EX-1.1 2 ea020017603ex1-1_trident.htm FORM OF UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

Exhibit 1.1

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

between

 

TRIDENT DIGITAL TECH HOLDINGS LTD

 

and

 

EDDID SECURITIES USA INC.

 

 

 

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

New York, New York

[DATE], 2024

 

Eddid Securities USA Inc.

11 Broadway, Suite 801,

New York, NY 10004

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned, Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd, an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability (collectively with its subsidiaries and affiliates, including, without limitation, all entities disclosed or described in the Registration Statement (as hereinafter defined) as being subsidiaries or affiliates of Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd, the “Company”) hereby confirms its agreement (this “Agreement”) with Eddid Securities USA Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “you” (including its correlatives) or the “Underwriter,” and, together with the Company, the “Parties”), as follows:

 

1. Purchase and Sale of Firm Shares.

 

1.1 Firm Shares.

 

1.1.1. Nature and Purchase of Firm Shares.

 

(i) On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the Underwriter, an aggregate of [●] shares (the “Firm Shares”) of the Company’s American depositary shares, each representing eight Class B ordinary shares of the Company, par value US$0.00001 per share (the “ADS”).

 

(ii) The Underwriter agrees to purchase from the Company the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite its name on Schedule 1 attached hereto and made a part hereof at a purchase price of US$[●] per Firm Share being offered and sold to investors introduced by the Underwriter (94% of the per Firm Share offering price), or a purchase price of US$[●] per Firm Share being offered and sold to investors introduced by the Company (97% of the per Firm Share offering price) and with such pricing information set forth in Schedule 2-A hereof. The Firm Shares are to be offered initially to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus (as defined in Section 2.1.1 hereof).

 

(iii) The Company agrees to engage the Underwriter for the period beginning on January 9, 2024 and ending eighteen (12) months thereafter or upon the final closing of the Offering (as defined below), whichever is sooner (the “Engagement Period”), to act as the Company’s (except as the Underwriter and the Company may otherwise agree in writing) underwriter and investment banker in connection with the Offering. The Firm Shares are hereinafter referred to together as the “Public Securities.” The offering and sale of the Public Securities is hereinafter referred to as the “Offering.”

 

1.1.2. Payment and Delivery. Delivery and payment for the Firm Shares shall be made at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the second (2nd) Business Day (as defined below) following the effective date (the “Effective Date”) of the Registration Statement (as defined in Section 2.1.1 below) (or the third (3rd) Business Day following the Effective Date if the Registration Statement is declared effective after 4:01 p.m., Eastern time) or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Parties, at the offices of Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP, 1185 Avenue of the Americas Street, 31st Floor, New York, New York 10036, Underwriter’s Counsel (“Underwriter’s Counsel”), or at such other place (or remotely by facsimile or other electronic transmission) as shall be agreed upon by the Parties. The hour and date of delivery and payment for the Firm Shares is hereinafter referred to as the “Closing Date.” Payment for the Firm Shares shall be made on the Closing Date by wire transfer in federal (same day) funds (“Federal Funds”), payable to the order of the Company upon delivery to the Underwriter of certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter) representing the Firm Shares (or through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”)) for the account of the Underwriter. The Firm Shares shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Underwriter may request in writing at least two (2) full Business Days prior to the Closing Date. The Company will permit the Underwriter to examine and package the Firm Shares for delivery, at least one (1) full Business Day prior to the Closing Date. The Company shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Firm Shares except upon tender of payment by the Underwriter for all of the Firm Shares. The term “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or any other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed, provided, however, that, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home,” “shelter-in-place,” “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in the City of New York are generally are open for use by customers on such day.

 

2

 

 

1.2 [Reserved].

 

1.2.1 [Reserved].

 

1.2.2 [Reserved].

 

1.2.3 [Reserved].

 

2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the Underwriter as of the Applicable Time (as defined below), as of the Closing Date, as follows:

 

2.1 Filing of Registration Statement.

 

2.1.1 Pursuant to the Securities Act. The Company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement, and any amendment or amendments thereto, on Form F-1 (File No. 333-[●]), including any related prospectus or prospectuses, for the registration of the Public Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), which registration statement and amendment or amendments have been prepared by the Company in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act (the “Securities Act Regulations”). The conditions for use of Form F-1 as set forth in the General Instructions to such Form F-1, to register Public Securities under the Securities Act, have been satisfied. Except as the context may otherwise require, such registration statement, as amended, on file with the Commission at the time the registration statement became effective (including the Preliminary Prospectus (as defined below) included in the registration statement, financial statements, schedules, exhibits and all other documents filed as a part thereof or incorporated therein and all information deemed to be a part thereof as of the Effective Date pursuant to Rule 430A of the Securities Act Regulations (the “Rule 430A Information”)), is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement.” If the Company files any registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act Regulations, then after such filing, the term “Registration Statement” shall include such registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b). The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission on the date hereof.

 

Each prospectus used prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and each prospectus that omitted the Rule 430A Information that was used after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, is herein called a “Preliminary Prospectus.” The Preliminary Prospectus, subject to completion, dated [DATE], 2024, that was included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the Applicable Time is hereinafter called the “Pricing Prospectus.” The final prospectus in the form first furnished to the Underwriter for use in the Offering is hereinafter called the “Prospectus.” Any reference to the “most recent Preliminary Prospectus” shall be deemed to refer to the latest Preliminary Prospectus included in the Registration Statement.

 

3

 

 

Applicable Time” means [TIME] [a.m.]/[p.m.], Eastern time, on the date of this Agreement.

 

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 of the Securities Act Regulations (“Rule 433”), including, without limitation, any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act Regulations) relating to the Public Securities that is (i) required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (ii) a “road show that is a written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i), whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (iii) exempt from filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Public Securities or of the Offering that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g).

 

Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors (other than a “bona fide electronic road show,” as defined in Rule 433(h)(5) under the Securities Act (the “Bona Fide Electronic Road Show”)), as evidenced by its being specified in Schedule 2-B hereto.

 

Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not an Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus.

 

Pricing Disclosure Package” means any Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus issued at or prior to the Applicable Time, the Pricing Prospectus and the information included on Schedule 2-A hereto, all considered together.

 

2.1.2 Pursuant to the Exchange Act. The Company has filed with the Commission a Form 8-A (File No. [NUMBER]) providing for the registration pursuant to Section 12(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of the Public Securities. The registration of the Public Securities under the Exchange Act has been declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the date hereof. The Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Public Securities under the Exchange Act, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration.

 

2.2 Stock Exchange Listing. The Public Securities have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Exchange”), subject only to official notice of issuance, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, delisting the Public Securities from the Exchange, nor has the Company received any notification that the Exchange is contemplating terminating such listing except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

2.3 No Stop Orders, etc. Neither the Commission nor any state regulatory authority has issued any order preventing or suspending the use of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or has instituted or threatened to institute, any proceedings with respect to such an order. The Company has complied with each request (if any) from the Commission for additional information.

 

4

 

 

2.4 Disclosures in Registration Statement.

 

2.4.1 Compliance with Securities Act and 10b-5 Representation.

 

(i) At the time of effectiveness of the Registration Statement (or at the time of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement) and at all times subsequent thereto up to the Closing Date, the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus do and will contain all material statements that are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations, and did or will, in all material respects, conform to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations. Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became effective, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations. Each Preliminary Prospectus, including the prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment or supplement thereto, and the Prospectus, at the time each was filed with the Commission, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations. Each Preliminary Prospectus delivered to the Underwriter for use in connection with this Offering and the Prospectus was or will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”), except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T promulgated under the Securities Act (“Regulation S-T”).

 

(ii) Neither the Registration Statement nor any amendment thereto, at its effective time, as of the Applicable Time, at the Closing Date, contained, contains or will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

(iii) The Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, at the Closing Date, did not, does not and will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and each Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus hereto does not conflict in any material respect with the information contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, and each such Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus, as supplemented by and taken together with the Pricing Prospectus as of the Applicable Time, did not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements made or statements omitted in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to the Underwriter by the Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto. The Parties acknowledge and agree that such information provided by or on behalf of the Underwriter consists solely of the following: the names of the Underwriter, the information with respect to stabilizing transactions contained in the section “Underwriting - Price Stabilization, Short Positions, and Penalty Bids”, the section “Discounts and Expenses,” the distribution information under “Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Securities”, the number of Firm Shares to be purchased by the Underwriter. (the “Underwriter’s Information”).

 

5

 

 

(iv) Neither the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto, as of its issue date, at the time of any filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), at the Closing Date, included, includes or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to the Underwriter’s Information.

 

2.4.2 Disclosure of Agreements. The agreements and documents described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained therein and there are no agreements or other documents required by the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement, that have not been so described or filed. Each agreement or other instrument (however characterized or described) to which the Company is a party or by which it or any of its properties is or may be bound or affected and that is (i) referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or (ii) material to the Company’s business, has been duly authorized and validly executed by the Company, is in full force and effect in all material respects and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company and the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, except (x) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (y) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws, and (z) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. None of such agreements or instruments has been assigned by the Company, and neither the Company nor any other party is in default thereunder and no event has occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default thereunder except for such defaults that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change (as defined in Section 2.5.1 below). Performance by the Company of the material provisions of such agreements or instruments will not result in a violation of any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any Governmental Entity, including, without limitation, those relating to environmental laws and regulations.

 

2.4.3 Prior Securities Transactions. No securities of the Company have been sold by the Company or by or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any person or persons controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Preliminary Prospectus.

 

2.4.4 Regulations. The disclosures in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus concerning the effects of applicable federal, state, local and any applicable foreign laws, rules and regulations relating to the Offering and the Company’s business as currently conducted are correct and complete in all material respects.

 

2.4.5 No Other Distribution of Offering Materials. The Company has not, directly or indirectly, distributed and will not distribute any offering material in connection with the Offering other than any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Prospectus and other materials, if any, permitted under the Securities Act and consistent with Section 3.2 below.

 

6

 

 

2.5 Changes After Dates in Registration Statement.

 

2.5.1 No Material Adverse Change. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except as otherwise specifically stated therein: (i) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, results of operations, business, assets or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries (“Subsidiaries,” and each, “Subsidiary”) taken as a whole, nor any change or development that, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, business, assets or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (“Material Adverse Change”); (ii) there have been no material transactions entered into by the Company or its Subsidiaries, other than as contemplated pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) no executive officer or director of the Company has resigned from any position with the Company.

 

2.5.2 Recent Securities Transactions, etc. Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and except as may otherwise be indicated or contemplated herein or disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not: (i) issued any securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, for borrowed money; or (ii) declared or paid any dividend or made any other distribution on or in respect to its capital stock.

 

2.6 Disclosures in Commission Filings. None of the Company’s filings with, or other documents furnished to, the Commission contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to the Underwriter’s Information. The Company has made all filings with the Commission required under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act Regulations”).

 

2.7 Independent Accountants. Marcum Asia CPAs LLP (the “Auditor”), whose report is filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, is an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board., including the rules and regulations promulgated by such entity. The Auditor is currently registered and in good standing with the PCAOB. The Auditor has not, during the periods covered by the financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, within the meaning of such term in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.

 

2.8 Financial Statements, etc. The financial statements, including the notes thereto and supporting schedules (if any) included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, fairly present the financial condition, the results of operations and the cash flows of the Company at the dates and for the periods to which they apply; and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), consistently applied throughout the periods involved (provided that unaudited interim financial statements are subject to year-end audit adjustments that are not expected to be material in the aggregate and do not contain all footnotes required by GAAP); and the supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statement present fairly the information required to be stated therein. Except as included therein, no other historical or pro forma financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus under the Securities Act or the Securities Act Regulations. The “as adjusted” financial information and the related notes, if any, included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus have been properly compiled and prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations and present fairly the information shown therein, and, in the judgment of the Company, the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission), if any, materially comply with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, to the extent applicable. the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus disclose all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), and other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities or other persons that may have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant components of revenues or expenses. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (a) since the date of the last balance sheet included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries, including each entity disclosed or described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as being a Subsidiary, has incurred any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, or entered into any material transactions other than in the ordinary course of business, (b) the Company has not declared or paid any dividends or made any distribution of any kind with respect to its capital stock, (c) there has not been any change in the capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or, other than in the ordinary course of business, any grants under any stock compensation plan, and (d) there has not been any Material Adverse Change in the Company’s long-term or short-term debt. The Company represents that it has no direct or indirect Subsidiaries other than those listed in the Registration Statement.

 

7

 

 

2.9 Authorized Capital; Options, etc. The Company had, at the date or dates indicated in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the duly authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth therein. Based on the assumptions stated in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company will have on the Closing Date, as the case may be, the adjusted capitalization set forth therein. Except as set forth in, or contemplated by, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, on the Effective Date, as of the Applicable Time and on the Closing Date, there will be no stock options, warrants, or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any authorized, but unissued shares of capital stock of the Company or any security convertible into any class of capital stock of the Company, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell any class of capital stock or any such options, warrants, rights or convertible securities.

 

2.10 Valid Issuance of Securities, etc.

 

2.10.1 Outstanding Securities. All issued and outstanding securities of the Company issued prior to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the holders thereof have no contractual rights of rescission or the ability to require the Company to repurchase such securities, and are not subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; and none of such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or rights of participation of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company. The authorized shares of the Company’s capital stock conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. Prior to the date hereof, all offers and sales of the outstanding shares of capital stock, options, warrants and other rights to purchase or exchange such securities for shares of capital stock were at all relevant times either registered under the Securities Act and the applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws or based in part on the representations and warranties of the purchasers of such capital stock, exempt from such registration requirements. The description of the Company’s stock option, stock bonus and other stock plans or arrangements, and the options or other rights granted thereunder, as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, accurately and fairly present, in all material respects, the information required to be shown with respect to such plans, arrangements, options and rights.

 

2.10.2 Securities Sold Pursuant to this Agreement. The Public Securities have been duly authorized for issuance and sale and, when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The holders of the Public Securities will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders. The Public Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company, and all corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Public Securities has been duly and validly taken. The Public Securities conform in all material respects to all statements with respect thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

8

 

 

2.11 Registration Rights of Third Parties. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no holders of any securities of the Company or any options, warrants, rights or other securities exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into securities of the Company have the right to require the Company to register any such securities of the Company under the Securities Act or to include any such securities in the Registration Statement or any other registration statement to be filed by the Company.

 

2.12 Validity and Binding Effect of Agreements. This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized by the Company, and, when executed and delivered by the Company, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except in each case: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

 

2.13 No Conflicts, etc. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and all other documents ancillary hereto, the consummation by the Company of the transactions herein and therein contemplated and the compliance by the Company with the terms hereof and thereof do not and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both: (i) result in any violation of the provisions of the Memorandum of Association (as amended or restated from time to time, the “Charter”) or the Articles of Association of the Company (the “Articles of Association”); (ii) result in a breach or violation of, or conflict with any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation, modification, termination or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or as to which any property of the Company is subject; or (iii) violate any applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental or regulatory agency, authority, body, entity or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets or businesses (each, a “Governmental Entity”) as of the date hereof, except, in the case of clauses (ii) or (iii) of this Section 2.13, for those breaches, violations or conflicts which (individually or in the aggregate) would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

2.14 No Defaults; Violations. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no default exists in the due performance and observance of any term, covenant or condition of any license, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note, loan or credit agreement, or any other agreement or instrument evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company may be bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company is subject, except, in each case, for those defaults which (individually or in the aggregate) would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. The Company is not in violation of any franchise, license, permit, applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any Governmental Entity, except, in each case, for those violations which (individually and in the aggregate) would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

9

 

 

2.15 Corporate Power; Licenses; Consents.

 

2.15.1 Conduct of Business. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has all requisite corporate power and authority, and has all necessary consents, authorizations, approvals, licenses, certificates, clearances, permits and orders and supplements and amendments thereto (collectively, “Authorizations”) of and from all Governmental Entities required as of the date hereof for the Company to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except, in each case, where the failure to have such Authorizations (individually or in the aggregate) would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

2.15.2 Transactions Contemplated Herein. The Company has all corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions and conditions hereof, and all Authorizations required in connection therewith have been obtained. No Authorization of, and no filing with, any Governmental Entity, the Exchange or another body is required for the valid issuance, sale and delivery of the Public Securities and the consummation of the transactions and agreements contemplated by this Agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except with respect to applicable federal and state securities or blue-sky laws, the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC and the rules and regulations of the Exchange and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).

 

2.16  Questionnaires. All information contained in the questionnaires (the “Questionnaires”) completed by each of the Company’s directors and officers named in the section “Management” in the Prospectus and parties set forth in as supplemented by all information concerning the Company’s directors, officers and holders of 10% or more of the Company’s capital stock set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus provided to the Underwriter and its counsel, is true, correct and complete and the Company has not become aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in the Questionnaires to become inaccurate, incorrect or incomplete.

 

2.17 Litigation; Governmental Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, arbitration, investigation, litigation or governmental proceeding pending or, threatened, against, or involving the Company or any executive officer or director which has not been disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or in connection with the Company’s listing application for the listing of the Public Securities on the Exchange, and is required to be disclosed therein.

 

2.18 Good Standing. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as an exempt company with limited liability and is in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands as of the date hereof, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, singularly or in the aggregate, would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

2.19 Insurance. On the Closing Date, the Company will carry or will be entitled to the benefits of insurance (including, without limitation, directors’ and officers’ insurance), with reputable insurers, in such amounts and covering such risks which the Company believes are adequate, and all such insurance is in full force and effect, except where the failure to maintain such insurance would not have or reasonably be expected to result in Material Adverse Change. The Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

10

 

 

2.20 Transactions Affecting Disclosure to FINRA.

 

2.20.1 Finder’s Fees. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no claims, payments, arrangements, agreements or understandings relating to the payment of a finder’s, consulting or origination fee by the Company with respect to the sale of the Public Securities hereunder or any other arrangements, agreements or understandings of the Company or any of its stockholders that may affect the Underwriter’s compensation, as determined by FINRA.

 

2.20.2 Payments Within Twelve (12) Months. Except as disclosed in writing to the Underwriter or as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not made any direct or indirect payments in connection with the Offering (in cash, securities or otherwise) to: (i) any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the Company; (ii) any FINRA member; or (iii) any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member, within the twelve (12) months prior to the Effective Date, other than the payment to the Underwriter as provided hereunder in connection with the Offering.

 

2.20.3 Use of Proceeds. None of the net proceeds of the Offering will be paid by the Company to any participating FINRA member or its affiliates.

 

2.20.4 FINRA Affiliation. There is no (i) officer or director of the Company, (ii) beneficial owner of 10% or more of any class of the Company’s securities or (iii) beneficial owner of the Company’s unregistered equity securities, who acquired any equity securities of the Company during the 180-day period immediately preceding the filing of the Registration Statement that is an affiliate or associated person of a FINRA member participating in the Offering (as determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA).

 

2.20.5 Information. All information provided by the Company in its FINRA questionnaire to Underwriter’s Counsel specifically for use by Underwriter’s Counsel in connection with its Public Offering System filings (and related disclosure) with FINRA is true, correct and complete in all material respects.

 

2.21 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. None of the Company and its Subsidiaries or any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, has, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any money, gift or similar benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers in the ordinary course of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or agent of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any Governmental Entity (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or other person who was, is, or may be in a position to help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist it in connection with any actual or proposed transaction) that (i) might subject the Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental litigation or proceeding, (ii) if not given in the past, might have had a Material Adverse Change or (iii) if not continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets, business, operations or prospects of the Company. The Company has taken reasonable steps to ensure that its accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply in all material respects with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

2.22 Compliance with OFAC. None of the Company and its Subsidiaries or any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company and its Subsidiaries or any other person acting on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries, is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”), and the Company will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the Offering hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

11

 

 

2.23 Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance in all material respects with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, including the money laundering Control Act of 1986, as amended, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar money laundering statutes, rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Entity (collectively, “Money Laundering Laws”). No action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental Entity involving the Company with respect to Money Laundering Laws is pending or threatened, to the best knowledge of the Company.

 

2.24 Officers’ Certificate. Any certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Underwriter or to Underwriter’s Counsel on the Closing Date shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

 

2.25 Lock-Up Agreements. Schedule 3 hereto contains a complete and accurate list of the Company’s executive officers, directors and holders of 5% or more of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock(or securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable into shares of Common Stock) (collectively, the “Lock-Up Parties”). The Company has caused each of the Lock-Up Parties to deliver to the Underwriter an executed Lock-Up Agreement, substantially in the form of  Exhibit A hereto (“Lock-Up Agreement”), prior to the execution of this Agreement.

 

2.26 Subsidiaries. Each of the Company’s direct and indirect Subsidiaries is duly organized or incorporated as applicable and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization or incorporation, and each such Subsidiary is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to qualify would not have a Material Adverse Change on the assets, business or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. The Company’s ownership and control of each Subsidiary is as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

2.27 Related Party Transactions.

 

2.27.1 Business Relationships. There are no business relationships or related party transactions involving the Company or any other person required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus that have not been described as required.

 

2.28 Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of the Company (“Board”) is comprised of the persons set forth under the heading of the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus captioned “Management.” The qualifications of the persons serving as Board members and the overall composition of the Board comply with the Exchange Act, the Exchange Act Regulations, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) applicable to the Company and the listing rules of the Exchange. At least one member of the Audit Committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”) qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined under Regulation S-K and the listing rules of the Exchange. In addition, at least a majority of the persons serving on the Board qualify as “independent,” as defined under the listing rules of the Exchange.

 

12

 

 

2.29 Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance.

 

2.29.1 Disclosure Controls. The Company has developed disclosure controls and procedures that will comply in all material respects with Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Exchange Act Regulations, and such controls and procedures will be effective to ensure that all material information concerning the Company will be made known on a timely basis to the individuals responsible for the preparation of the Company’s Exchange Act filings and other public disclosure documents.

 

2.29.2 Compliance. The Company is, and, at the Applicable Time and on the Closing Date, will be in material compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act applicable to it, and has implemented or will implement such programs and has taken reasonable steps to ensure the Company’s future compliance (not later than the relevant statutory and regulatory deadlines therefor) with all of the material provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

2.30 Accounting Controls. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in the process of establishing systems of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined under Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act Regulations) that will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and have been designed by, or under the supervision of, their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP, including, but not limited to, internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company is not aware of any material weaknesses in its internal controls. The Company’s auditors and the Audit Committee have been advised of: (i) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are known to the Company’s management and that have adversely affected or are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (ii) any fraud known to the Company’s management, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

2.31 No Investment Company Status. The Company is not and, after giving effect to the Offering and the application of the net proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will not be, required to register as an “investment company,” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

2.32 No Labor Disputes. No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries exists or, to the best knowledge of the Company, is threatened. The Company is not aware that any key employee or significant group of employees of the Company plans to terminate employment with the Company.

 

13

 

 

2.33 Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns or possesses or has valid rights to use all material patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets and similar rights (“Intellectual Property Rights”) described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries as currently carried on and as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. Except as may be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no action or use by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries necessary for the conduct of its business as currently carried on and as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will involve or give rise to any infringement of, or license or similar fees for, any Intellectual Property Rights of others. Except as may be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice alleging any such infringement, fee or conflict with asserted Intellectual Property Rights of others. Except as would not reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Change, (i) there is no infringement, misappropriation or violation by third parties of any of the Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company; (ii) there is no pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the rights of the Company in or to any such Intellectual Property Rights, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim, that would, individually or in the aggregate, together with any other claims in this Section 2.33, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; (iii) the Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company and the Intellectual Property Rights licensed to the Company have not been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and there is no pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by other parties challenging the validity or scope of any such Intellectual Property Rights, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim that would, individually or in the aggregate, together with any other claims in this Section 2.33, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; (iv) there is no pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Company infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates any Intellectual Property Rights or other proprietary rights of others, the Company has not received any written notice of such claim and the Company is unaware of any other facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim that would, individually or in the aggregate, together with any other claims referred to in this Section 2.33, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; and (v) no employee of the Company is in violation in any material respect of any term of any employment contract, patent disclosure agreement, invention assignment agreement, non-competition agreement, non-solicitation agreement, nondisclosure agreement or any restrictive covenant to or with a former employer where the basis of such violation relates to such employee’s employment with the Company, or actions undertaken by the employee while employed with the Company and could reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Change. To the Company’s Knowledge (as defined below), the Company is not a party to or bound by any options, licenses or agreements with respect to the Intellectual Property Rights of any other person or entity that are required to be set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and are not described therein. None of the technology employed by the Company has been obtained or is knowingly being used by the Company in violation of any contractual obligation binding on the Company or any of its officers, directors or employees, or otherwise in violation of the rights of any persons.

  

Knowledge” means the actual knowledge of the Company’s executive officers and members of the Company’s Board of Directors, and the knowledge that each such person would have reasonably obtained in the performance of each such person's duties as thereto.

 

2.34 Taxes. Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has: (i) filed all returns (as defined below) required to be filed with taxing authorities prior to the date hereof or has duly obtained extensions of time for the filing thereof; and (ii) paid all taxes shown as due on such returns that were filed and has paid all taxes imposed on or assessed against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The provisions for taxes payable, if any, shown on the financial statements filed with or as part of the Registration Statement are sufficient for all accrued and unpaid taxes, whether or not disputed, and for all periods to and including the dates of such consolidated financial statements. Except as disclosed in writing to the Underwriter, (i) no issues have been raised (and are currently pending) by any tax authority in connection with any of the returns or taxes asserted as due from the Company or its Subsidiaries, and (ii) no waivers of statutes of limitation with respect to the returns or collection of taxes have been given by or requested from the Company or its Subsidiaries. There are no tax liens against the assets, properties or business of the Company or its Subsidiaries other than liens for taxes not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which reserves in accordance with GAAP have been established in the Company’s books and records. The term “taxes” means all federal, state, local, foreign and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, customs, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments or charges of any kind whatever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts with respect thereto. The term “returns” means all returns, declarations, reports, statements and other documents required to be filed in respect to taxes.

 

14

 

 

2.35 Compliance with Laws. Except as may be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, each of the Company and each Subsidiary: (i) is and at all times has been in compliance with all statutes, rules, or regulations applicable to the business of the Company as currently conducted (“Applicable Laws”), except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change; (ii) has not received any warning letter or other correspondence or notice from any governmental Entity alleging or asserting noncompliance with any Applicable Laws or any Authorizations i; (iii) possesses all material Authorizations and to Company’s the Knowledge, such Authorizations are valid and in full force and effect and are not in material violation of any term of any such Authorizations; (iv) has not received notice of any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action from any Governmental Entity or third party alleging that any activity conducted by the Company is in violation of any Applicable Laws or Authorizations and no such Governmental Entity or third party is considering any such claim, litigation, arbitration, action, suit, investigation or proceeding; (v) has not received notice that any Governmental Entity has taken, is taking or intends to take action to limit, suspend, modify or revoke any Authorizations and no such Governmental Entity is considering such action; and (vi) has filed, obtained, maintained or submitted all material reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments as required by any Applicable Laws or Authorizations and that all such reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments were complete and correct in all material respects on the date filed (or were corrected or supplemented by a subsequent submission).

 

2.36. Emerging Growth Company. From the time of the initial submission of the Registration Statement to the Commission through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act (an “Emerging Growth Company”). The Company has not (i) alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communications, other than Testing-the-Waters Communications with the written consent of the Underwriter and with entities that are qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act or institutions that are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act and (ii) authorized anyone other than the Underwriter to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company confirms that the Underwriter has been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications. “Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the Securities Act.

 

2.37  Environmental Laws. The Company is in compliance with all foreign, federal, state and local rules, laws and regulations relating to the use, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous or toxic substances or waste and protection of health and safety or the environment which are applicable to their businesses (“Environmental Laws”), except where the failure to comply would not, singularly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change. There has been no storage, generation, transportation, handling, treatment, disposal, discharge, emission, or other release of any kind of toxic or other wastes or other hazardous substances by, due to, or caused by the Company (or any other entity for whose acts or omissions the Company is or may otherwise be liable) upon any of the property now or previously owned or leased by the Company, in violation of any law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit or which would, under any law, statute, ordinance, rule (including rule of common law), regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit, give rise to any liability, except for any violation or liability which would not have, singularly or in the aggregate with all such violations and liabilities, a Material Adverse Change; and there has been no disposal, discharge, emission or other release of any kind onto such property or into the environment surrounding such property of any toxic or other wastes or other hazardous substances, except for any such disposal, discharge, emission, or other release of any kind which would not have, singularly or in the aggregate with all such discharges and other releases, a Material Adverse Change.

 

15

 

 

2.38 Title to Property. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to, or have valid rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of real or personal property which are material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, claims and defects that do not, singly or in the aggregate, materially affect the value of such property in any material respect and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company or its Subsidiaries; and all of the leases and subleases material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries holds properties described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, are in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease, which would, singularly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

2.39 Contracts Affecting Capital. There are no transactions, arrangements or other relationships between and/or among the Company, any of its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) and any unconsolidated entity, including, but not limited to, any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity that could reasonably be expected to materially affect the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ liquidity or the availability of or requirements for their capital resources required to be described or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus which have not been described or incorporated by reference as required.

 

2.40. Loans to Directors or Officers. There are no outstanding loans, advances (except normal advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business) or guarantees or indebtedness by the Company or its Subsidiaries to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the Company, its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective family members, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

2.41. Ineligible Issuer. At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the Effective Date and at the time of any amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or the Underwriter made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the Securities Act) of the Public Securities and at the Effective Date, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an ineligible issuer.

 

2.42. Smaller Reporting Company. As of the time of filing of the Registration Statement, the Company was a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act Regulations.

 

16

 

 

2.43. Industry Data. The statistical and market-related data included in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably and in good faith believes are reliable and accurate or represent the Company’s good faith estimates that are made on the basis of data derived from such sources.

 

2.44. Electronic Road Show. The Company has made available a Bona Fide Electronic Road Show in compliance with Rule 433(d)(8)(ii) of the Securities Act Regulations such that no filing of any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433(h) of the Securities Act Regulations) is required in connection with the Offering.

 

2.45. Margin Securities. The Company owns no “margin securities” as such term is defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”), and none of the proceeds of Offering will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin security, for the purpose of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry any margin security or for any other purpose which might cause any of the shares of Common Stock to be considered a “purpose credit” within the meanings of Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.

 

2.46. Dividends and Distributions. Except as disclosed in the Pricing Disclosure Package, Registration Statement and the Prospectus, no Subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited or restricted, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such Subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company.

 

2.47. Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

 

2.48. Integration. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause the Offering to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act that would require the registration of any such securities under the Securities Act.

 

2.49. Confidentiality and Non-Competition. To the Company’s Knowledge, no director or executive officer of the Company or any Subsidiary is subject to any confidentiality, non-disclosure, non-competition agreement or non-solicitation agreement with any employer (other than the Company or its Subsidiary, as applicable) or prior employer that could materially affect his or her ability to be and act in his or her respective capacity of the Company or such Subsidiary or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

2.50. Corporate Records. The minute books of the Company have been made available to the Underwriter and Underwriter’s Counsel and such books (i) contain minutes of all material meetings and actions of the Board and stockholders of the Company, and (ii) reflect all material transactions referred to in such minutes.

 

2.51. Diligence Materials. The Company has provided to the Underwriter and Underwriter’s Counsel all materials reasonably required or necessary to respond in all material respects to the diligence request submitted to the Company or Underwriter’s Counsel.

 

17

 

 

2.52. Stabilization. Neither the Company nor any of its employees, directors or stockholders (without the consent of the Underwriter) has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under Regulation M of the Exchange Act, or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Public Securities.

 

3.Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees as follows:

 

3.1. Amendments to Registration Statement. The Company shall deliver to the Underwriter, prior to filing, any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus proposed to be filed after the Effective Date and not file any such amendment or supplement to which the Underwriter shall reasonably object in writing.

 

3.2. Federal Securities Laws.

 

3.2.1. (a) Financial Statements. The financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States GAAP, except as may be otherwise specified in such financial statements or the notes thereto and except that unaudited financial statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP, and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, immaterial, year-end audit adjustments. The agreements and documents described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, conform in all material aspects to the descriptions thereof contained therein and there are no agreements or other documents required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement, that have not been so described or filed. Each agreement or other instrument (however characterized or described) to which the Company or a Subsidiary is a party or by which it or such Subsidiary is or may be bound or affected and (i) that is referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or (ii) is material to the Company’s business, has been duly authorized and validly executed by the Company or a Subsidiary, respectively, is in full force and effect in all material respects and is enforceable against the Company or such Subsidiary, in accordance with its terms, except (x) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (y) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws, and (z) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought. Except as described in the Registration Statement, none of such agreements or instruments has been assigned by the Company or a Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor a Subsidiary or to the best knowledge of the Company or such Subsidiary as applicable any other party is in default thereunder and no event has occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default thereunder, except, in each case, for those defaults which (individually or in the aggregate) would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. Performance by the Company or a Subsidiary of the material provisions of such agreements or instruments will not result in a violation of any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order, or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company, a Subsidiary, or any of their assets or businesses, including, without limitation, those relating to Environmental Laws and regulations, except, in each case, for those violations which (individually or in the aggregate) would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

18

 

 

(b) Compliance. The Company, subject to Section 3.2.2, shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of Rule 430A of the Securities Act Regulations, and will notify the Underwriter on the same calendar day, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become effective or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus shall have been filed; (ii) of its receipt of any comments from the Commission; (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information; (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Public Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threat of any proceedings for any of such purposes or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities Act concerning the Registration Statement and (v) if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act in connection with the Offering of the Public Securities. The Company shall effect all filings required under Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act Regulations, in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b), and shall take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. The Company shall prevent the issuance of any stop order, prevention or suspension and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

 

3.2.2. Continued Compliance. The Company shall comply in all material respects with the Securities Act, the Securities Act Regulations, the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Public Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus relating to the Public Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172 of the Securities Act Regulations (“Rule 172”), would be) required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Public Securities, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel to the Company or Underwriter’s Counsel, to (i) amend the Registration Statement in order that the Registration Statement will not include 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; (ii) amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order that the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser or (iii) amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, in order to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Securities Act Regulations. The Company will, within the same calendar day, (i) give the Underwriter notice of such event; (ii) prepare any amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus comply with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Securities Act Regulations, the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Regulations and, within at least three (3) Business Days prior to any proposed filing or use, furnish the Underwriter with copies of any such amendment or supplement and (iii) file with the Commission any such amendment or supplement; provided that the Company shall not file or use any such amendment or supplement to which the Underwriter or Underwriter’s Counsel shall object. The Company will furnish to the Underwriter such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriter may request. The Company will give the Underwriter notice of any filings made pursuant to the Exchange Act or the Exchange Act Regulations within at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Applicable Time. The Company shall give the Underwriter notice of its intention to make any such filing from the Applicable Time until the Closing Date and will furnish the Underwriter with copies of the related document(s) within at least three (3) Business Days prior to such proposed filing, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Underwriter or Underwriter’s Counsel shall object.

 

19

 

 

3.2.3. Exchange Act Registration. The Company shall maintain the registration of the Public Securities under the Exchange Act (except in connection with a going-private transaction) for a period of three years from the Effective Date, or until the Company is liquidated or is acquired, if earlier. For a period of three years from the Effective Date, the Company shall not deregister any of the Public Securities under the Exchange Act without prior notice to the Underwriter. 

 

3.2.4. Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Underwriter, it shall not make any offer relating to the Public Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” or a portion thereof, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433; provided that the Underwriter shall be deemed to have consented to each Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus set forth in Schedule 2-B. The Company represents that it has treated or agrees that it will treat each such free writing prospectus consented to, or deemed consented to, by the Underwriter as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and that it has complied and will comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 433 with respect thereto, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriter and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.

 

3.2.5. Testing-the-Waters Communications. If at any time following the distribution of any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 of the Securities Act Regulations (a “Written Testing-the-Waters Communication”) there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company shall promptly notify the Underwriter and shall promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication to eliminate or correct such untrue statement or omission.

 

3.3. Delivery to the Underwriter of Registration Statements. The Company has delivered or made available or shall deliver or make available to the Underwriter and Underwriter’s Counsel, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to the Underwriter and/or Underwriter’s Counsel, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (without exhibits) upon receipt of a written request therefor from Underwriter and/or Underwriter’s Counsel (as applicable). The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriter and/or Underwriter’s Counsel will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

 

3.4. Delivery to the Underwriter of Prospectuses. The Company has delivered or made available or will deliver or make available to the Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each Preliminary Prospectus as the Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the Securities Act. The Company will furnish to the Underwriter and/or Underwriter’s Counsel, without charge, during the period when a prospectus relating to the Public Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172 of the Securities Act Regulations, would be) required to be delivered under the Securities Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as the Underwriter and/or Underwriter’s Counsel (as applicable) may reasonably request. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriter and/or Underwriter’s Counsel will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

 

20

 

 

3.5. Effectiveness and Events Requiring Notice to the Underwriter. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain effective with a current prospectus for at least nine (9) months after the Applicable Time, and shall notify the Underwriter promptly and confirm the notice in writing of: (i) the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto; (ii) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iii) the issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings for the suspension of the qualification of the Public Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iv) the mailing and delivery to the Commission for filing of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus; (v) the receipt of any comments or request for any additional information from the Commission; and (vi) the occurrence of any event during the period described in this Section 3.5 that, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the making of any changes in (a) the Registration Statement in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or (b) in the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Commission or any state securities commission shall enter a stop order or suspend such qualification at any time, the Company shall promptly obtain the lifting of such order.

 

3.6. Consideration; Payment of Expenses. In consideration of the services provided by the Underwriter pursuant to in this Agreement, the Company shall afford to the Underwriter or its respective designees, if any, their pro rata portion (of Firm Shares purchased in this Offering) of their compensation as follows: (a) an underwriting discount equal to six percent (6%) of the gross proceeds of the securities being offered and sold to investors introduced by the Underwriter, and a gross discount equal to 3% of gross proceeds (or in cash in the equivalent amount) of the securities being offered and sold to investors introduced by the Company (each, an “Underwriting Discount”); (b) a non-accountable expense allowance of one percent (1%) of the gross proceeds of the Offering (the “Non-Accountable Expense Allowance”); (c) an accountable expense allowance of up to US$250,000, including but not limited to reasonable and documented travel, legal fees, due diligence fees, and other expenses and disbursements, incurred in connection with the Underwriter’s services for the purpose of the Offering, regardless of whether the Offering is successfully closed or not; (d) the Underwriter reserves the right to reduce any item of compensation or adjust the terms thereof as specified herein in the event that a determination shall be made by FINRA to the effect that the Underwriter’s aggregate compensation is in excess of FINRA rules or that the terms thereof require adjustment; (e) whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company hereby agrees to pay the Underwriter the following reasonable, necessary and accountable out-of-pocket expenses: (i) the costs of preparing, printing and filing the registration statement with the Commission, amendments and supplements thereto, and post-effective amendments, filing with FINRA and payment of all necessary fees in connection therewith and the printing of a sufficient quantity of preliminary and final prospectuses as the Underwriter may reasonably request; (ii) the costs of preparing, printing and delivering exhibits to the documents set forth in clause (i) of this Section 3.6, in such quantities as the Underwriter may reasonably request; (iii) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of the Public Securities under the securities laws of foreign jurisdictions designated by the Underwriter; (iv) fees of counsel and accountants for the Company, including fees associated with any blue sky filings where applicable; (v) fees associated with the Company’s transfer agent; and (vi) fees, if necessary, associated with translation services. The Underwriter may, upon presentation of relevant supporting documents (e.g. invoices and receipts), deduct from the net proceeds of the Offering payable to the Company on the Closing Date the expenses set forth in this Section 3.6 to be paid by the Company to the Underwriter.

 

21

 

 

3.7. Application of Net Proceeds. The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the Offering received by it in a manner consistent with the application thereof described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

3.8. Delivery of Earnings Statements to Security Holders. The Company shall make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable an earnings statement (which need not be certified by an independent registered public accounting firm unless required by the Securities Act or the Securities Act Regulations, but which shall satisfy the provisions of Rule 158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Securities Act) covering a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months beginning after the date of this Agreement.

 

3.9. Stabilization. Neither the Company nor any of its employees, directors or stockholders has taken or shall take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under Regulation M of the Exchange Act, or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Public Securities.

 

3.10. Internal Controls. The Company shall maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that: (i) the Company’s transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) the Company’s transactions are recorded as necessary in order to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to the Company’s assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for the Company’s assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

 

3.11. [Reserved].

 

3.12. FINRA. For a period of 60 days from the later of the Closing Date, the Company shall advise the Underwriter (who shall make an appropriate filing with FINRA) if it is or becomes aware that (i) any officer or director of the Company, (ii) any beneficial owner of 10% or more of any class of the Company’s securities or (iii) any beneficial owner of the Company’s unregistered equity securities which were acquired during the 180 days immediately preceding the filing of the Registration Statement is or becomes an affiliate or associated person of a FINRA member participating in the Offering (as determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA).

 

3.13. No Fiduciary Duties. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriter’s responsibility to the Company is solely contractual in nature and that none of the Underwriter or their affiliates or any selling agent shall be deemed to be acting in a fiduciary capacity, or otherwise owes any fiduciary duty to the Company or any of its affiliates in connection with the Offering and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

22

 

 

3.14. Company Lock-Up Agreements.

 

3.14.1. Restriction on Sales of Capital Stock. The Company, on behalf of itself and any successor entity, agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, it will not, for a period of six (6) months days after the date of the Offering (the “Lock-Up Period”) and each of the Company any successors of the Company will not, for a period of six (6) months after the closing date of the Offering, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company (“Lock-up Securities”); (ii) file or cause to be filed any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of Lock-up Securities; (iii) complete any offering of debt securities of the Company without notice to the Underwriter, other than entering into a line of credit or senior credit facility with a traditional bank or other lending institution, or (iv) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of capital stock of the Company, whether any such transaction described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above is to be settled by delivery of shares of capital stock of the Company or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.

 

The restrictions contained in this Section 3.14.1 shall not apply to (i) the Public Securities to be sold hereunder, (ii) the issuance by the Company of shares of capital stock upon the exercise of an outstanding stock option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof, of which the Underwriter has been advised in writing, (iii) the issuance by the Company of any security under any equity compensation plan of the Company or (iv) any issuance of securities disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus.

 

3.15. Release from Lock-Up Agreements. If the Underwriter, in its sole discretion, agrees to release or waive the restrictions set forth in the Lock-Up Agreements described in Section 2.25 hereof for a Lock-Up Party and provides the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least two (2) Business Days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto through a major news service at least two (2) Business Days before the effective date of the release or waiver. The provisions of this Section 3.15 shall not apply if (i) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer of Lock-Up Securities not for consideration and (ii) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in the lock-up agreement to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of such transfer.

 

3.16. Blue Sky Qualifications. The Company shall, in cooperation with the Underwriter, if necessary, qualify the Public Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Underwriter may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required to complete the distribution of the Public Securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

 

3.17. Reporting Requirements. The Company, during the period when a prospectus relating to the Public Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172, would be) required to be delivered under the Securities Act, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act within the time periods required by the Exchange Act and Exchange Act Regulations. Additionally, the Company shall report the use of proceeds from the issuance of Public Securities as may be required under Rule 463 under the Securities Act Regulations.

 

3.18. Emerging Growth Company Status. The Company shall promptly notify the Underwriter if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to the later of (i) completion of the distribution of the Public Securities within the meaning of the Securities Act and (ii) fifteen (15) days following the end of the Lock-Up Period.

 

23

 

 

3.19. Press Releases. Except to the extent required by applicable law, rule, or regulation (including an Exchange rule or regulation), the Company shall not issue any press release or other communication directly or indirectly or hold any press conference from January 9, 2024 to a period of forty (40) days from the earlier to occur of (i) the termination of the Engagement Letter between the Parties dated January 9, 2024 (the “Engagement Letter”) or end of the Engagement Period or (ii) the closing date of the Offering, such press conference with respect to: (i) the Offering or (i) the Company, its condition, financial or otherwise, or earnings, business affairs or business prospects (except for routine oral marketing communications in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the past practices of the Company and of which the Underwriter is notified), without the prior written consent of the Underwriter.

 

3.20. Sarbanes-Oxley. the Company shall at all times comply in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in effect from time to time.

 

3.21. [Reserved].

 

4.  Conditions of Underwriter’s Obligations. The obligations of the Underwriter to purchase and pay for the Public Securities, as provided herein, shall be subject to (i) the continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company as of the date hereof and as of each of the Closing Date; (ii) the accuracy of the statements of officers of the Company made pursuant to the provisions hereof; (iii) the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder; and (iv) the following conditions:

 

4.1 Regulatory Matters.

 

4.1.1. Effectiveness of Registration Statement; Rule 430A Information. The Registration Statement shall become effective not later than 5:30 p.m., Eastern time, on the date of this Agreement or such later date and time as shall be consented to in writing by the Underwriter, and, at each of the Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto shall have been issued by the Commission under the Securities Act, no order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall have been issued and no proceedings for any of those purposes shall have been instituted or are pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, contemplated by the Commission. The Company has complied with each request (if any) from the Commission for additional information. A prospectus containing the Rule 430A Information shall have been filed with the Commission in the manner and within the time frame required by Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act Regulations or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed with, and declared effective by, the Commission in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A under the Securities Act Regulations.

 

4.1.2. FINRA Clearance. On or before the date of this Agreement, the Underwriter shall have received clearance from FINRA as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Underwriter as described in the Registration Statement.

 

4.1.3. Exchange Clearance. On the Closing Date, the Firm Shares shall have been approved for listing on the Exchange, subject only to official notice of issuance.

 

24

 

 

4.2 Counsel Matters.

 

4.2.1. Closing Date Opinion of Counsel. On the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received (i) the opinion and (ii) a written statement providing certain “10b-5” negative assurances, in each case, of Hogan Lovells, counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Underwriter in customary form.

 

4.2.2  Closing Date Opinion of Cayman Counsel. On the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received the favorable opinion of Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, Cayman Islands counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, in a customary form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Underwriter’s Counsel addressed to the Underwriter and stating that such opinions may be relied upon by the Underwriter.

 

4.2.3.  Closing Date Opinion of Singaporean Counsel. On the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received the favorable opinion of Resource Law LLC, Singaporean counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, in a customary form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Underwriter’s Counsel addressed to the Underwriter and stating that such opinions may be relied upon by the Underwriter.

 

4.2.4. Closing Date Opinion of Underwriter’s Counsel. On the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received (i) the opinion and (ii) a written statement providing certain “10b-5” negative assurances, in each case, of the Underwriter’s Counsel, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Underwriter in customary form.

 

4.2.5. Closing Date Opinion of Depositary Counsel. On the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received the favorable opinion of Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler llp, counsel for the Citibank, N.A., dated the Closing Date, in a customary form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Underwriter’s Counsel addressed to the Underwriter and stating that such opinions may be relied upon by the Underwriter.

 

4.3. Comfort Letters.

 

4.3.1. Cold Comfort Letter. At the time this Agreement is executed, the Underwriter shall have received a cold comfort letter from the Auditor containing statements and information of the type customarily included in accountants’ comfort letters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, addressed to the Underwriter and in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter’s Counsel, dated as of the date of this Agreement.

 

4.3.2. Bring-down Comfort Letter. At each of the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received from the Auditor a letter, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that the Auditor reaffirms the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to Section 4.3.1, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

 

25

 

 

4.4. Officers’ Certificates.

 

4.4.1. Officers’ Certificate. The Company shall have furnished to the Underwriter a certificate, dated the Closing Date, of its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer stating on behalf of the Company and not in an individual capacity that (i) such officers have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and, they believe that the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto after the Effective Date, as of the Applicable Time and as of the Closing Date did not include any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time and as of the Closing Date, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as of its date and as of the Closing Date, the Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto after the Effective Date, as of the respective date thereof and as of the Closing Date, did not include any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (ii) since the effective date of the Registration Statement, no event has occurred which should have been set forth in a supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, (iii) to the best of their knowledge after reasonable investigation, as of the Closing Date, the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct and the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date, and (iv) there has not been, subsequent to the date of the most recent audited financial statements included in the Pricing Disclosure Package, a Material Adverse Change.

 

4.4.2. Secretary’s Certificate. At each of the Closing Date, if any, the Underwriter shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date, certifying on behalf of the Company and not in an individual capacity: (i) that each of the Charter and Articles of Association is true and complete, has not been amended or modified and is in full force and effect; (ii) that the resolutions of the Board relating to the Offering are in full force and effect and have not been modified or rescinded; and (iii) as to the incumbency of the officers of the Company who have signed the certificates set forth in Section 4.4.1. The documents referred to in such certificate shall be attached thereto. 

 

4.4.3. Chief Financial Officer’s Certificate. On the Closing Date, the Company shall furnish to the Underwriter a certificate of the Company’s chief financial officer, dated the respective dates of their delivery and signed by the Chief Financial Officer and addressed to the Underwriter, with respect to certain operating and financial data contained in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, providing “management comfort” with respect to such information, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter.

 

4.5. No Material Changes. Prior to and on each of the Closing Date: (i) there shall have been no Material Adverse Change in the condition, financial or otherwise, business or prospects of the Company from the date of this Agreement; (ii) no action, suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall have been pending or threatened against the Company or any Insider before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding may be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change, except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; (iii) no stop order shall have been issued by the Commission under the Securities Act and no proceedings therefor shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and (iv) the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto shall contain all material statements which are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations and shall conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations, and neither the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package nor the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto shall contain any 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

26

 

 

4.6. No Material Misstatement or Omission. The Underwriter shall not have discovered and disclosed to the Company on or prior to the Closing Date that the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto contains an untrue statement of a fact which, is material or omits to state any fact which, is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or that the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto contains an untrue statement of fact which, is material or omits to state any fact which, is material and is necessary in order to make the statements, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

4.7. Corporate Proceedings. All corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the authorization, form and validity of each of this Agreement, the Public Securities, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, if any, and the Prospectus and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to Underwriter’s Counsel, and the Company shall have furnished to Underwriter’s Counsel all documents and information that Underwriter’s Counsel may reasonably request to enable it to pass upon such matters.

 

4.8. Delivery of Lock-Up Agreements. On or before the date of this Agreement, the Company shall have delivered to the Underwriter executed copies of the Lock-Up Agreements from each of the persons listed in Schedule 3 hereto.

 

4.9. Additional Documents. At the Closing Date, Underwriter’s Counsel shall have been furnished with such documents as it may require for the purpose of enabling Underwriter’s Counsel to deliver an opinion to the Underwriter, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Public Securities as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in customary form and reasonably acceptable to Underwriter’s Counsel.

 

5. Indemnification.

 

5.1. Indemnification of the Underwriter.

 

5.1.1. General. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter, its affiliates and each of its respective directors, officers, members, employees, representatives, partners, shareholders, affiliates, counsel and agents and each person, if any, who controls the Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively the “Underwriter Indemnified Parties,” and each an “Underwriter Indemnified Party”), against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including but not limited to any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, between any of the Underwriter Indemnified Parties and any third party, or otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute or at common law or otherwise or under the laws of foreign countries, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (i) the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (as from time to time each may be amended and supplemented); (ii) any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the Offering, including any “road show” or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically); or (iii) any application or other document or written communication (in this Section 5, collectively called “application”) executed by the Company or based upon written information furnished by the Company in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Public Securities under the securities laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any state securities commission or agency, the Exchange or any other national securities exchange; or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, the Underwriter’s Information. With respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the indemnity provisions of this Section 5.1.1 shall not inure to the benefit of the Underwriter Indemnified Party to the extent that any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense of the Underwriter Indemnified Party results from the fact that a copy of the Prospectus was not given or sent to the person asserting any such loss, liability, claim or damage at or prior to the written confirmation of sale of the Public Securities to such person as required by the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations, and if the untrue statement or omission has been corrected in the Prospectus, unless such failure to deliver the Prospectus was a result of non-compliance by the Company with its obligations under Section 3.4 of this Agreement.

 

27

 

 

5.1.2. Procedure. If any action is brought against an Underwriter Indemnified Party in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to Section 5.1.1, the Underwriter Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the institution of such action and the Company shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with the Company, to assume the defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel (subject to the reasonable approval of the Underwriter Indemnified Party) and payment of actual expenses. The Underwriter Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ its own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Underwriter Indemnified Party unless (i) the employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company shall have been authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such action, or (ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action, or (iii) such Underwriter Indemnified Party or Underwriter Indemnified Parties shall have been advised by its counsel that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to the Company (in which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the Underwriter Indemnified Party or Underwriter Indemnified Parties), in any of which events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm of attorneys selected by the Underwriter Indemnified Parties who are party to such action (in addition to local counsel) shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Underwriter Indemnified Party shall assume the defense of such action as provided above, the Company shall have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such action, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

5.2. Indemnification of the Company. The Underwriter shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers and persons who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the several Underwriter, as incurred, but only with respect to such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses (or actions in respect thereof) which arise out of or are based upon untrue statements or omissions made in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any application, in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, the Underwriter’s Information. In case any action shall be brought against the Company or any other person so indemnified based on any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any application, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Underwriter, the Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company and each other person so indemnified shall have the rights and duties given to the Underwriter by the provisions of Section 5.1.2. The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Company or any of its officers, directors or any person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, in connection with the issuance and sale of the Public Securities or in connection with the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. 

 

28

 

 

5.3  Contribution.

 

5.3.1. Contribution Rights. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 shall for any reason be unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Section 5.1 or 5.2 in respect of any loss, claim, damage or liability, or any action in respect thereof, referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriter, on the other hand, from the Offering, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriter, on the other, with respect to the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriter, on the other, with respect to such Offering shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total proceeds from the Offering purchased under this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total Underwriting Discount and commissions received by the Underwriter in connection with the Offering, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriter, on the other, 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 the Company, on the one hand, or the Underwriter, on the other, the intent of the Parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement, omission, act or failure to act, provided that the Parties agree that the written information furnished to the Company through the Underwriter by or on behalf of the Underwriter for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, any Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, consists solely of the Underwriter’s Information. The Parties agree that they would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 5.3.1 were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 5.3.1. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding referred to above in this Section 5.3.1 shall be deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 5.3.1, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending against or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.3.1, the Underwriter shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the total discount and commission received by the Underwriter in connection with the Offering. 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.

 

5.3.2. Contribution Procedure. Within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt by any Party to this Agreement (or its representative) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, such Party (“Notifying Party”) will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is to be made against another party (“Contributing Party”), notify the Contributing Party of the commencement thereof, but the failure to so notify the Contributing Party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any other Party other than for contribution hereunder. In case any such action, suit or proceeding is brought against any Notifying Party, and such Notifying Party notifies a Contributing Party of the commencement thereof within the aforesaid fifteen (15) calendar days, the Contributing Party will be entitled to participate therein with the Notifying Party and any other Contributing Party similarly notified. Any such Contributing Party shall not be liable to any Notifying Party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding effected by such Notifying Party seeking contribution without the written consent of such Contributing Party. The contribution provisions contained in this Section 5.3.2 are intended to supersede, to the extent permitted by law, any right to contribution under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise available.

 

29

 

 

6.  Default by the Underwriter.

 

6.1. Default in Purchase of Public Securities. If the Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase the Firm Securities, the Underwriter may, in its discretion, arrange for itself or for another party or parties to purchase such Firm Securities to which such default relates on the terms contained herein. If, (i) in the case of a default in less than 10% of the aggregate number of Public Securities the Underwriter agreed to purchase, within one (1) Business Day after such default or (ii) in the case of a default of 10% or more of the aggregate number of Public Securities, within three (3) Business Days after such default, the Underwriter does not arrange for the purchase of such Firm Securities, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of one (1) Business Day within which to procure another party or parties satisfactory to the Underwriter to purchase said Firm Securities on such terms. In the event that neither of the Parties arranges for the purchase of the Firm Securities to which a default relates as provided in this Section 6, this Agreement will automatically be terminated by either Party without liability on the part of the Company (except as provided in Sections 9.4 and 9.5 hereof); and provided, that nothing herein shall relieve the Underwriter of its liability, to the Company for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.

 

7. Additional Covenants.

 

7.1. Board Composition and Board Designations. The Company shall ensure that: (i) the qualifications of the persons serving as members of the Board and the overall composition of the Board comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Exchange Act and the listing rules of the Exchange or any other national securities exchange, as the case may be, in the event the Company seeks to have its Public securities listed on another exchange or quoted on an automated quotation system, and (ii) if applicable, at least one member of the Audit Committee qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined under Regulation S-K and the listing rules of the Exchange.

 

7.2. Prohibition on Press Releases and Public Announcements. Except as required by law or rule of Nasdaq, the Company shall not issue press releases or engage in any other publicity, without the Underwriter’s prior written consent, for a period ending at 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the first (1st) Business Day following the fortieth (40th) day after the Closing Date, other than normal and customary releases issued in the ordinary course of the Company’s business.

 

8.  Confidentiality. From and after the date of this Agreement, each Party agrees to: (i) maintain the other Party’s Confidential Information (as defined below) in strict confidence; (ii) direct such Party’s respective agents, representatives, or advisors, not to disclose or use any Confidential Information to the detriment of the disclosing Party; (iii) not disclose Confidential Information to any third parties; and (iv) not use any Confidential Information for any purpose except to consummate the Offering and perform such Party’s obligations under this Agreement. Each Party may disclose the Confidential Information of the other Party to the other Party’s agents, representatives, or advisors who have a bona fide need to know such Confidential Information for the purpose of consummating the Offering and performing such other Party’s obligations under this Agreement, but solely to such necessary extent and for no other purpose. The provisions of this Section 8 do not restrict a Party from disclosing the other Party’s Confidential Information to the extent required by any applicable law; provided that the Party required to make such disclosure (i) gives the other Party prompt written notice thereof so that such other Party may seek an appropriate protective order or other remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this Section 8, if applicable, (ii) cooperate with such other Party to obtain such protective order or other remedy, if applicable, (iii) furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information which is legally required to be disclosed and (iv) if such protective order or other remedy is not obtained or such other Party waives compliance with the provisions of this Section 8, use reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded to such Confidential Information.

 

30

 

 

For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means: (i) all trade secrets or confidential or proprietary information designated as such in writing by the disclosing Party, whether by letter or by the use of an appropriate proprietary stamp or legend, prior to or at the time any such trade secret or confidential or proprietary information is disclosed by the disclosing Party to the recipient Party or the recipient Party’s representatives; or (ii) information disclosed orally, visually, or in writing to the recipient by the disclosing Party and is received under circumstances, or is of such nature, that the recipient Party or the recipient Party’s representative knows or should reasonably be expected to understand the confidential and proprietary nature of such information. In addition, the term “Confidential Information” includes (x) any notes, analyses, compilations, studies, interpretations, memoranda, or other documents prepared by the recipient Party or the recipient Party’s representatives which contain, reflect, or are based upon, in whole or in part, any Confidential Information furnished to the recipient Party or the recipient Party’s representatives pursuant to this Agreement; and (y) the existence or status of, and any information concerning, the discussions between the Parties concerning Purchaser’s the Offering and this Agreement or the possible establishment of a business relationship. Confidential Information does not include information which: (1) is in the public domain as of the date hereof or hereafter enters the public domain without a breach by the recipient Party, (2) was known or became known by the recipient Party prior to the disclosing Party or the disclosing Party’s representative or advisors’ disclosure thereof to the recipient Party as demonstrated by the existence of the recipient Party’s written records, (3) becomes known to the recipient Party from a source other than the disclosing Party, which information is not provided by the breach of an obligation of confidentiality owed to the disclosing Party, (4) is disclosed by the disclosing Party to a third party without restrictions on its disclosure or (5) is independently developed by the recipient Party without any use of or reliance on any information of the disclosing Party. For the avoidance of doubt, except as otherwise provided herein, all information which is not publicly available relating to the Company’s proprietary technology is proprietary and confidential.

 

9.  Effective Date of this Agreement and Termination Thereof.

 

9.1. Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective when each Party has executed the same and delivered counterparts of its signature to the other Party.

 

9.2. Termination. The Underwriter may terminate this Agreement at any time prior to any Closing Date, (i) if any domestic or international event or act or occurrence has materially disrupted, or in the Underwriter’s opinion will in the immediate future materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States; or (ii) if trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required by FINRA or by order of the Commission or any other government authority having jurisdiction; or (iii) if the United States shall have become involved in a new war or an escalation in major hostilities; or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by a New York State or federal authority; or (v) regulatory approval (including but not limited to Nasdaq approval) for the Offering is denied, conditioned or modified and as a result it makes it impracticable for the Underwriter to proceed with the Offering and/or delivery of the Public Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Public Securities, or (vi) if a moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which materially adversely impacts the United States securities markets; or (vii) if the Company shall have sustained a material loss by fire, flood, accident, hurricane, earthquake, theft, sabotage or other calamity or malicious act which, whether or not such loss shall have been insured, will, in the Underwriter’s opinion, make it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Firm Shares; or (viii) if the Company is in material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants hereunder; or (ix) if the Underwriter shall have become aware after the date of this Agreement of a Material Adverse Change, or an adverse material change in general market conditions as in the Underwriter’s judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with the Offering and/or delivery of the Public Securities or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriter for the sale of the Public Securities.

 

31

 

 

9.3. Expenses. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, except in the case of a default by the Underwriter pursuant to Section 6.1 above, in the event that this Agreement shall not be carried out for any reason whatsoever, within the time specified herein or any extensions thereof pursuant to the terms herein, the Company shall be obligated to pay to the Underwriter its actual and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to the transactions contemplated herein then due and payable, including but not limited to reasonable and documented travel, lodging, legal fees (including all reasonable fees and disbursements of Underwriter’s Counsel in all relevant jurisdictions), due diligence fees (including for background checks of the Company’s officers and directors), and other expenses and disbursements incurred in connection with the Underwriter’s services for the purpose of the Offering, provided, however, that the aggregate amount of such reimbursable expenses shall not exceed US$250,000 and shall be reduced by amounts previously advanced to the Underwriter (if any) and/or any amounts previously paid to the Underwriter in reimbursement for such expenses. Upon the Underwriter’s demand, the Company shall pay the full amount of such expenses to the Underwriter and the Underwriter shall return any portion of such advance not used to pay its accountable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred; provided, however, that such expense limit in no way limits or impairs the indemnification and contribution provisions of this Agreement.

 

9.4. Survival of Indemnification. Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, any election hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of Section 5 shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be in any way affected by, such election or termination or failure to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any part hereof.

 

9.5. Representations, Warranties, Agreements to Survive. All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement (except for Section 6.1) or in certificates of officers of the Company submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Underwriter or its affiliates or selling agents, any person controlling the Underwriter, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company or (ii) delivery of and payment for the Public Securities.

 

10. Miscellaneous.

 

10.1. Notices. All communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise specifically provided, shall be in writing and shall be mailed (registered or certified mail, return receipt requested), personally delivered or sent by facsimile transmission and confirmed and shall be deemed given when so delivered or faxed and confirmed or if mailed, two (2) days after such mailing.

 

32

 

 

If to the Underwriter:

 

Eddid Securities USA Inc.
11 Broadyway, Suite 801,

New York, NY 10004


Attention: Tom Li
Email: tli@eddidusa.com

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


Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP

1185 Avenue of the Americas, 31st Floor

New York, NY 10036s

 

Attention: Barry P. Biggar

Email: bbiggar@srfc.law

 

If to the Company:

 

Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd

Suntech Tower 3

8 Temasek Boulevard #24-03

Singapore, 38988

 

Attention: William Soon Huat Lim

Email: william.lim@tridentity.me

 

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Hogan Lovells

11th Floor One Pacific Place

88 Queensway Hong Kong

Attention: Stephanie Tang

Email: Stephanie.tang@hoganlovells.com

 

10.2 Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.

 

10.3. Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument executed by each Party.

 

10.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the other agreements and documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement) constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, it is understood and agreed by the Parties that all other terms and conditions of the Engagement Letter shall remain in full force and effect.

 

33

 

 

10.5 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Parties and the controlling persons, directors and officers referred to in Section 5 hereof, and their respective successors, legal representatives, heirs and assigns, and no other person shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provisions herein contained. The term “successors and assigns” shall not include a purchaser, in its capacity as such, of securities from the Underwriter.

 

10.6 Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Appointment of Agent for Service; Waiver of Trial by Jury. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflict of laws principles thereof. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of, or relating in any way to this Agreement (each, a “Related Proceeding”) shall be brought and enforced in the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. The Company hereby irrevocably appoints Cogency Global Inc., with offices at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168 as its agent for service of process in any Related Proceeding and agrees that service of process in any such Related Proceeding may be made upon it at the office of such agent. or summons to be served upon the Company may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the street address set forth in Section 10.1 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim. The Company agrees that the prevailing Party in any such action shall be entitled to recover from the other Party all of such prevailing Party’s reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to such action or proceeding and/or incurred in connection with the preparation therefor. The Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) and the Underwriter hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

10.7 Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different Parties in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts has been signed by each Party and delivered to the other Party. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or email or .pdf transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery thereof.

 

10.8 Waiver, etc. The failure of any Party to at any time enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way effect the validity of this Agreement or any provision hereof or the right of any Party to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this Agreement. No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the Party against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment.

 

34

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Underwriting Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  TRIDENT DIGITAL TECH HOLDINGS LTD

 

  By:  
    Name: Soon Huat Lim
    Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

EDDID SECURITIES USA INC.

 

By:    
  Name: Mr. Tom Li  
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer  

 

Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

Underwriter  Total Number of
Firm Shares to be Purchased
 
Eddid Securities USA Inc.      
TOTAL       

 

Sch. 1-1

 

 

SCHEDULE 2-A 

 
Pricing Information

 

Number of Firm Shares: [●]

 

Public Offering Price per Firm Share: US$[●]

 

Underwriting Discount per Firm Share being offered and sold to investors introduced by the Underwriter: 6%

 

Underwriting Discount per Firm Share being offered and sold to investors introduced by the Company: 3%

 

Proceeds to Company per Firm Share being offered and sold to investors introduced by the Underwriter (before expenses): US$[●]

 

Proceeds to Company per Firm Share being offered and sold to investors introduced by the Company (before expenses): US$[●]

SCHEDULE 2-B

 

Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses

 

Sch. 2-1

 

 

SCHEDULE 3

List of Lock-Up Parties

 

Name   Position
     
Soon Huat Lim   Founder, Chairman, Director and Chief Executive Officer
     
Haiyan Huang   Chief Financial Officer
     
Poh Kiong Tan   Chief Technology Officer
     
  Holder of over 5% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock
     
Trident Digital Tech Ltd   Holder of over 5% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock
     
Trident Wealth Ltd   Holder of over 5% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock
     
Trident Group Holdings Ltd   Holder of over 5% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock
     
Soon Tai Lee   Holder of over 5% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock

 

Sch. 3-1

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Form of Lock-Up Agreement

 

Lock-Up Agreement

 

[DATE], 2024

 

Eddid Securities USA Inc.
11 Broadyway, Suite 801,
New York, NY 10004

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned understands that Eddid Securities USA Inc. (the “Underwriter”) proposes to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd, a Cayman Islands exempt company with limited liability (the “Company”), providing for the offering of the Public Securities (the “Offering”). Capitalized terms used but not herein defined have the meanings set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.

 

To induce the Underwriter to continue its efforts in connection with the Offering, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, the undersigned will not, during Lock-Up Period, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company (“Lock-up Securities”); (ii) file or cause to be filed any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of Lock-Up Securities; (iii) complete any offering of debt securities of the Company without notice to the Underwriter, other than entering into a line of credit or senior credit facility with a traditional bank or other lending institution, or (iv) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of capital stock of the Company, whether any such transaction described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above is to be settled by delivery of shares of capital stock of the Company or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The restrictions contained in this paragraph shall not apply to (i) the Class B Shares to be sold in the Offering, (ii) the issuance by the Company of shares of capital stock upon the exercise of an outstanding stock option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof, of which the Underwriter has been advised in writing, (iii) the issuance by the Company of any security under any equity compensation plan of the Company or (iv) any issuance of securities disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus.

 

If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, (i) the undersigned agrees that the foregoing restrictions shall be equally applicable to any capital stock of issuer-directed or “friends and family” that the undersigned may purchase in the Offering; (ii) the Underwriter agrees that, at least three (3) Business Days before the effective date of any release or waiver of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a transfer of Lock-Up Securities, the Underwriter will notify the Company of the impending release or waiver; and (iii) the Company has agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two (2) Business Days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Any release or waiver granted by the Underwriter hereunder to any such officer or director shall only be effective two (2) Business Days after the publication date of such press release. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (a) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer of Lock-Up Securities not for consideration and (b) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this Lock-Up Agreement to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of such transfer.

 

Ex. A-1

 

 

No provision in this agreement shall be deemed to restrict or prohibit the exercise, exchange or conversion by the undersigned of any securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into Common Stock, as applicable; provided that the undersigned does not transfer the Common Stock acquired on such exercise, exchange or conversion during the Lock-Up Period, unless otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of this lock-up agreement. In addition, no provision herein shall be deemed to restrict or prohibit the entry into or modification of a so-called “10b5-1” plan at any time (other than the entry into or modification of such a plan in such a manner as to cause the sale of any Lock-Up Securities within the Lock-Up Period).

 

The undersigned understands that the Parties are relying upon this lock-up agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the Offering. The undersigned further understands that this lock-up agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned’s heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.

 

The undersigned understands that, if the Underwriting Agreement is not executed by [DATE], 2024, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Public Securities, then this Lock-Up agreement shall be void and of no further force or effect.

 

Whether or not the Offering actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions. Any Offering will only be made pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to negotiation between the Parties.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
   
  (Name - Please Print)
   
   
  (Signature)
   
   
  (Name of Signatory, in the case of entities - Please Print)
   
   
  (Title of Signatory, in the case of entities - Please Print)

 

  Address:   
     

 

Ex. A-2

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Form of Press Release

 

Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd

 

[Date]

 

Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd (the “Company”) announced today that Eddid Securities USA Inc., acting as the Underwriter in the Company’s recent public offering of _______ American Depositary Shares of the Company (“ADS”), each ADS representing [ ] Class B ordinary shares of the Company, par value US$0.00001 per share, is [waiving] [releasing] a lock-up restriction with respect to _________ Class B ordinary shares of the Company (the “Shares”) held by [certain officers or directors or shareholders holding more than 5% of the outstanding capital stock] [an officer or director or shareholder holding more than 5% of the outstanding capital stock] of the Company. The [waiver] [release] will take effect on _________, 20___, and the Shares may be sold or otherwise disposed of on or after such date.

 

This press release is not an offer or sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such offer or sale is prohibited, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

 

Ex. B-1