and release provisions contained in that certain stock escrow agreement, dated July 14, 2021, by and among the applicable Holders, Acquiror, Chardan and the Escrow Agent (the “Stock Escrow Agreement”), and the Stock Escrow Agreement shall be void and of no further effect.

 

1. Representations and Warranties. Each of the parties hereto, by their respective execution and delivery of this Agreement, hereby represents and warrants to the others and to all third party beneficiaries of this Agreement that (a) such party has the full right, capacity and authority to enter into, deliver and perform its respective obligations under this Agreement, (b) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such party and is the binding and enforceable obligation of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and (c) the execution, delivery and performance of such party’s obligations under this Agreement will not conflict with or breach the terms of any other agreement, contract, commitment or understanding to which such party is a party or to which the assets or securities of such party are bound.

 

2. Beneficial Ownership. The Holder hereby represents and warrants that it does not beneficially own, directly or through its nominees (as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder), any shares of capital stock of Acquiror, or any economic interest in or derivative of such stock, other than those securities specified on the signature page hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, the shares of the Acquiror beneficially owned by the Holder as specified on the signature hereto are collectively referred to as the “Lock-up Shares.”

 

3. No Additional Fees/Payment. Other than the consideration specifically referenced herein, the parties hereto agree that no fee, payment or additional consideration in any form has been or will be paid to the Holder in connection with this Agreement.

 

Exhibit H2-2

 

 

4. Notices. Any notices required or permitted to be sent hereunder shall be sent in writing, addressed as specified below, and shall be deemed given: (a) if by hand or recognized courier service, by 4:00 PM on a business day, addressee’s day and time, on the date of delivery, and otherwise on the first business day after such delivery; (b) if by fax or email, on the date that transmission is confirmed electronically, if by 4:00PM on a business day, addressee’s day and time, and otherwise on the first business day after the date of such confirmation; or (c) five days after mailing by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Notices shall be addressed to the respective parties as follows (excluding telephone numbers, which are for convenience only), or to such other address as a party shall specify to the others in accordance with these notice provisions:

 

(a)If to Acquiror, to:

 

Nauticus Robotics, Inc.

17146 Feathercraft Lane, Suite 450

Webster, TX 77598

Attention: Nicolaus Radford, CEO & CTO

Email: nradford@houstonmechatronics.com

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

Winston & Strawn LLP

800 Capitol Street, Suite 2400

Houston, TX 77002

Attn: Michael Blankenship

Facsimile No.: (713) 651-2678

Email: mblankenship@winston.com

 

(b)If to the Holder, to the address set forth on the Holder’s signature page hereto, with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:

 

[●]

 

Attention: [●]

Phone: [●]

E-mail: [●]

 

or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the others in writing in accordance herewith.

 

5. Enumeration and Headings. The enumeration and headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in facsimile and in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same agreement.

 

7. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement and the terms, covenants, provisions and conditions hereof shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the respective heirs, successors and assigns of the parties hereto. The Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement is entered into for the benefit of and is enforceable by Acquiror and its successors and assigns.

 

8. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such provision will be conformed to prevailing law rather than voided, if possible, in order to achieve the intent of the parties and, in any event, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall be binding upon the parties hereto.

 

9. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified by written agreement executed by each of the parties hereto.

 

10. 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 any 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.

 

11. No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.

 

12. Governing Law. The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

13. Controlling Agreement. To the extent the terms of this Agreement (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time) directly conflicts with a provision in the Merger Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

Exhibit H2-3

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Lock-up Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.

 

  Nauticus Robotics, Inc., f/k/a CleanTech Acquisition Corp.
     
  By:  
  Name: 
  Title: 
     
  Chardan Capital Markets, LLC
  (solely with respect to the last paragraph of Section 1)
     
  By:  
  Name: 
  Title: 
     
  Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
  (solely with respect to the last paragraph of Section 1)
     
  By:  
  Name: 
  Title: 

 

Exhibit H2-4

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Lock-up Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.

 

HOLDER
  By:  
  Name: 
     
  Address:
     
  [●] 
     
  NUMBER OF Lock-up Shares:
    [●]

 

Exhibit H2-5

 

 

EXHIBIT I

 

Final Form

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of [●], 2021, by and among CleanTech Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and the undersigned parties listed under Investor on the signature page hereto (each, an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (this “Agreement”), dated as of [●], 2021, by and among the Company, CleanTech Merger Sub, Inc., a Texas corporation (“Merger Sub”), Nauticus Robotics, Inc., a Texas corporation (f/k/a Houston Mechatronics, Inc.) ( “Nauticus”), and Nicolaus Radford (the “Founder”), solely in his capacity as the Stockholder Representative;

 

WHEREAS, certain of the Investors (the “Sponsor Group”) are party to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 14, 2021 (the “Prior Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company provided the Sponsor Group with certain rights relating to the registration of the securities held by them; and

 

WHEREAS, as a condition of, and as a material inducement for Nauticus to enter into and consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Company and the Sponsor Group have agreed to amend and restate the Prior Agreement to provide certain rights relating to the registration of shares of Common Stock (as defined below) held by stockholders of Nauticus, as of and contingent upon the closing of the Business Combination.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree that the Prior Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety, as of and contingent upon the closing of the Business Combination as follows:

 

1. DEFINITIONS. The following capitalized terms used herein have the following meanings:

 

Agreement” means this Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Closing Date” means the closing date of the Business Combination and has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03 of the Merger Agreement.

 

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal agency then administering the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

 

Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.

 

Company” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Demand Registration” is defined in Section 2.1.2.

 

Demanding Holder” is defined in Section 2.1.1.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

 

Indemnified Party” is defined in Section 4.3.

 

Indemnifying Party” is defined in Section 4.3.

 

Investor” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

Investor Indemnified Party” is defined in Section 4.1.

 

Maximum Number of Shares” is defined in Section 2.1.4.

 

Notices” is defined in Section 7.4.

 

Piggy-Back Registration” is defined in Section 2.2.1.

 

Private Warrants” means the aggregate of up to 7,175,000 Warrants CleanTech Sponsor I LLC and CleanTech Investments, LLC, each an Investor, are privately purchasing simultaneously with the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering.

 

Register,” “Registered” and “Registration” mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.

 

Registrable Securities” means (A) all shares of Common Stock (i) issued or issuable to Investors in connection with the Business Combination (including shares of Common Stock that may be issued after the closing of the Business Combination pursuant to the Merger Agreement) and (ii) held by the Sponsor Group immediately after the closing of the Business Combination (including shares of Common Stock acquired by the Sponsor Group in connection with the Business Combination and underlying the Private Warrants), and (B) all outstanding Private Warrants. Registrable Securities include any warrants, shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to or in exchange for or in replacement of such shares of Common Stock (including shares of Common Stock underlying the Private Warrants). As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (a) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (b) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for them not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of them shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (c) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding, or (d) the Registrable Securities are freely saleable under Rule 144 under the Securities Act without volume limitations.

 

Registration Statement” means a registration statement filed by the Company with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder for a public offering and sale of Common Stock (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or Form S-8, or their successors, or any registration statement covering only securities proposed to be issued in exchange for securities or assets of another entity).

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

 

Underwriter” means a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an underwritten offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.

 

Underwritten Offering” means a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.

 

Warrant(s)” means the warrants of the Company.

 

Exhibit I-2

 

 

2. REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

 

2.1 Registration Statement

 

2.1.1 Registration Statement. The Company shall, as soon as practicable after the Closing, but in any event within thirty (30) days following the date hereof, file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act to permit the public resale of all the Registrable Securities held by the Investors from time to time as permitted by Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor or similar provision adopted by the Commission then in effect) on the terms and conditions specified in this Section 2.1.1 and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but in any event no later than the earlier of (i) forty-five (45) days (or ninety (90) days if the Commission notifies the Company that it will “review” the Registration Statement) after the date hereof and (ii) the tenth (10th) Business Day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that such Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review (such earlier date, the “Effectiveness Deadline”). The Registration Statement filed with the Commission pursuant to this Section 2.1.1 shall be on Form S-1 or such other form of registration statement as is then available to effect a registration for resale of such Registrable Securities, covering such Registrable Securities, and shall contain a Prospectus in such form as to permit any Stockholder to sell such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor or similar provision adopted by the Commission then in effect) at any time beginning on the effective date for such Registration Statement. A Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.1.1 shall provide for the resale pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, the Stockholders. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.1.1 to remain effective, and to be supplemented and amended to the extent necessary to ensure that such Registration Statement is available or, if not available, that another registration statement is available, for the resale of all the Registrable Securities held by the Stockholders until all such Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities. As soon as practicable following the effective date of a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.1.1, but in any event within three (3) Business Days of such date, the Company shall notify the Investors of the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. When effective, a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.1.1 (including any documents incorporated therein by reference) will comply as to form in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of any Prospectus contained in such Registration Statement, in the light of the circumstances under which such statement is made).

 

2.1.2 Underwritten Offering. In the event that following the expiration of the applicable lockup period, any Investor or group of Investors elects to dispose of Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement pursuant to an Underwritten Offering of all or part of such Registrable Securities that are registered by such Registration Statement (the “Demand Registration”) and reasonably expects aggregate gross proceeds in excess of $5,000,000 (the “Minimum Amount”) from such Underwritten Offering, then the Company shall, upon the written demand of such Investor or group of Investors (any such Stockholder a “Demanding Holder” and, collectively, the “Demanding Holders”), enter into an underwriting agreement in a form as is customary in Underwritten Offerings of equity securities with the managing Underwriter or Underwriters selected by the Company after consultation with the Demanding Holders and shall take all such other reasonable actions as are requested by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities; providedhowever, that the Company shall have no obligation to facilitate or participate in more than (i) one (1) Underwritten Offering at the request of Demanding Holders that are a member of the Sponsor Group, and (ii) one (1) Underwritten Offering at the request of Demanding Holders that are not members of the Sponsor Group.

 

The Company shall give prompt written notice to each other Investor regarding any such proposed Underwritten Offering, and such notice shall offer such Stockholder the opportunity to include in the Underwritten Offering such number of Registrable Securities as each such Investor may request. Each such Investor shall make such request in writing to the Company within five (5) Business Days after the receipt of any such notice from the Company, which request shall specify the number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Investor. In connection with any Underwritten Offering contemplated by this Section 2.1.3, the underwriting agreement into which each Demanding Holder and the Company shall enter shall contain such representations, covenants, indemnities (subject to Section 5.05) and other rights and obligations as are customary in underwritten offerings of equity securities. No Demanding Holder shall be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the Underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Demanding Holder’s authority to enter into such underwriting agreement and to sell, and its ownership of, the securities being registered on its behalf, its intended method of distribution and any other representation required by law.

 

Exhibit I-3

 

 

2.1.3 Reduction of Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters for a Demand Registration that is to be an underwritten offering advises the Company and the Demanding Holders in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Registrable Securities which the Demanding Holders desire to sell, taken together with all other shares of Common Stock or other securities which the Company desires to sell and the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by other shareholders of the Company who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of shares that can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of shares, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Shares”), then the Company shall include in such registration: (i) first, the Registrable Securities as to which Demand Registration has been requested by the Demanding Holders (pro rata in accordance with the number of shares that each such Person has requested be included in such registration, regardless of the number of shares held by each such Person (such proportion is referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the shares of Common Stock or other securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the shares of Common Stock or other securities for the account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to written contractual arrangements with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares.

 

2.1.4 Withdrawal. If a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders disapprove of the terms of any underwriting or are not entitled to include all of their Registrable Securities in any offering, such majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders may elect to withdraw from such offering by giving written notice to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters of their request to withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Demand Registration.

 

2.2 Piggy-Back Registration.

 

2.2.1 Piggy-Back Rights. If at any time on or after the Closing Date of the Business Combination, the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, equity securities, by the Company for its own account or for shareholders of the Company for their account (or by the Company and by shareholders of the Company including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2.1), other than a Registration Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing shareholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company or (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall (x) give written notice of such proposed filing to the holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but in no event less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date, which notice shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, of the offering, and (y) offer to the holders of Registrable Securities in such notice the opportunity to register the sale of such number of shares of Registrable Securities as such holders may request in writing within five (5) days following receipt of such notice (a “Piggy-Back Registration”). The Company shall cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such registration and shall use its best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested to be included in a Piggy-Back Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All holders of Registrable Securities proposing to distribute their securities through a Piggy-Back Registration that involves an Underwriter or Underwriters shall enter into an underwriting agreement (including a market stand-off agreement if required by such underwriter or underwriters) in customary form with the Underwriter or Underwriters selected for such Piggy-Back Registration. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in the immediately preceding sentences, the right to a Piggy-Back Registration set forth under this Section 2.2.1 with respect to the Registrable Securities shall terminate on the seventh anniversary of the date hereof.

 

Exhibit I-4

 

 

2.2.2 Reduction of Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters for a Piggy-Back Registration that is to be an underwritten offering advises the Company and the holders of Registrable Securities in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Common Stock which the Company desires to sell, taken together with the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been demanded pursuant to written contractual arrangements with persons other than the holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, the Registrable Securities as to which Registration has been requested under this Section 2.2, and the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to the written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other shareholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Shares, then the Company shall include in any such Registration:

 

(a) If the Registration is undertaken for the Company’s account: (A) first, the shares of Common Stock or other securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the shares of Common Stock or other securities, if any, comprised of Registrable Securities, the shares of Common Stock or other securities for the account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to the applicable written contractual piggy-back registration rights of such security holders, Pro Rata, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares of Common Stock or other securities for the account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares;

 

(b) If the registration is Demand Registration undertaken at the demand of persons other than either the holders of Registrable Securities, (A) first, the shares of Common Stock or other securities for the account of the demanding persons that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the shares of Common Stock or other securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), collectively the shares of Common Stock or other securities comprised of Registrable Securities, Pro Rata, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to the terms hereof, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the shares of Common Stock or other securities for the account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to written contractual arrangements with such persons, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares.

 

2.2.3 Withdrawal. Any holder of Registrable Securities may elect to withdraw such holder’s request for inclusion of Registrable Securities in any Piggy-Back Registration by giving written notice to the Company of such request to withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. The Company (whether on its own determination or as the result of a withdrawal by persons making a demand pursuant to written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding any such withdrawal, the Company shall pay all expenses incurred by the holders of Registrable Securities in connection with such Piggy-Back Registration as provided in Section 3.3.

 

2.2.3 Unlimited Piggy-Back Registration Right. For purposes of clarify, any Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration effected under Section 2.1 hereof.

 

Exhibit I-5

 

 

3. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.

 

3.1 Filings; Information. Whenever the Company is required to effect the Registration of any Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect the registration and sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof as expeditiously as practicable, and in connection with any such request:

 

3.1.1 Filing Registration Statement. The Company shall use its best efforts to, as expeditiously as possible after receipt of a request for a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.1, prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement on any form for which the Company then qualifies or which counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and which form shall be available for the sale of all Registrable Securities to be registered thereunder in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof, and shall use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and use its best efforts to keep it effective for the period required by Section 3.1.3; provided, however, that the Company shall have the right to defer any Demand Registration for up to sixty (60) days, and any Piggy-Back Registration for such period as may be applicable to deferment of any Demand Registration to which such Piggy-Back Registration relates, in each case if the Company shall furnish to the holders a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chairman of the Company stating that, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, it would be materially detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for such Registration Statement to be effected at such time; provided further, however, that the Company shall not have the right to exercise the right set forth in the immediately preceding proviso more than once in any 365-day period in respect of a Demand Registration hereunder.

 

3.1.2 Copies. The Company shall, prior to filing a Registration Statement or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration, and such holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus), and such other documents as the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration or legal counsel for any such holders may request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such holders.

 

3.1.3 Amendments and Supplements. The Company shall prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements to such Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until all Registrable Securities and other securities covered by such Registration Statement have been disposed of in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or such securities have been withdrawn.

 

3.1.4 Notification. After the filing of a Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly, and in no event more than two (2) business days after such filing, notify the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement of such filing, and shall further notify such holders promptly and confirm such advice in writing in all events within two (2) business days of the occurrence of any of the following: (i) when such Registration Statement becomes effective; (ii) when any post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement becomes effective; (iii) the issuance or threatened issuance by the Commission of any stop order (and the Company shall take all actions required to prevent the entry of such stop order or to remove it if entered); and (iv) any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or any prospectus relating thereto or for additional information or of the occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the securities covered by such Registration Statement, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and promptly make available to the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement any such supplement or amendment; except that before filing with the Commission a Registration Statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, including documents incorporated by reference, the Company shall furnish to the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement and to the legal counsel for any such holders, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed sufficiently in advance of filing to provide such holders and legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review such documents and comment thereon, and the Company shall not file any Registration Statement or prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, including documents incorporated by reference, to which such holders or their legal counsel shall object.

 

Exhibit I-6

 

 

3.1.5 State Securities Laws Compliance. The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this paragraph or subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction.

 

3.1.6 Agreements for Disposition. The Company shall enter into customary agreements (including, if applicable, an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as are reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities. The representations, warranties and covenants of the Company in any underwriting agreement which are made to or for the benefit of any Underwriters, to the extent applicable, shall also be made to and for the benefit of the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement. No holder of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement shall be required to make any representations or warranties in the underwriting agreement except, if applicable, with respect to such holder’s organization, good standing, authority, title to Registrable Securities, lack of conflict of such sale with such holder’s material agreements and organizational documents, and with respect to written information relating to such holder that such holder has furnished in writing expressly for inclusion in such Registration Statement.

 

3.1.7 Cooperation. The principal executive officer of the Company, the principal financial officer of the Company, the principal accounting officer of the Company and all other officers and members of the management of the Company shall cooperate fully in any offering of Registrable Securities hereunder, which cooperation shall include, without limitation, the preparation of the Registration Statement with respect to such offering and all other offering materials and related documents, and participation in meetings with Underwriters, attorneys, accountants and potential investors.

 

3.1.8 Records. The Company shall make available for inspection by the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement, any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other professional retained by any holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement or any Underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, as shall be necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information requested by any of them in connection with such Registration Statement.

 

3.1.9 Opinions and Comfort Letters. Upon request, the Company shall furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement a signed counterpart, addressed to such holder, of (i) any opinion of counsel to the Company delivered to any Underwriter and (ii) any comfort letter from the Company’s independent public accountants delivered to any Underwriter. In the event no legal opinion is delivered to any Underwriter, the Company shall furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement, at any time that such holder elects to use a prospectus, an opinion of counsel to the Company to the effect that the Registration Statement containing such prospectus has been declared effective and that no stop order is in effect.

 

3.1.10 Earnings Statement. The Company shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the Securities Act, and make available to its shareholders, as soon as practicable, an earnings statement covering a period of twelve (12) months, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder.

 

Exhibit I-7

 

 

3.1.11 Listing. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities included in any registration to be listed on such exchanges or otherwise designated for trading in the same manner as similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or designated or, if no such similar securities are then listed or designated, in a manner satisfactory to the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration.

 

3.1.12 Road Show. If the registration involves the registration of Registrable Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $5,000,000, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any underwritten offering.

 

3.2 Obligation to Suspend Distribution. Upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3.1.4(iv), or, upon any suspension by the Company, pursuant to a written insider trading compliance program adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, of the ability of all “insiders” covered by such program to transact in the Company’s securities because of the existence of material non-public information, each holder of Registrable Securities included in any Registration shall immediately discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities until such holder receives the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3.1.4(iv) or the restriction on the ability of “insiders” to transact in the Company’s securities is removed, as applicable, and, if so directed by the Company, each such holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such holder’s possession, of the most recent prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice.

 

3.3 Registration Expenses. The Company shall bear all costs and expenses incurred in connection with any Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.1, any Piggy-Back Registration pursuant to Section 2.2, , and all expenses incurred in performing or complying with its other obligations under this Agreement, whether or not the Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees; (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or “blue sky” laws (including fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities); (iii) printing expenses; (iv) the Company’s internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees); (v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities as required by Section 3.1.11; (vi) Financial Industry Regulatory Authority fees; (vii) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by the Company (including the expenses or costs associated with the delivery of any opinions or comfort letters requested pursuant to Section 3.1.9); (viii) the reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration and (ix) the reasonable fees and expenses of one legal counsel selected by the holders of a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities included in such registration. The Company shall have no obligation to pay any underwriting discounts or selling commissions attributable to the Registrable Securities being sold by the holders thereof, which underwriting discounts or selling commissions shall be borne by such holders. Additionally, in an underwritten offering, all selling shareholders and the Company shall bear the expenses of the Underwriter pro rata in proportion to the respective amount of shares each is selling in such offering. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions, the Company shall not be required to pay for any expenses of any Registration proceeding begun pursuant to Section 2.1 if the Registration request is subsequently withdrawn at the request of the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be registered (in which case the participating holders requesting for the withdrawal shall bear such expenses), unless, in the case of a registration requested under Section 2.1, all of the holders of the Registrable Securities agree to forfeit their right to one demand registration pursuant to Section 2.1.

 

3.4 Information. The holders of Registrable Securities shall provide such information as may reasonably be requested by the Company, or the managing Underwriter, if any, in connection with the preparation of any Registration Statement, including amendments and supplements thereto, in order to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 2 and in connection with the Company’s obligation to comply with federal and applicable state securities laws.

 

Exhibit I-8

 

 

4. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.

 

4.1 Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Investor and each other holder of Registrable Securities, and each of their respective officers, employees, affiliates, directors, partners, members, attorneys and agents, and each person, if any, who controls an Investor and each other holder of Registrable Securities (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) (each, an “Investor Indemnified Party”), from and against any expenses, losses, judgments, claims, damages or liabilities, whether joint or several, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement (or allegedly untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which the sale of such Registrable Securities was registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or summary prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement, or arising out of or based upon any omission (or alleged omission) to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any violation by the Company of the Securities Act or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any such registration; and the Company shall promptly reimburse the Investor Indemnified Party for any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred by such Investor Indemnified Party in connection with investigating and defending any such expense, loss, judgment, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such expense, loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, or summary prospectus, or any such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company, in writing, by such selling holder expressly for use therein. The Company also shall indemnify any Underwriter of the Registrable Securities, their officers, affiliates, directors, partners, members and agents and each person who controls such Underwriter on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification provided above in this Section 4.1.

 

4.2 Indemnification by Holders of Registrable Securities. Each selling holder of Registrable Securities will, in the event that any registration is being effected under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement of any Registrable Securities held by such selling holder, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors and officers and each Underwriter (if any), and each other selling holder and each other person, if any, who controls another selling holder or such Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, judgments, damages or liabilities, whether joint or several, insofar as such losses, claims, judgments, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which the sale of such Registrable Securities was registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or summary prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, or arise out of or are based upon any omission or the alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein not misleading, if the statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such selling holder expressly for use therein, and shall reimburse the Company, its directors and officers, and each other selling holder or controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with investigation or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action. Each selling holder’s indemnification obligations hereunder shall be several and not joint and shall be limited to the amount of any net proceeds actually received by such selling holder.

 

4.3 Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Promptly after receipt by any person of any notice of any loss, claim, damage or liability or any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 4.1 or 4.2, such person (the “Indemnified Party”) shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any other person for indemnification hereunder, notify such other person (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing of the loss, claim, judgment, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the failure by the Indemnified Party to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability which the Indemnifying Party may have to such Indemnified Party hereunder, except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by such failure. If the Indemnified Party is seeking indemnification with respect to any claim or action brought against the Indemnified Party, then the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in such claim or action, and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with all other Indemnifying Parties, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party. After notice from the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party of its election to assume control of the defense of such claim or action, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that in any action in which both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party are named as defendants, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (but no more than one such separate counsel) to represent the Indemnified Party and its controlling persons who may be subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may be sought by the Indemnified Party against the Indemnifying Party, with the fees and expenses of such counsel to be paid by such Indemnifying Party if, based upon the written opinion of counsel of such Indemnified Party, representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, consent to entry of judgment or effect any settlement of any claim or pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which the Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such judgment or settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such claim or proceeding.

 

Exhibit I-9

 

 

4.4 Contribution.

 

4.4.1 If the indemnification provided for in the foregoing Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 is unavailable to any Indemnified Party in respect of any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to herein, then each such Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnified Parties and the Indemnifying Parties in connection with the actions or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, damage, liability or action, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of any Indemnified Party and any Indemnifying Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such Indemnified Party or such Indemnifying Party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

 

4.4.2 The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4.4 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding Section 4.4.1.

 

4.4.3 The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.4, no holder of Registrable Securities shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the dollar amount of the net proceeds (after payment of any underwriting fees, discounts, commissions or taxes) actually received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities which gave rise to such contribution obligation. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

5. RULE 144.

 

5.1 Rule 144. The Company covenants that it shall file any reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and shall take such further action as the holders of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such holders to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rules may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission.

 

6. MISCELLANEOUS.

 

6.1 Termination. The Company’s obligation under Section 2 with respect to any Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by a holder in a Registration pursuant to Section 2 shall terminate (i) on the date on which none of the Investors hold any Registrable Securities, (ii) the dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, or (iii) upon the unanimous agreement of the Investors.

 

6.2 Limitation on Registration Rights. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Chardan Capital Markets, LLC and its related persons may not, with respect to the Private Warrants purchased by CleanTech Investments, LLC, (i) have more than one (1) Demand Registration at the Company’s expense, (ii) exercise a Demand Registration after July 14, 2026, and (iii) exercise a Piggy-Back Registration after July 14, 2028, as long as Chardan Capital Markets, LLC or any of its related persons are beneficial owners of the Private Warrants held by CleanTech Investments, LLC.

 

6.3 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part. This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the holders of Registrable Securities hereunder may be freely assigned or delegated by such holder of Registrable Securities in conjunction with and to the extent of any transfer of Registrable Securities by any such holder. This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties, to the permitted assigns of the Investors or holder of Registrable Securities or of any assignee of the Investors or holder of Registrable Securities. This Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not party hereto other than as expressly set forth in Article 4 and this Section 7.3.

 

Exhibit I-10

 

 

6.4 Notices. All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals or other communications (collectively, “Notices”) required or permitted to be given hereunder or which are given with respect to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally served, delivered by reputable air courier service with charges prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery, telegram, telex or facsimile, addressed as set forth below, or to such other address as such party shall have specified most recently by written notice. Notice shall be deemed given on the date of service or transmission if personally served or transmitted by telegram, telex or facsimile; provided, that if such service or transmission is not on a business day or is after normal business hours, then such notice shall be deemed given on the next business day. Notice otherwise sent as provided herein shall be deemed given on the next business day following timely delivery of such notice to a reputable air courier service with an order for next-day delivery.

 

To the Company:


CleanTech Acquisition Corp.
207 West 25th Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10001

Attn: Eli Spiro

Email: espiro@axxcesscapital.com

 

with a copy to:

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Attn: Giovanni Caruso, Esq.

Email: gcaruso@loeb.com

 

To an Investor, to the address set forth below such Investor’s name on the signature pages hereto.

 

6.5 Severability. This Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible that is valid and enforceable.

 

6.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

6.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including all agreements entered into pursuant hereto and all certificates and instruments delivered pursuant hereto and thereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations, understandings, negotiations and discussions between the parties, whether oral or written.

 

6.8 Modifications and Amendments. No amendment, modification or termination of this Agreement shall be binding upon any party unless executed in writing by such party.

 

6.9 Titles and Headings. Titles and headings of sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of any provision of this Agreement. No amendment, modification or termination of this Agreement shall be binding upon the holders of the Registrable Securities unless executed in writing by the holders of the majority Registrable Securities.

 

Exhibit I-11

 

 

6.10 Waivers and Extensions. Any party to this Agreement may waive any right, breach or default which such party has the right to waive, provided that such waiver will not be effective against the waiving party unless it is in writing, is signed by such party, and specifically refers to this Agreement. Waivers may be made in advance or after the right waived has arisen or the breach or default waived has occurred. Any waiver may be conditional. No waiver of any breach of any agreement or provision herein contained shall be deemed a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach thereof nor of any other agreement or provision herein contained. No waiver or extension of time for performance of any obligations or acts shall be deemed a waiver or extension of the time for performance of any other obligations or acts.

 

6.11 Remedies Cumulative. In the event that the Company fails to observe or perform any covenant or agreement to be observed or performed under this Agreement, the Investor or any other holder of Registrable Securities may proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in equity or action at law, whether for specific performance of any term contained in this Agreement or for an injunction against the breach of any such term or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Agreement or to enforce any other legal or equitable right, or to take any one or more of such actions, without being required to post a bond. None of the rights, powers or remedies conferred under this Agreement shall be mutually exclusive, and each such right, power or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any other right, power or remedy, whether conferred by this Agreement or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

 

6.12 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted under, and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed within the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice-of-law provisions thereof that would compel the application of the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

6.13 Waiver of Trial by Jury. Each party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives the right to a trial by jury in any action, suit, counterclaim or other proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of, connected with or relating to this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby, or the actions of the Investor in the negotiation, administration, performance or enforcement hereof.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

Exhibit I-12

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

 

  COMPANY:
   
  CLEANTECH ACQUISITION CORP.
   
  By:  
  Name: Eli Spiro
  Title: Chief Executive officer
   
 

SPONSOR GROUP:

   
   
  Bill Richardson
   
   
  Jon Najarian
   
   
  Brendan Riley
   
   
  Douglas Cole
   
   
  Britt Ide
   
   
  Allen Weiss
   
   
  Dan Reicher

 

  CLEANTECH SPONSOR I LLC
   
  By:  
  Name: Eli Spiro
  Title: Managing Member
   
  CLEANTECH INVESTMENTS, LLC
   
  By:  
  Name: Jonas Grossman
  Title: Managing Member

 

INVESTOR:

     
   
Print Name of Investor
 
   
Signature
     
  By:                  
  Title:    

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]