EX-2.1 2 ea180900ex2-1_byteacq.htm MERGER AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF JUNE 27, 2023, BY AND AMONG BYTE ACQUISITION CORP., BYTE MERGER SUB, INC. AND AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC

Exhibit 2.1

 

Execution Version

 

 

 

MERGER AGREEMENT

 

dated

 

June 27, 2023

 

by and among

 

Airship AI Holdings, Inc.,

 

BYTE Acquisition Corp.

 

and

 

BYTE Merger Sub, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS 2
       
  1.1 Definitions 2
  1.2 Construction 18
       
ARTICLE II THE DOMESTICATION AND THE MERGER 19
       
  2.1 Domestication 19
  2.2 Merger 19
  2.3 Merger Effective Time 19
  2.4 Effect of the Merger 19
  2.5 U.S. Tax Treatment 20
  2.6 Company Articles; Company Bylaws 21
  2.7 Closing 21
  2.8 Directors and Officers of Surviving Corporation 21
  2.9 Directors and Officers of Parent 21
  2.10 Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action 21
  2.11 No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock 22
       
ARTICLE III EFFECT OF THE MERGER 22
       
  3.1 Effect of the Merger on Company Common Stock 22
  3.2 Treatment of Company Options, Company SARs and Company Warrants 22
  3.3 Dissenting Shares 24
  3.4 Surrender and Payment 24
  3.5 Consideration Spreadsheet 24
  3.6 Adjustment 25
  3.7 Earnout 26
  3.8 No Fractional Shares 28
  3.9 Withholding 28
       
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY 29
       
  4.1 Corporate Existence and Power 29
  4.2 Authorization 29
  4.3 Governmental Authorization 30
  4.4 Non-Contravention 30
  4.5 Capitalization 30
  4.6 Subsidiaries 31
  4.7 Corporate Records 31
  4.8 Consents 31
  4.9 Financial Statements 32
  4.10 Internal Accounting Controls 32
  4.11 Absence of Certain Changes 32
  4.12 Properties; Title to the Company Group’s Assets 32
  4.13 Litigation 32
  4.14 Contracts 33
  4.15 Licenses and Permits 35

 

i

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTINUED

 

      Page
       
  4.16 Compliance with Laws 35
  4.17 Intellectual Property 35
  4.18 Employees; Employment Matters 40
  4.19 Withholding 41
  4.20 Employee Benefits 41
  4.21 Real Property 43
  4.22 Tax Matters 44
  4.23 Environmental Laws 45
  4.24 Finders’ Fees 45
  4.25 Directors and Officers 45
  4.26 Certain Business Practices 45
  4.27 Insurance 46
  4.28 Related Party Transactions 47
  4.29 No Trading or Short Position 47
  4.30 Not an Investment Company 47
  4.31 Exchange Act 47
  4.32 Top Customers and Top Suppliers 47
       
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB 48
       
  5.1 Corporate Existence and Power 48
  5.2 Merger Sub 48
  5.3 Corporate Authorization 48
  5.4 Governmental Authorization 49
  5.5 Non-Contravention 49
  5.6 Finders’ Fees 49
  5.7 Issuance of Shares 49
  5.8 Capitalization 49
  5.9 Information Supplied 50
  5.10 Trust Fund 50
  5.11 Listing 51
  5.12 Board Approval 51
  5.13 Parent SEC Documents and Financial Statements 51
  5.14 Certain Business Practices 53
  5.15 Anti-Money Laundering Laws 53
  5.16 Affiliate Transactions 53
  5.17 Litigation 53
  5.18 Expenses, Indebtedness and Other Liabilities 53
  5.19 Brokers and Other Advisors 53
  5.20 Tax Matters 54
  5.21 Not an Investment Company 54
       
ARTICLE VI COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES PENDING CLOSING 55
       
  6.1 Conduct of the Business 55
  6.2 Exclusivity 58
  6.3 Access to Information 59
  6.4 Notices of Certain Events 59
  6.5 Registration Statement/Proxy Statement; Other Filings 60
  6.6 Trust Account 62
  6.7 Obligations of Merger Sub 63

 

ii

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTINUED

 

      Page
       
  6.8 Joinders to Parent Support Agreement 63
  6.9 PIPE Financing 63
  6.10 Non-Redemption Agreements 63
       
ARTICLE VII COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY 63
       
  7.1 Reporting; Compliance with Laws; No Insider Trading 63
  7.2 Company’s Shareholders Approval 64
  7.3 Additional Financial Information 64
       
ARTICLE VIII COVENANTS OF ALL PARTIES HERETO 65
       
  8.1 Reasonable Best Efforts; Further Assurances 65
  8.2 Compliance with SPAC Agreements 66
  8.3 Confidentiality 66
  8.4 Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Liability Insurance 66
  8.5 Parent Public Filings; Nasdaq 67
  8.6 Certain Tax Matters 67
  8.7 Parent Equity Incentive Plan 67
  8.8 Extension of Time to Consummate a Business Combination 67
  8.9 Section 16 Matters 69
  8.10 Surrender of Parent Class B Ordinary Share 69
       
ARTICLE IX CONDITIONS TO CLOSING 69
       
  9.1 Condition to the Obligations of the Parties 69
  9.2 Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub 70
  9.3 Conditions to Obligations of the Company 71
       
ARTICLE X TERMINATION 73
       
  10.1 Termination Without Default 73
  10.2 Termination Upon Default 73
  10.3 Effect of Termination 74
       
ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS 74
       
  11.1 Notices 74
  11.2 Amendments; No Waivers; Remedies 75
  11.3 Arm’s Length Bargaining; No Presumption Against Drafter 75

 

iii

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTINUED

 

      Page
       
  11.4 Publicity 76
  11.5 Expenses 76
  11.6 No Assignment or Delegation 76
  11.7 Governing Law 76
  11.8 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures 76
  11.9 Entire Agreement 76
  11.10 Severability 76
  11.11 Further Assurances 76
  11.12 Third Party Beneficiaries 76
  11.13 Waiver 77
  11.14 No Other Representations; No Reliance 77
  11.15 Waiver of Jury Trial 79
  11.16 Submission to Jurisdiction 79
  11.17 Attorneys’ Fees 79
  11.18 Remedies 79
  11.19 Non-Recourse 80
  11.20 Conflicts and Privilege. 80

 

Exhibit A Form of Parent Certificate of Incorporation A-1
Exhibit B Form of Parent Bylaws B-1
Exhibit C Form of Company Support Agreement C-1
Exhibit D Form of Parent Support Agreement D-1
Exhibit E Form of Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement E-1
Exhibit F Form of Parent Equity Incentive Plan F-1
Exhibit G-1 Form of Non-Redemption Agreement G-1-1
Exhibit G-2 Form of Non-Redemption Agreement G-2-1

 

iv

 

 

MERGER AGREEMENT

 

MERGER AGREEMENT dated as of June 27, 2023 (this “Agreement”), by and among Airship AI Holdings, Inc., a Washington corporation (the “Company”), BYTE Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares (which shall de-register from the Register of Companies in the Cayman Islands by way of continuation out of the Cayman Islands and into the State of Delaware so as to migrate to and domesticate as a Delaware corporation prior to the Closing (as defined below)) (“Parent”), and BYTE Merger Sub, Inc., a Washington corporation (“Merger Sub”).

 

W I T N E S E T H:

 

A. The Company is in the business of providing Artificial Intelligence technology and enterprise software that enable government and commercial customers to manage all their video, data, sensor and physical security assets (the “Business”);

 

B. Parent is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, and Merger Sub is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent and was formed for the sole purpose of the Merger (as defined below);

 

C. On the day that is at least one Business Day prior to the Effective Time (as defined below) and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Parent shall de-register from the Register of Companies in the Cayman Islands by way of continuation out of the Cayman Islands and into the State of Delaware so as to migrate to and domesticate as a Delaware corporation in accordance with the Parent’s organizational documents, Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (the “DGCL”), and Part XII of the Companies Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands (the “Cayman Companies Act”) (the “Domestication”);

 

D. Concurrently with the Domestication, Parent shall file a certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto (the “Parent Certificate of Incorporation”) and adopt bylaws substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B (the “Parent Bylaws”) in each case, with such changes as may be agreed in writing by Parent and the Company;

 

E. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, and in accordance with the Washington Business Corporation Act, as amended (the “WBCA”), (i) Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), after which the Company will be the surviving corporation (the “Surviving Corporation”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent; (ii) contemporaneous with the Merger, the Surviving Corporation will change its name to “Airship AI, Inc.”; and (iii) Parent will change its name to “Airship AI Holdings, Inc.”;

 

F. Contemporaneously with the execution of, and as a condition and an inducement to Parent and the Company entering into this Agreement, certain Company Shareholders are entering into and delivering the Company Support Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Company Support Agreement”), pursuant to which each such Company Shareholder has agreed to vote in favor of this Agreement and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby;

 

G. Contemporaneously with the execution of, and as a condition and an inducement to Parent and the Company entering into this Agreement, the Sponsor and certain other shareholders of Parent are entering into and delivering the Parent Support Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (the “Parent Support Agreement”), pursuant to which the Sponsor and each such Parent shareholder have agreed (i) not to transfer or redeem any Parent Common Shares held by such Parent shareholder, and (ii) to vote in favor of this Agreement and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby at the Parent Shareholder Meeting;

 

 

 

H. Each of the parties hereto intends that, for United States federal and applicable state income tax purposes, (i) the Domestication will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Domestication Intended Tax Treatment”), and (ii) the Merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, to which each of Parent, Merger Sub, and the Company are to be parties under Section 368(b) of the Code (the “Merger Intended Tax Treatment” and, together with the Domestication Intended Tax Treatment, the “Intended Tax Treatment”), and this Agreement is intended to constitute a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a) for purposes of Sections 354, 361 and 368 of the Code (a “Plan of Reorganization”) with respect to the Domestication and the Merger; and

 

I. The Boards of Directors of each of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub have unanimously (i) approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which they are or will be party, including the Merger, and the performance of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein or therein, (ii) determined that this Agreement and such transactions are fair to, and in the best interests of, them and their respective shareholders, (iii) resolved to recommend that their respective shareholders approve the Merger and such other transactions contemplated hereby and adopt this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which they are or will be a party and the performance of such party of their obligations hereunder and thereunder and (iv) in the case of Parent, resolved to recommend that its shareholders approve each of the Parent Proposals.

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants and promises set forth in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

1.1 Definitions.

 

Action” means any legal action, litigation, suit, claim, hearing, proceeding or investigation by or before any Authority.

 

Additional Parent SEC Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.13(a).

 

Adjournment Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(e).

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly Controlling, Controlled by or under common Control with such Person, whether through one or more intermediaries or otherwise.

 

Aggregate Fully Diluted Company Common Stock” means the sum, without duplication, of (a) all shares of Company Common Stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time; plus (b) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock issuable upon full exercise of all Earnout Warrants outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time; plus (c) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock issuable upon full exercise of all Company Options (whether vested or unvested) outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time; plus (d) the aggregate number of Company SARs (whether vested or unvested) outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

Aggregate Merger Consideration” means a number of Parent Common Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the Base Purchase Price, by (b) US$10.00.

 

2

 

 

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

AI/ML” means any and all deep learning, machine learning, and other artificial intelligence technologies, including any and all (i) algorithms, heuristics, models, and methodologies, whether in source code, object code, human readable form or other form, (ii) proprietary algorithms, software or other IT Systems that make use of or employ expert systems, natural language processing, computer vision, automated speech recognition, automated planning and scheduling, neural networks, statistical learning algorithms (like linear and logistic regression, support vector machines, random forests, k-means clustering), or reinforcement learning, and (iii) proprietary embodied artificial intelligence and related hardware or equipment.

 

Airship Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.20(b).

 

Alternate Exchange” means The Nasdaq Global Market, The Nasdaq Global Select Market, NYSE, NYSE American, or any successor thereto.

 

Alternative Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(b).

 

Alternative Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a).

 

Ancillary Agreements” means the Company Support Agreement, the Parent Support Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Earnout Escrow Agreement.

 

Annual Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9(a).

 

Anti-Money Laundering Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.26(a).

 

Applicable Earnout Period” means, as applicable, with respect to (i) the First Operating Performance Milestone, the period starting on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the full calendar quarter immediately following the first anniversary of the Closing Date, (ii) the Second Operating Performance Milestone, the period starting on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the full calendar quarter immediately following the third anniversary of the Closing Date, and (iii) the First Share Price Performance Milestone and the Second Share Price Performance Milestone, the period starting on the Closing Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

Articles of Merger” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

 

Authority” means any federal, state, provincial, municipal, local, foreign, multinational or supra-national government, governmental authority or regulatory body thereof, or political subdivision thereof, or any commission, department, board, bureau, authority, agency or instrumentality of such government, governmental authority, regulatory body or political subdivision, or any self-regulated organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority or quasi-governmental authority exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions (to the extent that the rules, regulations or orders of such organization or authority have the force of Law), or any arbitrator, arbitration panel, court, tribunal, mediator or similar judicial body of competent jurisdiction.

 

3

 

 

Balance Sheet” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2022.

 

Balance Sheet Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9(a).

 

Base Purchase Price” means $225,000,000.

 

Board Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(e).

 

Books and Records” means all books and records, ledgers, employee records, customer lists, files, correspondence, and other records of every kind (whether written, electronic, or otherwise embodied) owned or controlled by a Person in which a Person’s assets, liabilities, operations, the business or its transactions are otherwise reflected, other than stock books and minute books.

 

Business” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday on which commercial banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by Law to close for business, excluding as a result of “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 Authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems, including for wire transfers, of commercially banking institutions in New York, New York are generally open for use by customers on such day.

 

Byte Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.20(a).

 

Cayman Companies Act” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Cayman Registrar” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a).

 

Certificate of Domestication” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

 

Change of Control” means (i) any transaction or series of related transactions that results in any Person or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) acquiring equity interests that represent more than 50% of the total voting power of Parent or (ii) a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, in each case other than a transaction or series of related transactions which results in at least 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of Parent (or any successor to Parent) immediately following the closing of such transaction (or series of related transactions) being beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by individuals and entities (or Affiliates of such individuals and entities) who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of at least 50% of the equity interests of Parent (or any successor to Parent) immediately prior to such transaction (or series of related transactions).

 

Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

 

Closing Consideration Spreadsheet” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(a).

 

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

 

4

 

 

COBRA” means collectively, the requirements of Sections 601 through 606 of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Company AI Products” means all products and services of the Company Group that employ or make use of any AI/ML technologies.

 

Company Articles” means the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington on April 13, 2022, as amended and in effect on the date of this Agreement.

 

Company Bylaws” means the Bylaws of the Company, as amended and as in effect on the date of this Agreement.

 

Company Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, no par value.

 

Company Consent” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8.

 

Company Earnout Holders” means the holders of Company Common Stock (but excluding holders of Dissenting Shares), Company Options (whether vested or unvested), Earnout Warrants, and Company SARs (whether vested or unvested) as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

Company Exclusively Licensed IP” means any and all Company Licensed IP that is exclusively licensed to or purported to be exclusively licensed to the a member of the Company Group, and includes Registered Exclusively Licensed IP.

 

Company Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9(a).

 

Company Fundamental Representations” means the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 4.1 (Corporate Existence and Power), Section 4.2 (Authorization), Section 4.3 (Government Authorization), Section 4.4 (Non-Contravention), Section 4.5(a) (other than the last sentence of Section 4.5(a)) (Capitalization), Section 4.5(b) (Capitalization), Section 4.6 (Subsidiaries) and Section 4.24 (Finders’ Fees).

 

Company Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

 

Company Information Systems” means any and all IT Systems that are owned, licensed, leased, used or held for use by or for a member of the Company Group.

 

Company IP” means, collectively, any and all Company Owned IP and Company Licensed IP and includes any and all Intellectual Property set forth in Schedule 4.17(b).

 

Company Licensed IP” means any and all Intellectual Property owned by a third Person and licensed to or purported to be licensed, in whole or in part, to a member of the Company Group or that a member of the Company Group otherwise has a right to use or purports to have a right to use.

 

Company Option” means each option (whether vested or unvested) to purchase Company Common Stock granted, and that remains outstanding, under the Equity Incentive Plan.

 

5

 

 

Company Owned IP” means any and all Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned, in whole or in part, by the Company Group, in each case, whether exclusively, jointly with another Person or otherwise, and includes all Registered Owned IP and Company Software.

 

Company Revenue” means, for the Applicable Earnout Period, the revenues of the Company on a consolidated basis, calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP and determined on a basis consistent with past practices.

 

Company SAR” means each stock appreciation right (whether vested or unvested) granted, and that remains outstanding, under the Stock Appreciation Rights Plan.

 

Company Securityholder” means each Person who holds Company Common Stock, Company Options and / or Company SARs.

 

Company Shareholders” means, at any given time, the holders of Company Common Stock.

 

Company Shareholder Approval” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b).

 

Company Shareholder Written Consent” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(b).

 

Company Shareholder Written Consent Deadline” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(b).

 

Company Software” means any and all proprietary Software that is owned (or purported to be owned), in whole or in part, by the Company Group and includes all proprietary AI/ML.

 

Company Support Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Company Warrant” means each warrant to purchase shares of Company Common Stock that is outstanding and unexercised (in whole or in part).

 

Confidentiality Agreement” means the Reciprocal Non-Disclosure Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2023, by and between the Company and Parent.

 

Contracts” means the Lease and all other contracts, agreements, leases (including equipment leases, car leases and capital leases), licenses, Permits, commitments, client contracts, statements of work (SOWs), sales and purchase orders and similar instruments, oral or written, to which the Company is a party or by which any of its respective properties or assets is bound.

 

Control” of a Person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise. “Controlled,” “Controlling” and “under common Control with” have correlative meanings.

 

Conversion Ratio” means the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the number of Parent Common Shares constituting the Aggregate Merger Consideration, by (b) the number of shares constituting the Aggregate Fully Diluted Company Common Stock.

 

Converted SAR” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(b).

 

Converted Stock Option” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).

 

6

 

 

Converted Warrant” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(d).

 

Copyleft Licenses” means all licenses of Publicly Available Software (including any Software licensed under the GNU General Public License, GNU Lesser General Public License, Mozilla Public License, Affero General Public License, Eclipse Software License, or any other public source code license arrangement) or any similar license, or other Contracts to Software, in each case, that requires as a condition of use or in connection with any use, modification, reproduction, or distribution of any Software licensed thereunder (or any Company Software or other Company IP or other Software or technology that is used by, incorporated into or includes, relies on, is linked to or with, is derived from, or distributed with such Software) any of the following: (i) be disclosed, made available, distributed, offered or delivered in source code form or any information regarding such Company Software, Company IP or other Software or technology for no or minimal charge, (ii) be granted permission or licensed for creating modifications to or making derivative works of such Company Software, Company IP, or other Software or technology; (iii)be granted a royalty-free license, whether express, implied, by virtue of estoppel or otherwise, to any third party under Intellectual Property rights (including patents) regarding such Company Software, Company IP, or other Software or technology (whether alone or in combination with other hardware or Software); or (iv) be imposed of restrictions on future patent licensing terms, or other abridgement or restriction of exercise or enforcement of any Intellectual Property rights through any means.

 

Copyrights” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Intellectual Property.”

 

COVID-19” means SARS CoV-2 or COVID-19, and any evolutions thereof.

 

COVID-19 Measures” means any quarantine, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down, closure, sequester, safety or similar Law, governmental Order, Action, directive, guidelines or recommendations promulgated by any Authority that has jurisdiction over the Company, Parent or their Subsidiaries, as applicable, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, in each case, in connection with or response to COVID-19, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

 

Data” means any and all data and collections of data, whether machine readable or otherwise.

 

Data Protection Laws” means all applicable Laws in any applicable jurisdiction governing the Processing, privacy, security, or protection of Personal Information, and all regulations or guidance issued thereunder.

 

DGCL” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Dissenting Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

 

Domain Names” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Intellectual Property.”

 

Domesticated Parent Warrant” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(b).

 

Domestication” has the meaning specified in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Domestication Intended Tax Treatment” has the meaning specified in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

7

 

 

Earnout Cap” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7(b)(i).

 

Earnout Escrow Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7(c).

 

Earnout Milestone” means, as applicable, (i) the First Operating Performance Milestone, (ii) the Second Operating Performance Milestone, (iii) the First Share Price Performance Milestone, and/or (iv) the Second Share Price Performance Milestone.

 

Earnout Pro Rata Share” means, for each Company Earnout Holder, a percentage determined by the quotient of:

 

(a) the sum of (i) the total number of shares of Company Common Stock held by such Company Earnout Holder as of immediately prior to the Effective Time; plus (ii) the total number of shares of Company Common Stock issuable assuming full exercise of all Earnout Warrants that are held by such Company Earnout Holder as of immediately prior to the Effective Time plus (iii) the total number of shares of Company Common Stock issuable assuming full exercise of all Company Options that are held by such Company Earnout Holder as of immediately prior to the Effective Time; plus (iv) the total number of Company SARs held by such Company Earnout Holder as of immediately prior to the Effective Time; divided by

 

(b) the Aggregate Fully Diluted Company Common Stock.

 

Earnout Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7(a).

 

Earnout Warrant” means each warrant to purchase shares of Company Common Stock set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) hereto.

 

Effective Time” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

 

Enforceability Exceptions” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

 

Environmental Laws” shall mean all applicable Laws that prohibit, regulate or control any Hazardous Material or any Hazardous Material Activity, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, the Resource Recovery and Conservation Act of 1976, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Clean Air Act, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and the Clean Water Act.

 

Equity Incentive Plan” means the Company’s 2022 Combined Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan.

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

ERISA Affiliate” means each entity, trade or business that is, or was at the relevant time, a member of a group described in Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA that includes or included the Company, or that is, or was at the relevant time, a member of the same “controlled group” as the Company pursuant to Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Excluded Matter” means any one or more of the following: (a) any change in general economic or political conditions; (b) conditions generally affecting the industries in which such Person or its Subsidiaries operates; (c) any changes in financial, banking or securities markets in general or any change in prevailing interest rates; (d) acts of war (whether or not declared), armed hostilities or terrorism, or the escalation thereof; (e) the taking of any action expressly required by this Agreement or any action taken by the Company at the written request of Parent or any action taken by Parent or Merger Sub at the written request of the Company; (f) any changes in applicable Laws (including any COVID-19 Measures) or accounting rules (including U.S. GAAP) or the interpretation thereof following the date of this Agreement; (g) the announcement or completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (h) any natural disaster, acts of God or epidemic, pandemic or other disease outbreak (including COVID-19 and any COVID-19 Measures); or (i) any failure by a party to meet any internal or published projections, forecasts or revenue or earnings predictions (it being understood that the facts or occurrences giving rise or contributing to such failure that are not otherwise excluded from the definition of a “Material Adverse Effect” may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect); provided, however, that the exclusions provided in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d), clause (f) and clause (h) shall not apply to the extent that Parent and Merger Sub, taken as a whole, on the one hand, or the Company, taken as a whole, on the other hand, is disproportionately affected by any such exclusions or any change, event or development to the extent resulting from any such exclusions relative to all other similarly situated companies that participate in the industry in which they operate.

 

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First Operating Performance Milestone” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7(a)(i)(A).

 

First Share Price Performance Milestone” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7(a)(i)(C).

 

Hazardous Material” shall mean any material, emission, chemical, substance or waste that has been designated by any Authority to be radioactive, toxic, hazardous, a pollutant or a contaminant.

 

Hazardous Material Activity” shall mean the transportation, transfer, recycling, storage, use, treatment, manufacture, removal, remediation, release, exposure of others to, sale, labeling, or distribution of any Hazardous Material or any product or waste containing a Hazardous Material, or product manufactured with ozone depleting substances, including any required labeling, payment of waste fees or charges (including so-called e-waste fees) and compliance with any recycling, product take-back or product content requirements.

 

HSR Act” shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Indebtedness” means with respect to any Person, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, including with respect thereto, all interests, fees and costs, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property purchased by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than accounts payable to creditors for goods and services incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any lien or security interest on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (f) all obligations of such Person under leases required to be accounted for as capital leases under U.S. GAAP, (g) all guarantees by such Person of the Indebtedness of another Person, (h) all liability of such Person with respect to any hedging obligations, including interest rate or currency exchange swaps, collars, caps or similar hedging obligations, (i) any obligations of the Company Group pursuant to the U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program, (j) any unfunded or underfunded liabilities pursuant to any pension or nonqualified deferred compensation plan or arrangement and any earned but unpaid compensation (including salary, bonuses and paid time off) for any period prior to the Closing Date, and (k) any agreement to incur any of the same.

 

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Intended Tax Treatment” has the meaning specified in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Intellectual Property” means any and all of the worldwide intellectual property rights and proprietary rights associated with any of the following, whether registered, unregistered or registrable, to the extent recognized in a particular jurisdiction: (a) discoveries, inventions, ideas, technology, trade secrets, and Software, in each case whether or not patentable or copyrightable (including proprietary or confidential information, systems, methods, processes, procedures, practices, algorithms, formulae, techniques, knowledge, results, protocols, models, designs, drawings, specifications, materials, technical data or information, know-how, research, methodologies, customer lists, business plans, databases, collections of data, and other information related to the development, marketing, pricing, distribution, cost, sales and manufacturing) (collectively, “Trade Secrets”); (b) trade names, trademarks, service marks, trade dress, product configurations, other indications of origin, registrations thereof or applications for registration therefor, together with the goodwill associated with the foregoing (collectively, “Trademarks”); (c) patents, patent applications, invention disclosures, utility models, industrial designs, supplementary protection certificates, and certificates of inventions, including all re-issues, continuations, divisionals, continuations-in-part, re-examinations, renewals, counterparts, extensions, substitutions, counterparts, and validations thereof (collectively, “Patents”); (d) works of authorship, copyrights, copyrightable materials, copyright registrations and applications for copyright registration including rights in Software (collectively, “Copyrights”); (e) domain names and URLs (collectively, “Domain Names”), (f) rights of privacy and publicity and in social media accounts, and (g) other intellectual property, and (h) all embodiments and fixations thereof and related documentation and registrations and all additions, improvements and accessions thereto.

 

IP Contracts” means, collectively, any and all Contracts pursuant to which a member of the Company Group is a party or by which any of its properties or assets are bound (including any settlement, coexistence, co-existence, covenant not to sue or other agreement), in any case under (a) which a member of the Company Group (i) is granted any assignment, license, sublicense, immunity, covenant not to assert or other right (including option rights, rights of first offer, first refusal, first negotiation, etc.) in or to any Intellectual Property of a third Person that is material to a member of the Company Group or the conduct of the Business, (ii) grants any assignment, license, sublicense, immunity, covenant not to assert or other right (including option rights, rights of first offer, first refusal, first negotiation, etc.) to a third Person in or to any Company Owned IP that is material to a member of the Company Group or the conduct of the Business or (iii) is restricted in its right to enforce, use, or otherwise exploitation any Company IP has entered into an agreement not to assert or sue with respect to any Intellectual Property that is material to the Company Group or the conduct of the Business or (b) any Intellectual Property that is material to the Company Group or the conduct of the Business has been created or developed for a member of the Company Group.

 

IPO” means the initial public offering of Parent pursuant to the Prospectus.

 

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

Issuance Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(e).

 

IT Systems” means any and all Software, information technology and systems, computers, servers, networks, workstations, routers, hubs, switches, data communication lines, interfaces, platforms, databases, websites, computer hardware and all other information technology rights, assets, or equipment used to process, store, generate, analyze, maintain and operate data or information, including any of the foregoing accessed pursuant to outsourced or cloud computing arrangements.

 

Key Employee” means the individuals listed on Schedule 1.1(b).

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Knowledge of the Company” or “to the Company’s Knowledge” means the actual knowledge after reasonable inquiry of the individuals listed on Schedule 1.1(c).

 

Knowledge of Parent” or “to Parent’s Knowledge” means the actual knowledge after reasonable inquiry of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Parent as of the date hereof.

 

Law” means any domestic or foreign, supranational, national, federal, state, municipality or local law, statute, ordinance, code, rule, or regulation.

 

Leases” means, collectively, the leases, subleases, space sharing, licenses or other occupancy agreements described on Schedule 1.1(d) attached hereto, together with all amendments thereto and guarantees thereof, which Schedule includes the parties to such documents and the address for each Real Property subject thereto.

 

Loeb” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.20(b).

 

Lien” means, with respect to any property or asset, any mortgage, lien, license, deed of trust, pledge, charge, claim, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such property or asset, any option, right of first offer or right of first refusal in respect of such property or asset, and any conditional sale or voting agreement or proxy, including any agreement to give any of the foregoing.

 

LTIP Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(e).

 

Material Adverse Effect” means any fact, effect, event, development, change, state of facts, condition, circumstance, or occurrence (an “Effect”) that, individually or together with one or more other contemporaneous Effect, (i) has or would reasonably be expected to have a materially adverse effect on the financial condition, assets, liabilities, business or results of operations of the Company Group, on the one hand, or on Parent and Merger Sub, on the other hand, taken as a whole; or (ii) prevents or materially delays or would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the ability of the Company Securityholders and the Company, on the one hand, or on Parent and Merger Sub, on the other hand to consummate the Merger; provided, however, that, solely in the case of the foregoing clause (i), a Material Adverse Effect shall not be deemed to include Effects (and solely to the extent of such Effects) resulting from an Excluded Matter.

 

Material Contracts” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.14(a). “Material Contracts” shall not include any Contracts that are also Plans.

 

Merger” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Merger Intended Tax Treatment” has the meaning specified in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Merger Sub” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Merger Sub Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(b).

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Nasdaq” means The Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

Non-Redemption Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10.

 

Non-Redemption Agreement End Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10.

 

Non-U.S. Plans” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.20(j).

 

Offer Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(a).

 

Order” means any decree, order, judgment, writ, award, injunction, stipulation, determination, award, rule or consent of or by an Authority.

 

Other Filings” means any filings to be made by Parent required under the Exchange Act, Securities Act or any other United States federal, foreign or blue sky laws, other than the Registration Statement and the other Offer Documents.

 

Outside Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1(a).

 

Parent” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Parent Articles” means the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of Parent, adopted by special resolution dated March 18, 2021 and effective on March 18, 2021, as amended.

 

Parent Board Recommendation” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.12(a).

 

Parent Bylaws” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Parent Cash” shall mean, as of the date or time of determination: (a) all amounts in the Trust Account following payment of the Parent Redemption Amount; plus (b) the amount of any PIPE Financing (as such amounts are finally delivered to Parent at or prior to the Closing by investors in the PIPE Financing).

 

Parent Certificate of Incorporation” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Parent Class A Ordinary Shares” means prior to the Domestication, the Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of Parent.

 

Parent Class B Ordinary Share” means prior to the Domestication, the sole outstanding Class B ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of Parent.

 

Parent Common Share” means (a) prior to the Domestication, a Parent Class A Ordinary Share or Parent Class B Ordinary Share, and (b) from and following the Domestication, a share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Parent.

 

Parent Equity Incentive Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.7.

 

Parent Financial Statements” means all of the financial statements of Parent included in the Parent SEC Documents and any amendments to such financial statements.

 

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Parent Fundamental Representations” means the representations and warranties of Parent set forth in Section 5.1 (Corporate Existence and Power), Section 5.3 (Corporate Authorization), Section 5.4 (Governmental Authorization), Section 5.5 (Non-Contravention), Section 5.6 (Finders’ Fees), Section 5.7 (Issuance of Shares), and Section 5.8 (Capitalization).

 

Parent Minimum Cash” shall mean an amount equal to seven million dollars ($7,000,000).

 

Parent Parties” has the meaning set forth in ARTICLE V.

 

Parent Private Warrant” means a warrant to purchase one (1) Parent Class A Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share that was included in the Parent Units sold to the Sponsor in a private placement at the time of the consummation of the IPO.

 

Parent Proposals” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(e).

 

Parent Public Warrant” means a warrant to purchase one (1) Parent Class A Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share that was included in the Parent Units sold in the IPO.

 

Parent Redemption Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6.

 

Parent SEC Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.13(a).

 

Parent Shareholder Approval” means the requisite approval under the Parent Articles, the Cayman Companies Act or any other applicable Law, by holders of Parent Common Shares of this Agreement, the Merger and the Domestication.

 

Parent Shareholder Meeting” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(a).

 

Parent Support Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Parent Unit” means each unit of Parent consisting of one Parent Class A Ordinary Share and one-half of one Parent Warrant, which units were sold in the IPO and in a private placement at the time of the consummation of the IPO.

 

Parent Warrant” shall mean each Parent Private Warrant and Parent Public Warrant.

 

Parent Warrant Agreement” means the Warrant Agreement, dated as of March 18, 2021, between Parent and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent.

 

Patents” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Intellectual Property.”

 

Per Share Merger Consideration” means an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the Conversion Ratio by (ii) $10.00.

 

Permit” means each license, franchise, permit, order, approval, consent or other similar authorization required to be obtained and maintained by the Company under applicable Law to carry out or otherwise affecting, or relating in any way to, the Business.

 

Permitted Liens” means (a) all defects, exceptions, restrictions, easements, rights of way and encumbrances disclosed in policies of title insurance which have been made available to Parent; (b) mechanics’, carriers’, workers’, repairers’ and similar statutory Liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices for amounts (i) that are not delinquent, and (ii) not resulting from a breach, default or violation by the Company of any Contract or Law; (c) liens for Taxes (i) not yet due and delinquent or (ii) which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings (and for which adequate accruals or reserves have been established on the Company Financial Statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP); and (d) the Liens set forth on Schedule 1.1(e).

 

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Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership (including a general partnership, limited partnership or limited liability partnership), limited liability company, association, trust, Authority or other entity or organization of any other kind.

 

Personal Information” means any data or information regarding or capable of being associated with an identifiable natural person or device, or that otherwise constitutes personal data, personal health information, protected health information, personally identifiable information, personal information or similar defined term under any Data Protection Law.

 

PIPE Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.9.

 

Plan” means each “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA and all other compensation and benefits plans, policies, programs, arrangements or payroll practices, including multiemployer plans within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA, and each other stock purchase, stock option, restricted stock, severance, retention, employment (other than any employment offer letter in such form as previously provided to Parent that is terminable “at will” without any contractual obligation on the part of the Company to make any severance, termination, change of control, or similar payment), consulting, change-of-control, collective bargaining, bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, employee loan, fringe benefit and other benefit plan, agreement, program, policy, commitment or other arrangement, whether or not subject to ERISA, whether formal or informal, oral or written, in each case, that is sponsored, maintained, contributed or required to be contributed to by a member of the Company Group, or under which a member of the Company Group has any current or potential liability, but excluding in each case any statutory plan, program or arrangement that is required under applicable law and maintained by any Authority.

 

Plan of Reorganization” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Privacy Policy” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.17(k).

 

Process,” “Processed” or “Processing” means any operation or set of operations performed upon Personal Information or sets of Personal Information, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure, dissemination, or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, securing, erasure, or destruction.

 

Prospectus” means the final IPO prospectus of Parent, dated March 18, 2021.

 

Proxy Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(a).

 

Publicly Available Software” means each of any Software that contains, or is derived in any manner (in whole or in part) from, any Software that is distributed as free software, “copyleft,” open source software (e.g. Linux), or under any license meeting the Open Source Definition (as promulgated by the Open Source Initiative) or the Free Software Definition (as promulgated by the Free Software Foundation) or substantially similar licensing and distribution models, including but not limited to any of the following: (A) the GNU General Public License (GPL) or Lesser/Library GPL (LGPL), (B) the Artistic License (e.g., PERL), (C) the Mozilla Public License, (D) the Netscape Public License, (E) the Sun Community Source License (SCSL), (F) the Sun Industry Source License (SISL) and (G) the Apache Server License, including for the avoidance of doubt all Software licensed under a Copyleft License.

 

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Real Property” means, collectively, all real properties and interests therein (including the right to use), together with all buildings, fixtures, trade fixtures, plant and other improvements located thereon or attached thereto; all rights arising out of use thereof (including air, water, oil and mineral rights); and all subleases, franchises, licenses, permits, easements and rights-of-way which are appurtenant thereto.

 

Registered Exclusively Licensed IP” means any and all Company Exclusively Licensed IP that is the subject of a registration or an application for registration, including issued patents and patent applications.

 

Registered IP” means collectively, any and all Registered Owned IP and Registered Exclusively Licensed IP.

 

Registered Owned IP” means any and all Intellectual Property constituting Company Owned IP or filed in the name of the Company, that in each instance is the subject of a registration or an application for registration, including issued patents and patent applications.

 

Registration Rights Agreement” means the amended and restated registration rights agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit E, which shall be effective as of the Closing.

 

Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(a).

 

Representatives” of a Person means the officers, directors, Affiliates, members, partners, managers, attorneys, accountants, consultants, employees, representatives and agents of such Person.

 

Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Scraped Dataset” means any data or database or collection of data used to train, teach, or improve any AI/ML and that was collected or generated using web scraping, web crawling, or web harvesting Software or any Software, IT System, or technology that turns the unstructured data found on the web into machine readable, structured data that is ready for analysis.

 

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Second Operating Performance Milestone” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7(a)(i)(B).

 

Second Share Price Performance Milestone” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7(a)(i)(D).

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Software” means any and all (a) computer software, firmware, middleware, operating systems, applications, computer programs (including any and all algorithms, heuristics, models and methodologies, whether in source code, object code, human readable form or other form), (b) databases and compilations (including any and all data and collections of data), whether machine readable or otherwise, (c) descriptions, flow charts and other documentation used to design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing, screens, user interfaces, report formats, firmware, development tools, templates, menus, buttons and icons, (d) AI/ML, (e) all versions, updates, corrections, enhancements and modifications of any of the foregoing, and (f) all related specifications, documentation, developer notes, instructions, comments, annotations, user manuals, and other training documentation relating to any of the foregoing.

 

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Sponsor” means Byte Holdings LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership.

 

Sponsor Shares” means 4,492,313 of the Parent Common Shares held by the Sponsor.

 

Standard Contracts” means any of the following: (a) licenses for Publicly Available Software or non-exclusive end user in-licenses of uncustomized, commercially available, “off-the-shelf” or “shrink wrap” Software used for the Company’s internal use for fees of less than $250,000 annually), (b) non-exclusive licenses of Company IP implied by and ancillary to customer, distributor or channel partner Contracts on Company’s standard forms made available to Parent with no material exclusions or deviations, (c) invention assignment agreements with the Company’s employees, consultants, or contractors on Company’s standard forms made available to Parent with no material exclusions or deviations, and (d) customary non-disclosure agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices made available to Parent with no material exclusions or deviations.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights Plan” means the Company’s 2022 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan.

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, each entity of which at least fifty percent (50%) of the capital stock or other equity or voting securities are Controlled or owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

 

Surviving Corporation” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Tangible Personal Property” means all tangible personal property and interests therein, including machinery, computers and accessories, furniture, office equipment, communications equipment, automobiles, laboratory equipment and other equipment owned or leased by a member of the Company Group and other tangible property.

 

Tax Return” means any return, information return, declaration, claim for refund of Taxes, report or any similar statement, and any amendment thereto, including any attached schedule and supporting information, whether on a separate, consolidated, combined, unitary or other basis, that is filed or required to be filed with any Taxing Authority in connection with the determination, assessment, collection or payment of a Tax or the administration of any Law relating to any Tax.

 

Tax(es)” means any U.S. federal, state or local or non-U.S. taxes imposed by any Taxing Authority including any income (net or gross), gross receipts, profits, windfall profit, sales, use, goods and services, ad valorem, franchise, license, withholding, employment, social security, workers compensation, unemployment compensation, employment, payroll, transfer, excise, import, real property, escheat, personal property, intangible property, occupancy, recording, minimum, alternative minimum, and other taxes (including any governmental charge, fee, levy, or custom duty imposed by an Authority that is the nature of a tax), together with any interest, penalty, additions to tax or additional amount imposed with respect thereto.

 

Taxing Authority” means the IRS and any other Authority responsible for the collection, assessment or imposition of any Tax or the administration of any Law relating to any Tax.

 

Terminating Company Breach” has the meaning specified in Section 10.2(a).

 

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Terminating Parent Breach” has the meaning specified in Section 10.2(b).

 

Third-Party Dataset” has the meaning specified in Section 4.17(t).

 

Top Customer” has the meaning specified in Section 4.32(a).

 

Top Supplier” has the meaning specified in Section 4.32(a).

 

Trade Secrets” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Intellectual Property.”

 

Trademarks” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Intellectual Property.”

 

Trading Day” means (a) for so long as the Parent Common Shares are listed or admitted for trading on Nasdaq or any other national securities exchange, days on which such securities exchange is open for business; or (b) if the Parent Common Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, days on which the Parent Common Shares are traded regular way in the over-the- counter market and for which a closing bid and a closing asked price for the Parent Common Shares are available.

 

Transaction Litigation” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(c).

 

Transfer Agent” has the meaning set forth in the Section 3.4.

 

Transfer Taxes” means any and all transfer, documentary, sales, use, real property, stamp, excise, recording, registration, value added and other similar Taxes, fees and costs (including any associated penalties and interest) incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Trust Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.9.

 

Trust Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.9.

 

Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.9.

 

Unaudited Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9(a).

 

U.S. GAAP” means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

 

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

 

W&C” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.20(a).

 

WBCA” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

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1.2 Construction.

 

(a) References to particular sections and subsections, schedules, and exhibits not otherwise specified are cross-references to sections and subsections, schedules, and exhibits of this Agreement. Captions are not a part of this Agreement, but are included for convenience, only.

 

(b) The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; and, unless the context requires otherwise, “party” means a party signatory hereto.

 

(c) Any use of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, includes the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the word “including” means “including without limitation”; the word “or” means “and/or”; the word “any” means “any one, more than one, or all”; and, unless otherwise specified, any financial or accounting term has the meaning of the term under United States generally accepted accounting principles as consistently applied heretofore by the Company. Any reference in this Agreement to a Person’s directors shall include any member of such Person’s governing body.

 

(d) Unless otherwise specified, any reference to any agreement (including this Agreement), instrument, or other document includes all schedules, exhibits, or other attachments referred to therein, and any reference to a statute or other law means such law as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time and includes any rule, regulation, ordinance or the like promulgated thereunder, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

(e) Any reference to a numbered schedule means the same-numbered section of the disclosure schedule. Any reference in a schedule contained in the disclosure schedules delivered by a party hereunder shall be deemed to be an exception to (or, as applicable, a disclosure for purposes of) the applicable representations and warranties (or applicable covenants) that are contained in the section or subsection of this Agreement that corresponds to such schedule and any other representations and warranties of such party that are contained in this Agreement to which the relevance of such item thereto is reasonably apparent on its face. The mere inclusion of an item in a schedule as an exception to (or, as applicable, a disclosure for purposes of) a representation or warranty shall not be deemed an admission that such item represents a material exception or material fact, event or circumstance or that such item would have a Material Adverse Effect or establish any standard of materiality to define further the meaning of such terms for purposes of this Agreement. Nothing in the disclosure schedules constitutes an admission of any liability or obligation of the disclosing party to any third party or an admission to any third party, including any Authority, against the interest of the disclosing party, including any possible breach of violation of any Contract or Law. Summaries of any written document in the disclosure schedules do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by the written document itself. The disclosures schedules and the information and disclosures contained therein are intended only to qualify and limit the representations and warranties of the parties contained in this Agreement, and shall not be deemed to expand in any way the scope or effect of any of such representations and warranties.

 

(f) If any action is required to be taken or notice is required to be given within a specified number of days following a specific date or event, the day of such date or event is not counted in determining the last day for such action or notice. If any action is required to be taken or notice is required to be given on or before a particular day which is not a Business Day, such action or notice shall be considered timely if it is taken or given on or before the next Business Day.

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(g) To the extent that any Contract, document, certificate or instrument is represented and warranted to by the Company to be given, delivered, provided or made available by the Company, such Contract, document, certificate or instrument shall be deemed to have been given, delivered, provided and made available to Parent or its Representatives, if such Contract, document, certificate or instrument shall have been posted not later than two (2) days prior to the date of this Agreement to the “Airship – Loeb & Loeb DD Responses” electronic data room hosted by DropBox maintained on behalf of the Company for the benefit of the Parent and its Representatives and the Parent and its Representatives have been given access to the electronic folders containing such information.

 

ARTICLE II
THE DOMESTICATION AND THE MERGER

 

2.1 Domestication.

 

(a) Subject to receipt of the Parent Shareholder Approval, and following the surrender and cancellation of the Parent Class B Ordinary Share pursuant to Section 8.10, on the day that is at least one Business Day prior to the date of the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Domestication to become effective, including by (a) filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of domestication with respect to the Domestication, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Parent and the Company (the “Certificate of Domestication”), together with the Parent Certificate of Incorporation, in each case, in accordance with the provisions thereof and Section 388 of the DGCL, (b) completing and making and procuring all those filings required to be made with the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands under the Cayman Companies Act (the “Cayman Registrar”) in connection with the Domestication, and (c) obtaining a certificate of de-registration from the Cayman Registrar.

 

(b) In accordance with applicable Law, the Certificate of Domestication shall provide that at the effective time of the Domestication, by virtue of the Domestication, and without any action on the part of any Parent Shareholder: (i) each then issued and outstanding Parent Class A Ordinary Share shall convert automatically into one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Parent; (ii) each then issued and outstanding Parent Warrant shall become exercisable for one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Parent (“Domesticated Parent Warrant”), pursuant to the Parent Warrant Agreement; and (iii) each then issued and outstanding Parent Unit shall separate and convert automatically into one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Parent and one-half of one Domesticated Parent Warrant.

 

2.2 Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the WBCA, at the Effective Time, (a) Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company, (b) the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall thereupon cease, and the Company shall be the Surviving Corporation, and (c) the Surviving Corporation shall become a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Parent and shall change its name to “Airship AI, Inc.”, and Parent shall change its name to “Airship AI Holdings, Inc.”.

 

2.3 Merger Effective Time. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, at the Closing, the Company shall file with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington an articles of merger, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Company and Parent, executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the WBCA (the “Articles of Merger”). The Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the Articles of Merger or at such later time as is agreed to by the parties and specified in the Articles of Merger (the time at which the Merger becomes effective is herein referred to as the “Effective Time”).

 

2.4 Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Articles of Merger and the applicable provisions of the WBCA. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the assets, property, rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Corporation and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.

 

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2.5 U.S. Tax Treatment.

 

(a) For U.S. federal income tax purposes (and for purposes of any applicable state or local income Tax Law that follows US. federal income Tax Law), each of the parties intends that (a) the Domestication qualifies for the Domestication Intended Tax Treatment, (b) the Merger qualifies for the Merger Intended Tax Treatment, and (c) the Earnout Shares placed in escrow pursuant to the Earnout Escrow Agreement in respect of Company Common Stock (i) are eligible for nonrecognition treatment under Section 354 of the Code in connection with the reorganization described in clause (b) (and will not be treated as “other property” within the meaning of Section 356 of the Code) and (ii) shall be treated as received by the applicable Company Earnout Holders on the Closing Date for Tax purposes (and no interest shall be imputed on any such Earnout Shares released to such Company Earnout Holders pursuant to the Earnout Escrow Agreement), and (d) the Earnout Shares placed in escrow pursuant to the Earnout Escrow Agreement in respect of Company Options or Company SARs shall not be treated as received by the holders of Company Options for Tax purposes unless and until such Earnout Shares are released to the holders of Company Options pursuant to the Earnout Escrow Agreement. The parties to this Agreement hereby (i) adopt this Agreement insofar as it relates to the Domestication and the Merger as a Plan of Reorganization, (ii) agree to file and retain such information as shall be required under Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-3, and (iii) agree to file all Tax Returns on a basis consistent with the Intended Tax Treatment and not otherwise to take any position or action inconsistent with the Intended Tax Treatment unless otherwise required by a Authority as a result of a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (or any similar provision of applicable state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law). None of the parties knows of any fact or circumstance (without conducting independent inquiry or diligence of the other relevant party), or has knowingly taken or will knowingly take any action (or knowingly fail to take any action), if such fact, circumstance or action (or failure to act) would be reasonably expected to prevent or impede the Domestication Intended Tax Treatment or the Merger Intended Tax Treatment, and each of the parties shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Domestication to qualify for the Domestication Intended Tax Treatment and the Merger to qualify for the Merger Intended Tax Treatment. Each of the parties acknowledges and agrees that each has had the opportunity to obtain independent legal and tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(b) Parent and the Company shall promptly notify the other party in writing if, before the Closing Date, either such party knows or has reason to believe that the Domestication may not qualify for the Domestication Intended Tax Treatment or that the Merger may not qualify for the Merger Intended Tax Treatment (and whether the terms of this Agreement could be reasonably amended in order to facilitate such qualification, which amendments shall be made if the Company reasonably determines on the advice of its counsel that such amendments would be reasonably expected to result in the Domestication Intended Tax Treatment or the Merger Intended Tax Treatment and would not be commercially impracticable).

 

(c) In the event the SEC requests or requires a tax opinion regarding the (i) Domestication Intended Tax Treatment, Parent will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause White & Case LLP to deliver such tax opinion to Parent, or (ii) the Merger Intended Tax Treatment, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause Loeb & Loeb LLP to deliver such tax opinion to the Company. Each party shall use reasonable best efforts to execute and deliver customary tax representation letters to the applicable tax advisor in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such advisor. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Loeb & Loeb LLP shall not be required to provide any opinion to any party regarding the Domestication Intended Tax Treatment and White & Case LLP shall not be required to provide any opinion to any party regarding the Merger Intended Tax Treatment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, advisors to neither Parent nor the Company will be required to provide any tax opinion as a condition precedent to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

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2.6 Company Articles; Company Bylaws.

 

(a) At the Effective Time, the articles of incorporation of the Company shall, in accordance with the terms thereof and the WBCA, be amended and restated in its entirety as set forth in an exhibit to the Articles of Merger, and, as so amended and restated, shall be the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter duly amended in accordance with the terms thereof and the WBCA.

 

(b) The Company Bylaws as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, except that the name of the Surviving Corporation shall be “Airship AI, Inc.” until thereafter amended in accordance with the terms thereof, the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and applicable Law.

 

2.7 Closing. Unless this Agreement is earlier terminated in accordance with ARTICLE X, the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall take place virtually on the second (2nd) Business Day after the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) of the conditions set forth in ARTICLE IX (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver thereof), or at such other time, date and location as Parent and Company agree in writing. The parties may participate in the Closing via the exchange of signature pages via email or other electronic means. The date on which the Closing actually occurs is hereinafter referred to as the “Closing Date”. For the avoidance of doubt, the Closing and the Effective Time shall occur after the completion of the Domestication.

 

2.8 Directors and Officers of Surviving Corporation.

 

(a) At the Effective Time, the initial directors of the Surviving Corporation shall consist of the same persons serving on Parent’s Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2.9, and such directors shall hold office until their successors shall have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Surviving Corporation’s articles of incorporation and bylaws.

 

(b) At the Effective Time, the officers of the Company shall become the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation and shall hold office until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

2.9 Directors and Officers of Parent. At the Effective Time, Parent’s Board of Directors will consist of five (5) directors. Sponsor shall have the right to designate one (1) independent director, which director shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company. At least a majority of the Board of Directors shall qualify as independent directors under Nasdaq or Alternate Exchange rules, as applicable. The individuals identified on Schedule 2.9 shall be the officers of Parent as of immediately after the Effective Time, with such individuals holding the titles set forth opposite their names until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

2.10 Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action. If, at any time after the Closing, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full right, title and interest in, to and under, or possession of, all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub, the officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation are fully authorized in the name and on behalf of the Company and Merger Sub, to take all lawful action necessary or desirable to accomplish such purpose or acts, so long as such action is not inconsistent with this Agreement.

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2.11 No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock. All consideration paid or payable in respect of shares of Company Common Stock hereunder, or upon the exercise of the dissenter rights described in Section 3.3, shall be deemed to have been paid or payable in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such shares of Company Common Stock and from and after the Effective Time, there shall be no further registration of transfers of shares of Company Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation.

 

ARTICLE III
EFFECT OF THE MERGER

 

3.1 Effect of the Merger on Company Common Stock. At the Effective Time, as a result of the Merger and without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the holders of any shares of capital stock of any of them:

 

(a) Cancellation of Certain Shares of Company Common Stock. Each share of Company Common Stock, if any, that is owned by Parent or Merger Sub (or any other Subsidiary of Parent) or the Company (as treasury stock or otherwise), will automatically be cancelled and retired without any conversion thereof and will cease to exist, and no consideration will be delivered in exchange therefor. Each share of Company Common Stock, if any, held immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Company as treasury stock shall be automatically canceled and extinguished, and no consideration shall be paid with respect thereto.

 

(b) Conversion of Shares of Company Common Stock. Each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any such shares of Company Common Stock cancelled pursuant to Section 3.1(a) and any Dissenting Shares) shall be converted into the right to receive: (i) a number of Parent Common Shares equal to the Conversion Ratio plus (ii) a number of Earnout Shares equal to the Earnout Pro Rata Share in accordance with, and subject to the contingencies, set forth in Section 3.7. At the Effective Time, all shares of Company Common Stock converted into the right to receive a portion of the Aggregate Merger Consideration plus a number of Earnout Shares, in each case, pursuant to this Section 3.1(b), shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and each holder of Company Common Stock shall thereafter cease to have any rights with respect to such securities, except the right to receive a portion of the Aggregate Merger Consideration plus the contingent right to receive a number of Earnout Shares into which such shares of Company Common Stock shall have been converted in the Merger.

 

(c) Conversion of Merger Sub Capital Stock. Each share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and become one newly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.

 

3.2 Treatment of Company Options, Company SARs and Company Warrants.

 

(a) Treatment of Options. Prior to the Closing, the Company’s Board of Directors (or, if appropriate, any committee thereof administering the Equity Incentive Plan) shall adopt such resolutions or take such other actions as may be required to adjust the terms of all Company Options (whether vested or unvested) as necessary to provide that, at the Effective Time, each Company Option shall be converted into (i) an option to acquire, subject to substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such Company Option (including expiration date, vesting conditions, and exercise provisions), the number of Parent Common Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share), determined by multiplying the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Conversion Ratio, at an exercise price per Parent Common Share (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to (A) the exercise price per share of Company Common Stock of such Company Option divided by (B) the Conversion Ratio (a “Converted Stock Option”), and (ii) the right to receive a number of Earnout Shares in accordance with, and subject to the contingencies, set forth in Section 3.7; provided, however, that the exercise price and the number of Parent Common Shares covered by each Converted Stock Option shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.

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(b) Treatment of Company SARs. Prior to the Closing, the Company’s Board of Directors (or, if appropriate, any committee thereof administering the Stock Appreciation Rights Plan) shall adopt such resolutions or take such other actions as may be required to adjust the terms of all Company SARs (whether vested or unvested) as necessary to provide that, at the Effective Time, each Company SAR that is outstanding immediately before the Effective Time (whether vested or unvested) shall, automatically and without any required action on the part of any holder or beneficiary thereof, be assumed by Parent and converted into a stock appreciation right denominated in Parent Common Shares (a “Converted SAR”). Each Converted SAR shall continue to have and be subject to substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such Company SAR immediately before the Effective Time (including expiration date, vesting conditions, and exercise provisions), except that (i) each Converted SAR shall cover that number of Parent Common Shares equal to (A) the product (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of (1) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to the Company SAR immediately before the Effective Time and (2) the Conversion Ratio and (B) a number of Earnout Shares in accordance with, and subject to the contingencies, set forth in Section 3.7, and (ii) the per share base value for each Parent Common Share covered by the Converted SAR shall be equal to the quotient (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) obtained by dividing (A) the base value per share of Company Common Stock of such Company SAR immediately prior to the Effective Time by (B) the Conversion Ratio; provided, however, that the base value and the number of Parent Common Shares covered by each Converted SAR shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(c) Assumption of Converted Stock Options and Converted SARS by Parent. At the Effective Time, Parent shall assume all obligations of the Company under the Equity Incentive Plan and the Stock Appreciation Rights Plan, each outstanding Converted Stock Option and each outstanding Converted SAR and the agreements evidencing the grants thereof. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Parent shall deliver to the holders of Converted Stock Options and Converted SARs appropriate notices setting forth such holders’ rights, and the agreements evidencing the grants of such Converted Stock Options and Converted SARs shall continue in effect on substantially the same terms and conditions (subject to the adjustments required by Section 3.2(a) and Section 3.2(b) after giving effect to the Merger).

 

(d) Treatment of Company Warrants. Prior to the Closing, the Company’s Board of Directors shall adopt such resolutions or take such other actions as may be required to adjust the terms of all Company Warrants as necessary to provide that, at the Effective Time, each Company Warrant issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into (i) a warrant to purchase, subject to substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such Company Warrant, the number of Parent Common Shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share), determined by multiplying (A) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time, by (B) the Conversion Ratio, at an exercise price per Parent Common Share (rounded down to the nearest whole cent) equal to (1) the exercise price per share of Company Common Stock of such Company Warrant divided by (2) the Conversion Ratio (a “Converted Warrant”) and (ii) with respect to the Earnout Warrants only, the right to receive a number of Earnout Shares in accordance with, and subject to the contingencies, set forth in Section 3.7. At the Effective Time, Parent shall assume all obligations of the Company with respect to any Converted Warrants.

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3.3 Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares of Company Common Stock cancelled in accordance with Section 3.1(a)) and held by a holder who has not voted in favor of adoption of this Agreement or consented thereto in writing and who is entitled to demand and has properly exercised and perfected dissenter rights for such shares in accordance with Chapter 23B.13 of the WBCA (such shares of Company Common Stock being referred to collectively as the “Dissenting Shares” until such time as such holder fails to perfect or otherwise waives, withdraws, or loses such holder’s appraisal rights under the WBCA with respect to such shares) shall not be converted into a right to receive a portion of the Aggregate Merger Consideration, but instead shall be entitled to only such rights as are granted by Chapter 23B.13 of the WBCA; provided, however, that if, after the Effective Time, such holder fails to perfect, waives, withdraws, or loses such holder’s right to appraisal pursuant to Chapter 23B.13 of the WBCA or if a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that such holder is not entitled to the relief provided by Chapter 23B.13 of the WBCA, such shares of Company Common Stock shall be treated as if they had been converted as of the Effective Time into the right to receive a portion of the Aggregate Merger Consideration and a number of Earnout Shares equal to the Earnout Pro Rata Share in accordance with, and subject to the contingencies, set forth in Section 3.7, to which such holder is entitled in accordance with Section 3.1(b), without interest thereon, upon transfer of such shares. The Company shall promptly provide Parent with written notice of any intent to dissent, demand for payment or any demands received by the Company for appraisal of shares of Company Common Stock, any withdrawal of any such demand and any other demand, notice or instrument delivered to the Company prior to the Effective Time pursuant to the WBCA that relates to such demand, and Parent shall have the opportunity to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such demands.

 

3.4 Surrender and Payment. At the Closing, Parent shall instruct its transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) to issue to each Company Shareholder immediately prior to the Effective Time such Company Shareholder’s allocable portion of the Aggregate Merger Consideration, in book-entry form, as set forth in the Closing Consideration Spreadsheet and the book entry positions representing the Company Common Stock shall be cancelled. All Parent Common Shares issued in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.4 shall be deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the Company Common Stock hereunder and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the records of the Surviving Corporation of the shares of Company Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, shares of Company Common Stock are presented to the Surviving Corporation for any reason, they shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this Section 3.4.

 

3.5 Consideration Spreadsheet.

 

(a) At least five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing, the Company shall deliver to Parent a spreadsheet (the “Closing Consideration Spreadsheet”), prepared by the Company in good faith and detailing the following, in each case, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time:

 

(i) the name and address of record of each Company Shareholder and the number of shares of Company Common Stock held by such Company Shareholder;

 

(ii) the names of record of each holder of Company Options, and the exercise price, number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to each Company Options held by such holder (including, in the case of unvested Company Options, the vesting schedule, vesting commencement date, date fully vested);

 

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(iii) the names of record of each holder of Company SARs, and the base value, number of shares of Company Common Stock covered by each Company SAR held by such holder (including, in the case of unvested Company SARs, the vesting schedule, vesting commencement date, date fully vested);

 

(iv) the name and address of record of each holder of Earnout Warrants and the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to each Earnout Warrant held by such holder;

 

(v) the number of Aggregate Fully Diluted Company Common Stock;

 

(vi) the aggregate number of shares subject to Company Options;

 

(vii) the aggregate number of Company SARs;

 

(viii) the aggregate number of shares subject to Earnout Warrants; and

 

(ix) detailed calculations of each of the following (in each case, determined without regard to withholding):

 

(A) the Aggregate Merger Consideration;

 

(B) the Per Share Merger Consideration;

 

(C) the Conversion Ratio;

 

(D) for each Company Earnout Holder, its Earnout Pro Rata Share;

 

(E) for each Converted Stock Option, the exercise price therefor and the number of Parent Common Shares subject to such Converted Stock Option;

 

(F) for each Converted SAR, the base value therefor and the number of Parent Common Shares covered by such Converted SAR; and

 

(G) for each Converted Warrant, the exercise price therefor and the number of Parent Common Shares subject to such Converted Warrant.

 

(b) The contents of the Closing Consideration Spreadsheet delivered by the Company hereunder shall be subject to reasonable review and comment by Parent, but the Company shall, in all events, remain solely responsible for the contents of the Closing Consideration Spreadsheet. The parties agree that Parent shall be entitled to rely on the Closing Consideration Spreadsheet in making payments under ARTICLE III.

 

3.6 Adjustment. The shares comprising the Aggregate Merger Consideration and Conversion Ratio shall be adjusted to reflect appropriately the effect of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change with respect to Parent Common Shares occurring prior to the date the shares comprising the Aggregate Merger Consideration are issued.

 

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3.7 Earnout.

 

(a) Issuance of Earnout Shares.

 

(i) From and after the Closing until the end of the Applicable Earnout Period, as additional consideration in the Merger in respect of the shares of Company Common Stock, the Company Options, the Earnout Warrants and the Company SARs (and without the need for additional consideration from any holder thereof), the Company Earnout Holders shall be entitled to earn, in accordance with their respective Earnout Pro Rata Share, up to an aggregate amount of 5,000,000 additional Parent Common Shares, in accordance with Sections 3.7(a)(i)(A), 3.7(a)(i)(B), 3.7(a)(i)(C) and 3.7(a)(i)(D) (subject to any adjustment pursuant to Section 3.7(f), the “Earnout Shares”):

 

(A) Subject to the Earnout Cap, 25% of the Earnout Shares if, for the Applicable Earnout Period, (1) Company Revenue is at least $39 Million, or (2) the aggregate value of new Contract awards (including awards obtained through purchase orders) with Federal law enforcement agencies (whether such awards are obtained directly or through intermediaries) has grown by at least 100% as compared to the year-over-year amount for the twelve-month period ending on the date of this Agreement as set forth on Schedule 3.7(a) (the “First Operating Performance Milestone”), in each case, based on the Parent Financial Statements for such period as determined by Parent’s Board of Directors;

 

(B) Subject to the Earnout Cap, 75% of the Earnout Shares if, for the Applicable Earnout Period, Company Revenue is at least $100 Million (the “Second Operating Performance Milestone”), based on the Parent Financial Statements for such period as determined by Parent’s Board of Directors;

 

(C) Subject to the Earnout Cap, 50% of the Earnout Shares if, at any time during the Applicable Earnout Period, over any twenty (20) Trading Days within any thirty (30) Trading Day period the VWAP of the Parent Common Shares is greater than or equal to $12.50 per share (the “First Share Price Performance Milestone”); and

 

(D) Subject to the Earnout Cap, 50% of the Earnout Shares if, at any time during the Applicable Earnout Period, over any twenty (20) Trading Days within any thirty (30) Trading Day period the VWAP of the Parent Common Shares is greater than or equal to $15.00 per share (the “Second Share Price Performance Milestone”).

 

(ii) Parent shall deliver or cause to be delivered the applicable Earnout Shares to the Company Earnout Holders (subject to Section 3.7(b)(ii) in respect of holders of unvested Company Options or Company SARs) promptly (but in any event within ten (10) Business Days) following (A) in the case of the First Operating Performance Milestone or the Second Operating Performance Milestone, the date of the determination of the applicable Company Revenue, and (B) in the case of the First Share Price Performance Milestone or the Second Share Price Performance Milestone, the date on which such Earnout Milestone is achieved.

 

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(b) Earnout Cap; Service Requirements.

 

(i) For the avoidance of doubt, the Company Earnout Holders shall be entitled to earn Earnout Shares upon the occurrence of each Earnout Milestone (or a Change of Control as described below in Section 3.7(d), if applicable) during the Applicable Earnout Period; provided, however, that each Earnout Milestone (or a Change of Control as described below in Section 3.7(d), if applicable) shall only occur once, if at all, and in no event shall the Company Earnout Holders be entitled to earn more than 5,000,000 Earnout Shares in the aggregate (subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 3.7(f)) (the “Earnout Cap”).

 

(ii) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any Earnout Shares issuable under this Section 3.7 to a Company Earnout Holder in respect of each Company Option or Company SAR held by such Company Earnout Holder as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be earned by such Company Earnout Holder on the later of (i) the occurrence of the applicable Earnout Milestone, and (ii) the date on which the Converted Stock Option in respect of such Company Option or Converted SAR in respect of such Company SAR becomes vested pursuant to its applicable vesting schedule, but only if such Company Earnout Holder continues to provide services (whether as an employee, director or individual independent contractor) to Parent or one of its Subsidiaries through such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Earnout Shares that are not earned by a Company Earnout Holder in respect of its Company Options or Company SARs on or before the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date shall be forfeited without any consideration. Any Earnout Shares that are forfeited pursuant to this Section 3.7(b)(ii) shall be reallocated to the other Company Earnout Holders who remain entitled to receive Earnout Shares in accordance with their respective Earnout Pro Rata Shares.

 

(c) Issuance of Earnout Shares in Escrow at Closing. The Earnout Shares (i) shall be issued to the Company Earnout Holders at the Closing pursuant to this ARTICLE III (and subject to Section 3.3), free and clear of all Liens other than applicable federal and state securities restrictions and restrictions set forth in an escrow agreement in form and substance as reasonably agreed upon by Parent and the Company, which shall be effective as of the Closing (the “Earnout Escrow Agreement”); provided, that any such Earnout Shares issued in respect of Company Options or Company SARs shall be retained by Parent and not issued to the holders of such Company Options or Company SARs, (ii) shall be placed in escrow pursuant to the Earnout Escrow Agreement, and (iii) shall not be released from escrow until they are earned as a result of the occurrence of the applicable Earnout Milestone. The Earnout Shares that are not earned on or before the expiration of the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date shall be automatically forfeited and cancelled. During such time as the Earnout Shares are in escrow and for so long as the Earnout Shares are not forfeited and/or cancelled: (A) the Earnout Shares shall be shown as issued and outstanding on Parent’s financial statements, and shall be outstanding as of the Effective Time; (B) each Company Earnout Holder (other than with respect to Earnout Shares issued with respect to Company Options or Company SARs) will have all rights with respect to the Earnout Shares attributable to ownership of such Earnout Shares (including, without limitation, the right to vote such shares and the right to be paid dividends with respect such shares (other than non-taxable stock dividends, which shall remain in and become part of the Earnout Shares)), except (1) the right of possession thereof and (2) the right to sell, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of or encumber such shares or any interest therein; and (C) Parent shall retain all rights attributable to ownership of any Earnout Shares placed in escrow pursuant to the Earnout Escrow Agreement in respect of Company Options and Company SARs unless and until such Earnout Shares are released to the holders of Company Options and/or Company SARs, except for (x) the right of possession thereof and (y) the right to sell, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of or encumber such shares or any interest therein).

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(d) Change of Control Event. If at any time during the Applicable Earnout Period, there occurs any transaction resulting in a Change of Control, then, as of immediately prior to the consummation of such Change of Control, all the Earnout Shares not yet earned shall be earned by the Company Earnout Holders and shall be released from escrow and delivered to the Company Earnout Holders as of immediately prior to the Change of Control, and the Company Earnout Holders shall be eligible to participate in such Change of Control transaction with respect to such Earnout Shares.

 

(e) Evidence of Issuance of Earnout Shares. Parent shall take such actions as are reasonably requested by the Company Shareholders to evidence the issuances pursuant to this Section 3.7, including through the provision of an updated stock ledger showing such issuances (as certified by an officer of Parent responsible for maintaining such ledger or the applicable registrar or transfer agent of Parent).

 

(f) Adjustments to Earnout Shares. In the event Parent shall at any time on or prior to the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, pay any dividend on Parent Common Shares by the issuance of additional Parent Common Shares, or effect a subdivision, recapitalization, split, or combination, exchange or consolidation of the outstanding Parent Common Shares (by reclassification or otherwise) into a greater or lesser number of Parent Common Shares, then in each such case, in respect of the Earnout Shares then remaining in escrow (i) the number of Earnout Shares shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Parent Common Shares (including any other shares so reclassified as Parent Common Shares) outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of Parent Common Shares that were outstanding immediately prior to such event, and (ii) the dollar values set forth in Sections 3.7(a)(i)(C) and Section 3.7(a)(i)(D) above shall be appropriately adjusted to provide to the Company Earnout Holders the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such event.

 

3.8 No Fractional Shares. No fractional Parent Common Shares, or certificates or scrip representing fractional Parent Common Shares, will be issued upon the conversion of the Company Common Stock pursuant to the Merger, and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a shareholder of Parent. Any holder of a share of Company Common Stock who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of a Parent Common Share (after aggregating all fractional Parent Common Shares issuable to such holder) shall, in lieu of such fraction of a share, be paid in cash the dollar amount (rounded to the nearest whole cent), without interest, determined by multiplying such fraction by $10.00.

 

3.9 Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision to this Agreement, Parent, Merger Sub, the Company and its Subsidiaries and the transfer agent, as applicable, shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any amount payable pursuant to this Agreement such Taxes that are required to be deducted and withheld from such amounts under the Code or any other applicable Law (as reasonably determined by Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or its Subsidiaries, or the transfer agent, respectively). To the extent that any amounts are so deducted and withheld, such deducted and withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made and paid to the applicable Authority. In the case of any such payment payable to employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with the Merger treated as compensation, the parties shall cooperate to pay such amounts through the Company’s or the relevant Subsidiary’s payroll to facilitate applicable withholding. To the extent any party hereto becomes aware of any obligation to deduct or withhold from amounts otherwise payable, issuable or transferable pursuant to this Agreement, such party shall notify the other parties hereto at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the relevant payment, and the parties hereto shall reasonably cooperate to obtain any certificates or other documentation required in respect of such deduction or withholding obligation and to reduce or eliminate any applicable deduction or withholding.

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ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

Except as set forth in the disclosure schedules delivered by the Company to Parent prior to the execution of this Agreement (with specific reference to the particular section or subsection of this Agreement to which the information set forth in such disclosure letter relates (which qualify (a) the correspondingly numbered representation, warranty or covenant specified therein and (b) such other representations, warranties or covenants where its relevance as an exception to (or disclosure for purposes of) such other representation, warranty or covenant is reasonably apparent on its face or cross-referenced), the Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent that each of the following representations and warranties are true, correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date (except for representations and warranties that are made as of a specific date, which are made only as of such date).

 

4.1 Corporate Existence and Power. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is a corporation or legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize that concept) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation (the Company and its Subsidiaries, collectively, the “Company Group”). Each member of the Company Group has all requisite power and authority, corporate and otherwise, to own, lease or otherwise hold and operate its properties and other assets and to carry on the Business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted. Each member of the Company Group is duly licensed or qualified to do business and is in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize that concept) in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership, leasing or operation of its properties or other assets makes such qualification, licensing or good standing necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified, licensed or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in respect of the Company Group. The Company has made available to Parent, prior to the date of this Agreement, complete and accurate copies of the organizational documents of each member of the Company Group, in each case as amended to the date hereof. The organizational documents of each member of the Company Group are in full force and effect. No member of the Company Group is in violation of its organizational documents.

 

4.2 Authorization.

 

(a) The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, in the case of the Merger, subject to receipt of the Company Shareholder Approval. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. No other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than, in the case of the Merger, the receipt of the Company Shareholder Approval) or the Ancillary Agreements. This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is a party have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by each of the other parties hereto and thereto, this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is a party constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium, reorganization or similar Laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and the availability of equitable remedies (the “Enforceability Exceptions”).

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(b) By resolutions duly adopted (and not thereafter modified or rescinded) by the requisite vote of the Board of Directors of the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company has (i) approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and therein; (ii) determined that this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, are advisable and fair to and in the best interests of the Company and the Company Shareholders; (iii) directed that the adoption of this Agreement be submitted to the Company Shareholders for consideration and recommended that all of the Company Shareholders adopt this Agreement. The affirmative vote or written consent of Persons holding a majority (on an as-converted basis) of the voting power of the Company Shareholders, who deliver written consents or are present in person or by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote are required to, and shall be sufficient to, approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Company Shareholder Approval”). The Company Shareholder Approval is the only vote or consent of any of the holders of Company Common Stock necessary to adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger and the consummation of the other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

4.3 Governmental Authorization. None of the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is or will be a party, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, requires any consent, approval, license, Order or other action by or in respect of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any Authority other than the filing of the Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington pursuant to the WBCA and any SEC or Nasdaq approval required to consummate the transactions contemplated hereunder. Neither the acquired person’s annual net sales nor its total assets exceed the current threshold of $22.3 million under Section 18a(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the HSR Act.

 

4.4 Non-Contravention. None of the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is or will be a party or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby does or will (a) contravene or conflict with the Company Articles or the Company Bylaws, (b) contravene or conflict with or constitute a violation of any provision of any Law or Order binding upon or applicable to the Company or to any of its respective properties, rights or assets, except as set forth in Section 4.4 of this Agreement, (c) except for the Contracts listed on Schedule 4.8 requiring Company Consents (but only as to the need to obtain such Company Consents), (i) require consent, approval or waiver under, (ii) constitute a default under or breach of (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both), (iii) violate, (iv) give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration of any right or obligation of the Company Group or to a loss of any material benefit to which the Company Group is entitled, in the case of each of clauses (i) – (iv), under any provision of any Permit, Contract or other instrument or obligations binding upon the Company Group or any of its respective properties, rights or assets, (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien (except for Permitted Liens) on any of the Company Group’s properties, rights or assets, or (e) require any consent, approval or waiver from any Person pursuant to any provision of the organizational documents of the Company Group, except for such consent, approval or waiver which shall be obtained (and a copy provided to Parent) prior to the Closing.

4.5 Capitalization.

 

(a) As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 180,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, no par value, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of which 7,614,666 shares of Company Common Stock and no shares of preferred stock are issued and outstanding. As of the date of this Agreement, there are 3,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan, and options to purchase 2,367,369 shares of Company Common Stock are outstanding. As of the date of this Agreement, there are 1,500,000 stock appreciation rights reserved for issuance under the Stock Appreciation Rights Plan, of which 1,000,000 stock appreciation rights have been granted and remain outstanding. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.5(a), no other shares of capital stock or other voting securities of the Company are authorized, issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. All issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and were issued in compliance with all applicable Laws (including any applicable securities laws) and in compliance with the Company Articles and the Company Bylaws. No shares of Company Common Stock are subject to or were issued in violation of any purchase option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right (including under any provision of the WBCA, the Company Articles or any Contract to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or any of its properties, rights or assets are bound). As of the date of this Agreement, all outstanding shares of Company Common Stock are owned of record by the Persons set forth on Schedule 4.5(a) in the amounts set forth opposite their respective names. Schedule 4.5(a) contains a true, correct and complete list of (1) each Company Option outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, the holder thereof, the number of shares of Company Common Stock issuable thereunder or otherwise subject thereto, the grant date thereof and the exercise price and expiration date thereof and whether such Company Option is intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option”, (2) each Company SAR outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, the holder thereof, the number of shares of Company Common Stock issuable thereunder or otherwise subject thereto, the grant date thereof and the exercise price and expiration date thereof; and each Company Warrant outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, the holder thereof, the number of shares of Company Common Stock issuable thereunder or otherwise subject thereto, the grant date thereof and the exercise price and expiration date thereof.

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(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.5(a), there are no (i) outstanding warrants, options, agreements, convertible securities, performance units or other commitments or instruments pursuant to which the Company is or may become obligated to issue or sell any of its shares of Company Common Stock or other securities, (ii) outstanding obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire outstanding capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of capital stock of the Company, (iii) treasury shares of capital stock of the Company, (iv) bonds, debentures, notes or other Indebtedness of the Company having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which shareholders of the Company may vote, are issued or outstanding, (v) preemptive or similar rights to purchase or otherwise acquire shares or other securities of the Company (including pursuant to any provision of Law, the Company Articles or any Contract to which the Company is a party), (vi) Liens (including any right of first refusal, right of first offer, proxy, voting trust, voting agreement or similar arrangement) with respect to the sale or voting of shares or securities of the Company (whether outstanding or issuable) or (vii) any stock appreciation, phantom stock or similar rights with respect to the Company.

 

(c) Each Company Option and Company SAR (i) was granted in compliance in all material respects with (A) all applicable Laws and (B) all of the terms and conditions of the Equity Incentive Plan pursuant to which it was issued, (ii) has an exercise price or base value, as applicable, per share of Company Common Stock equal to or greater than the fair market value of such share at the close of business on the date of such grant, (iii) has a grant date identical to the date on which the Board of Directors of the Company or compensation committee actually awarded such Company Option or Company SAR, (iv) qualifies for the tax and accounting treatment afforded to such Company Option in the Company’s tax returns and the Company’s financial statements, respectively, and (v) does not trigger any liability for the holder thereof under Section 409A of the Code.

 

4.6 Subsidiaries. Schedule 4.6 sets forth the name of each Subsidiary of the Company, and with respect to each Subsidiary, its jurisdiction of incorporation, formation or organization, its authorized shares or other equity interests (if applicable), and the number of issued and outstanding shares or other equity interests and the record holders thereof. All of the outstanding equity securities of each Subsidiary of the Company are duly authorized and validly issued, duly registered, fully paid and non-assessable (if applicable), were offered, sold and delivered in compliance with all applicable securities Laws and such Subsidiary’s organizational documents in force at the relevant time, and are owned by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries free and clear of all Liens (other than those, if any, imposed by such Subsidiary’s organizational documents).

 

4.7 Corporate Records. All proceedings occurring since January 1, 2020 of the Board of Directors of the Company, including all committees thereof, and of the Company Shareholders, and all consents to actions taken thereby that are required by Law, the Company Articles or the Company Bylaws, are accurately reflected in the minutes and records contained in the corporate minute books of the Company and made available to Parent. The shareholder ledger of the Company is true, correct and complete.

 

4.8 Consents. The Contracts listed on Schedule 4.8 are the only Contracts requiring a consent, approval, authorization, order or other action of or filing with any Person as a result of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is or will be a party or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (each of the foregoing, a “Company Consent”).

 

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4.9 Financial Statements.

 

(a) The Company has delivered to Parent (a) the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Company, and the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 including the notes thereto (collectively, the “Annual Financial Statements”), and (b) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 (collectively, the “Unaudited Financial Statements” and, together with the Annual Financial Statements, the “Company Financial Statements”). The Company Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP applied on a consistent basis and in accordance with the requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board for public companies. The Company Financial Statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the results of operations of the Company for the periods reflected therein. The Company Financial Statements were prepared from the Books and Records of the Company in all material respects. Since December 31, 2022 (the “Balance Sheet Date”), except as required by applicable Law or U.S. GAAP, there has been no change in any accounting principle, procedure or practice followed by the Company or in the method of applying any such principle, procedure or practice.

 

(b) The Company Group has no material liabilities, debts or obligations of the type that would be required to be set forth on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, except for (i) liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since the Balance Sheet Date, (ii) to the extent specifically disclosed, reflected or fully reserved for on the Balance Sheet and (iii) liabilities specifically set forth on Schedule 4.9(b).

 

(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9(c), the Company Group does not have any Indebtedness.

 

4.10 Internal Accounting Controls. The Company has established a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (a) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (b) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, and the Company’s historical practices and to maintain asset accountability; and (c) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

 

4.11 Absence of Certain Changes. From the Balance Sheet Date until the date of this Agreement, (a) the Company has conducted its businesses in the ordinary course and in a manner consistent with past practices; (b) there has not been any Material Adverse Effect in respect of the Company; and (c) the Company has not taken any action that, if taken after the date of this Agreement and prior to the consummation of the Merger, would require the consent of Parent pursuant to Section 6.1 and Parent has not given consent.

 

4.12 Properties; Title to the Company Group’s Assets.

 

(a) All items of Tangible Personal Property have no material defects, are in good operating condition and repair in all material respects and function in accordance with their intended uses (ordinary wear and tear excepted), have been properly maintained in all material respects and are suitable for their present uses and meet all specifications and warranty requirements with respect thereto. All of the material Tangible Personal Property is located at the offices of the Company Group.

 

(b) The Company Group has good, valid and marketable title in and to, or in the case of the Lease and the assets which are leased or licensed pursuant to Contracts, a valid leasehold interest or license in or a right to use all of the tangible assets reflected on the Balance Sheet. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.12, no such tangible asset is subject to any Lien other than Permitted Liens. The Company’s assets constitute all of the rights, properties, and assets of any kind or description whatsoever, including goodwill, necessary for the Company Group to operate the Business immediately after the Closing in substantially the same manner as the Business is currently being conducted.

 

4.13 Litigation. There is no Action pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company Group, any of the officers or directors of the Company Group, the Business, any of the Company Group’s rights, properties or assets or any Contract before any Authority or which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. There are no outstanding judgments against the Company Group or any of its rights, properties or assets. The Company Group or any of its rights, properties or assets is not, nor has been since January 1, 2020, subject to any Action by any Authority.

 

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4.14 Contracts.

 

(a) Schedule 4.14(a) sets forth a true, complete and accurate list, as of the date of this Agreement, of all of the following Contracts as amended to date which are currently in effect (collectively, “Material Contracts”):

 

(i) all Contracts that require annual payments or expenses incurred by, or annual payments or income to, the Company Group of $250,000 or more (other than Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices);

 

(ii) each Contract with any of the Top Customers or the Top Suppliers;

 

(iii) each Contract with any current employee of the Company Group (A) which has continuing obligations for payment of an annual compensation of at least $500,000, and which is not terminable for any reason or no reason upon reasonable notice without payment of any penalty, severance or other obligation; (B) providing for severance or post-termination payments or benefits to such employee (other than COBRA obligations); or (C) providing for a payment or benefit upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or as a result of a change of control of the Company;

 

(iv) all Contracts creating a joint venture, strategic alliance, limited liability company or partnership arrangement to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party;

 

(v) all Contracts relating to any acquisitions or dispositions of material assets by the Company Group (other than acquisitions or dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices);

 

(vi) all IP Contracts, separately identifying all such IP Contracts under which the Company is obligated to pay royalties thereunder and all such IP Contracts under which the Company is entitled to receive royalties thereunder, provided, however, that no Standard Contracts shall be required to be disclosed on Schedule 4.14(a)(vi), but shall constitute Material Contracts for purposes of this Agreement if they otherwise qualify;

 

(vii) Contracts containing covenants of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries (A) materially prohibiting or limiting the right of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries to engage in or compete with any Person in any line of business or (B) materially prohibiting or restricting the Company’s and the Company’s Subsidiaries’ ability to conduct their business with any Person in any geographic area;

 

(viii) all Contracts that (A) grant to any Person any preferred pricing, “most favored nation” or similar rights, (B) grant exclusivity to any Person in respect of any geographic location, any customer, or any product or service, (C) require the purchase of all or a given portion of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiary’s requirements for products or services from any Person, or any other similar provision, or (D) grant to any Person price guarantees for a period greater than one (1) year from the date of this Agreement and requires aggregate future payments to the Company Group in excess of $250,000 in any calendar year;

 

(ix) Contracts granting to any Person (other than the Company or its Subsidiaries) a right of first refusal, first offer or similar right to purchase or acquire exclusive rights or ownership with respect to any service, product or Intellectual Property of the Company Group or to purchase or acquire equity interests in the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries;

 

(x) all Contracts providing for guarantees, indemnification arrangements and other hold harmless arrangements made or provided by the Company Group;

 

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(xi) all Contracts (other than employment agreements, employee confidentiality and invention assignment agreements, equity or equity incentive documents, governing documents, Contracts relating to such Affiliate’s status as a Company Securityholder) between a member of the Company Group, on the one hand, and Affiliates of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries (other than the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries), the officers and managers (or equivalents) of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, the members or shareholders of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, any employee of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, a member of the immediate family of the foregoing Persons, on the other hand;

 

(xii) all Contracts relating to property or assets (whether real or personal, tangible or intangible) in which the Company holds a leasehold interest and which involve payments to the lessor thereunder in excess of $200,000 per year;

 

(xiii) all Contracts relating to the voting or control of the equity interests of the Company Group or the election of directors of the Company of any of its Subsidiaries (other than the organizational or constitutive documents of the Company or its Subsidiaries);

 

(xiv) all Contracts not cancellable by the Company Group with no more than sixty (60) days’ notice if the effect of such cancellation would result in monetary penalty to the Company in excess of $250,000 per the terms of such contract;

 

(xv) all contracts and agreements with any Authority (other than purchase orders entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices) to which any member of the Company Group is a party;

 

(xvi) all Contracts creating or otherwise relating to outstanding Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) in the aggregate that are valued at $500,000 or greater;

 

(xvii) all Contracts that may be terminated, or the provisions of which may be altered, as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement;

 

(xviii) all Contracts under which any of the benefits, compensation or payments (or the vesting thereof) will be increased or accelerated by the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, or the amount or value thereof will be calculated on the basis of, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; and

 

(xix) any outstanding written commitment to enter into any Contract of the type described in clauses (i) through (xviii) of this Section 4.14(a).

 

(b) Each Material Contract is (i) a valid and binding agreement, (ii) in full force and effect and (iii) enforceable by and against the Company Group and each counterparty that is party thereto, subject, in the case of this clause (iii), to the Enforceability Exceptions. Except, in each case, where the occurrence of such breach or default or failure to perform would not be material to the Company Group, taken as a whole (w) neither the Company Group nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any other party to a Material Contract is in material breach or default (whether with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice or both) under the terms of any such Material Contract, (x) each member of the Company Group has performed in all respects all respective obligations required to be performed by them to date under each Material Contract, (y) no member of the Company Group has received any written claim or written notice of termination or breach of or default under any such Material Contract, and (z) no event has occurred which, individually or together with other events, would reasonably be expected to result in a breach of or a default under any such Material Contract by a member of the Company Group or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto (in each case, with or without notice or lapse of time or both). No member of the Company Group has assigned, delegated or otherwise transferred any of its rights or obligations under any Material Contract or granted any power of attorney with respect thereto.

 

(c) Each member of the Company Group is in compliance in all material respects with all covenants, including all financial covenants, in all notes, indentures, bonds and other instruments or Material Contracts establishing or evidencing any Indebtedness. The consummation and closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not cause or result in an event of default under any instruments or Material Contracts establishing or evidencing any Indebtedness.

 

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4.15 Licenses and Permits. Schedule 4.15 sets forth a true, complete and correct list of each Permit held by a member of the Company Group that is required under applicable Law to permit the Company Group to own, operate, use and maintain their assets in the manner in which they are now operated and maintained and to carry out or conduct the Business, together with the name of the Authority issuing the same. Such Permits are valid and in full force and effect, and none of the Permits will be terminated or impaired or become terminable as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. The Company has all Permits necessary to operate the Business, and each of the Permits is in full force and effect. The Company is not in material breach or violation of, or material default under, any such Permit, and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no basis (including the execution of this Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement) exists which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would reasonably constitute any such breach, violation or default or give any Authority grounds to suspend, revoke or terminate any such Permit. The Company has not received any written (or, to the Company’s Knowledge, oral) notice from any Authority regarding any material violation of any Permit. There has not been and there is not any pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened Action, investigation or disciplinary proceeding by or from any Authority against the Company involving any material Permit.

 

4.16 Compliance with Laws. Neither the Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any Representative or other Person acting on behalf of the Company, is in violation in any material respect of, and, since January 1, 2020, no such Person has failed to be in compliance in all material respects with, all applicable Laws and Orders. Since January 1, 2020, (i) no event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or due to lapse of time) would reasonably constitute or result in a violation by the Company of, or failure on the part of the Company to comply with, or any liability suffered or incurred by the Company in respect of any violation of or material noncompliance with, any Laws, Orders or policies by Authority that are or were applicable to it or the conduct or operation of its business or the ownership or use of any of its assets and (ii) no Action is pending, or to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, alleging any such violation or noncompliance by the Company. Since January 1, 2020, the Company has not been threatened in writing or, to the Company’s Knowledge, orally to be charged with, or given written or, to the Company’s Knowledge, oral notice of any violation of any Law or any judgment, order or decree entered by any Authority.

 

4.17 Intellectual Property.

 

(a) (i) The Company or one of its Subsidiaries possesses and is the sole and exclusive owner of all right, title, and interest in and to each item of Company Owned IP, and owns or has a valid license to use all other Intellectual Property and IT Systems used or practiced (or held for use or practice) in or necessary for the conduct of the Businesses, in each case, free and clear of any Liens (except for Permitted Liens). (ii) The Company or one of its Subsidiaries is the sole and exclusive licensee of each item of Company Exclusively Licensed IP, free and clear of any Liens (except for Permitted Liens). (iii) The Company or one of its Subsidiaries has a valid right and license to use all Company Licensed IP. None of the foregoing (i) – (iii) will be adversely affected by (nor will require the payment or grant of additional amounts or consideration as a result of) the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(b) Schedule 4.17(b) sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all (i) Registered IP; (ii) Domain Names constituting Company Owned IP; and (iii) all social media handles constituting Company Owned IP; and (iv) material unregistered Marks and material unregistered Company Software constituting Company Owned IP, in each case, accurately specifying as to each of the foregoing, as applicable: (A) the filing number, issuance or registration number, or other identifying details; (B) the owner and nature of the ownership; (C) the jurisdictions by or in which such Registered Owned IP has been issued, registered, or in which an application for such issuance or registration has been filed; (D) the status and expiration date; and (E) any liens or security interests that apply.

 

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(c) All Registered Owned IP and Registered Exclusively Licensed IP is valid, subsisting, and enforceable. Each item of Registered IP is and has been at all times prosecuted, recorded, filed, and maintained, as applicable, in compliance with applicable Law or the rules of the applicable registrar, and none of the Registered IP has been cancelled, abandoned, rejected, repudiated or otherwise terminated other than in the ordinary course of business. No Registered Owned IP, and to the Knowledge of the Company no Registered Exclusively Licensed IP, is or has been involved in any interference, opposition, reissue, reexamination, revocation or equivalent proceeding, and no such proceeding has been threatened in writing with respect thereto. In the past three (3) years, there have been no claims filed, served or threatened in writing, or to the Knowledge of the Company orally threatened, against the Company Group contesting the validity, use, ownership, enforceability, patentability, registrability, or scope of any Registered IP. All registration, maintenance and renewal fees currently due in connection with any Registered Owned IP, and to the Knowledge of the Company all Registered Exclusively Licensed IP, have been paid and all documents, recordations and certificates in connection therewith have been filed with the Authorities in the United States or foreign jurisdictions, as the case may be, for the purposes of prosecuting, maintaining and perfecting such rights and recording the Company Group’s ownership or interests therein.

 

(d) (i) To the Knowledge of the Company, the use of the Company IP, and the conduct of the Business (including the manufacturing, development, marketing, licensing, sale, use, or distribution of the Company’s products and services) have not conflicted with, infringed, misappropriated, used without authorization, or otherwise violated and do not infringe, misappropriate, use without authorization, or otherwise violate any Intellectual Property rights of any Person or any Person’s right of publicity, breach any terms of service, click-through agreement or any other agreement or rules, policies or guidelines governing the use of any such Intellectual Property, and does not constitute unfair competition or unfair trade practices under Applicable Law and no member of the Company Group has any Liability for any of the foregoing. (ii) There is no Action pending (and in the past three (3) years, there have been no claims filed, served or threatened in writing, or to the Knowledge of the Company orally threatened, against any member the Company Group) either (i) alleging any conflict with, infringement, misappropriation, unauthorized use, or other violation of any Intellectual Property of a third Person (including any unsolicited written offers to license any such Intellectual Property), or (ii) challenging the use, ownership, validity or enforceability of any Company Owned IP, and in each case, no member of the Company Group knows of any valid basis therefor.

 

(e) (i) To the Knowledge of the Company, in the past three (3) years no third Person has conflicted with, infringed, misappropriated, used without authorization, or otherwise violated any Company IP. (ii) In the past three (3) years the Company Group has not filed, served, or threatened a third Person with any claims alleging any conflict with, infringement, misappropriation, use without authorization, or other violation of any Company IP. (iii) There are no Actions pending that involving a claim against a third Person the Company alleging infringement, misappropriation, use without authorization, or other violation of Company IP. (iv) The Company Group is not subject to any Order that adversely restricts the use, transfer, registration or licensing of any Company IP by any member of the Company Group.

 

(f) Each Person (including each past and present employee, agent, consultant, and contractor) who is or reasonably expected to be privy to any Trade Secrets of the Company Group or who has contributed to or participated in the creation or development of any Intellectual Property on behalf of any member of the Company Group or any predecessor in interest thereto has executed a valid and enforceable written form of proprietary information and/or inventions agreement or similar written Contract with the Company Group under which such Person: (i) has validly and presently assigned all right, title and interest in and to such Intellectual Property to the Company (or such predecessor in interest, as applicable) (or all such rights, title and interest have vested or will vest in the Company or one of its Subsidiaries by operation of Law); and (ii) is obligated to maintain the confidentiality of the Company Group’s confidential information and other Trade Secrets both during and after the term of such Person’s employment or engagement. To the Knowledge of the Company, no party thereto is in default or breach of such agreement.

 

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(g) No government funding or facility of a university, college, other educational institution or research center was used in the development of any item of Registered IP or to the Knowledge of the Company, any item of Company Exclusively Licensed IP.

 

(h) None of the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is or will be a party or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will (i) cause any item of Company Owned IP, or any material item of Company Licensed IP immediately prior to the Closing, to not be owned, licensed or available for use by the Company Group on substantially the same terms and conditions immediately following the Closing or (ii) require any additional payment obligations by the Company Group in order to use or exploit any other such Intellectual Property to the same extent as the Company Group was permitted immediately before the Closing.

 

(i) Except with respect to the agreements listed on Schedule 4.14(a)(vi), the Company Group is not obligated under any Contract to make any payments by way of royalties, fees, or otherwise to any owner or licensor of, or other claimant to, any Intellectual Property.

 

(j) The Company Group has taken all necessary and otherwise reasonable steps necessary to maintain, protect and enforce the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all Trade Secrets held by them or otherwise used in the Business (including all source code for Company Software and all proprietary AI/ML), in each instance that are at least consistent with efforts undertaken by third Persons in the industry within which the Business is a part. To the Knowledge of the Company, no such Trade Secret has been disclosed (or authorized or threatened to be disclosed) to any third Person other than pursuant to the terms of a valid, written confidentiality agreement with such Person that (i) obligates such Person to maintain the confidentiality thereof, (ii) imposes perpetual confidentiality obligations with respect to trade secrets, and (iii) is in full force and effect, not breached, and legally enforceable by the Company Group.

 

(k) No Company IP is subject to any technology or source code escrow arrangement or obligation. No person other than the Company Group (and its employees and contractors bound by reasonable confidentiality obligations and who have a need to know) (i) has an actual or contingent right to access or possess (including pursuant to escrow), a copy in any form of the source code of the Company Software or system documentation therefor, or (ii) will be entitled to obtain access to or possession of such source code as a result of the execution, delivery and performance of by the Company of this Agreement. The Company Group is in actual possession and control of the source code of any Company Software or Software constituting Company Exclusively Licensed IP and all related documentation and materials. The Company Group has a privacy policy regarding the collection, use or disclosure of data in connection with the operation of the business as currently conducted (the “Privacy Policy”) that is made available to all visitors to the Sites. For purposes of this subsection (k), “Sites” shall mean, any websites or applications made available to the general public provided by or on behalf of the Company Group. The Privacy Policy accurately describes the Company Group’s collection, disclosure and use of Personal Information and to the Knowledge of the Company, materially complies with all applicable Data Protection Laws. None of the marketing materials and/or advertisements made, or provided by, or on behalf of the Company Group have been inaccurate, misleading, unfair, or deceptive in material violation of applicable Data Protection Laws.

 

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(l) The Company Group is and has been in material compliance with all applicable Data Protection Laws. The Company Group has complied in all material respects with such privacy policies, rules, procedures, and contractual obligations in connection with any Processing by the Company Group of any Personal Information or Confidential Information. There are no written complaints, audits, proceedings, investigations, or claims pending against the Company Group by any Authority, or by any Person, in respect of Processing of Personal Information by or on behalf of the Company Group or relating to information security related incidents. The Company Group (i) has implemented commercially reasonable physical, technical, organizational and administrative security and adequate policies designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all Personal Information Processed or maintained by the Company Group and Confidential Information, including from unauthorized physical or virtual access, use, modification, acquisition, disclosure or other misuse, and (ii) requires by written contract all third party providers and other persons who Process Personal Information on the Company Group’s behalf, or have access to Confidential Information, to implement commercially reasonable security and adequate policies consistent with applicable Data Protection Laws and industry standards. The Company Group has not experienced any loss, damage or unauthorized access, use, disclosure or modification, security incident, or breach of security of Personal Information maintained by or on behalf of the Company Group or Confidential Information (including by any agent, subcontractor or vendor of the Company Group).

 

(m) To the Knowledge of the Company, the Company Information Systems and Company Software and all Software that is used by the Company Group are free of all viruses, worms, keylogger software, “time bombs,” “back doors,” “trap doors,” Trojan horses and other material known contaminants and does not contain any bugs, errors, faults, malicious code, disabling devices, or problems of a material nature that would disrupt its operation or have an adverse impact the functionality of or permit unauthorized access or to disable or otherwise harm any computer, Software or other IT Systems. None of the Company Software is subject to any Copyleft Licenses. The Company Group is in material compliance with all Publicly Available Software license terms applicable to any Publicly Available Software licensed to or used by the Company Group. The Company Group has used commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of the source code and confidential system documentation relating to all Company Software and proprietary AI/ML. Except with respect to Publicly Available Software or Intellectual Property licensed to a member of the Company Group pursuant to Material Contracts, no third party owns any Intellectual Property in any Software incorporated in or used with any Company Software.

 

(n) The Company Information Systems constitute all IT Systems used in or necessary for the operation of the business of the Company Group. The Company Group has implemented and maintained (or, where applicable, has required its vendors to maintain) in material compliance with the Company’s internal standards as well as its contractual obligations to other Persons (including any applicable warranties or other user instructions from vendors), commercially reasonable security, and adequate policies and procedures regarding the performance, security, confidentiality, availability, and integrity of the Company Information Systems from unauthorized physical or virtual access, use, modification, acquisition, disclosure or other misuse. There has been no material breach, intrusion, unauthorized access to or use of the Company Information Systems or other security incident that has impacted the integrity or availability of the Company Information Systems, nor has there been any downtime or unavailability of the Company Information Systems that resulted in a material disruption of the Business. The Company Information Systems and Company Software (i) are adequate and sufficient (including with respect to working condition and capacity) for the operations of the Business and perform in all material conformance with their documentation and functional specifications, (ii) operate and perform in all material respects as currently required and as currently contemplated to be required to conduct and operate the Business; (iii) are free from any material software defect. Aside from the outages described in Schedule 4.17(n), there has been no malfunction, misconfiguration, vulnerability, or failure with respect to any Company Information System that has had a material effect on the operations of the Company Group. The Company Group has implemented commercially reasonable backup, anti-virus, malware protection, server patch, intrusion detection, and disaster recovery technology, policies and procedures and all other security and incident detection and response measures (including access control protocols and capabilities for AI/ML or training data). To the Knowledge of the Company, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, including the transfer of any Personal Information, and the consummation of the Transactions comply with all Data Protection Laws. The Company Group has all necessary authority and lawful basis, and has at all times made all disclosures to, and obtained any necessary consents from, users, customers, employees, contractors and other applicable Persons required by all Data Protection Laws and otherwise required to enable it to receive, access, use, process or disclose the Personal Information in its possession or under its control in connection with the operation of the business.

 

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(o) The Company Group maintains a technical description of any neural networks used in or with any proprietary AI/ML that is sufficiently detailed to reasonably skilled programmers to modify, debug, and improve such neural networks in the ordinary course and the Company Group retains information in human-readable form that explains or could be used to explain the decisions made or facilitated by such AI/ML.

 

(p) For each Company AI Product that has been commercially released, there have been no interruptions in use of such Company AI Product in the past three (3) years arising from or as a consequence of (A) the failure of the Software, including any Software embodying an algorithm, used in the Company AI Product to (1) satisfy its expected requirements or execute its specification correctly (e.g., verification errors); or (2) fulfil the intended use and goals of customers or other stakeholders (e.g., validation errors); (B) the use of a “kill switch” or “circuit breaker” to prevent the Company AI Product (or component of a Company AI Product) from executing or completing a particular function; or (C) the use of any other emergency or failsafe mechanism (including human intervention as a failsafe) to prevent the Company AI Product (or component of a Company AI Product) from executing or completing a particular function.

 

(q) The Company Group maintains industry standard access control protocols and capabilities that secure access to the Company AI Products and the Data used to train, teach, or improve any Company AI Product and there has been (A) no unauthorized access to the algorithms or Software used in a Company AI Product, or to the Data used to train, teach, or improve any Company AI Product; (B) no unauthorized access to the IT Systems used in the development, improvement or operation of Company AI Products; and (C) no use of the Company AI Product by a third party to engage in unlawful activity or any activity that violates any Company Group’s license terms or terms of service for the Company AI Product. The Company AI Products and other AI/ML used (or held for use) by the Company Group do not permit or cause unauthorized access to, or disruption, impairment, modification, recordation, misuse, transmission, disablement or destruction of any Software, Data, systems or other materials.

 

(r) The Company Group maintains a technical description of any neural networks used in or with any Company AI Products that is a sufficiently detailed so that the neural network can be modified, debugged and improved from time to time by programmers skilled in the development of AI/ML. For each Company AI Product that is used to make (or facilitate the making of) decisions the Company Group (A) retain information in human-readable form that explains or could be used to explain the decisions made or facilitated by the Company AI Product, and maintain such information in a form that can readily be provided to regulators upon request, and (B) have materially complied with all the Laws and industry standards applicable to the Company AI Product.

 

(s) The Company Group is in material compliance with industry standards policies and procedures relating to the ethical or responsible use of AI/ML. There has been (1) no material actual or alleged non-compliance with any such policies or and procedures; (2) no material actual or alleged failure of a Company AI Product to satisfy the requirements or guidelines specified in any such policies or procedures; (3) no complaint, claim, proceeding or litigation alleging that training data used in the development, training, improvement or testing of any Company AI Product was falsified, biased, untrustworthy or manipulated in an unethical or unscientific way; and no report, finding or impact assessment of any internal or external auditor, technology review committee, independent technology consultant, whistle-blower, transparency or privacy advocate, labor union, journalist or academic that makes any such allegation; and (4) no request from regulators or legislators concerning any Company AI Product or related AI/ML.

 

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(t) Schedule 4.17(t) accurately identifies and describes all third-party Data used to train, teach, or improve any AI/ML that is material to (a) the development of a Company AI Product, or (b) the ongoing operation or improvement of a Company AI Product (“Third-Party Dataset”). The Company Group has complied with all license terms applicable to each Third Party Dataset disclosed or required to be disclosed in Schedule 4.17(t), including (i) the end user license agreement or other terms that govern the Company Group’s use of any application programming interface used to collect such Data, and (ii) the website terms or other terms that govern the Company Group’s collection and use of each Scraped Dataset.

 

4.18 Employees; Employment Matters.

 

(a) The Company has made available to Parent or its counsel a true, correct and complete list of the five highest compensated officers or employees of the Company as of the date hereof, setting forth the employee ID, title, current base salary or hourly rate for each such person and total compensation (including bonuses and commissions) paid to each such person for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, if applicable.

 

(b) The Company Group is not a party to, bound by, negotiating or required to negotiate any collective bargaining agreement or other agreement with a labor union or other labor organization. No employees of the Company Group or any of its Subsidiaries are represented by any labor union or other labor organization, and, since January 1, 2020, to the Knowledge of the Company, there has been no activities or proceeding by a labor union or other labor organization seeking to organize any employees of the Company Group and no demand for recognition or certification as the exclusive bargaining representative of any employees has been made by or on behalf of any labor union or other labor organization. There is no labor strike, material slowdown or material work stoppage or lockout pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against the Company Group, and, since January 1, 2020, the Company Group has not experienced any strike, material slowdown, material work stoppage or lockout, grievance or labor dispute or similar activity in respect of the business of the Company Group that may, individually or in the aggregate, interfere in any material respect with the respective business activities of the Company.

 

(c) There are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing material Actions against the Company Group under any worker’s compensation policy or long-term disability policy. There is no material unfair labor practice charge or complaint pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing before any applicable Authority relating to employees of the Company Group. Since January 1, 2020, the Company Group has been in compliance in all material respects with notice and other requirements under the Workers’ Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act of 1988, as amended, or any similar state or local statute, rule or regulation relating to plant closings and layoffs (collectively, the “WARN Act”). There is no ongoing location closing, employee layoff, or relocation activities that would trigger notice or any other requirements under the WARN Act.

 

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(d) The Company Group is, and since January 1, 2020 has been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to employment, including all applicable Laws relating to wages, hours, overtime, collective bargaining, equal employment opportunity, discrimination, harassment (including, but not limited to sexual harassment), retaliation, immigration, verification of identity and employment authorization of individuals employed in the United States, employee leave, disability rights or benefits, employment and reemployment rights of members and veterans of the uniformed services, paid time off/vacation, unemployment insurance, safety and health, workers’ compensation, pay equity, restrictive covenants, whistleblower rights, child labor, classification of employees and independent contractors, meal and rest breaks, reimbursement of business expenses, and the collection and payment of withholding or social security Taxes.

 

(e) Schedule 4.18(e) discloses each individual who is employed by the Company pursuant to a visa and the expiration date of such visa.

 

(f) To the Knowledge of the Company, no Key Employee is a party to or bound by any enforceable confidentiality agreement, non-competition agreement or other restrictive covenant (with any Person) that materially interferes with: (i) the performance by such Key Employee of his or her duties or responsibilities as an officer or employee of the Company Group or (ii) the Company Group’s business or operations. No Key Employee has given written notice of his or her definite intent to terminate his or her employment with the Company Group, nor has the Company Group provided written notice of its present intention to terminate the employment of any of the foregoing.

 

(g) Since January 1, 2020, the Company Group has not received written notice of any material claim or litigation relating to an allegation of discrimination, retaliation, harassment (including sexual harassment), or sexual misconduct; nor is there any outstanding obligation for the Company Group under any settlement relating to such matters and to the Knowledge of the Company, no such claim or litigation has been threatened in writing.

 

(h) As of the date hereof and since January 1, 2020, there have been no material audits of the Company Group by any Authority, under any applicable federal, state or local occupational safety and health Law and Orders (collectively, “OSHA”) against the Company Group, nor have there been any related charges, fines, or penalties, and the Company Group has been in compliance in all material respects with OSHA.

 

4.19 Withholding. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.19, all reasonably anticipated obligations of the Company Group with respect to employees of the Company Group (except for those related to wages during the pay period immediately prior to the Closing Date and arising in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices), whether arising by operation of Law, or by contract, for salaries, bonuses and vacation pay/paid time off to such employees in respect of the services rendered by any of them prior to the date hereof have been or will be paid by the Company or accrued on the Company Financial Statements prior to the Closing Date.

 

4.20 Employee Benefits.

 

(a) Schedule 4.20(a) sets forth a correct and complete list of all Plans. With respect to each Plan, the Company has made available to Parent or its counsel a true and complete copy, to the extent applicable, of: (i) each writing constituting a part of such Plan and all amendments thereto, including all plan documents, material employee communications, benefit schedules, trust agreements, and insurance contracts and other funding vehicles; (ii) a written description of such Plan if such Plan is not set forth in a written document; (iii) the current summary plan description and any material modifications thereto; (iv) the most recent annual financial and actuarial reports; (v) the most recent determination or advisory letter received by the Company from the IRS regarding the tax-qualified status of such Plan; (vi) the most recent written results of all required compliance testing, if any, since January 1, 2020; and (vii) all material correspondence to or from the IRS, the United States Department of Labor, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any other Authority received in the last three years with respect to any Plan.

 

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(b) No Plan is or has at any time been (i) subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 or 4971 of the Code, (ii) a “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA), (iii) a “multiple employer plan” (within the meaning of the Code or ERISA), (iv) a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA), (v) a “funded welfare plan” within the meaning of Section 419 of the Code or (iv) sponsored by a human resources or benefits outsourcing entity, professional employer organization or other similar vendor or provider. Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has ever maintained, established, participated in or contributed to, or is or has been obligated to contribute to, or has otherwise incurred any obligation or liability (including any contingent liability) under, any multiemployer plan or has withdrawn at any time since January 1, 2020 from any multiemployer plan or incurred any withdrawal liability which remains unsatisfied.

 

(c) With respect to each Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code, such Plan, including its related trust, has received a determination letter (or may rely upon opinion letters in the case of any prototype plans) from the IRS that it is so qualified and that its trust is exempt from Tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, nothing has occurred with respect to the operation of any such Plan that could reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such qualification or exemption.

 

(d) There are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened Actions against or relating to the Plans, the assets of any of the trusts under such Plans or the Plan sponsor or the Plan administrator, or against any fiduciary of any Plan with respect to the operation of such Plan (other than routine benefits claims). No Plan is presently under audit or examination (nor has written notice been received of a potential audit or examination) by any Authority.

 

(e) Each Plan has been established, administered and funded in accordance with its terms and in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other applicable Laws. There is not now, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, do any circumstances exist that could give rise to, any requirement for the posting of security with respect to a Plan or the imposition of any lien on the assets of the Company under ERISA or the Code. All premiums due or payable with respect to insurance policies funding any Plan have been made or paid in full or, to the extent not required to be made or paid on or before the date hereof, have been fully reflected on the Company Financial Statements.

 

(f) None of the Plans provide retiree or post-employment health, disability, life insurance or other welfare benefits and no member of the Company Group has any obligation to provide such benefits, except as may be required by Section 4980B of the Code, Section 601 of ERISA or any other applicable Law. There has been no violation of the “continuation coverage requirement” of “group health plans” as set forth in Section 4980B of the Code and Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA with respect to any Plan to which such continuation coverage requirements apply.

 

(g) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (either alone or in combination with another event) (i) result in any payment becoming due, or increase the amount of any compensation or benefits due, to any current or former employee of the Company with respect to any Plan; (ii) increase any benefits otherwise payable under any Plan; (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such compensation or benefits; or (iv) result in the payment of any amount that would, individually or in combination with any other such payment, be an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code. No Person is entitled to receive any additional payment (including any tax gross-up or other payment) from the Company as a result of the imposition of the excise taxes required by Section 4999 of the Code or any taxes required by Section 409A of the Code.

 

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(h) Each Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as defined in Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code) is in all respects in documentary compliance with, and has been administered in all respects in compliance with, Section 409A of the Code.

 

(i) Each Plan that is subject to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (the “Affordable Care Act”) has been established, maintained and administered in compliance with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

 

(j) All Plans subject to the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States (“Non-U.S. Plans”) are listed on Schedule 4.20(j). All Non-U.S. Plans comply in all material respects with applicable local Law, and all such plans that are intended to be funded and/or book-reserved are funded and/or book reserved, as appropriate, based upon reasonable actuarial assumptions, and if they are intended to qualify for special tax treatment, meet all requirements for such treatment. As of the date hereof, there is no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened material litigation relating to any Non-U.S. Plan.

 

4.21 Real Property.

 

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.21, the Company Group does not own nor has it ever owned, or otherwise have an interest in, any Real Property, including under any Real Property Lease. The Leases are the only Contracts pursuant to which the Company leases, subleases or uses any Real Property or right in any Real Property. The Company Group has provided to Parent and Merger Sub accurate and complete copies of all Leases. The Company Group has good, valid and subsisting title to its respective leasehold estates in all the Real Property it Leases, which Real Property consists of the research, manufacturing, and office facilities described on Schedule 4.21, free and clear of all Liens. The Company Group has not materially breached or violated any local zoning ordinance, and no notice from any Person has been received by the Company Group or served upon the Company Group claiming any violation of any local zoning ordinance.

 

(b) With respect to each Lease: (i) it is valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms and in full force and effect; (ii) all rents and additional rents and other sums, expenses and charges due thereunder have been paid; (iii) the Company Group has been in peaceable possession of the premises leased thereunder since the commencement of the original term thereof; (iv) no waiver, indulgence or postponement of the Company Group’s obligations thereunder has been granted by the lessor; (v) the Company Group has performed all material obligations imposed on it under such Lease and there exist no default or event of default thereunder by the Company Group or, to the Company’s Knowledge, by any other party thereto; (vi) there exists, to the Company’s Knowledge, no occurrence, condition or act which, with the giving of notice, the lapse of time or the happening of any further event or condition, would reasonably be expected to become a default or event of default by the Company Group thereunder or by the counterparty thereunder; (vii) there are no outstanding claims of breach or indemnification or notice of default or termination thereunder; and (viii) the Company Group has not exercised early termination options, if any, under any such Lease. The Company Group holds the leasehold estate established under the Leases free and clear of all Liens, except for Liens of mortgagees made by the owners of the Real Property on which such leasehold estate is located or other Permitted Liens. The Real Property leased by the Company Group is in a state of maintenance and repair in all material respects adequate and suitable for the purposes for which it is presently being used, and there are no material repair or restoration works likely to be required in connection with such leased Real Property. The Company Group is in physical possession and actual and exclusive occupation of the whole of the leased Real Property subject to such Leases, none of which is subleased or assigned to another Person. Each Lease is a lease of all useable square footage of the premises located at each leased Real Property. To the Knowledge of the Company, the Company does not owe any brokerage commission with respect to any Real Property. To the Company’s Knowledge, there is no condemnation or similar proceeding pending or threatened with respect to any Real Property leased by the Company Group or any portion thereof.

 

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4.22 Tax Matters. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.22,

 

(a) (i) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has duly and timely filed all income and other material Tax Returns which are required to be filed by it, and has paid all material Taxes (whether or not shown on such Tax Returns) which have become due; (ii) all such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete and accurate in all material respects; (iii) there is no Action, assessment, deficiency or proposed adjustment with respect to a material amount of Taxes that has been asserted or assessed, or that is pending or proposed in writing, by any Authority against any member of the Company Group that remains unresolved or unpaid; (iv) no statute of limitations in respect of the assessment or collection of any Taxes of any member of the Company Group has been waived or extended (other than pursuant to extensions of time to file Tax Returns obtained in the ordinary course of business), which waiver or extension is in effect; (v) each member of the Company Group has duly withheld or collected and paid over to the applicable Taxing Authority in a timely manner all material Taxes required to be withheld or collected by such member of the Company Group in connection with any amounts paid or owing to any employee, creditor, independent contractor or other third party and has otherwise complied in all material respects with all applicable withholding and related reporting requirements with respect to such Taxes; (vi) each member of the Company Group has collected and remitted to the applicable Taxing Authority all material sales Taxes required to be collected by such member of the Company Group; (vii) no member of the Company Group has requested any letter ruling, technical advice, a change of any method of accounting, or any similar request that is in progress or pending with any Authority with respect to any Taxes; (viii) there is no Lien (other than Permitted Liens) for Taxes upon any of the assets of any member of the Company Group; (ix) no member of the Company Group has received any written request from a Taxing Authority in a jurisdiction where a member of the Company Group has not paid any Tax or filed Tax Returns asserting that a member of the Company Group is or may be subject to Tax in such jurisdiction, and no member of the Company Group has a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicable Tax treaty) or other fixed place of business in a country other than the country in which it is organized; (x) no member of the Company Group is a party to any Tax sharing, Tax indemnity or Tax allocation Contract (other than a contract entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, the primary purpose of which is not related to Taxes); (xi) no member of the Company Group has been a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group filing for U.S. federal, state or local income Tax purposes (other than a group the common parent of which was the Company or any of its Subsidiaries); (xii) no member of the Company Group has any liability for the Taxes of any other Person (other than the Company Group): (1) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of applicable Law), (2) as a transferee or successor or (3) otherwise by operation of applicable Law; (xiii) no member of the Company Group is a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code; (xiv) no member of the Company Group has been a party to any “reportable transaction” as defined in Section 6707A(c)(1) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b); and (xv) no member of the Company Group has been a party to any transaction treated by the parties as a distribution of stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code in the five (5) years prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

(b) No member of the Company Group will be required to include any material item of income or exclude any material item of deduction for any taxable period ending after the Closing Date as a result of: (i) adjustment under Section 481 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. income Tax Law) by reason of a change in method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date; (ii) any “closing agreement” described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. income Tax Law) executed on or before the Closing Date; (iii) any installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or before the Closing Date; (iv) any prepaid amount or deferred revenue realized or received on or before the Closing Date; (v) any intercompany transaction or excess loss account described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. income Tax Law); or (vi) election under Section 965 of the Code.

 

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(c) The Company is and has been treated as a C corporation for U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes since the date of its formation. Schedule 4.22(c) sets forth the U.S. federal income tax classification of each Subsidiary of the Company.

 

(d) No member of the Company Group is aware of any fact or circumstance, and has not knowingly taken or agreed to take any action, that would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Domestication from qualifying for the Domestication Intended Tax Treatment or the Merger from qualifying for the Merger Intended Tax Treatment.

 

4.23 Environmental Laws. The Company Group has complied and is in compliance with all Environmental Laws, and there are no Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company Group alleging any failure to so comply. The Company Group has not (a) received any written notice of any alleged claim, violation of or liability under any Environmental Law nor any claim of potential liability with regard to any Hazardous Material, which has not heretofore been cured or for which there is any remaining liability; (ii) disposed of, emitted, discharged, handled, stored, transported, used or released any Hazardous Material; arranged for the disposal, discharge, storage or release of any Hazardous Material; or exposed any employee or other individual or property to any Hazardous Material so as to give rise to any liability or corrective or remedial obligation under any Environmental Laws; or (iii) entered into any agreement that may require it to guarantee, reimburse, pledge, defend, hold harmless or indemnify any other Person with respect to liabilities arising out of Environmental Laws or the Hazardous Material Activity. There are no Hazardous Materials in, on or under any properties owned, leased or used at any time by the Company Group that could give rise to any liability or corrective or remedial obligation of the Company Group under any Environmental Laws.

 

4.24 Finders’ Fees. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.24, there is no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary which has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of the Company or any of its respective Affiliates who might be entitled to any fee or commission from the Company, Merger Sub, Parent or any of its respective Affiliates upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements.

 

4.25 Directors and Officers. Schedule 4.25 sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all directors and officers of the Company and each Subsidiary.

 

4.26 Certain Business Practices.

 

(a) The Company currently is and has at all times been, in compliance with applicable Laws related to (i) anti-corruption or anti-bribery, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, 15 U.S.C. §§78dd-1, et seq., and any other equivalent or comparable Laws of other countries (collectively, “Anti-Corruption Laws”), (ii) economic sanctions administered, enacted or enforced by any Authority (collectively, “Sanctions Laws”), (iii) export controls, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations, 15 C.F.R. §§730, et seq., and any other equivalent or comparable Laws of other countries (collectively, “Export Control Laws”), (iv) anti-money laundering, including the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, 18 U.S.C. §§1956, 1957, and any other equivalent or comparable Laws of other countries (collectively, “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”); (v) anti-boycott regulations, as administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce; and (vi) importation of goods, including Laws administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Title 19 of the U.S.C. and C.F.R., and any other equivalent or comparable Laws of other countries (collectively, “International Trade Control Laws”).

 

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(b) Neither the Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any Representative of the Company (acting on behalf of the Company), is or is acting under the direction of, on behalf of or for the benefit of a Person that is, (i) the subject of Sanctions Laws or identified on any sanctions or similar lists administered by an Authority, including the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Specially Designated Nationals List, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Denied Persons List and Entity List, the U.S. Department of State’s Debarred List, HM Treasury’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Bank List, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant Authority, as amended from time to time, or any Person owned or controlled by any of the foregoing (collectively, “Prohibited Party”); (ii) the target of any Sanctions Laws; (iii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is, or whose government is, the target of comprehensive trade sanctions under Sanctions Laws, including, as of the date of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria; or (iv) an officer or employee of any Authority or public international organization, or officer of a political party or candidate for political office. Neither the Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any Representative of the Company (acting on behalf of the Company), (A) has participated in any transaction involving a Prohibited Party, or a Person who is the target of any Sanctions Laws, or any country or territory that was during such period or is, or whose government was during such period or is, the target of comprehensive trade sanctions under Sanctions Laws, (B) to the Knowledge of the Company, has exported (including deemed exportation) or re-exported, directly or indirectly, any commodity, software, technology, or services in violation of any applicable Export Control Laws or (C) has participated in any transaction in violation of or connected with any purpose prohibited by Anti-Corruption Laws or any applicable International Trade Control Laws, including support for international terrorism and nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons proliferation.

 

(c) The Company has not received written notice of, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of its Representatives is or has been the subject of, any investigation, inquiry or enforcement proceedings by any Authority regarding any offense or alleged offense under Anti-Corruption Laws, Sanctions Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Export Control Laws or International Trade Control Laws (including by virtue of having made any disclosure relating to any offense or alleged offense) and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no circumstances likely to give rise to any such investigation, inquiry or proceeding.

 

4.27 Insurance. All forms of insurance owned or held by and insuring the Company Group are set forth on Schedule 4.27, and such policies are in full force and effect. All premiums with respect to such policies covering all periods up to and including the Closing Date have been or will be paid when due, no notice of cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such policy which was not replaced on substantially similar terms prior to the date of such cancellation or termination and there is no claim by the Company Group or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any other Person pending under any of such insurance policies as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed by the underwriters or issuers of such policies. There is no existing default or event which, with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute noncompliance with, or a default under, any such policy or entitle any insurer to terminate or cancel any such policy. Such policies will not in any way be affected by or terminate or lapse by reason of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements. The insurance policies to which the Company Group is a party are of at least like character and amount as are carried by like businesses similarly situated and sufficient for compliance with all requirements of all Material Contracts to which the Company Group is a party or by which the Company Group is bound. Since January 1, 2020, no member of the Company Group has been refused any insurance with respect to its assets or operations or had its coverage limited by any insurance carrier to which it has applied for any such insurance or with which it has carried insurance. No member of the Company Group has any self-insurance arrangements. No fidelity bonds, letters of credit, performance bonds or bid bonds have been issued to or in respect of any member of the Company Group.

 

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4.28 Related Party Transactions. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.28 or as contemplated by this Agreement, no Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, Company Shareholder, current or former director, manager, officer or employee of any Person in the Company or any immediate family member or Affiliate of any of the foregoing (a) is a party to any Contract, or has otherwise entered into any transaction, understanding or arrangement, with a member of the Company Group, (b) owns any asset, property or right, tangible or intangible, which is used by a member of the Company Group, or (c) is a borrower or lender, as applicable, under any Indebtedness owed by or to a member of the Company Group since January 1, 2020.

 

4.29 No Trading or Short Position. None of the Company Group or any of their respective managers and officers, members and employees has engaged in any short sale of Parent’s voting stock or any other type of hedging transaction involving Parent’s securities (including, without limitation, depositing shares of Parent’s securities with a brokerage firm where such securities are made available by the broker to other customers of the firm for purposes of hedging or short selling Parent’s securities).

 

4.30 Not an Investment Company. The Company is not an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

4.31 Exchange Act. No member of the Company Group is currently (nor has either previously been) subject to the requirements of Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

 

4.32 Top Customers and Top Suppliers.

 

(a) Schedule 4.32(a) sets forth, as of the date of this Agreement, the top ten (10) customers based on aggregate dollar value of the Company Group’s transaction volume with such counterparty (a “Top Customer”) and the top ten (10) vendors of the Company Group based on aggregate spend of such counterparty (a “Top Supplier”), in each case, during the trailing twelve (12) months for the period ending December 30, 2022.

 

(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.32(b), none of the Top Customers or Top Suppliers has, as of the date of this Agreement, informed in writing any of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries that it will, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, has threatened in writing to, terminate, cancel or materially limit or materially and adversely modify any of its existing business with a member of the Company Group (other than due to the expiration of an existing contractual arrangement), and to the knowledge of the Company, none of the Top Customers or Top Supplier is, as of the date of this Agreement, otherwise involved in or threatening a material dispute against a member of the Company Group or their respective businesses.

 

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ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB

 

Except as disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents filed with or furnished to the SEC prior to the date of this Agreement (to the extent the qualifying nature of such disclosure is reasonably apparent from the content of such Parent SEC Documents, but excluding any risk factor disclosures or other similar cautionary or predictive statements therein), it being acknowledged that nothing disclosed in such Parent SEC Documents shall be deemed to modify or qualify the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 5.1, 5.3 or 5.8, Parent and Merger Sub (the “Parent Parties”) hereby represent and warrant to the Company that each of the following representations and warranties are true, correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date:

 

5.1 Corporate Existence and Power. Parent is a company duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the Cayman Islands. The Merger Sub is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under the Laws of the State of Washington. Merger Sub does not hold and has not held any material assets or incurred any material liabilities, and has not carried on any business activities other than in connection with the Merger. Each of the Parent Parties has all requisite power and authority, corporate and otherwise, to own and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted.

 

5.2 Merger Sub. Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the Transactions and activities incidental thereto. Either Parent or a wholly owned (direct or indirect) Subsidiary of Parent owns beneficially and of record all of the outstanding capital stock of Merger Sub.

 

5.3 Corporate Authorization. Each of the Parent Parties has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, in the case of the Merger, subject to receipt of the Parent Shareholder Approval. The execution and delivery by each of the Parent Parties of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and the consummation by each of the Parent Parties of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of such Parent Party. No other corporate proceedings on the part of such Parent Party are necessary to authorize this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than, in the case of the Domestication and the Merger, the receipt of the Parent Shareholder Approval) or the Ancillary Agreements. This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which such Parent Party is a party have been duly executed and delivered by such Parent Party and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by each of the other parties hereto and thereto (other than a Parent Party), this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which such Parent Party is a party constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Parent Party, enforceable against such Parent Party in accordance with their respective terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. Approval of (i) the Parent Certificate of Incorporation and Parent Bylaws requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands Law, being an affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Parent Common Shares entitled to vote, who attend and vote thereupon (as determined in accordance with the Parent Articles), (ii) this Agreement, the Merger, the Issuance Proposal, the Board Proposal, the LTIP Proposal, and the Adjournment Proposal are subject to the passing of, in each case, an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands Law, being an affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Parent Common Shares entitled to vote, who attend and vote thereupon (as determined in accordance with the Parent Articles), (iii) the Domestication, a special resolution of the holder of the Parent Class B Ordinary Share, and (iv) with respect to any other proposal proposed to the holders of Parent Common Shares, the requisite approval required under the Parent Articles, the Cayman Companies Act or any other applicable Law, in each case, at Parent’s Shareholder Meeting. The affirmative vote or written consent of the sole shareholder of Merger Sub is the only vote of the holders of any of Merger Sub’s capital stock necessary to adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger and the consummation of the other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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5.4 Governmental Authorization. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 4.3, none of the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement by a Parent Party or the consummation by a Parent Party of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby requires any consent, approval, license or other action by or in respect of, or registration, declaration or filing with any Authority except for (a) any SEC or Nasdaq filings and approval required to consummate the transactions contemplated hereunder, (b) filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a Certificate of Domestication with respect to the Domestication, (c) filings required to be made with the Cayman Registrar in connection with the Domestication, and (d) the filing of the Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington pursuant to the WBCA.

 

5.5 Non-Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by a Parent Party of this Agreement or the consummation by a Parent Party of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (a) contravene or conflict with the organizational or constitutive documents of the Parent Parties, or (b) contravene or conflict with or constitute a violation of any provision of any Law or any Order binding upon the Parent Parties.

 

5.6 Finders’ Fees. Except for the Persons identified on Schedule 5.6, there is no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary which has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of the Parent Parties or their Affiliates who might be entitled to any fee or commission from the Company or any of its Affiliates upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements.

 

5.7 Issuance of Shares. The Aggregate Merger Consideration and the Earnout Shares, when issued in accordance with this Agreement, will be duly authorized and validly issued, and will be fully paid and nonassessable, and each such share comprising the Aggregate Merger Consideration and each Earnout Share shall be issued free and clear of preemptive rights and all Liens, other than transfer restrictions under applicable securities laws and the organizational or constitutive documents of Parent. The Aggregate Merger Consideration and the Earnout Shares shall be issued in compliance with all applicable securities Laws and other applicable Laws and without contravention of any other person’s rights therein or with respect thereto.

 

5.8 Capitalization.

 

(a) The authorized share capital of Parent consists of 200,000,000 Parent Class A Ordinary Shares, 20,000,000 Parent Class B Ordinary Shares and 1,000,000 preference shares, of which 11,485,530 Parent Class A Ordinary Shares (inclusive of Parent Class A Ordinary Shares included in any outstanding Parent Units), 1 Parent Class B Ordinary Share and 0 preference shares are issued and outstanding. In addition, 16,699,626 Parent Warrants (inclusive of Parent Public Warrants and Parent Private Warrants included in any outstanding Parent Units), exercisable for 16,699,626 Parent Class A Ordinary Shares, are issued and outstanding. No other shares of capital stock or other voting securities of Parent are issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. All issued and outstanding Parent Common Shares are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are not subject to, and were not issued in violation of, any purchase option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of the Cayman Companies Act, Parent’s organizational documents or any contract to which Parent is a party or by which Parent is bound. All outstanding Parent Warrants have been duly authorized and validly issued and constitute valid and binding obligations of Parent, enforceable against Parent in accordance with their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions and are not subject to, and were not issued in violation of, any purchase option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of the Cayman Companies Act, Parent’s organizational documents or any contract to which Parent is a party or by which Parent is bound. Except as set forth in Parent’s organizational documents or Section 8.10, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of Parent to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Parent Common Shares or any capital equity of Parent. There are no outstanding contractual obligations of Parent to provide funds to, or make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in, any other Person. All outstanding Parent Units, Parent Common Shares and Parent Warrants have been issued in compliance with all applicable securities and other applicable Laws and were issued free and clear of all Liens other than transfer restrictions under applicable securities Laws and the organizational or constitute documents of Parent.

 

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(b) Merger Sub is authorized to issue 10 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Merger Sub Common Stock”), of which 10 shares of Merger Sub Common Stock are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof. No other shares of capital stock or other voting securities of Merger Sub are issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. All issued and outstanding shares of Merger Sub Common Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are not subject to, and were not issued in violation of, any purchase option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of the WBCA, Merger Sub’s organizational documents or any contract to which Merger Sub is a party or by which Merger Sub is bound. There are no outstanding contractual obligations of Merger Sub to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of Merger Sub Common Stock or any equity capital of Merger Sub. There are no outstanding contractual obligations of Merger Sub to provide funds to, or make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in, any other Person.

 

5.9 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Parent Parties expressly for inclusion, or for mailing with, the Registration Statement, Proxy Statement/Prospectus or other Offer Documents will, (a) when the Registration Statement is first filed, (b) on the effective date of the Registration Statement, (c) on the date when the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is mailed to the Parent’s shareholders and (d) at the time of the Parent Shareholder Meeting, as the case may be, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading (subject to the qualifications and limitations set forth in the materials provided by Parent or included in the Parent SEC Documents, the Additional Parent SEC Documents, the Registration Statement or any Other Filing).

 

5.10 Trust Fund. As of the date of this Agreement, Parent has approximately $25,000,000 in the trust account established by Parent for the benefit of its public shareholders (the “Trust Account”) maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”)and held in trust by the Trustee pursuant to the Investment Management Trust Agreement dated as of March 18, 2021, between Parent and the Trustee (the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust Agreement is valid and in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions, and has not been amended or modified except as set forth in the Parent SEC Documents. There are no separate agreements, side letters or other agreements or understandings (whether written or unwritten, express or implied) that would cause the description of the Trust Agreement in the Parent SEC Documents to be inaccurate in any material respect or that would entitle any Person (other than public shareholders of Parent holding Parent Class A Ordinary Shares sold in Parent’s IPO who shall have elected to redeem their Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Parent Articles) to any portion of the proceeds in the Trust Account. Prior to the Closing, none of the funds held in the Trust Account may be released except in accordance with the Trust Agreement and the Parent Articles. Parent has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it to date under, and is not in material default or delinquent in performance or any other respect (claimed or actual) in connection with, the Trust Agreement, and no event has occurred which, with due notice or lapse of time or both, would reasonably be expected to constitute such a material default thereunder. There are no claims or proceedings pending with respect to the Trust Account. Since March 18, 2021, Parent has not released any money from the Trust Account (other than as permitted by the Trust Agreement). As of the Effective Time, (i) the obligations of Parent to dissolve or liquidate pursuant to the Parent Articles shall terminate, and (ii) Parent shall have no obligation whatsoever pursuant to the Parent Articles to dissolve and liquidate the assets of Parent by reason of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Following the Effective Time, no shareholder of Parent shall be entitled to receive any amount from the Trust Account except to the extent a Parent’s public shareholder shall have elected to tender its Parent Class A Ordinary Shares for redemption pursuant to the Parent Articles.

 

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5.11 Listing. The issued and outstanding Parent Units are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “BYTSU”. The issued and outstanding Parent Class A Ordinary Shares are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “BYTS”. The issued and outstanding Parent Warrants are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “BYTSW”. Since its initial public offering, Parent has complied in all material respects with all applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of Nasdaq. As of the date of this Agreement, there is no Action or proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened against Parent by the Nasdaq or the SEC with respect to any intention by such entity to deregister the Parent Units, the Parent Class A Ordinary Shares, or the Parent Warrants or prohibit or terminate the listing of the Parent Units, the Parent Class A Ordinary Shares, or the Parent Warrants on the Nasdaq or prohibit the transfer of the listing to an Alternate Exchange. None of Parent, Merger Sub or their respective Affiliates has taken any action in an attempt to terminate the registration of the Parent Units, the Parent Class A Ordinary Shares, or the Parent Warrants under the Exchange Act except as contemplated by this Agreement.

 

5.12 Board Approval.

 

(a) Parent’s Board of Directors (including any required committee or subgroup of such board) has unanimously (i) declared the advisability of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) determined that the transactions contemplated hereby are in the best interests of the shareholders of Parent and (iii) determined that the transactions contemplated hereby constitutes a “Business Combination” as such term is defined in the Parent Articles and (iv) recommended to the Parent’s shareholders to adopt and approve each of the Parent Proposals (“Parent Board Recommendation”).

 

(b) The Merger Sub’s Board of Directors has, as of the date of this Agreement, unanimously (i) declared the advisability of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) determined that the transactions contemplated hereby are in the best interests of its sole shareholder.

 

5.13 Parent SEC Documents and Financial Statements.

 

(a) Parent has filed all forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents, including any exhibits thereto, required to be filed or furnished by Parent with the SEC since Parent’s formation under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, together with any amendments, restatements or supplements thereto, and will use commercially reasonable efforts to file all such forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents required to be filed subsequent to the date of this Agreement (the “Additional Parent SEC Documents”). Parent has made available to the Company copies in the form filed with the SEC of all of the following, except to the extent available in full without redaction on the SEC’s website through EDGAR for at least two (2) Business Days prior to the date of this Agreement: (i) Parent’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for each fiscal year of Parent beginning with the first year that Parent was required to file such a form, (ii) all proxy statements relating to Parent’s meetings of shareholders (whether annual or special) held, and all information statements relating to shareholder consents, since the beginning of the first fiscal year referred to in clause (i) above, (iii) its Form 8-Ks filed since the beginning of the first fiscal year referred to in clause (i) above, and (iv) all other forms, reports, registration statements and other documents (other than preliminary materials if the corresponding definitive materials have been provided to the Company pursuant to this Section 5.13) filed by Parent with the SEC since Parent’s formation (the forms, reports, registration statements and other documents referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above, whether or not available through EDGAR, collectively, as they have been amended, revised or superseded by a later filing, the “Parent SEC Documents”).

 

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(b) Parent SEC Documents were, and the Additional Parent SEC Documents will be, prepared in all material respects in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations thereunder. Parent SEC Documents did not, and the Additional Parent SEC Documents will not, at the time they were or are filed, as the case may be, with the SEC (except to the extent that information contained in any Parent SEC Document or Additional Parent SEC Document has been or is amended, revised or superseded by a later filed Parent SEC Document or Additional Parent SEC Document, then on the date of such filing) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the foregoing does not apply to statements in or omissions in any information supplied or to be supplied by the Company expressly for inclusion in the Registration Statement or Other Filing.

 

(c) As used in this Section 5.13, the term “file” shall be broadly construed to include any manner in which a document or information is furnished, supplied or otherwise made available to the SEC.

 

(d) Except as not required in reliance on exemptions from various reporting requirements by virtue of Parent’s status as an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, or “smaller reporting company” within the meaning of the Exchange Act, since its initial public offering, (i) Parent has established and maintained a system of internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 and Rule 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of Parent’s financial reporting and the preparation of Parent’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP and (ii) Parent has established and maintained disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 and Rule 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) designed to ensure that material information relating to Parent is made known to Parent’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer by others within Parent. Parent maintains and, for all periods covered by the Parent Financial Statements, has maintained Books and Records of Parent in the ordinary course of business in accordance with GAAP in all material respects and other applicable legal and accounting requirements.

 

(e) Parent has not taken any action prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

(f) The Parent SEC Documents contain true and complete copies of the applicable Parent Financial Statements. Except as disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents, the Parent Financial Statements (i) fairly present in all material respects the financial position of Parent as at the respective dates thereof, and the results of its operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the respective periods then ended (subject, in the case of any unaudited interim financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments (none of which is material) and the absence of footnotes), (ii) were prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (subject, in the case of any unaudited financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments (none of which is material) and the absence of footnotes), (iii) in the case of the audited Parent Financial Statements, were audited in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and (iv) comply in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements and with the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Exchange Act and the Securities Act in effect as of the respective dates thereof (including Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable).

 

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(g) Except as disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents, Parent has not received any written complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that there is (i) a “significant deficiency” in the internal controls over financial reporting of Parent to Parent’s Knowledge, (ii) a “material weakness” in the internal controls over financial reporting of Parent to Parent’s Knowledge or (iii) fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees of Parent who have a significant role in the internal controls over financial reporting of Parent.

 

5.14 Certain Business Practices. Neither Parent nor, to the Knowledge of Parent, any Representative of Parent (acting on behalf of Parent), has: (a) used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity, (b) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials, employees or political parties or campaigns, (c) violated any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or (d) made any other unlawful payment. Neither Parent nor any director, officer, or to the Knowledge of Parent, any agent or employee of Parent (nor any Person acting on behalf of any of the foregoing, but solely in his or her capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of Parent) has, since the IPO, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any gift or similar benefit in any material amount to any customer, supplier, governmental employee or other Person in order to assist Parent in connection with any actual or proposed transaction, which, if not given or continued in the future, would reasonably be expected to (i) adversely affect the business of Parent and (ii) subject Parent to suit or penalty in any private or governmental Action.

 

5.15 Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The operations of Parent are and have been at all times conducted in compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering Laws, and no Action involving Parent with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened.

 

5.16 Affiliate Transactions. Except as described in Parent SEC Documents, there are no transactions, agreements, arrangements or understandings between Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any director, officer, employee, shareholder, warrant holder or Affiliate of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, on the other hand.

 

5.17 Litigation. There is no (a) Action pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or that affects its or their assets or properties, or (b) Order outstanding against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or that affects its or their assets or properties. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is party to a settlement or similar agreement regarding any of the matters set forth in the preceding sentence that contains any ongoing obligations, restrictions or liabilities (of any nature) that are material to Parent and its Subsidiaries.

 

5.18 Expenses, Indebtedness and Other Liabilities. Except as set forth in Parent SEC Documents, Parent does not have any Indebtedness or other liabilities.

 

5.19 Brokers and Other Advisors. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries except for Persons, if any, whose fees and expenses shall be paid by Parent.

 

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5.20 Tax Matters.

 

(a) (i) Parent has duly and timely filed all income and other material Tax Returns which are required to be filed it, and has paid all material Taxes (whether or not shown on such Tax Returns) which have become due; (ii) all such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete and accurate in all material respects; (iii) there is no Action, assessment, deficiency or proposed adjustment with respect to a material amount of Taxes that has been asserted or assessed, or that is pending or proposed in writing, by any Authority against Parent that remains unresolved or unpaid of; (iv) no statute of limitations in respect of the assessment or collection of any Taxes of Parent has been waived or extended (other than pursuant to extensions of time to file Tax Returns obtained in the ordinary course of business), which waiver or extension is in effect; (v) Parent has collected and remitted to the applicable Taxing Authority all material sales Taxes required to be collected by Parent; (vi) Parent has duly withheld or collected and paid over to the applicable Taxing Authority in a timely manner all material Taxes required to be withheld or collected by Parent in connection with any amounts paid or owing to any employee, creditor, independent contractor or other third party and has otherwise complied in all material respects with all applicable withholding and related reporting requirements with respect to such Taxes; (vii) Parent has not requested any letter ruling, technical advice, a change of any method of accounting, or any similar request that is in progress or pending with any Authority with respect to any Taxes; (viii) there is no Lien (other than liens for Taxes (i) not yet due and delinquent or (ii) which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings (and for which adequate accruals or reserves have been established on the Parent Financial Statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP)) for Taxes upon any of the assets of Parent; (ix) Parent has not received any written request from a Taxing Authority in a jurisdiction where Parent has not paid any Tax or filed Tax Returns asserting that Parent is or may be subject to Tax in such jurisdiction, and Parent does not have a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicable Tax treaty) or other fixed place of business in a country other than the country in which it is organized; (x) Parent is not a party to any Tax sharing, Tax indemnity or Tax allocation Contract (other than a contract entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, the primary purpose of which is not related to Taxes); (xi) Parent has not been a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group filing for U.S. federal, state or local income Tax purposes (other than a group the common parent of which was the Parent); (xii) Parent has no liability for the Taxes of any other Person: (1) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of applicable Law), (2) as a transferee or successor or (3) otherwise by operation of applicable Law; (xiii) the Parent is not a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code; and (xiv) the Parent has not been a party to any “reportable transaction” as defined in Section 6707A(c)(1) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b).

 

(b) Parent will not be required to include any material item of income or exclude any material item of deduction for any taxable period ending after the Closing Date as a result of: (i) any adjustment under Section 481 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-US. Income Tax Law) by reason of a change in method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date; (ii) any “closing agreement” described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. income Tax Law)executed on or before the Closing Date; (iii) any installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or before the Closing Date; (iv) any prepaid amount or deferred revenue realized or received on or before the Closing Date; (v) any intercompany transaction or excess loss account described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. income Tax Law); or (vi) election under Section 965 of the Code.

 

(c) Parent is not aware of any fact or circumstance, and has not knowingly taken or agreed to take any action, that would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Domestication from qualifying for the Domestication Intended Tax Treatment or the Merger from qualifying for the Merger Intended Tax Treatment.

 

5.21 Not an Investment Company. Parent is not an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES PENDING CLOSING

 

6.1 Conduct of the Business. Each of the Company and Parent covenants and agrees that:

 

(a) Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or as set forth on Schedule 6.1(a), from the date hereof until the earlier of the Closing Date and the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms (the “Interim Period”), each party shall conduct its business only in the ordinary course (including the payment of accounts payable and the collection of accounts receivable), consistent with past practices and use its commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact its business and assets. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or as set forth on Schedule 6.1(a), or as required by applicable Law, from the date hereof until the earlier of the Closing Date and the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, without the other party’s prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed), neither the Company, Parent, nor any of their Subsidiaries, shall be permitted to:

 

(i) amend, modify or supplement its articles of incorporation or bylaws, memorandum and articles of association or other organizational or governing documents except as contemplated hereby, or engage in any reorganization, reclassification, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction;

 

(ii) amend, waive any provision of, terminate prior to its scheduled expiration date, or otherwise compromise in any way or relinquish any material right under, any (A) in the case of the Company Group, any Material Contract or Lease or (B) in the case of Parent, material contract, agreement, lease, license or other right or asset of Parent, as applicable;

 

(iii) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, modify, amend or enter into any contract, agreement, lease, license or commitment that extends for a term of one year or more or obligates the payment by any member of the Company Group or Parent, as applicable, of more than $250,000 (individually or in the aggregate);

 

(iv) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, make any capital expenditures in excess of $250,000 (individually or in the aggregate);

 

(v) sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any of the Company Group’s or Parent’s, as applicable, material assets, except pursuant to existing contracts or commitments disclosed herein or in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

 

(vi) solely in the case of the Company Group, (i) transfer, sell, assign, lease, license, sublicense, covenant not to assert, encumber, subject to a Lien (other than a Permitted Lien), abandon, allow to lapse, or otherwise dispose of any right, title or interest of the Company or its Subsidiaries in Company Owned IP (other than non-exclusive licenses of Company Owned IP granted to customers, end users, or service providers granted in the ordinary course of business); (ii) disclose any Trade Secrets to any third party (other than pursuant to a written confidentiality agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business that contains reasonable protections therefor); or (iii) subject any source code for any Company Software to any Copyleft Licenses;

 

(vii) (A) pay, declare or promise to pay any dividends, distributions or other amounts with respect to its capital stock or other equity securities; (B) pay, declare or promise to pay any other amount to any shareholder or other equityholder in its capacity as such; and (C) except as contemplated hereby or by any Ancillary Agreement, amend any term, right or obligation with respect to any outstanding shares of its capital stock or other equity securities;

 

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(viii) (A) make any loan, advance or capital contribution to any Person; (B) incur any Indebtedness including drawings under the lines of credit, in the case of the Company Group, in excess of an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 or such lesser amount if the aggregate principal amount of such new Indebtedness together with the aggregate principal amount all other Indebtedness of the Company Group would exceed $1,000,000 other than (1) loans evidenced by promissory notes made to Parent as working capital advances as described in the Prospectus and (2) intercompany Indebtedness; or (C) repay or satisfy any Indebtedness, other than the repayment of Indebtedness in accordance with the terms thereof;

 

(ix) suffer or incur any Lien, except for Permitted Liens, on the Company’s or its Subsidiaries or Parent’s, as applicable, assets;

 

(x) delay, accelerate or cancel, or waive any material right with respect to, any receivables or Indebtedness owed to a member of the Company Group or write off or make reserves against the same (other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice);

 

(xi) merge or consolidate or enter a similar transaction with, or acquire all or substantially all of the assets or business of, any other Person; make any material investment in any Person; or be acquired by any other Person;

 

(xii) terminate or allow to lapse any insurance policy protecting any of the Company Group’s or Parent’s, as applicable, assets, unless simultaneously with such termination or lapse, a replacement policy underwritten by an insurance company of nationally recognized standing having comparable deductions and providing coverage equal to or greater than the coverage under the terminated or lapsed policy for substantially similar premiums or less is in full force and effect;

 

(xiii) waive, release, institute, compromise, settle or agree to settle any Legal Proceeding or any Action before any Authority, in each case, where such waiver, release, institution, compromise or settlement is in excess of $500,000 (exclusive of any amounts covered by insurance) or that imposes injunctive or other non-monetary relief on such party;

 

(xiv) except as required by U.S. GAAP, make any material change in its accounting principles, methods or practices or write down the value of its assets;

 

(xv) except in connection with the exercise of rights under securities set forth on Schedule 4.5(a), issue, redeem or repurchase any capital stock, membership interests or other securities, or issue any securities exchangeable for or convertible into any shares of its capital stock or other securities, amend, modify or waive any of the material terms or rights set forth in any Parent Warrant or the Parent Warrant Agreement, including any amendment, modification or reduction of the warrant price set forth therein, other than any redemption by Parent of Parent Class A Ordinary Shares and Parent Units held by its public shareholders pursuant to the Parent Articles or as otherwise contemplated herein or in any Ancillary Agreement;

 

(xvi) (A) make, change or revoke any election in respect of material Taxes; (B) amend, modify or otherwise change any filed material Tax Return, (C) adopt or request permission of any Taxing Authority to change any accounting method in respect of material Taxes, (D) settle or compromise any claim, notice, audit report or assessment in respect of material Taxes; (E) enter into any Tax allocation, Tax sharing, Tax indemnity or other closing agreement relating to any Taxes; (F) surrender or forfeit any right to claim a material Tax refund, (G) consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of material Taxes or in respect to any material Tax attribute that would give rise to any claim or assessment of Taxes, or (H) knowingly take any action, or knowingly fail to take any action, which action or failure to act prevents or impedes, or could reasonably be expected to prevent or impede, the Domestication Intended Tax Treatment or the Merger Intended Tax Treatment;

 

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(xvii) enter into any transaction with or distribute or advance any material assets or property to any of its Affiliates, other than the payment of salary and benefits in the ordinary course;

 

(xviii) solely in the case of the Company Group, other than as required by Law or by the terms of a Plan (A) increase the compensation, bonus, pension, welfare, fringe or other benefits, severance or termination pay of any of any employee of a member of the Company Group or service provider of a member of the Company Group at the level of manager or above, except for annual compensation increases not to exceed 5% in the aggregate, (B) accelerate the vesting or payment of any compensation or benefits of any employee or service provider of the Company, (C) enter into, amend, terminate, amend the actuarial assumptions used in respect of any Plan (or any plan, program, agreement or arrangement that would be a Plan if in effect on the date hereof) or grant, amend or terminate any awards thereunder, (D) make any loan to any present or former employee or other individual service provider of the Company, other than advancement of expenses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, (E) enter into, amend or terminate any collective bargaining agreement or other agreement with a labor union or labor organization; (F) adopt any severance or retention plan; (G) cause the funding of any rabbi trust or similar arrangement or take any action to fund or in any other way secure the payment of compensation or benefits under any Plan; (I) forgive any loans, or issue any loans (other than routine travel advances issued in the ordinary course of business) to any of Company Group’s directors, officers, contractors or employees; (J) hire or engage any new employee or consultant if such new employee or consultant will receive annual base compensation in excess of $500,000; or (K) waive any restrictive covenants with respect to any Company Group employee or service provider;

 

(xix) fail to duly observe and conform to any applicable Laws and Orders;

 

(xx) solely in the case of the Company Group, (A) limit the right of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries to engage in any line of business or in any geographic area, to develop, market or sell products or services, or to compete with any Person or (B) grant any exclusive or similar rights to any Person, in each case, except where such limitation or grant does not, and would not be reasonably likely to, individually or in the aggregate, materially and adversely affect, or materially disrupt, the ordinary course operation of the businesses of the Company Group, taken as a whole; or

 

(xxi) agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.

 

(b) Neither party shall (i) take or agree to take any action that would be reasonably likely to cause any representation or warranty of such party to be inaccurate or misleading in any respect at, or as of any time prior to, the Closing Date or (ii) omit to take, or agree to omit to take, any action necessary to prevent any such representation or warranty from being inaccurate or misleading in any respect at any such time.

 

(c) Nothing in this Agreement is intended to give Parent or Merger Sub, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the Company’s operations prior to the Closing Date, and nothing in this Agreement is intended to give the Company, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct Parent’s or its Subsidiaries’ operations prior to the Closing Date. Prior to the Closing Date, each of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its and its Subsidiaries’ respective operations.

 

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6.2 Exclusivity.

 

(a) During the Interim Period, no member of the Company Group, on the one hand, nor Parent, on the other hand, shall, and such Persons shall cause their respective Representatives not to, without the prior written consent of the other party (which consent may be withheld in the sole and absolute discretion of the party asked to provide consent), directly or indirectly, (i) encourage, solicit, initiate, engage or participate in negotiations with any Person concerning any Alternative Transaction, (ii) take any other action intended or designed to facilitate the efforts of any Person relating to a possible Alternative Transaction, (iii) approve, recommend or enter into any Alternative Transaction or any contract or agreement related to any Alternative Transaction or (iv) otherwise cooperate in any way with, or assist or participate in, or knowingly facilitate or encourage any effort or attempt by any Person to do or seek to do any of the foregoing. Immediately following the execution of this Agreement, the Company, on the one hand, and Parent, on the other hand, shall, and shall cause each of their Representatives, to cease and terminate any discussion or negotiations that may be ongoing with any Persons other than the Company or Parent, as applicable, concerning any Alternative Transaction. Each of the Company and Parent shall be responsible for any acts or omissions of any of its respective Representatives that, if they were the acts or omissions of the Company or Parent, as applicable, would be deemed a breach of such party’s obligations hereunder (it being understood that such responsibility shall be in addition to and not by way of limitation of any right or remedy the Company or Parent, as applicable, may have against such Representatives with respect to any such acts or omissions). For purposes of this Agreement, except as disclosed on Schedule 6.2(a), the term “Alternative Transaction” means any of the following transactions involving the Company or the Company’s Subsidiaries or Parent or Parent’s Subsidiaries (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements): (A) any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or other similar transaction, (B) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of all or a material portion of the assets of such Person (other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business) or any capital stock or other equity interests of the Company, Parent, or its Subsidiaries in a single transaction or series of transactions, (C) with respect to Parent, any other Business Combination or (D) with respect to the Company Group, any public offering of any equity securities of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or a newly formed holding company of the Company or such Subsidiaries.

 

(b) In the event that there is a proposal for, or an indication of interest in entering into, an Alternative Transaction, communicated in writing to the Company or Parent or any of their respective Representatives (each, an “Alternative Proposal”), such party shall as promptly as practicable (and in any event within one (1) Business Day after receipt thereof) advise the other parties to this Agreement, orally and in writing, of such Alternative Proposal and the material terms and conditions thereof (including any changes thereto) and the identity of the Person making any such Alternative Proposal. The Company and Parent shall keep each other informed on a reasonably current basis of material developments with respect to any such Alternative Proposal. As used herein with respect to Parent, the term “Alternative Proposal” shall not include the receipt by Parent of any unsolicited communications (including the receipt of draft non-disclosure agreements) in the ordinary course of business inquiring as to Parent’s interest in a potential target for a business combination; provided, however, that Parent shall inform the person initiating such communication of the existence of this Agreement.

 

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6.3 Access to Information. During the Interim Period, the Company and Parent shall each, use its commercially reasonable efforts to, (a) continue to give the other party, its legal counsel and its other Representatives full access to the offices, properties and Books and Records, (b) furnish to the other party, its legal counsel and its other Representatives such information relating to the business of the Company or Parent as such Persons may request and (c) cause its employees, legal counsel, accountants and other Representatives to cooperate with the other party in its investigation of the Business (in the case of the Company) or the business of Parent (in the case of Parent); provided, that no investigation pursuant to this Section 6.3 (or any investigation made prior to the date hereof) shall affect any representation or warranty given by the Company or Parent; and provided, further, that any investigation pursuant to this Section 6.3 shall be conducted in such manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the conduct of the Business of the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary expressed or implied in this Agreement, neither party shall be required to provide the access described above or disclose any information to the other party if doing so is, in such party’s reasonable judgement, reasonably likely to (i) result in a waiver of attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine or similar privilege or (ii) violate any contract to which it is a party or to which it is subject or applicable Law.

 

6.4 Notices of Certain Events. During the Interim Period, each of Parent and the Company shall promptly notify the other party of:

 

(a) any notice from any Person alleging or raising the possibility that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement might give rise to any Action or other rights by or on behalf of such Person or result in the loss of any rights or privileges of the Company (or Parent, post-Closing) to any such Person or create any Lien on any of the Company’s or Parent’s assets;

 

(b) any notice or other communication from any Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements;

 

(c) any Actions commenced or threatened against, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting either party or any of their shareholders or their equity, assets or business or that relate to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements;

 

(d) any written notice from Nasdaq with respect to the listing of the securities of Parent;

 

(e) the occurrence of any fact or circumstance which constitutes or results, or would reasonably be expected to constitute or result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(f) any inaccuracy of any representation or warranty of such party contained in this Agreement at any time during the term hereof, or any failure of such party to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it hereunder, that would reasonably be expected to cause any of the conditions set forth in ARTICLE IX not to be satisfied.

 

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6.5 Registration Statement/Proxy Statement; Other Filings.

 

(a) As promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, Parent and the Company shall jointly prepare and Parent shall file with the SEC, and with all other applicable regulatory bodies, mutually acceptable proxy materials for the purpose of soliciting proxies from holders of Parent Common Shares sufficient to obtain Parent Shareholder Approval at a meeting of holders of Parent Common Shares to be called and held for such purpose (the “Parent Shareholder Meeting”). Such proxy materials shall be in the form of a proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”), which shall be included in a Registration Statement on Form S-4, or other appropriate form, including any pre-effective or post-effective amendments or supplements thereto (the “Registration Statement”), filed by Parent with the SEC, which shall also include a prospectus (such prospectus, together with the Proxy Statement and any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) pursuant to which the securities of Parent issuable in the Domestication and Merger shall be registered. Parent shall promptly respond to any SEC comments on the Registration Statement.  Parent also agrees to use its best efforts to obtain all necessary state securities law or “Blue Sky” permits and approvals required to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Company shall furnish all information concerning the Company Group and any of its respective members or shareholders as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such action. Each of Parent and the Company agrees, as promptly as reasonably practicable, to furnish to the other party all information concerning itself, its Subsidiaries, officers, directors, managers, shareholders, and other equityholders and information regarding such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable or as may be reasonably requested in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, a Current Report on Form 8-K pursuant to the Exchange Act in connection with the signing of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, a Current Report on Form 8-K pursuant to the Exchange Act in connection with the Closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or any other statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of Parent, the Company or their respective Subsidiaries to any regulatory authority (including Nasdaq) in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby (the “Offer Documents”).

 

(b) Parent (i) shall permit the Company and its counsel to review and comment on the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus and any exhibits, amendments or supplements thereto (or other related documents); (ii) shall consider any such comments reasonably and in good faith; and (iii) shall not file the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any exhibit, amendment or supplement thereto without giving reasonable and good faith consideration to the comments of the Company. As promptly as practicable after receipt thereof, Parent shall provide to the Company and its counsel notice and a copy of all correspondence (or, to the extent such correspondence is oral, a summary thereof), including any comments from the SEC or its staff, between Parent or any of its Representatives, on the one hand, and the SEC or its staff or other government officials, on the other hand, with respect to the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and, in each case, shall consult with the Company and its counsel concerning any such correspondence. Parent shall not file any response letters to any comments from the SEC without consulting reasonably and in good faith with the Company. Parent will use its reasonable efforts to permit the Company’s counsel to participate in any calls, meetings or other communications with the SEC or its staff. Parent will advise the Company, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto has been filed with the SEC and the time when the Registration Statement is declared effective or any stop order relating to the Registration Statement is issued.

 

(c) As soon as practicable following the date on which the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, Parent shall distribute the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to the holders of Parent Common Shares and, pursuant thereto, shall call the Parent Shareholder Meeting in accordance with its organizational documents, the applicable Nasdaq rules and the applicable Laws of the Cayman Islands and, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, solicit proxies from such holders to vote in favor of the adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the transactions contemplated hereby and the other proposals presented to the holders of Parent Common Shares for approval or adoption at the Parent Shareholder Meeting.

 

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(d) Parent shall comply with all applicable provisions of and rules under the Securities Act and Exchange Act, the applicable Nasdaq rules and all applicable Laws of the Cayman Islands and the State of Delaware, in the preparation, filing and distribution of the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), as applicable, the solicitation of proxies under the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the calling and holding of the Parent Shareholder Meeting. Without limiting the foregoing, Parent shall ensure that each of the Registration Statement, as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as of the date on which it is first distributed to the holders of Parent Common Shares, and as of the date of the Parent Shareholder Meeting, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided, that Parent shall not be responsible for the accuracy or completeness of any information relating to the Company (or any other information) that is furnished by the Company expressly for inclusion in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus). The Company represents and warrants that the information relating to the Company supplied by the Company for inclusion in the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as applicable, will not as of the effective date of the Registration Statement and the date on which the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) is first distributed to the holders of Parent Common Shares or at the time of the Parent Shareholder Meeting does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If at any time prior to the Effective Time, a change in the information relating to Parent or the Company or any other information furnished by Parent, Merger Sub or the Company for inclusion in the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which would make the preceding two sentences incorrect, should be discovered by Parent, Merger Sub or the Company, as applicable, such party shall promptly notify the other parties of such change or discovery and an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information shall be promptly filed with the SEC and, to the extent required by Law, disseminated to the holders of Parent Common Shares. In connection therewith, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company shall instruct their respective employees, counsel, financial advisors, auditors and other authorized representatives to reasonably cooperate with Parent as relevant if required to achieve the foregoing.

 

(e) In accordance with the Parent Articles and applicable securities laws, rules and regulations, including the Cayman Companies Act and rules and regulations of Nasdaq, in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, Parent shall seek from the holders of Parent Common Shares the approval the following proposals: (i) the Parent Shareholder Approval; (ii) amendment and restatement of Parent’s organizational documents, in the form attached as Exhibits A and B to this Agreement (with such changes as may be agreed in writing by Parent and the Company, including a change of Parent’s name to “Airship AI Holdings, Inc.”) (as may be subsequently amended by mutual written agreement of Parent and the Company at any time before the effectiveness of the Registration Statement) in connection with the Domestication, including any separate or unbundled proposals as are required to implement the foregoing; (iii) approval of the issuance Parent Common Shares in connection with the Domestication, the Merger under applicable exchange listing rules (the “Issuance Proposal”); (iv) approval of the Parent Equity Incentive Plan (the “LTIP Proposal”) (the proposals set forth in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv), the “Required Parent Proposals”); (v) approval of Parent’s post-closing Board of Directors (the “Board Proposal”); (vi) approval to obtain any and all other approvals necessary or advisable to effect the consummation of the Merger as reasonably determined by the Company and Parent; and (vii) approval to adjourn the Parent Shareholder Meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies because there are not sufficient votes to approve and adopt any of the foregoing, or otherwise if additional time is needed to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (the “Adjournment Proposal”) (the proposals set forth in the forgoing clauses (i) through (vii) collectively, the “Parent Proposals”).

 

(f) Parent, with the assistance of the Company, shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to “clear” comments from the SEC and the Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as reasonably practicable thereafter. As soon as practicable after the Registration Statement is “cleared” by the SEC, Parent shall cause the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, together will all other Offer Documents, to be disseminated to holders of Parent Common Shares. The Offer Documents shall provide the public shareholders of Parent with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Parent Class A Ordinary Shares at a price per share equal to the pro rata share of the funds in the Trust Account, all in accordance with and as required by the Parent Articles, the Trust Agreement, applicable Law and any applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. In accordance with the Parent Articles, the proceeds held in the Trust Account will first be used for the redemption of the Parent Class A Ordinary Shares held by Parent’s public shareholders who have elected to redeem such shares.

 

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(g) Parent shall call and hold the Parent Shareholder Meeting as promptly as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement for the purpose of seeking the approval of each of the Parent Proposals, and Parent shall consult in good faith with the Company with respect to the date on which such meeting is to be held. Parent shall use reasonable best efforts to solicit from its shareholders proxies in favor of the approval and adoption of the Parent Proposals. Parent’s Board of Directors shall recommend that the holders of Parent Common Shares vote in favor of the Parent Proposals.

 

(h) The Company acknowledges that a substantial portion of the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus shall include disclosure regarding the Company and its management, operations and financial condition. Accordingly, the Company agrees to as promptly as reasonably practical provide Parent with such information as shall be reasonably requested by Parent for inclusion in or attachment to the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus, and that such information is accurate in all material respects and complies as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The Company understands that such information shall be included in the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus or responses to comments from the SEC or its staff in connection therewith. In connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto, the Company shall reasonably cooperate with the Parent and shall make their directors, officers and appropriate senior employees reasonably available to Parent and its counsel in connection with the drafting of such filings and mailings and responding in a timely manner to comments from the SEC.

 

(i) Except as otherwise required by applicable Law, Parent covenants that none of Parent, Parent’s Board of Directors nor any committee thereof shall withdraw or modify, or propose publicly or by formal action of Parent, Parent’s Board of Directors or any committee thereof to withdraw or modify, in any manner adverse to the Company, the Parent Board Recommendation.

 

(j) Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreements, Parent may make any public filing with respect to the Merger to the extent required by applicable Law, provided that prior to making any filing that includes information regarding the Company, Parent shall provide a copy of the filing to the Company and permit the Company to make revisions to protect confidential or proprietary information of the Company.

 

6.6 Trust Account. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in ARTICLE IX and provision of notice thereof to the Trustee (which notice Parent shall provide to the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement), (i) in accordance with and pursuant to the Trust Agreement, Parent (a) shall cause any documents, opinions and notices required to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to the Trust Agreement to be so delivered and (b) shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Trustee to, and the Trustee shall thereupon be obligated to (1) immediately prior to the Domestication, pay as and when due all amounts payable to Parent Class A Ordinary Shares held by the public shareholders (the “Parent Redemption Amount”), (2) at the Closing, pay any unpaid transaction expenses, and (3) at the Closing, following the payment of unpaid transaction expenses in subparagraph (2), pay all remaining amounts then available in the Trust Account to Parent or the Surviving Corporation for immediate use, subject to this Agreement and the Trust Agreement, and (ii) thereafter, the Trust Account shall terminate, except as otherwise provided therein.

 

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6.7 Obligations of Merger Sub. Parent shall take all action necessary to cause Merger Sub to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

6.8 Joinders to Parent Support Agreement. In the event any director or officer of Parent or any Affiliate of the Sponsor acquires beneficial ownership of any securities of Parent prior to the Closing, Parent shall cause such Person(s) to execute a joinder to the Parent Support Agreement.

 

6.9 PIPE Financing. During the Interim Period, Parent and the Company may mutually agree that Parent enter into and consummate subscription agreements with investors to purchase shares of Parent in connection with a private placement on terms mutually agreeable to Parent and the Company, acting reasonably (any such purchase by investors, a “PIPE Financing”).

 

6.10 Non-Redemption Agreements. By the date that is twenty-one (21) Business Days following the later of (i) the date of this Agreement and (ii) the date on which Parent receives a copy of the unmodified opinion of a U.S. registered independent accounting firm stating that the Year End Financials present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company and its results of operations and cash flows as of and for the dates set forth in the Year End Financials, in conformity with U.S. GAAP (such later date, the “Non-Redemption Agreement End Date”), Parent shall enter into non-redemption agreements with certain investors, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G-1 or Exhibit G-2, as applicable (each, a “Non-Redemption Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, such investors will commit to hold or acquire, as applicable, and not to redeem an aggregate of $7 million of Parent Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Non-Redemption Agreement.

 

ARTICLE VII
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

 

7.1 Reporting; Compliance with Laws; No Insider Trading. During the Interim Period,

 

(a) Each member of the Company Group shall duly observe and conform in all material respects to all applicable Law, including the Exchange Act, and Orders.

 

(b) The Company shall not, and it shall direct its Representatives to not, directly or indirectly, (i) purchase or sell (including entering into any hedge transaction with respect to) any Parent Common Shares, Parent Units or Parent Warrants, except in compliance with all applicable securities Laws, including Regulation M under the Exchange Act; (ii) use or disclose or permit any other Person to use or disclose any information that Parent or its Affiliates has made or makes available to the Company and its Representatives in violation of the Exchange Act, the Securities Act or any other applicable securities Law; or (iii) disclose to any third party any non-public information about the Company, Parent, the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby or by any Ancillary Agreement.

 

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7.2 Company’s Shareholders Approval.

 

(a) In accordance with Section 23B.07.040(3)(a) of the WBCA, the Company shall deliver, or shall have delivered, notice to all Company Shareholders that shareholder consents are being sought under Section 23B.07.040(1)(a) of the WBCA in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (which notice shall include a description of any dissenters’ rights of the Company Shareholders under Chapter 23B.13 of the WBCA and any other disclosure, information or documentation with respect to dissenters’ rights required by applicable Law). The Company shall provide Parent reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such notice.

 

(b) As promptly as reasonably practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement, and in any event within five (5) Business Days following such date (the “Company Shareholder Written Consent Deadline”), the Company shall obtain and deliver to Parent a true and correct copy of a written consent (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent) evidencing the Company Shareholder Approval that is duly executed by the Company Shareholders that hold at least the requisite number and class of issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock required to obtain the Company Shareholder Approval (the “Company Shareholder Written Consent”).

 

(c) The Company’s Board of Directors shall recommend that the Company Shareholders vote in favor of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is or will be a party, the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and other related matters, and neither the Company’s Board of Directors, nor any committee thereof, shall withhold, withdraw, amend, modify, change or propose or resolve to withhold, withdraw, amend, modify or change, in each case in a manner adverse to Parent, the recommendation of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

(d) Promptly following the receipt of the Company Shareholder Approval, and in any event within ten (10) Business Days following such receipt, the Company shall prepare and deliver to each Company Shareholder a written notice, in form and substance required under Section 23B.07.040(3)(b) of the WBCA that sufficient shareholder consents have been executed to deliver the Company Shareholder Written Consent, which notice shall include (i) a copy of this Agreement or a summary of the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and the consideration to be received by the Company Shareholders, and (ii) a description of any dissenters’ rights of the Company Shareholders under Chapter 23B.13 of the WBCA and any other disclosure, information or documentation with respect to dissenters’ rights required by applicable Law.

 

7.3 Additional Financial Information. Promptly following the date of this Agreement, and in any event within ten (10) Business Days following the date of this Agreement, the Company shall provide Parent with the audited financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 consisting of the audited consolidated balance sheets as of such dates, the audited consolidated income statements for the twelve month period ended on such date, and the audited consolidated cash flow statements for the twelve month period ended on such date, together with the auditors report thereon (the “Year End Financials”). Subsequent to the delivery of the Year End Financials, the Company’s consolidated interim financial information for each quarterly period thereafter shall be delivered to Parent no later than forty (40) calendar days following the end of each quarterly period (the “Required Financial Statements”). All of the financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Section 7.3, shall be prepared under U.S. GAAP in accordance with requirements of the PCAOB for public companies. The Required Financial Statements shall be accompanied by a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company to the effect that all such financial statements fairly present the financial position and results of operations of the Company as of the date or for the periods indicated, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, except as otherwise indicated in such statements and subject to year-end audit adjustments. The Company will promptly provide Parent with additional Company financial information reasonably requested by Parent for inclusion in the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and any other filings to be made by Parent with the SEC.

 

 

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ARTICLE VIII
COVENANTS OF ALL PARTIES HERETO

 

8.1 Reasonable Best Efforts; Further Assurances.

 

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Parent and the Company shall, and the Company shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary or desirable under applicable Laws, or as reasonably requested by the other parties, to consummate and implement expeditiously each of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including using its reasonable best efforts to (i) obtain all necessary actions, nonactions, waivers, consents, approvals and other authorizations from all applicable Authorities or other third parties prior to the Effective Time; (ii) avoid an Action by any Authority, and (iii) execute and deliver any additional instruments reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The parties shall execute and deliver such other documents, certificates, agreements and other writings and take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary in order to consummate or implement expeditiously each of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(b) Subject to applicable Law, each of the Company and Parent agrees to (i) reasonably cooperate and consult with the other regarding obtaining and making all notifications and filings with Authorities, (ii) furnish to the other such information and assistance as the other may reasonably request in connection with its preparation of any notifications or filings, (iii) keep the other reasonably apprised of the status of matters relating to the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including promptly furnishing the other with copies of notices and other communications received by such party from, or given by such party to, any third party or any Authority with respect to such transactions, (iv) permit the other party to review and incorporate the other party’s reasonable comments in any communication to be given by it to any Authority with respect to any filings required to be made with, or action or nonactions, waivers, expirations or terminations of waiting periods, clearances, consents or orders required to be obtained from, such Authority in connection with execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (v) to the extent reasonably practicable, consult with the other in advance of and not participate in any meeting or discussion relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, either in person or by telephone, with any Authority in connection with the proposed transactions unless it gives the other party the opportunity to attend and observe; provided, however, that, in each of clauses (iii) and (iv) above, that materials may be redacted (A) to remove references concerning the valuation of such party and its Affiliates, (B) as necessary to comply with contractual arrangements or applicable Laws, and (C) as necessary to address reasonable attorney-client or other privilege or confidentiality concerns.

 

(c) During the Interim Period, Parent, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, shall each notify the other in writing promptly after learning of any shareholder demands or other shareholder Action (including derivative claims) relating to this Agreement, any of the Ancillary Agreements or any matters relating thereto commenced or threatened in writing against Parent, any of the Parent Parties or any of its or their respective Representatives in their capacity as a representative of a Parent Party or against the Company (collectively, the “Transaction Litigation”). Parent shall control the negotiation, defense and settlement of any such Transaction Litigation brought against Parent, Merger Sub or members of the boards of directors of Parent or Merger Sub and the Company shall control the negotiation, defense and settlement of any such Transaction Litigation brought against the Company or the members of its board of directors; provided, however, that in no event shall the Company or Parent settle, compromise or come to any arrangement with respect to any Transaction Litigation, or agree to do the same, without the prior written consent of the other party (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, that it shall be deemed to be reasonable for Parent (if the Company is controlling the Transaction Litigation) or the Company (if Parent is controlling the Transaction Litigation) to withhold, condition or delay its consent if any such settlement or compromise (A) does not provide for a legally binding, full, unconditional and irrevocable release of each Parent Party (if the Company is controlling the Transaction Litigation) or the Company (if the Parent is controlling the Transaction Litigation) and its respective Representative that is the subject of such Transaction Litigation, (B) provides for any non-monetary, injunctive, equitable or similar relief against any Parent Party (if the Company is controlling the Transaction Litigation) or the Company (if Parent is controlling the Transaction Litigation) or (C) contains an admission of wrongdoing or Liability by a Parent Party (if the Company is controlling the Transaction Litigation) or the Company (if Parent is controlling the Transaction Litigation) and its respective Representative that is the subject of such Transaction Litigation. Parent and the Company shall each (i) keep the other reasonably informed regarding any Transaction Litigation, (ii) give the other the opportunity to, at its own cost and expense, participate in the defense, settlement and compromise of any such Transaction Litigation and reasonably cooperate with the other in connection with the defense, settlement and compromise of any such Transaction Litigation, (iii) consider in good faith the other’s advice with respect to any such Transaction Litigation and (iv) reasonably cooperate with each other.

 

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8.2 Compliance with SPAC Agreements. Parent shall (a) comply with the Trust Agreement, the Parent Warrant Agreement and the Underwriting Agreement, dated as of March 18, 2021, by and between Parent and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representative of the underwriters thereto, and (b) enforce the terms of the letter agreement, dated as of March 18, 2021, by and among Parent, the Sponsor and each of the officers and directors of Parent named therein.

 

8.3 Confidentiality. Except as necessary to complete the Registration Statement, the other Offer Documents or any Other Filings, the Company, on the one hand, and Parent and Merger Sub, on the other hand, shall comply with the Confidentiality Agreement.

 

8.4 Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Liability Insurance.

 

(a) All rights to indemnification for acts or omissions occurring through the Closing Date now existing in favor of the current directors and officers of the Company or the Parent Parties and Persons who served as a director, officer, member, trustee or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, pension or other employee benefit plan or enterprise at the request of the Company or the Parent Parties, as provided in their respective organizational documents or in any indemnification agreements shall survive the Merger and shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms. For a period of six (6) years after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the organizational documents of Parent, its Subsidiaries, and the Surviving Corporation to contain provisions no less favorable with respect to exculpation and indemnification of and advancement of expenses than are set forth as of the date of this Agreement in the organizational documents of, with respect to Parent, Parent, and with respect to the Surviving Corporation, the Company, as applicable, to the extent permitted by applicable Law.

 

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

 

(c) The provisions of this Section 8.4 are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Person who will have been a director or officer of the Company or Parent for all periods ending on or before the Closing Date and may not be changed with respect to any officer or director without his or her written consent.

 

(d) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall obtain and fully pay the premium for a six year prepaid “tail” policy for the extension of the directors’ and officers’ liability coverage of the Company’s existing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies, for claims reporting or discovery period of six years from and after the Effective Time, on terms and conditions providing coverage retentions, limits and other material terms (other than premiums payable) substantially equivalent to the current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained by the Company with respect to matters arising on or before the Effective Time, covering without limitation the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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8.5 Parent Public Filings; Nasdaq. During the Interim Period, Parent will keep current and timely file all of its public filings with the SEC and otherwise comply in all material respects with applicable securities Laws, and shall use its reasonable best efforts prior to the Closing to maintain the listing of the Parent Class A Ordinary Shares, the Parent Units and the Parent Warrants on Nasdaq. During the Interim Period, Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause (a) Parent’s initial listing application with Nasdaq or an Alternate Exchange, to be agreed mutually by Parent and the Company, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to have been approved; (b) all applicable initial and continuing listing requirements of Nasdaq or an Alternate Exchange, as applicable, to be satisfied; and (c) the Parent Common Shares, including the shares comprising the Aggregate Merger Consideration, and the Parent Warrants to be approved for listing on Nasdaq or an Alternate Exchange, as applicable, subject to official notice of issuance, in each case, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement and in any event prior to the Effective Time.

 

8.6 Certain Tax Matters. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, all Transfer Taxes shall be borne and paid by the Surviving Corporation and/or its Subsidiaries. Each of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company, and the Surviving Corporation shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any Taxing Authority or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Transfer Tax that could be imposed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

8.7 Parent Equity Incentive Plan. Prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement, Parent shall adopt a new equity incentive plan in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F, with such changes or modifications thereto as the Company and Parent may mutually agree (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) (the “Parent Equity Incentive Plan”). The Parent Equity Incentive Plan shall have such number of shares available for issuance equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the Parent Common Shares to be issued and outstanding immediately after the Closing and shall include an “evergreen” provision that is mutually agreeable to the Company and Parent that will provide for an automatic increase on the first day of each fiscal year in the number of shares available for issuance under the Parent Equity Incentive Plan as mutually determined by the Company and Parent. Parent shall not file a registration statement on Form S-8 or Form S-1 (or other applicable or successor form) to register the resale by the holders thereof of the Parent Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Converted Options or Converted SARs prior to the date that is 180 days after the Closing Date.

 

8.8 Extension of Time to Consummate a Business Combination.

 

(a) If the Closing has not occurred on or prior to September 1, 2023, Parent shall prepare (with the Company’s reasonable cooperation) and file with the SEC a mutually acceptable proxy statement (such proxy statement, together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Extension Proxy Statement”) to amend the Parent Articles, on terms and conditions agreed by the parties, to extend the period of time Parent is afforded under its organizational documents to consummate an initial business combination (the “Extension Proposal”) for an additional three months, from September 25, 2023 to December 26, 2023 (or such other date as the parties may agree in writing) (the “Extension Date”). Parent shall cooperate and provide the Company (and its counsel) with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on and approve in writing (which approval will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) the Extension Proxy Statement, and any amendment or supplement thereto, and any responses to comments from the SEC or its staff or the provision of additional information in connection therewith, prior to filing or delivery of the same with or to the SEC. The Parent Parties shall consider the comments of the Company in good faith. The Parent Parties, with the assistance and written approval of the Company, will promptly respond to any SEC comments on the Extension Proxy Statement and will use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Extension Proxy Statement to be cleared by the SEC as promptly as practicable after such filing. The Parent Parties will advise the Company promptly after: (A) the time when the Extension Proxy Statement has been filed; (B) in the event the Extension Proxy Statement is not reviewed by the SEC, the expiration of the waiting period in Rule 14a-6(a) under the Exchange Act; (C) in the event the preliminary Extension Proxy Statement is reviewed by the SEC, receipt of oral or written notification of the completion of the review by the SEC; (D) the filing of any supplement or amendment to the Extension Proxy Statement; (E) any request by the SEC for amendment of the Extension Proxy Statement; (F) any comments from the SEC relating to the Extension Proxy Statement and responses thereto (and shall provide the Company with a copy or, in the case of oral communications, summary of such comments); (G) requests by the SEC for additional information (and shall provide the Company with a copy or, in the case of oral communications, summary of such request); and (H) any other communication, whether written or oral, from the SEC (and shall provide the Company with a copy or, in the case of oral communications, summary of such communication).

 

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(b) Each party shall promptly correct any information provided by it for use in the Extension Proxy Statement if and to the extent that such information is determined to have become false or misleading in any material respect or as otherwise required by applicable Laws.

 

(c) As promptly as practicable after the Extension Proxy Statement is cleared by the SEC, Parent shall distribute the Extension Proxy Statement to Parent’s shareholders and (x) shall duly call and give notice of a meeting of holders of Parent Common Shares (the “Extension Shareholders’ Meeting”) in accordance with its organizational documents and the Cayman Companies Act, (y) subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, shall solicit proxies from the Parent’s shareholders to vote in favor of the Extension Proposal, and shall duly convene and hold the Extension Shareholders’ Meeting, and (z) shall provide its shareholders with the opportunity to elect to tender their Parent Class A Ordinary Shares for redemption in connection with the extension as provided for in the Parent Articles. Parent agrees that if the approval of the Extension Proposal shall not have been obtained at any such Extension Shareholders’ Meeting, then Parent shall continue until September 25, 2023 to take all such necessary actions and hold additional Extension Shareholders’ Meetings in order to obtain the approval of the Extension Proposal. After giving effect to any redemption of Parent Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with any extension as provided for in the Parent Articles, at least 500,000 shares of Parent Class A Ordinary Shares shall be held by the public shareholders.

 

(d) The Parent Parties shall comply with all applicable provisions of and rules under the Exchange Act and all applicable provisions of the Cayman Companies Act in the preparation, filing and distribution of the Extension Proxy Statement, the solicitation of proxies thereunder, and the calling and holding of the Extension Shareholders’ Meeting. Without limiting the foregoing, the Parent Parties and the Company shall each ensure that the Extension Proxy Statement does not, as of the date on which it is first distributed to holders of Parent Common Shares, and as of the date of the Extension Shareholders’ Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided that no party shall be responsible for the accuracy or completeness of any information relating to another party or any other information furnished by another party for inclusion in the Extension Proxy Statement).

 

(e) Parent, acting through its board of directors, shall include in the Extension Proxy Statement the recommendation of its board of directors that the holders of Parent Common Shares vote in favor of the Extension Proposal, and shall otherwise use reasonable best efforts to obtain approval thereof. Neither Parent’s board of directors nor any committee or agent or representative thereof shall withdraw (or modify in a manner adverse to the Company), or propose to withdraw (or modify in a manner adverse to the Company) Parent’s board of director’s recommendation that the holders of Parent Common Shares vote in favor of the adoption of the Extension Proposal.

 

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(f) If the Extension Proposal is approved and the Parent is required to pay an additional amount or amounts into the Trust Account (such amount, the “Extension Fee”), (i) Parent shall deliver an extension letter to the Trustee, notifying the Trustee of the approval of such Extension Proposal, signed on behalf of Parent by an executive officer of Parent, and (ii) Parent shall deliver the aggregate amount of the Extension Fee necessary by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Trustee, for deposit in the Trust Account in accordance with the extension letter and the Trust Agreement.

 

(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the obligations of all of the parties to consummate the Closing shall not be subject to the approval of the Extension Proposal.

 

8.9 Section 16 Matters. Prior to the Effective Time, each of the Company and Parent shall take all such steps as may be required (to the extent permitted under applicable Law) to cause any dispositions of shares of the Company Common Shares or acquisitions of Parent Common Shares (including, in each case, securities deliverable upon exercise, vesting or settlement of any derivative securities) resulting from the transactions contemplated hereby by each individual who may become subject to the subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent necessary for such issuance to be an exempt acquisition pursuant to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

8.10 Surrender of Parent Class B Ordinary Share. Immediately following receipt of the Parent Shareholder Approval, and in any event prior to effecting the Domestication, Parent shall (i) cause Sponsor to surrender to Parent, for no consideration, the Parent Class B Ordinary Share, (ii) accept the irrevocable surrender of the Parent Class B Ordinary Share, and (iii) instruct Parent’s transfer agent to update Parent’s register of members in order to reflect the surrender and cancellation of the Parent Class B Ordinary Share. Following the surrender and cancellation of the Parent Class B Ordinary Share, the Parent Class B Ordinary Share shall cease to be outstanding and, for the avoidance of doubt, will not convert into capital stock of Parent in connection with the Domestication.

 

ARTICLE IX
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

 

9.1 Condition to the Obligations of the Parties. The obligations of all of the parties to consummate the Closing are subject to the satisfaction or written waiver (where permissible) by all of such parties of all the following conditions:

 

(a) No provisions of any applicable Law and no Order shall be in effect restraining, prohibiting or imposing any condition on the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger.

 

(b) Each consent, approval or authorization of any Authority required of Parent, its Subsidiaries, or the Company to consummate the Merger set forth on Schedule 9.1(b) shall have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect.

 

(c) No Authority shall have issued an Order or enacted a Law, having the effect of prohibiting the Merger or making the Merger illegal, which Order or Law is final and non-appealable.

 

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(d) The Company Shareholder Approval shall have been obtained.

 

(e) Parent shall (i) after giving effect to any redemption of Parent Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Exchange Act) or (ii) be otherwise exempt from the provisions of Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

(f) Each of the Required Parent Proposals shall have been approved at the Parent Shareholder Meeting.

 

(g) Parent’s initial listing application with Nasdaq or an Alternate Exchange, as applicable, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been conditionally approved and, immediately following the Effective Time, Parent shall satisfy any applicable initial and continuing listing requirements of Nasdaq or an Alternate Exchange, as applicable, and Parent shall not have received any notice of non-compliance therewith, and the shares comprising the Aggregate Merger Consideration, the Earnout Shares and any shares issued in connection with a PIPE Financing, as applicable, shall have been approved for listing on Nasdaq or an Alternate Exchange, as applicable.

 

(h) The Registration Statement shall have become effective in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued by the SEC that remains in effect and no proceeding seeking such a stop order shall have been initiated by the SEC and not withdrawn.

 

9.2 Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub. The obligation of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, or the waiver in Parent’s sole and absolute discretion, of all the following further conditions:

 

(a) The Company shall have duly performed or complied with, in all material respects, all of its obligations hereunder required to be performed or complied with (without giving effect to any materiality or similar qualifiers contained therein) by the Company at or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(b) The representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement (disregarding all qualifications contained therein relating to materiality or Material Adverse Effect), other than the Company Fundamental Representations, shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of such date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty is made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct at and as of such earlier date) except, in each case, for any failure of such representations and warranties (disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained therein relating to materiality or Material Adverse Effect) to be so true and correct that would not in the aggregate have or reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in respect of the Company.

 

(c) The Company Fundamental Representations (disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained therein relating to materiality or Material Adverse Effect) shall be true and correct in all respects at and as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, as if made as of such date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty is expressly made as of a specific date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct at and as of such specific date), other than de minimis inaccuracies.

 

(d) Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred a Material Adverse Effect in respect of the Company that is continuing.

 

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(e) Parent shall have received a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company certifying the accuracy of the provisions of the foregoing clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 9.2.

 

(f) Parent shall have received a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, signed by the Secretary of the Company attaching true, correct and complete copies of (i) the Company Articles, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the State of Washington; (ii) the Company Bylaws; (iii) copies of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and the Company Shareholder Written Consent; and (iv) a certificate of good standing or available equivalent of the Company, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the State of Washington.

 

(g) Each of the Company and the Company Securityholders, as applicable, shall have executed and delivered to Parent a copy of each Ancillary Agreement to which the Company or such Company Securityholder, as applicable, is a party.

 

(h) The Company shall have delivered to Parent a duly executed certificate conforming to the requirements of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.897-2(g), (h)(1)(i) and 1.1445-2(c)(3)(i) certifying that no interest in the Company is, or has been during the relevant period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code, a “U.S. real property interest” within the meaning of Section 897(c) of the Code, and a notice to be delivered to the IRS as required under Treasury Regulations Section 1.897-2(h)(2) together with written authorization for Parent to deliver such notice to the IRS on behalf of the Company following the Closing, each dated no more than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date and in form and substance as reasonably agreed upon by Parent and the Company.

 

(i) The Company shall have obtained each Company Consent set forth on Schedule 4.8.

 

(j) The Company shall have delivered to Parent a resignation from the Company of each director of the Company listed in Schedule 9.2(j), effective as of the Closing Date.

 

9.3 Conditions to Obligations of the Company. The obligations of the Company to consummate the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, or the waiver in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, of all of the following further conditions:

 

(a) Parent and Merger Sub shall each have duly performed or complied with, in all material respects, all of its respective obligations hereunder required to be performed or complied with (without giving effect to any materiality or similar qualifiers contained therein) by Parent or Merger Sub, as applicable, at or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(b) The representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement (disregarding all qualifications contained therein relating to materiality or Material Adverse Effect), other than the Parent Fundamental Representations, shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of such date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty is made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct at and as of such earlier date), except, in each case, for any failure of such representations and warranties (disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained therein relating to materiality or Material Adverse Effect) to be so true and correct that would not in the aggregate have or reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in respect of Parent or Merger Sub.

 

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(c) The Parent Fundamental Representations shall be true and correct in all respects at and as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, as if made as of such date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty is expressly made as of a specific date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct at and as of such specific date), other than de minimis inaccuracies.

 

(d) Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred a Material Adverse Effect in respect of Parent that is continuing.

 

(e) The Company shall have received a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Parent certifying the accuracy of the provisions of the foregoing clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 9.3.

 

(f) The Parent Certificate of Incorporation shall have been filed with, and declared effective by, the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 

(g) The Company shall have received a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, signed by the Secretary of Parent attaching true, correct and complete copies of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of Parent authorizing this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements to which Parent is a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and the Parent Proposals.

 

(h) The Company shall have received a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, signed by the Secretary of Merger Sub attaching true, correct and complete copies of (i) copies of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors and sole shareholder of Merger Sub authorizing this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements to which Merger Sub is a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and (ii) a certificate of good standing or available equivalent of Merger Sub, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the State of Washington.

 

(i) Each of Parent, Sponsor or other shareholder of Parent, as applicable, shall have executed and delivered to the Company a copy of each Ancillary Agreement to which Parent, Sponsor or such other shareholder of Parent, as applicable, is a party.

 

(j) The size and composition of the post-Closing Parent Board of Directors shall have been appointed as set forth in Section 2.9.

 

(k) The unpaid fees, costs and expenses of outside legal counsel of the Parent Parties as of immediately prior to the Closing shall collectively not exceed $2,000,000 without the prior written consent of the Company; it being agreed that any such excess fees incurred without the Company’s prior written consent will reduce the equity consideration remaining for the Sponsor such that only the Sponsor bears such excess fees, costs and expenses

 

(l) The amount of Parent Cash at the Closing shall equal or exceed the Parent Minimum Cash.

 

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ARTICLE X
TERMINATION

 

10.1 Termination Without Default.

 

(a) In the event that (i) the Closing of the transactions contemplated hereunder has not occurred on or before the latest of (A) September 25, 2023, (B) if the Extension Proposal is approved, December 26, 2023 and (C) if one or more extensions to a date following December 26, 2023 with the Company’s approval are obtained at the election of Parent, with Parent shareholder vote, in accordance with the Parent Articles, the last date for Parent to consummate a Business Combination pursuant to such extensions (the “Outside Closing Date”); and (ii) the material breach or violation of any representation, warranty, covenant or obligation under this Agreement by the party (i.e., Parent or Merger Sub, on one hand, or the Company, on the other hand) seeking to terminate this Agreement was not the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or before the Outside Closing Date, then Parent or the Company, as applicable, shall have the right, at its sole option, to terminate this Agreement without liability to the other party. Such right may be exercised by Parent or the Company, as the case may be, giving written notice to the other at any time after the Outside Closing Date.

 

(b) In the event an Authority shall have issued an Order or enacted a Law, having the effect of prohibiting the Merger or making the Merger illegal, which Order or Law is final and non-appealable, Parent or the Company shall have the right, at its sole option, to terminate this Agreement without liability to the other party; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section shall not be available to the Company or Parent if the failure by such party or its Affiliates to comply with any provision of this Agreement has been a substantial cause of, or substantially resulted in, such action by such Authority.

 

(c) This Agreement may be terminated at any time by mutual written consent of the Company and Parent duly authorized by each of their respective boards of directors.

 

10.2 Termination Upon Default.

 

(a) Parent may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the Company, without prejudice to any rights or obligations Parent or Merger Sub may have: (i) at any time prior to the Closing if the Company shall have breached any representation, warranty, agreement or covenant contained herein to be performed on or prior to the Closing, which has rendered or would reasonably be expected to render the satisfaction of any of the conditions set forth in Section 9.2(a) or 9.2(b) impossible (a “Terminating Company Breach”); except that, if such Terminating Company Breach is curable by the Company through the exercise of its reasonable best efforts, then, for a period of up to thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of notice from Parent of such breach, but only as long as the Company continues to use its reasonable best efforts to cure such Terminating Company Breach (the “Company Cure Period”), such termination shall not be effective, and such termination shall become effective only if the Terminating Company Breach is not cured within the Company Cure Period; or (ii) at any time after the Company Shareholder Written Consent Deadline if the Company has not delivered the Company Shareholder Approval to Parent (provided, that upon the Company delivering the Company Shareholder Approval to Parent, Parent shall no longer have any right to terminate this Agreement under this clause (ii)).

 

(b) The Company may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to Parent, without prejudice to any rights or obligations the Company may have, if at any time prior to the Closing, Parent shall have breached any of its covenants, agreements, representations, and warranties contained herein to be performed on or prior to the Closing, which has rendered or reasonably would render the satisfaction of any of the conditions set forth in Section 9.3(a) or 9.3(b) impossible (a “Terminating Parent Breach”); except that, if such Terminating Parent Breach is curable by Parent through the exercise of its reasonable best efforts, then, for a period of up to thirty (30) days after receipt by Parent of notice from the Company of such breach, but only as long as Parent continues to use its reasonable best efforts to cure such Terminating Parent Breach (the “Parent Cure Period”), such termination shall not be effective, and such termination shall become effective only if the Terminating Parent Breach is not cured within the Parent Cure Period.

 

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(c) This Agreement may be terminated by the Company in the event that the Non-Redemption Agreements are not entered into by Parent and the other parties thereto by the Non-Redemption Agreement End Date; provided, that any such termination by the Company pursuant to this Section 10.2(c) must occur within ten (10) Business Days of the failure by Parent to enter into the Non-Redemption Agreements by the Non-Redemption Agreement End Date; provided, further, that, if Parent enters into the Non-Redemption Agreements prior to the termination of this Agreement by the Company under this Section 10.2(c), the Company shall no longer have any right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 10.2(c).

 

10.3 Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this ARTICLE X, this Agreement shall become void and of no further force or effect without liability of any party (or any shareholder, director, officer, employee, Affiliate, agent, consultant or representative of such party) to the other parties hereto; provided that, if such termination shall result from the willful and material breach by a party of its covenants and agreements hereunder or common law fraud or willful and material breach in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, such party shall not be relieved of liability to the other parties for any such willful and material breach or common law fraud occurring prior to such termination. The provisions of Section 8.3, this Section 10.3 and ARTICLE XI, and the Confidentiality Agreement, shall survive any termination hereof pursuant to this ARTICLE X.

 

ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS

 

11.1 Notices. Any notice hereunder shall be sent in writing, addressed as specified below, and shall be deemed given: (a) if by hand, electronic mail, or nationally recognized overnight courier service, by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on a Business Day, addressee’s day and time, on the date of delivery, and if delivered after 5:00 PM Eastern Time, on the first Business Day after such delivery; (b) if by email, on the date of transmission with affirmative confirmation of receipt; or (c) three (3) Business Days after mailing by prepaid certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Notices shall be addressed to the respective parties as follows (excluding telephone numbers, which are for convenience only), or to such other address as a party shall specify to the others in accordance with these notice provisions:

 

if to the Company (or, following the Closing, the Surviving Corporation or Parent), to:

 

Airship AI Holdings, Inc.

12226 134th Court NE

Redmond, WA 98052

Attention: Victor Huang, Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: victor@airship.ai

 

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

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

Attention: Mitchell S. Nussbaum

E-mail: mnussbaum@loeb.com

 

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if to Parent or Merger Sub (prior to the Closing):

 

BYTE Acquisition Corp.

445 Park Avenue, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Samuel Gloor, Chief Executive Officer

E-mail: sam.gloor@bytespac.com

 

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

White & Case LLP

1221 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

Attention: Elliott Smith

Matthew Kautz

Email:     elliott.smith@whitecase.com

mkautz@whitecase.com

 

11.2 Amendments; No Waivers; Remedies.

 

(a) This Agreement cannot be amended, except by a writing signed by each party, and cannot be terminated orally or by course of conduct. No provision hereof can be waived, except by a writing signed by the party against whom such waiver is to be enforced, and any such waiver shall apply only in the particular instance in which such waiver shall have been given.

 

(b) Neither any failure or delay in exercising any right or remedy hereunder or in requiring satisfaction of any condition herein nor any course of dealing shall constitute a waiver of or prevent any party from enforcing any right or remedy or from requiring satisfaction of any condition. No notice to or demand on a party waives or otherwise affects any obligation of that party or impairs any right of the party giving such notice or making such demand, including any right to take any action without notice or demand not otherwise required by this Agreement. No exercise of any right or remedy with respect to a breach of this Agreement shall preclude exercise of any other right or remedy, as appropriate to make the aggrieved party whole with respect to such breach, or subsequent exercise of any right or remedy with respect to any other breach.

 

(c) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no statement herein of any right or remedy shall impair any other right or remedy stated herein or that otherwise may be available.

 

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no party shall seek, nor shall any party be liable for, punitive or exemplary damages under any tort, contract, equity or other legal theory with respect to any breach (or alleged breach) of this Agreement or any provision hereof or any matter otherwise relating hereto or arising in connection herewith.

 

11.3 Arm’s Length Bargaining; No Presumption Against Drafter. This Agreement has been negotiated at arm’s-length by parties of equal bargaining strength, each represented by counsel or having had but declined the opportunity to be represented by counsel and having participated in the drafting of this Agreement. This Agreement creates no fiduciary or other special relationship between the parties, and no such relationship otherwise exists. No presumption in favor of or against any party in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement or any provision hereof shall be made based upon which Person might have drafted this Agreement or such provision.

 

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11.4 Publicity. Except as required by Law or applicable stock exchange rules and except with respect to the Additional Parent SEC Documents, the parties agree that neither they nor their Representatives shall issue any press release or make any other public disclosure prior to the Closing concerning the transactions contemplated hereunder without the prior approval of the other party hereto, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld by any party. If a party is required to make such a disclosure as required by Law or applicable stock exchange rules, the party making such determination will, if practicable in the circumstances, use reasonable commercial efforts to allow the other party reasonable time to comment on such disclosure in advance of its issuance.

 

11.5 Expenses. The costs and expenses in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by Parent after the Closing. For the avoidance of doubt, any payments to be made (or to cause to be made) by Parent pursuant to this Section 11.5 shall be paid upon consummation of the Merger and release of proceeds from the Trust Account. The anticipated costs and expenses of the Parent and the Company in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby as of the Closing Date are set forth on Schedule 11.5; provided, however, that in no event shall Parent be obligated to pay unpaid fees, costs and expenses of outside legal counsel of the Parent Parties as of immediately prior to the Closing in excess of $2,000,000. If the Closing does not take place, each party shall be responsible for its own expenses.

 

11.6 No Assignment or Delegation. No party may assign any right or delegate any obligation hereunder, including by merger, consolidation, operation of law or otherwise, without the written consent of the other party. Any purported assignment or delegation without such consent shall be void.

 

11.7 Governing Law. This Agreement and all disputes or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, including the applicable statute of limitations, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

 

11.8 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which shall constitute one agreement. This Agreement shall become effective upon delivery to each party of an executed counterpart or the earlier delivery to each party of original, photocopied, or electronically transmitted signature pages that together (but need not individually) bear the signatures of all other parties.

 

11.9 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Ancillary Agreements, sets forth the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements related thereto (whether written or oral), all of which are merged herein. No provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement may be explained or qualified by any agreement, negotiations, understanding, discussion, conduct or course of conduct or by any trade usage. Except as otherwise expressly stated herein or in any Ancillary Agreement, there is no condition precedent to the effectiveness of any provision hereof or thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Confidentiality Agreement is not superseded by this Agreement or merged herein and shall continue in accordance with its terms, including in the event of any termination of this Agreement.

 

11.10 Severability. A determination by a court or other legal authority that any provision that is not of the essence of this Agreement is legally invalid shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof. The parties shall cooperate in good faith to substitute (or cause such court or other legal authority to substitute) for any provision so held to be invalid a valid provision, as alike in substance to such invalid provision as is lawful.

 

11.11 Further Assurances. Each party shall execute and deliver such documents and take such action, as may reasonably be considered within the scope of such party’s obligations hereunder, necessary to effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

11.12 Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in Section 8.4 and Section 11.19, neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof confers any benefit or right upon or may be enforced by any Person not a signatory hereto.

 

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11.13 Waiver. The Company has read the Prospectus and understands that Parent has established the Trust Account for the benefit of the public shareholders of Parent and the underwriters of the IPO pursuant to the Trust Agreement and that, except for a portion of the interest earned on the amounts held in the Trust Account, Parent may disburse monies from the Trust Account only for the purposes set forth in the Trust Agreement. For and in consideration of Parent agreeing to enter into this Agreement, the Company, for itself and on behalf of the Company Securityholders, hereby agrees that it does not now and shall not at any time hereafter prior to the Closing have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Trust Account as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with Parent and hereby agrees that it will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason.

 

11.14 No Other Representations; No Reliance.

 

(a) NONE OF THE COMPANY, ANY COMPANY SECURITYHOLDER NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES HAS MADE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER RELATING TO THE COMPANY OR THE BUSINESS OR OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, OTHER THAN THOSE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE IV, IN EACH CASE, AS MODIFIED BY THE SCHEDULES TO THIS AGREEMENT. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Company, any Company Securityholder nor any of their respective Representatives has made, and shall not be deemed to have made, any representations or warranties in the materials relating to the Company made available to Parent and its Representatives, including due diligence materials, or in any presentation of the business of the Company by management of the Company or others in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and no statement contained in any of such materials or made in any such presentation shall be deemed a representation or warranty hereunder or otherwise or deemed to be relied upon by Parent or Merger Sub in executing, delivering and performing this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, in each case except for the representations and warranties set forth in ARTICLE IV as modified by the Schedules to this Agreement. It is understood that any cost estimates, projections or other predictions, any data, any financial information or any memoranda or offering materials or presentations, including any offering memorandum or similar materials made available by the Company, any Company Securityholder or their respective Representatives are not and shall not be deemed to be or to include representations or warranties of the Company or any Company Securityholder, and are not and shall not be deemed to be relied upon by Parent or Merger Sub in executing, delivering and performing this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, in each case except for the representations and warranties set forth in ARTICLE IV, in each case, as modified by the Schedules to this Agreement. Except for the specific representations and warranties expressly made by the Company in ARTICLE IV, in each case as modified by the Schedules: (a) Parent acknowledges and agrees that: (i) neither the Company, the Company Securityholders nor any of their respective Representatives is making or has made any representation or warranty, express or implied, at law or in equity, in respect of the Company, the business, assets, liabilities, operations, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company, the nature or extent of any liabilities of the Company, the effectiveness or the success of any operations of the Company or the accuracy or completeness of any confidential information memoranda, projections, forecasts or estimates of earnings, or other information (financial or otherwise) regarding the Company furnished to Parent, Merger Sub or their respective Representatives or made available to Parent and its Representatives in any “data rooms,” “virtual data rooms,” management presentations or any other form in expectation of, or in connection with, the transactions contemplated hereby, or in respect of any other matter or thing whatsoever; and (ii) no Representative of any Company Securityholder or the Company has any authority, express or implied, to make any representations, warranties or agreements not specifically set forth in ARTICLE IV and subject to the limited remedies herein provided; (b) each of Parent and Merger Sub specifically disclaims that it is relying upon or has relied upon any such other representations or warranties that may have been made by any Person, and acknowledges and agrees that the Company Securityholders and the Company have specifically disclaimed and do hereby specifically disclaim any such other representation or warranty made by any Person; and (c) none of the Company, the Company Securityholders nor any other Person shall have any liability to Parent, Merger Sub or any other Person with respect to any such other representations or warranties, including projections, forecasts, estimates, plans or budgets of future revenue, expenses or expenditures, future results of operations, future cash flows or the future financial condition of the Company or the future business, operations or affairs of the Company.

 

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(b) NONE OF PARENT, MERGER SUB NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES HAS MADE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER RELATING TO PARENT, MERGER SUB OR OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, OTHER THAN THOSE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE V, IN EACH CASE, AS MODIFIED BY THE SCHEDULES TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE PARENT SEC DOCUMENTS. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither Parent, Merger Sub nor any of their respective Representatives has made, and shall not be deemed to have made, any representations or warranties in the materials relating to Parent and Merger Sub made available to the Company and the Company Securityholders and their Representatives, including due diligence materials, or in any presentation of the business of Parent by management of Parent or others in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and no statement contained in any of such materials or made in any such presentation shall be deemed a representation or warranty hereunder or otherwise or deemed to be relied upon by the Company and the Company Securityholders in executing, delivering and performing this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, in each case except for the representations and warranties set forth in ARTICLE V as modified by the Schedules to this Agreement and the Parent SEC Documents. It is understood that any cost estimates, projections or other predictions, any data, any financial information or any memoranda or offering materials or presentations, including any offering memorandum or similar materials made available by Parent, Merger Sub or their respective Representatives are not and shall not be deemed to be or to include representations or warranties of Parent and Merger Sub, and are not and shall not be deemed to be relied upon by the Company or Company Securityholders in executing, delivering and performing this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, in each case except for the representations and warranties set forth in ARTICLE V, in each case, as modified by the Schedules to this Agreement and the Parent SEC Documents. Except for the specific representations and warranties expressly made by Parent and Merger Sub in ARTICLE V, in each case as modified by the Schedules and the Parent SEC Documents: (a) the Company acknowledges and agrees that: (i) neither Parent, Merger Sub nor any of their respective Representatives is making or has made any representation or warranty, express or implied, at law or in equity, in respect of Parent, Merger Sub, the business, assets, liabilities, operations, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of Parent or Merger Sub, the nature or extent of any liabilities of Parent or Merger Sub, the effectiveness or the success of any operations of Parent or Merger Sub or the accuracy or completeness of any confidential information memoranda, projections, forecasts or estimates of earnings, or other information (financial or otherwise) regarding Parent or Merger Sub furnished to the Company, the Company Securityholders or their respective Representatives or made available to the Company, the Company Securityholders and their Representatives in any “data rooms,” “virtual data rooms,” management presentations or any other form in expectation of, or in connection with, the transactions contemplated hereby, or in respect of any other matter or thing whatsoever; and (ii) no Representative of Parent or Merger Sub has any authority, express or implied, to make any representations, warranties or agreements not specifically set forth in ARTICLE V and subject to the limited remedies herein provided; (b) the Company specifically disclaims that it is relying upon or has relied upon any such other representations or warranties that may have been made by any Person, and acknowledges and agrees that Parent and Merger Sub have specifically disclaimed and do hereby specifically disclaim any such other representation or warranty made by any Person; and (c) none of Parent, Merger Sub nor any other Person shall have any liability to the Company, the Company Securityholders or any other Person with respect to any such other representations or warranties, including projections, forecasts, estimates, plans or budgets of future revenue, expenses or expenditures, future results of operations, future cash flows or the future financial condition of Parent or the future business, operations or affairs of Parent.

 

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11.15 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE PARTIES EACH HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY PROCEEDING (I) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR UNDER ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR (II) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO OR ANY FINANCING IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY, IN EACH CASE, WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY, OR OTHERWISE. THE PARTIES EACH HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH PROCEEDING SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT THE PARTIES MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OF A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (B) EACH SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) EACH SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (D) EACH SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 11.15.

 

11.16 Submission to Jurisdiction. Each of the Parties irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (or, if the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware does not have jurisdiction, a federal court sitting in Wilmington, Delaware) (or any appellate courts thereof), for the purposes of any Action (a) arising under this Agreement or under any Ancillary Agreement or (b) in any way connected with or related or incidental to the dealings of the Parties in respect of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, and irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such Action in any such court, and further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such Action has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion or as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any Action (i) arising under this Agreement or under any Ancillary Agreement or (ii) in any way connected with or related or incidental to the dealings of the Parties in respect of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (A) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the courts as described in this Section 11.16 for any reason, (B) that it or its property is exempt or immune from the jurisdiction of any such court or from any Action commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (C) that (x) the Action in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (y) the venue of such Action is improper or (z) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts. Each Party agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by registered mail to such Party’s respective address set forth in Section 11.1 shall be effective service of process for any such Action.

 

11.17 Attorneys’ Fees. In the event of any legal action initiated by any party arising under or out of, in connection with or in respect of, this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred in such action, as determined and fixed by the court.

 

11.18 Remedies. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any and all remedies provided herein will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by law or equity upon such Party, and the exercise by a Party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy. The Parties agree that irreparable damage for which monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy, would occur in the event that the Parties do not perform their respective obligations under the provisions of this Agreement (including failing to take such actions as are required of them hereunder to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) in accordance with their specific terms or otherwise breach such provisions. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions, specific performance and other equitable relief to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, in each case, without posting a bond or undertaking and without proof of damages and this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Each of the Parties agrees that it will not oppose the granting of an injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief when expressly available pursuant to the terms of this Agreement on the basis that the other Parties have an adequate remedy at law or an award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at law or equity.

 

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11.19 Non-Recourse. This Agreement may be enforced only against, and any dispute, claim or controversy based upon, arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may be brought only against, the entities that are expressly named as parties hereto and then only with respect to the specific obligations set forth in this Agreement with respect to such party. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, shareholder, agent, attorney, advisor, lender or representative or Affiliate of any named party to this Agreement (which Persons are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 11.19) shall have any liability (whether in contract or tort, at law or in equity or otherwise, or based upon any theory that seeks to impose liability of an entity party against its owners or Affiliates) for any one or more of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or other obligations or liabilities of such named party or for any dispute, claim or controversy based on, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

11.20 Conflicts and Privilege.

 

(a) Parent and the Company, on behalf of their respective successors and assigns (including, after the Closing, the Surviving Corporation), hereby agree that, in the event a dispute with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby arises after the Closing between or among (i) the Sponsor, the stockholders or holders of other equity interests of Parent or the Sponsor and/or any of their respective directors, members, partners, officers, employees or Affiliates (other than the Surviving Corporation) (collectively, the “Byte Group”), on the one hand, and (ii) the Surviving Corporation and/or any member of the Airship Group, on the other hand, any legal counsel, including White & Case LLP (“W&C”), that represented Parent and/or the Sponsor prior to the Closing may represent the Sponsor and/or any other member of the Byte Group, in such dispute even though the interests of such Persons may be directly adverse to the Surviving Corporation, and even though such counsel may have represented Parent in a matter substantially related to such dispute, or may be handling ongoing matters for the Surviving Corporation and/or the Sponsor. Parent and the Company, on behalf of their respective successors and assigns (including, after the Closing, the Surviving Corporation), further agree that, as to all legally privileged communications prior to the Closing (made in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance under, or any dispute or Action arising out of or relating to, this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby) between or among Parent, the Sponsor and/or any other member of the Byte Group, on the one hand, and W&C, on the other hand, the attorney/client privilege and the expectation of client confidence shall survive the Merger and belong to the Byte Group after the Closing, and shall not pass to or be claimed or controlled by the Surviving Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any privileged communications or information shared by the Company prior to the Closing with Parent or the Sponsor under a common interest agreement shall remain the privileged communications or information of the Surviving Corporation.

 

(b) Parent and the Company, on behalf of their respective successors and assigns (including, after the Closing, the Surviving Corporation), hereby agree that, in the event a dispute with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby arises after the Closing between or among (i) the stockholders or holders of other equity interests of the Company and/or any of their respective directors, members, partners, officers, employees or Affiliates (other than the Surviving Corporation) (collectively, the “Airship Group”), on the one hand, and (ii) the Surviving Corporation and/or any member of the Byte Group, on the other hand, any legal counsel, including Loeb & Loeb LLP (“Loeb”) that represented the Company prior to the Closing may represent any member of the Airship Group in such dispute even though the interests of such Persons may be directly adverse to the Surviving Corporation, and even though such counsel may have represented Parent and/or the Company in a matter substantially related to such dispute, or may be handling ongoing matters for the Surviving Corporation, further agree that, as to all legally privileged communications prior to the Closing (made in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance under, or any dispute or Action arising out of or relating to, this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby) between or among the Company and/or any member of the Airship Group, on the one hand, and Loeb, on the other hand, the attorney/client privilege and the expectation of client confidence shall survive the Merger and belong to the Airship Group after the Closing, and shall not pass to or be claimed or controlled by the Surviving Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any privileged communications or information shared by Parent prior to the Closing with the Company under a common interest agreement shall remain the privileged communications or information of the Surviving Corporation.

 

[The remainder of this page intentionally left blank; signature pages to follow]

 

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

 

  Parent:
   
  BYTE ACQUISITION CORP.
   
  By: /s/ Samuel Gloor
    Name:  Samuel Gloor
    Title: Chief Executive Officer and
Chief FinancialOfficer

 

  Merger Sub:
   
  BYTE MERGER SUB, INC.
   
  By: /s/ Samuel Gloor
    Name: Samuel Gloor
    Title: Chief Executive Officer, President, and Secretary

 

  Company:
   
  AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.
   
  By: /s/ Victor Huang
    Name: Victor Huang
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Merger Agreement]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Form of Parent Certificate of Incorporation

 

(See attached)

 

 

 

A-1

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of the corporation is Airship AI Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is [●]. The name of its registered agent at such address is [●].

 

ARTICLE III

 

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

 

ARTICLE IV

 

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

 

ARTICLE V

 

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

 

A. COMMON STOCK.

 

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

 

2. Voting.

 

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

 

A-2

 

 

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

 

3. Dividends. Subject to applicable law and the rights and preferences of any holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to the payment of dividends and other distributions on the Common Stock when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor, in accordance with applicable law.

 

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

 

B. PREFERRED STOCK.

 

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

 

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

 

3. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, or Common Stock, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any Certificate of Designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock.

 

A-3

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

The name and mailing address of the Sole Incorporator is as follows:

 

Name:

 

Address:

[●]   [●]

 

The powers of the incorporator are to terminate upon the filing of this Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The names and mailing addresses of the persons who are to serve as the directors of the Corporation until the first annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, or removal from office, are as follows:

 

Name:

 

Address:

[●]   [●]
[●]   [●]
[●]   [●]
[●]   [●]

 

ARTICLE VII

 

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

 

A. There shall be one class of directors. Subject to the special rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, commencing at the first annual meeting of the stockholders following the filing and effectiveness of this Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and at each annual meeting of the stockholders thereafter, directors shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the year following the year of their election. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal in accordance with this Certificate of Incorporation. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

B. Except as otherwise expressly provided by the DGCL or this Certificate of Incorporation, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. The number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed exclusively by one or more resolutions adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the bylaws of the Corporation (as such bylaws may be amended from time to time, the “Bylaws”).

 

C. Subject to the special rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the Board of Directors or any individual director may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

A-4

 

 

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

 

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

 

F. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws, subject to the power of the stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote with respect thereto to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws. The stockholders of the Corporation shall also have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws; provided, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or by this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Certificate of Designation in respect of any series of Preferred Stock) or the Bylaws, the adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws by the stockholders of the Corporation shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in an election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

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

 

A-5

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

A. For so long as the Corporation qualifies as a Controlled Company (as defined in Section 5615(c)(1) of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC Rules or Section 303A.00 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, as applicable), any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, or may, except as otherwise required by applicable law or this Certificate of Incorporation, be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares of stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL. From and after the date the Corporation ceases to qualify as a Controlled Company, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation (and may not be taken by consent of the stockholders in lieu of a meeting). Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, to the extent expressly so provided by the applicable Certificate of Designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares of the relevant series of Preferred Stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL.

 

B. Subject to the special rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called for any purpose or purposes, at any time only by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or President, in each case, in accordance with the Bylaws, and shall not be called by any other person or persons. Any such special meeting so called may be postponed, rescheduled or cancelled by the Board of Directors or other person calling the meeting.

 

C. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of other business proposed to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws. Any business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes identified in the notice of meeting.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

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

 

A-6

 

 

ARTICLE X

 

A. The Corporation hereby expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL, and instead the provisions of Article X(B)-(D) below shall apply, for so long as the Corporation’s Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

B. The Corporation shall not engage in any business combination (as defined below) with any interested stockholder (as defined below) for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

(1) prior to such time, the Board approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

(2) upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock (as defined below) of the Corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by (i) persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

(3) at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the Board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of sixty-six and two thirds percent (66 2/3%) of all of the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

C. The restrictions contained in the foregoing Article X(B) shall not apply if:

 

(1) a stockholder becomes an interested stockholder inadvertently and (i) as soon as practicable divests itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that the stockholder ceases to be an interested stockholder and (ii) would not, at any time, within the three-year period immediately prior to the business combination between the Corporation and such stockholder, have been an interested stockholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership; or

 

(2) the business combination is proposed prior to the consummation or abandonment of and subsequent to the earlier of the public announcement or the notice required hereunder of a proposed transaction which (i) constitutes one of the transactions described in the second sentence of this Article X(C)(2), (ii) is with or by a person who either was not an interested stockholder during the previous three years or who became an interested stockholder with the approval of the Board and (iii) is approved or not opposed by a majority of the directors then in office (but not less than one) who were directors prior to any person becoming an interested stockholder during the previous three years or were recommended for election or elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such directors. The proposed transactions referred to in the preceding sentence are limited to (x) a merger or consolidation of the Corporation (except for a merger in respect of which, pursuant to Section 251(f) of the DGCL, no vote of the stockholders of the Corporation is required), (y) a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (other than to any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary or to the Corporation) having an aggregate market value equal to fifty percent or more of either that aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation or (z) a proposed tender or exchange offer for 50% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation. The Corporation shall give not less than 20 days’ notice to all interested stockholders prior to the consummation of any of the transactions described in clause (x) or (y) of the second sentence of this Article X(C)(2).

 

A-7

 

 

D. For purposes of this Article X, references to:

 

(1) “affiliate” means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another person.

 

(2) “associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any person, means: (i) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of the voting power thereof; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such person.

 

(3) “business combination,” when used in reference to the Corporation and any interested stockholder of the Corporation, means:

 

a. any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (i) with the interested stockholder, or (ii) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the interested stockholder and as a result of such merger or consolidation subsection (B) of this Article X is not applicable to the surviving entity;

 

b. any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation, to or with the interested stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 25% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation;

 

c. any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation of any stock of the Corporation or of such subsidiary to the interested stockholder, except: (i) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the interested stockholder became such; (ii) pursuant to a merger under Section 251(g) of the DGCL; (iii) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of stock of the Corporation subsequent to the time the interested stockholder became such; (iv) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase stock made on the same terms to all holders of said stock; or (v) any issuance or transfer of stock by the Corporation; provided, however, that in no case under items (iii) through (v) of this subsection shall there be an increase in the interested stockholder’s proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the Corporation or of the voting stock of the Corporation (except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments);

 

A-8

 

 

d. any transaction involving the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series, or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series, of the Corporation or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the interested stockholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested stockholder; or

 

e. any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges, or other financial benefits (other than those expressly permitted in subsections (a) through (d) above) provided by or through the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.

 

(4) “control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract, or otherwise. A person who is the owner of 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such person holds voting stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this subsection (D) of Article X, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity.

 

(5) “interested stockholder” means any person (other than the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that (i) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation, or (ii) is an affiliate or associate of the Corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation at any time within the three year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested stockholder; and the affiliates and associates of such person; provided, however, that the term “interested stockholder” shall not include (a) any Principal Stockholder or any of its affiliates or successors or any “group,” or any member of any such group, to which such persons are a party under Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, or (b) any person whose ownership of shares in excess of the 15% limitation set forth herein is the result of any action taken solely by the Corporation; provided, further, that in the case of clause (b) such person shall be an interested stockholder if thereafter such person acquires additional shares of voting stock of the Corporation, except as a result of further corporate action not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person. For the purpose of determining whether a person is an interested stockholder, the voting stock of the Corporation deemed to be outstanding shall include stock deemed to be owned by the person through application of the definition of “owner” below but shall not include any other unissued stock of the Corporation which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.

 

(6) “owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any stock, means a person that individually or with or through any of its affiliates or associates:

 

a. beneficially owns such stock, directly or indirectly;

 

b. has (i) the right to acquire such stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such person or any of such person’s affiliates or associates until such tendered stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (ii) the right to vote such stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of any stock because of such person’s right to vote such stock if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more persons; or

 

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c. has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in item (ii) of subsection (b) above), or disposing of such stock with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such stock.

 

(7) “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.

 

(8) “Principal Stockholder” means [●].

 

(9) “stock” means, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest.

 

(10) “voting stock” means stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and, with respect to any entity that is not a corporation, any equity interest entitled to vote generally in the election of the governing body of such entity. Every reference to a percentage of voting stock shall be calculated on the basis of the aggregate number of votes applicable to all shares of such voting stock, and by allocating to each share of voting stock, that number of votes to which such share is entitled.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

A. The Corporation shall indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable law, as now or hereafter in effect, and such right to indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives; provided, however, that, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any director or officer (or his or her heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives) in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or consented to by the Board. The right to indemnification conferred by this Article XI shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition upon receipt by the Corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer receiving advancement to repay the amount advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation under this Article XI. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, provide rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Corporation similar to those conferred in this Article XI to directors and officers of the Corporation. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article XI shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under this Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any statute, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. Any repeal or modification of this Article XI shall only be prospective and shall not adversely affect any rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses of a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation (collectively, the “Covered Persons”) existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to any acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

 

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B. The Corporation hereby acknowledges that certain Covered Persons may have rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses (directly or through insurance obtained by any such entity) provided by one or more third parties (collectively, the “Other Indemnitors”), and which may include third parties for whom such Covered Person serves as a manager, member, officer, employee or agent. The Corporation hereby agrees and acknowledges that notwithstanding any such rights that a Covered Person may have with respect to any Other Indemnitor(s), (i) the Corporation is the indemnitor of first resort with respect to all Covered Persons and all obligations to indemnify and provide advancement of expenses to Covered Persons, (ii) the Corporation shall be required to indemnify and advance the full amount of expenses incurred by the Covered Persons, to the fullest extent required by law, the terms of this Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement to which the Corporation is a party, any vote of the stockholders or the Board, or otherwise, without regard to any rights the Covered Persons may have against the Other Indemnitors and (iii) to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Corporation irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases the Other Indemnitors from any and all claims for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof. The Corporation further agrees that no advancement or payment by the Other Indemnitors with respect to any claim for which the Covered Persons have sought indemnification from the Corporation shall affect the foregoing and the Other Indemnitors shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent of any such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Covered Persons against the Corporation. These rights shall be a contract right, and the Other Indemnitors are express third party beneficiaries of the terms of this paragraph. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the obligations of the Corporation under this paragraph shall only apply to Covered Persons in their capacity as Covered Persons.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

A. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Chancery Court”) (or, if and only if the Chancery Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any state court located within the State of Delaware or, if and only if all such state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) and any appellate court thereof shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the following claims or causes of action under the Delaware statutory or common law: (i) any derivative action, suit or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action, suit or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action, suit or proceeding against the Corporation or any current or former director, officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws (as each may be amended from time to time), (iv) any claim or cause of action seeking to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws (as each may be amended from time to time, including any right, obligation, or remedy thereunder), (v) any action, suit or proceeding as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Chancery Court, or (vi) any action, suit or proceeding asserting a claim against the Corporation or any current or former director, officer or other employee of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine or otherwise related to the Corporation’s internal affairs, in all cases to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to the court having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of the immediately preceding sentence is filed in a court other than the courts in the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (a) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence and (b) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

 

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B. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

C. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Article XII shall not apply to any claim or action arising under the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts of the United States have exclusive jurisdiction.

 

D. Any person or entity holding, owning, purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to this Article XII.

 

Article XIII

 

A. In recognition and anticipation that (i) certain directors, managers, principals, officers, employees and/or other representatives of the Principal Stockholders and their Affiliates (as defined below) may serve as directors, officers or agents of the Corporation, (ii) the Principal Stockholders and their Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, and (iii) members of the Board who are not employees of the Corporation or a majority owned subsidiary thereof (“Non-Employee Directors”) and their respective Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, the provisions of this Article XIII are set forth to regulate and define the conduct of certain affairs of the Corporation with respect to certain classes or categories of business opportunities as they may involve any of the Principal Stockholders, the Non-Employee Directors or their respective Affiliates and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Corporation and its directors, officers and stockholders in connection therewith.

 

B. None of (i) the Principal Stockholders or any of their Affiliates or (ii) any Non-Employee Director (including any Non-Employee Director who serves as an officer of the Corporation in both his or her director and officer capacities) or his or her Affiliates (the Persons (as defined below) identified in (i) and (ii) above being referred to, collectively, as “Identified Persons” and, individually, as an “Identified Person”) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have any duty to refrain from directly or indirectly (1) engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Corporation or any of its Affiliates now engages or proposes to engage or (2) otherwise competing with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no Identified Person shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Corporation for breach of any fiduciary duty solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person engages in any such activities. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Corporation hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for an Identified Person and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, except as provided in Section C of this Article XIII. Subject to Section C of this Article XIII, in the event that any Identified Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, such Identified Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or other business opportunity to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Corporation for breach of any fiduciary duty as a stockholder, director or officer of the Corporation solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself, offers or directs such corporate opportunity to another Person, or does not communicate information regarding such corporate opportunity to the Corporation or any Affiliate of the Corporation.

 

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C. The Corporation does not renounce its interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any Non-Employee Director (including any Non-Employee Director who serves as an officer of the Corporation in both his or her director and officer capacities) if such opportunity is expressly offered to such Person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation, and the provisions of Section B of this Article XIII shall not apply to any such corporate opportunity.

 

D. In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article XIII, a corporate opportunity shall not be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for the Corporation if it is a business opportunity that (i) the Corporation is neither financially or legally able, nor contractually permitted, to undertake, (ii) from its nature, is not in the line of the Corporation’s business or is of no practical advantage to the Corporation or (iii) is one in which the Corporation has no interest or reasonable expectancy.

 

E. Solely for purposes of this Article XIII, “Affiliate” shall mean (a) in respect of any Principal Stockholder, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such Principal Stockholder, controls such Principal Stockholder or is under common control with such Principal Stockholder and shall include (i) any principal, member, director, manager, partner, stockholder, officer, employee or other representative of any of the foregoing (other than the Corporation and any entity that is controlled by the Corporation) and (ii) any funds or vehicles advised by Affiliates of such Principal Stockholder, (b) in respect of a Non-Employee Director, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such Non-Employee Director (other than the Corporation and any entity that is controlled by the Corporation) and (c) in respect of the Corporation, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the Corporation.

 

F. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article XIII.

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, in addition to any vote required by applicable law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, the following provisions in this Certificate of Incorporation may be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded, in whole or in part, or any provision inconsistent therewith or herewith may be adopted, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of sixty-six and two thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class: Article V(B), Article VII, Article VIII, Article IX, Article X, Article XI, Article XII, Article XIII and this Article XIV.

 

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

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

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I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the Sole Incorporator hereinbefore named, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the DGCL, do make this Certificate, hereby declaring and certifying that this is my act and deed and the facts herein stated are true, and accordingly have hereunto set my hand as of                     , 2023.

 

 
  [●]
  Sole Incorporator

 

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 EXHIBIT B

 

Form of Parent Bylaws

 

(See attached)

 

B-1

 

 

Bylaws

of

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

 

Article I—Corporate Offices

 

1.1 Registered Office. The address of the registered office of Airship AI Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware, and the name of its registered agent at such address, shall be as set forth in the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation, as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”).

 

1.2 Other Offices. The Corporation may have additional offices at any place or places, within or outside the State of Delaware, as the Corporation’s board of directors (the “Board”) may from time to time establish or as the business of the Corporation may require.

 

Article II—Meetings of Stockholders

 

2.1 Place of Meetings. Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place within or outside the State of Delaware, designated by the Board. The Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a)(2) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). In the absence of any such designation or determination, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the Corporation’s principal executive office.

 

2.2 Annual Meeting. The Board shall designate the date and time of the annual meeting. At the annual meeting, directors shall be elected and other proper business properly brought before the meeting in accordance with Section 2.4 of these Bylaws may be transacted. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled annual meeting of stockholders.

 

2.3 Special Meeting. Special meetings of the stockholders may be called, postponed, rescheduled or cancelled only by such persons and only in such manner as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. No business may be transacted at any special meeting of stockholders other than the business specified in the notice of such meeting.

 

2.4 Notice of Business to be Brought before a Meeting.

 

(i) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (i) specified in a notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) if not specified in a notice of meeting, otherwise brought before the meeting by the Board of Directors or the Chairperson of the Board or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder present in person who (1) was a record owner of shares of the Corporation both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 2.4 and at the time of the meeting, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (3) has complied with this Section 2.4 in all applicable respects. The foregoing clause (iii) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to propose business to be brought before an annual meeting of the stockholders. For purposes of this Section 2.4, “present in person” shall mean that the stockholder proposing that the business be brought before the annual meeting of the Corporation, or a qualified representative of such proposing stockholder, appear at such annual meeting. A “qualified representative” of such proposing stockholder shall be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or any other person authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders. Stockholders seeking to nominate persons for election to the Board of Directors must comply with Section 2.5 and Section 2.6 and this Section 2.4 shall not be applicable to nominations except as expressly provided in Section 2.5 and Section 2.6.

 

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(ii) Without qualification, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must (i) provide Timely Notice (as defined below) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation and (ii) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.4. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (which date shall be [●], for purposes of the Corporation’s annual meeting of stockholders in the year of the closing of the business combination contemplated by that certain Merger Agreement dated as of June 27, 2023 by and between BYTE Acquisition Corp., Airship AI Holdings, Inc. and BYTE Merger Sub, Inc. (the “Merger Agreement”)); provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not later than the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or, if later, the 10th day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was first made by the Corporation (such notice within such time periods, “Timely Notice”). In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of Timely Notice as described above.

 

(iii) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.4, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth:

 

(a) As to each Proposing Person (as defined below), (1) the name and address of such Proposing Person (including, if applicable, the name and address that appear on the Corporation’s books and records); and (2) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned of record or beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (as so amended and inclusive of such rules and regulations, the “Exchange Act”)) by such Proposing Person, except that such Proposing Person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of any class or series of the Corporation as to which such Proposing Person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (1) and (2) are referred to as “Stockholder Information”);

 

(b) As to each Proposing Person, (1) the full notional amount of any securities that, directly or indirectly, underlie any “derivative security” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(c) under the Exchange Act) that constitutes a “call equivalent position” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(b) under the Exchange Act) (“Synthetic Equity Position”) and that is, directly or indirectly, held or maintained by such Proposing Person with respect to any shares of any class or series of shares of the Corporation; provided that, for the purposes of the definition of “Synthetic Equity Position,” the term “derivative security” shall also include any security or instrument that would not otherwise constitute a “derivative security” as a result of any feature that would make any conversion, exercise or similar right or privilege of such security or instrument becoming determinable only at some future date or upon the happening of a future occurrence, in which case the determination of the amount of securities into which such security or instrument would be convertible or exercisable shall be made assuming that such security or instrument is immediately convertible or exercisable at the time of such determination; and, provided, further, that any Proposing Person satisfying the requirements of Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act (other than a Proposing Person that so satisfies Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act solely by reason of Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E)) shall not be deemed to hold or maintain the notional amount of any securities that underlie a Synthetic Equity Position held by such Proposing Person as a hedge with respect to a bona fide derivatives trade or position of such Proposing Person arising in the ordinary course of such Proposing Person’s business as a derivatives dealer, (2) any rights to dividends on the shares of any class or series of shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such Proposing Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (3) any material pending or threatened legal proceeding in which such Proposing Person is a party or material participant involving the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any affiliate of the Corporation, (4) any other material relationship between such Proposing Person, on the one hand, and the Corporation, any affiliate of the Corporation, on the other hand, (5) any direct or indirect material interest in any material contract or agreement of such Proposing Person with the Corporation or any affiliate of the Corporation (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement), (6) a representation that such Proposing Person intends or is part of a group which intends to deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or otherwise solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal and (7) any other information relating to such Proposing Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such Proposing Person in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (1) through (7) are referred to as “Disclosable Interests”); provided, however, that Disclosable Interests shall not include any such disclosures with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner; and

 

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(c) As to each item of business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting, (1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting and any material interest in such business of each Proposing Person, (2) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment), and (3) a reasonably detailed description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings (x) between or among any of the Proposing Persons or (y) between or among any Proposing Person and any other record or beneficial holder(s) or persons(s) who have a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future of the shares of any class or series of the Corporation or any other person or entity (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder; and (4) any other information relating to such item of business that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that the disclosures required by this paragraph (iii) shall not include any disclosures with respect to any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner.

 

For purposes of this Section 2.4, the term “Proposing Person” shall mean (i) the stockholder providing the notice of business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting, (ii) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the business proposed to be brought before the annual meeting is made, and (iii) any participant (as defined in paragraphs (a)(ii)-(vi) of Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A) with such stockholder in such solicitation.

 

(iv) A Proposing Person shall update and supplement its notice to the Corporation of its intent to propose business at an annual meeting, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be true and correct as of the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is 10 business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five business days after the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of 10 business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any proposal or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding matters, business or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of the stockholders.

 

(v) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting that is not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 2.4. The presiding officer of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that the business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 2.4, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

 

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(vi) This Section 2.4 is expressly intended to apply to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders other than any proposal made in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and included in the Corporation’s proxy statement. In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.4 with respect to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting, each Proposing Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such business. Nothing in this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to affect the rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

(vii) For purposes of these Bylaws, “public disclosure” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service, in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or by such other means as is reasonably designed to inform the public or securityholders of the Corporation in general of such information including, without limitation, posting on the Corporation’s investor relations website.

 

2.5 Notice of Nominations for Election to the Board of Directors.

 

(i) Subject in all respects to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, nominations of any person for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting or at a special meeting (but only if the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling such special meeting) may be made at such meeting only (x) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, including by any committee or persons authorized to do so by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws, or (y) by a stockholder present in person (A) who was a record owner of shares of the Corporation both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 2.5 and at the time of the meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (C) has complied with this Section 2.5 and Section 2.6 as to such notice and nomination. For purposes of this Section 2.5, “present in person” shall mean that the stockholder proposing that the business be brought before the meeting of the Corporation, or a qualified representative of such stockholder, appear at such meeting. A “qualified representative” of such proposing stockholder shall be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or any other person authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders. The foregoing clause (y) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting or special meeting.

 

(ii) Without qualification, for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting, the stockholder must (1) provide Timely Notice (as defined in Section 2.4) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation, (2) provide the information, agreements and questionnaires with respect to such stockholder and its candidate for nomination as required to be set forth by this Section 2.5 and Section 2.6 and (3) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.5 and Section 2.6.

 

(a) Without qualification, if the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling a special meeting in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation, then for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board of Directors at a special meeting, the stockholder must (i) provide timely notice thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, (ii) provide the information with respect to such stockholder and its candidate for nomination as required by this Section 2.5 and Section 2.6 and (iii) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.5. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice for nominations to be made at a special meeting must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the 90th day prior to such special meeting or, if later, the 10th day following the day on which public disclosure (as defined in Section 2.4) of the date of such special meeting was first made.

 

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(b) In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

(c) In no event may a Nominating Person provide Timely Notice with respect to a greater number of director candidates than are subject to election by shareholders at the applicable meeting. If the Corporation shall, subsequent to such notice, increase the number of directors subject to election at the meeting, such notice as to any additional nominees shall be due on the later of (i) the conclusion of the time period for Timely Notice, (ii) the date set forth in Section 2.5(ii)(b), or (iii) the tenth day following the date of public disclosure (as defined in Section 2.4) of such increase.

 

(iii) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.5, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth:

 

(a) As to each Nominating Person (as defined below), the Stockholder Information (as defined in Section 2.4(iii)(a), except that for purposes of this Section 2.5 the term “Nominating Person” shall be substituted for the term “Proposing Person” in all places it appears in Section 2.4(iii)(a));

 

(b) As to each Nominating Person, any Disclosable Interests (as defined in Section 2.4(iii)(b), except that for purposes of this Section 2.5 the term “Nominating Person” shall be substituted for the term “Proposing Person” in all places it appears in Section 2.4(iii)(b) and the disclosure with respect to the business to be brought before the meeting in Section 2.4(iii)(b) shall be made with respect to the election of directors at the meeting); and

 

(c) As to each candidate whom a Nominating Person proposes to nominate for election as a director, (A) all information with respect to such candidate for nomination that would be required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice pursuant to this Section 2.5 and Section 2.6 if such candidate for nomination were a Nominating Person, (B) all information relating to such candidate for nomination that is required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14(a) under the Exchange Act (including such candidate’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), (C) a description of any direct or indirect material interest in any material contract or agreement between or among any Nominating Person, on the one hand, and each candidate for nomination or his or her respective associates or any other participants in such solicitation, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 under Regulation S-K if such Nominating Person were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the candidate for nomination were a director or executive officer of such registrant (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) through (C) are referred to as “Nominee Information”), and (D) a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement as provided in Section 2.6(i).

 

For purposes of this Section 2.5, the term “Nominating Person” shall mean (i) the stockholder providing the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting, (ii) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting is made, and (iii) any other participant in such solicitation.

 

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(iv) A stockholder providing notice of any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.5 shall be true and correct as of the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is 10 business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five business days after the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of 10 business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any nomination or to submit any new nomination.

 

(v) In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.5 with respect to any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting, each Nominating Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such nominations.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.5, unless otherwise required by law, if any Nominating Person giving notice provided by this Section 2.5 provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act and subsequently fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2) and Rule 14a-19(a)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act, then the Corporation shall disregard any proxies or votes solicited for the Nominating Person’s nominee. Upon request by the Corporation, if any Nominating Person provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act, such Nominating Person shall deliver to the Corporation, no later than five (5) business days prior to the applicable meeting, reasonable evidence that it has met the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

2.6 Additional Requirements for Valid Nomination of Candidates to Serve as Director and, if Elected, to be Seated as Directors.

 

(i) To be eligible to be a candidate for election as a director of the Corporation at an annual or special meeting, a candidate must be nominated in the manner prescribed in Section 2.5 and the candidate for nomination, whether nominated by the Board of Directors or by a stockholder of record, must have previously delivered (in accordance with the time period prescribed for delivery in a notice to such candidate given by or on behalf of the Board of Directors), to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, (i) a completed written questionnaire (in a form provided by the Corporation) with respect to the background, qualifications, stock ownership and independence of such proposed nominee, and such additional information with respect to such proposed nominee as would be required to be provided by the Corporation pursuant to Schedule 14A if such proposed nominee were a participant in the solicitation of proxies by the Corporation in connection with such annual or special meeting and (ii) a written representation and agreement (in form provided by the Corporation) that such candidate for nomination (A) is not and, if elected as a director during his or her term of office, will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given and will not give any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such proposed nominee, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such proposed nominee’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such proposed nominee’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (B) is not, and will not become a party to, any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation or reimbursement for service as a director that has not been disclosed therein or to the Corporation, (C) if elected as a director of the Corporation, will comply with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, stock ownership and trading and other policies and guidelines of the Corporation applicable to directors and in effect during such person’s term in office as a director (and, if requested by any candidate for nomination, the Secretary of the Corporation shall provide to such candidate for nomination all such policies and guidelines then in effect), (D) if elected as director of the Corporation, intends to serve the entire term until the next meeting at which such candidate would face re-election and (E) consents to being named as a nominee in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-4(d) under the Exchange Act and any associated proxy card of the Corporation and agrees to serve if elected as a director.

 

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(ii) The Board of Directors may also require any proposed candidate for nomination as a Director to furnish such other information as may reasonably be requested by the Board of Directors in writing prior to the meeting of stockholders at which such candidate’s nomination is to be acted upon in order for the Board of Directors to determine the eligibility of such candidate for nomination to be an independent director of the Corporation in accordance with the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.

 

(iii) A candidate for nomination as a director shall further update and supplement the materials delivered pursuant to this Section 2.6, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall be true and correct as of the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is 10 business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (or any other office specified by the Corporation in any public announcement) not later than five business days after the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of 10 business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any proposal or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding nominees, matters, business or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of the stockholders.

 

(iv) No candidate shall be eligible for nomination as a director of the Corporation unless such candidate for nomination and the Nominating Person seeking to place such candidate’s name in nomination has complied with Section 2.5 and this Section 2.6, as applicable. The presiding officer at the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that a nomination was not properly made in accordance with Section 2.5 and this Section 2.6, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare such determination to the meeting, the defective nomination shall be disregarded and any ballots cast for the candidate in question (but in the case of any form of ballot listing other qualified nominees, only the ballots cast for the nominee in question) shall be void and of no force or effect.

 

(v) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no candidate for nomination shall be eligible to be seated as a director of the Corporation unless nominated and elected in accordance with Section 2.5 and this Section 2.6.

 

2.7 Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings. Unless otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 8.1 of these Bylaws not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. The notice shall specify the place, if any, date and time of the meeting, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.

 

2.8 Quorum. Unless otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person, or by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders. A quorum, once established at a meeting, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum. If, however, a quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the person presiding over the meeting or (ii) a majority in voting power of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person, or by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy, shall have power to recess the meeting or adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.9 of these Bylaws until a quorum is present or represented. At any recessed or adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.

 

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2.9 Adjourned Meeting; Notice. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these Bylaws otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At any adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date so fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

2.10 Conduct of Business. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the person presiding over the meeting. The Board may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the person presiding over any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures (which need not be in writing) and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such presiding person, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the person presiding over the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present (including, without limitation, rules and procedures for removal of disruptive persons from the meeting); (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the person presiding over the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. The presiding person at any meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting (including, without limitation, determinations with respect to the administration and/or interpretation of any of the rules, regulations or procedures of the meeting, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the person presiding over the meeting), shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a matter of business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such presiding person should so determine, such presiding person shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the person presiding over the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

2.11 Voting. Except as may be otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or the DGCL, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.

 

Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, at all duly called or convened meetings of stockholders at which a quorum is present, for the election of directors, a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect a director. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, each other matter presented to the stockholders at a duly called or convened meeting at which a quorum is present shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) on such matter.

 

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2.12 Record Date for Stockholder Meetings and Other Purposes. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be the close of business on the next day preceding the day on which notice is first given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting; and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.

 

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment or any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or for the purposes of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

2.13 Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212 of the DGCL. A proxy may be in the form of an electronic transmission that sets forth or is submitted with information from which it can be determined that the transmission was authorized by the stockholder.

 

2.14 List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The Corporation shall prepare, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The Corporation shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the Corporation’s principal executive office. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. Such list shall presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by each of them. Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this Section 2.14 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

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2.15 Inspectors of Election. Before any meeting of stockholders, the Corporation shall appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If any person appointed as inspector or any alternate fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, then the person presiding over the meeting shall appoint a person to fill that vacancy.

 

Such inspectors shall:

 

(i) determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting and the validity of any proxies and ballots;

 

(ii) count all votes or ballots;

 

(iii) count and tabulate all votes;

 

(iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspector(s); and

 

(v) certify its or their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and its or their count of all votes and ballots.

 

Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of inspector, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspection with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. The inspectors of election may appoint such persons to assist them in performing their duties as they determine.

 

2.16 Delivery to the Corporation. Whenever this Article II requires one or more persons (including a record or beneficial owner of stock) to deliver a document or information to the Corporation or any officer, employee or agent thereof (including any notice, request, questionnaire, revocation, representation or other document or agreement), such document or information shall be in writing exclusively (and not in an electronic transmission) and shall be delivered exclusively by hand (including, without limitation, overnight courier service) or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and the Corporation shall not be required to accept delivery of any document not in such written form or so delivered. For the avoidance of doubt, the Corporation expressly opts out of Section 116 of the DGCL with respect to the delivery of information and documents to the Corporation required by this Article II.

 

Article III—Directors

 

3.1 Powers. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board.

 

3.2 Number of Directors. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, the total number of directors constituting the Board shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.

 

3.3 Election, Qualification and Term of Office of Directors. Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these Bylaws, and subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship, shall hold office until the next annual meeting and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation. Directors need not be stockholders. The Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws may prescribe qualifications for directors.

 

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3.4 Resignation and Vacancies. Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. The resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or upon the happening of an event specified therein, and if no time or event is specified, at the time of its receipt. When one or more directors so resigns and the resignation is effective at a future date or upon the happening of an event to occur on a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office as provided in Section 3.3.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of any director, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors shall be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.

 

3.5 Place of Meetings; Meetings by Telephone. The Board may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.

 

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting pursuant to this Bylaw shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

3.6 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board may be held within or outside the State of Delaware and at such time and at such place as which has been designated by the Board and publicized among all directors, either orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice-messaging system or other system designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other means of electronic transmission. No further notice shall be required for regular meetings of the Board.

 

3.7 Special Meetings; Notice. Special meetings of the Board for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary or a majority of the total number of directors constituting the Board.

 

Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be:

 

(i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone;

 

(ii) sent by United States first-class mail, postage prepaid;

 

(iii) sent by facsimile or electronic mail; or

 

(iv) sent by other means of electronic transmission,

 

directed to each director at that director’s address, telephone number, facsimile number or electronic mail address, or other address for electronic transmission, as the case may be, as shown on the Corporation’s records.

 

If the notice is (i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone, (ii) sent by facsimile or electronic mail, or (iii) sent by other means of electronic transmission, it shall be delivered or sent at least 24 hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by U.S. mail, it shall be deposited in the U.S. mail at least four days before the time of the holding of the meeting. The notice need not specify the place of the meeting (if the meeting is to be held at the Corporation’s principal executive office) nor the purpose of the meeting.

 

3.8 Quorum. At all meetings of the Board, unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, a majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the Board, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

 

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3.9 Board Action without a Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission. After an action is taken, the consent or consents relating thereto shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board, or the committee thereof, in the same paper or electronic form as the minutes are maintained. Such action by written consent or consent by electronic transmission shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board.

 

3.10 Fees and Compensation of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation, including fees and reimbursement of expenses, of directors for services to the Corporation in any capacity.

 

Article IV—Committees

 

4.1 Committees of Directors. The Board may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist, of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board or in these Bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopt, amend or repeal any Bylaw of the Corporation.

 

4.2 Meetings and Actions of Committees. Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of:

 

(i) Section 3.5 (place of meetings; meetings by telephone);

 

(ii) Section 3.6 (regular meetings);

 

(iii) Section 3.7 (special meetings; notice);

 

(iv) Section 3.9 (board action without a meeting); and

 

(v) Section 7.13 (waiver of notice),

 

with such changes in the context of those Bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board and its members. However:

 

(i) the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined as set forth in the charter of the applicable committee;

 

(ii) special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the Board or the chairperson of the applicable committee; and

 

(iii) the Board may adopt rules for the governance of any committee to override the provisions that would otherwise apply to the committee pursuant to this Section 4.2, provided that such rules do not violate the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law.

 

4.3 Subcommittees. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, the resolutions of the Board designating the committee or the charter of such committee adopted by the Board, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.

 

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Article V—Officers

 

5.1 Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall include a Chief Executive Officer, a President and a Secretary. The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board, a Chairperson of the Board, a Vice Chairperson of the Board, a Chief Financial Officer, a Treasurer, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Treasurers, one or more Assistant Secretaries, and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. No officer need be a stockholder or director of the Corporation.

 

5.2 Appointment of Officers. The Board shall appoint the officers of the Corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these Bylaws.

 

5.3 Subordinate Officers. The Board may appoint, or empower the Chief Executive Officer or, in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer, the President, to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the Corporation may require. Each of such officers and agents shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

5.4 Removal and Resignation of Officers. Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the Board, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board.

 

Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.

 

5.5 Vacancies in Offices. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled as provided in Section 5.2 or Section 5.3, as applicable.

 

5.6 Representation of Shares of Other Corporations. The Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President of this Corporation, or any other person authorized by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, is authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of this Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares or voting securities of any other corporation or other person standing in the name of this Corporation. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.

 

5.7 Authority and Duties of Officers. All officers of the Corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the Corporation as may be provided herein or designated from time to time by the Board and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board.

 

5.8 Compensation. The compensation of the officers of the Corporation for their services as such shall be fixed from time to time by or at the direction of the Board. An officer of the Corporation shall not be prevented from receiving compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director of the Corporation.

 

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Article VI—Records

 

A stock ledger consisting of one or more records in which the names of all of the Corporation’s stockholders of record, the address and number of shares registered in the name of each such stockholder, and all issuances and transfers of stock of the corporation are recorded in accordance with Section 224 of the DGCL shall be administered by or on behalf of the Corporation. Any records administered by or on behalf of the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account, and minute books, may be kept on, or by means of, or be in the form of, any information storage device, or method, or one or more electronic networks or databases (including one or more distributed electronic networks or databases), provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time and, with respect to the stock ledger, that the records so kept (i) can be used to prepare the list of stockholders specified in Sections 219 and 220 of the DGCL, (ii) record the information specified in Sections 156, 159, 217(a) and 218 of the DGCL, and (iii) record transfers of stock as governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State of Delaware.

 

Article VII—General Matters

 

7.1 Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments. The Board, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

7.2 Stock Certificates. The shares of the Corporation may be represented by certificates, provided that the Board by resolution may provide that some or all of the shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation shall be uncertificated. Certificates for the shares of stock, if any, shall be in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock represented by a certificate shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, any two officers authorized to sign stock certificates representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. The Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation shall be specifically authorized to sign stock certificates. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

The Corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly paid shares, or upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the Corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.

 

7.3 Special Designation of Certificates. If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or on the back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock (or, in the case of uncertificated shares, set forth in a notice provided pursuant to Section 151 of the DGCL); provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face of back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock (or, in the case of any uncertificated shares, included in the aforementioned notice) a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations, the preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

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7.4 Lost Certificates. Except as provided in this Section 7.4, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the Corporation and cancelled at the same time. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

7.5 Shares Without Certificates. The Corporation may adopt a system of issuance, recordation and transfer of its shares of stock by electronic or other means not involving the issuance of certificates, provided the use of such system by the Corporation is permitted in accordance with applicable law.

 

7.6 Construction; Definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural and the plural number includes the singular.

 

7.7 Dividends. The Board, subject to any restrictions contained in either (i) the DGCL or (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of its capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the Corporation’s capital stock.

 

The Board may set apart out of any of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, and meeting contingencies.

 

7.8 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board and may be changed by the Board.

 

7.9 Seal. The Corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be adopted and which may be altered by the Board. The Corporation may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

 

7.10 Transfer of Stock. Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 7.14, shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation only by the holder of record thereof or by such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender to the Corporation of the certificate or certificates representing such shares endorsed by the appropriate person or persons (or by delivery of duly executed instructions with respect to uncertificated shares), with such evidence of the authenticity of such endorsement or execution, transfer, authorization and other matters as the Corporation may reasonably require, and accompanied by all necessary stock transfer stamps. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing the names of the persons from and to whom it was transferred.

 

7.11 Stock Transfer Agreements. The Corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes or series of stock of the Corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law.

 

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7.12 Registered Stockholders. The Corporation:

 

(i) shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and to vote as such owner; and

 

(ii) shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

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

 

7.14 Lock-Up.

 

(a) During the applicable Lock-up Period (as defined below), the Lock-up Holders (as defined below) may not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of the Lock-up Shares (as defined below), establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate with respect to or decrease a call equivalent position with respect to, any of the Lock-up Shares, enter into a transaction that would have the same effect, or enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Lock-up Shares, whether any of these transactions are to be settled by delivery of any such Lock-up Shares, in cash or otherwise, publicly disclose the intention to make any transaction specified above, or engage in any Short Sales (as defined below) with respect to the Lock-up Shares. With respect to the First Operating Performance Milestone Shares (as defined below), the restrictions set forth in this Section 7.14 shall not be deemed to contradict, limit, or otherwise supersede the earnout provisions set forth in Section 3.7 of the Merger Agreement.

 

(b) In furtherance of the foregoing, during the applicable Lock-up Period, the Corporation will (i) place a stop order on all the Lock-up Shares, including those which may be covered by a registration statement, and (ii) notify the Corporation’s transfer agent in writing of the stop order and the restrictions on the Lock-up Shares under this Section 7.14 and direct the Corporation’s transfer agent not to process any attempts by the Holder to resell or transfer any Lock-up Shares, except in compliance with this Section 7.14. In addition to any other applicable legends, each certificate or book entry position representing the Lock-up Shares shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN THE ISSUER’S BYLAWS. A COPY OF SUCH BYLAWS WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE ISSUER TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.”

 

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(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to the conditions below, the Lock-up Holders may transfer Lock-up Shares in connection with (each, a “Permitted Transfer”): (i) transfers or distributions to the Lock-up Holder’s current or former general or limited partners, managers or members, stockholders, other equity holders or direct or indirect affiliates (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)), including any investment fund, special purpose vehicle or other entity that controls or manages, is under common control or management with, or is controlled or managed by, the Lock-up Holder, or to the estates of any of the foregoing; (ii) transfers by bona fide gift or gifts to a member of the Lock-up Holder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is the Lock-up Holder or a member of the Lock-up Holder’s immediate family for estate planning purposes; (iii) by virtue of a will, testamentary document or the laws of descent and distribution upon death of the Lock-up Holder; (iv) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order or as required by a divorce settlement; (v) transfers to the Corporation’s officers, directors or their affiliates; (vi) pledges of Lock-up Shares as security or collateral in connection with a borrowing or the incurrence of any indebtedness by the Lock-up Holder; providedhowever, that such borrowing or incurrence of indebtedness is secured by either a portfolio of assets or equity interests issued by multiple issuers; (vii) transfers pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, stock sale, recapitalization, consolidation or other transaction involving a change of control of the Corporation or which results in all of the holders of Corporation Common Stock having the right to exchange their Corporation Common Stock for cash, securities or other property subsequent to the consummation of such transaction; providedhowever, that in the event that such tender offer, merger, recapitalization, consolidation or other such transaction is not completed, the Lock-up Shares shall remain subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 7.14; (viii) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act; providedhowever, that such plan does not provide for the transfer of Lock-up Shares during the applicable Lock-up Period; (ix) transfers to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the exercise of options to purchase Corporation Common Stock or the vesting of stock-based awards, provided that any Corporation Common Stock issued upon such exercise or vesting shall become Lock-up Shares subject to this Section 7.14; (x) transfers in payment on a “net exercise” or “cashless” basis of the exercise or purchase price with respect to the exercise of options to purchase Corporation Common Stock, to the extent the instruments representing such options permit exercises on a cashless basis and provided that any Corporation Common Stock issued upon such exercise shall become Lock-up Shares subject to this Section 7.14; and (xi) to the extent required by any legal or regulatory order.

 

(d) Notwithstanding the other provisions set forth in this Section 7.14 or any other provision contained herein, the Board may, in its sole discretion, determine to waive, amend, or repeal the lock-up obligations set forth in this Section 7.14, whether in whole or in part; provided, that, during the Lock-up Period, any such waiver, amendment or repeal of any lock-up obligations set forth in Section 7.14, and any waiver, amendment or repeal of this Section 7.14(d), shall require the unanimous approval of the directors.

 

(e) Certain Definitions.

 

Corporation Common Stock” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.

 

First Operating Performance Milestone Shares” means the shares of Corporation Common Stock issued to Lock-up Holders pursuant to Section 3.7(a)(i)(A) of the Merger Agreement.

 

Lock-up Holders” means the holders of Corporation Common Stock issued (i) as consideration pursuant to the merger of BYTE Merger Sub, Inc., a Washington corporation, with and into Airship AI Holdings, Inc., a Washington corporation, in accordance with the Merger Agreement (such transaction, the “Airship Transaction”), including the First Operating Performance Milestone Shares or (ii) upon the exercise of Converted Warrants in respect of the Earnout Warrants, Converted Stock Options or Converted SARs (each as defined in the Merger Agreement) outstanding as of immediately following the consummation of the Airship Transaction (the “Closing” and the date of the Closing, the “Closing Date”). The term “Lock-up Holders” includes the Permitted Transferees of any such holders.

 

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Lock-up Period” means (x) with respect to all Lock-up Shares other than the First Operating Performance Milestone Shares, the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date that is one hundred eighty (180) days after the Closing Date, and (y) with respect to any First Operating Performance Milestone Shares, the period beginning on the date such shares are issued to the Lock-up Holder and ending on the date that is twelve (12) months after the date such shares are issued to the Lock-up Holder; and the term “Lock-up Periods” means both periods described in the foregoing clauses (x) and (y).

 

Lock-up Shares” means (x) the Corporation Common Stock and any other equity securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for or representing the rights to receive Corporation Common Stock, if any, held by the Lock-up Holders immediately following the Closing and (y) any First Operating Performance Milestone Shares issued to the Lock-up Holders subsequent to the Closing; providedhowever, that such Lock-up Shares shall not include Corporation Common Stock acquired by such Holder in open market transactions during the Lock-up Periods.

 

Short Sales” include, without limitation, all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and all types of direct and indirect stock pledges, forward sale contracts, options, puts, calls, swaps and similar arrangements (including on a total return basis), and sales and other transactions through non-U.S. broker dealers or foreign regulated brokers.

 

Article VIII—Notice

 

8.1 Delivery of Notice; Notice by Electronic Transmission. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws may be given in writing directed to the stockholder’s mailing address (or by electronic transmission directed to the stockholder’s electronic mail address, as applicable) as it appears on the records of the Corporation and shall be given (1) if mailed, when the notice is deposited in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, (2) if delivered by courier service, the earlier of when the notice is received or left at such stockholder’s address or (3) if given by electronic mail, when directed to such stockholder’s electronic mail address unless the stockholder has notified the Corporation in writing or by electronic transmission of an objection to receiving notice by electronic mail. A notice by electronic mail must include a prominent legend that the communication is an important notice regarding the Corporation.

 

Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice or electronic transmission to the Corporation. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, the Corporation may give a notice by electronic mail in accordance with the first paragraph of this section without obtaining the consent required by this paragraph.

 

Any notice given pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed given:

 

(i) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;

 

(ii) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and

 

(iii) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, a notice may not be given by an electronic transmission from and after the time that (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by such electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation and (2) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or to the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to discover such inability shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

 

An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

Article IX—Indemnification

 

9.1 Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or an officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent, or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, agent, or trustee or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, agent, or trustee, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability, and loss (including attorneys’ fees and expenses, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 9.03 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses or with respect to any compulsory counterclaim brought by such indemnitee, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.

 

9.2 Right to Advancement of Expenses. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 9.1, an indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses (including attorney’s fees and expenses) incurred in defending or participating as a witness in any proceeding to such indemnitee in advance of its final disposition or in connection with a proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article (which shall be governed by Section 9.3) (any such payment, an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in such indemnitee’s capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including service to an employee benefit plan) shall, subject to applicable provisions of the DGCL, be made solely upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified or entitled to advancement of expenses under Sections 9.1 and 9.2 or otherwise.

 

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9.3 Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If an indemnitee’s claim under Section 9.1 or 9.2 is not paid in full by the Corporation within (i) sixty (60) days after a written claim for indemnification has been received by the Corporation or (ii) twenty (20) days after a written claim for advancement of expenses has been received by the Corporation, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim or to obtain advancement of expenses, as applicable. To the fullest extent permitted by law, if successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (x) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification under this Article (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses), it shall be a defense that, and (y) any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in Delaware law or these Bylaws. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses under this Article or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified or to such advancement of expenses, as the case may be, under this Article or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

 

9.4 Indemnification Not Exclusive. The provision of indemnification to or the advancement of expenses and costs to any indemnitee under this Article, or the entitlement of any indemnitee to indemnification or advancement of expenses and costs under this Article, shall not limit or restrict in any way the power of the Corporation to indemnify or advance expenses and costs to such indemnitee in any other way permitted by law or be deemed exclusive of, or invalidate, any right to which any indemnitee seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses and costs may be entitled under any law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in such indemnitee’s capacity as an officer, director, employee, or agent of the Corporation and as to action in any other capacity.

 

9.5 Nature of Rights. The rights conferred upon indemnitees in this Article shall be contract rights, and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, or trustee and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors, and administrators. Any amendment, alteration, or repeal of this Article that adversely affects any right of any indemnitee or any of its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit, eliminate, or impair any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

Article X—Amendments

 

The Board is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation. The stockholders also shall have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation; provided, however, that such action by stockholders shall require, in addition to any other vote required by the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation with the power to vote generally in an election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

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Article XI—Definitions

 

As used in these Bylaws, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

An “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, including the use of, or participation in, one or more electronic networks or databases (including one or more distributed electronic networks or databases), that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

 

An “electronic mail” means an electronic transmission directed to a unique electronic mail address (which electronic mail shall be deemed to include any files attached thereto and any information hyperlinked to a website if such electronic mail includes the contact information of an officer or agent of the Corporation who is available to assist with accessing such files and information).

 

An “electronic mail address” means a destination, commonly expressed as a string of characters, consisting of a unique user name or mailbox (commonly referred to as the “local part” of the address) and a reference to an internet domain (commonly referred to as the “domain part” of the address), whether or not displayed, to which electronic mail can be sent or delivered.

 

The term “person” means any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, business trust, joint stock company, joint venture, unincorporated association, cooperative or association or any other legal entity or organization of whatever nature, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

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EXHIBIT C

 

Form of Company Support Agreement

 

(See Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Byte Acquisition Corp., filed with the SEC on June 27, 2023)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C-1

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

Form of Parent Support Agreement

 

(See Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Byte Acquisition Corp., filed with the SEC on June 27, 2023)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D-1

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

Form of Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement

 

(See Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Byte Acquisition Corp., filed with the SEC on June 27, 2023)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-1

 

 

EXHIBIT F

 

Form of Parent Equity Incentive Plan

 

(See attached)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-1

 

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

 


2023 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Article I
PURPOSE

 

The purpose of this Airship AI Holdings, Inc. 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to benefit Airship AI Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and its stockholders, by assisting the Company and its subsidiaries to attract, retain and provide incentives to key management employees, directors, and consultants of the Company and its Affiliates, and to align the interests of such service providers with those of the Company’s stockholders. Accordingly, the Plan provides for the granting of Non-qualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Stock Awards, Performance Unit Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Distribution Equivalent Rights or any combination of the foregoing.

 

Article II
DEFINITIONS

 

The following definitions shall be applicable throughout the Plan unless the context otherwise requires:

 

2.1 “Affiliate” shall mean (i) any person or entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company and/or (ii) to the extent provided by the Committee, any person or entity in which the Company has a significant interest. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any person or entity, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise..

 

2.2 “Award” shall mean, individually or collectively, any Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Stock Award, Performance Unit Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Distribution Equivalent Right or Unrestricted Stock Award.

 

2.3 “Award Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and the Holder with respect to an Award, setting forth the terms and conditions of the Award, as amended.

 

2.4 “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

2.5 “Base Value” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 14.2.

 

2.6 “Cause” shall mean (i) if the Holder is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or an Affiliate which agreement defines “Cause” (or a similar term), “Cause” shall have the same meaning as provided for in such agreement, or (ii) for a Holder who is not a party to such an agreement, “Cause” shall mean termination by the Company or an Affiliate of the employment (or other service relationship) of the Holder by reason of the Holder’s (A) intentional failure to perform reasonably assigned duties, (B) dishonesty or willful misconduct in the performance of the Holder’s duties, (C) involvement in a transaction which is materially adverse to the Company or an Affiliate, (D) breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, (E) willful violation of any law, rule, regulation or court order (other than misdemeanor traffic violations and misdemeanors not involving misuse or misappropriation of money or property), (F) commission of an act of fraud or intentional misappropriation or conversion of any asset or opportunity of the Company or an Affiliate, or (G) material breach of any provision of the Plan or the Holder’s Award Agreement or any other written agreement between the Holder and the Company or an Affiliate, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board, the determination of which shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties.

 

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2.7 “Change of Control” shall mean, except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, (i) for a Holder who is a party to an employment or consulting agreement with the Company or an Affiliate which agreement defines “Change of Control” (or a similar term), “Change of Control” shall have the same meaning as provided for in such agreement, or (ii) for a Holder who is not a party to such an agreement, “Change of Control” shall mean the satisfaction of any one or more of the following conditions (and the “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day that any one or more of the following conditions shall have been satisfied):

 

(a) Any person (as such term is used in paragraphs 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, hereinafter in this definition, “Person”), other than the Company or an Affiliate or an employee benefit plan of the Company or an Affiliate, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

 

(b) The closing of a merger, consolidation or other business combination (a “Business Combination”) other than a Business Combination in which holders of the Shares immediately prior to the Business Combination have substantially the same proportionate ownership of the common stock or ordinary shares, as applicable, of the surviving corporation immediately after the Business Combination as immediately before;

 

(c) The closing of an agreement for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to any entity that is not an Affiliate;

 

(d) The approval by the holders of shares of Shares of a plan of complete liquidation of the Company, other than a merger of the Company into any subsidiary or a liquidation as a result of which persons who were stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such liquidation have substantially the same proportionate ownership of shares of common stock or ordinary shares, as applicable, of the surviving corporation immediately after such liquidation as immediately before; or

 

(e) Within any twenty-four (24) month period, the Incumbent Directors shall cease to constitute at least a majority of the Board or the board of directors of any successor to the Company; provided, however, that any director elected to the Board, or nominated for election, by a majority of the Incumbent Directors then still in office, shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director for purposes of this paragraph (e), but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of an individual, entity or “group” other than the Board (including, but not limited to, any such assumption that results from paragraphs (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this definition).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, solely for the purpose of determining the timing of any payments pursuant to any Award constituting a “deferral of compensation” subject to Code Section 409A, a Change of Control shall be limited to a “change in the ownership of the Company,” a “change in the effective control of the Company,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company” as such terms are defined in Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations.

 

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2.8 “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, regulations or guidance.

 

2.9 “Committee” shall mean a committee comprised of two (2) or more members of the Board who are selected by the Board as provided in Section 4.1.

 

2.10 “Company” shall have the meaning given to such term in the introductory paragraph, including any successor thereto.

 

2.11 “Consultant” shall mean any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company’s securities to such person.

 

2.12 “Director” shall mean a member of the Board or a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate, in either case, who is not an Employee.

 

2.13 “Distribution Equivalent Right” shall mean an Award granted under Article XIII of the Plan which entitles the Holder to receive bookkeeping credits, cash payments and/or Share distributions equal in amount to the distributions that would have been made to the Holder had the Holder held a specified number of Shares during the period the Holder held the Distribution Equivalent Right.

 

2.14 “Distribution Equivalent Right Award Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Distribution Equivalent Right Award.

 

2.15 “Effective Date” shall mean [●], 2023.

 

2.16 “Employee” shall mean any employee, including any officer, of the Company or an Affiliate.

 

2.17 “Exchange Act” shall mean the United States of America Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

2.18 “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any date, the value of a share of Stock determined as follows:

 

(a) If the Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, the per share closing sales price for shares of Stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable;

 

(b) If the Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock will be the mean between the high bid and low asked per share prices for the Stock on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; or

 

F-4

 

 

(c) In the absence of an established market for the Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Committee (acting on the advice of an Independent Third Party, should the Committee elect in its sole discretion to utilize an Independent Third Party for this purpose).

 

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the determination of Fair Market Value in all cases shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth under Section 409A of the Code to the extent necessary for an Award to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A of the Code.

 

2.19 “Family Member” of an individual shall mean any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the Holder’s household (other than a tenant or employee of the Holder), a trust in which such persons have more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which such persons (or the Holder) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which such persons (or the Holder) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests.

 

2.20 “Holder” shall mean an Employee, Director or Consultant who has been granted an Award or any such individual’s beneficiary, estate or representative, who has acquired such Award in accordance with the terms of the Plan, as applicable.

 

2.21 “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an Option which is designated by the Committee as an “incentive stock option” and conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

 

2.22 “Incumbent Director” shall mean, with respect to any period of time specified under the Plan for purposes of determining whether or not a Change of Control has occurred, the individuals who were members of the Board at the beginning of such period.

 

2.23 “Independent Third Party” means an individual or entity independent of the Company having experience in providing investment banking or similar appraisal or valuation services and with expertise generally in the valuation of securities or other property for purposes of this Plan. The Committee may utilize one or more Independent Third Parties.

 

2.24 “Non-qualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option which is not designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

2.25 “Option” shall mean an Award granted under Article VII of the Plan of an option to purchase Shares and shall include both Incentive Stock Options and Non-qualified Stock Options.

 

2.26 “Option Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to an Option.

 

2.27 “Performance Criteria” shall mean the criteria selected by the Committee for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal(s) for a Holder for a Performance Period.

 

2.28 “Performance Goals” shall mean, for a Performance Period, the written goal or goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria, which may be related to the performance of the Holder, the Company or an Affiliate.

 

2.29 “Performance Period” shall mean one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, selected by the Committee, over which the attainment of the Performance Goals shall be measured for purposes of determining a Holder’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance Stock Award or a Performance Unit Award.

 

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2.30 “Performance Stock Award” or “Performance Stock” shall mean an Award granted under Article XII of the Plan under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined Performance Goals, Shares are paid to the Holder.

 

2.31 “Performance Stock Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Performance Stock Award.

 

2.32 “Performance Unit Award” or “Performance Unit” shall mean an Award granted under Article XI of the Plan under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined Performance Goals, a cash payment shall be made to the Holder, based on the number of Units awarded to the Holder.

 

2.33 “Performance Unit Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Performance Unit Award.

 

2.34 “Plan” shall mean this Airship AI Holdings, Inc. 2023 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, together with each of the Award Agreements utilized hereunder.

 

2.35 “Restricted Stock Award” and “Restricted Stock” shall mean an Award granted under Article VIII of the Plan of Shares, the transferability of which by the Holder is subject to Restrictions.

 

2.36 “Restricted Stock Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Restricted Stock Award.

 

2.37 “Restricted Stock Unit Award” and “RSUs” shall refer to an Award granted under Article X of the Plan under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual service-related vesting requirements, a payment in cash or Shares shall be made to the Holder, based on the number of Units awarded to the Holder.

 

2.38 “Restricted Stock Unit Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Restricted Stock Award.

 

2.39 “Restriction Period” shall mean the period of time for which Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to Restrictions, as set forth in the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement.

 

2.40 “Restrictions” shall mean the forfeiture, transfer and/or other restrictions applicable to Shares awarded to an Employee, Director or Consultant under the Plan pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award and set forth in a Restricted Stock Agreement.

 

2.41 “Rule 16b-3” shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act, as such may be amended from time to time, and any successor rule, regulation or statute fulfilling the same or a substantially similar function.

 

2.42 “Shares” or “Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share.

 

2.43 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” shall mean an Award granted under Article XIV of the Plan of a right, granted alone or in connection with a related Option, to receive a payment equal to the increase in value of a specified number of Shares between the date of Award and the date of exercise.

 

F-6

 

 

2.44 “Stock Appreciation Right Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right.

 

2.45 “Tandem Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean a Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with a related Option, the exercise of some or all of which results in termination of the entitlement to purchase some or all of the Shares under the related Option, all as set forth in Article XIV.

 

2.46 “Ten Percent Stockholder” shall mean an Employee who, at the time an Option is granted to him or her, owns shares possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or of any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation thereof (both as defined in Section 424 of the Code), within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code.

 

2.47 “Termination of Service” shall mean a termination of a Holder’s employment with, or status as a Director or Consultant of, the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, for any reason, including, without limitation, Total and Permanent Disability or death, except as provided in Section 6.4. In the event Termination of Service shall constitute a payment event with respect to any Award subject to Code Section 409A, Termination of Service shall only be deemed to occur upon a “separation from service” as such term is defined under Code Section 409A and applicable authorities.

 

2.48 “Total and Permanent Disability” of an individual shall mean the inability of such individual to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

2.49 “Unit” shall mean a bookkeeping unit, which represents such monetary amount as shall be designated by the Committee in each Performance Unit Agreement, or represents one Share for purposes of each Restricted Stock Unit Award.

 

2.50 “Unrestricted Stock Award” shall mean an Award granted under Article IX of the Plan of Shares which are not subject to Restrictions.

 

2.51 “Unrestricted Stock Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to an Unrestricted Stock Award.

 

Article III
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

 

The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date, provided that the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months of such date.

 

Article IV
ADMINISTRATION

 

4.1 Composition of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be appointed by the Board. If necessary, in the Board’s discretion, to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or relevant securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation service, the Committee shall consist solely of two (2) or more Directors who are each (i) “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and (ii) “independent” for purposes of any applicable listing requirements;. If a member of the Committee shall be eligible to receive an Award under the Plan, such Committee member shall have no authority hereunder with respect to his or her own Award.

 

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4.2 Powers. Subject to the other provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the sole authority, in its discretion, to make all determinations under the Plan, including but not limited to (i) determining which Employees, Directors or Consultants shall receive an Award, (ii) the time or times when an Award shall be made (the date of grant of an Award shall be the date on which the Award is awarded by the Committee), (iii) what type of Award shall be granted, (iv) the term of an Award, (v) the date or dates on which an Award vests, (vi) the form of any payment to be made pursuant to an Award, (vii) the terms and conditions of an Award (including the forfeiture of the Award, and/or any financial gain, if the Holder of the Award violates any applicable restrictive covenant thereof), (viii) the Restrictions under a Restricted Stock Award, (ix) the number of Shares which may be issued under an Award, (x) Performance Goals applicable to any Award and certification of the achievement of such goals, and (xi) the waiver of any Restrictions or Performance Goals, subject in all cases to compliance with applicable laws. In making such determinations the Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered by the respective Employees, Directors and Consultants, their present and potential contribution to the Company’s (or the Affiliate’s) success and such other factors as the Committee in its discretion may deem relevant.

 

4.3 Additional Powers. The Committee shall have such additional powers as are delegated to it under the other provisions of the Plan. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee is authorized to construe the Plan and the respective Award Agreements executed hereunder, to prescribe such rules and regulations relating to the Plan as it may deem advisable to carry out the intent of the Plan, to determine the terms, restrictions and provisions of each Award and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for administering the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in any Award Agreement in the manner and to the extent the Committee shall deem necessary, appropriate or expedient to carry it into effect. The determinations of the Committee on the matters referred to in this Article IV shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and all Holders.

 

4.4 Committee Action. Subject to compliance with all applicable laws, action by the Committee shall require the consent of a majority of the members of the Committee, expressed either orally at a meeting of the Committee or in writing in the absence of a meeting. No member of the Committee shall have any liability for any good faith action, inaction or determination in connection with the Plan.

 

Article V
SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN AND LIMITATIONS THEREON

 

5.1 Authorized Shares. The Committee may from time to time grant Awards to one or more Employees, Directors and/or Consultants determined by it to be eligible for participation in the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Article VI. Subject to any adjustments as necessary pursuant to Article XV, the aggregate number of shares of Stock reserved and available for grant and issuance under the Plan is [●]. In addition, subject to any adjustments as necessary pursuant to Article XV, such aggregate number of shares of Stock will automatically increase on January 1 of each year for a period of ten years commencing on January 1, 2023 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2032, in an amount equal to [●]% of the total number of shares of Stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding year; provided, however, that the Board may act prior to January 1st of a given year to provide that the increase for such year will be a lesser number of shares of Stock. Shares underlying Awards under this Plan that are forfeited, canceled, expire unexercised, or are settled in cash shall be available again for issuance as Awards under the Plan. In the event that (i) any Option or other Award granted hereunder is exercised through the tendering of Stock (either actually or by attestation) or by the withholding of Stock by the Company, or (ii) tax or deduction liabilities arising from such Option or other Award are satisfied by the tendering of Stock (either actually or by attestation) or by the withholding of Stock by the Company, then in each such case the shares of Stock so tendered or withheld shall not be added back to the shares of Stock available for grant under the Plan.

 

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5.2 Types of Shares. The Shares to be issued pursuant to the grant or exercise of an Award may consist of authorized but unissued Shares, Shares purchased on the open market or Shares previously issued and outstanding and reacquired by the Company.

 

5.3 Aggregate Incentive Stock Option Limit. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 5.1, and subject to Article XV, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options is [●] shares.

 

5.4 Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit. The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be subject to an Award granted under the Plan during any single fiscal year to any non-employee director, when taken together with any cash fees paid to such non-employee director during such year in respect of his service as a non-employee director (including service as a member or chair of any committee of the Board), shall not exceed $250,000 in total value (calculating the value of any such Award based on the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Award for financial reporting purposes).

 

Article VI
ELIGIBILITY AND TERMINATION OF SERVICE

 

6.1 Eligibility. Awards made under the Plan may be granted solely to individuals who, at the time of grant, are Employees, Directors or Consultants. An Award may be granted on more than one occasion to the same Employee, Director or Consultant, and, subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan, such Award may include, a Non-qualified Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, an Unrestricted Stock Award, a Distribution Equivalent Right Award, a Performance Stock Award, a Performance Unit Award, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, or any combination thereof, and solely for Employees, an Incentive Stock Option.

 

6.2 Termination of Service. Except to the extent inconsistent with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement and/or the provisions of Section 6.3 or 6.4, the following terms and conditions shall apply with respect to a Holder’s Termination of Service with the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable:

 

(a) The Holder’s rights, if any, to exercise any then exercisable Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights shall terminate:

 

(i) If such termination is for a reason other than the Holder’s Total and Permanent Disability or death, ninety (90) days after the date of such Termination of Service;

 

(ii) If such termination is on account of the Holder’s Total and Permanent Disability, one (1) year after the date of such Termination of Service; or

 

(iii) If such termination is on account of the Holder’s death, one (1) year after the date of the Holder’s death.

 

Upon such applicable date the Holder (and such Holder’s estate, designated beneficiary or other legal representative) shall forfeit any rights or interests in or with respect to any such Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for a different time period in the Award Agreement, or may extend the time period, following a Termination of Service, during which the Holder has the right to exercise any vested Non-qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, which time period may not extend beyond the expiration date of the Award term.

 

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(b) In the event of a Holder’s Termination of Service for any reason prior to the actual or deemed satisfaction and/or lapse of the Restrictions, vesting requirements, terms and conditions applicable to a Restricted Stock Award and/or Restricted Stock Unit Award, such Restricted Stock and/or RSUs shall immediately be canceled, and the Holder (and such Holder’s estate, designated beneficiary or other legal representative) shall forfeit any rights or interests in and with respect to any such Restricted Stock and/or RSUs.

 

6.3 Special Termination Rule. Except to the extent inconsistent with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article VI, if a Holder’s employment with, or status as a Director of, the Company or an Affiliate shall terminate, and if, within ninety (90) days of such termination, such Holder shall become a Consultant, such Holder’s rights with respect to any Award or portion thereof granted thereto prior to the date of such termination may be preserved, if and to the extent determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, as if such Holder had been a Consultant for the entire period during which such Award or portion thereof had been outstanding. Should the Committee effect such determination with respect to such Holder, for all purposes of the Plan, such Holder shall not be treated as if his or her employment or Director status had terminated until such time as his or her Consultant status shall terminate, in which case his or her Award, as it may have been reduced in connection with the Holder’s becoming a Consultant, shall be treated pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2, provided, however, that any such Award which is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall, upon the Holder’s no longer being an Employee, automatically convert to a Non-qualified Stock Option. Should a Holder’s status as a Consultant terminate, and if, within ninety (90) days of such termination, such Holder shall become an Employee or a Director, such Holder’s rights with respect to any Award or portion thereof granted thereto prior to the date of such termination may be preserved, if and to the extent determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, as if such Holder had been an Employee or a Director, as applicable, for the entire period during which such Award or portion thereof had been outstanding, and, should the Committee effect such determination with respect to such Holder, for all purposes of the Plan, such Holder shall not be treated as if his or her Consultant status had terminated until such time as his or her employment with the Company or an Affiliate, or his or her Director status, as applicable, shall terminate, in which case his or her Award shall be treated pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2.

 

6.4 Termination of Service for Cause. Notwithstanding anything in this Article VI or elsewhere in the Plan to the contrary, and unless a Holder’s Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise, in the event of a Holder’s Termination of Service for Cause, all of such Holder’s then outstanding Awards shall expire immediately and be forfeited in their entirety upon such Termination of Service.

 

Article VII
OPTIONS

 

7.1 Option Period. The term of each Option shall be as specified in the Option Agreement; provided, however, that except as set forth in Section 7.3, no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant. If the Option would expire at a time when the exercise of the Option would violate applicable securities laws, the expiration date applicable to the Option will be automatically extended to a date that is 30 calendar days following the date such exercise would no longer violate applicable securities laws (so long as such extension shall not violate Section 409A of the Code); provided, that in no event shall such expiration date be extended beyond the expiration of the option period.

 

7.2 Limitations on Exercise of Option. An Option shall be exercisable in whole or in such installments and at such times as specified in the Option Agreement

 

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7.3 Special Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time the respective Incentive Stock Option is granted) of Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an individual during any calendar year under all plans of the Company and any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation thereof (both as defined in Section 424 of the Code) which provide for the grant of Incentive Stock Options exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) (or such other individual limit as may be in effect under the Code on the date of grant), the portion of such Incentive Stock Options that exceeds such threshold shall be treated as Non-qualified Stock Options. The Committee shall determine, in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code, Treasury Regulations and other administrative pronouncements, which of a Holder’s Options, which were intended by the Committee to be Incentive Stock Options when granted to the Holder, will not constitute Incentive Stock Options because of such limitation, and shall notify the Holder of such determination as soon as practicable after such determination. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to an Employee if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, such Employee is a Ten Percent Stockholder, unless (i) at the time such Incentive Stock Option is granted the Option price is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Incentive Stock Option, and (ii) such Incentive Stock Option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted more than ten (10) years from the earlier of the Effective Date or date on which the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders. The designation by the Committee of an Option as an Incentive Stock Option shall not guarantee the Holder that the Option will satisfy the applicable requirements for “incentive stock option” status under Section 422 of the Code.

 

7.4 Option Agreement. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement in such form and containing such provisions not inconsistent with the other provisions of the Plan as the Committee from time to time shall approve, including, but not limited to, provisions intended to qualify an Option as an Incentive Stock Option. An Option Agreement may provide for the payment of the Option price, in whole or in part, by the delivery of a number of Shares (plus cash if necessary) that have been owned by the Holder for at least six (6) months and having a Fair Market Value equal to such Option price, or such other forms or methods as the Committee may determine from time to time, in each case, subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Committee. Each Option Agreement shall, solely to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4, as applicable, specify the effect of Termination of Service on the exercisability of the Option. Moreover, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Non-qualified Stock Option Agreement may provide for a “cashless exercise” of the Option, in whole or in part, by (a) establishing procedures whereby the Holder, by a properly-executed written notice, directs (i) an immediate market sale or margin loan as to all or a part of Shares to which he is entitled to receive upon exercise of the Option, pursuant to an extension of credit by the Company to the Holder of the Option price, (ii) the delivery of the Shares from the Company directly to a brokerage firm and (iii) the delivery of the Option price from sale or margin loan proceeds from the brokerage firm directly to the Company, or (b) reducing the number of Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option by the number of such Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the Option price (or portion thereof to be so paid) as of the date of the Option’s exercise. An Option Agreement may also include provisions relating to: (i) subject to the provisions hereof, accelerated vesting of Options, including but not limited to, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, (ii) tax matters (including provisions covering any applicable Employee wage withholding requirements) and (iii) any other matters not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the Plan that the Committee shall in its sole discretion determine. The terms and conditions of the respective Option Agreements need not be identical.

 

7.5 Option Price and Payment. The price at which a Share may be purchased upon exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that such Option price (i) shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date such Option is granted (or 110% of Fair Market Value for an Incentive Stock Option held by Ten Percent Stockholder, as provided in Section 7.3), and (ii) shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Article XV. The Option or portion thereof may be exercised by delivery of an irrevocable notice of exercise to the Company. The Option price for the Option or portion thereof shall be paid in full in the manner prescribed by the Committee as set forth in the Plan and the applicable Option Agreement, which manner, with the consent of the Committee, may include the withholding of Shares otherwise issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option. Separate share certificates shall be issued by the Company for those Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option and for those Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Non-qualified Stock Option.

 

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7.6 Stockholder Rights and Privileges. The Holder of an Option shall be entitled to all the privileges and rights of a stockholder of the Company solely with respect to such Shares as have been purchased under the Option and for which share certificates have been registered in the Holder’s name.

 

7.7 Options and Rights in Substitution for Stock or Options Granted by Other Corporations. Options may be granted under the Plan from time to time in substitution for stock options held by individuals employed by entities who become Employees, Directors or Consultants as a result of a merger or consolidation of the employing entity with the Company or any Affiliate, or the acquisition by the Company or an Affiliate of the assets of the employing entity, or the acquisition by the Company or an Affiliate of stock or shares of the employing entity with the result that such employing entity becomes an Affiliate. Any substitute Awards granted under this Plan shall not reduce the number of Shares authorized for grant under the Plan.

 

7.8 Prohibition Against Repricing7.9 . Except to the extent (i) approved in advance by holders of a majority of the shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (ii) as a result of any Change of Control or any adjustment as provided in Article XV, the Committee shall not have the power or authority to reduce, whether through amendment or otherwise, the exercise price under any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or to grant any new Award or make any payment of cash in substitution for or upon the cancellation of Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights previously granted.

 

Article VIII
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

8.1 Award. A Restricted Stock Award shall constitute an Award of Shares to the Holder as of the date of the Award which are subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” as defined under Section 83 of the Code during the specified Restriction Period. At the time a Restricted Stock Award is made, the Committee shall establish the Restriction Period applicable to such Award. Each Restricted Stock Award may have a different Restriction Period, in the discretion of the Committee. The Restriction Period applicable to a particular Restricted Stock Award shall not be changed except as permitted by Section 8.2.

 

8.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article VIII, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Restricted Stock Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Company shall cause the Shares to be issued in the name of Holder, either by book-entry registration or issuance of one or more stock certificates evidencing the Shares, which Shares or certificates shall be held by the Company or the stock transfer agent or brokerage service selected by the Company to provide services for the Plan. The Shares shall be restricted from transfer and shall be subject to an appropriate stop-transfer order, and if any certificate is issued, such certificate shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the restrictions applicable to the Shares. After any Shares vest, the Company shall deliver the vested Shares, in book-entry or certificated form in the Company’s sole discretion, registered in the name of Holder or his or her legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be, less any Shares withheld to pay withholding taxes. If provided for under the Restricted Stock Agreement, the Holder shall have the right to vote Shares subject thereto and to enjoy all other stockholder rights, including the entitlement to receive dividends on the Shares during the Restriction Period. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Restricted Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of Termination of Service prior to expiration of the Restriction Period. Such additional terms, conditions or restrictions shall, to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4, as applicable, be set forth in a Restricted Stock Agreement made in conjunction with the Award. Such Restricted Stock Agreement may also include provisions relating to: (i) subject to the provisions hereof, accelerated vesting of Awards, including but not limited to accelerated vesting upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, (ii) tax matters (including provisions covering any applicable Employee wage withholding requirements) and (iii) any other matters not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the Plan that the Committee shall in its sole discretion determine. The terms and conditions of the respective Restricted Stock Agreements need not be identical. All Shares delivered to a Holder as part of a Restricted Stock Award shall be delivered and reported by the Company or the Affiliate, as applicable, to the Holder at the time of vesting.

 

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8.3 Payment for Restricted Stock. The Committee shall determine the amount and form of any payment from a Holder for Shares received pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, if any, provided that in the absence of such a determination, a Holder shall not be required to make any payment for Shares received pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, except to the extent otherwise required by law.

 

Article IX
UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

9.1 Award. Shares may be awarded (or sold) to Employees, Directors or Consultants under the Plan which are not subject to Restrictions of any kind, in consideration for past services rendered thereby to the Company or an Affiliate or for other valid consideration.

 

9.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article IX, the Company and the Holder shall enter into an Unrestricted Stock Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated hereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate.

 

9.3 Payment for Unrestricted Stock. The Committee shall determine the amount and form of any payment from a Holder for Shares received pursuant to an Unrestricted Stock Award, if any, provided that in the absence of such a determination, a Holder shall not be required to make any payment for Shares received pursuant to an Unrestricted Stock Award, except to the extent otherwise required by law.

 

Article X
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARDS

 

10.1 Award. A Restricted Stock Unit Award shall constitute a promise to grant Shares (or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of Shares) to the Holder at the end of a specified vesting schedule. At the time a Restricted Stock Unit Award is made, the Committee shall establish the vesting schedule applicable to such Award. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award may have a different vesting schedule, in the discretion of the Committee. A Restricted Stock Unit shall not constitute an equity interest in the Company and shall not entitle the Holder to voting rights, dividends or any other rights associated with ownership of Shares prior to the time the Holder shall receive a distribution of Shares pursuant to Section 10.3.

 

10.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article X, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall set forth the individual service-based vesting requirement which the Holder would be required to satisfy before the Holder would become entitled to distribution pursuant to Section 10.3 and the number of Units awarded to the Holder. Such conditions shall be sufficient to constitute a “substantial risk of forfeiture” as such term is defined under Section 409A of the Code. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Restricted Stock Unit Awards in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of Termination of Service prior to expiration of the applicable vesting period. The terms and conditions of the respective Restricted Stock Unit Agreements need not be identical.

 

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10.3 Distributions of Shares. The Holder of a Restricted Stock Unit shall be entitled to receive Shares or a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share, or one Share, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee and as set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, for each Restricted Stock Unit subject to such Restricted Stock Unit Award, if the Holder satisfies the applicable vesting requirement. Such distribution shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the calendar year in which the Restricted Stock Unit first becomes vested (i.e., no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture”).

 

Article XI
PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARDS

 

11.1 Award. A Performance Unit Award shall constitute an Award under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual and/or Company (and/or Affiliate) Performance Goals based on selected Performance Criteria, a cash payment shall be made to the Holder, based on the number of Units awarded to the Holder. At the time a Performance Unit Award is made, the Committee shall establish the Performance Period and applicable Performance Goals. Each Performance Unit Award may have different Performance Goals, in the discretion of the Committee. A Performance Unit Award shall not constitute an equity interest in the Company and shall not entitle the Holder to voting rights, dividends or any other rights associated with ownership of Shares.

 

11.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XI, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Performance Unit Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Performance Unit Agreement the Performance Period, Performance Criteria and Performance Goals which the Holder and/or the Company would be required to satisfy before the Holder would become entitled to payment pursuant to Section 11.3, the number of Units awarded to the Holder and the dollar value or formula assigned to each such Unit. Such payment shall be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Performance Unit Awards, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of Termination of Service prior to expiration of the applicable performance period. The terms and conditions of the respective Performance Unit Agreements need not be identical.

 

11.3 Payments. The Holder of a Performance Unit shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the dollar value assigned to such Unit under the applicable Performance Unit Agreement if the Holder and/or the Company satisfy (or partially satisfy, if applicable under the applicable Performance Unit Agreement) the Performance Goals set forth in such Performance Unit Agreement. All payments shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year to which such performance goals and objectives relate.

 

Article XII
PERFORMANCE STOCK AWARDS

 

12.1 Award. A Performance Stock Award shall constitute a promise to grant Shares (or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of Shares) to the Holder at the end of a specified Performance Period subject to achievement of specified Performance Goals. At the time a Performance Stock Award is made, the Committee shall establish the Performance Period and applicable Performance Goals based on selected Performance Criteria. Each Performance Stock Award may have different Performance Goals, in the discretion of the Committee. A Performance Stock Award shall not constitute an equity interest in the Company and shall not entitle the Holder to voting rights, dividends or any other rights associated with ownership of Shares unless and until the Holder shall receive a distribution of Shares pursuant to Section 12.3.

 

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12.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XII, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Performance Stock Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Performance Stock Agreement the Performance Period, selected Performance Criteria and Performance Goals which the Holder and/or the Company would be required to satisfy before the Holder would become entitled to the receipt of Shares pursuant to such Holder’s Performance Stock Award and the number of Shares subject to such Performance Stock Award. Such distribution shall be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code. If such Performance Goals are achieved, the distribution of Shares (or the payment of cash, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee), shall be made in accordance with Section 12.3, below. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Performance Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of the Holder’s Termination of Service prior to the expiration of the applicable performance period. The terms and conditions of the respective Performance Stock Agreements need not be identical.

 

12.3 Distributions of Shares. The Holder of a Performance Stock Award shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share, or one Share, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, for each Performance Stock Award subject to such Performance Stock Agreement, if the Holder satisfies the applicable vesting requirement. Such distribution shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year to which such performance goals and objectives relate.

 

Article XIII
DISTRIBUTION EQUIVALENT RIGHTS

 

13.1 Award. A Distribution Equivalent Right shall entitle the Holder to receive bookkeeping credits, cash payments and/or Share distributions equal in amount to the distributions that would have been made to the Holder had the Holder held a specified number of Shares during the specified period of the Award.

 

13.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XIII, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement the terms and conditions, if any, including whether the Holder is to receive credits currently in cash, is to have such credits reinvested (at Fair Market Value determined as of the date of reinvestment) in additional Shares or is to be entitled to choose among such alternatives. Such receipt shall be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code and, if such Award becomes vested, the distribution of such cash or Shares shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the Holder’s interest in the Award vests. Distribution Equivalent Rights Awards may be settled in cash or in Shares, as set forth in the applicable Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement. A Distribution Equivalent Rights Award may, but need not be, awarded in tandem with another Award (other than an Option or a SAR), whereby, if so awarded, such Distribution Equivalent Rights Award shall expire, terminate or be forfeited by the Holder, as applicable, under the same conditions as under such other Award.

 

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13.3 Interest Equivalents. The Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement for a Distribution Equivalent Rights Award may provide for the crediting of interest on a Distribution Rights Award to be settled in cash at a future date (but in no event later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which such interest is credited and vested), at a rate set forth in the applicable Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement, on the amount of cash payable thereunder.

 

Article XIV
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

14.1 Award. A Stock Appreciation Right shall constitute a right, granted alone or in connection with a related Option, to receive a payment equal to the increase in value of a specified number of Shares between the date of Award and the date of exercise.

 

14.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XIV, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Stock Appreciation Right Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Stock Appreciation Right Agreement the terms and conditions of the Stock Appreciation Right, including (i) the base value (the “Base Value”) for the Stock Appreciation Right, which shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right, (ii) the number of Shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right, (iii) the period during which the Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised; provided, however, that no Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant, and (iv) any other special rules and/or requirements which the Committee imposes upon the Stock Appreciation Right. Upon the exercise of some or all of the portion of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Holder shall receive a payment from the Company, in cash or in the form of Shares having an equivalent Fair Market Value or in a combination of both, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, equal to the product of:

 

(a) The excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise, over (ii) the Base Value, multiplied by,

 

(b) The number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.

 

14.3 Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights. If the Committee grants a Stock Appreciation Right which is intended to be a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be granted at the same time as the related Option, and the following special rules shall apply:

 

(a) The Base Value shall be equal to or greater than the per Share exercise price under the related Option;

 

(b) The Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised for all or part of the Shares which are subject to the related Option, but solely upon the surrender by the Holder of the Holder’s right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option (and when a Share is purchased under the related Option, an equivalent portion of the related Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be canceled);

 

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(c) The Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall expire no later than the date of the expiration of the related Option;

 

(d) The value of the payment with respect to the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be no more than one hundred percent (100%) of the difference between the per Share exercise price under the related Option and the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the related Option at the time the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, multiplied by the number of the Shares with respect to which the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is exercised; and

 

(e) The Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised solely when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the related Option exceeds the per Share exercise price under the related Option.

 

Article XV
RECAPITALIZATION OR REORGANIZATION

 

15.1 Adjustments to Shares. The shares with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan are Shares as presently constituted; provided, however, that if, and whenever, prior to the expiration or distribution to the Holder of Shares underlying an Award theretofore granted, the Company shall effect a subdivision or consolidation of the Shares or the payment of an Share dividend on Shares without receipt of consideration by the Company, the number of Shares with respect to which such Award may thereafter be exercised or satisfied, as applicable, (i) in the event of an increase in the number of outstanding Shares, shall be proportionately increased, and the purchase price per Share shall be proportionately reduced, and (ii) in the event of a reduction in the number of outstanding Shares, shall be proportionately reduced, and the purchase price per Share shall be proportionately increased. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Article XV, any adjustment made with respect to an Award (x) which is an Incentive Stock Option, shall comply with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code, and in no event shall any adjustment be made which would render any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan to be other than an “incentive stock option” for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, and (y) which is a Non-qualified Stock Option, shall comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and in no event shall any adjustment be made which would render any Non-qualified Stock Option granted under the Plan to become subject to Section 409A of the Code.

 

15.2 Recapitalization. If the Company recapitalizes or otherwise changes its capital structure, thereafter upon any exercise or satisfaction, as applicable, of a previously granted Award, the Holder shall be entitled to receive (or entitled to purchase, if applicable) under such Award, in lieu of the number of Shares then covered by such Award, the number and class of shares and securities to which the Holder would have been entitled pursuant to the terms of the recapitalization if, immediately prior to such recapitalization, the Holder had been the holder of record of the number of Shares then covered by such Award.

 

15.3 Other Events. In the event of changes to the outstanding Shares by reason of an extraordinary cash dividend, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, split-up, spin-off, exchange or other relevant change in capitalization occurring after the date of the grant of any Award and not otherwise provided for under this Article XV, any outstanding Awards and any Award Agreements evidencing such Awards shall be adjusted by the Board in its discretion in such manner as the Board shall deem equitable or appropriate taking into consideration the applicable accounting and tax consequences, as to the number and price of Shares or other consideration subject to such Awards. In the event of any adjustment pursuant to Sections 15.1, 15.2 or this Section 15.3, the aggregate number of Shares available under the Plan pursuant to Section 5.1 may be appropriately adjusted by the Board, the determination of which shall be conclusive. In addition, the Committee may make provision for a cash payment to a Holder or a person who has an outstanding Award.

 

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15.4 Change of Control. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, at the time an Award is made or at any time prior to, coincident with or after the time of a Change of Control, cause any Award either (i) to be canceled in consideration of a payment in cash or other consideration in amount per share equal to the excess, if any, of the price or implied price per Share in the Change of Control over the per Share exercise, base or purchase price of such Award, which may be paid immediately or over the vesting schedule of the Award; (ii) to be assumed, or new rights substituted therefore, by the surviving corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such surviving corporation following such Change of Control; (iii) accelerate any time periods, or waive any other conditions, relating to the vesting, exercise, payment or distribution of an Award so that any Award to a Holder whose employment has been terminated as a result of a Change of Control may be vested, exercised, paid or distributed in full on or before a date fixed by the Committee; (iv) to be purchased from a Holder whose employment has been terminated as a result of a Change of Control, upon the Holder’s request, for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise, payment or distribution of such rights had such Award been currently exercisable or payable; or (v) terminate any then outstanding Award or make any other adjustment to the Awards then outstanding as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect such transaction or change. The number of Shares subject to any Award shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.

 

15.5 Powers Not Affected. The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or of the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change of the Company’s capital structure or business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of debt or equity securities ahead of or affecting Shares or the rights thereof, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or any part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.

 

15.6 No Adjustment for Certain Awards. Except as hereinabove expressly provided, the issuance by the Company of shares of any class or securities convertible into shares of any class, for cash, property, labor or services, upon direct sale, upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, and in any case whether or not for fair value, shall not affect previously granted Awards, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to the number of Shares subject to Awards theretofore granted or the purchase price per Share, if applicable.

 

Article XVI
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF PLAN

 

The Plan shall continue in effect, unless sooner terminated pursuant to this Article XVI, until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which it is adopted by the Board (except as to Awards outstanding on that date). The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided that (i) no amendment to Section 7.8 (repricing prohibitions) shall be made without stockholder approval and (ii) no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without stockholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to the Plan (including, without limitation, as necessary to comply with any rules or requirements of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Stock may be listed or quoted); provided, further, that any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Holder or beneficiary (unless such change is required in order to exempt the Plan or any Award from Section 409A of the Code).

 

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Article XVII
MISCELLANEOUS

 

17.1 No Right to Award. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Company nor any action of the Board or the Committee shall be deemed to give an Employee, Director or Consultant any right to an Award except as may be evidenced by an Award Agreement duly executed on behalf of the Company, and then solely to the extent and on the terms and conditions expressly set forth therein.

 

17.2 No Rights Conferred. Nothing contained in the Plan shall (i) confer upon any Employee any right with respect to continuation of employment with the Company or any Affiliate, (ii) interfere in any way with any right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the employment of an Employee at any time, (iii) confer upon any Director any right with respect to continuation of such Director’s membership on the Board, (iv) interfere in any way with any right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate a Director’s membership on the Board at any time, (v) confer upon any Consultant any right with respect to continuation of his or her consulting engagement with the Company or any Affiliate, or (vi) interfere in any way with any right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate a Consultant’s consulting engagement with the Company or an Affiliate at any time.

 

17.3 Other Laws; No Fractional Shares; Withholding. The Company shall not be obligated by virtue of any provision of the Plan to recognize the exercise of any Award or to otherwise sell or issue Shares in violation of any laws, rules or regulations, and any postponement of the exercise or settlement of any Award under this provision shall not extend the term of such Award. Neither the Company nor its directors or officers shall have any obligation or liability to a Holder with respect to any Award (or Shares issuable thereunder) (i) that shall lapse because of such postponement, or (ii) for any failure to comply with the requirements of any applicable law, rules or regulations, including but not limited to any failure to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of this Code. No fractional Shares shall be delivered, nor shall any cash in lieu of fractional Shares be paid. The Company shall have the right to deduct in cash (whether under this Plan or otherwise) in connection with all Awards any taxes required by law to be withheld and to require any payments required to enable it to satisfy its withholding obligations. In the case of any Award satisfied in the form of Shares, no Shares shall be issued unless and until arrangements satisfactory to the Company shall have been made to satisfy any tax withholding obligations applicable with respect to such Award. Subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may impose, the Company shall have the right to retain, or the Committee may, subject to such terms and conditions as it may establish from time to time, permit Holders to elect to tender, Shares (including Shares issuable in respect of an Award) to satisfy, in whole or in part, the amount required to be withheld.

 

17.4 No Restriction on Corporate Action. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or any Affiliate from taking any corporate action which is deemed by the Company or such Affiliate to be appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on the Plan or any Award made under the Plan. No Employee, Director, Consultant, beneficiary or other person shall have any claim against the Company or any Affiliate as a result of any such action.

 

17.5 Restrictions on Transfer. No Award under the Plan or any Award Agreement and no rights or interests herein or therein, shall or may be assigned, transferred, sold, exchanged, encumbered, pledged or otherwise hypothecated or disposed of by a Holder except (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or (ii) where permitted under applicable tax rules, by gift to any Family Member of the Holder, subject to compliance with applicable laws. An Award may be exercisable during the lifetime of the Holder only by such Holder or by the Holder’s guardian or legal representative unless it has been transferred by gift to a Family Member of the Holder, in which case it shall be exercisable solely by such transferee. Notwithstanding any such transfer, the Holder shall continue to be subject to the withholding requirements provided for under Section 17.3 hereof.

 

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17.6 Beneficiary Designations. Each Holder may, from time to time, name a beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be contingent or successive beneficiaries) for purposes of receiving any amount which is payable in connection with an Award under the Plan upon or subsequent to the Holder’s death. Each such beneficiary designation shall serve to revoke all prior beneficiary designations, be in a form prescribed by the Company and be effective solely when filed by the Holder in writing with the Company during the Holder’s lifetime. In the absence of any such written beneficiary designation, for purposes of the Plan, a Holder’s beneficiary shall be the Holder’s estate.

 

17.7 Rule 16b-3. It is intended that the Plan and any Award made to a person subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall meet all of the requirements of Rule 16b-3. If any provision of the Plan or of any such Award would disqualify the Plan or such Award under, or would otherwise not comply with the requirements of, Rule 16b-3, such provision or Award shall be construed or deemed to have been amended as necessary to conform to the requirements of Rule 16b-3.

 

17.8 Clawback Policy. All Awards (including on a retroactive basis) granted under the Plan are subject to the terms of any Company forfeiture, incentive compensation recoupment, clawback or similar policy as it may be in effect from time to time, as well as any similar provisions of applicable laws, as well as any other policy of the Company that may apply to the Awards, such as anti-hedging or pledging policies, as they may be in effect from time to time. In particular, these policies and/or provisions shall include, without limitation, (i) any Company policy established to comply with applicable laws (including, without limitation, Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act), and/or (ii) the rules and regulations of the applicable securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the shares of Stock or other securities are listed or quoted, and these requirements shall be deemed incorporated by reference into all outstanding Award Agreements.

 

17.9 No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes. The Company shall have no duty or obligation to any Holder to advise such Holder as to the time or manner of exercising any Award. Furthermore, the Company shall have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such Holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to any person.

 

17.10 Section 409A of the Code.

 

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, all Awards made under this Plan are intended to be exempt from or, in the alternative, comply with Section 409A of the Code and the authoritative guidance thereunder, including the exceptions for stock rights and short-term deferrals. The Plan shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Each payment under an Award shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b) If a Holder is a “specified employee” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 409A of the Code) at the time of his termination of service, no amount that is nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code and that becomes payable by reason of such termination of service shall be paid to the Holder (or in the event of the Holder’s death, the Holder’s representative or estate) before the earlier of  (x) the first business day after the date that is six months following the date of the Holder’s termination of service, and (y) within 30 days following the date of the Holder’s death. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, a termination of service shall be deemed to occur only if it is a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and references in the Plan and any Award Agreement to “termination of service” or similar terms shall mean a “separation from service.” If any Award is or becomes subject to Section 409A of the Code, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, such Award shall be payable upon the Holder’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. If any Award is or becomes subject to Section 409A of the Code and if payment of such Award would be accelerated or otherwise triggered under a Change of Control, then the definition of Change of Control shall be deemed modified, only to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, to mean a “change in control event” as such term is defined for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

 

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