EX-2.1 2 ex2-1.htm EX-2.1

 

Exhibit 2.1

 

Dated October 22, 2025

 

Business Combination Agreement
by and among

 

Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VII

 

Solis Merger Sub LLC

 

and

 

ONE Nuclear Energy, LLC

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Article I THE TRANSACTIONS 4
       
  Section 1.01 The Domestication 4
  Section 1.02 The Merger 4
  Section 1.03 Further Assurances 5
   
Article II CONSIDERATION 5
       
  Section 2.01 Consideration for Company Securities 5
  Section 2.02 Conversion of Securities 5
  Section 2.03 Earnout 6
  Section 2.04 No Fractional Shares 8
  Section 2.05 Withholding 8
   
Article III CLOSING 8
       
  Section 3.01 Closing 8
  Section 3.02 Closing Documents 8
  Section 3.03 Payment of Expenses 9
   
Article IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY 9
       
  Section 4.01 Organization and Standing 9
  Section 4.02 Authorization; Binding Agreement 10
  Section 4.03 Capitalization 10
  Section 4.04 No Subsidiaries 11
  Section 4.05 No Conflict; Governmental Consents and Filings 11
  Section 4.06 Financial Statements 12
  Section 4.07 Undisclosed Liabilities 12
  Section 4.08 Absence of Certain Changes 13
  Section 4.09 Compliance with Laws 13
  Section 4.10 Government Contracts 13
  Section 4.11 Company Permits 13
  Section 4.12 Litigation 13
  Section 4.13 Material Contracts 14
  Section 4.14 Intellectual Property 17
  Section 4.15 Taxes and Returns 19
  Section 4.16 Real Property 21
  Section 4.17 Personal Property 22
  Section 4.18 Title to Assets 23
  Section 4.19 Employee Matters 23
  Section 4.20 Benefit Plans 24
  Section 4.21 Environmental Matters 26
  Section 4.22 Transactions with Related Persons 27
  Section 4.23 Insurance 28
  Section 4.24 Customers and Top Suppliers 28
  Section 4.25 Certain Business Practices 29
  Section 4.26 Investment Company Act 30

 

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  Section 4.27 Finders and Brokers 30
  Section 4.28 Independent Investigation 30
  Section 4.29 Information Supplied 31
  Section 4.30 No Additional Representations or Warranties 31
   
Article V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER AND MERGER SUB 32
       
  Section 5.01 Organization and Standing 32
  Section 5.02 Authorization; Binding Agreement 32
  Section 5.03 Governmental Approvals 32
  Section 5.04 Non-Contravention 33
  Section 5.05 Capitalization 33
  Section 5.06 SEC Filings and Purchaser Financials 34
  Section 5.07 Absence of Certain Changes 36
  Section 5.08 Undisclosed Liabilities 36
  Section 5.09 Compliance with Laws 36
  Section 5.10 Legal Proceedings; Orders; Permits 36
  Section 5.11 Taxes and Returns 37
  Section 5.12 Properties 38
  Section 5.13 Investment Company Act 38
  Section 5.14 Trust Account 39
  Section 5.15 Finders and Brokers 39
  Section 5.16 Information Supplied 40
  Section 5.17 Independent Investigation  
  Section 5.18 No Additional Representations or Warranties 40
   
Article VI COVENANTS 41
       
  Section 6.01 Access and Information; Cooperation 41
  Section 6.02 Conduct of Business of the Company 42
  Section 6.03 Conduct of Business of the Purchaser 46
  Section 6.04 Annual and Interim Financial Statements 49
  Section 6.05 Purchaser Public Filings 49
  Section 6.06 No Solicitation 49
  Section 6.07 No Trading 50
  Section 6.08 Notification of Certain Matters 51
  Section 6.09 Efforts 51
  Section 6.10 Trust Account 53
  Section 6.11 Certain Tax Matters 53
  Section 6.12 Further Assurances 55
  Section 6.13 The Preparation of Proxy Statement/Registration Statement; Shareholders’ Meeting and Approvals 56
  Section 6.14 Employee Matters 59
  Section 6.15 Public Announcements 59
  Section 6.16 Confidential Information 60
  Section 6.17 Documents and Information 62
  Section 6.18 Post-Closing Board of Directors and Executive Officers 62
  Section 6.19 Indemnification of Directors and Officers; Tail Insurance 63

 

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  Section 6.20 PIPE Investment 65
  Section 6.21 Redemption 65
  Section 6.22 Domestication 66
  Section 6.23 Adoption of Proxy Statement/Registration Statement 66
   
Article VII CLOSING CONDITIONS 66
       
  Section 7.01 Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations 66
  Section 7.02 Conditions to Obligations of the Company 67
  Section 7.03 Conditions to Obligations of the Purchaser and Merger Sub 68
  Section 7.04 Frustration of Conditions 69
   
Article VIII TERMINATION AND EXPENSES 70
       
  Section 8.01 Termination 70
  Section 8.02 Expense Reimbursement 71
  Section 8.03 Effect of Termination 72
   
Article IX MISCELLANEOUS 72
       
  Section 9.01 No Survival 72
  Section 9.02 Notices 72
  Section 9.03 Binding Effect; Assignment 73
  Section 9.04 Third Parties 73
  Section 9.05 Governing Law 73
  Section 9.06 Jurisdiction 74
  Section 9.07 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 74
  Section 9.08 Specific Performance 74
  Section 9.09 Severability 74
  Section 9.10 Amendment; Waiver 75
  Section 9.11 Entire Agreement 75
  Section 9.12 Interpretation 75
  Section 9.13 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures 76
  Section 9.14 Legal Representation 76
  Section 9.15 Waiver of Claims Against Trust 77
  Section 9.16 Company and Purchaser Disclosure Letters 77
   
Article X DEFINITIONS 78
       
  Section 10.01 Certain Definitions 78

 

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Exhibits    
     
Exhibit A   Form of Purchaser Charter upon Domestication
Exhibit B   Form of Purchaser Bylaws upon Domestication
Exhibit C   Form of Certificate of Merger
Exhibit D   Form of A&R Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit E   Form of Lock-Up Agreement

 

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BUSINESS COMBINATION AGREEMENT

 

This Business Combination Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of October 22, 2025, by and among (i) Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VII, a Cayman Islands exempted company (which shall transfer by way of continuation and domesticate as a Delaware corporation prior to Closing) (the “Purchaser”), (ii) Solis Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Purchaser (“Merger Sub”) and (iii) ONE Nuclear Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”). The Purchaser, Merger Sub and the Company are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “Party” and, collectively, as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, the Purchaser is a special purpose acquisition company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses;

 

WHEREAS, Merger Sub is a newly incorporated Delaware limited liability company, wholly owned by the Purchaser, and was formed for the purpose of effectuating the Merger;

 

WHEREAS, (i) immediately prior to the Domestication, each then issued and outstanding Purchaser Class B Ordinary Share shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one (1) Purchaser Class A Ordinary Share (the “Sponsor Share Conversion”) and (ii) immediately following the Sponsor Share Conversion, in connection with the Domestication, (x) each then issued and outstanding Purchaser Class A Ordinary Share shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one (1) share of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock; (y) each then issued and outstanding right of the Purchaser (each a “Cayman Purchaser Right”) shall convert automatically into a right to acquire one-twelfth (1/12) of one share of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock upon consummation of a business combination (each a “Domesticated Purchaser Right”); and (z) each then issued and outstanding unit of the Purchaser (the “Cayman Purchaser Units”) shall be cancelled and will thereafter entitle the holder thereof to one share of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock and one Domesticated Purchaser Right;

 

WHEREAS, prior to the Closing but after the Sponsor Share Conversion and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of this Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing), the Purchaser shall transfer by way of continuation and deregistration to and domesticate as a Delaware corporation in accordance with Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), and Part 12, Section 206 of the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands (the “Cayman Companies Act,” and such continuation and domestication, the “Domestication”);

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, in order to effectuate the Domestication, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of this Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing), the Purchaser shall (a) file all applicable notices, declarations, affidavits, statements of assets and liabilities, applicable shareholder approvals, undertakings and other documents required to be filed, pay all applicable fees required to be paid, and cause the satisfaction of all other conditions to deregistration required to be satisfied, in each case, under Section 206 of the Cayman Companies Act and in accordance therewith, (b) obtain a certificate of de-registration from the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands, (c) file a certificate of domestication and a certificate of incorporation in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Purchaser Charter upon Domestication”) with the Secretary of State of Delaware and (d) adopt bylaws in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Purchaser Bylaws upon Domestication”), and in each case with such changes to the forms attached hereto as Exhibits A and B as may be agreed in writing by the Purchaser and the Company;

 

WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, and in accordance with the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (“DLLCA”) and the Cayman Companies Act, as applicable, the Parties intend to enter into a business combination transaction by which the Company and Merger Sub will file with the Delaware Secretary of State a certificate of merger substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Certificate of Merger”) in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DLLCA and pursuant thereto Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger,” and together with the Domestication and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, the “Transactions”), with the Company being the surviving company of the Merger (the Company, in its capacity as the surviving company of the Merger, is sometimes referred to as the “Surviving Company”);

 

WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to the Company’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Sponsor has executed and delivered to the Company a Sponsor Support Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”), pursuant to which the Sponsor has agreed to, among other things, vote to adopt and approve this Agreement and the other documents contemplated hereby (including the applicable Ancillary Documents) and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;

 

WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to the Purchaser’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, certain Members of the Company have executed and delivered to the Purchaser a Member Support Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, pursuant to which such Members have agreed to, among other things, support the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and oppose any Acquisition Proposal or Alternative Transaction and vote to adopt and approve this Agreement and the other documents contemplated hereby (including the applicable Ancillary Documents) and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;

 

WHEREAS, from time to time following the date hereof and prior to the Closing, the Purchaser may enter into subscription, purchase or similar agreements with investors, pursuant to which, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of which, such investors will agree to participate in the PIPE Investment;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, simultaneously with the Closing, the Sponsor, the Purchaser and the other parties thereto will enter into an Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (the “A&R Registration Rights Agreement”) in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, with such changes thereto as may be agreed in writing by the Purchaser and the Company;

 

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WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, simultaneously with the Closing, (i) the Sponsor and the Company Equityholders will enter into a lock-up Agreement (the “Lock-Up Agreement”) in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit E, with such changes thereto as may be agreed in writing by the Purchaser and the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Parties intend that, for U.S. federal, and applicable state and local, income tax purposes, (i) the Domestication shall be treated as a “reorganization” described in Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, (ii) the Sponsor Share Conversion shall be treated as a “reorganization” described in Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and (iii) the Merger qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (each an “Intended Tax Treatment,” and collectively, the “Intended Tax Treatments”), and that this Agreement be, and hereby is, adopted as a “plan of reorganization” for the purposes of Sections 354, 361 and 368 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a);

 

WHEREAS, the Directors of the Company have unanimously, pursuant to and in accordance with the Company LLC Agreement: (a) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and the Members of the Company, and declared it advisable, for the Company to enter into this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and consummate the Merger and the other Transactions; and (b) approved this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the Transactions on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Purchaser has unanimously: (a) determined that the Merger is in the best interests of the Purchaser and the Purchaser Shareholders as a whole, and declared it advisable for the Purchaser to enter into this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents providing for the Merger and the other Transactions; (b) approved this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents, to which it is a party, and the Transactions, to which it is a party, on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement; and (c) adopted a resolution recommending the Merger and the other Transactions, to which it is a party, be approved by the Purchaser Shareholders;

 

WHEREAS, the Purchaser, as the sole member of Merger Sub, has approved and adopted this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents, the Merger and the other Transactions; and

 

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the Merger and in accordance with the terms hereof, the Purchaser shall provide an opportunity to the holders of its public shares to have their public shares redeemed on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents, which redemption shall occur prior to the Domestication (the “Redemption”).

 

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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above, and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, and for other consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged and agreed to by the Parties, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Article I
THE TRANSACTIONS

 

Section 1.01 The Domestication.

 

(a) Domestication. Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of this Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at Closing), and in accordance with the DGCL and the Companies Act, after the Redemption and prior to the Closing, the Purchaser shall, in accordance with applicable Law, any applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, Nasdaq and the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents, as applicable, cause the Domestication to become effective, including by (a) filing with the Delaware Secretary of State a certificate of domestication with respect to the Domestication, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser and the Company, together with the Purchaser Charter upon Domestication, in each case, in accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable Law, (b) adopting the Purchaser Bylaws upon Domestication, (c) completing and making and procuring all those filings required to be made with the Cayman Registrar in connection with the Domestication, and (d) filing with the Cayman Registrar all applicable notices, declarations, affidavits, statements of assets and liabilities, shareholder approvals, undertakings and other documents required to be filed, pay all applicable fees required to be paid, and cause the satisfaction of all other conditions to deregistration required to be satisfied, in each case, under Part 12, Section 206 of the Cayman Companies Act and obtaining a certificate of de-registration from the Cayman Registrar.

 

(b) Effect on Purchaser Securities. (i) Immediately prior to the Domestication, pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement, each then issued and outstanding Purchaser Class B Ordinary Share shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one (1) Purchaser Class A Ordinary Share and (ii) in connection with the Domestication, (x) each then issued and outstanding Purchaser Class A Ordinary Share shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one (1) share of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock; (y) each then issued and outstanding Cayman Purchaser Right shall convert automatically into one (1) Domesticated Purchaser Right; and (z) each then issued and outstanding Cayman Purchaser Units shall be cancelled and will thereafter entitle the holder thereof to one (1) share of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock and one Domesticated Purchaser Right.

 

Section 1.02 The Merger.

 

(a) Effective Time. Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of this Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at Closing), on the Closing Date the Company and Merger Sub shall cause the Merger to be consummated by filing the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DLLCA (the time of such filing, or such later time as may be agreed in writing by the Company, Merger Sub and Purchaser and specified in the Certificate of Merger, being the “Effective Time”).

 

(b) Merger. At the Effective Time, upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of this Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at Closing), Merger Sub and the Company shall consummate the Merger, pursuant to which Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company, following which the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and the Company shall continue as the Surviving Company after the Merger and as a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Purchaser. References to the Company for periods after the Effective Time shall include the Surviving Company.

 

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(c) Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the applicable provisions of the DLLCA. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, agreements, powers and franchises, debts, liabilities, duties and obligations of Merger Sub and the Company shall become the property, rights, privileges, agreements, powers and franchises, debts, liabilities, duties and obligations of the Surviving Company, which shall include the assumption by the Surviving Company of any and all agreements, covenants, duties and obligations of Merger Sub and the Company set forth in this Agreement to be performed after the Effective Time.

 

(d) Governing Documents. At the Effective Time, the operating agreement of the Surviving Company shall be that of Merger Sub.

 

(e) Managers and Officers of the Surviving Company. Immediately after the Effective Time, the initial board of managers and executive officers of the Surviving Company shall be that of the Company.

 

Section 1.03 Further Assurances. From time to time after the Closing Date, upon the reasonable written request of any Party, each Party shall execute, acknowledge and deliver such further instruments and documents, and take such additional reasonable action, to effect, consummate, confirm or evidence the Transactions and carry out the purpose of this Agreement.

 

Article II
CONSIDERATION

 

Section 2.01 Consideration for Company Securities. The aggregate consideration to be paid to holders of equity interests of the Company in, or in connection with, the Merger shall be the Aggregate Base Consideration plus, subject to the vesting and forfeiture conditions specified in Section 2.03, the Aggregate Earnout Consideration. The consideration to be paid in, or in connection with, the Merger in respect of each Company Unit immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be (i) a number of shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio (the “Per Unit Base Consideration”) and (ii) the right to receive, subject to the vesting conditions specified in Section 2.03, a number of shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock equal to the Earnout Exchange Ratio (the “Per Unit Earnout Consideration”).

 

Section 2.02 Conversion of Securities.

 

(a) Effect on Company Units. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Purchaser, Merger Sub, the Company or any holder of securities of any of the foregoing:

 

(i) each Company Unit that is owned by the Purchaser, Merger Sub or the Company (in treasury or otherwise) immediately prior to the Effective Time (each, an “Excluded Unit”) shall be cancelled and shall cease to exist and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor; and

 

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(ii) each Company Unit that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Excluded Units) shall be cancelled and converted into the right to receive the Per Unit Base Consideration and the Per Unit Earnout Consideration; provided that the Per Unit Base Consideration and the Per Unit Earnout Consideration received in respect of a Company Unit subject to vesting or forfeiture provisions will continue to have, and be subject to, the same vesting and forfeiture provisions applicable to such Company Unit immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

(b) Effect on Merger Sub Membership Interests. All of Merger Sub’s outstanding membership interests immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically be cancelled and converted into validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable membership interests of the Company, which membership interests shall constitute the only outstanding membership interests in the Surviving Company.

 

Section 2.03 Earnout.

 

(a)   Earnout Consideration. Following the Closing, within five (5) Business Days after the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the Purchaser shall issue or cause to be issued to the Eligible Stockholders (based on their respective Pro Rata Shares), the following shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock (which shall be equitably adjusted for any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change or transaction with respect to shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock occurring after the Closing, the “Aggregate Earnout Consideration”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents:

 

(i) Upon the occurrence of Triggering Event I, a one-time issuance of 4,333,334 Earnout Shares;

 

(ii) Upon the occurrence of Triggering Event II, a one-time issuance of 4,333,333 Earnout Shares; and

 

(iii) Upon the occurrence of Triggering Event III, a one-time issuance of 4,333,333 Earnout Shares.

 

(b) If, during the Earnout Period, there is a Change of Control pursuant to which the Purchaser or its stockholders have the right to receive consideration implying a value per share of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock after giving effect to the issuance of any Earnout Shares to be issued (as determined in good faith by the Post-Closing Purchaser Board) of:

 

(i) less than $12.50, then Section 2.03(a) and this Section 2.03(b) shall terminate and no further shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock shall be issuable thereunder or hereunder;

 

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(ii)  greater than or equal to $12.50 but less than $15.00, then, (A) immediately prior to such Change of Control, the Company shall issue 4,333,334 shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock to the Eligible Stockholders (based on their respective Pro Rata Shares) (less any Earnout Shares issued prior to such Change of Control pursuant to Section 2.03(a)(i), (ii) or (iii); provided, that such reduction shall not reduce the number of shares required to be issued to a number that is below zero) and (B) thereafter, Section 2.03(a) and this Section 2.03(b) shall terminate and no further Earnout Shares shall be issuable thereunder or hereunder;

 

(iii) greater than or equal to $15.00 but less than $17.50, then (A) immediately prior to such Change of Control, the Company shall issue 8,666,667 shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock to the Eligible Stockholders (based on their respective Pro Rata Shares) (less any Earnout Shares issued prior to such Change of Control pursuant to Sections 2.03(a)(i), (ii) or (iii); provided, that such reduction shall not reduce the number of shares required to be issued to a number that is below zero) and (B) thereafter, Section 2.03(a) and this Section 2.03(b) shall terminate and no further Earnout Shares shall be issuable thereunder or hereunder; and

 

(iv) greater than or equal to $17.50, then (A) immediately prior to such Change of Control, the Company shall issue 13,000,000 shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock to the Eligible Stockholders (based on their respective Pro Rata Shares) (less any Earnout Shares issued prior to such Change of Control pursuant to Sections 2.03(a)(i), (ii) or (iii); provided, that such reduction shall not reduce the number of shares required to be issued to a number that is below zero) and (B) thereafter, Section 2.03(a) and this Section 2.03(b) shall terminate and no further Earnout Shares shall be issuable thereunder or hereunder;

 

(c) The Common Stock Price targets set forth in the definitions of Triggering Event I, Triggering Event II and Triggering Event III, and in Sections Section 2.03(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) shall be equitably adjusted for any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change or transaction with respect to shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock occurring after the Closing.

 

(d) The Parties intend that none of the rights to receive Earnout Shares, and any interest therein, shall be deemed to be a “security” for purposes of any securities law of any jurisdiction. The right to receive Earnout Shares is deemed a contractual right in connection with the Merger and the Parties do not view the right to receive the Earnout Shares as an investment by the holders thereof. No certificates or scrip or shares representing fractional Earnout Shares shall be issued pursuant to this Section 2.03 and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to have any rights of a shareholder. In lieu of any fractional Earnout Shares to which any holder of Eligible Stockholder would otherwise be entitled, the Company shall round down to the nearest whole Earnout Share. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding. No interest in the right to receive Earnout Shares may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated, encumbered or otherwise disposed of, except (A) by operation of law or (B) transfers or distributions by entity holders to their controlled Affiliates, and any attempt to do so shall be null and void.

 

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(e) If any Triggering Event is not satisfied during the Earnout Period, the obligation of Purchaser to issue the number of Earnout Shares pursuant to this Section 2.03 with respect to such Triggering Event shall automatically terminate and no longer apply. For the avoidance of doubt, the failure to achieve a Triggering Event shall not preclude the satisfaction of any other Triggering Event.

 

Section 2.04 No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock, or certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock, will be issued upon the conversion of the Company Securities pursuant to the Merger, and any such fractional shares or interests therein will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a stockholder of Purchaser. Any fractional shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock will be rounded down to the nearest whole number. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding.

 

Section 2.05 Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Purchaser, Merger Sub, the Company, and the Surviving Company (and their respective Representatives) shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any amount payable to any Person pursuant to this Agreement such Taxes that are required to be deducted or withheld with respect to such amounts under the Code, or under any provision of U.S. state or local or non-U.S. tax law. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld and paid over to the appropriate Governmental Authorities, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes under this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchaser, Merger Sub, the Company and the Surviving Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide recipients of consideration with a reasonable opportunity to provide documentation establishing exemptions from or reductions of such withholdings. In the case of any such payment payable to employees of the Company in connection with the Merger treated as compensation, the Parties shall reasonably cooperate to pay such amounts through the Company’s payroll to facilitate applicable withholding.

 

Article III
CLOSING

 

Section 3.01 Closing. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VII, the consummation of the Transactions (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that by their nature are to be satisfied prior to the Closing) (the “Closing”) shall take place by electronic exchange of documents and signatures at a time and date to be specified in writing by the Parties, which date shall be no later than the third (3rd) Business Day after all the Closing conditions in Article VII have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions), or at such other date, time or place (including remotely) as the Purchaser and the Company may agree (the date and time at which the Closing is actually held being the “Closing Date”).

 

Section 3.02 Closing Documents.

 

(a) Purchaser Closing Certificate. Four (4) Business Days prior to the Closing, the Purchaser shall deliver to the Company a written notice setting forth the Purchaser’s good faith calculation of the following: (i) the aggregate amount of cash proceeds that will be required to satisfy any exercise of the Redemptions; and (ii) the aggregate amount of the Purchaser Transaction Costs as of the Closing, including fees associated with the PIPE Investment.

 

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(b) Company Closing Certificate. Four (4) Business Days prior to the Closing, the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser a written notice setting forth the Company’s good faith calculation of the aggregate amount of the Company Transaction Costs as of the Closing, including all invoices, wire instructions and applicable Tax forms for each Person owed (and any other supporting details reasonably requested by the Purchaser).

 

Section 3.03 Payment of Expenses.

 

(a) Company Transaction Costs. On the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall pay or cause to be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds all Company Transaction Costs to be paid on the Closing Date.

 

(b) Purchaser Transaction Costs. On the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall pay or cause to be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds all Purchaser Transaction Costs.

 

Article IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

Except as set forth in the disclosure letter dated as of the date of this Agreement delivered by the Company to the Purchaser (the “Company Disclosure Letter”) prior to or in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, which exceptions shall be deemed to be part of the representations and warranties made hereunder, the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser and Merger Sub, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, as follows:

 

Section 4.01 Organization and Standing. The Company is a Delaware limited liability company duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the DLLCA and has all requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted and as currently planned to be conducted, except as would not be material to the Company. The Company is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing to do business in each jurisdiction in which the character of the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed or in good standing can be cured without material cost or expense. The Company has heretofore made available to Purchaser accurate and complete copies of its Organizational Documents as currently in effect. The Company is not in violation of any provision of its Organizational Documents in any material respect.

 

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Section 4.02 Authorization; Binding Agreement. The Company has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is or is required to be a party, to perform its respective obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the Transactions, subject to obtaining the Company Member Approval. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which the Company is or is required to be a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (a) have been duly and validly authorized by the Company’s board of directors in accordance with the Company’s Organizational Documents, the DLLCA, any other applicable Law or any Contract to which the Company or any of its Members is a party or by which it or its securities are bound and (b) other than the Company Member Approval, no other organizational proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party or to consummate the Transactions, other than the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State. This Agreement has been, and each Ancillary Document to which the Company is or is required to be a party shall be when delivered, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and any such Ancillary Document by the other parties hereto and thereto, constitutes, or when delivered shall constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. The Company’s board of directors, by resolutions duly adopted, has (i) determined that this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the Transactions are advisable, and in the best interests of, the Company and its Members and (ii) approved this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and the Transactions in accordance with the DLLCA, the Company’s Organizational Documents and any other applicable Law.

 

Section 4.03 Capitalization.

 

(a) Set forth on Section 4.03(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter is a true, correct and complete list of each record holder of Company Securities and the number and type of Company Securities held by each such holder as of the date hereof.

 

(b) Prior to giving effect to the Transactions, all of the Company Securities are and will be owned free and clear of any Liens other than those imposed under the Company’s Organizational Documents, applicable securities Laws, and other than such securities, the Company does not have any other issued or outstanding membership or any other securities. All of the issued and outstanding Company Securities have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with all applicable Laws, including applicable securities Laws, and the Company’s Organizational Documents, are fully paid and nonassessable and are not subject to, nor were they issued in violation of, any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights. Except as set forth on Section 4.03(b)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no preemptive rights or rights of first refusal or first offer, nor are there any Contracts, commitments, arrangements or restrictions to which the Company or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of its security holders is a party or bound relating to any membership interests or other Company Securities, whether or not outstanding. Except as set forth on Section 4.03(b)(iii) of the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no outstanding or authorized subscriptions, options, warrants, rights or other securities (including debt securities) of the Company convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for or measured by reference to any Company Securities, including equity appreciation, phantom equity or similar rights with respect to the Company, and there are no outstanding or authorized commitments, calls, conversion rights, rights of exchange or privilege (whether pre-emptive, contractual or by matter of Law), plans or other agreements of any character providing for the issuance or sale by the Company of any Company Securities. Except as set forth on Section 4.03(b)(iv) of the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no voting trusts, proxies, shareholder agreements or any other agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of the Company Securities.

 

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(c) The Company has no Indebtedness as of the date of this Agreement.

 

(d) The Company has not declared or paid any distribution in respect of its equity interests and has not repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any equity interests of the Company, and the board of directors of the Company has not authorized any of the foregoing.

 

Section 4.04 No Subsidiaries. The Company has no direct or indirect Subsidiaries.

 

Section 4.05 No Conflict; Governmental Consents and Filings.

 

(a) Assuming the truth and completeness of the representations and warranties of Purchaser and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement, the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party, the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and compliance by the Company with any of the provisions hereof and thereof, do not and will not (a) conflict with or violate any provision of the Organizational Documents of the Company, (b) subject to obtaining the Consents from Governmental Authorities referred to in Section 4.05(b), and the waiting periods referred to therein having expired, and any condition precedent to such Consent or waiver having been satisfied, conflict with or violate any Law, Order, Company Permit or Consent applicable to the Company or any of its properties or assets, or (c) (i) violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, (ii) constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, (iii) result in the termination, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or modification of, (iv) accelerate the performance required by the Company under, (v) result in a right of termination or acceleration under, (vi) give rise to any obligation to make payments or provide compensation under, (vii) result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company under, (viii) give rise to any obligation to obtain any third party Consent or provide any notice to any Person or (ix) give any Person the right to declare a default, exercise any remedy, claim a rebate, chargeback, penalty or change in delivery schedule, accelerate the maturity or performance, cancel, terminate or modify any right, benefit, obligation or other term under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, any Company Material Contract, material Company Real Property Lease or Material Current Government Contract, except in the case of clauses (b) or (c), as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) Assuming the truth and completeness of the representations and warranties of Purchaser and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement, no Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, on the part of the Company is required to be obtained or made in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is or will be a party or the consummation by the Company of the Transactions, other than (a) pursuant to Antitrust Laws, (b) such filings as contemplated by this Agreement, (c) any filings required with Nasdaq or the SEC with respect to the Transactions, (d) applicable requirements, if any, of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and/ or any state “blue sky” securities Laws, and (e) where the failure to obtain or make such Consents or to make such filings or notifications, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or delay the Closing Date beyond the Outside Date.

 

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Section 4.06 Financial Statements.

 

(a) The Company has provided to the Purchaser true, correct and complete copies of: (i) the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company (including, in each case, any related notes thereto) as of and for the (x) period from February 10, 2025 (inception) ending June 30, 2025, consisting of the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of such dates and the related consolidated income statements and statements of cash flows for the periods then ended (the “Company Financials”). The Company Financials were derived in all material respects from the books and records of the Company, which books and records are, in all material respects, true, correct and complete and have been maintained in all material respects in accordance with commercially reasonable business practices. The Company Financials, when delivered, will have been prepared in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby and present fairly in all material respects, the consolidated financial position, results of operations, income (loss), changes in equity and cash flows of the Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated in such Company Financials in conformity with GAAP (except in the case of the Company Financials that cover a period of less than one year for the absence of footnote disclosures and other presentation items required for GAAP and exclude year-end adjustments which will not be material in amount) and were derived from and accurately reflect in all material respects, the books and records of the Company. The Company has never been subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(b) The Company has established and maintains a system of internal controls. Such internal controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in all material respects in accordance with management’s authorization and (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for the Company’s assets.

 

(c) The Company has not identified and has not received written notice from an independent auditor of (x) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the system of internal controls utilized by the Company (other than a significant deficiency or material weakness that has been previously disclosed in writing to Purchaser and is set forth on Section 4.06(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter), (y) any material fraud that involves the Company’s management or other employees who have a significant role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal controls over financial reporting utilized by the Company or (z) any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing.

 

(d) There are no outstanding loans or other extensions of credit made by the Company to any executive officer (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) or director of the Company.

 

Section 4.07 Undisclosed Liabilities. The Company has no Liabilities, except for Liabilities: (a) reflected or reserved for on the Company Financials or disclosed in the notes thereto; (b) incurred in the ordinary course of the operation of business of the Company since the date of the most recent balance sheet included in the Company Financials; (c) incurred in connection with the Transactions; or (d) which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Company.

 

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Section 4.08 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as set forth on Section 4.08 of the Company Disclosure Letter, and for activities conducted in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, since June 30, 2025 through the date of this Agreement, (a) the Company has conducted its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (b) there has not been any Company Material Adverse Effect, and (c) the Company has not taken any action nor committed or agreed to take any action that would be prohibited by Section 6.02(b) (without giving effect to Section 6.02(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter) if such action were taken on or prior to the Closing without the consent of the Purchaser.

 

Section 4.09 Compliance with Laws. The Company has, during the past five (5) years, complied with, and is not currently in violation of, any applicable Law with respect to the conduct of its business, or the ownership or operation of its business, except for failures to comply or violations which, individually or in the aggregate, have not been and would not reasonably be expected to be, material to the Company. No written, or to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice alleging non-compliance with any applicable Law in any material respect by the Company has been received by the Company.

 

Section 4.10 Government Contracts. Section 4.10 of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of each Contract with a Governmental Authority in existence as of the date hereof (each, a “Material Current Government Contract”). Each Material Current Government Contract was legally awarded to the Company, as applicable. Except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company, and except for any Material Current Government Contract that is terminated or expires following the date hereof in accordance with its terms, all Material Current Government Contracts are: (i) a legal, valid binding obligation of the Company; and (ii) in full force and effect and enforceable against the Company, in accordance with its terms, in each case subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

 

Section 4.11 Company Permits. The Company (and its employees who are legally required to be licensed by a Governmental Authority in order to perform his or her duties with respect to his or her employment with the Company), holds all material Permits required to own, lease and operate its assets and properties as presently owned, leased or operated (collectively, the “Company Permits”), and to the Knowledge of the Company, there is no basis for a Governmental Authority to deny to the Company (or its employees who are legally required to be licensed by a Governmental Authority in order to perform his or her duties with respect to his or her employment with the Company) a Permit that will be required for the operations of the Company as currently planned to be conducted. The Company has made available to the Purchaser true, correct and complete copies of all the Company Permits, all of which are listed on Section 4.11 of the Company Disclosure Letter. To the Knowledge of the Company, each Company Permit is in full force and effect and will upon its termination or expiration be timely renewed or reissued upon terms and conditions substantially similar to its existing terms and conditions and there are no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, that seek the revocation, cancellation, limitation, suspension, restriction, adverse modification or termination of any Company Permit. The Company has at all times operated in material compliance with all Company Permits.

 

Section 4.12 Litigation. Except as described on Section 4.12 of the Company Disclosure Letter, there is no (a) Legal Proceeding of any nature currently pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, against the Company or any of its properties or assets, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of the directors or officers of the Company with regard to their actions as such; (b) to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no pending or threatened, audits, examinations or investigations by any Governmental Authority against the Company; (c) pending or threatened in writing Legal Proceedings by the Company against any third party; (d) settlements or similar agreements that impose any material ongoing obligations or restrictions on the Company; and (e) Orders imposed or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened to be imposed upon the Company or any of its properties or assets, or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any of the directors or officers of the Company with regard to their actions as such.

 

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Section 4.13 Material Contracts.

 

(a) Section 4.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all Contracts described in clauses (i) through (xviii) below, to which, as of the date of this Agreement, the Company is a party or by which the Company, or any of its properties or assets are bound or affected (each Contract required to be set forth on Section 4.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, a “Company Material Contract”). True, correct, complete copies of the Company Material Contracts, including amendments thereto, have been delivered or made available to the Purchaser. The Company Material Contracts include:

 

(i) Each Contract that contains covenants that limit the ability of the Company (or purports to bind any Affiliate thereof) (A) to compete in any line of business or with any Person or in any geographic area or to sell, or provide any service or product, including any non-competition covenants, exclusivity restrictions, rights of first refusal or most-favored pricing clauses or (B) to purchase or acquire an interest in any other Person;

 

(ii) Each joint venture Contract, profit-sharing agreement, partnership, limited liability company agreement with a third party or other similar agreement or arrangement relating to the formation, creation, operation, management or control of any partnership or joint venture;

 

(iii) Each Contract that involves any exchange traded, over the counter or other swap, cap, floor, collar, futures contract, forward contract, option or other derivative financial instrument or Contract, based on any commodity, security, instrument, asset, rate or index of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether tangible or intangible, including currencies, interest rates, foreign currency and indices;

 

(iv) Each Contract that is reasonably anticipated to involve the acquisition or disposition, directly or indirectly (by merger or otherwise), of assets or shares or other equity interests of the Company or another Person;

 

(v) Each Contract for the acquisition of any Person or any business division thereof or the disposition of any assets of the Company, in each case, whether by merger, purchase or sale of stock or assets or otherwise occurring in the last three (3) years and/or relating to pending or future acquisitions or dispositions;

 

(vi) Each obligation to make payments, contingent or otherwise, arising out of the prior acquisition of the business, assets or stock of other Persons;

 

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(vii) Each lease, rental agreement, installment and conditional sale agreement, or other Contract that, in each case, provides for the ownership of, leasing of, title to, use of, or any leasehold or other interest in any real or personal property;

 

(viii) Each Contract that by its terms, individually or with all related Contracts, is reasonably anticipated to call for aggregate payments or receipts by the Company under such Contract or Contracts of at least $25,000 per year or $100,000 in the aggregate;

 

(ix) Each Contract with any customer or Top Supplier (other than purchase orders, invoices, statements of work and non-disclosure or similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice that do not contain any material terms relating to the Contract underlying the applicable customer or Top Supplier relationship);

 

(x) Each Contract entered into with a Governmental Authority;

 

(xi) Each Contract involving Indebtedness;

 

(xii) Each collective bargaining (or similar) agreement or Contract between the Company on one hand, and any labor union or other body representing employees of the Company on the other hand;

 

(xiii) Each Contract that is reasonably anticipated to obligate the Company to provide continuing indemnification or a guarantee of obligations of a third party after the date hereof;

 

(xiv) Each Contract that is between the Company and any directors, officers or employees of the Company that provides for change in control, retention or similar payments or benefits contingent upon, accelerated by or triggered by the consummation of the Transactions;

 

(xv) Each Contract that obligates the Company to make any capital commitment or expenditure (including pursuant to any joint venture);

 

(xvi) Each Contract that relates to a settlement;

 

(xvii) Any Contract that provides another Person with a power of attorney to act on behalf of the Company or to act on behalf of any manager, director or officer of the Company with respect to the Company;

 

(xviii) Each Contract which (A) contains any assignment or any covenant not to assert or enforce any Intellectual Property material to the business of the Company; (B) pursuant to which any Intellectual Property material to the business of the Company is or was developed by, with or for the Company; or (C) pursuant to which the Company either (1) grants to a third Person (I) a license, immunity, or other right in or to any Intellectual Property material to the business of the Company or (II) an exclusive license, immunity, or other right in or to any Owned Intellectual Property, or (2) is granted by a third Person a license, immunity, or other right in or to any Intellectual Property or IT Assets material to the business of the Company, in the case of both (1) and (2) excluding (unless they otherwise qualify as Company Material Contracts under a different subsection of this Section 4.13): (w) non-exclusive licenses of Owned Intellectual Property granted to suppliers, customers or end users in the ordinary course of business; (x) licenses of Open Source Software; (y) Off-the-Shelf Software; and (z) invention assignment and confidentiality agreements with employees and contractors on standard forms made available to Purchaser and without any material deviations or exceptions;

 

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(xix) Each Contract involving transactions with an Affiliate or a Related Person of the Company; and

 

(xx) Each Contract that is a settlement, conciliation, or similar agreement with any Governmental Authority or pursuant to which the Company will have material outstanding obligations after the date hereof.

 

(b) Except as disclosed in Section 4.13(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, with respect to each Company Material Contract or for any Company Material Contract that is terminated or expires following the date hereof in accordance with its terms: (i) such Company Material Contract is valid and binding and enforceable in all respects against the Company party thereto and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect (except, in each case, as such enforcement may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions); (ii) except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any Company Material Contract; (iii) the Company is not in breach of or default under, in any material respect, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred that with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute a material breach of or default under by the Company, or permit termination or acceleration by the other party thereto, under such Company Material Contract; (iv) to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party to such Company Material Contract is in breach or default in any material respect, and, to the Knowledge of the Company no event has occurred that with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute such a material breach or default by such other party, or permit termination or acceleration by the Company, under such Company Material Contract; (v) the Company has not received written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice of an intention by any party to any such Company Material Contract that provides for a continuing obligation by any party thereto (A) to terminate such Company Material Contract, (B) amend the terms thereof, other than modifications in the ordinary course of business that do not adversely affect the Company in any material respect or (C) not to renew such Company Material Contract; and (vi) the Company has not waived any material rights under any such Company Material Contract.

 

(c) Section 4.13(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list of any term sheet, memorandum of understanding, letter of intent, or similar document, whether or not binding, to which the Company is a party (each, a “Company Material MOU”). True, correct, complete copies of the Company Material MOUs, including amendments thereto, have been delivered or made available to the Purchaser. The Company has not received written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice of an intention by any party to any Company Material MOU (A) to terminate such Company Material MOU, (B) not to proceed with the arrangements or transactions contemplated by such Company Material MOU, (C) amend the terms or conditions of such Company Material MOU, (D) modify the terms or conditions of the arrangements or transactions contemplated by such Company Material MOU, or (E) delay the execution of such definitive agreements beyond the Company’s current expectations for definitive agreements.

 

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Section 4.14 Intellectual Property.

 

(a) Section 4.14(a)(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, accurate, and complete list of: all U.S. and foreign registered or issued Intellectual Property and applications owned by the Company (“Company Registered IP”), specifying as to each item, as applicable: (A) the nature of the item, including the title, (B) the owner of the item, (C) the jurisdictions in which the item is issued or registered or in which an application for issuance or registration has been filed and (D) the issuance, registration or application numbers and dates. Each item of Company Registered IP is subsisting, and to the Knowledge of the Company, valid and enforceable. The Company owns, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens or any Liens set out on Section 4.14(a)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Letter), has valid and enforceable rights in, and has the right to use, sell, license, transfer or assign, all Intellectual Property currently used, licensed or held for use by the Company, and previously used or licensed by the Company. No item of Company Registered IP that consists of a pending Patent application fails to identify all pertinent inventors, and for each Patent and Patent application in the Company Registered IP, the Company has obtained valid present assignments of inventions from each inventor. Except as set forth on Section 4.14(a)(iii) of the Company Disclosure Letter, all Company Registered IP is owned exclusively by the Company without obligation to pay royalties, licensing fees or other fees, or otherwise account to any third party with respect to such Company Registered IP, and the Company has recorded assignments of all Company Registered IP.

 

(b) The Company has a valid and enforceable written license or other valid right to use all other Company IP, including Intellectual Property that is the subject of the inbound Company IP Licenses applicable to the Company. The inbound Company IP Licenses include all of the licenses, sublicenses and other agreements or permissions necessary to operate the Company as presently conducted. The Company has a reasonable basis for obtaining on commercially reasonable terms any additional Intellectual Property necessary to operate the Company as currently planned to be conducted. The Company has performed all obligations imposed on it in the Company IP Licenses, has made all payments required to date, and the Company is not, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, is any other party thereto, in breach or default thereunder, nor has any event occurred that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default thereunder. The continued use by the Company of the Intellectual Property that is the subject of any Company IP License in the same manner that it is currently being used is not restricted by any applicable license of the Company. The Company is not a party to any Contract that requires the Company to assign to any Person any or all of its rights in any Intellectual Property developed by the Company under such Contract.

 

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(c) No Legal Proceeding has been made in the last six (6) years or is pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company that challenges the validity, enforceability, ownership, or right to use, sell, license or sublicense, or that otherwise relates to, any Owned Intellectual Property, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, is there any reasonable basis for any such Legal Proceeding. The Company has not received any written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice or claim asserting that any infringement, misappropriation, violation, dilution or unauthorized use of the Intellectual Property of any other Person is or may be occurring or has or may have occurred, as a consequence of the business activities of the Company, nor to the Knowledge of the Company is there a reasonable basis therefor. There are no Orders to which the Company is a party or is otherwise bound that (i) restrict the rights of the Company to use, transfer, license or enforce any Intellectual Property owned by the Company, (ii) restrict the conduct of the business of the Company in order to accommodate a third Person’s Intellectual Property, or (iii) other than the outbound Company IP Licenses, grant any third Person any right with respect to any Intellectual Property owned by the Company. The Company is not currently infringing, nor has, in the past, infringed, misappropriated or violated any Intellectual Property of any other Person in any material respect in connection with the ownership, use or license of any Owned Intellectual Property or otherwise in connection with the conduct of the respective businesses of the Company. To the Company’s Knowledge, no third party is currently, or in the past six (6) years has infringed upon, misappropriated or otherwise violated any Owned Intellectual Property.

 

(d) No current or former officers, employees, independent contractors, or other third parties employed or engaged by the Company has any ownership interest in any Owned Intellectual Property and no Person has claimed or asserted in writing any ownership interest or other rights in or to any Owned Intellectual Property. To the Company’s Knowledge, there has been no violation of the Company’s policies or practices related to protection of Company IP or any confidentiality or nondisclosure Contract relating to the Intellectual Property owned by the Company. To the Company’s Knowledge, none of the employees of the Company is obligated under any Contract, or subject to any Order, that would materially interfere with the use of such employee’s reasonable efforts to promote the interests of the Company, or that would conflict with the business of the Company as presently conducted or as currently planned to be conducted. The Company has taken commercially reasonable efforts and security measures in order to maintain, preserve and protect all material Owned Intellectual Property, including to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of the material Company IP. All Persons who have participated in or contributed to the creation or development of any material Owned Intellectual Property have executed written agreements pursuant to which all of such Person’s right, title and interest in and to any such Owned Intellectual Property has been irrevocably assigned (by a present tense assignment) to the Company (or all such right, title, and interest vested in the Company by operation of Law).

 

(e) The Company is in all material respects in compliance with all licenses governing any Open Source Software that is incorporated into, used, intermingled, or bundled with any material Company Software. No Open Source Software is or has been included, incorporated or embedded in, linked to, combined, made available or distributed with, or used in the development, maintenance, operation, delivery or provision of any Company Software in a manner that requires the Company to: (i) disclose, contribute, distribute, license or otherwise make available to any Person (including the open source community) any source code to such Company Software; (ii) license any such Company Software or other material Owned Intellectual Property for making modifications or derivative works; (iii) disclose, contribute, distribute, license or otherwise make available to any Person any such Company Software or other material Owned Intellectual Property for no or nominal charge; or (iv) grant a license to, or refrain from asserting or enforcing any of, its Patents (“Copyleft Terms”).

 

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(f) No government funding, resources or assistance, nor any facilities of a university, college, other educational institution, or similar institution, or research center or private or commercial third parties in their respective research and development activities were used by the Company in the development of any Owned Intellectual Property. No Governmental Authority has any (i) ownership interest or exclusive license in or to any Owned Intellectual Property, (ii) “unlimited rights” (as defined in 48 C.F.R. § 52.227-14 and in 48 C.F.R. § 252.227-7013(a)) in or to any of the Company Software, or (iii) “march in rights” (pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 203) in or to any Patents constituting material Owned Intellectual Property. The Company is not a member of or party to, nor has participated in any patent pool, industry standards body, trade association or other organization pursuant to the rules of which the Company is obligated to license or offer to license any existing or future Owned Intellectual Property to any Person.

 

(g) To the Knowledge of the Company, no Person has obtained unauthorized access to information, data (including personally identifiable information), IT Assets or Software in the possession of the Company or in its custody, control, or otherwise held or processed on its behalf nor has there been any loss, damage, disclosure, use, breach of security, or other compromise of the security, confidentiality or integrity of such IT Assets, Software, information, or data. To the Knowledge of the Company, the Company has not experienced any material information security incident that has compromised the integrity or availability of the information technology, operational technology, or software applications the Company owns, operates, or outsources or the information and data thereon. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, no material written or oral complaint, or notice of any claims or investigations, relating to an improper use or disclosure of, or a breach in the security of, any such information or data or relating to any information security-related incident has been received by the Company nor has the Company notified in writing, or been required by applicable Laws or Contract to notify in writing, any person or entity of any personal data or information security-related incident.

 

(h) The consummation of any of the Transactions will not result in (i) any material violation of any data privacy or cybersecurity laws; or (ii) the material breach, material modification, cancellation, termination, suspension of, or acceleration of any payments with respect to, or release of source code because of (a) any Contract providing for the license or other use of material Intellectual Property owned by the Company, or (b) any Company IP License.

 

Section 4.15 Taxes and Returns. Except in each case as set forth on Section 4.15 of the Company Disclosure Letter:

 

(a) The Company (i) has or will have timely filed, or caused to be timely filed, all income and other material Tax Returns required to be filed by it (taking into account all valid extensions of time to file), and all such Tax Returns are true, accurate, correct and complete in all material respects, and (ii) has timely paid, collected, withheld or remitted, or caused to be timely paid, collected, withheld or remitted, all income and other material Taxes required to be paid, collected, withheld or remitted by it, whether or not such Taxes are shown as due and payable on any Tax Return. The Company has complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to Tax.

 

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(b) There is no Legal Proceeding currently pending or otherwise in progress or threatened in writing against the Company by a Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where the Company does not file any Tax Returns or a particular type of Tax Return or pays any Tax or a particular type of Tax that it is or may be subject to such Tax or required to file such Tax Return in that jurisdiction.

 

(c) There is no claim, assessment, audit, examination, investigation or other Legal Proceeding that is pending or otherwise in progress or threatened in writing against the Company in respect of any Tax, and the Company has not been notified in writing of any proposed Tax claim, deficiency or assessment against it. The Company is not currently contesting any material Tax liability before any Governmental Authority.

 

(d) There are no Liens with respect to any Taxes upon any of the Company’s assets, other than Permitted Liens.

 

(e) The Company has timely and properly collected or withheld all Taxes required to be collected or withheld by it, timely remitted such Taxes to the appropriate Governmental Authorities, and otherwise complied in all material respects with all applicable withholding and related reporting requirements with respect to such Taxes.

 

(f) The Company has not requested or consented to any waivers or extensions of any applicable statute of limitations for the collection or assessment of any Taxes, which waiver or extension (or request thereof) is outstanding or pending. There are no outstanding requests by the Company for any extension of time to file any Tax Return or to pay any Taxes shown to be due on any Tax Return, other than extensions in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

 

(g) The Company will not be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Closing Date, as a result of: (i) an installment sale or open transaction disposition that occurred on or prior to the Closing Date; (ii) any change in method of accounting on or prior to the Closing Date, including by reason of the application of Section 481 of the Code (or any analogous provision of state, local or foreign Law) or the use of an improper method of accounting on or prior to the Closing Date; (iii) any prepaid amounts received or deferred revenue realized or received on or prior to the Closing Date; (iv) any intercompany transaction described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Law); or (v) any “closing agreement” pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or any other agreement or arrangement with a Governmental Authority relating to Taxes.

 

(h) The Company has not participated in or been a party to, or sold, distributed or otherwise promoted, any “reportable transaction,” as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4 (or any similar or corresponding provision of state, local or foreign Law).

 

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(i) The Company has not been a member of an affiliated, combined, consolidated, unitary or other group for Tax purposes. The Company does not have any Liability or potential Liability for the Taxes of another Person (i) pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar or corresponding provision of U.S. state or local Tax Law) or under any other applicable Tax Law, (ii) as a transferee or successor, or (iii) by Contract, indemnity or otherwise (excluding customary commercial Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which is not the sharing of Taxes). The Company is not a party to or bound by any Tax indemnity agreement, Tax sharing agreement or Tax allocation agreement or similar agreement, arrangement or practice (excluding customary commercial Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which is not the sharing of Taxes) with respect to Taxes.

 

(j) The Company has not requested, nor is it the subject of or bound by any private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, closing agreement or similar ruling, memorandum or agreement with any Governmental Authority with respect to any Taxes, nor is any such request pending or outstanding.

 

(k) The Company is, and has at all times since August 25, 2025, been classified as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes and a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30)(C) of the Code. The Company was at all times since its formation until and through August 24, 2025, classified as a disregarded entity or partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

(l) The Company is not and has never owned (directly or indirectly) (i) any interest in a “controlled foreign corporation” (within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code) or (ii) any interest in a “passive foreign investment company” (within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code).

 

(m) The Company has never had a permanent establishment, office, branch, fixed place of business or other taxable presence in any country other than the country of its organization.

 

(n) The Company has not been a party to any transaction that was purported or intended to be treated as a distribution of stock qualifying, in whole or in part, for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of U.S. state or local Tax Law) within the past three (3) years.

 

(o) The Company has not taken any action or agreed to take any action (or permit any action to be taken), nor is aware of any fact or circumstance, that would reasonably be expected to prevent the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatments.

 

Section 4.16 Real Property.

 

(a) Section 4.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct, and complete listing of all real property owned by the Company (the “Company Owned Properties”), including the street address and owner thereof. The Company has made available to the Purchaser true, correct, and complete copies of the deeds and other instruments in its possession by which the Company acquired such Company Owned Properties, together with any title insurance policies, the most recent title reports and surveys with respect to such Company Owned Property to the extent such items are in its possession. The Company has good and indefeasible fee simple title to each such Company Owned Property free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens). Other than the Company Owned Properties, the Company does not own any real property. There are no parties in possession, as tenants, licensees or, to the Knowledge of the Company, otherwise, or parties having any option, right of first offer or first negotiation or right of first refusal or other similar rights granted to third parties to purchase or lease the Company Owned Properties or any portion thereof or interest therein. There is no condemnation or eminent domain proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened with respect to any of the Company Owned Properties or any portion thereof.

 

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(b) Section 4.16(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter contains a true, correct and complete list of all premises currently leased or subleased or otherwise used or occupied (but not owned) by the Company for the operation of its business (the “Company Leased Real Properties”), and of all current leases, lease guarantees, agreements and documents related thereto, including all amendments, terminations and modifications thereof, waivers thereto or guarantees thereof (collectively, the “Company Real Property Leases”), including the street address thereof (if applicable) and parties to such Company Real Property Leases. The Company has provided to the Purchaser a true and complete copy of each of the Company Real Property Leases. Each Company Real Property Lease is valid and binding and enforceable in all respects against the Company and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect (except, in each case, as such enforcement may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions). With respect to each Company Real Property Lease, (i) the Company is not in material breach of or material default under any Company Real Property Lease, (ii) no event has occurred and no circumstance exists which, if not remedied, and whether with or without notice or the passage of time or both, would result in such a material breach or default by the Company and, (iii) to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party to such Company Real Property Lease is in breach or default, in any material respect, and no event has occurred that with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute such a material breach or default by such other party, or permit termination or acceleration by the Company, under such Company Real Property Lease. The Company has not leased, licensed or otherwise granted use or occupancy rights with respect to any Company Leased Real Property or any portion thereof to any third party. No party to any Company Real Property Lease has exercised any termination rights with respect thereto. To the Knowledge of the Company, there is no condemnation or eminent domain proceeding pending or threatened with respect to any of the Company Leased Real Properties or any portion thereof.

 

Section 4.17 Personal Property. Each item of Personal Property which is currently owned, used or leased by the Company with a book value or fair market value of greater than $25,000 is set forth on Section 4.17 of the Company Disclosure Letter, along with, to the extent applicable, a list of lease agreements, lease guarantees, security agreements and other agreements related thereto, including all amendments, terminations and modifications thereof or waivers thereto (“Company Personal Property Leases”). Except as set forth in Section 4.17 of the Company Disclosure Letter, all such items of Personal Property are in operating condition (reasonable wear and tear excepted), as are reasonably suitable for their intended use in the business of the Company. The Company has provided to the Purchaser a true and complete copy of each of the Company Personal Property Leases. To the Knowledge of the Company, the Company Personal Property Leases are valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms and are in full force and effect. To the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred which (whether with or without notice, lapse of time or both or the happening or occurrence of any other event) would constitute a default on the part of the Company or any other party under any of the Company Personal Property Leases, and the Company has not received notice of any such condition.

 

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Section 4.18 Title to Assets. The Company has good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in or right to use, or in the case of Company Owned Property good and indefeasible title to, its respective material tangible and intangible assets that are necessary to conduct the business of the Company as presently conducted, free and clear of all Liens other than (a) Permitted Liens and (b) the rights of lessors under material leasehold interests. The material assets (including Intellectual Property rights and contractual rights) of the Company constitute all of the assets, rights and properties that are necessary for the operation of the businesses of the Company in all material respects as they are now conducted, and the Company has a reasonable basis for obtaining on commercially reasonable terms any additional assets, rights and properties necessary to operate the Company as currently planned to be conducted. The material tangible assets or personal property of the Company have been maintained in all material respects in accordance with generally accepted industry practice, are in good working order and condition, except for ordinary wear and tear and as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Company.

 

Section 4.19 Employee Matters.

 

(a) The Company is not and has never been a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract covering any group of employees with any labor organization or other representative of any of the employees of the Company, and to the Knowledge of the Company, there are not, and in the past three (3) years, there have not been, any activities or proceedings of any labor union to organize or represent such employees. In the past three (3) years, there has not occurred or, to the Knowledge of the Company, been threatened any strike, slow-down, picketing, work-stoppage, or other similar labor activity with respect to any such employees. Except as set forth on Section 4.19(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, no current officer or other key employee of the Company, as of the date of this Agreement, has provided the Company with written notice of his or her intention to terminate his or her employment within the one (1) year period following the Closing.

 

(b) Except as set forth on Section 4.19(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company is, and, within the past three (3) years has been, in compliance with all applicable Laws respecting employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, health and safety and wages and hours, and other Laws relating to discrimination, disability, labor relations, hours of work, payment of wages and overtime wages, pay equity, immigration, workers compensation, working conditions, employee scheduling, family and medical leave, and employee terminations, except for failures to comply which, individually or in the aggregate, have not been and would not reasonably be expected to be, material to the Company. The Company has not received written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice that there is any pending Legal Proceeding involving unfair labor practices against the Company. There are no material Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company brought by or on behalf of any applicant for employment, any current or former employee, any Person alleging to be a current or former employee, or any Governmental Authority, relating to any such Law or regulation, or alleging breach of any express or implied contract of employment, wrongful termination of employment, or alleging any other discriminatory, wrongful or tortious conduct in connection with the employment relationship.

 

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(c) No employee is a party to a written employment arrangement with the Company and each is employed “at will,” and the Company has no obligation or Liability (whether or not contingent) with respect to severance payments to any such employees under the terms of any written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral agreement, or commitment or any applicable Law, custom, trade or practice.

 

(d) In the past three (3) years, the Company has not received (i) notice of any unfair labor practice charge or material complaint pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened before the National Labor Relations Board against it, (ii) notice of any material grievances or arbitrations arising out of any collective bargaining agreement to which the Company is a party, or (iii) notice of the intent of any Governmental Authority responsible for the enforcement of labor, employment, wages and hours of work, child labor, or immigration to conduct an investigation with respect to or relating to them or notice that such investigation is in progress.

 

(e) To the Knowledge of the Company, no present or former employee at the level of vice president or above of the Company is in material violation of (i) any restrictive covenant or nondisclosure obligation to the Company or (ii) any restrictive covenant or nondisclosure obligation to a former employer of any such individual relating to (A) the right of any such individual to work for or provide services to the Company or (B) the knowledge or use of trade secrets.

 

(f) In the past three (3) years, the Company has not engaged in layoffs, furloughs or employment terminations sufficient to trigger application of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or any similar state or local law.

 

(g) In the past three (3) years, (i) no allegations of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct have been made in writing, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened to be made against or involving any current or former officer, director or other employee or individual service provider by any current or former officer, employee or individual service provider of the Company, and (ii) the Company has not entered into any settlement agreements resolving, in whole or in part, allegations of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct by any current or former officer, director or other employee.

 

Section 4.20 Benefit Plans.

 

(a) Set forth on Section 4.20(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter is a true and complete list of each material Company Benefit Plan. With respect to each Company Benefit Plan, all contributions that are due have been made or, to the extent not yet due, are properly accrued in accordance with GAAP on the Company Financials, in all material respects. The Company is not required to provide employee benefits pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement or other Contract covering any group of employees, labor organization or other representative of any of the employees.

 

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(b) Each Company Benefit Plan is and has been operated, administered, maintained, and funded at all times in compliance with its terms and all applicable Laws in all material respects, including ERISA and the Code. Each Company Benefit Plan which is intended to be “qualified” within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code (i) has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS to be so qualified (or is based on a prototype plan which has received a favorable opinion letter upon which the Company is entitled to rely) or (ii) the Company has requested an initial favorable IRS determination of qualification and/or exemption within the period permitted by applicable Law. To the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred or circumstance exists which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of such Company Benefit Plans or the exempt status of such trusts.

 

(c) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan the Company has provided to Purchaser accurate and complete copies, if applicable, of: (i) all Company Benefit Plan documents, service agreements and related trust agreements or annuity Contracts (including any amendments, modifications or supplements thereto); (ii) the most recent summary plan descriptions and material modifications thereto; (iii) the three (3) most recent Form 5500s, if applicable, and annual report, including all schedules thereto; (iv) the most recent annual and periodic accounting of plan assets; (v) the three (3) most recent nondiscrimination testing reports; (vi) the most recent determination letter (or opinion letter) received from the IRS, if any; (vii) the most recent actuarial valuation; and (viii) all material communications with any Governmental Authority within the last three (3) years.

 

(d) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan: (i) no Legal Proceeding is pending, or to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened (other than routine claims for benefits arising in the ordinary course of administration and administrative appeals of denied claims); (ii) no prohibited transaction, as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred, excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administration exemption; and (iii) all contributions and premiums that are due have been made in all material respects as required under ERISA or have been fully accrued in all material respects on the Company Financials in accordance with GAAP.

 

(e) Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate currently maintains, or within the preceding six (6) years has maintained or contributed to, a Company Benefit Plan which is a “defined benefit plan” (as defined in Section 414(j) of the Code), a “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA) or a “multiple employer plan” (as described in Section 413(c) of the Code) or is otherwise subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, and the Company has not incurred any Liability, could not otherwise have any Liability, contingent or otherwise, under Title IV of ERISA and no condition presently exists that is expected to cause such Liability to be incurred. The Company does not and has not ever maintained, and is not and has never been required to contribute to or otherwise participate in, (i) a multiple employer welfare arrangement or voluntary employees’ beneficiary association as defined in Section 501(c)(9) of the Code or (ii) a “funded welfare plan” within the meaning of Section 419 of the Code.

 

(f) Except as set forth on Section 4.20(f) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the consummation of the Transactions will not, either alone or in combination with another event, (i) entitle any current or former employee, officer or other service provider of the Company to any severance pay or increase in severance pay or any other compensation payable by the Company, (ii) accelerate the time of payment, funding or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due to any such employee, officer or other individual service provider by the Company, (iii) directly or indirectly cause the Company to transfer or set aside any assets to fund any material benefits under any Company Benefit Plan, (iv) otherwise give rise to any material liability under any Company Benefit Plan, or (v) limit or restrict the right to merge, materially amend, terminate or transfer the assets of any Company Benefit Plan on or following the Closing. The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, either alone or in combination with another event, result in any “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code. No Company Benefit Plan provides for a Tax gross-up, make whole or similar payment, including with respect to the Taxes imposed under Sections 409A or 4999 of the Code.

 

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(g) Except as set forth on Section 4.20(g) of the Company Disclosure Letter or to the extent required by Section 4980B of the Code or similar state Law, the Company does not provide health or welfare benefits to any former or retired employee and is not obligated to provide such benefits to any active employee following such employee’s retirement or other termination of employment or service.

 

(h) Each Company Benefit Plan can be terminated at any time without resulting in any material Liability to the Company, the Purchaser, Merger Sub or their respective Affiliates for any additional contributions, penalties, premiums, fees, fines, excise taxes or any other charges or liabilities, other than Liabilities with respect to participant accrued benefits through the effective date of such termination in accordance with the terms of such plan and ordinary administration costs typically incurred in a termination event.

 

(i) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Company, each Company Benefit Plan that is subject to Section 409A of the Code has been administered in compliance, and is in documentary compliance, in all respects with the applicable provisions of Section 409A of the Code, the regulations thereunder and other official guidance issued thereunder.

 

Section 4.21 Environmental Matters. Except as set forth in Section 4.21 of the Company Disclosure Letter:

 

(a) The Company and its properties and facilities are and have, during the time that the Company has owned, operated or leased such property or facility, been in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws, including obtaining, maintaining in good standing, and complying with all Permits required for their business and operations under any Environmental Laws (“Environmental Permits”).

 

(b) No Legal Proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or its assets or properties alleging a material violation of, or material liability under, any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit, including with respect to the revocation, modification or termination of any Environmental Permits, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no facts, circumstances, or conditions currently exist that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect compliance with Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits or require material capital expenditures to achieve or maintain continued compliance with Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits.

 

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(c) Neither the Company nor any of its properties, facilities or operations, is the subject of any outstanding material Order or Contract with any Governmental Authority or other Person in respect of any (i) Environmental Law, (ii) Remedial Legal Proceeding, or (iii) Release or threatened Release of a Hazardous Material. The Company has not assumed, contractually or by operation of Law, any material Environmental Liabilities.

 

(d) The Company has not manufactured, treated, stored, disposed of, arranged for or permitted the disposal of, generated, handled or Released any Hazardous Material, nor owned or operated any property or facility, in a manner that has given or would reasonably be expected to give rise to any material Environmental Liability or obligation under applicable Environmental Laws. To the Knowledge of the Company, no fact, circumstance, or condition exists in respect of the Company or any property currently or formerly owned, operated, or leased by the Company, or any other property that could reasonably be expected to result in the Company incurring any material Environmental Liability.

 

(e) The Company has not received written notification of any investigation of the business, operations, or currently or formerly owned, operated, or leased property of the Company that could lead to the imposition of any material Liens or Environmental Liabilities and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no such investigations are pending or threatened in writing.

 

(f) To the Knowledge of the Company, no Person has Released any Hazardous Material at, on, or under any facility currently or formerly owned or operated by the Company or any third-party site, in each case in a manner that would be reasonably likely to give rise to a material Environmental Liability of the Company, including for Remedial Legal Proceeding costs, investigation costs, cleanup costs, response costs, corrective action costs, personal injury, property damage, natural resources damages, and attorney fees.

 

(g) There are no (i) underground storage tanks, (ii) asbestos-containing materials, or (iii) equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls located at any of the properties of the Company.

 

(h) The Company has provided to the Purchaser all material written environmental reports, audits, assessments, liability analyses, memoranda and studies in the possession of, or conducted by, the Company and concerning the environmental condition of any properties of the Company, Environmental Liabilities or compliance with Environmental Laws.

 

Section 4.22 Transactions with Related Persons. Except as set forth on Section 4.22 of the Company Disclosure Letter, and except for in the case of any employee, officer or director, of any employment Contract or Company Benefit Plans made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or except as set forth in the Company Financials, the Company is not a party to any transaction or Contract with any (a) present or former executive officer or director of the Company, (b) beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of 5% or more of the capital stock or equity interests of the Company or (c) any Affiliate, “associate” or any member of the “immediate family” (as such terms are respectively defined in Rules 12b-2 and 16a-1 of the Exchange Act) of any of the foregoing. Except as set forth on Section 4.22 of the Company Disclosure Letter: (x) to the Knowledge of the Company, no Related Person or any Affiliate of a Related Person has, directly or indirectly, a material economic interest in any Contract with the Company (other than such Contracts that relate to any such Person’s ownership of the Company Units as set forth on Section 4.03(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter or such Person’s employment or consulting arrangements with the Company), and (y) the assets of the Company do not include any receivable or other obligation from a Related Person, and the liabilities of the Company do not include any payable or other obligation or commitment to any Related Person.

 

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Section 4.23 Insurance.

 

(a) Section 4.23(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter contains a list of, as of the date hereof, all material policies or binders of property, fire and casualty, product liability, workers’ compensation, and other forms of insurance held by, or for the benefit of, the business of the Company (by policy number, insurer, coverage period, coverage amount, annual premium and type of policy). As of the date hereof, all premiums due and payable under all such insurance policies have been timely paid and the Company is otherwise in material compliance with the terms of such insurance policies. Each such insurance policy (i) is legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect, subject, in each case, to the Enforceability Exceptions and (ii) will continue to be legal, valid, binding, enforceable, and in full force and effect on substantially similar terms following the Closing. The Company does not have self-insurance or co-insurance programs. In the past three (3) years, the Company has not received any written notice from, or on behalf of, any insurance carrier relating to or involving any adverse material change, notice of cancellation, termination or any change other than in the ordinary course of business, in the conditions of insurance, any refusal to issue an insurance policy or non-renewal of a policy.

 

(b) Section 4.23(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter identifies each individual insurance claim in excess of $50,000 made by the Company in the past three (3) years. The Company has reported to its insurers all claims and pending circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in a claim, except where such failure to report such a claim would not be reasonably likely to be material to the Company. To the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred, and no condition or circumstance exists, that would reasonably be expected to (with or without notice or lapse of time) give rise to or serve as a basis for the denial of any such insurance claim. The Company has not made any claim against an insurance policy as to which the insurer has denied coverage.

 

Section 4.24 Customers and Top Suppliers.

 

(a) As of the date hereof the Company currently has no customers.

 

(b) Section 4.24(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter lists as of the date of this Agreement, all suppliers or manufacturers of goods or services for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and the 12 months ended December 31, 2024 to which the Company made payments or accrued obligations in excess of $1,000,000 (the “Top Suppliers”). To the Knowledge of the Company as of the date hereof, no such Top Supplier has provided notice to the Company (i) of its intention to cancel or otherwise terminate, or materially reduce, its relationship with the Company, taken as a whole, or (ii) that the Company is in material breach of the terms of any Company Material Contract with any such Top Supplier.

 

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(c) Except as set forth on Section 4.24(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter, none of the Top Suppliers has, as of the date of this Agreement, notified the Company in writing that it is in a material dispute with the Company or its businesses.

 

Section 4.25 Certain Business Practices.

 

(a) Neither the Company, nor any of its officers or directors, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of its Representatives acting on its behalf, has since February 10, 2025, directly or indirectly, offered, given, paid, promised to give or pay, or authorized the giving or payment of anything of value to (i) an official or employee of a foreign or domestic Governmental Authority; (ii) a foreign or domestic political party or an official of a foreign or domestic political party; (iii) a candidate for foreign or domestic political office; or (iv) any Person, in any such case under circumstances where the Company or Representative thereof knew, or would have reasonably known after due and proper inquiry, that all or a portion of such thing of value would be offered, given, paid, or promised to an official or employee of a foreign or domestic Governmental Authority, a foreign or domestic political party, an official of a foreign or domestic political party, or a candidate for foreign or domestic political office for the purpose of influencing any act or decision of such official, employee, or candidate to obtain or retain business for the Company or direct business to the Company (in each case in violation of any Anti-Bribery Laws). Neither the Company, nor any of its officers and directors, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of its Representatives acting on its behalf, has, since February 10, 2025, directly or indirectly offered, given, paid, promised to give or pay, or authorized the giving or payment of anything of value to any customer, supplier, or other Person who is or may be in a position to assist or hinder the Company in connection with any actual or proposed transaction for the purpose of influencing any act or decision of such customer, supplier, or other Person to obtain or retain business or direct business to any person. Neither the Company, nor any of its officers and directors, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of its Representatives acting on its behalf, has, since February 10, 2025, been subject to or conducted or initiated any internal investigation or made a voluntary, directed, or involuntary disclosure to any Governmental Authority with respect to any alleged act or omission relating to any noncompliance with any Anti-Bribery Laws. Neither the Company, nor any of its officers and directors, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any Representatives acting on its behalf has, since February 10, 2025, received any written notice, request, or citation from any Governmental Authority for any actual or potential noncompliance with any Anti-Bribery Laws.

 

(b) The operations of the Company are and have been since February 10, 2025, conducted at all times in material compliance with any International Trade Laws and Sanctions Laws of any jurisdiction in which the Company operates, and no Legal Proceeding between the Company and any Governmental Authority with respect to any of the foregoing is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing.

 

(c) Neither the Company nor any of its directors or officers, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other Representative acting on behalf of the Company, is or has been: (i) identified on any applicable sanctions-related list of designated or blocked persons (including without limitation the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”)); (ii) located, organized, or resident in any country, region or territory that is the subject of comprehensive territorial sanctions administered by the United States and any other jurisdiction in which the Company operates (as of the date of this Agreement, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea, so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, and so-called Luhansk People’s Republic regions of Ukraine) (each a “Sanctioned Jurisdiction”); or (iii) owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more or otherwise controlled by any of the foregoing.

 

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(d) The Company has since February 10, 2025, maintained in place and implemented risk-based controls and systems designed to promote compliance with economic sanctions administered and maintained by the U.S. government.

 

(e) The Company has not since February 10, 2025, directly or indirectly, used any funds, or loaned, contributed or otherwise made available such funds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, in connection with any sales or operations in a Sanctioned Jurisdiction or for the purpose of financing the activities (i) of any Person currently identified on any applicable sanctions-related list of designated or blocked persons maintained by OFAC, or (ii) in any other manner that would constitute a violation of any applicable U.S. sanctions administered by the U.S. government.

 

Section 4.26 Investment Company Act. The Company is not an “investment company” or a Person directly or indirectly “controlled” by or acting on behalf of an “investment company,” or required to register as an “investment company,” in each case within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Section 4.27 Finders and Brokers. Except as reflected on Section 4.27 of the Company Disclosure Letter, no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to, nor will be entitled to, either directly or indirectly, any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other similar commission, for which the Company would be liable in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

Section 4.28 Independent Investigation. The Company has conducted its own independent investigation, review and analysis of the business, results of operations, prospects, condition (financial or otherwise) or assets of the Purchaser and Merger Sub, and acknowledges that it has been provided adequate access to the personnel, properties, assets, premises, books and records, and other documents and data of the Purchaser and Merger Sub for such purpose. The Company acknowledges and agrees that: (a) in making its decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the Transactions, it has relied solely upon its own investigation and the express representations and warranties of the Purchaser and Merger Sub set forth in Article V of this Agreement (including the related portions of the Purchaser Disclosure Letter) and in any certificate delivered to the Company pursuant hereto; and (b) none of the Purchaser, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives have made any representation or warranty as to the Purchaser or Merger Sub or this Agreement, except as expressly set forth in Article V (including the related portions of the Purchaser Disclosure Letter) or in any certificate delivered to the Company pursuant hereto. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company acknowledges that the Company, together with its advisors, has made its own investigation of Purchaser and Merger Sub and, except as provided in Article V, is not relying on any representation or warranty whatsoever as to the condition, merchantability, suitability or fitness for a particular purpose or trade as to any of the assets of Purchaser and Merger Sub, the prospects (financial or otherwise) or the viability or likelihood of success of the business of Purchaser and Merger Sub as conducted after the Closing, or as contained in any materials provided by Purchaser and Merger Sub or any of their Affiliates or any of their directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, members or representatives or otherwise.

 

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Section 4.29 Information Supplied. None of the information about the Company or supplied or to be supplied by, or on behalf of, the Company expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) any current report on Form 8-K, and any exhibits thereto or any other report, form, registration or other filing made with any Governmental Authority with respect to the Transactions or in the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement or (ii) any of the Signing Press Release, the Signing Filing, the Closing Press Release, the Closing Filing and any other press releases or prospectuses filed under Rule 425 of the Securities Act in connection with the Transactions contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will 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 at (a) the time such information is filed with or furnished to the SEC (provided, that if such information is revised by any subsequently filed amendment or supplement, this clause (a) shall solely refer to the time of such subsequent revision); (b) the time the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC; (c) the time the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement (or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto) is first mailed to the Purchaser Shareholders; or (d) the time of the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to any information about the Purchaser, Merger Sub or their respective Affiliates.

 

Section 4.30 No Additional Representations or Warranties. Except as provided in this Article IV, neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates, nor any of its respective directors, managers, officers, employees, equityholders, partners, members or representatives has made, or is making, and the Company hereby disclaims, any representation or warranty whatsoever to Purchaser, Merger Sub or their respective Affiliates or any other Person and no such party shall be liable in respect of the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to the Purchaser, Merger Sub or their respective Affiliates or any other Person.

 

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Article V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER AND MERGER SUB

 

Except as set forth (i) in any Purchaser SEC Reports filed or submitted on or prior to the date hereof, or (ii) in the disclosure letter delivered by the Purchaser to the Company (the “Purchaser Disclosure Letter”) on the date of this Agreement, which exceptions shall be deemed to be part of the representations and warranties made hereunder, the Purchaser and Merger Sub represent and warrant to the Company, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, as follows:

 

Section 5.01 Organization and Standing.

 

(a) The Purchaser is an exempted company duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the Cayman Islands. The Purchaser has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. The Purchaser is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing to do business in each jurisdiction in which the character of the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed or in good standing can be cured without material cost or expense. The Purchaser has heretofore made available to the Company accurate and complete copies of its Organizational Documents as currently in effect. The Purchaser is not in violation of any provision of its Organizational Documents in any material respect.

 

(b) Merger Sub is a limited liability company duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of Delaware. Merger Sub has heretofore made available to the Company accurate and complete copies of its Organizational Documents as currently in effect. Merger Sub is not in violation of any provision of its Organizational Documents in any material respect.

 

Section 5.02 Authorization; Binding Agreement. Each of the Purchaser and Merger Sub has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party, to perform its respective obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the Transactions, subject to obtaining the Purchaser Shareholder Approval. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party and the consummation of the Transactions (a) have been duly and validly authorized by the boards of directors (or equivalent governing body) of the Purchaser and Merger Sub, and (b) other than the Purchaser Shareholder Approval, no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Purchaser or Merger Sub are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party or to consummate the Transactions, other than the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State. This Agreement has been, and each Ancillary Document to which the Purchaser or Merger Sub are a party shall be when delivered, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Purchaser or Merger Sub, as applicable, and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and such Ancillary Documents by the other parties hereto and thereto, constitutes, or when delivered shall constitute, the valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser or Merger Sub, as applicable, enforceable against the Purchaser or Merger Sub, as applicable, in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and moratorium laws and other laws of general application affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by any applicable statute of limitation or by any valid defense of set-off or counterclaim, and the fact that equitable remedies or relief (including the remedy of specific performance) are subject to the discretion of the court from which such relief may be sought (collectively, the “Enforceability Exceptions”).

 

Section 5.03 Governmental Approvals. Assuming the truth and completeness of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement, no Consent of or with any Governmental Authority, on the part of the Purchaser or Merger Sub is required to be obtained or made in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Purchaser or Merger Sub of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is or will be a party or the consummation by the Purchaser or Merger Sub of the Transactions, other than (a) pursuant to Antitrust Laws, (b) such filings as contemplated by this Agreement, (c) any filings required with Nasdaq or the SEC with respect to the Transactions, (d) applicable requirements, if any, of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and/ or any state “blue sky” securities Laws, and (e) where the failure to obtain or make such Consents or to make such filings or notifications, would not reasonably be expected to have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.04 Non-Contravention. Assuming the truth and completeness of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement, the execution and delivery by each of Purchaser and Merger Sub of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which it is a party, the consummation by Purchaser and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and compliance by Purchaser and Merger Sub with any of the provisions hereof and thereof, do not and will not (a) conflict with or violate any provision of their respective Organizational Documents, (b) subject to obtaining the Consents from Governmental Authorities referred to in Section 5.03, and the waiting periods referred to therein having expired, and any condition precedent to such Consent or waiver having been satisfied, conflict with or violate any Law, Order or Consent applicable to the Purchaser or Merger Sub or any of its properties or assets, or (c) (i) violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, (ii) constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, (iii) result in the termination, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or modification of, (iv) accelerate the performance required by the Purchaser or Merger Sub under, (v) result in a right of termination or acceleration under, (vi) give rise to any obligation to make payments or provide compensation under, (vii) result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Purchaser or Merger Sub under, (viii) give rise to any obligation to obtain any third party Consent or provide any notice to any Person or (ix) give any Person the right to declare a default, exercise any remedy, claim a rebate, chargeback, penalty or change in delivery schedule, accelerate the maturity or performance, cancel, terminate or modify any right, benefit, obligation or other term under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, any material Contract to which Purchaser or Merger Sub is a party or by which its assets are bound, except in the case of clauses (b) or (c), as would not reasonably be expected to have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.05 Capitalization.

 

(a) As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized share capital of Purchaser is $22,100.00 divided into (i) 200,000,000 shares of Purchaser Class A Ordinary Shares, 19,690,000 of which are issued and outstanding, (ii) 20,000,000 shares of Purchaser Class B Ordinary Shares, of which 6,333,333 shares are issued and outstanding, and (iii) 1,000,000 preference shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of which no shares are issued and outstanding. In addition, 19,690,000 Cayman Purchaser Rights are issued and outstanding, which entitle the holders thereof to one-twelfth (1/12) of one Purchaser Class A Ordinary Share. All outstanding Purchaser Ordinary Shares are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and are not subject to or 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, Purchaser’s Organizational Documents or any Contract to which the Purchaser is a party. None of the outstanding Purchaser Ordinary Shares have been issued in violation of any applicable securities Laws.

 

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(b) Other than the Redemption or as contemplated by this Agreement, Purchaser’s Organizational Documents and the Trust Agreement, there are no outstanding obligations of Purchaser to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of Purchaser or to provide funds to make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in any Person. There are no shareholders agreements, voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which the Purchaser is a party with respect to the voting of any shares of Purchaser.

 

(c) All Indebtedness of Purchaser as of the date of this Agreement is disclosed on Section 5.05(c) of the Purchaser Disclosure Letter. No Indebtedness of the Purchaser contains any restriction upon (i) the prepayment of any of such Indebtedness, (ii) the incurrence of Indebtedness by the Purchaser or (iii) the ability of the Purchaser to grant any Lien on its properties or assets.

 

(d) Since the date of formation of the Purchaser until the date hereof, and except for the Redemption and as contemplated by this Agreement, Purchaser’s Organizational Documents and the Trust Agreement, the Purchaser has not declared or paid any distribution or dividend in respect of its shares.

 

(e) Purchaser owns all of the membership interests in Merger Sub. No other membership interests or other voting securities of Merger Sub are issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. All issued and outstanding membership interests of Merger Sub 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 DLLCA, 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 of its membership interests 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.

 

Section 5.06 SEC Filings and Purchaser Financials.

 

(a) The Purchaser has, since the IPO, filed all forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents required to be filed or furnished by the Purchaser with the SEC under the Securities Act and/or the Exchange Act, together with any amendments, restatements or supplements thereto (collectively, as they have been amended since the time of their filing or furnishing, the “Purchaser SEC Reports”). As of the date hereof, all of the Purchaser SEC Reports, any correspondence from or to the SEC or the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) (other than such correspondence in connection with the IPO of the Purchaser) and all certifications and statements required by: (i) Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 under the Exchange Act; or (ii) 18 U.S.C. § 1350 (Section 906) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with respect to any of the foregoing are available on the SEC’s Electronic Data-Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (EDGAR) in full without redaction.

 

(b) As of their respective dates, the Purchaser SEC Reports (i) were prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as the case may be, and (ii) did not, at the time they were filed (or if amended or superseded by a filing, then on the date of such filing), with the SEC 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 light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

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(c) The financial statements and notes contained or incorporated by reference in the Purchaser SEC Reports fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition and the results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Purchaser as at the respective dates of, and for the periods referred to, in such financial statements, all in accordance with: (i) GAAP; and (ii) Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable, subject, in the case of interim financial statements, to normal recurring year-end adjustments and the omission of notes to the extent permitted by Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable.

 

(d) The Purchaser has no off-balance sheet arrangements that are not disclosed in the Purchaser SEC Reports. No financial statements other than those of the Purchaser and Merger Sub are required by GAAP to be included in the consolidated financial statements of the Purchaser.

 

(e) The issued and outstanding Cayman Purchaser Units are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “HVIIU.” The issued and outstanding Purchaser 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 “HVII.” The issued and outstanding Cayman Purchaser Rights are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “HVIIR.” There is no action or proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of the Purchaser, threatened in writing against the Purchaser by Nasdaq or the SEC with respect to any intention by such entity to deregister the Cayman Purchaser Units, the Purchaser Class A Ordinary Shares or the Cayman Purchaser Rights or to terminate the listing of Purchaser on Nasdaq. Except in connection with the Transactions, none of Purchaser or any of its Affiliates has taken any action in an attempt to terminate the registration of the Cayman Purchaser Units, the Purchaser Class A Ordinary Shares or Cayman Purchaser Rights under the Exchange Act.

 

(f) Except as not required in reliance on exemptions from various reporting requirements by virtue of the Purchaser’s status as an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, the Purchaser has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act). Such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Purchaser is made known to the Purchaser’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer by others within the entity, particularly during the periods in which the periodic reports required under the Exchange Act are being prepared. Such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in all material respects in timely alerting the Purchaser’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer to material information required to be included in the Purchaser’s periodic reports required under the Exchange Act. Since the consummation of the IPO, the Purchaser has established and maintained a system of internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Purchaser’s financial reporting and the preparation of the financial statements included in the Purchaser SEC Reports for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Section 5.07 Absence of Certain Changes. As of the date of this Agreement, the Purchaser has, since the date of its formation (a) conducted no business other than its formation, the public offering of its securities (and the related private offerings), public reporting and its search for an initial Business Combination as described in the IPO Prospectus (including the investigation of the Company and the negotiation and execution of this Agreement) and related activities and (b) not been subject to a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect. Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of effecting the Transactions and has not engaged in any business activities or conducted any operations other than in connection with the Transactions.

 

Section 5.08 Undisclosed Liabilities. Except for any fees and expenses payable by Purchaser as a result of or in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, Purchaser has no Liabilities, except for Liabilities (a) reflected or reserved for on the financial statements or disclosed in the notes thereto included in the Purchaser SEC Reports, (b) that have arisen since the date of the most recent balance sheet included in the Purchaser SEC Reports in the ordinary course of business of Purchaser, (c) incurred in connection with the Transactions (for the avoidance of doubt, including those incurred in connection with or relating to this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions, such as Liabilities incurred by Purchaser in connection with or relating to the negotiation of this Agreement or performance hereunder, any diligence relating hereto, the satisfaction of the required closing conditions, or the PIPE Investment) or (d) which would not be, or would not reasonably be expected to be, material to Purchaser. Merger Sub has no, and at all times prior to the Effective Time except as contemplated by this Agreement or the ancillary agreements to this Agreement, will have no, assets, liabilities or obligations of any kind or nature whatsoever other than those incident to its formation.

 

Section 5.09 Compliance with Laws. Each of the Purchaser and Merger Sub is, and has since its formation been, in compliance with all Laws applicable to it and the conduct of its business except for such noncompliance which would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Purchaser or Merger Sub, and neither the Purchaser nor Merger Sub has received written notice alleging any violation of applicable Law in any material respect by the Purchaser or Merger Sub.

 

Section 5.10 Legal Proceedings; Orders; Permits. There is no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Purchaser, threatened Legal Proceeding to which the Purchaser or Merger Sub is subject which would reasonably be expected to have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect or that would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Purchaser to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions. There is no material Legal Proceeding that the Purchaser or Merger Sub has pending against any other Person. Neither the Purchaser nor Merger Sub is subject to any material Orders of any Governmental Authority, nor are any such Orders pending. Each of the Purchaser and Merger Sub holds all material Permits necessary to lawfully conduct its business as presently conducted, and to own, lease and operate its assets and properties, all of which are in full force and effect, except where the failure to hold such Consent or for such Consent to be in full force and effect would not reasonably be expected to have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.11 Taxes and Returns.

 

(a) The Purchaser (i) has timely filed, or caused to be timely filed, all income and other material Tax Returns required to be filed by it (taking into account all valid extensions of time to file), and all such Tax Returns are true, accurate, correct and complete in all material respects, and (ii) has timely paid, collected, withheld or remitted, or caused to be timely paid, collected, withheld or remitted, all income and other material Taxes required to be paid, collected, withheld or remitted by it, whether or not such Taxes are shown as due and payable on any Tax Return. The Purchaser has complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to Tax.

 

(b) There is no Legal Proceeding currently pending or otherwise in progress or, threatened in writing against the Purchaser by a Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where Purchaser does not file any Tax Returns or a particular type of Tax Return or pays any Tax or a particular type of Tax that it is or may be subject to such Tax or required to file such Tax Return in that jurisdiction.

 

(c) There is no claim, assessment, audit, examination, investigation or other Legal Proceeding that is pending or otherwise in progress, or threatened in writing against the Purchaser in respect of any Tax, and the Purchaser has not been notified in writing of any proposed Tax claim, deficiency or assessment against the Purchaser. Purchaser is not currently contesting any material Tax liability before any Governmental Authority.

 

(d) There are no Liens with respect to any Taxes upon any of the Purchaser’s assets, other than Permitted Liens.

 

(e) The Purchaser has timely and properly collected or withheld all Taxes required to be collected or withheld by it, timely remitted such Taxes to the appropriate Governmental Authorities, and otherwise complied in all material respects with all applicable withholding and related reporting requirements with respect to such Taxes.

 

(f) The Purchaser has not requested or consented to any waivers or extensions of any applicable statute of limitations for the collection or assessment of any Taxes, which waiver or extension (or request thereof) is outstanding or pending. There are no outstanding requests by the Purchaser for any extension of time to file any Tax Return or to pay any Taxes shown to be due on any Tax Return, other than extensions in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

 

(g) The Purchaser will not be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Closing Date, as a result of: (i) an installment sale or open transaction disposition that occurred on or prior to the Closing Date; (ii) any change in method of accounting on or prior to the Closing Date, including by reason of the application of Section 481 of the Code (or any analogous provision of state, local or foreign Law) or the use of an improper method of accounting on or prior to the Closing Date; (iii) any prepaid amounts received or deferred revenue realized or received on or prior to the Closing Date; (iv) any intercompany transaction described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Law); or (v) any “closing agreement” pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or any other agreement or arrangement with a Governmental Authority relating to Taxes.

 

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(h) The Purchaser has not participated in or been a party to, or sold, distributed or otherwise promoted, any “reportable transaction,” as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4 (or any similar or corresponding provision of state, local or foreign Law).

 

(i) The Purchaser has not been a member of an affiliated, combined, consolidated, unitary or other group for Tax purposes. The Purchaser does not have any Liability or potential Liability for the Taxes of another Person (i) pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar or corresponding provision of U.S. state or local Tax Law) or under any other applicable Tax Law, (ii) as a transferee or successor, or (iii) by Contract, indemnity or otherwise (excluding customary commercial Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which is not the sharing of Taxes). The Purchaser is not a party to or bound by any Tax indemnity agreement, Tax sharing agreement or Tax allocation agreements or similar agreement, arrangement or practice (excluding customary commercial Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which is not the sharing of Taxes) with respect to Taxes.

 

(j) The Purchaser has not requested, and is not the subject of or bound by, any private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum, closing agreement or similar ruling, memorandum or agreement with any Governmental Authority with respect to any Taxes, nor is any such request pending or outstanding.

 

(k) The Purchaser has not taken any action or agreed to take any action (or permit any action to be taken), nor is it aware of any fact or circumstance, that would reasonably be expected to prevent the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatments.

 

Section 5.12 Properties. Neither the Purchaser, nor Merger Sub, owns, licenses or otherwise has any right, title or interest in any material Intellectual Property. Neither the Purchaser nor Merger Sub owns or leases any material real property or material Personal Property (except for the Purchaser’s ownership of the Merger Sub membership interests).

 

Section 5.13 Investment Company Act. To the Knowledge of Purchaser, the Purchaser is not an “investment company” or a Person directly or indirectly “controlled” by or acting on behalf of an “investment company,” or required to register as an “investment company,” in each case within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

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Section 5.14 Trust Account. As of the date of this Agreement, Purchaser has at least $193,300,000 in the Trust Account, such monies held in cash and interest-bearing demand deposit account or in or invested in United States government securities or money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act pursuant to the Investment Management Trust Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”), dated as of January 16, 2025, between Purchaser and Continental, as trustee (the “Trustee”). There are no separate Contracts, side letters or other arrangements or understandings (whether written or unwritten, express or implied) that would cause the description of the Trust Agreement in the Purchaser SEC Reports to be inaccurate in any material respect or that would entitle any Person (other than Purchaser Shareholders who shall have properly elected to redeem their Purchaser Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to Purchaser’s Organizational Documents and the underwriters of the IPO with respect to deferred underwriting commissions) 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 other than to pay Taxes and payments with respect to the Redemption of Purchaser Class A Ordinary Shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to amend the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents to (A) modify the substance or timing of its obligation to allow redemption in connection with its initial business combination or to redeem 100% of its Purchaser Class A Ordinary Shares if it has not consummated an initial business combination within the prescribed window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions related to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity. The Trust Agreement has not been amended or modified and is a valid and binding obligation of Purchaser and is in full force and effect and is enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. As of the date hereof, there are no claims or proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of Purchaser, threatened in writing with respect to the Trust Account. Purchaser has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it to date under, and is not in default, breach or delinquent in performance or any other respect (claimed or actual) in connection with, the Trust Agreement in any material respects, and, to the Knowledge of Purchaser, no event has occurred which, with due notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default or breach thereunder. As of the Closing, the obligations of Purchaser to dissolve or liquidate pursuant to Purchaser’s Organizational Documents shall terminate, and as of the Closing, Purchaser shall have no obligation whatsoever pursuant to Purchaser’s Organizational Documents to dissolve and liquidate the assets of Purchaser by reason of the consummation of the Transactions. To the Knowledge of Purchaser, as of the date hereof, following the Closing, no Purchaser Shareholder shall be entitled to receive any amount from the Trust Account except to the extent such Purchaser Shareholder is exercising their option to redeem Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock in connection with the Redemption. As of the date hereof, assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein and the compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder, Purchaser does not have any reason to believe that any of the conditions to the use of funds in the Trust Account will not be satisfied or that any remaining funds available in the Trust Account after payment of Purchaser Transaction Costs will not be available to Purchaser on the Closing Date.

 

Section 5.15 Finders and Brokers. Except as reflected on Section 5.15 of the Purchaser Disclosure Letter, no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to, nor will be entitled to, either directly or indirectly, any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other similar commission, including any deferred underwriting commissions, for which the Purchaser or Merger Sub would be liable in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by the Purchaser or Merger Sub or any of their Affiliates.

 

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Section 5.16 Information Supplied. None of the information about Purchaser or Merger Sub or supplied or to be supplied by, or on behalf of, Purchaser or Merger Sub expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) any current report on Form 8-K, and any exhibits thereto or any other report, form, registration or other filing made with any Governmental Authority with respect to the Transactions or in the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement or (ii) any of the Signing Press Release, the Signing Filing, the Closing Press Release, the Closing Filing and any other press releases or prospectuses filed under Rule 425 of the Securities Act in connection to the Transactions contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will 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 at (a) the time such information is filed with or furnished to the SEC (provided, that if such information is revised by any subsequently filed amendment or supplement, this clause (a) shall solely refer to the time of such subsequent revision); (b) the time the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC; (c) the time the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement (or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto) is first mailed to the Purchaser Shareholders; or (d) the time of the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchaser and Merger Sub make no representations, warranties or covenants with respect to any information about the Company or its Affiliates.

 

Section 5.17 Independent Investigation. The Purchaser and Merger Sub have conducted their own independent investigation, review and analysis of the business, results of operations, prospects, condition (financial or otherwise) or assets of the Company, and acknowledge that they have been provided adequate access to the personnel, properties, assets, premises, books and records, and other documents and data of the Company for such purpose. The Purchaser and Merger Sub acknowledge and agree that: (a) in making their decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the Transactions, they have relied solely upon their own investigation and the express representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement (including the related portions of the Company Disclosure Letter) and in any certificate delivered to Purchaser or Merger Sub pursuant hereto, and the information provided by or on behalf of the Company for the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement; and (b) neither the Company nor its Representatives have made any representation or warranty as to the Company, or this Agreement, except as expressly set forth in Article IV (including the related portions of the Company Disclosure Letter) or in any certificate delivered to Purchaser or Merger Sub pursuant hereto. Without limiting the foregoing, the Purchaser and Merger Sub acknowledge that the Purchaser and Merger Sub or their advisors, have made their own investigation of the Company and, except as provided in Article IV, are not relying on any representation or warranty whatsoever as to the condition, merchantability, suitability or fitness for a particular purpose or trade as to any of the assets of the Company, the prospects (financial or otherwise) or the viability or likelihood of success of the business of the Company as conducted after the Closing, or as contained in any materials provided by the Company or any of its Affiliates or any of its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, members or representatives or otherwise.

 

Section 5.18 No Additional Representations or Warranties. Except as provided in this Article V, none of the Purchaser, Merger Sub, any of their respective Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, managers, officers, employees, stockholders, partners, members or representatives has made, or is making, and Purchaser and Merger Sub hereby disclaim, any representation or warranty whatsoever to the Company or its Affiliates, and no such party shall be liable in respect of the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to the Company or its Affiliates.

 

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Article VI

COVENANTS

 

Section 6.01 Access and Information; Cooperation.

 

(a) During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.01 or the Closing (the “Interim Period”), subject to Section 6.16, the Company shall give, and shall cause its Representatives to give, the Purchaser and its Representatives, at reasonable times during normal business hours and upon reasonable intervals and notice, reasonable access to all offices and other facilities and to all officers, managers, properties, Contracts, agreements, commitments, books and records, financial and operating data and other information, of or pertaining to the Company as the Purchaser or its Representatives may reasonably request regarding the Company and its businesses, assets, Liabilities, financial condition, prospects, operations, management, employees and other aspects and cause each of its Representatives to reasonably cooperate with the Purchaser and its Representatives in their investigation; provided, however, that the Purchaser and its Representatives shall conduct any such activities in such a manner as not to unreasonably interfere with the business or operations of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to provide, or cause to be provided, to Purchaser or any of its Representatives any information (i) if and to the extent doing so would (A) violate any Law to which the Company is subject, (B) result in the disclosure of any trade secrets of third parties in breach of any Contract with such third party, (C) violate any legally-binding obligation of the Company with respect to confidentiality, non-disclosure or privacy or (D) jeopardize protections afforded to the Company under the attorney-client privilege or the attorney work product doctrine (provided that, in the case of each of clauses (A) through (C), the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (x) provide such access as can be provided (or otherwise convey such information regarding the applicable matter as can be conveyed) without violating such Contract, obligation or Law and (y) provide such information in a manner without violating such Contract, obligation or Law), or (ii) if the Company, on the one hand, and Purchaser or any of its Representatives, on the other hand, are adverse parties in a litigation and such information is reasonably pertinent thereto.

 

(b) During the Interim Period, subject to Section 6.16, the Purchaser shall give, and shall cause its Representatives to give, the Company and its Representatives, at reasonable times during normal business hours and upon reasonable intervals and notice, reasonable access to all offices and other facilities and to all officers, directors, properties, Contracts, agreements, commitments, books and records, financial and operating data and other information, of or pertaining to the Purchaser or its Subsidiaries, as the Company or its Representatives may reasonably request regarding the Purchaser, its Subsidiaries and their respective businesses, assets, Liabilities, financial condition, prospects, operations, management, employees and other aspects and cause each of the Purchaser’s Representatives to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its Representatives in their investigation; provided, however, that the Company and its Representatives shall conduct any such activities in such a manner as not to unreasonably interfere with the business or operations of the Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchaser shall not be required to provide, or cause to be provided, to the Company or any of its Representatives any information (i) if and to the extent doing so would (A) violate any Law to which the Purchaser is subject, (B) violate any legally-binding obligation of the Purchaser with respect to confidentiality, non-disclosure or privacy or (C) jeopardize protections afforded to the Purchaser under the attorney-client privilege or the attorney work product doctrine (provided that, in the case of each of clauses (A) through (B), the Purchaser shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (x) provide such access as can be provided (or otherwise convey such information regarding the applicable matter as can be conveyed) without violating such Contract, obligation or Law and (y) provide such information in a manner without violating such Contract, obligation or Law), or (ii) if the Purchaser, on the one hand, and the Company or any of its Representatives, on the other hand, are adverse parties in a litigation and such information is reasonably pertinent thereto.

 

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(c) During the Interim Period, each of the Company and the Purchaser shall, and shall cause their respective Representatives to, reasonably cooperate in a timely manner in connection with any financing arrangement the Parties mutually agree to seek in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, in connection with the PIPE Investment), including, (i) by providing such information and assistance as the other Party may reasonably request, (ii) granting such access to the other Party and its Representatives as may be reasonably necessary for their due diligence, and (iii) participating in a reasonable number of meetings, presentations, road shows, drafting sessions, due diligence sessions with respect to such financing efforts (including direct contact between senior management and other Representatives of the Company at reasonable times and locations). All such cooperation, assistance and access shall be granted during normal business hours and shall be granted under conditions that shall not unreasonably interfere with the business and operations of the Company, the Purchaser, or their respective Representatives.

 

Section 6.02 Conduct of Business of the Company.

 

(a) During the Interim Period, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, as required by applicable Law, as set forth on Section 6.02(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter or as consented to in writing by the Purchaser (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, (i) conduct its and their respective businesses, in all material respects, in the ordinary course of business, (ii) comply in all material respects with all Laws applicable to the Company and its businesses and assets, and (iii) take commercially reasonable measures necessary or appropriate to preserve intact, in all material respects, their respective businesses, to keep available the services of the current officers, key employees, consultants and advisors of the Company and to preserve the current relationships of the Company with customers, suppliers and other Persons with which the Company has current or planned significant business relations.

 

(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 6.02(a) and except as contemplated by the terms of this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, as required by applicable Law or as set forth on Section 6.02(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, during the Interim Period, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Company shall not:

 

(i) amend, waive or otherwise change, in any respect, its Organizational Documents;

 

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(ii) authorize for issuance, issue, grant, sell, pledge, dispose of or propose to issue, grant, sell, pledge or dispose of any of its equity securities or any options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions or rights of any kind to acquire or sell any of its equity securities, or other securities, including any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any of its units or other equity securities or securities of any class and any other equity-based awards, or engage in any hedging transaction with a third Person with respect to such securities;

 

(iii) split, combine, recapitalize or reclassify any of its units or other equity interests or issue any other securities in respect thereof or pay or set aside any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, equity or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its equity interests, or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire or offer to acquire any of its securities;

 

(iv) incur, assume, guarantee or repurchase or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness, or issue or sell any debt securities or options, warrants or other rights to acquire debt securities;

 

(v) (A) grant any severance, retention, change in control or termination or similar pay, (B) terminate, adopt, enter into or materially amend or grant any new awards under any Company Benefit Plan or any plan, policy, practice, program, agreement or other arrangement that would be deemed a Company Benefit Plan as of the date hereof, (C) increase the cash compensation or bonus opportunity of any employee, officer, director or other individual service provider, except for such increases to any such individuals who are not directors or officers of the Company made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (D) take any action to amend or waive any performance or vesting criteria or to accelerate the time of payment or vesting of any compensation or benefit payable by the Company, (E) hire, elect, appoint or engage (1) any new employee or individual independent contractor if such new employee or individual independent contractor will receive annual base cash compensation in excess of $250,000, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or (2) any new director or officer, (F) terminate the employment or engagement, other than for cause, death or disability, of any employee or individual independent contractor with an annual base cash compensation in excess of $250,000 or (G) enter into any written waiver of any restrictive covenants applying to any current or former employee or individual independent contractor;

 

(vi) enter into or extend any collective bargaining agreement or similar labor agreement, or recognize or certify any labor union, labor organization, or group of employees of the Company as the bargaining representative for any employees of the Company;

 

(vii) (A) make, change or rescind any election relating to Taxes (except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), (B) settle or otherwise compromise any claim, suit, litigation, proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit, controversy or other Legal Proceeding relating to material Taxes, (C) file any amended income Tax or other material Tax Return, (D) surrender or allow to expire any right to claim a refund of material Taxes, (E) change (or request to change) any method of accounting for Tax purposes, (F) waive or extend any statute of limitations in respect of a period within which an assessment or reassessment of income Taxes or other material Taxes may be issued or in respect of any income Taxes or other material Tax attribute that would give rise to any claim or assessment of Taxes of or with respect to the Company, (G) enter into any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code or any other agreement or arrangement with any Governmental Authority, (H) enter into any Tax indemnity agreement, Tax sharing agreement or Tax allocation agreement or similar agreement, arrangement or practice (excluding customary commercial Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which is not the sharing of Taxes) with respect to Taxes, (I) surrender or knowingly allow to expire any right to claim a refund of material Taxes, or (J) change its jurisdiction of tax residency;

 

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(viii) take or agree to take any action (or permit any action to be taken), or fail to take any action, where such action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to prevent the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatments;

 

(ix) transfer, sell, assign, license, sublicense, covenant not to assert, subject to a Lien (other than a Permitted Lien), abandon, allow to lapse, transfer or otherwise dispose of, any right, title or interest of the Company in or to any Owned Intellectual Property material to any of the businesses of the Company (other than non-exclusive licenses of Owned Intellectual Property granted in the ordinary course of business or abandoning, allowing to lapse or otherwise disposing of Owned Intellectual Property registrations or applications that the Company, in the exercise of its good faith business judgment, has determined to abandon, allow to lapse or otherwise dispose of), or otherwise materially amend or modify, permit to lapse or fail to preserve any material Company Registered IP (excluding non-exclusive licenses of Company IP to Company customers in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), or disclose, divulge, furnish to or make accessible to any Person who has not entered into a confidentiality agreement sufficiently protecting the confidentiality thereof any material Trade Secrets constituting Owned Intellectual Property, or include, incorporate or embed in, link to, combine, make available or distribute with, or use in the development, operation, delivery or provision of any Company Software any Open Source Software in a manner that would subject such Company Software to Copyleft Terms;

 

(x) fail to maintain its books, accounts and records in all material respects in accordance with industry standards;

 

(xi) terminate or assign any Company Material Contract or any material Company Real Property Lease or enter into any Contract that would be a Company Material Contract or material Company Real Property Lease;

 

(xii) establish any Subsidiary or enter into any new line of business;

 

(xiii) fail to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep in force insurance policies or replacement or revised policies providing insurance coverage with respect to its assets, operations and activities in such amount and scope of coverage substantially similar to that which is currently in effect, or terminate without replacement or amend in a manner materially detrimental to the Company, any material insurance policy insuring the Company;

 

(xiv) make any material change in accounting methods, principles or practices, except to the extent required to comply with GAAP or changes that are made in accordance with PCAOB standards;

 

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(xv) waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any claim, action or proceeding (including any suit, action, claim, proceeding or investigation relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby);

 

(xvi) effect any mass layoff or plant closing at any of its facilities that triggers the notice obligations under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, except as would not be material to the Company or any terminations for cause;

 

(xvii) acquire, including by merger, consolidation, acquisition of equity interests or assets, or any other form of business combination, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, other business organization or any division thereof, or any material amount of assets;

 

(xviii) make capital expenditures in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate, other than expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of Transactions (including legal or accounting);

 

(xix) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring or other reorganization;

 

(xx) voluntarily incur Liabilities or obligations (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) in excess of $2,500,000 in the aggregate other than pursuant to the terms of a Company Material Contract in effect on the date hereof and excluding the expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of Transactions (including legal or accounting);

 

(xxi) sell, lease, license, transfer, exchange or swap, mortgage or otherwise pledge or encumber (including securitizations), or otherwise dispose of any material portion of its tangible properties, assets or rights;

 

(xxii) enter into any written agreement, understanding or arrangement with respect to the voting of equity securities of the Company;

 

(xxiii) take any action that would reasonably be expected to significantly delay or impair the obtaining of any Consents of any Governmental Authority to be obtained in connection with this Agreement;

 

(xxiv) enter into, amend, waive or terminate (other than terminations in accordance with their terms) any transaction with any Related Person (other than compensation and benefits and advancement of expenses, in each case, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or any existing Contract (provided such Contract is not amended after the date of this Agreement) or its Organizational Documents);

 

(xxv) (A) limit the right of the Company 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 business of the Company; or

 

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(xxvi) authorize or agree to do any of the foregoing actions.

 

(c) Additional Company Distribution. At the Closing Date, if Available Closing Cash exceeds the sum of (i) $50,000,000, (ii) the aggregate Purchaser Transaction Costs and Company Transaction Costs, and (iii) Company working capital reserves in an amount mutually agreed by the Company and Purchaser, then the Company shall be permitted to pay cash transaction bonuses to its officers in amounts mutually agreed by the Company and Purchaser.

 

Section 6.03 Conduct of Business of the Purchaser.

 

(a) During the Interim Period, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, as required by applicable Law, as set forth on Section 6.03(b) of the Purchaser Disclosure Letter or as consented to in writing by the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Purchaser shall, and shall cause Merger Sub to, (i) conduct its business, in all material respects, in the ordinary course of business, (ii) comply in all material respects with all Laws applicable to it and its businesses, assets and employees, and (iii) take commercially reasonable measures necessary or appropriate to preserve intact, in all material respects, its business organizations.

 

(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 6.03(a) and except as contemplated by the terms of this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents (including the Domestication or as contemplated by the PIPE Investment), as required by applicable Law or as set forth on Section 6.03(b) of the Purchaser Disclosure Letter, during the Interim Period, without the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Purchaser shall not, and shall cause Merger Sub not to:

 

(i) amend, waive or otherwise change, in any respect, its Organizational Documents;

 

(ii) authorize for issuance, issue, grant, sell, pledge, dispose of or propose to issue, grant, sell, pledge or dispose of any of its equity securities or any options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions or rights of any kind to acquire or sell any of its equity securities, or other securities, including any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any of its equity securities or other security interests of any class and any other equity-based awards, or engage in any hedging transaction with a third Person with respect to such securities;

 

(iii) split, combine, recapitalize or reclassify any of its shares or other equity interests or issue any other securities in respect thereof or pay or set aside any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, equity or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its shares or other equity interests, or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire or offer to acquire any of its securities;

 

(iv) incur, create, assume, prepay or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness (directly, contingently or otherwise) in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate, make a loan or advance to or investment in any third party, or guarantee or endorse any Indebtedness of any Person (provided, that this Section 6.03(b)(iv) shall not prevent the Purchaser from borrowing funds necessary to finance its ordinary course administrative costs and expenses and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the Transactions (including the PIPE Investment));

 

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(v) (A) make, change or rescind any election relating to Taxes (except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), (B) settle or otherwise compromise any claim, suit, litigation, proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit, controversy or other Legal Proceeding relating to material Taxes, (C) file any amended income Tax or other material Tax Return, (D) surrender or allow to expire any right to claim a refund of material Taxes, (E) change (or request to change) any method of accounting for Tax purposes, (F) waive or extend any statute of limitations in respect of a period within which an assessment or reassessment of income Taxes or other material Taxes may be issued or in respect of any income Taxes or other material Tax attribute that would give rise to any claim or assessment of Taxes of or with respect to Purchaser, (G) enter into any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code or any other agreement or arrangement with any Governmental Authority, (H) enter into any Tax indemnity agreement, Tax sharing agreement or Tax allocation agreement or similar agreement, arrangement or practice (excluding customary commercial Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which is not the sharing of Taxes) with respect to Taxes, (I) surrender or allow to expire any right to claim a refund of material Taxes, or (J) change its jurisdiction of tax residency, except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Agreement or the Transactions;

 

(vi) take or agree to take any action (or permit any action to be taken), or fail to take any action, where such action or failure to act could reasonably be expected to prevent the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatments;

 

(vii) amend, waive or otherwise change the Trust Agreement in any manner adverse to the Purchaser;

 

(viii) terminate, waive or assign any material right under any material Contract of Purchaser;

 

(ix) fail to maintain its books, accounts and records in all material respects in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(x) establish any Subsidiary or enter into any new line of business;

 

(xi) fail to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep in force insurance policies or replacement or revised policies providing insurance coverage with respect to its assets, operations and activities in such amount and scope of coverage substantially similar to that which is currently in effect;

 

(xii) make any material change in accounting methods, principles or practices, except to the extent required to comply with GAAP or PCAOB standards;

 

(xiii) waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any claim, action or proceeding (including any suit, action, claim, proceeding or investigation relating to this Agreement or the Transactions), other than waivers, releases, assignments, settlements or compromises that involve only the payment of monetary damages (and not the imposition of equitable relief on, or the admission of wrongdoing by, the Purchaser or its Subsidiary) not in excess of $500,000 (individually or in the aggregate);

 

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(xiv) acquire, including by merger, consolidation, acquisition of equity interests or assets, or any other form of business combination, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, other business organization or any division thereof, or any material amount of assets outside the ordinary course of business;

 

(xv) make capital expenditures in excess of $200,000 individually for any project (or set of related projects) or $500,000 in the aggregate (excluding for the avoidance of doubt, incurring any ordinary course administrative costs and expenses and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of Transactions, including legal or accounting (including the PIPE Investment));

 

(xvi) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization (other than with respect to the Transactions);

 

(xvii) voluntarily incur any Liability or obligation (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate (excluding the incurrence of any ordinary course administrative costs and expenses and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of Transactions, including legal or accounting (including the PIPE Investment)) other than pursuant to the terms of a Contract in existence as of the date of this Agreement or entered into in the ordinary course of business or in accordance with the terms of this Section 6.03 during the Interim Period;

 

(xviii) sell, lease, license, transfer, exchange or swap, mortgage or otherwise pledge or encumber (including securitizations), or otherwise dispose of any material portion of its tangible properties, assets or rights;

 

(xix) take any action that would reasonably be expected to significantly delay or impair the obtaining of any Consents of any Governmental Authority to be obtained in connection with this Agreement;

 

(xx) grant or establish any form of compensation or benefits to any current or former employee, officer, director, individual independent contractor or other individual service provider of Purchaser; or

 

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

 

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Section 6.04 Annual and Interim Financial Statements.

 

(a) To the extent not already delivered, as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, but in no event later than December 31, 2025, the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser audited consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations, comprehensive loss, members’ equity and cash flows of the Company as of and for the period from inception through September 30, 2025, together with the auditor’s reports thereon, which 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 applicable to a registrant and which have been audited in accordance with GAAP and PCAOB standards (collectively, the “PCAOB Financial Statements”); provided, that upon delivery of such PCAOB Financial Statements, such financial statements shall be deemed “Company Financials” for the purposes of this Agreement and the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.06 shall be deemed to apply to such PCAOB Financial Statements with the same force and effect as if made as of the date of this Agreement.

 

(b) As soon as reasonably practicable, the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser any other audited or unaudited financial statements of the Company that are required by applicable law to be included in the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement; provided, that upon delivery of such other audited or unaudited financial statements of the Company, the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.06 shall be deemed to apply to such other audited or unaudited financial statements of the Company, mutatis mutandis, with the same force and effect as if made as of the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 6.05 Purchaser Public Filings. During the Interim Period, the Purchaser will keep current all of its public filings with the SEC (after giving effect to all applicable extension periods) and otherwise comply in all material respects with applicable securities Laws and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts prior to the Closing to maintain the listing of the Purchaser Class A Ordinary Shares and the Cayman Purchaser Rights on Nasdaq; provided, that the Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) if Purchaser fails to timely file any public filing with the SEC, such failure shall not be a breach of this Section 6.05 provided such public filing is made before the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or such late filing does not have a material adverse impact on the consummation of the Transactions and (ii) from and after the Closing, the Parties intend to list on Nasdaq only the Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock.

 

Section 6.06 No Solicitation.

 

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, (i) an “Acquisition Proposal” means any inquiry, proposal or offer, or any indication of interest in making an offer or proposal (whether written or oral), from any Person or group at any time relating to an Alternative Transaction (other than the Purchaser and the Sponsor or their respective Representatives), and (ii) an “Alternative Transaction” means (A) with respect to the Company and any of its subsidiaries, a transaction or a series of transactions (other than the Transactions) concerning the sale (whether directly or indirectly) of (x) all or any part of the business or assets of the Company, (y) any of the units or other equity interests or profits of the Company, in any case, whether such transaction takes the form of a sale of units or other equity interests, assets, merger, consolidation, issuance of debt securities, management Contract, joint venture or partnership, or otherwise or (z) a merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or other similar transaction involving the sale or disposition of the Company and (B) with respect to the Purchaser and its Affiliates, a transaction (other than the Transactions) concerning a Business Combination involving Purchaser or any of its Affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company acknowledges and agrees the Representatives of Purchaser and its Affiliates have been and in the future intend to be involved with other special purpose acquisition companies, and it shall not constitute an “Alternative Transaction” for one or more Persons to propose or discuss a potential business combination with the Representatives of Purchaser and its Affiliates unless such Person specifically identifies the Purchaser as a potential counterparty for a Business Combination.

 

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(b) During the Interim Period, in order to induce the other Parties to continue to commit to expend management time and financial resources in furtherance of the transactions contemplated hereby, each Party shall not, and shall cause its Representatives to not, without the prior written consent of the Company and the Purchaser, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, assist, initiate, engage or facilitate the making, submission or announcement of, or encourage, any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) furnish any non-public information regarding such Party or its Affiliates or their respective businesses, operations, assets, Liabilities, financial condition, prospects or employees to any Person or group (other than a Party to this Agreement or their respective Representatives) in connection with or in response to an Acquisition Proposal, (iii) engage or participate in discussions or negotiations with any Person or group with respect to, or that could reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, (iv) approve, endorse or recommend, or publicly propose to approve, endorse or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal, (v) negotiate or enter into any letter of intent, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement or other similar agreement related to any Acquisition Proposal, (vi) release any third Person from, or waive any provision of, any confidentiality agreement to which such Party is a party, (vii) otherwise knowingly encourage or facilitate any such inquiries, proposals, discussions, or negotiations or any effort or attempt by any Person to make an Alternative Transaction or (viii) agree or otherwise commit to enter into or engage in any of the foregoing.

 

(c) Each Party shall notify the other Parties as promptly as practicable (and in any event within two (2) Business Days) in writing of the receipt by such Party or any of its Representatives of (i) any inquiries, proposals or offers, requests for information or requests for discussions or negotiations regarding or constituting any Acquisition Proposal or any inquiries, proposals or offers, requests for information or requests for discussions or negotiations that could be expected to result in an Acquisition Proposal, and (ii) any request for non-public information relating to such Party or its Affiliates in connection with any Acquisition Proposal, specifying in each case, the material terms and conditions thereof (including a copy thereof if in writing or a written summary thereof if oral) and the identity of the party making such inquiry, proposal, offer or request for information. Each Party shall keep the other Parties promptly informed of the status of any such inquiries, proposals, offers or requests for information. During the Interim Period, each Party shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease and cause to be terminated any solicitations, discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to any Acquisition Proposal and shall, and shall direct its Representatives to, cease and terminate any such solicitations, discussions or negotiations.

 

Section 6.07 No Trading. The Company acknowledges and agrees that it is aware, and that the Company’s Affiliates are aware (and each of their respective Representatives is aware or, upon receipt of any material nonpublic information of the Purchaser, will be advised) of the restrictions imposed by U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq promulgated thereunder or otherwise (the “Federal Securities Laws”) and other applicable foreign and domestic Laws on a Person possessing material nonpublic information about a publicly traded company. The Company hereby agrees that, while it is in possession of such material nonpublic information, it shall not, it shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, and it shall instruct its other Affiliates and Representatives not to, purchase or sell any securities of the Purchaser (unless otherwise explicitly contemplated in this Agreement), communicate such information to any third party (other than (x) to Persons for the purpose of seeking consents related to the Transactions or (y) Persons subject to confidentiality restrictions in favor of the Company), take any other action with respect to the Purchaser in violation of such Laws, or cause or encourage any third party to do any of the foregoing.

 

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Section 6.08 Notification of Certain Matters. During the Interim Period, each Party shall give prompt notice to the other Parties if such Party or its Affiliates: (a) receives any notice or other communication in writing from any third party (including any Governmental Authority) alleging: (i) that the Consent of such third party is or may be required in connection with the Transactions or (ii) any non-compliance with any Law by such Party or its Affiliates; (b) receives any notice or other communication from any Governmental Authority in connection with the Transactions; (c) becomes aware of the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event the occurrence or non-occurrence of which has caused or is reasonably likely to cause any condition to the obligations of any party to effect the Transactions not to be satisfied; or (d) becomes aware of the commencement or threat, in writing, of any Legal Proceeding against such Party or any of its Affiliates, or any of their respective properties or assets, or, to the Knowledge of such Party, any officer, director, partner, member or manager, in his, her or its capacity as such, of such Party or of its Affiliates, in each case, with respect to the consummation of the Transactions or the business, properties, assets, or liabilities of the Company. No such notice shall constitute an acknowledgement or admission by the Party providing the notice regarding whether or not any of the conditions to the Closing have been satisfied or in determining whether or not any of the representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement have been breached. In the event that any litigation related to this Agreement, any Ancillary Documents or the Transactions is brought, or, to the Knowledge of the Parties, respectively, threatened, against such Party, or the board of directors (or similar governing body) of such Party or its Subsidiaries, respectively, by a third party prior to the Closing, such Party shall promptly notify the other Party of any such litigation and keep the other Party reasonably informed with respect to the status thereof. Each Party shall provide the other Party the opportunity to participate in (subject to a customary joint defense agreement), but not control, the defense of any such litigation, shall give due consideration to the other Party’s advice with respect to such litigation and shall not settle or agree to settle any such litigation without the prior written consent of the other Party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any failure to give such notice pursuant to this Section 6.08 shall not give rise to any Liability of the Company or Purchaser or be taken into account in determining whether the conditions in Article VII have been satisfied or give rise to any right of termination set forth in Article VIII.

 

Section 6.09 Efforts.

 

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Party shall use its reasonable best efforts, and shall cooperate fully with the other Parties, to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws and regulations to consummate the Transactions (including the receipt of all applicable Consents of Governmental Authorities) and to comply as promptly as practicable with all requirements of Governmental Authorities applicable to the Transactions.

 

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(b) In furtherance and not in limitation of Section 6.09(a), to the extent required under any Laws that are designed to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or lessening of competition through merger or acquisition (“Antitrust Laws”), each Party hereto agrees to make any required filing or application under Antitrust Laws, as applicable, at such Party’s sole cost and expense (except that any fees or other amounts charged by any Governmental Authorities relating to such filings or applications will be split equally between the Purchaser, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand), with respect to the Transactions as promptly as practicable, to supply as promptly as reasonably practicable any additional information and documentary material that may be reasonably requested pursuant to Antitrust Laws and to take all other actions reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under Antitrust Laws as soon as practicable, including by requesting early termination of the waiting period provided for under the Antitrust Laws. Each Party shall, in connection with its efforts to obtain all requisite approvals and authorizations for the Transactions under any Antitrust Law, use its commercially reasonable efforts to: (i) cooperate in all respects with each other Party or its Affiliates in connection with any filing or submission and in connection with any investigation or other inquiry, including any proceeding initiated by a private Person; (ii) keep the other Parties reasonably informed of any communication received by such Party or its Representatives from, or given by such Party or its Representatives to, any Governmental Authority and of any communication received or given in connection with any proceeding by a private Person, in each case regarding any of the Transactions; (iii) permit a Representative of the other Parties and their respective outside counsel to review any communication given by it to, and consult with each other in advance of any meeting or conference with, any Governmental Authority or, in connection with any proceeding by a private Person, with any other Person, and to the extent permitted by such Governmental Authority or other Person, give a Representative or Representatives of the other Parties the opportunity to attend and participate in such meetings and conferences; (iv) in the event a Party’s Representative is prohibited from participating in or attending any meetings or conferences, the other Parties shall keep such Party promptly and reasonably apprised with respect thereto; and (v) use reasonable best efforts to cooperate in the filing of any memoranda, white papers, filings, correspondence or other written communications explaining or defending the Transactions, articulating any regulatory or competitive argument, and/or responding to requests or objections made by any Governmental Authority.

 

(c) As soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, the Parties shall reasonably cooperate with each other and use (and shall cause their respective Affiliates to use) their respective reasonable best efforts to prepare and file with Governmental Authorities any requests for approval, to the extent required, of the Transactions and shall use their reasonable best efforts to have such Governmental Authorities approve the Transactions. Each Party shall give prompt written notice to the other Parties if such Party or any of its Representatives receives any notice from such Governmental Authorities in connection with the Transactions, and shall promptly furnish the other Parties with a copy of such Governmental Authority notice. If any Governmental Authority requires that a hearing or meeting be held in connection with its approval of the Transactions, whether prior to the Closing or after the Closing, each Party shall arrange for Representatives of such Party to be present for such hearing or meeting. If any objections are asserted with respect to the Transactions under any applicable Law or if any Legal Proceeding is instituted (or threatened to be instituted) by any applicable Governmental Authority or any private Person challenging any of the Transactions or any Ancillary Document as violative of any applicable Law or which would otherwise prevent, materially impede or materially delay the consummation of the Transactions, the Parties shall use their reasonable best efforts to resolve any such objections or Legal Proceedings so as to timely permit consummation of the Transactions, including in order to resolve such objections or Legal Proceedings which, in any case if not resolved, could reasonably be expected to prevent, materially impede or materially delay the consummation of the Transactions. In the event any Legal Proceeding is instituted (or threatened to be instituted) by a Governmental Authority or private Person challenging the Transactions, the Parties shall, and shall cause their respective Representatives to, reasonably cooperate with each other and use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to contest and resist any such Legal Proceeding and to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any Order, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, that is in effect and that prohibits, prevents or restricts consummation of the Transactions. Neither the Company nor Purchaser shall enter into any agreement with any Governmental Authority relating to the Transactions without the prior written consent of the other Party.

 

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(d) Prior to the Closing, each Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain any Consents of Governmental Authorities or other third Persons as may be necessary for the consummation by such Party or its Affiliates of the Transactions or required as a result of the execution or performance of, or consummation of the Transactions by such Party or its Affiliates, and the other Parties shall provide reasonable cooperation in connection with such efforts.

 

Section 6.10 Trust Account. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VII and provision of notice thereof to the Trustee (which notice Purchaser shall provide to the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement), (i) in accordance with and pursuant to the Trust Agreement, Purchaser (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) pay as and when due all amounts payable to the Purchaser Shareholders pursuant to the Redemption, and (2) pay all remaining amounts then available in the Trust Account to Purchaser for immediate use, subject to this Agreement and the Trust Agreement, and (ii) thereafter, the Trust Account shall terminate, except as otherwise provided therein.

 

Section 6.11 Certain Tax Matters.

 

(a) The Parties hereby agree and acknowledge that, for U.S. federal, and applicable state and local, income Tax purposes, it is intended that the relevant portions of the Transactions qualify for their respective Intended Tax Treatments, and that this Agreement constitutes, and hereby is adopted as, a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a) for purposes of Sections 354, 361 and 368 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. No Party shall take or cause to be taken, or fail to take or cause to be failed to be taken, any action, if such action or failure to act, as the case may be, would prevent or impede, or would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatments. The Parties hereby agree to prepare and file all Tax Returns on a basis consistent with the Intended Tax Treatments and not to take any action or position inconsistent with the Intended Tax Treatments in any Tax Return, any Tax Proceeding or otherwise for any Tax purposes, unless otherwise required pursuant to a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code. Each Party agrees to use reasonable best efforts to promptly notify all other Parties of any challenge to the qualification of any relevant portion of the Transactions for its Intended Tax Treatment by any Governmental Authority.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the SEC requires that a Tax opinion be prepared and submitted in connection with the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement and any other filings to be made with the SEC in connection with the Transactions, whether as an exhibit to the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement or otherwise, to the extent such opinion or disclosure relates to the Company or any of their direct or indirect owners, the Company shall cause such opinion to be provided by Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (or another nationally recognized tax advisor to the Company if Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is unable to provide such tax opinion), and to the extent such opinion or disclosure relates to Purchaser or any of its direct or indirect owners, Purchaser shall cause such opinion to be provided by Sidley Austin LLP (or another nationally recognized tax advisor to Purchaser if Sidley Austin LLP is unable to provide such tax opinion), and if such Tax opinion is being provided by a Tax counsel, the Parties hereto shall, and shall cause their Affiliates to (i) cooperate in order to facilitate the issuance of any such Tax opinion and (ii) deliver to such counsel, to the extent requested by such counsel, a duly executed certificate reasonably satisfactory to such Party and such counsel dated as of the date requested by such counsel, containing such customary representations, warranties and covenants as shall be reasonably necessary or appropriate to enable such counsel to render any such opinion; provided, that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall require (x) any counsel to the Company or its advisors to provide an opinion with respect to any Tax matters relating to or affecting Purchaser or the Purchaser Shareholders, including that the relevant portions of the Transactions qualify for their respective Intended Tax Treatments and (y) any counsel to Purchaser or its advisors to provide an opinion with respect to any Tax matters relating to or affecting the Company or the holders or beneficial owners of Company Securities, including that the relevant portions of the Transactions qualify for their respective Intended Tax Treatments, in each case, for the avoidance of doubt, other than a customary opinion regarding the material accuracy of any disclosure regarding U.S. federal income tax considerations of the Transactions included in the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement as may be required to satisfy applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC; provided, further, that neither this provision nor any other provision in this Agreement shall require the provision of a Tax opinion by any Party’s counsel or advisors to be an express condition precedent to the Closing.

 

(c) All transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration, excise, recording, registration, value added and other such similar Taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest) that become payable in connection with or by reason of the execution of this Agreement and the Transactions (“Transfer Taxes”) shall be borne and paid by the Company. The Company shall, at its own expense, timely file all necessary Tax Returns or other documentation with respect to such Transfer Taxes and, if required by applicable Law, the other Parties shall join in the execution of any such Tax Returns or other documentation.

 

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(d) With respect to any audit, examination, claim or other Legal Proceeding with respect to Tax matters (“Tax Proceeding”) of the Company for U.S. federal, or applicable state or local, income tax purposes for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Closing Date and such Tax Proceeding is governed under subchapter C of Chapter 63 of the Code, as amended by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law) (such provisions, “Partnership Tax Audit Rules”), the Company shall, and shall cause its eligible subsidiaries to, (i) timely make an election under Section 6226 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law) in accordance with applicable Law, (ii) to the extent any Member has a prior consent right to the making of any such election, to use reasonable efforts to cause each such Member to consent to the making of such election, and (iii) take any and all necessary actions to cause the resignation of all applicable “partnership representatives” and “designated individuals” (each, within the meaning of the Partnership Tax Audit Rules) in favor of such Persons as are nominated by Purchaser.

 

(e) The Company shall provide a certificate signed by a responsible officer of the Company, prepared in a manner consistent and in accordance with the requirements of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.897-2(g), (h) and 1.1445-2(c)(3), certifying that the Company is not, and has not been during the relevant period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code, a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code, and that no interest in the Company is a “U.S. real property interest” within the meaning of Section 897(c) of the Code, and a form of notice to the IRS prepared in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.897-2(h)(2), in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser (“FIRPTA Certificate”); provided, that the Company shall promptly notify Purchaser, and in all cases no later than seven (7) Business Days prior to the Closing, if it determines that it will not be able to deliver such certificate and form of notice as contemplated herein, and following such notice Purchaser and the Company shall reasonably cooperate to establish any other available exemption from withholding under Section 1445 of the Code.

 

Section 6.12 Further Assurances. The Parties hereto shall further cooperate with each other and use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to take or cause to be taken all actions, and do or cause to be done all things, necessary, proper or advisable on their part under this Agreement and applicable Laws to consummate the Transactions as soon as reasonably practicable, including preparing and filing as soon as practicable all documentation to effect all necessary notices, reports and other filings and to otherwise effect, consummate, confirm or evidence the Transactions and carry out the purposes of this Agreement.

 

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Section 6.13 The Preparation of Proxy Statement/Registration Statement; Shareholders’ Meeting and Approvals.

 

(a) Registration Statement and Prospectus.

 

(i) As promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement and receipt by the Purchaser of the PCAOB Financial Statements and any other audited or unaudited financial statements of the Company that are required by applicable Law to be included in the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement, (x) the Purchaser and the Company shall jointly prepare and the Purchaser shall file with the SEC, mutually acceptable materials (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed by the Purchaser or the Company) that shall include the proxy statement to be filed with the SEC as part of the Registration Statement and to be sent to the Purchaser Shareholders relating to the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting (such proxy statement, together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Proxy Statement”), and (y) the Purchaser and the Company shall jointly prepare and the Purchaser shall file with the SEC the Registration Statement, in which the Proxy Statement will be included as a prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Registration Statement”), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of (A) the shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock and Domesticated Purchaser Rights to be issued in exchange for the issued and outstanding Cayman Purchaser Ordinary Shares and the Cayman Purchaser Rights, respectively, in the Domestication, (B) the shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock that constitute the Aggregate Consideration, and (C) the shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock to be issued in exchange for the Domesticated Purchaser Rights (collectively, the “Registration Statement Securities”). The filing fees payable to the SEC in connection with the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement will be paid by the Purchaser as a Purchaser Transaction Cost. Each of the Purchaser and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement when filed with the SEC, or when subsequently supplemented or amended, to comply in all material respects with all Laws applicable thereto and with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, to respond as promptly as reasonably practicable to and resolve all comments received from the SEC concerning the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement, to have the Registration Statement declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing and to keep the Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to consummate the Transactions. The Purchaser also agrees to use its reasonable 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 and any of its members or stockholders as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such action. Each of the Purchaser and the Company agrees to furnish to the other party all information concerning itself, its Subsidiaries, officers, directors, managers, stockholders, 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 Proxy Statement/Registration Statement, a Current Report on Form 8-K pursuant to the Exchange Act in connection with the Transactions, or any other statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of the Purchaser or the Company to any regulatory authority (including Nasdaq) in connection with the Transactions (the “Offer Documents”).

 

(ii) To the extent not prohibited by Law, the Purchaser will advise the Company, reasonably promptly after the Purchaser receives notice thereof, of the time when the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement has become effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed, of the issuance of any stop order or the suspension of the qualification of the Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or written threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the SEC for the amendment or supplement of the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement or for additional information. To the extent not prohibited by Law, the Company and its counsel shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement and any Offer Document each time before any such document is filed with the SEC, and the Purchaser shall give reasonable and good faith consideration to any comments made by the Company and its counsel. To the extent not prohibited by Law, the Purchaser shall provide the Company and its counsel with (i) any comments or other communications, whether written or oral, that the Purchaser or its counsel may receive from time to time from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement or Offer Documents promptly after receipt of those comments or other communications and (ii) a reasonable opportunity to participate in the response of the Purchaser to those comments and to provide comments on that response (to which reasonable and good faith consideration shall be given), including by participating with the Company or its counsel in any discussions or meetings with the SEC.

 

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(iii) Each of the Purchaser and the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to ensure that none of the information supplied by or on its behalf for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (A) the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement will, at the time the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement is filed with the SEC, at each time at which it is amended and at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, not misleading or (B) the Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the Purchaser Shareholders and at the time of the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting, 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.

 

(iv) If at any time prior to the Closing any information relating to the Company, the Purchaser or any of their respective Subsidiaries, Affiliates, directors or officers is discovered by the Company or the Purchaser, which is required to be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement or the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement, so that neither of such documents would include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, with respect to the Proxy Statement, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the party which discovers such information shall promptly notify the other parties 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 Purchaser Shareholders. No information received or provided pursuant to this Section 6.13(a)(iv) shall operate as a waiver or otherwise affect any representation, warranty or agreement given or made by the Party who disclosed such information, and no such information shall be deemed to change, supplement or amend the Disclosure Letters.

 

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(b) Purchaser Shareholder Approval. The Purchaser shall (a) as promptly as practicable after the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act, (i) cause the Proxy Statement to be disseminated to Purchaser Shareholders in compliance with applicable Law, (ii) duly (1) give notice of and (2) convene and hold an extraordinary general meeting of Purchaser Shareholders (the “Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting”) in accordance with the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents and applicable Law, for a date no later than thirty (30) Business Days following the date the Registration Statement is declared effective, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company and Purchaser, and (iii) solicit proxies from the holders of Purchaser Ordinary Shares to vote in favor of each of the Transaction Proposals, and (b) provide its public shareholders with the opportunity to elect to effect a Redemption. The Purchaser shall, through its board of directors, recommend to the Purchaser Shareholders the (A) adoption and approval of this Agreement in accordance with applicable Law and exchange rules and regulations, (B) approval of the Domestication, (C) adoption of the Purchaser Charter upon Domestication and the Purchaser Bylaws upon Domestication, including any separate or unbundled advisory proposals as are required to implement the foregoing, (D) approval of the issuance of shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock as required by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635, (E) approval of the adoption by the Purchaser of the Equity Incentive Plan, (F) appointment of the director nominees in accordance with Section 6.18 of this Agreement, (G) adoption and approval of any other proposals as Nasdaq or the SEC (or staff members thereof) may indicate are necessary in its comments to the Registration Statement or correspondence related thereto, (H) adoption and approval of any other proposals as reasonably agreed by the Purchaser and the Company to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the Transactions, and (I) adjournment of the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or convenient, (x) to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the event that there are insufficient votes for any of the foregoing, (y) if the Purchaser determines that one or more of the conditions to Closing is not or will not be satisfied or waived or (z) to facilitate the Domestication, the Merger or any other Transaction (such proposals in (A) through (H), together, the “Transaction Proposals”), and include such recommendation in the Proxy Statement. The board of directors of Purchaser shall not withdraw, amend, qualify or modify its recommendation to the Purchaser Shareholders that they vote in favor of the Transaction Proposals (a “Modification in Recommendation”), except to the extent Purchaser’s board of directors determines in good faith, with the opinion of its outside legal counsel, that a failure to withhold, withdraw, qualify, amend or modify its recommendation would reasonably be expected to violate its fiduciary obligations to Purchaser under applicable Law. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, (x) the Purchaser’s obligations to establish a record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting shall not be affected by any Modification in Recommendation and (y) the Purchaser agrees to establish a record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting and submit for approval the Transaction Proposals. Without the consent of the Company, the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting may not be adjourned to a date that is more than thirty (30) days after the date for which the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting was originally scheduled, except Purchaser may adjourn or postpone the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting to a date that is more than thirty (30) days after the date for which the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting was originally scheduled, (1) to the extent necessary to ensure that any supplement or amendment to the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement that the Company or Purchaser reasonably determines (following consultation with the Company) is necessary to comply with applicable Laws, is provided to the Purchaser Shareholders in advance of a vote on the adoption of the Transaction Proposals, (2) if, as of the time that the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting is originally scheduled, there are insufficient Purchaser Ordinary Shares represented at such meeting (either in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business of the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting, (3) if, as of the time that the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting is originally scheduled, adjournment or postponement of the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting is necessary to enable Purchaser to solicit additional proxies required to obtain the Purchaser Shareholder Approval, or (4) to comply with applicable Laws.

 

(c) Company Member Approval. Upon the terms set forth in this Agreement, the Company shall seek to obtain the Company Member Approval in the form of a written resolution (the “Company Member Consent”) by all of the Members within seventy-two (72) hours after the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act and delivered or otherwise made available to the Members. The Company shall take all other action reasonably necessary or advisable to secure the Company Member Approval as soon as reasonably practicable after the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement is declared effective. The directors of the Company shall recommend to the Members the approval of this Agreement and the Transactions.

 

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Section 6.14 Employee Matters.

 

(a) As promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall engage an independent outside compensation advisor. As promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, and in any event, prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement, the Purchaser and the Company shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to agree to a form of equity incentive plan that provides for grants of equity-based incentive awards to eligible service providers of the Company (the “Equity Incentive Plan”), such agreement by either Party not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Purchaser shall, prior to the Closing Date, adopt such Equity Incentive Plan, effective as of the Effective Time, and submit it for approval of the Purchaser’s Shareholders at the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting. The Equity Incentive Plan shall have an initial share reserve which shall be mutually agreed between the Purchaser and the Company based upon benchmarking against peer public companies and in consultation with its independent outside compensation advisor, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Prior to the Closing, Purchaser and the Company shall determine the initial award grants that shall be granted to eligible service providers identified by the Company and agreed to by the Purchaser and in a form of award agreement, in each case, as mutually agreed between the Purchaser and the Company based upon benchmarking against peer public companies (taking into account employee hiring needs and the development stage nature of the Company) and in consultation with an independent outside compensation advisor, such agreement by either Party not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the parties to this Agreement acknowledges and agrees that all provisions contained in this Section 6.14 are included for the sole benefit of Purchaser and the Company, and that nothing in this Agreement, whether express or implied, (i) shall be construed to establish, amend, or modify any employee benefit plan, program, agreement or arrangement, (ii) shall limit the right of Purchaser, the Company or their respective Affiliates to amend, terminate or otherwise modify any Company Benefit Plan or other employee benefit plan, agreement or other arrangement following the Closing Date, or (iii) shall confer upon any Person who is not a Party to this Agreement (including any equityholder, any current or former director, manager, officer, employee or independent contractor of the Company, or any participant in any Company Benefit Plan or other employee benefit plan, agreement or other arrangement (or any dependent or beneficiary thereof)), any right to continued or resumed employment or recall, any right to compensation or benefits, or any third-party beneficiary or other right of any kind or nature whatsoever.

 

Section 6.15 Public Announcements.

 

(a) The Parties agree that during the Interim Period no public release, filing or announcement concerning this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be issued by any Party or any of their Affiliates without the prior written consent of the Purchaser and the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), except as such release or announcement may be required by applicable Law or the rules or regulations of any securities exchange, in which case the applicable Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to allow the other Parties reasonable time to comment on, and arrange for any required filing with respect to, such release or announcement in advance of such issuance.

 

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(b) The Parties shall mutually agree upon and, as promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, issue a press release announcing the execution of this Agreement (the “Signing Press Release”). Promptly after the issuance of the Signing Press Release (but in any event within four (4) Business Days after the execution of this Agreement), the Purchaser shall file a current report on Form 8-K (the “Signing Filing”) with the Signing Press Release and a description of this Agreement as required by Federal Securities Laws, which the Company shall review, comment upon and approve (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) prior to filing. The Parties shall mutually agree upon and, as promptly as practicable after the Closing, issue a press release announcing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing Press Release”). Promptly after the issuance of the Closing Press Release (but in any event within four (4) Business Days after the Closing), the Purchaser shall file a current report on Form 8-K (the “Closing Filing”) with the Closing Press Release and a description of the Closing as required by Federal Securities Laws which the Purchaser shall review, comment upon and approve (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) prior to filing. In connection with the preparation of the Signing Press Release, the Signing Filing, the Closing Filing, the Closing Press Release, or any other report, statement, filing notice or application made by or on behalf of a Party to any Governmental Authority or other third party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, each Party shall, upon request by any other Party, furnish the Parties with all information concerning themselves, their respective directors, officers and equity holders, and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, or any other report, statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of a Party to any third party or any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 6.16 Confidential Information. (a) The Company hereby agrees that during the Interim Period and, in the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article VIII, for a period of two (2) years after such termination, it shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and its and their respective Representatives to, except to the extent otherwise consented to by Purchaser: (i) treat and hold in strict confidence any Purchaser Confidential Information, and will not use for any purpose (except in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, performing their obligations hereunder or thereunder, enforcing their rights hereunder or thereunder, or in furtherance of their authorized duties on behalf of the Purchaser), nor directly or indirectly disclose, distribute, publish, disseminate or otherwise make available to any third party any of the Purchaser Confidential Information without the Purchaser’s prior written consent; and (ii) in the event that the Company or any of its Affiliates or its or their respective Representatives, during the Interim Period or, in the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article VIII, for a period of two (2) years after such termination, becomes legally obligated to disclose any Purchaser Confidential Information, (A) provide the Purchaser, to the extent legally permitted, with prompt written notice of such requirement so that the Purchaser or an Affiliate thereof may seek, at the Purchaser’s sole cost and expense, a protective Order or other remedy or waive compliance with this Section 6.16(a), and (B) in the event that such protective Order or other remedy is not obtained, or the Purchaser waives compliance with this Section 6.16(a) furnish only that portion of such Purchaser Confidential Information which is legally required to be provided as advised in writing by outside counsel and to exercise its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded such Purchaser Confidential Information; provided, that with respect to Purchaser Confidential Information constituting trade secrets under applicable Law and has been identified as such to the Company in writing prior to or promptly after its disclosure to the Company or its Representatives, such covenants shall apply for as long as such Purchaser Confidential Information constitutes a trade secret under applicable Law and continues to constitute Purchaser Confidential Information under this Agreement. In the event that this Agreement is terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby are not consummated, the Company shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, promptly deliver to the Purchaser or destroy (at the Purchaser’s election) any and all copies (in whatever form or medium) of Purchaser Confidential Information and destroy all notes, memoranda, summaries, analyses, compilations and other writings related thereto or based thereon; provided, however, that the Company, its Affiliates and its and their respective Representatives shall be entitled to keep any records required by (i) applicable Law or (ii) legal, fiduciary or professional obligation, (iii) in accordance with written document retention policies and procedures and/or (iv) contained in any electronic file created pursuant to bona fide backup storage or archival processes in the ordinary course of business; and provided, further, that any Purchaser Confidential Information that is not returned or destroyed shall remain subject to the confidentiality obligations set forth in this Agreement.

 

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(b) The Purchaser and Merger Sub hereby agree that during the Interim Period and, in the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article VIII, for a period of two (2) years after such termination, they shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates and their Representatives to, except to the extent otherwise consented to by the Company: (i) treat and hold in strict confidence any Company Confidential Information, and will not use for any purpose (except in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, performing its obligations hereunder or thereunder or enforcing its rights hereunder or thereunder), nor directly or indirectly disclose, distribute, publish, disseminate or otherwise make available to any third party any of the Company Confidential Information without the Company’s prior written consent; and (ii) in the event that the Purchaser, Merger Sub or any of its Representatives, during the Interim Period or, in the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article VIII, for a period of two (2) years after such termination, becomes legally obligated to disclose any Company Confidential Information, (A) provide the Company to the extent legally permitted with prompt written notice of such requirement so that the Company may seek, at the Company’s sole cost and expense, a protective Order or other remedy or waive compliance with this Section 6.16(b) and (B) in the event that such protective Order or other remedy is not obtained, or the Company waives compliance with this Section 6.16(b), furnish only that portion of such Company Confidential Information which is legally required to be provided as advised in writing by outside counsel and to exercise its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded such Company Confidential Information; provided, that with respect to Company Confidential Information constituting trade secrets under applicable Law and that has been identified as such to the Purchaser in writing prior to or promptly after its disclosure to the Purchaser or its Representatives, such covenants shall apply for as long as such Company Confidential Information constitutes a trade secret under applicable Law and continues to constitute Company Confidential Information under this Agreement. In the event that this Agreement is terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby are not consummated, the Purchaser shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, promptly deliver to the Company or destroy (at the Purchaser’s election) any and all copies (in whatever form or medium) of Company Confidential Information and destroy all notes, memoranda, summaries, analyses, compilations and other writings related thereto or based thereon; provided, however, that the Purchaser, Merger Sub and their respective Affiliates and Representatives shall be entitled to keep any records required by applicable Law or legal, fiduciary or professional obligation, in accordance with written document retention policies and procedures and/or contained in any electronic file created pursuant to bona fide backup storage or archival processes in the ordinary course of business; and provided, further, that any Company Confidential Information that is not returned or destroyed shall remain subject to the confidentiality obligations set forth in this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Purchaser, Merger Sub and their respective Representatives shall be permitted to disclose any and all Company Confidential Information to the extent required by the Federal Securities Laws, (ii) no notice or further action shall be required in respect of disclosure of the Company Confidential Information (or provision of access thereto) to regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations having authority over the Purchaser, Merger Sub or their respective Representatives in connection with routine regulatory examinations or pursuant to statutory requirements that are not targeted at the Company, the Transactions or the Company Confidential Information.

 

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Section 6.17 Documents and Information. After the Closing Date, the Purchaser and the Company shall, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to, until the seventh (7th) anniversary of the Closing Date, retain all books, records and other documents pertaining to the business of the Company in existence on the Closing Date and make the same available for inspection and copying by the Purchaser during normal business hours of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, upon reasonable request and upon reasonable notice. No such books, records or documents shall be destroyed after the seventh (7th) anniversary of the Closing Date by the Purchaser or its Subsidiaries (including the Company) without first advising a representative of the Sponsor (or its successors or assigns) in writing and giving such representative a reasonable opportunity to obtain possession thereof.

 

Section 6.18 Post-Closing Board of Directors and Executive Officers.

 

(a) The Parties shall take all necessary action, including the Purchaser causing the directors of the Purchaser to resign, so that effective as of the Closing, the Purchaser’s board of directors (the “Post-Closing Purchaser Board”) will consist of seven individuals (appointed in accordance and such that, as of the Closing, the Post-Closing Purchaser Board shall comply with Nasdaq rules) to be determined by the Company and which such Post-Closing Purchaser Board shall consist of three classes of directors that are as evenly sized as possible. Immediately after the Closing, the Parties shall take all necessary action to designate and appoint to the Post-Closing Purchaser Board (i) the two (2) Persons that are designated by the Purchaser prior to the Closing, each of which Persons shall be subject to the Company’s consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) and shall be independent for the purposes of the Nasdaq and the Exchange Act, and (ii) the remaining Persons, all of whom will be designated by the Company prior to the Closing. At or prior to the Closing, one of the Purchaser designees to the Post-Closing Purchaser Board shall be designated lead independent director. At or prior to the Closing, the Company, if requested, and the Purchaser shall provide each initial director with a customary director indemnification agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to such director, the Company and the Purchaser.

 

(b) The Parties shall take all action necessary, including the Purchaser causing the executive officers of Purchaser to resign, so that the individuals serving as the executive officers of the Purchaser immediately after the Closing will be individuals the Company desires to appoint to such roles.

 

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Section 6.19 Indemnification of Directors and Officers; Tail Insurance.

 

(a) The Parties agree that for a period of six (6) years from the Closing Date, the Parties shall, and shall cause the Purchaser, Merger Sub and the Company to, maintain in effect the exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses provisions in favor of any individual who, at or prior to the Closing, was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Purchaser, Merger Sub and the Company, as the case may be, or who, at the request of the Parties, as the case may be, served as a director, officer, member, manager, trustee or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, pension or other employee benefit plan or enterprise (collectively, with such individual’s heirs, executors or administrators, (each, together with such Person’s heirs, executors or administrators, a “D&O Indemnified Party”)), of the Purchaser’s, Merger Sub’s and the Company’s respective Organizational Documents as in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date or in any indemnification agreements of the Purchaser, Merger Sub or the Company, on the one hand, with any D&O Indemnified Party, on the other hand, as in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date, and the Parties shall, and shall cause the Purchaser, Merger Sub and the Company to, not amend, repeal or otherwise modify any such provisions in any manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of any D&O Indemnified Party; provided, however, that all rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses in respect of any Legal Proceedings pending or asserted or any claim made within such period shall continue until the disposition of such Legal Proceeding or resolution of such claim. From and after the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall cause the Company to honor, in accordance with their respective terms, each of the covenants contained in this Section 6.19 without limit as to time.

 

(b) At or prior to the Closing, the Purchaser shall purchase a “tail” directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy (the “D&O Tail”) in respect of acts or omissions occurring prior to the Closing covering each such Person that is a director or officer of the Purchaser or the Company currently covered by a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy of the Purchaser or the Company, respectively, on terms with respect to coverage, deductibles and amounts no less favorable than those of such applicable policy in effect on the date of this Agreement for the six (6) year period following the Closing; provided that in no event shall the Purchaser be required to expend on the premium thereof in excess of $1,500,000 (the “Premium Cap”); provided, further, that if such minimum coverage under any such D&O Tail is or becomes not available at the Premium Cap, then any such D&O Tail shall contain the maximum coverage available at the Premium Cap. The Purchaser shall maintain the D&O Tail in full force and effect for its full term and cause all obligations thereunder to be honored by the Company, and no other party shall have any further obligation to purchase or pay for such insurance pursuant to this Section 6.19(b). No claims made under or in respect of the D&O Tail related to any fiduciary or employee of the Company shall be settled without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

 

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(c) The rights of each D&O Indemnified Party hereunder shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights such Person may have under the Organizational Documents of the Purchaser or the Company, any other indemnification arrangement, any Law or otherwise. The obligations of the Purchaser and the Company under this Section 6.19(c) shall not be terminated or modified after the Closing in such a manner as to materially and adversely affect any D&O Indemnified Party without the consent of such D&O Indemnified Party. The provisions of this Section 6.19 shall survive the Closing and expressly are intended to benefit, and are enforceable by, each of the D&O Indemnified Parties, each of whom is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Section 6.19.

 

(d) If the Purchaser or, after the Closing, the Company, or any of their respective successors or assigns: (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving entity of such consolidation or merger; or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the Purchaser or the Company, as applicable, assume the obligations set forth in this Section 6.19.

 

(e) Purchaser and the Company hereby acknowledge (on behalf of themselves and their respective Subsidiaries) that the D&O Indemnified Parties may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by current stockholders, members, or other Affiliates of such stockholders or members (“Indemnitee Affiliates”) separate from the indemnification obligations of Purchaser, the Company, and Merger Sub hereunder. The Parties hereby agree (i) Purchaser and the Surviving Company and their respective Subsidiaries are the indemnitors of first resort (i.e., its obligations to the D&O Indemnified Parties are primary and any obligation of any Indemnitee Affiliate to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or Liabilities incurred by the D&O Indemnified Parties are secondary), (ii) that Purchaser and the Surviving Company and their Subsidiaries shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by the D&O Indemnified Parties and shall be liable for the full amount of all expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement to the extent legally permitted and required by Purchaser, the Surviving Company and their respective Subsidiaries’ governing documents or any director or officer indemnification agreements, without regard to any rights the D&O Indemnified Parties may have against any Indemnitee Affiliate, and (iii) that the Parties (on behalf of themselves and their respective Subsidiaries) irrevocably waive, relinquish and release the Indemnitee Affiliates from any and all claims against the Indemnitee Affiliates for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof.

 

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Section 6.20 PIPE Investment.

 

(a) Prior to the Closing, Purchaser and/or the Company may execute subscription agreements with potential investors for the PIPE Investment (the “Subscription Agreements”) on terms and conditions mutually consented to in writing by the Company and Purchaser (in each case, such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Company agrees, and shall cause the appropriate officers and employees thereof, to use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate in connection with the arrangement of such PIPE Investment (including the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth therein) as may be reasonably requested by Purchaser, including by (a) participating in a reasonable number of meetings, presentations, due diligence sessions, drafting sessions and sessions with rating agencies at mutually agreeable times and locations and upon reasonable advance notice, (b) assisting with the preparation of customary materials for actual and potential investors, rating agency presentations, offering documents, private placement memoranda, bank information memoranda, prospectuses and similar documents required in connection with such financing (which shall not include pro forma financial information); provided, that, the Company shall have the right to review and approve (which approval shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed) any such materials prior to their distribution, (c) executing and delivering any pledge and security documents, other definitive financing documents, or other certificates, or documents as may be reasonably requested by Purchaser or otherwise reasonably facilitating the pledging of collateral, provided, that, such documents will not take effect until the Closing, (d) taking or appointing a representative of Purchaser to take all corporate actions, subject to the occurrence of the Closing, reasonably requested by Purchaser to permit the consummation of the PIPE Investment immediately prior to or following the Closing Date, (e) providing the Company Financials and such other financial information regarding the Company that is readily available or within the Company’s possession and as is reasonably requested in connection with arrangement of such financing, (f) executing and delivering reasonable and customary certificates and other documentation required by any such equity investor and the Subscription Agreement; provided, that no such certificates, letters or other documentation shall be effective prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreement, (g) furnishing Purchaser with all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know-your-customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act and (h) otherwise reasonably cooperating in Purchaser’s efforts to obtain such PIPE Investment.

 

(b) Each of the Company and Purchaser shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or to cause to be taken, all actions required, necessary or that it otherwise deems to be proper or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreements on the terms described therein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the Company and Purchaser shall give the other written notice (i) of any requested amendment to any Subscription Agreement, (ii) of any breach or default, to the knowledge of the Company or Purchaser, as applicable, by any party to any Subscription Agreement, (iii) of the receipt of any written notice or other written communication from any party to any Subscription Agreement with respect to any actual, or to the knowledge of the Company or Purchaser, as applicable, potential, threatened or claimed expiration, lapse, withdrawal, breach, default, termination or repudiation by any party to any Subscription Agreement or any provisions of any Subscription Agreement, and (iv) if the Company or Purchaser, as applicable, does not expect to receive all or any portion of the applicable purchase price under any investor’s Subscription Agreement in accordance with its terms.

 

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each of the Company and Purchaser agrees, for the benefit of the other, to take all necessary, legally available steps to enforce against any investor in the PIPE Investment the terms of that investor’s Subscription Agreement if such investor is in material breach of its obligations thereunder, including any breach caused by such investor’s failure to fund its Subscription Amount (as defined in its Subscription Agreement) at the time and in the amount required pursuant to its Subscription Agreement.

 

Section 6.21 Redemption. In connection with the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting, the Purchaser agrees that it shall provide the holders of shares of Purchaser Class A Ordinary Shares the opportunity to elect redemption of such shares of Purchaser Class A Ordinary Shares, as required by the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents in the Redemption. Subject to receipt of the Purchaser Shareholder Approval, and prior to the Domestication, the Purchaser shall carry out the Redemption and use the proceeds held in the Trust Account to redeem the Purchaser Class A Ordinary Shares of holders who properly exercise their right to redemption in accordance with the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents.

 

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Section 6.22 Domestication. Subject to receipt of the Purchaser Shareholder Approval, prior to the Closing, the Purchaser shall, in accordance with applicable Law, any applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, the Nasdaq and the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents, and Part 12 of the Cayman Companies Act, as applicable, cause the Domestication to become effective, including by (a) filing with the Delaware Secretary of State a certificate of domestication with respect to the Domestication, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser and the Company, together with the Purchaser Charter upon Domestication, in each case, in accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable Law, and (b) completing and making and procuring all those filings required to be made with the Cayman Registrar in connection with the Domestication and (c) obtaining a certificate of de-registration from the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands. In connection with applicable Law, Purchaser shall cause the certificate of domestication filed with the Delaware Secretary of State with respect to the Domestication to provide that at the effective time of the Domestication, by virtue of the Domestication, and without any action on the part of any holder of the issued Purchaser Ordinary Shares, (i) each then issued and outstanding Purchaser Class A Ordinary Share shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one (1) share of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock; (ii) each Cayman Purchaser Right shall convert automatically into a Domesticated Purchaser Right; and (iii) each Cayman Purchaser Unit shall be automatically cancelled and will thereafter entitle the holder thereof to one (1) share of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock and one (1) Domesticated Purchaser Right.

 

Section 6.23 Adoption of Proxy Statement/Registration Statement. Within one (1) Business Day of the Closing Date, the post-Domestication Purchaser, as the successor to the pre-Domestication Purchaser, shall file a post-effective amendment to the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 414(d) of the Securities Act.

 

Article VII
CLOSING CONDITIONS

 

Section 7.01 Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations. The obligations of each Party to consummate the Transactions shall be subject to the satisfaction or written waiver (where legally permitted) by the Company and the Purchaser of the following conditions:

 

(a) Required Approvals. Each of the Purchaser Shareholder Approval and the Company Member Approval shall have been obtained.

 

(b) No Adverse Law or Order. No Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Law (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) or Order that is then in effect and which has the effect of making the consummation of the Merger illegal or which otherwise prevents or prohibits consummation of the Merger.

 

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(c) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act by the SEC and shall remain effective as of the Closing, and no stop order or similar order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued by the SEC and be in effect with respect to the Registration Statement and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened in writing by the SEC and not withdrawn.

 

(d) Nasdaq Listing. The shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Transactions shall be conditionally approved for listing upon the Closing on Nasdaq subject to any requirement to have a sufficient number of round lot holders of the Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock.

  

Section 7.02 Conditions to Obligations of the Company. In addition to the conditions specified in Section ‎7.01, the obligations of the Company to consummate the Transactions are subject to the satisfaction or written waiver (where legally permitted) by the Company of the following conditions:

 

(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Purchaser and Merger Sub set forth in the first two sentences of Section 5.01(a) (Organization and Standing), in the first sentence of Section 5.01(b) (Organization and Standing), and in Section 5.02 (Authorization; Binding Agreement), Section 5.05 (Capitalization), and Section 5.15 (Finders and Brokers) (collectively, the “Purchaser Specified Representations”) that are (i) qualified by materiality, “material” or “Purchaser Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation, shall be true and correct in all respects, and (ii) not qualified by materiality, “material” or “Purchaser Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation, shall be true and correct in all material respects, in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), as of the Closing Date as though then made (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, and in such case, shall be so true and correct on and as of such earlier date). Each of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser and Merger Sub set forth in Article V other than the Purchaser Specified Representations shall be true and correct (without giving any effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Purchaser Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein) in all respects as of the Closing Date as though then made (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, and in such case, shall be so true and correct on and as of such earlier date), except, in any case, where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) Agreements and Covenants. The Purchaser and Merger Sub shall have performed in all material respects all of their respective obligations and complied in all material respects with all of their respective agreements and covenants under this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(c) No Purchaser Material Adverse Effect. No Purchaser Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred since the date of this Agreement that is continuing.

 

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(d) Domestication. The Domestication shall have been completed as provided in Section 6.22 and a time-stamped copy of the certificate issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in relation thereto shall have been delivered to the Company.

 

(e) Closing Deliveries.

 

(i) Officer Certificate. The Purchaser shall have delivered to the Company a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, signed by an executive officer of the Purchaser in such capacity, certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Sections 7.02(a), 7.02(b) and 7.02(c).

 

(ii) Secretary Certificate. The Purchaser shall have delivered to the Company a certificate from its secretary or other executive officer certifying as to, and attaching, (A) copies of the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents as in effect as of the Closing Date (after giving effect to the Domestication) and (B) the resolutions of the Purchaser’s board of directors authorizing and approving the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Documents to which it is a party, and the consummation of the Transactions.

 

(iii) Ancillary Documents. The Purchaser shall have delivered to the Company:

 

(A) A copy of the A&R Registration Rights Agreement, duly executed by the Purchaser and the Sponsor; and

 

(B) A copy of the Lock-up Agreement, duly executed by the Purchaser and the Sponsor.

 

Section 7.03 Conditions to Obligations of the Purchaser and Merger Sub. In addition to the conditions specified in Section ‎7.01, the obligations of the Purchaser and Merger Sub to consummate the Transactions are subject to the satisfaction or written waiver (where legally permitted) by Purchaser of the following conditions:

 

(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 4.01 (Organization and Standing), Section 4.02 (Authorization; Binding Agreement), Section 4.03 (Capitalization), and Section 4.27 (Finders and Brokers) (collectively, the “Company Specified Representations”) that are (i) qualified by materiality, “material” or “Company Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation, shall be true and correct in all respects, and (ii) not qualified by materiality, “material” or “Company Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation, shall be true and correct in all material respects, in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), as of the Closing Date as though then made (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, and in such case, shall be so true and correct on and as of such earlier date). Each of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Article IV other than the Company Specified Representations shall be true and correct (without giving any effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Company Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein) in all respects as of the Closing Date as though then made (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, and in such case, shall be so true and correct on and as of such earlier date), except, in any case, where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b) Agreements and Covenants. The Company shall have performed in all material respects all of its obligations and complied in all material respects with all of the agreements and covenants under this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(c) No Company Material Adverse Effect. No Company Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred since the date of this Agreement that is continuing.

 

(d) Closing Deliveries.

 

(i) Officer Certificate. The Purchaser shall have received a certificate from the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, signed by an executive officer of the Company in such capacity, certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Section 7.03(a), 7.03(b) and 7.03(c).

 

(ii) Secretary Certificate. The Company shall have delivered to the Purchaser a certificate executed by the Company’s secretary certifying as to the validity and effectiveness of, and attaching, (A) copies of the Company’s Organizational Documents as in effect as of the Closing Date (immediately prior to the Closing) and (B) the requisite resolutions of the Company’s board of directors authorizing and approving the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which the Company is or is required to be a party, and the consummation of the Transactions.

 

(iii) Ancillary Documents. The Company shall have delivered to the Purchaser:

 

(A) a copy of the A&R Registration Rights Agreement, duly executed by each of the Members;

 

(B) A properly completed and duly executed IRS Form W-9 or IRS Form W-8 of the applicable series from each Member, as necessary;

 

(C) A properly completed and duly executed FIRPTA Certificate pursuant to Section ‎6.11(e); and

 

(D) A copy of the Lock-up Agreement, duly executed by each of the Company Equityholders.

 

Section 7.04 Frustration of Conditions. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no Party may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in this Article ‎VII to be satisfied if such failure was primarily caused by the failure of such Party or its Affiliates to comply with or perform any of its covenants or obligations set forth in this Agreement.

 

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Article VIII
TERMINATION AND EXPENSES

 

Section 8.01 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing as follows:

 

(a) by mutual written consent of the Purchaser and the Company;

 

(b) by the Company if there has been a Modification in Recommendation;

 

(c) by written notice from either the Company or Purchaser to the other if the Purchaser Shareholder Approval shall not have been obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the required vote at the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting; provided that such termination right shall not be exercisable by Purchaser if Purchaser has materially breached any of its obligations under Section 6.13(b);

 

(d) by written notice by the Purchaser or the Company if any of the conditions to the Closing set forth in Article VII have not been satisfied or waived by April 30, 2026, (the “Outside Date”); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.01(d) shall not be available to a Party if the breach or violation by such Party or its Affiliates of any representation, warranty, covenant or obligation under this Agreement was the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or before the Outside Date;

 

(e) by written notice by either the Purchaser or the Company if a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an Order or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions, and such Order or other action has become final and non-appealable; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.01(e) shall not be available to a Party 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 Governmental Authority;

 

(f) by written notice by the Company to Purchaser, if (i) there has been a breach by the Purchaser of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of the Purchaser shall have become untrue or inaccurate, in any case, which would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.02(a) or Section 7.02(b) to be satisfied (treating the Closing Date for such purposes as the date of this Agreement or, if later, the date of such breach), and (ii) the breach or inaccuracy is incapable of being cured or is not cured within the earlier of (A) twenty (20) days after written notice of such breach or inaccuracy is provided to the Purchaser or (B) the Outside Date; provided, that the Company shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.01(f) if at such time there is an uncured breach by the Company of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of such Parties shall have become untrue or inaccurate, in any case, which would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.03(a) or Section 7.03(b) to be satisfied;

 

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(g) by written notice by the Purchaser to the Company, if (i) there has been a breach by the Company of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of such Parties shall have become untrue or inaccurate, in any case, which would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.03(a) or Section 7.03(b) to be satisfied (treating the Closing Date for such purposes as the date of this Agreement or, if later, the date of such breach), and (ii) the breach or inaccuracy is incapable of being cured or is not cured within the earlier of (A) twenty (20) days after written notice of such breach or inaccuracy is provided to the Company or (B) the Outside Date; provided, that the Purchaser shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.01(g) if at such time there is an uncured breach by the Purchaser of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of the Purchaser shall have become untrue or inaccurate, in any case, which would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.02(a) or Section 7.02(b) to be satisfied;

 

(h) by written notice by the Purchaser to the Company, if (i) all the conditions set forth in Section 7.01 and Section 7.02 have been, and continue to be, satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, each of which shall be capable of being satisfied if the Closing Date were the date of such termination), (ii) the Company fails to consummate the Transactions on or prior to the day when the Closing is required to occur pursuant to Section 3.01, (iii) the Purchaser shall have irrevocably confirmed in writing to the Company that it is ready, willing and able to consummate the Closing and (iv) the Company fails to effect the Closing within five (5) Business Days following delivery of such confirmation;

 

(i) by written notice by the Company to the Purchaser, if (i) all the conditions set forth in Section 7.01 and Section 7.03 have been, and continue to be, satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, each of which shall be capable of being satisfied if the Closing Date were the date of such termination), (ii) the Purchaser fails to consummate the Transactions on or prior to the day when the Closing is required to occur pursuant to Section 3.01, (iii) the Company shall have irrevocably confirmed in writing to the Purchaser that it is ready, willing and able to consummate the Closing and (iv) the Purchaser fails to effect the Closing within five (5) Business Days following delivery of such confirmation; or

 

(j) by written notice from Purchaser to the Company if (i) the Company fails to deliver the PCAOB Financial Statements to Purchaser on or before December 31, 2025 or (ii) the Company fails to obtain and deliver to the Purchaser the Company Member Consent within five (5) Business Days after the Proxy Statement/Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act.

 

Section 8.02 Expense Reimbursement.

 

(a) In the event this Agreement is terminated by the Purchaser pursuant to Section 8.01(g) or Section 8.01(h), at a time when the Company does not have a right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.01(f) or Section 8.01(i), then the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to Purchaser an amount equal to the Purchaser’s reasonable, documented, out-of-pocket legal expenses actually incurred in connection with the Transaction since July 23, 2025.

 

(b) In the event this Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 8.01(b), Section 8.01(f) or Section 8.01(i), at a time when the Purchaser does not have a right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.01(g) or Section 8.01(h), then the Purchaser shall pay or cause to be paid to the Company an amount equal to the Company’s reasonable, documented, out-of-pocket legal expenses actually incurred in connection with the Transaction since July 23, 2025.

 

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(c) The parties acknowledge that the agreements contained in this Section 8.02 are an integral part of the Transactions and that, without these agreements, the parties hereto would not enter into this Agreement. In addition, if either Party fails to pay in a timely manner any amount due to the other Party pursuant to this Section 8.02, then such Party shall reimburse the other Party for all costs and expenses (including disbursements and fees of counsel) incurred in the collection of such overdue amounts.

 

Section 8.03 Effect of Termination. This Agreement may only be terminated in the circumstances described in Section ‎8.01 and pursuant to a written notice delivered by the applicable Party to the other applicable Parties, which sets forth the basis for such termination, including the provision of Section ‎8.01 under which such termination is made. In the event of the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section ‎8.01, this Agreement shall forthwith become void, and there shall be no Liability on the part of any Party or any of their respective Representatives, and all rights and obligations of each Party shall cease, except: (i) Section ‎6.15, Section ‎6.16, Article ‎IX, Section ‎8.02 and this Section ‎8.03 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, and (ii) nothing herein shall relieve any Party from Liability for any willful and material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or obligation under this Agreement or any Fraud Claim against such Party, in either case, prior to termination of this Agreement (in each case of clauses (i) and (ii) above, subject to Section ‎9.15).

 

Article IX
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.01 No Survival. Except (x) as otherwise contemplated by Section ‎8.03 or (y) in the case of a Fraud Claim against a Person, none of the representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or other agreements in this Agreement or in any certificate, statement or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement, including any rights arising out of any breach of such representations, warranties, covenants, obligations, agreements and other provisions, shall survive the Closing (and there shall be no liability after the Closing in respect thereof), except for those covenants and agreements contained herein that by their terms expressly apply in whole or in part at or after the Closing, and then only with respect to any breaches occurring at or after the Closing.

 

Section 9.02 Notices. All notices, consents, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) when delivered in person, (ii) when delivered by electronic means (including email), with evidence of transmission or (iii) one (1) Business Day after being sent, if sent by reputable, nationally recognized overnight courier service, in each case to the applicable Party at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified by like notice). Actual notice is effective notice for all purposes hereunder.

 

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If to the Purchaser:   with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:
Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VII  

Sidley Austin LLP

     

195 US HWY 50

Suite 207

Zephyr Cove, NV 89448

 

One South Dearborn

Chicago, Illinois 60603

Attn: Daniel Hennessy, Thomas Hennessy, and Nick Geeza   Attn: Jeffrey Smith and Michael Heinz

Email:

dhennessy@hennessycapitalgroup.com; thennessy@hennessycapitalgroup.com; ngeeza@hennessycapitalgroup.com

  Email:
jnsmith@sidley.com;
mheinz@sidley.com
     
If to the Company, to:   with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:
ONE Nuclear Energy, LLC   Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

700 S. Rosemary Ave, Suite 204

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

 

101 Constitution Ave, NW, Suite 900

Washington, DC 20001

Attn: Richard Taylor and Kevin Dowd   Attn: Jon Talcott and Peter Strand
Email:
rtaylor@onenuclearenergy.com; kdowd@onenuclearenergy.com
  Email:
jon.talcott@nelsonmullins.com; peter.strand@nelsonmullins.com

 

Section 9.03 Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement shall not be assigned by operation of Law or otherwise without the prior written consent of the Parties, and any assignment without such consent shall be null and void; provided that no such assignment shall relieve the assigning Party of its obligations hereunder.

 

Section 9.04 Third Parties. Except for the Persons granted the rights set forth in Section ‎6.19, which the Parties acknowledge and agree are express third party beneficiaries of this Agreement, nothing contained in this Agreement or in any instrument or document executed by any party in connection with the Transactions shall create any rights in, or be deemed to have been executed for the benefit of, any Person that is not a Party hereto or thereto or a successor or permitted assign of such a Party.

 

Section 9.05 Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles or rules of conflict of Laws to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of Laws of another jurisdiction, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the laws of the Cayman Islands shall also apply to and, as applicable, govern the Domestication.

 

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Section 9.06 Jurisdiction. Any proceeding or Legal Proceeding based upon, arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby must be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, to the extent such court does not have jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware), and each of the parties irrevocably (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such proceeding or Legal Proceeding, (ii) waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction, venue or to convenience of forum, (iii) agrees that all claims in respect of the proceeding or Legal Proceeding shall be heard and determined only in any such court, and (iv) agrees not to bring any proceeding or Legal Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in any other court. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect the right of any party to serve process in any manner permitted by Law or to commence Legal Proceedings or otherwise proceed against any other party in any other jurisdiction, in each case, to enforce judgments obtained in any Legal Proceeding, suit or proceeding brought pursuant to this Section ‎9.06.

 

Section 9.07 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY, UNCONDITIONALLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

Section 9.08 Specific Performance. Each Party acknowledges that the rights of each Party to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby are unique, recognizes and affirms that in the event of a breach of this Agreement by any Party, money damages may be inadequate and the non-breaching Parties may not have adequate remedy at law, and agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed by an applicable Party in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, each Party shall be entitled to seek an injunction or restraining order to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to seek to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, without the requirement to post any bond or other security or to prove that money damages would be inadequate, this being in addition to any other right or remedy to which such Party may be entitled under this Agreement, at law or in equity.

 

Section 9.09 Severability. In case any provision in this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in a jurisdiction, such provision shall be modified or deleted, as to the jurisdiction involved, only to the extent necessary to render the same valid, legal and enforceable, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby nor shall the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision be affected thereby in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties will substitute for any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision a suitable and equitable provision that carries out, so far as may be valid, legal and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision.

 

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Section 9.10 Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or modified only by execution of a written instrument signed by the Purchaser and the Company. Any party to this Agreement may, at any time prior to the Closing, by action taken by its board of directors or managers or other equivalent body or other officers or Persons thereunto duly authorized, (a) extend the time for the performance of the obligations or acts of the other parties hereto, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties (of another party hereto) that are contained in this Agreement or (c) waive compliance by the other parties hereto with any of the agreements or conditions contained in this Agreement, but such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by the party granting such extension or waiver. Any waiver of any term or condition shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or a subsequent waiver of the same term or condition, or a waiver of any other term or condition of this Agreement. The failure of any party to assert any of its rights hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.

 

Section 9.11 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the documents or instruments referred to herein, including any exhibits and schedules attached hereto, which exhibits and schedules are incorporated herein by reference, together with the Ancillary Documents, embody the entire agreement and understanding of the Parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings, other than those expressly set forth or referred to herein or the documents or instruments referred to herein, which collectively supersede all prior agreements and the understandings among the Parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein.

 

Section 9.12 Interpretation. The table of contents and the Article and Section headings contained in this Agreement are solely for the purpose of reference, are not part of the agreement of the Parties and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) any pronoun used shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and words in the singular, including any defined terms, include the plural and vice versa; (b) reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this Agreement, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity; (c) any accounting term used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement or any Ancillary Document has the meaning assigned to such term in accordance with GAAP; (d) “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding or succeeding such term and shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (e) the words “herein,” “hereto,” and “hereby” and other words of similar import shall be deemed in each case to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision of this Agreement; (f) the word “if” and other words of similar import when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the phrase “and only if”; (g) the term “or” means “and/or”; (h) any reference to the term “ordinary course” or “ordinary course of business” shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “consistent with past practice”; (i) any Contract, instrument, Law or Order defined or referred to herein or in any Contract, instrument, Law or Order that is referred to herein means such Contract, instrument, insurance policy, Law or Order as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of Contract or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of Laws and Orders) by succession of comparable successor Laws or Orders and any statutes, regulations, rules or Orders promulgated thereunder, and to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein; (j) except as otherwise indicated, all references in this Agreement to the words “Section,” “Article,” “Schedule” and “Exhibit” are intended to refer to Sections, Articles, Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement; and (k) the term “Dollars” or “$” means United States dollars. Any reference in this Agreement to a Person’s directors shall include any member of such Person’s governing body and any reference in this Agreement to a Person’s officers shall include any Person filling a substantially similar position for such Person. Any reference in this Agreement or any Ancillary Document to a Person’s shareholders or stockholders shall include any applicable owners of the equity interests of such Person, in whatever form, including with respect to the Purchaser, its shareholders under the Cayman Companies Act or DGCL, as then applicable, or its Organizational Documents. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. Consequently, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. 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, in order for such Contract, document, certificate or instrument to have been deemed to have been given, delivered, provided and made available to the Purchaser or its Representatives, such Contract, document, certificate or instrument shall have been posted at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date hereof to the electronic data site maintained on behalf of the Company for the benefit of the Purchaser and its Representatives and the Purchaser and its Representatives have been given access to the electronic folders containing such information.

 

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Section 9.13 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement and each Ancillary Document (including any of the Closing deliverables contemplated hereby) may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement or any Ancillary Document (including any of the Closing deliverables contemplated hereby) by electronic transmission (including by email or in .pdf format) and electronically or digitally executed counterparts (such as DocuSign) shall have the same legal effect as original signatures and shall be considered irrevocable originally executed counterparts of this Agreement or any such Ancillary Document or Closing deliverable.

 

Section 9.14 Legal Representation.

 

(a) Conflicts and Privilege.

 

(i) The Purchaser and the Company, on behalf of their respective successors and assigns (including, after the Closing), 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 (x) the Sponsor, the stockholders, shareholders or holders of other equity interests of the Purchaser or the Sponsor and/or any of their respective directors, members, partners, officers, employees or Affiliates (collectively, the “HVII Group”), on the one hand, and (y) the Purchaser following the Closing, the Company and/or any member of the ONE Group, on the other hand, any legal counsel, including Sidley Austin LLP, that represented the Purchaser and/or the Sponsor prior to the Closing may represent the Sponsor and/or any other member of the HVII Group, in such dispute even though the interests of such Persons may be directly adverse to the Purchaser and its Affiliates (following the Closing), and even though such counsel may have represented the Purchaser in a matter substantially related to such dispute, or may be handling ongoing matters for the Purchaser and/or the Sponsor. The Purchaser and the Company, on behalf of their respective successors and assigns (including, after the Closing), 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 Legal Proceeding arising out of or relating to, this Agreement, any Ancillary Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby) between or among the Purchaser, the Sponsor and/or any other member of the HVII Group, on the one hand, and Sidley Austin LLP, on the other hand, the attorney/client privilege and the expectation of client confidence shall survive the Transactions and belong to the HVII Group after the Closing, and shall not pass to or be claimed or controlled by the Purchaser and its Affiliates (following the Closing). Notwithstanding the foregoing, any privileged communications or information shared by the Company prior to the Closing with the Purchaser or the Sponsor under a common interest agreement shall remain the privileged communications or information of the Purchaser.

 

(ii) The Purchaser and the Company, on behalf of their respective successors and assigns (including, after the Closing), 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 (x) the stockholders, shareholders or holders of other equity interests of the Company and/or any of their respective directors, members, partners, officers, employees or Affiliates (collectively, the “ONE Group”), on the one hand, and (y) the Company (following the Closing) and/or any member of the HVII Group, on the other hand, any legal counsel, including Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (“NMRS”) that represented the Company prior to the Closing may represent any member of the ONE Group in such dispute even though the interests of such Persons may be directly adverse to the Company (following the Closing), and even though such counsel may have represented the Purchaser and/or the Company in a matter substantially related to such dispute, or may be handling ongoing matters for the Company (following the Closing). The Purchaser and the Company, on behalf of their respective successors and assigns (including, after the Closing), 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 Legal Proceeding arising out of or relating to, this Agreement, any Ancillary Document or the Transactions) between or among the Company and/or any member of the ONE Group, on the one hand, and NMRS, on the other hand, the attorney/client privilege and the expectation of client confidence shall survive the Transactions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any privileged communications or information shared by the Purchaser prior to the Closing with the Company under a common interest agreement shall remain the privileged communications or information of the Company (following the Closing).

 

(iii) NMRS has represented the ONE Group and the Company with respect to the Transactions. All Parties recognize the commonality of interest that exists and will continue to exist until the Closing, and the Parties agree that such commonality of interest should continue to be recognized after the Closing. Specifically, the HVII Group and, following the Closing, the Company, agree that they shall not, and shall cause their Affiliates not to, seek to have NMRS be disqualified from representing (a) any member of the ONE Group in connection with any dispute that may arise between such parties and the HVII Group or the Company or (b) the Purchaser or the Company in connection with any dispute that may arise between such parties and the members of the ONE Group.

 

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Section 9.15 Waiver of Claims Against Trust. The Company acknowledges that the Purchaser is a special purpose company with the powers and privileges to effect a Business Combination. The Company further acknowledges that, as described in the IPO Prospectus available at www.sec.gov, substantially all of the Purchaser assets consist of the cash proceeds of the Purchaser’s initial public offering and private placements of its securities and substantially all of those proceeds have been deposited in the Trust Account for the benefit of the Purchaser, its public shareholders and the underwriters of the Purchaser’s initial public offering. The Company acknowledges that it has been advised by the Purchaser that, except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to the Purchaser to pay its franchise Tax, income Tax and similar obligations, the Trust Agreement provides that cash in the Trust Account may be disbursed only (i) if the Purchaser completes the transactions which constitute a Business Combination, then to those Persons and in such amounts as described in the IPO Prospectus; (ii) if the Purchaser fails to complete a Business Combination within the allotted time period and liquidates, subject to the terms of the Trust Agreement, to the Purchaser in limited amounts to permit the Purchaser to pay the costs and expenses of its liquidation and dissolution, and then to the Purchaser Shareholders; and (iii) if the Purchaser holds a shareholder vote to amend the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents to modify the substance or timing of the obligation to redeem 100% of the Purchaser Class A Ordinary Shares if the Purchaser fails to complete a Business Combination within the allotted time period or to otherwise modify any other material provision of the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents relating to its shareholders’ rights or its pre-initial Business Combination activity, then for the redemption of any Purchaser Ordinary Shares properly tendered in connection with such vote. For and in consideration of the Purchaser entering into this Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company, on behalf of itself, its Affiliates and its and their respective Representatives, hereby irrevocably waives any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they have or may have in the future in or to any monies in the Trust Account and agrees not to seek recourse against the Trust Account or any funds distributed therefrom to the Purchaser’s public shareholders for any reason whatsoever; provided, that (x) nothing herein shall serve to limit or prohibit the Company’s right to pursue a claim against the Purchaser for legal relief against monies or other assets held outside the Trust Account, for specific performance or other equitable relief in connection with the consummation of the transactions (including a claim for the Purchaser to specifically perform its obligations under this Agreement and cause the disbursement of the balance of the cash remaining in the Trust Account (after giving effect to the Redemptions) to the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Trust Agreement) so long as such claim would not affect the Purchaser’s ability to fulfill its obligation to effectuate the redemptions and (y) nothing herein shall serve to limit or prohibit any claims that the Company may have in the future against the Purchaser’s assets or funds that are not held in the Trust Account (including any funds that have been released from the Trust Account other than to the Purchaser’s public shareholders and any assets that have been purchased or acquired with any such funds).

 

Section 9.16 Company and Purchaser Disclosure Letters. The Company Disclosure Letter and the Purchaser Disclosure Letter (including, in each case, any section thereof) referenced herein are a part of this Agreement as if fully set forth herein. All references herein to the Company Disclosure Letter and/or the Purchaser Disclosure Letter (including, in each case, any section thereof) shall be deemed references to such parts of this Agreement, unless the context shall otherwise require. Any disclosure made by a party in the applicable Disclosure Letter, or any section thereof, with reference to any section of this Agreement or section of the applicable Disclosure Letter shall be deemed to be a disclosure with respect to such other applicable sections of this Agreement or sections of applicable Disclosure Letter if it is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure that such disclosure is responsive to such other section of this Agreement or section of the applicable Disclosure Letter. Certain information set forth in the Disclosure Letters is included solely for informational purposes and may not be required to be disclosed pursuant to this Agreement. The disclosure of any information shall not be deemed to constitute an acknowledgment that such information is required to be disclosed in connection with the representations and warranties made in this Agreement, nor shall such information be deemed to establish a standard of materiality.

 

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Article X
DEFINITIONS

 

Section 10.01 Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms have the following meanings:

 

A&R Registration Rights Agreement” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

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

 

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

 

Aggregate Base Consideration” means the number of shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock equal to the quotient of: (a) the Base Purchase Price, divided by (b) the Redemption Price.

 

Aggregate Consideration” means the Aggregate Base Consideration and the Aggregate Earnout Consideration.

 

Aggregate Earnout Consideration” has the meaning specified in Section ‎2.03(a).

 

Agreement” has the meaning specified in the Preamble.

 

Alternative Transaction” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.06(a).

 

Ancillary Documents” means each of the agreements and instruments contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise related to the transactions contemplated in this Agreement, in each case to be executed and delivered on the date hereof or on or prior to the Closing Date, including this Agreement (together with the Company Disclosure Letter and the Purchaser Disclosure Letter).

 

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Anti-Bribery Law” means, as applicable, (i) the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977; (ii) the UK Bribery Act 2010; (iii) legislation implementing the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions and related implementing legislation; (iv) anti-bribery legislation promulgated by the European Union and implemented by its member states and (v) any other applicable Laws relating to bribery or corruption in any governing jurisdiction.

 

Antitrust Laws” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.09(b).

 

Available Closing Cash” means, as of the Closing, without duplication, (a) the amount of funds contained in the Trust Account (after reduction for the aggregate amount of payments made or required to be made in connection with the Redemption), plus (b) the amount of funds available to consummate the Transactions pursuant to a PIPE Investment and other sources of financing net of any fees and expenses associated with such financing, plus (c) the positive amount of Company cash, if any, minus (d) unpaid Purchaser Transaction Costs.

 

Base Purchase Price” means $1,000,000,000.

 

Business Combination” has the meaning specified in Article 1.1 of the Purchaser’s Amended and Restated Articles of Association as in effect on the date hereof.

 

Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or, for so long as the Purchaser remains domiciled in Cayman Islands, Governmental Authorities in the Cayman Islands are authorized or required by Law to close.

 

Cayman Companies Act” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Cayman Purchaser Rights” means the rights to receive one-twelfth (1/12) of one Purchaser Class A Ordinary Share upon consummation of the Business Combination sold in the Purchaser’s IPO.

 

Cayman Purchaser Units” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Cayman Registrar” means the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies.

 

Certificate of Merger” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Change of Control” means any transaction or series of transactions the result of which is: (a) the acquisition by any Person or “group” (as defined in the Exchange Act) of Persons of direct or indirect beneficial ownership of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Purchaser; (b) a merger, consolidation, reorganization or other business combination, however effected, resulting in any Person or “group” (as defined in the Exchange Act) acquiring at least 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Purchaser or the surviving Person outstanding immediately after such combination; or (c) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Purchaser.

 

Closing” has the meaning specified in Section ‎3.01.

 

Closing Date” has the meaning specified in Section ‎3.01.

 

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Closing Filing” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.15(b).

 

Closing Press Release” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.15(b).

 

Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

Common Stock Price” means the share price equal to the closing sale price of one share of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock as reported on Nasdaq (or the exchange on which the shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock are then listed) for a period of at least twenty (20) days out of thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of determination (as adjusted as appropriate to reflect any stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into the Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock), extraordinary cash dividend (which adjustment shall be subject to the reasonable good faith determination of the Post-Closing Purchaser Board), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change or transaction with respect to the Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock).

 

Company” has the meaning specified in the Preamble.

 

Company Benefit Plan” means any and all deferred compensation, executive compensation, incentive compensation, equity purchase or other equity-based compensation plan, employment or consulting, severance or termination pay, holiday, vacation or other bonus plan or practice, hospitalization or other medical, life or other insurance, supplemental unemployment benefits, profit sharing, pension, or retirement plan, program, agreement, commitment or arrangement, and each other employee benefit plan, program, agreement or arrangement, including each “employee benefit plan” as such term is defined under Section 3(3) of ERISA, maintained or contributed to or required to be contributed to by the Company for the benefit of any employee or terminated employee of the Company.

 

Company Confidential Information” means all confidential or proprietary documents and information concerning the Company or any of its Representatives, furnished in connection with this Agreement or the Transactions; provided, however, that Company Confidential Information shall not include any information which, (i) at the time of disclosure by the Purchaser or its Representatives, is generally available publicly and was not disclosed in breach of this Agreement or (ii) at the time of the disclosure by the Company or its Representatives to the Purchaser or its Representatives was previously known by such receiving party without violation of Law or any confidentiality obligation by the Person receiving such Company Confidential Information.

 

Company Disclosure Letter” has the meaning specified in the Preamble to Article ‎IV.

 

Company Equityholders” means holders of the Company Units.

 

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

 

Company Fully Diluted Capital” means the sum (without duplication) of (i) the aggregate number of Company Units that are issued and outstanding, whether vested or unvested, plus (ii) the aggregate number of Company Units issuable (on an as-converted basis) upon the exercise, exchange or conversion, as applicable, of any and all options, warrants, securities, instruments or other similar items exercisable, exchangeable or convertible into Company Units, in each case of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

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Company IP” means any and all Intellectual Property that is owned or purported to be owned (in whole or in part), licensed, used or held for use by the Company.

 

Company IP Licenses” means any Intellectual Property licenses, sublicenses and other agreements or permissions that the Company is party to or is otherwise authorized to use or practice any Intellectual Property under, excluding Off-the-Shelf Software and non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property granted in agreements with suppliers, customers or end users in the ordinary course of business where the license is not the primary purpose of the agreement.

 

Company Leased Real Properties” has the meaning specified in Section ‎4.16(b).

 

Company LLC Agreement” means the Operating Agreement of the Company, dated as of February 10, 2025.

 

Company Material Adverse Effect” means any event, state of facts, condition, change, development, circumstance, occurrence or effect (collectively, “Events”), that (i) has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the business, prospects, assets, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company, or (ii) does or would reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, prevent, materially delay or materially impede the ability of the Company to consummate the Transactions; provided, however, that in no event would any of the following, alone or in combination, be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been or will be, a “Company Material Adverse Effect”: (a) any change in applicable Laws or GAAP or any interpretation thereof following the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in interest rates or economic, political, business or financial market conditions generally, (c) the taking of any action required by this Agreement or any Ancillary Document, (d) any natural disaster (including hurricanes, storms, tornados, flooding, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or similar occurrences), pandemic, or change in climate, (e) any acts of terrorism or war, the outbreak or escalation of hostilities, geopolitical conditions, local, national or international political conditions, (f) any failure of the Company to meet any projections or forecasts (provided that clause (f) shall not prevent any Event not otherwise excluded from this definition of Company Material Adverse Effect underlying such failure to meet projections or forecasts from being taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred or has resulted in a Company Material Adverse Effect), (g) any Events generally applicable to the industries or markets in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate (including increases in the cost of products, supplies, materials or other goods purchased from third party suppliers), (h) the announcement of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including any termination of, reduction in or similar adverse impact (but in each case only to the extent attributable to such announcement or consummation) on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with any landlords, customers, suppliers, distributors, partners or employees of the Company (provided that this clause (h) shall not apply to any representations or warranty set forth in Section ‎4.02 or Section ‎4.05, but subject to any disclosures set forth in Section ‎4.02 or Section ‎4.05 of the Company Disclosure Letter), or (i) any action taken by, or at the written request of, the Purchaser; provided, further, that any Event referred to in clauses (a), (b), (d), (e) or (g) above may be taken into account in determining if a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred to the extent it has a disproportionate and adverse effect on the business, prospects, assets, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company, relative to similarly situated companies in the industry in which the Company conducts its operations, but only to the extent of the incremental disproportionate effect on the Company, relative to similarly situated companies in the industry in which the Company conducts its operations.

 

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Company Material Contract” has the meaning specified in Section ‎4.13(a).

 

Company Material MOU” has the meaning specified in Section ‎4.13(c).

 

Company Member Approval” means the vote of Members holding a majority of the Company Units at a duly called meeting of the Members or by way of written consents representing the vote of Members holding a majority of the Company Units, in each case, to authorize, approve and consent to, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Documents to which the Company is or is required to be a party or bound, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the Merger.

 

Company Member Consent” has the meaning specified in Section 6.13(c).

 

Company Owned Properties” has the meaning specified in Section ‎4.16(a).

 

Company Permits” has the meaning specified in Section ‎4.11.

 

Company Personal Property Leases” has the meaning specified in Section ‎4.17.

 

Company Real Property Leases” has the meaning specified in Section ‎4.16(b).

 

Company Registered IP” has the meaning specified in Section ‎4.14(a).

 

Company Securities” means, collectively, the Company Units and all other units, warrants and other securities of the Company.

 

Company Software” means any and all Software which the Company owns or purports to own, in whole or in part.

 

Company Specified Representations” has the meaning specified in Section ‎7.03(a).

 

Company Transaction Costs” means all fees, costs and expenses of the Company, incurred prior to and through the Closing Date in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement, the other Ancillary Documents and the consummation of the Transactions, including: (a) all change of control bonus payments, retention or similar payments payable solely as a result of the consummation of the Transactions pursuant to arrangements (whether written or oral) entered into prior to the Closing Date whether payable before (to the extent unpaid), on or following the Closing Date (excluding any “double-trigger” payments), and the employer portion of payroll Taxes payable as a result of the foregoing amounts; (b) all severance payments, retirement payments or similar payments or success fees payable pursuant to arrangements (whether written or oral) entered into prior to the Closing Date and which are payable in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, whether payable before (to the extent unpaid), on or following the Closing Date (excluding any “double-trigger payments”), and the employer portion of payroll Taxes payable as a result of the foregoing amounts; (c) all professional or transaction, deal, brokerage, legal, accounting, financial advisory or any similar fees payable in connection with the consummation of the Transactions; and (d) all costs, fees and expenses related to the D&O Tail, but excluding any other amounts payable by the Purchaser hereunder.

 

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Company Units” means the Ordinary Membership Units, as defined in the Company LLC Agreement.

 

Consent” means any consent, approval, waiver, authorization or Permit of, or notice to or declaration or filing with any Governmental Authority or any other Person.

 

Continental” means the Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

 

Contracts” means all legally binding contracts, agreements, binding arrangements, bonds, notes, indentures, mortgages, debt instruments, purchase order, licenses (and all Company IP Licenses and other contracts, agreements or binding arrangements concerning Intellectual Property), franchises, leases and other instruments or obligations of any kind, written or oral (including any amendments and other modifications thereto).

 

Copyleft Terms” has the meaning specified in Section ‎4.14(e).

 

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

 

D&O Indemnified Party” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.19(a).

 

D&O Tail” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.19(b).

 

DGCL” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Disclosure Letters” means, collectively, the Company Disclosure Letter and the Purchaser Disclosure Letter.

 

DLLCA” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock” means, following the Domestication, common stock of the Purchaser, par value $0.0001 per share.

 

Domesticated Purchaser Right” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Domestication” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Earnout Exchange Ratio” means the Earnout Shares divided by the Company Fully Diluted Capital.

 

Earnout Period” means the time period beginning on the date that is the first anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the date that is the third anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

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Earnout Shares” means the up to 13,000,000 shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock that may be issued to the Eligible Stockholders pursuant to Section ‎2.03.

 

Effective Time” has the meaning set forth in Section ‎1.02(a).

 

Eligible Stockholder” means a holder of Company Units as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and each of their respective successors and assigns.

 

Enforceability Exceptions” has the meaning as specified in Section ‎5.02.

 

Environmental Law” means any Law in any way relating to (a) the protection of human health and safety, (b) the environment, (c) natural resources (including air, water vapor, surface water, groundwater, drinking water supply, surface land, subsurface land, plant and animal life or any other natural resource), (d) pollution, or (e) Hazardous Materials, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 USC §9601 et seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 USC §6901 et seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 USC §2601 et seq., the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 USC §1251 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 42 USC §7401 et seq., the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, 7 USC §136 et seq., the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 USC §651 et seq. (to the extent it relates to exposure to Hazardous Materials), the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, 15 USC §2641 et seq., the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 USC §300f et seq., the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 USC §2701 et seq., and analogous state acts.

 

Environmental Liabilities” means, in respect of any Person, all Liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, Remedial Legal Proceedings, losses, damages, costs, and expenses (including all reasonable fees, disbursements, and expenses of counsel, experts, and consultants and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions, and interest incurred as a result of any claim or demand by any other Person or in response to any violation of Environmental Law, whether known or unknown, accrued or contingent, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute, to the extent based upon, related to, or arising under or pursuant to any Environmental Law, Environmental Permit, Order, or Contract with any Governmental Authority or other Person, that relates to any environmental, health or safety condition, violation of Environmental Law, or a Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials.

 

Environmental Permits” has the meaning specified in Section ‎4.21(a).

 

Equity Incentive Plan” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.14(a).

 

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

 

ERISA Affiliate” means each “person” (as defined in Section 3(9) of ERISA) which together with the Company would be deemed to be a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

 

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

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Exchange Ratio” means the Aggregate Base Consideration divided by the Company Fully Diluted Capital.

 

Excluded Unit” has the meaning specified in Section ‎2.02(a)(i).

 

Federal Securities Laws” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.07.

 

FIRPTA Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.11(e).

 

Fraud Claim” means any claim based upon intentional fraud as defined under the common law of the State of Delaware.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States of America.

 

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, municipal, local or other foreign or domestic governmental, quasi-governmental, or administrative body, instrumentality, department, or agency, any court, tribunal, administrative hearing body, arbitration panel, commission, or other similar dispute-resolving panel or body, any self-regulated organization or stock exchange or any government-owned entity.

 

Hazardous Material” means any waste, gas, liquid or other substance or material that is defined, listed, classified or designated as a “hazardous substance,” “pollutant,” “contaminant,” “hazardous waste,” “regulated substance,” “hazardous chemical,” “toxic chemical,” or “waste” (or by any similar term) under any Environmental Law, or any other material regulated, or that could result in the imposition of Liability or responsibility, under any Environmental Law, including oil, petroleum, petroleum products and by-products, petroleum breakdown products, asbestos, radioactive materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon, mold, urea formaldehyde insulation and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

 

HVII Group” has the meaning specified in Section ‎9.14(a)(i).

 

Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money (including the outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest), (b) all obligations for the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business), (c) any other indebtedness of such Person that is evidenced by a note, bond, debenture, credit agreement or similar instrument, (d) all obligations of such Person under leases that should be classified as capital leases in accordance with GAAP (other than real estate leases and any other leases that would be required to be capitalized only upon adoption of ASC 842), (e) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any line or letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, guarantee or similar credit transaction, in each case, that has been drawn or claimed against, (f) all interest rate and currency swaps, caps, collars and similar agreements or hedging devices under which payments are obligated to be made by such Person, whether periodically or upon the happening of a contingency, (g) all obligations secured by a Lien securing debt for borrowed money on any property of such Person (other than Permitted Liens), (h) any premiums, prepayment fees or other penalties, fees, costs or expenses associated with payment of any Indebtedness of such Person and (i) all obligations described in clauses (a) through (h) above of any other Person which is directly or indirectly guaranteed by such Person or which such Person has agreed (contingently or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire or in respect of which it has otherwise assured a creditor against loss.

 

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Indemnitee Affiliates” has the meaning specified in Section 6.19(e).

 

Intellectual Property” means any and all intellectual or proprietary property and all rights, title, and interest therein or thereto arising anywhere in the world, including all United States, international and foreign: (i) patents and patent applications, patent improvements, disclosures and inventions, (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), including any continuations, divisions, continuations in part, renewals, divisionals, extensions, substitutions, reexaminations, reissues or foreign counterparts of any of the foregoing (“Patents”); (ii) all trade names, trade dress, trademarks, service marks, slogans, logos or internet domain name registrations, social media usernames, handles, and any other similar identifiers of source of origin, including all goodwill associated therewith, together with all registrations and applications relating thereto (“Trademarks”); (iii) copyrights (whether registered or unregistered), original works of authorship, copyrightable works and subject matter, together with all registrations and applications relating thereto (“Copyrights”); (iv) all proprietary databases and data; (v) all industrial designs and any registrations and applications therefor throughout the world; (vi) Trade Secrets, (vii) Software and data, databases, compilations, and any other electronic data files, including any and all collections of data, whether machine readable or otherwise; (viii) rights to sue or recover and retain damages and costs and attorneys’ fees for the past, present or future infringement, dilution, misappropriation, or other violation of any of the foregoing anywhere in the world; (ix) any and all other intellectual or industrial property rights protectable by applicable law in any jurisdiction; and (x) all issuances, renewals, registrations and applications of or for any of the foregoing.

 

Intended Tax Treatment(s)” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Interim Period” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.01(a).

 

International Trade Laws” means (a) all U.S. import and export Laws (including those Laws administered by the U.S. Departments of Commerce (Bureau of Industry and Security)) codified at 15 C.F.R., Parts 700-774; Homeland Security (Customs and Border Protection) codified at 19 C.F.R., Parts 1-192; State (Directorate of Defense Trade Controls) codified at 22 C.F.R., Parts 103, 120-130; and the Treasury (Office of Foreign Assets Control) codified at 31 C.F.R., Parts 500-598) and (b) all comparable applicable Laws outside the United States.

 

IPO” means the initial public offering of Cayman Purchaser Units pursuant to the IPO Prospectus.

 

IPO Prospectus” means the final prospectus of the Purchaser, dated as of January 16, 2025 (File No. 333-283087).

 

IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (or any successor Governmental Authority).

 

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IT Assets” means technology, devices, computers, hardware, Software (including firmware and middleware), systems, sites, servers, networks, workstations, routers, hubs, circuits, switches, interfaces, websites, platforms, data communications lines, automated networks and control systems, cloud computing arrangements, and all other information or operational technology, telecommunications, or data processing assets, facilities, systems, services, or equipment, and all data stored therein or processed thereby, and all associated documentation, in each case, owned or leased by, licensed to, or used by the Company in the conduct of its businesses.

 

Knowledge” means, with respect to (i) the Company, the actual knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, of the individuals set forth on Schedule 10-B of the Company Disclosure Letter and (ii) the Purchaser, the actual knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, of the individuals set forth on Schedule 10-A of the Purchaser Disclosure Letter.

 

Law” means any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other law, statute, legislation, principle of common law, ordinance, code, edict, decree, proclamation, treaty, convention, rule, regulation, directive, requirement, writ, injunction, settlement, Order or Consent that is or has been issued, enacted, adopted, passed, approved, promulgated, made, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority.

 

Legal Proceeding” means any notice of noncompliance or violation, or any claim, demand, charge, action, suit, litigation, audit, settlement, complaint, stipulation, assessment or arbitration, or examination, or any request (including any request for information), inquiry, hearing or proceeding, by or before any Governmental Authority.

 

Liabilities” means any and all liabilities, Indebtedness, or obligations of any nature (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, whether known or unknown, whether direct or indirect, whether matured or unmatured, whether due or to become due and whether or not required to be recorded or reflected on a balance sheet under GAAP or other applicable accounting standards).

 

Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, security interest, attachment, right of first refusal, right of first offer, option, proxy, voting trust, license, encumbrance, easement, covenant, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof), restriction (whether on voting, sale, transfer, disposition or otherwise), any subordination arrangement in favor of another Person, or any filing or agreement to file a financing statement as debtor under the Uniform Commercial Code or any similar Law.

 

Lock-Up Agreement” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Material Current Government Contract” has the meaning specified in Section ‎4.10.

 

Members” means the Persons who are members of the Company pursuant to the Company LLC Agreement.

 

Merger” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Merger Sub” has the meaning specified in the Preamble.

 

Modification in Recommendation” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.13(b).

 

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Nasdaq” has the meaning specified in Section ‎5.06(a).

 

NMRS” has the meaning specified in Section ‎9.14(a)(ii).

 

OFAC” has the meaning specified in Section ‎4.25(c).

 

Off-the-Shelf Software” means “shrink wrap,” “click wrap,” and “off the shelf” software agreements and other agreements for Software commercially available to the public on standard terms and conditions with an annual cost of less than $10,000 per year.

 

Offer Documents” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.13(a)(i).

 

ONE Group” has the meaning specified in Section ‎9.14(a)(ii).

 

Open Source Software” means any code or software governed by 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 any substantially similar license, including any license approved by the Open Source Initiative or any Creative Commons License.

 

Order” means any order, decree, ruling, judgment, injunction, writ, determination, binding decision, verdict, judicial award, subpoena, mandate, precept, command, directive, or other similar action that is or has been made, entered, rendered, or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority.

 

Organizational Documents” means, with respect to any Person that is an entity, its certificate of incorporation or formation, bylaws, operating agreement, memorandum and articles of association or similar organizational documents.

 

Outside Date” has the meaning specified in Section ‎8.01(d).

 

Owned Intellectual Property” means any and all Intellectual Property which the Company owns (or purports to own), in whole or in part, and includes the Company Software and all Company Registered IP.

 

Partnership Tax Audit Rules” has the meaning specified in ‎Section 6.11(d).

 

Party(ies)” has the meaning specified in the Preamble.

 

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

 

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

 

PCAOB Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.04(a).

 

Per Unit Base Consideration” has the meaning specified in Section ‎2.01(a).

 

Per Unit Earnout Consideration” has the meaning specified in Section ‎2.01(a).

 

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Permits” means all federal, state, local or foreign or other third-party permits, grants, easements, consents, approvals, authorizations, exemptions, licenses, franchises, concessions, ratifications, permissions, clearances, confirmations, endorsements, waivers, certifications, designations, ratings, registrations, qualifications or orders of any Governmental Authority or any other Person.

 

Permitted Liens” means (a) Liens for Taxes or assessments and similar governmental charges or levies, which either are (i) not yet due and payable or (ii) being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, and for which adequate reserves have been established with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP; (b) mechanics’, materialmen’s, carriers’, workers’, repairers’ and other similar liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business relating to obligations as to which there is no default on the part of the Company or the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP; (c) zoning, entitlement, environmental or conservation restrictions and other land use and environmental regulations imposed by Governmental Authorities which, to the Knowledge of the Company, are not violated in any material respect; (d) non-monetary Liens of record, so long as such matters do not materially interfere with or detract from the Company’s ability to conduct its current or planned business at such property; (e) all matters that would be disclosed on an accurate survey of the Company’s real property; (f) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with social security; (g) Liens on goods in transit incurred pursuant to documentary letters of credit, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business; (h) Liens arising under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document; or (i) non-exclusive licenses of Owned Intellectual Property granted to customers, vendors or service providers in the ordinary course of business.

 

Person” means an individual, corporation, company, partnership (including a general partnership, limited partnership or limited liability partnership), limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a government, domestic or foreign, or political subdivision thereof, or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

 

Personal Property” means any machinery, equipment, tools, vehicles, furniture, leasehold improvements, office equipment, plant, parts and other tangible personal property.

 

PIPE Investment” means (a) the purchase from the Purchaser of shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock, shares of one or more series of Purchaser preferred stock or debt securities of Purchaser, with such purchases to be consummated prior to or substantially concurrently with the Closing (but, for the avoidance of doubt, no earlier than the calendar day after the day on which the Domestication is consummated), (b) the purchase from the Company of any common equity of the Company, and (c) any other form of equity financing (including backstops, recycling facilities and forward purchase agreements), project financing, debt financing or other credit products of Purchaser or the Company, in each case, that are funded prior to or substantially concurrently with the Closing (but, for the avoidance of doubt, no earlier than the calendar day after the day on which the Domestication is consummated with respect to any financing of the Purchaser).

 

Post-Closing Purchaser Board” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.18(a).

 

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Premium Cap” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.19(b).

 

Pro Rata Share” means, for each Eligible Stockholder, a percentage determined by dividing (a) the total number of shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock issued to such Eligible Stockholder in the Merger in exchange for such Eligible Stockholder’s Company Units, by (b) the total number of shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock issued to all Eligible Stockholders in the Merger in exchange for the Company Units.

 

Proxy Statement” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.13(a)(i).

 

Proxy Statement/Registration Statement” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.13(a)(i).

 

Purchaser” has the meaning specified in the Preamble.

 

Purchaser Bylaws upon Domestication” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Purchaser Charter upon Domestication” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

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

 

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

 

Purchaser Confidential Information” means all confidential or proprietary documents and information concerning the Purchaser or any of its Representatives; provided, however, that Purchaser Confidential Information shall not include any information which, (i) at the time of disclosure by the Company or any of its Representatives, is generally available publicly and was not disclosed in breach of this Agreement or (ii) at the time of the disclosure by the Purchaser or its Representatives to the Company or any of its Representatives, was previously known by such receiving party without violation of Law or any confidentiality obligation by the Person receiving such Purchaser Confidential Information.

 

Purchaser Disclosure Letter” has the meaning specified in the Preamble to Article ‎V.

 

Purchaser Material Adverse Effect” means any change, event, or occurrence, that, individually or when aggregated with other changes, events, or occurrences has had a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of the Purchaser; provided, however, that no change or effect related to any of the following, alone or in combination, shall be taken into account in determining whether a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect has occurred: (i) the announcement of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including any termination of, reduction in or similar adverse impact (but in each case only to the extent attributable to such announcement or consummation) on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with any landlords, customers, suppliers, distributors, partners or employees of the Purchaser or Merger Sub; (ii) the taking of any action required by this Agreement or any Ancillary Document; (iii) any natural disaster (including hurricanes, storms, tornados, flooding, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or similar occurrences), pandemic or change in climate, (iv) any acts of terrorism or war, the outbreak or escalation of hostilities, geopolitical conditions, local, national or international political conditions; (v) the Redemption; (vi) changes or proposed changes in applicable Law, regulations or interpretations thereof or decisions by courts or any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement; (vii) changes or proposed changes in GAAP (or any interpretation thereof) after the date of this Agreement; (viii) any change in interest rates or economic, political, business or financial market conditions generally; (ix) any action taken by, or at the written request of, the Company; (x) any change, event, or occurrence generally applicable to publicly traded special purpose acquisition companies; or (xi) any change in the trading price or volume of the Cayman Purchaser Units, Purchaser Ordinary Shares or Cayman Purchaser Rights (provided that the underlying causes of such changes referred to in this clause (xi) may be considered in determining whether there is a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect except to the extent such cause is within the scope of any other exception within this definition).

 

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Purchaser Ordinary Shares” means the Purchaser Class A Ordinary Shares and the Purchaser Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

Purchaser SEC Reports” has the meaning specified in Section ‎5.06(a).

 

Purchaser Shareholder Approval” means the approval of (i) those Transaction Proposals identified in clauses ‎(B) and ‎(C) of Section ‎6.13(b), in each case, by special resolution under Cayman Islands Law, being an affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Purchaser Ordinary Shares entitled to vote, who attend and vote thereupon (as determined in accordance with the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents) at the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof in accordance with Section ‎6.13(b)), (ii) those Transaction Proposals identified in clauses ‎(A), ‎(D), ‎(F) and ‎(G) of Section ‎6.13(b), in each case, by an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands Law, being an affirmative vote of the holders of at least a simple majority of the outstanding Purchaser Ordinary Shares entitled to vote, who attend and vote thereupon (as determined in accordance with the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents), at the Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting, (or any adjournment or postponement thereof in accordance with Section ‎6.13(b)), and (iii) with respect to any other proposal proposed to the Purchaser Shareholders, the requisite approval required under the Purchaser’s Organizational Documents, the Cayman Companies Act or any other applicable Law, in each case, at a Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof in accordance with Section ‎6.13(b)).

 

Purchaser Shareholders” means the holders of the Purchaser Ordinary Shares.

 

Purchaser Shareholders’ Meeting” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.13(b).

 

Purchaser Specified Representations” has the meaning specified in Section ‎7.02(a).

 

Purchaser Transaction Costs” means: (a) except as otherwise expressly contemplated in the definition of “Company Transaction Costs” or elsewhere in this Agreement, all fees, costs and expenses of the Purchaser incurred prior to and through the Closing Date, including in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and the other Ancillary Documents and the consummation of the Transactions, whether paid or unpaid prior to the Closing, including any and all professional or transaction related costs, fees and expenses of legal, accounting and financial advisors, consultants, auditors, accountants and brokers, including any deferred underwriting commissions being held in the Trust Account; (b) any Indebtedness of the Purchaser owed to its Affiliates or shareholders; (c) any and all costs, fees and expenses of the Purchaser incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement (and any registration statement filed with the SEC in connection therewith) and the review and/or approval thereof by the SEC or in connection with filings and applications to any Governmental Authorities relating to Antitrust Laws; and (d) any and all costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Purchaser in connection with the listing on, or to otherwise satisfy the listing standards of, Nasdaq of the shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock issued in connection with the Transactions.

 

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Redemption” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Redemption Priceshall mean an amount equal to the price at which each Purchaser Class A Ordinary Share may be redeemed pursuant to the Redemption.

 

Registration Statement” means the Registration Statement on Form S-4, or other appropriate form, including any pre-effective or post-effective amendments or supplements thereto, to be filed with the SEC by Purchaser under the Securities Act with respect to the Registration Statement Securities.

 

Registration Statement Securities” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.13(a)(i).

 

Related Person” means any officer, director, manager, employee, trustee or beneficiary of the Company or any of its Affiliates and any immediate family member of any of the foregoing.

 

Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, migrating or leaching into the indoor or outdoor environment, or into or out of any property.

 

Remedial Legal Proceeding” means all actions to (i) clean up, remove, treat, or in any other way address any Hazardous Material, (ii) prevent the Release of any Hazardous Material so it does not endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment, (iii) perform pre-remedial studies and investigations or post-remedial monitoring and care, or (iv) correct or otherwise respond to a condition of noncompliance with Environmental Laws.

 

Representatives” means, as to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective managers, directors, officers, employees, independent contractors, consultants, advisors (including financial advisors, counsel and accountants), agents and other legal representatives of such Person or its Affiliates.

 

Sanctioned Jurisdiction” has the meaning specified in Section ‎4.25(c).

 

Sanctions Laws” means applicable trade, economic and financial sanctions Laws, regulations, embargoes, and restrictive measures administered or enforced by (i) the United States (including without limitation the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Department of Commerce), (ii) the European Union and enforced by its member states, (iii) the United Nations, (iv) His Majesty’s Treasury, or (v) any country in which the Purchaser or the Company or any agent acting on behalf of the foregoing is performing activities.

 

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SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor Governmental Authority).

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Signing Filing” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.15(b).

 

Signing Press Release” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.15(b).

 

Software” means any and all software, firmware and computer programs and applications, including any and all source code, descriptions, schematics, specifications, flow charts, object code, middleware, utilities, computer programs, application programming interfaces, algorithms, plugins, libraries, subroutines, tools, drivers, microcode, scripts, batch files, instruction sets and macros, models, methodologies and other work product used in design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing, in each case of the foregoing whether in source code, executable or object code form, documentation related thereto including user manuals, user documentation, and training materials, filed, records and other work product related to any of the foregoing and all software modules, tools and databases and collections of data.

 

Sponsor” means HC VII Sponsor LLC, a Nevada limited liability company.

 

Sponsor Share Conversion” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Sponsor Support Agreement” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Subscription Agreements” has the meaning specified in Section 6.20(a).

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons will be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons will be allocated a majority of partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or will be or control the managing director, managing member, general partner or other managing Person of such partnership, association or other business entity. A Subsidiary of a Person will also include any variable interest entity which is consolidated with such Person under applicable accounting rules.

 

Surviving Company” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Tax Proceeding” has the meaning specified in Section 6.11(d).

 

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Tax Return” means any return, form, declaration, election, disclosure, report, claim for refund, information return or other documents (including any related or supporting schedules, statements or information or any amendment thereof) filed or submitted or required to be filed or submitted in connection with the determination, assessment or collection of any Taxes or the administration of any Laws or administrative requirements relating to any Taxes.

 

Taxes” means (a) any direct or indirect federal, state, provincial, territorial, local, foreign and other net income tax, alternative or add-on minimum tax, withholding tax, franchise tax, gross income, adjusted gross income or gross receipts tax, employment related tax (including employee withholding or employer payroll tax, social security or national health insurance), ad valorem, transfer, franchise, license, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, environmental, premium, personal property, real property, escheat or unclaimed property, windfall, capital stock, profits, disability, registration, value added, estimated, customs, duties, and sales or use tax, or other tax or like assessment or charge, in each case imposed by any Governmental Authority, together with any interest, indexation, penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed with respect thereto (or in lieu thereof) by a Governmental Authority (or relating to an obligation to file a Tax Return), (b) any liability for payment of amounts described in clause (a) whether as a result of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any period, or as a result of being a transferee or successor, by operation of Contract or Law or otherwise and (c) any liability for the payment of amounts described in clauses (a) or (b) as a result of any tax sharing, tax group, tax indemnity or tax allocation agreement (excluding customary commercial Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which is not the sharing of Taxes) with, or any other express or implied agreement to indemnify, any other Person.

 

Top Suppliers” has the meaning specified in Section ‎4.24(b).

 

Trade Secrets” means any trade secrets, confidential business information, concepts, ideas, designs, research or development information, processes, procedures, techniques, technical information, specifications, operating and maintenance manuals, engineering drawings, methods, know-how, data, mask works, discoveries, inventions, modifications, extensions, improvements, and other proprietary rights (whether or not patentable or subject to Copyright, Trademark, or trade secret protection).

 

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

 

Trading Day” means any day on which shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock are actually traded on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which shares of Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock are then traded.

 

Transaction Proposals” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.13(b).

 

Transactions” has the meaning specified in the Recitals.

 

Transfer Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section ‎6.11(c).

 

Treasury Regulations” means the regulations (including temporary regulations) promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to and in respect of provisions of the Code. All references herein to sections of the Treasury Regulations shall include any corresponding provision or provisions of succeeding, similar or substitute, temporary or final Treasury Regulations.

 

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Triggering Event” means either Triggering Event I, Triggering Event II or Triggering Event III.

 

Triggering Event I” shall occur if, within the Earnout Period, the Common Stock Price of the Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock is greater than or equal to $12.50 per share.

 

Triggering Event II” shall occur if, within the Earnout Period, the Common Stock Price of the Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock is greater than or equal to $15.00 per share.

 

Triggering Event III” shall occur if, within the Earnout Period, the Common Stock Price of the Domesticated Purchaser Common Stock is greater than or equal to $17.50 per share.

 

Trust Account” means that certain trust account established pursuant to the Trust Agreement.

 

Trust Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section ‎5.14.

 

Trustee” has the meaning specified in Section ‎5.14.

 

{REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK; SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS}

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party hereto has caused this Business Combination Agreement to be signed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

  The Purchaser:
   
  HENNESSY CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORP. VII
   
  By: /s/ Daniel J. Hennessy
  Name: Daniel J. Hennessy
  Title:  
   
  The Company:
   
  ONE NUCLEAR ENERGY, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Richard Taylor
  Name: Richard Taylor
  Title: Co-Founder, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
   
  Merger Sub:
   
  SOLIS MERGER SUB LLC
   
  By: Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VII, its sole and managing member
   
  By: /s/ Daniel J. Hennessy
  Name: Daniel J. Hennessy
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

{Signature Page to Business Combination Agreement}

 

96

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Form of Purchaser Charter upon Domestication

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

[__]

 

ARTICLE I

 

NAME

 

The name of the Corporation is [__] (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”).

 

ARTICLE III

 

REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

 

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

 

ARTICLE IV

 

CAPITAL STOCK

 

Section 4.1 Authorized Capital Stock. The Corporation is authorized to issue a total of [500,100,000] shares of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share, consisting of (a) [500,000,000] shares of common stock (the “Common Stock”), and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”). The number of authorized shares of Common Stock or 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 capital stock representing a majority of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class (unless a separate vote of any holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock is required by the express terms of such series), irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

 

Section 4.2 Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide out of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock for one or more series of Preferred Stock and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, special, and other rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations, and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the fullest extent provided by the DGCL, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.

 

Section 4.3 Voting.

 

(a) Voting Power. Except as otherwise required by any non-waivable provision of applicable law or this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power with respect to the Corporation.

 

(b) Nature of Voting Rights. Except as may be otherwise provided in this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or required by any non-waivable provision of applicable law, at all meetings of the stockholders and on all matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders, each holder of Common Stock, as such, shall (i) have the right to one vote per share of Common Stock held of record by such holder; (ii) be entitled to notice of any stockholders’ meeting in accordance with the Bylaws of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Bylaws”); and (iii) be entitled to vote only upon such matters and in such manner as may be provided by this Certificate or the Bylaws; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by any non-waivable provision of applicable law, holders of shares of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation). This Certificate does not authorize cumulative voting.

 

 

 

 

(c) Modification. Notwithstanding any other provisions of applicable law, this Certificate, or the Bylaws that may otherwise permit a lesser vote of the stockholders, but in addition to any vote of the holders of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by any non-waivable provision of applicable law or this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of 66.67% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon shall be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Section 4.3.

 

Section 4.4 Dividends. Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or required by any non-waivable provision of applicable law, the Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends on outstanding shares of Common Stock from funds lawfully available therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may pay or make a disparate dividend or distribution per share of Common Stock (whether in the amount of such dividend or distribution payable per share, the form in which such dividend is payable, the timing of the payment, or otherwise) if such disparate dividend is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

 

Section 4.5 Liquidation, Dissolution, or Winding Up of the Corporation. Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or required by any non-waivable provision of applicable law, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may pay or make a disparate distribution per share of Common Stock (whether in the amount of such dividend or distribution payable per share, the form in which such dividend or distribution is payable, the timing of the payment, or otherwise) if such disparate distribution is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

 

Section 4.6 Nature of Rights. Except as may be otherwise provided in this Certificate or required by any non-waivable provision of applicable law, all shares of Common Stock shall have the same rights, privileges, and powers, shall rank equally (including, without limitation, as to dividends and distributions, and upon any liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding up of the Corporation), shall share ratably, and shall be identical in all respects and as to all matters.

 

Section 4.7 Rights, Warrants, and Options. The Corporation may create and issue rights, warrants, and options entitling the holders thereof to acquire from the Corporation any shares of Common Stock of any class or classes, with such rights, warrants, and options to be evidenced by or in such instruments approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise, and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants, or options; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof may not be less than the par value thereof.

 

ARTICLE V

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.1 Board Powers. The Board shall manage and direct the business and affairs of the Corporation. The Board is empowered to exercise all such powers and to do all such acts as may be exercised or done by the Corporation. This grant of power to the Board does not limit any of the powers expressly given to the Board under, but is subject to any conflicting provision of, the DGCL (to the extent that such provision is non-waivable), this Certificate, and the Bylaws; provided, however, that a provision or a modification of a provision of the Bylaws adopted by the stockholders shall not invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such addition or modification of a provision to the Bylaws had not been adopted.

 

Section 5.2 Number. As of the Effective Date, the number of directors constituting the Board shall be [__]. Other than those, if any, who may be elected by the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock voting separately by class or series, this number may be increased or decreased at any time and from time to time by the written resolution of the Board. However, in no event may a decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board shorten the term of any incumbent director or result in there being less than one director.

 

 

 

 

Section 5.3 Classification; Term.

 

(a) Classification and Initial Term. The Board shall be classified into three classes: Class I, Class II, and Class III. As of the date hereof, the number of directors in Class I shall be [__], the number of directors in Class II shall be [__], and the number of directors in Class III shall be [__]. The initial terms of the initial Class I directors shall expire at the first annual meeting of the stockholders following the effectiveness of this Certificate. The initial terms of the initial Class II directors shall expire at the second annual meeting of the stockholders following the effectiveness of this Certificate. The initial terms of the initial Class III directors shall expire at the third annual meeting of the stockholders following the effectiveness of this Certificate. If the number of directors constituting the Board is changed pursuant to Section 5.2, any resulting increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board among the director classes so as to maintain the proportion of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible.

 

(b) Term. Except as set forth in Section 5.3(a) with respect to the initial terms of the initial directors in the director classes, a director’s term shall expire at the third annual meeting of the stockholders following his or her most recent election or re-election as such. Each director shall hold office until such director’s successor is elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. Any director may resign at any time upon notice to the Corporation given in writing by any electronic transmission permitted in the Corporation’s Bylaws or in accordance with applicable law. In the event of any increase or decrease in the authorized number of directors each director then serving as such shall nevertheless continue as a director of the class of which he or she is a member.

 

(c) Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 5.3(a), Section 5.3(b), or Section 5.5, (i) if the stockholders do not re-elect (or elect, with respect to a director appointed by the Board pursuant to Section 5.5) a director upon the expiration of his or her then-current term, he or she shall nonetheless remain in office until the qualification of his or her successor and (ii) a director’s term shall end early upon his or her resignation, removal, or death.

 

Section 5.4 Election. At the Corporation’s annual meeting of the stockholders at which a quorum is present, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present, in person or represented by proxy, at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. The immediately preceding sentence is subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock. Unless required by the Bylaws, the directors need not be elected by written ballot.

 

Section 5.5 Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from a director’s resignation, removal, or death may be filled solely and exclusively by the vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office (or, if applicable, the sole remaining director), even if such directors constitute less than a quorum. Any director so appointed shall hold office until the expiration of the remaining full term of the class of directors to which the new directorship was added or in which the vacancy occurred, subject to Section 5.3(c).

 

Section 5.6 Removal. Any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of 66.67% of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Notwithstanding any other provisions of applicable law, this Certificate, or the Bylaws that may otherwise permit a lesser vote of the stockholders, but in addition to any vote of the holders of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by any non-waivable provision of applicable law or this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of 66.67% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon shall be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Section 5.6.

 

Section 5.7 Preferred Stock-Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V, and except as otherwise required by any non-waivable provision of applicable law, whenever the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect one or more directors, the term of office, the filling of vacancies, the removal from office and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of such series of the Preferred Stock as set forth in this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) and such directors shall not be included in any of the classes created pursuant to this Article V unless expressly provided by such terms.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

BYLAWS

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by the DGCL, and subject to the terms of any series of outstanding Preferred Stock, the Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter, or repeal the Bylaws by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors. The stockholders may not adopt, amend, alter, or repeal the Bylaws, or adopt any provision inconsistent therewith, unless such action is approved, in addition to any other vote required by this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), by the affirmative vote of the holders of 66.67% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock entitled to vote thereon. Notwithstanding any other provisions of applicable law, this Certificate, or the Bylaws that may otherwise permit a lesser vote of the stockholders, but in addition to any vote of the holders of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by any non-waivable provision of applicable law or this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of 66.67% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon shall be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Article VI.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS; NO ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT

 

Section 7.1 Special Meetings. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and the ability of the stockholders of the Corporation to call a special meeting is hereby specifically denied. Except as provided in the foregoing sentence, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may not be called by another person or persons.

 

Section 7.2 Advance Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

 

Section 7.3 Effectuation; No Action by Written Consent. Except as may be otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) relating to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be effected only at a duly called annual or special meeting of the stockholders and may not be effected by any written consent in lieu thereof by such stockholders.

 

Section 7.4 Modification. Notwithstanding any other provisions of applicable law, this Certificate, or the Bylaws that may otherwise permit a lesser vote of the stockholders, but in addition to any vote of the holders of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by any non-waivable provision of applicable law or this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of 66.67% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon shall be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Article VII.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 8.1. Limitation of Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, a director or officer shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except for liability (a) for any breach of the director’s or officer’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (b) for acts or omissions not made in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (c) in the case of directors, under Section 174 of the DGCL; or (d) for any transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit. Any amendment, modification, or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification, or repeal. If the DGCL is amended after the date hereof to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors or officers, then the liability of a director or officer shall be further eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as so amended, automatically and without further action, upon the date of such amendment.

 

 

 

 

Section 8.2 Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.

 

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending, or completed 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 officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise, or nonprofit entity, including, without limitation, 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, or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes, and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by any non-waivable provision of the DGCL, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 8.2 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section 8.2 are contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors, and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2(a), except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an 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.

 

(b) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this Section 8.2 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under applicable law, this Certificate, the Bylaws, an agreement, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

(c) Any repeal or amendment of this Section 8.2 arising for any reason shall, unless otherwise required by any non-waivable provision of applicable law or by the express provisions of such repeal or amendment, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced, or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

 

(d) This Section 8.2 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by applicable law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

AMENDMENTS TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

This Certificate may not be amended, amended and restated, or repealed except with the approval of the Board and, except as otherwise set forth in this Certificate, with the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of the Common Stock entitled to vote thereon; provided, however, that the foregoing is subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by any non-waivable provision of applicable law or this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), holders of shares of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate (including any amendment to any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series of Preferred Stock are entitled exclusively, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or the DGCL.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

 

EXCLUSIVE FORUM

 

Section 10.1 Forum.

 

(a) Claims Arising Under State Law. Subject to Section 10.1(b), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and absent the Corporation’s express written consent to an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including any beneficial owner thereof) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation; (ii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim of, or a claim based on, a 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 or proceeding asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this Certificate, or the Bylaws (including, without limitation, with respect to the interpretation, validity, or enforceability of any provision hereof or thereof); or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

 

(b) Claims Arising Under Federal Law. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and absent the Corporation’s express written consent to an alternative forum, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Section 10.2 Consent to Jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 10.1 is filed in a court other than in accordance therewith (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder (or a beneficial owner thereof), such stockholder or beneficial owner, as applicable, shall be deemed to have consented to (a) the personal jurisdiction of the state located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 10.1(a) or the personal jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 10.1(b) (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (b) having service of process made upon him, her, or it in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such his, her, or its counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder or beneficial owner, as applicable.

 

Section 10.3 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article X shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article X (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article X 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 persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article X.

 

Section 10.4 Deemed Notice. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to this Article X.

 

Section 10.5 Modification. Notwithstanding any other provisions of applicable law, this Certificate, or the Bylaws that may otherwise permit a lesser vote of the stockholders, but in addition to any vote of the holders of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by any non-waivable provision of applicable law or this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of 66.67% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon shall be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Article X.

 

***

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, [__] has caused this Certificate of Incorporation to be duly executed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf by an authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

[__]
   
By:    
Name: [__]
Title: [Chief Executive Officer]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Form of Purchaser Bylaws upon Domestication

 

BY LAWS

 

OF

 

[__]

 

(THE “CORPORATION”)

 

ARTICLE I

 

OFFICES

 

Section 1.1. Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation within the State of Delaware shall be located at either (a) the principal place of business of the Corporation in the State of Delaware or (b) the office of the corporation or individual acting as the Corporation’s registered agent in Delaware.

 

Section 1.2. Additional Offices. The Corporation may, in addition to its registered office in the State of Delaware, have such other offices and places of business, both within and outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or as the business and affairs of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II

 

STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS

 

Section 2.1. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a). At each annual meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote on such matters shall elect those directors of the Corporation to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of such annual meeting and may transact any other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

 

Section 2.2. Special Meetings. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of the preferred stock of the Corporation (“Preferred Stock”), and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called only by the Chairman of the Board or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and may not be called by any other person. Special meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a).

 

Section 2.3. Notices. Written notice of each stockholders meeting stating the place, if any, date, and time of the meeting, and 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 the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, shall be given in the manner permitted by Section 9.3 to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, by the Corporation not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting unless otherwise required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). If said notice is for a stockholders meeting other than an annual meeting, it shall in addition state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, and the business transacted at such meeting shall be limited to the matters so stated in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto). Any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be postponed, and any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be cancelled, by the Board upon public announcement (as defined in Section 2.7(c)) given before the date previously scheduled for such meeting.

 

 

 

 

Section 2.4. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as the same may be amended or restated from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) or these By Laws, the presence, in person or by proxy, at a stockholders meeting of the holders of shares of outstanding capital stock of the Corporation representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. If a quorum shall not be present or represented by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.6 until a quorum shall attend. The stockholders present at a duly convened meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Shares of its own stock belonging to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or any such other corporation to vote shares held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

 

Section 2.5. Voting of Shares.

 

(a) Voting Lists. The Secretary of the Corporation (the “Secretary”) shall prepare, or shall cause the officer or agent who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation to prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at such meeting; provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, 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 and the number and class of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this Section 2.5(a) shall require the Corporation 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, during ordinary business hours 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 principal place of business of the Corporation. 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. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If a meeting of stockholders is to be held solely by means of remote communication as permitted by Section 9.5(a), the list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of meeting. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list required by this Section 2.5(a) or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

(b) Manner of Voting. At any stockholders meeting, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy. If authorized by the Board, the voting by stockholders or proxy holders at any meeting conducted by remote communication may be effected by a ballot submitted by electronic transmission (as defined in Section 9.3), provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which the Corporation can determine that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder or proxy holder. The Board, in its discretion, or the chairman of the meeting of stockholders, in such person’s discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.

 

(c) Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Proxies need not be filed with the Secretary until the meeting is called to order, but shall be filed with the Secretary before being voted. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy, either of the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority. No stockholder shall have cumulative voting rights.

 

(i) A stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the stockholder or such stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing such person’s signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means, including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.

 

 

 

 

(ii) A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of an electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission authorizing another person or persons to act as proxy for a stockholder may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used; provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

 

(d) Required Vote. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, at all meetings of stockholders at which a quorum is present, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. All other matters presented to the stockholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, unless the matter is one upon which, by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws or applicable stock exchange rules, a different vote is required, in which case such provision shall govern and control the decision of such matter.

 

(e) Inspectors of Election. The Board may, and shall if required by law, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more persons as inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation or otherwise serve the Corporation in other capacities, to act at such meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Board may appoint one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspectors of election or alternates are appointed by the Board, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of outstanding shares and the voting power of each; determine the number of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; count all votes and ballots and report the results; determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election. Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors.

 

Section 2.6. Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned by the chairman of the meeting, from time to time, whether or not there is a quorum, to reconvene at the same or some other place. Notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the date, time, and place, if any, thereof, and 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 adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the stockholders, or the holders of any class or series of stock entitled to vote separately as a class, as the case may be, may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, 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 stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 9.2, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

Section 2.7. Advance Notice for Business.

 

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either (i) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote at such annual meeting on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.7(a) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a). Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.7(a) to the contrary, only persons nominated for election as a director to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of the annual meeting pursuant to Section 3.2 will be considered for election at such meeting.

 

 

 

 

(i) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business (other than nominations) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary and such business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. Subject to Section 2.7(a)(iii), a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to such business, to be timely, must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made by the Corporation. The public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 2.7(a).

 

(ii) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to any business (other than nominations) must set forth as to each such matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event such business includes a proposal to amend these By Laws, the language of the proposed amendment) and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (B) the name and record address of such stockholder and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (D) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder, (E) any material interest of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made in such business and (F) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.

 

(iii) The foregoing notice requirements of this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder as to any proposal (other than nominations) if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of such stockholder’s intention to present such proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and such stockholder has complied with the requirements of such Rule for inclusion of such proposal in a proxy statement prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a), provided, however, that once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. If the Board or the chairman of the annual meeting determines that any stockholder proposal was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.7(a) or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this Section 2.7(a), such proposal shall not be presented for action at the annual meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.7(a), if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the proposed business, such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such matter may have been received by the Corporation.

 

(iv) In addition to the provisions of this Section 2.7(a), a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

 

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting only pursuant to Section 3.2.

 

(c) Public Announcement. For purposes of these By Laws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (or any successor thereto).

 

Section 2.8. Conduct of Meetings. The chairman of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, such other person as shall be appointed by the Board. 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 chairman of the meeting. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with these By Laws or such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (e) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The secretary of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Secretary or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary so appointed to act by the chairman of the meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 2.9. Action Without Meeting. No action shall be taken by the stockholders except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with these By Laws, and no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent or electronic transmission.

 

ARTICLE III

 

DIRECTORS

 

Section 3.1. Powers; Number. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By Laws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Directors need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, the number of directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolution of the Board.

 

Section 3.2. Advance Notice for Nomination of Directors.

 

(a) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided by the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock with respect to the rights of holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock to elect directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors as set forth in the Corporation’s notice of such special meeting, may be made (i) by or at the direction of the Board or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote in the election of directors on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 3.2 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.2.

 

 

 

 

(b) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made by the Corporation; and (ii) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 3.2.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything in paragraph (b) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is greater than the number of directors whose terms expire on the date of the annual meeting and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for the additional directors to be elected or specifying the size of the increased Board before the close of business on the 90th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 3.2 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships created by such increase that are to be filled by election at such annual meeting, if it shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date on which such public announcement was first made by the Corporation.

 

(d) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (D) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (A) the name and record address of such stockholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (B) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (C) a description of all arrangements or understandings relating to the nomination to be made by such stockholder among such stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names), (D) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (E) any other information relating to such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee, to serve as a director if elected, to the Corporation’s engaging in a background check of such nominee (including through a third party investigation firm), and information reasonably necessary to complete such a background check, in a manner consistent with background checks customarily engaged in by the Corporation for prospective new members of the Board of Directors, and to requests for information and regulatory filings and disclosures reasonably requested by the Board in connection with any regulations applicable to, or licenses held by, the Corporation.

 

 

 

 

(e) If the Board or the chairman of the meeting of stockholders determines that any nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.2, or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this Section 3.2, then such nomination shall not be considered at the meeting in question. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.2, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the nomination, such nomination shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nomination may have been received by the Corporation.

 

(f) In addition to the provisions of this Section 3.2, a stockholder shall also comply with all of the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 3.2 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 3.3. Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors, including for service on a committee of the Board, and may be paid either a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or other compensation as director. The directors may be reimbursed their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of committees of the Board may be allowed like compensation and reimbursement of expenses for service on the committee.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

BOARD MEETINGS

 

Section 4.1. Annual Meetings. The Board shall meet as soon as practicable after the adjournment of each annual stockholders meeting at the place of the annual stockholders meeting unless the Board shall fix another time and place and give notice thereof in the manner required herein for special meetings of the Board. No notice to the directors shall be necessary to legally convene this meeting, except as provided in this Section 4.1.

 

Section 4.2. Regular Meetings. Regularly scheduled, periodic meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such times, dates and places (within or without the State of Delaware) as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.

 

Section 4.3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board (a) may be called by the Chairman of the Board or President and (b) shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, President or Secretary on the written request of at least a majority of directors then in office, or the sole director, as the case may be, and shall be held at such time, date and place (within or without the State of Delaware) as may be determined by the person calling the meeting or, if called upon the request of directors or the sole director, as specified in such written request. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given, as provided in Section 9.3, to each director (i) at least 24 hours before the meeting if such notice is oral notice given personally or by telephone or written notice given by hand delivery or by means of a form of electronic transmission and delivery; (ii) at least two days before the meeting if such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service; and (iii) at least five days before the meeting if such notice is sent through the United States mail. If the Secretary shall fail or refuse to give such notice, then the notice may be given by the officer who called the meeting or the directors who requested the meeting. Any and all business that may be transacted at a regular meeting of the Board may be transacted at a special meeting. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By Laws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. A special meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 9.4.

 

Section 4.4. Quorum; Required Vote. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

 

 

 

 

Section 4.5. Consent In Lieu of Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions (or paper reproductions thereof) are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

Section 4.6. Organization. The chairman of each meeting of the Board shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, a chairman elected from the directors present. The Secretary shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary at such meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

ARTICLE V

 

COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.1. Establishment. The Board may by resolution of the Board designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required by the resolution designating such committee. The Board shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee.

 

Section 5.2. Available Powers. Any committee established pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, to the extent permitted by applicable law and by resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all of 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.

 

Section 5.3. Alternate Members. 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 such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

Section 5.4. Procedures. Unless the Board otherwise provides, the time, date, place, if any, and notice of meetings of a committee shall be determined by such committee. At meetings of a committee, a majority of the number of members of the committee (but not including any alternate member, unless such alternate member has replaced any absent or disqualified member at the time of, or in connection with, such meeting) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee, except as otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws or the Board. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of a committee, the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. Unless the Board otherwise provides and except as provided in these By Laws, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board is authorized to conduct its business pursuant to Article III and Article IV of these By Laws.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

OFFICERS

 

Section 6.1. Officers. The officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary and such other officers (including, without limitation, a Chairman of the Board, a President, Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers) as the Board from time to time may determine. Officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article VI. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer or President may also appoint such other officers (including without limitation one or more Vice Presidents and Controllers) as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers shall have such powers and duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as may be provided in these By Laws or as may be prescribed by the Board or, if such officer has been appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as may be prescribed by the appointing officer.

 

 

 

 

(a) Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall have general supervision and control of the acquisition activities of the Corporation subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board shall not include supervision or control of the preparation of the financial statements of the Corporation (other than through participation as a member of the Board). The position of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.

 

(b) Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation and general control of all of its business subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters, except to the extent any such powers and duties have been prescribed to the Chairman of the Board pursuant to Section 6.1(a) above. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The position of Chief Executive Officer and President may be held by the same person.

 

(c) President. The President shall make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer on all operational matters that would normally be reserved for the final executive responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the President (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The President shall also perform such duties and have such powers as shall be designated by the Board. The position of President and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.

 

(d) Vice Presidents. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the Board) shall perform the duties and have the powers of the President. Any one or more of the Vice Presidents may be given an additional designation of rank or function.

 

(e) Secretary.

 

(i) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders, the Board and (as required) committees of the Board and shall record the proceedings of such meetings in books to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and the Secretary, or any Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing thereof by his or her signature.

 

(ii) The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, if one has been appointed, a stock ledger, or duplicate stock ledger, showing the names of the stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each and, with respect to certificated shares, the number and date of certificates issued for the same and the number and date of certificates cancelled.

 

(f) Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretary or, if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, perform the duties and have the powers of the Secretary.

 

(g) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform all duties commonly incident to that office (including, without limitation, the care and custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, which from time to time may come into the Chief Financial Officer’s hands and the deposit of the funds of the Corporation in such banks or trust companies as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may authorize).

 

 

 

 

(h) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Financial Officer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

Section 6.2. Term of Office; Removal; Vacancies. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Board and shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified by the Board or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal from office. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the Board. Any officer appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may also be removed, with or without cause, by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as the case may be, unless the Board otherwise provides. Any vacancy occurring in any elected office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may be filled by the Chief Executive Officer, or President, as the case may be, unless the Board then determines that such office shall thereupon be elected by the Board, in which case the Board shall elect such officer.

 

Section 6.3. Other Officers. The Board may delegate the power to appoint such other officers and agents, and may also remove such officers and agents or delegate the power to remove same, as it shall from time to time deem necessary or desirable.

 

Section 6.4. Multiple Officeholders; Stockholder and Director Officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws otherwise provide. Officers need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

SHARES

 

Section 7.1. Certificated and Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, subject to the sole discretion of the Board and the requirements of the DGCL.

 

Section 7.2. Multiple Classes of Stock. If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the Corporation shall (a) cause the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights to be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of any certificate that the Corporation issues to represent shares of such class or series of stock or (b) in the case of uncertificated shares, within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of such shares, send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth on certificates as specified in clause (a) above; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided by applicable law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of such certificate or, in the case of uncertificated shares, on such written notice a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights.

 

Section 7.3. Signatures. Each certificate representing capital stock of the Corporation shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by (a) the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President and (b) the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation. Any or all 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 shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar on the date of issue.

 

Section 7.4. Consideration and Payment for Shares.

 

(a) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares of stock may be issued for such consideration, having in the case of shares with par value a value not less than the par value thereof, and to such persons, as determined from time to time by the Board. The consideration may consist of any tangible or intangible property or any benefit to the Corporation including cash, promissory notes, services performed, contracts for services to be performed or other securities, or any combination thereof.

 

 

 

 

(b) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares may not be issued until the full amount of the consideration has been paid, unless upon the face or back of each certificate issued to represent any partly paid shares of capital stock or upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of partly paid uncertificated shares, there shall have been set forth the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon up to and including the time said certificate representing certificated shares or said uncertificated shares are issued.

 

Section 7.5. Lost, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificates.

 

(a) If an owner of a certificate representing shares claims that such certificate has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form if the owner: (i) requests such a new certificate before the Corporation has notice that the certificate representing such shares has been acquired by a protected purchaser; (ii) if requested by the Corporation, delivers to the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, wrongful taking or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares; and (iii) satisfies other reasonable requirements imposed by the Corporation.

 

(b) If a certificate representing shares has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the owner fails to notify the Corporation of that fact within a reasonable time after the owner has notice of such loss, apparent destruction or wrongful taking and the Corporation registers a transfer of such shares before receiving notification, the owner shall be precluded from asserting against the Corporation any claim for registering such transfer or a claim to a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form.

 

Section 7.6. Transfer of Stock.

 

(a) If a certificate representing shares of the Corporation is presented to the Corporation with an endorsement requesting the registration of transfer of such shares or an instruction is presented to the Corporation requesting the registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall register the transfer as requested if:

 

(i) in the case of certificated shares, the certificate representing such shares has been surrendered;

 

(ii) (A) with respect to certificated shares, the endorsement is made by the person specified by the certificate as entitled to such shares; (B) with respect to uncertificated shares, an instruction is made by the registered owner of such uncertificated shares; or (C) with respect to certificated shares or uncertificated shares, the endorsement or instruction is made by any other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of the appropriate person;

 

(iii) the Corporation has received a guarantee of signature of the person signing such endorsement or instruction or such other reasonable assurance that the endorsement or instruction is genuine and authorized as the Corporation may request;

 

(iv) the transfer does not violate any restriction on transfer imposed by the Corporation that is enforceable in accordance with Section 7.8(a); and

 

(v) such other conditions for such transfer as shall be provided for under applicable law have been satisfied.

 

(b) Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security and not absolutely, the Corporation shall so record such fact in the entry of transfer if, when the certificate for such shares is presented to the Corporation for transfer or, if such shares are uncertificated, when the instruction for registration of transfer thereof is presented to the Corporation, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.

 

Section 7.7. Registered Stockholders. Before due presentment for registration of transfer of a certificate representing shares of the Corporation or of an instruction requesting registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person exclusively entitled to inspect for any proper purpose the stock ledger and the other books and records of the Corporation, vote such shares, receive dividends or notifications with respect to such shares and otherwise exercise all the rights and powers of the owner of such shares, except that a person who is the beneficial owner of such shares (if held in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person) may, upon providing documentary evidence of beneficial ownership of such shares and satisfying such other conditions as are provided under applicable law, may also so inspect the books and records of the Corporation.

 

 

 

 

Section 7.8. Effect of the Corporation’s Restriction on Transfer.

 

(a) A written restriction on the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, if permitted by the DGCL and noted conspicuously on the certificate representing such shares or, in the case of uncertificated shares, contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares, may be enforced against the holder of such shares or any successor or transferee of the holder including an executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of the holder.

 

(b) A restriction imposed by the Corporation on the transfer or the registration of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, even if otherwise lawful, is ineffective against a person without actual knowledge of such restriction unless: (i) the shares are certificated and such restriction is noted conspicuously on the certificate; or (ii) the shares are uncertificated and such restriction was contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares.

 

Section 7.9. Regulations. The Board shall have power and authority to make such additional rules and regulations, subject to any applicable requirement of law, as the Board may deem necessary and appropriate with respect to the issue, transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock or certificates representing shares. The Board may appoint one or more transfer agents or registrars and may require for the validity thereof that certificates representing shares bear the signature of any transfer agent or registrar so appointed.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 8.1. Right to Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such proceeding; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 8.3 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify an 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.

 

Section 8.2. Right to Advancement of Expenses. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 8.1, an Indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law the expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such Indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon the Corporation’s receipt of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or otherwise.

 

 

 

 

Section 8.3. Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. 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 also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by an Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (b) in 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 judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. 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 set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including a determination by 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, shall 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 hereunder, 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, under this Article VIII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

 

Section 8.4. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights provided to any Indemnitee pursuant to this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right, which such Indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws, an agreement, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

Section 8.5. Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

Section 8.6. Indemnification of Other Persons. This Article VIII shall not limit the right of the Corporation to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Indemnitees. Without limiting the foregoing, the Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation and to any other person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of Indemnitees under this Article VIII.

 

Section 8.7. Amendments. Any repeal or amendment of this Article VIII by the Board or the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provision of these By Laws inconsistent with this Article VIII, will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in applicable law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights to Indemnitees on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision; provided however, that amendments or repeals of this Article VIII shall require the affirmative vote of the stockholders holding at least 66.7% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

 

Section 8.8. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VIII, (a) references to “other enterprise” shall include any employee benefit plan; (b) references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; (c) references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service that imposes duties on, or involves services by, a person with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and (d) a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interest of the Corporation” for purposes of Section 145 of the DGCL.

 

 

 

 

Section 8.9. Contract Rights. The rights provided to Indemnitees pursuant to this Article VIII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, agent or employee and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

 

Section 8.10. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VIII shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of this Article VIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.1. Place of Meetings. If the place of any meeting of stockholders, the Board or committee of the Board for which notice is required under these By Laws is not designated in the notice of such meeting, such meeting shall be held at the principal business office of the Corporation; provided, however, if the Board has, in its sole discretion, determined that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but instead shall be held by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5 hereof, then such meeting shall not be held at any place.

 

Section 9.2. Fixing Record Dates.

 

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 60 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 and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business 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 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 with the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.2(a) at the adjourned meeting.

 

(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose 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.

 

Section 9.3. Means of Giving Notice.

 

(a) Notice to Directors. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws notice is required to be given to any director, such notice shall be given either (i) in writing and sent by mail, or by a nationally recognized delivery service, (ii) by means of facsimile telecommunication or other form of electronic transmission, or (iii) by oral notice given personally or by telephone. A notice to a director will be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, orally, or by telephone, when actually received by the director, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iv) if sent by facsimile telecommunication, when sent to the facsimile transmission number for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, (v) if sent by electronic mail, when sent to the electronic mail address for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, or (vi) if sent by any other form of electronic transmission, when sent to the address, location or number (as applicable) for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation.

 

 

 

 

(b) Notice to Stockholders. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws notice is required to be given to any stockholder, such notice may be given (i) in writing and sent either by hand delivery, through the United States mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or (ii) by means of a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder, to the extent permitted by, and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 232 of the DGCL. A notice to a stockholder shall be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, when actually received by the stockholder, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, and (iv) if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given and otherwise meeting the requirements set forth above, (A) if by facsimile transmission, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (B) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (C) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specified posting, upon the later of (1) such posting and (2) the giving of such separate notice, and (D) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent to receiving notice by means of electronic communication by giving written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (2) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or to the Corporation’s transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

 

(c) Electronic Transmission. “Electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process, including but not limited to transmission by telex, facsimile telecommunication, electronic mail, telegram and cablegram.

 

(d) Notice to Stockholders Sharing Same Address. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively by the Corporation to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent by delivering written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send such a single written notice shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.

 

(e) Exceptions to Notice Requirements. Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.

 

 

 

 

Whenever notice is required to be given by the Corporation, under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, to any stockholder to whom (1) notice of two consecutive annual meetings of stockholders and all notices of stockholder meetings or of the taking of action by written consent of stockholders without a meeting to such stockholder during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (2) all, and at least two payments (if sent by first-class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a 12-month period, have been mailed addressed to such stockholder at such stockholder’s address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such stockholder shall not be required. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to such stockholder shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth such stockholder’s then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such stockholder shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate need not state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice was not required to be given pursuant to Section 230(b) of the DGCL. The exception in subsection (1) of the first sentence of this paragraph to the requirement that notice be given shall not be applicable to any notice returned as undeliverable if the notice was given by electronic transmission.

 

Section 9.4. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By Laws, a written waiver of such notice, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to such required notice. All such waivers shall be kept with the books of the Corporation. Attendance at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a person attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 9.5. Meeting Attendance via Remote Communication Equipment.

 

(a) Stockholder Meetings. If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:

 

(i) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and

 

(ii) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (A) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxy holder, (B) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and, if entitled to vote, to vote on matters submitted to the applicable stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (C) if any stockholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such votes or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

 

(b) Board Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 9.6. Dividends. The Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends (payable in cash, property or shares of the Corporation’s capital stock) on the Corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock, subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 9.7. Reserves. The Board may set apart out of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.

 

Section 9.8. Contracts and Negotiable Instruments. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument may be executed and delivered in the name and on behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers or other employee or employees of the Corporation as the Board may from time to time authorize. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board may determine. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may delegate powers to execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation to other officers or employees of the Corporation under such person’s supervision and authority, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.

 

 

 

 

Section 9.9. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board.

 

Section 9.10. Seal. The Board may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be in such form as the Board determines. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or otherwise reproduced.

 

Section 9.11. Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept within or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board.

 

Section 9.12. Resignation. Any director, committee member or officer may resign by giving notice thereof in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. The resignation shall take effect at the time it is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

Section 9.13. Surety Bonds. Such officers, employees and agents of the Corporation (if any) as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may direct, from time to time, shall be bonded for the faithful performance of their duties and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of their death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in their possession or under their control belonging to the Corporation, in such amounts and by such surety companies as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may determine. The premiums on such bonds shall be paid by the Corporation and the bonds so furnished shall be in the custody of the Secretary.

 

Section 9.14. The Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws. The By Laws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66.67% of the voting power (except as otherwise provided in Section 8.7) of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws.

 

Section 9.15. Federal Forum. In supplement to, not in replacement of, and, except as otherwise specifically provided in, the Certificate of Incorporation, unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America, and specifically the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Exchange Act, Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act or Securities Act. If any action the subject matter of which is (i) within the scope of Section 12.1 of the Certificate of Incorporation is filed in the name of any stockholder in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware or (ii) outside the scope of Section 12.1 of the Certificate of Incorporation by virtue of the second sentence thereof is filed in the name of any stockholder in a court other than the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the foregoing (i) and (ii), each a “Foreign Action”), such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (a) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 12.1 of the Certificate of Incorporation, (b) the personal jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce this Section 9.15 (the foregoing (a) and (b) each a “FSC Enforcement Action”), and (c) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

Form of Certificate of Merger

 

STATE OF DELAWARE
CERTIFICATE OF MERGER OF
domestic limited liability company INTO
DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

Pursuant to Title 6, Section 18-209(c) of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, the undersigned limited liability company executed the following Certificate of Merger:

 

FIRST: The name of the surviving limited liability company is ONE Nuclear Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Surviving Limited Liability Company”) and the name of the limited liability company being merged with and into the Surviving Limited Liability Company is Solis Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Merging Limited Liability Company”).

 

SECOND: The Agreement of Merger has been approved and executed by each of the constituent entities in accordance with Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.

 

THIRD: The name of the surviving Delaware limited liability company is ONE Nuclear Energy, LLC.

 

FOURTH: The merger is to become effective upon filing of this Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State.

 

FIFTH: The Agreement and Plan of Merger is on file at 700 S. Rosemary Ave, Suite 204, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, the place of business of the Surviving Limited Liability Company.

 

SIXTH: A copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger will be furnished by the Surviving Limited Liability Company on request, without cost, to any member of the Surviving Limited Liability Company or Merging Limited Liability Company.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said Surviving Limited Liability Company has caused this Certificate of Merger to be signed by the undersigned authorized person, this [●]th day of [●], 2025.

 

  ONE Nuclear Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
     
  By:      
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Signature Page to Delaware Certificate of Merger

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [___], 202[_], is made and entered into by and among [___], a Delaware corporation (formerly known as Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VII, a Cayman Islands exempted company) (the “Company”), HC VII Sponsor LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC (“Cohen”), Loop Capital Markets LLC (“Loop Capital”) and Clear Street LLC (“Clear Street” and, together with Cohen and Loop Capital, the “IPO Underwriters”), each of the undersigned parties listed under “Other Existing Holders” on the signature pages hereto (each such party, together with the Sponsor and the IPO Underwriters, the “Existing Holders”) and each of the undersigned parties listed under “New Holders” on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the “New Holders” and collectively with the Existing Holders and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement, the “Holders” and each a “Holder”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Amended & Restated Founder Share Subscription Agreement, dated as of January 10, 2025, by and between the Company and the Sponsor, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 6,333,333 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Ordinary Shares”), of the Company (after giving effect to the required forfeitures);

 

WHEREAS, the Sponsor subsequently transferred an aggregate of 1,130,000 Class B Ordinary Shares to the Company’s initial independent directors and executive officers;

 

WHEREAS, the Class B Ordinary Shares were convertible into the Company’s Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Ordinary Shares”), on the terms and conditions provided in the Company’s previous amended and restated memorandum and articles of association;

 

WHEREAS, on January 16, 2025, the Sponsor and the IPO Underwriters each entered into a private placement unit purchase agreement, pursuant to which the Sponsor and the IPO Underwriters purchased an aggregate of 690,000 private placement units (the “Private Placement Units”), each unit consisting of one Class A Ordinary Share and one share right (the “Private Placement Share Right”) to receive one-twelfth (1/12) of one Class A Ordinary Share upon the consummation of the Company’s initial business combination, in a private placement transaction occurring simultaneously with the closing of the Company’s initial public offering;

 

WHEREAS, the Company entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of October 22, 2025 (the “Business Combination Agreement”), with ONE Nuclear Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Old One Nuclear”), and Solis Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a former wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, among other things, on or about the date hereof, (a) each then issued and outstanding Class B Ordinary Share converted automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one Class A Ordinary Share (the “Sponsor Share Conversion”); (b) after the Sponsor Share Conversion, the Company transferred by way of continuation and deregistration to and domesticated as a Delaware corporation in accordance with Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and Part 12, Section 206 of the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands (such continuation and domestication, the “Domestication”); (c) immediately following the Sponsor Share Conversion, in connection with, and after giving effect to, the Domestication, (i) each then issued and outstanding Class A Ordinary Share converted automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one share of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), (ii) each then issued and outstanding right of the Company, including the Private Placement Share Rights, converted automatically into a right to acquire one-twelfth (1/12) of one share of Common Stock upon consummation of a business combination (each a “Domesticated Company Right”), and (iii) each then issued and outstanding unit of the Company, including the Private Placement Units, were cancelled and one share of Common Stock and one Domesticated Company Right were issued in respect thereof; and (d) the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement were consummated (the “Closing”), including that (i) Merger Sub merged with and into Old One Nuclear (the “Merger”), with Old One Nuclear surviving the Merger and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and (ii) the Domesticated Company Rights were automatically surrendered in exchange for one share of Common Stock for each twelve Domesticated Company Rights;

 

 

 

 

[WHEREAS, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of the Company’s officers and directors loaned to the Company $[___], of which [up to $2,500,000 of such loans] were converted into private placement units at a price of $10.00 per private placement unit immediately prior to the Domestication, which underlying shares and rights of the Company were ultimately converted into [___] shares of Common Stock at the Closing (“Working Capital Shares”);]1

 

WHEREAS, each of the Company and the Existing Holders is a party to, and hereby consents to, this amendment and restatement of that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 16, 2025 (the “Existing Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company granted the Existing Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth therein; and

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, the Company and the Holders desire to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company will grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

Article I
DEFINITIONS

 

1.1 Definitions. The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or principal financial officer of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the case of any prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, and (iii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.

 

 

1 Note to Draft: References to Working Capital Units to be included if issued prior to the Closing.

 

2

 

 

Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

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

 

Business Combination Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law or regulation to close in the City of New York, New York.

 

Class A Ordinary Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Class B Ordinary Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Closing” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Demand Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.2.

 

Demanding Holder” shall mean any Holder or group of Holders that (in the case of a group of Holders, together) elects to dispose of Registrable Securities having an aggregate value of at least $25 million, at the time of the Underwritten Demand, under a Registration Statement pursuant to an Underwritten Offering.

 

Domesticated Company Right” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

Existing Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

Existing Registration Rights Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Form S-1” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.2.

 

Form S-3” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.3.

 

Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

IPO Underwriters” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.5.

 

Merger” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Merger Sub” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

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Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus (in the case of a Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

 

New Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

Old One Nuclear” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Permitted Transferees” shall mean any person or entity to whom a Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of any applicable transfer restriction period pursuant to an agreement between such Holder and the Company, in each case for so long as such agreements remain in effect, and any transferee thereafter.

 

Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.1.

 

Private Placement Share Right” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Private Placement Units” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

 

Registrable Securities” shall mean (a) all shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to the Domestication, (b) all shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to the Merger (including the Earnout Shares), (c) the shares of Common Stock underlying the Domesticated Company Rights, (d) any outstanding shares of Common Stock (including, without limitation, the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise, exchange or conversion of any other equity security) of the Company held by a Holder from time to time, [(e) any equity securities (including the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any such equity security) of the Company issuable upon conversion of any working capital loans in an amount up to $2,500,000 made to the Company by a Holder (including the Working Capital Shares)] and (f) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such shares of Common Stock by way of a share dividend or share split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (B) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for such securities not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (C) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (D) such securities have been sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated by the Commission); or (E) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.

 

Registration” shall mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.

 

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Registration Expenses” shall mean the out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:

 

(A) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.) and any securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed;

 

(B) reasonable Underwriter expenses (other than fees, commissions or discounts);

 

(C) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);

 

(D) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;

 

(E) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company;

 

(F) reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration; and

 

(G) reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration to be registered for offer and sale in the applicable Registration.

 

Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

Requesting Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.

 

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

 

Shelf Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.

 

Sponsor” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.

 

Sponsor Share Conversion” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.

 

Underwritten Demand” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.

 

Underwritten Registration” or “Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public, including an offering and/or sale of Registrable Securities by any Holder in a block trade or on an underwritten basis (whether firm commitment or otherwise) without substantial marketing efforts prior to pricing, including, without limitation, a same day trade, overnight trade or similar transaction, but excluding a variable price reoffer.

 

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[“Working Capital Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.]

 

Article II
REGISTRATIONS

 

2.1 Shelf Registration and Demand Registration.

 

2.1.1 Shelf Registration. The Company agrees that as promptly as reasonably possible, but in no event later than within thirty (30) days after the Closing, the Company will file with the Commission (at the Company’s sole cost and expense) a Registration Statement registering the resale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities (a “Shelf Registration”). The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective by the Commission as soon as reasonably practicable after the initial filing of the Registration Statement. Subject to the limitations contained in this Agreement, the Company shall effect any Shelf Registration on such appropriate registration form of the Commission (i) as shall be selected by the Company and (ii) as shall permit the resale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities by the Holders pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to the Holders. If at any time a Registration Statement filed with the Commission pursuant to subsection 2.1.1 is effective and a Holder provides written notice to the Company that it intends to effect an offering of all or part of the Registrable Securities included on such Registration Statement, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to amend or supplement such Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to enable such offering to take place in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Shelf Registration filed pursuant to this subsection 2.1.1 to remain effective, and to be supplemented and amended to the extent necessary to ensure that such Shelf Registration is available or, if not available, that another Registration Statement is available, for the resale of all the Registrable Securities held by the Holders until all such Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities.

 

2.1.2 Request for Registration. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.5 and Section 2.4 hereof, to the extent that any Registrable Securities are not registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration a Demanding Holder may make a written demand for Registration of all or part of their Registrable Securities, which written demand shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such Registration and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof (such written demand a “Demand Registration”). The Company shall, within three (3) Business Days of the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, notify, in writing, all other Holders of Registrable Securities of such demand, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration (each such Holder that includes all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration, a “Demand Registration Requesting Holder”) shall so notify the Company, in writing, within five (5) Business Days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. Upon receipt by the Company of any such written notification from one or more Demand Registration Requesting Holder(s) to the Company, such Demand Registration Requesting Holder(s) shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration and the Company shall effect, as soon thereafter as practicable, but not more than forty five (45) days immediately after the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, the Registration of all Registrable Securities requested by the Demanding Holders and Demand Registration Requesting Holders pursuant to such Demand Registration. Under no circumstances shall the Company be obligated to effect more than three (3) Registrations in the aggregate pursuant to Demand Registrations under this subsection 2.1.2, with respect to any or all Registrable Securities; provided, however, that a Registration shall not be counted for such purposes unless a Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration statement that may be available at such time (“Form S-1”) has become effective and all of the Registrable Securities requested by the Demanding Holders and Demand Registration Requesting Holders to be registered on behalf of the Demanding Holders and Demand Registration Requesting Holders (subject to subsection 2.1.5) in such Form S-1 Registration have been sold, in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Agreement. A majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration or a majority-in-interest of the Demand Registration Requesting Holders (if any), pursuant to a Registration under this subsection 2.1.2 shall have the right to withdraw from a Registration pursuant to such Demand Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to the Registration of their Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration prior to its withdrawal.

 

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2.1.3 Effective Registration. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 2.1.2 above or any other part of this Agreement, a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration shall not count as a Registration unless and until (i) the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration has been declared effective by the Commission and (ii) the Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto; provided, further, that if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, an offering of Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration is subsequently interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission, federal or state court or any other governmental agency the Registration Statement with respect to such Registration shall be deemed not to have been declared effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is removed, rescinded or otherwise terminated, and (ii) a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Demand Registration thereafter affirmatively elect to continue with such Registration and accordingly notify the Company in writing, but in no event later than five (5) days, of such election; provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated or required to file another Registration Statement until the Registration Statement that has been previously filed with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration becomes effective or is subsequently terminated.

 

2.1.4 Underwritten Offering. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.5 and Section 2.4 hereof, any Demanding Holder may make a written demand for an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in accordance with subsection 2.1.1 or subsection 2.1.2 (an “Underwritten Demand”) for all or a portion of the Demanding Holder’s Registrable Securities. The Company shall, within three (3) Business Days of the Company’s receipt of the Underwritten Demand, notify, in writing, all other Holders of such demand, and each Holder who thereafter requests to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering pursuant to such Underwritten Demand (each such Holder that requests to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering, a “Requesting Holder”) shall so notify the Company, in writing, within two (2) days (one (1) day if such offering is an overnight or bought Underwritten Offering) after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. Upon receipt by the Company of any such written notification from a Requesting Holder(s), such Requesting Holder(s) shall be entitled to have the designated portion of their Registrable Securities included in such Underwritten Offering pursuant to such Underwritten Demand. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through such Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.1.4 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Demanding Holders initiating such Underwritten Offering, and the Company shall enter into such underwriting agreement and shall take all such other reasonable actions as are requested by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company is not obligated to effect more than an aggregate of three (3) Underwritten Offerings pursuant to this subsection 2.1.4; provided, however, that an Underwritten Offering pursuant to an Underwritten Demand shall not be counted for such purposes unless a Registration Statement that may be available at such time has become effective and all of the Registrable Securities requested by the Requesting Holders and the Demanding Holders to be registered on behalf of the Requesting Holders and the Demanding Holders in such Registration Statement have been sold, in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

 

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2.1.5 Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders, the Demand Registration Requesting Holders (if any) and the Requesting Holders (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders, the Demand Registration Requesting Holders (if any) and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which a Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by any other stockholders who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: (i) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders, the Demand Registration Requesting Holders (if any) and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) holds prior to such Underwritten Registration) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities for the account of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

 

2.1.6 Underwritten Offering Withdrawal. A majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Demand or a majority-in-interest of the Requesting Holders (if any), pursuant to an Underwritten Offering under subsection 2.1.4 shall have the right to withdraw from such Underwritten Offering for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to the Registration of their Registrable Securities pursuant to such Underwritten Offering (or in the case of an Underwritten Registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, prior to the time of pricing of the applicable offering). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with an Underwritten Offering prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.1.6.

 

2.1.7 Holder Information Required for Participation in Underwritten Offering. At least ten (10) Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement pursuant to this Article II, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to notify each Holder in writing (which may be by email) of the information reasonably necessary about the Holder to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities to the extent the Company has not received such information, and received any other reasonably requested agreements or certificates, on or prior to the fifth Business Day prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement pursuant to this Article II.

 

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2.2 Piggyback Registration.

 

2.2.1 Piggyback Rights. If the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the Company including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof), other than a Registration Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for a rights offering or an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company or (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less than five (5) Business Days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such written notice (such Registration a “Piggyback Registration”). The Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and shall use its best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this subsection 2.2.1 to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such Registration and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.2.1 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company. The Company may postpone or withdraw the filing or the effectiveness of a Piggyback Registration at any time in its sole discretion.

 

2.2.2 Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Common Stock that the Company desires to sell, taken together with (i) the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, (ii) the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, and (iii) the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:

 

(a) If the Registration is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 hereof and shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each stockholder holds prior to such Underwritten Registration), which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;

 

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(b) If the Registration is pursuant to a request by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, of such requesting persons or entities, other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 and shares of Common Stock or other equity securities for the account of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each stockholder holds prior to such Underwritten Registration), which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

 

2.2.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration (or in the case of an Underwritten Registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, prior to the time of pricing of the applicable offering). The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons or entities pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.2.3.

 

2.2.4 Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, any Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration effected under Section 2.1 hereof or an Underwritten Offerings pursuant to subsection 2.1.4.

 

2.3 Registrations on Form S-3. The Holders of Registrable Securities may at any time, and from time to time, request in writing that the Company, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission if so requested), register the resale of any or all of their Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or any similar short form registration statement that may be available at such time (“Form S-3”). Within three (3) Business Days of the Company’s receipt of a written request from a Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall promptly give written notice of the proposed Registration on Form S-3 to all other Holders of Registrable Securities, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration on Form S-3 shall so notify the Company, in writing, within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. As soon as practicable thereafter, but not more than twelve (12) days after the Company’s initial receipt of such written request for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall register all or such portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities as are specified in such written request, together with all or such portion of Registrable Securities of any other Holder or Holders joining in such request as are specified in the written notification given by such Holder or Holders; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such Registration pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof if (i) a Form S-3 is not available for such offering; or (ii) the Holders of Registrable Securities, together with the Holders of any other equity securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such Registration, propose to sell the Registrable Securities and such other equity securities (if any) at any aggregate price to the public of less than $25,000,000.

 

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Any request for an underwritten offering pursuant to a Form S-3 shall follow the procedures of Section 2.1 (including Section 2.1.5) but shall not count against the number of long form Demand Registrations that may be made pursuant to Section 2.1.2.

 

2.4 Restrictions on Registration Rights. If (A) during the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date one hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective date of, a Company-initiated Registration and provided that the Company has delivered written notice to the Holders prior to receipt of a Demand Registration pursuant to subsection 2.1.2 and it continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Registration Statement to become effective; (B) the Holders have requested an Underwritten Registration and the Company and the Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite the offer; or (C) in the good faith judgment of the Board such Registration or Underwritten Demand would be seriously detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement or the undertaking of such Underwritten Offering at such time, then in each case the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would be seriously detrimental to the Company for such Registration Statement to be filed or to undertake such Underwritten Offering in the near future and that it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement or undertaking of such Underwritten Offering. In such event, the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than thirty (30) days; provided, however, that the Company shall not defer its obligation in this manner more than once in any 12-month period.

 

2.5 Waiver. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any Holder may notify the Company of its election to waive any and all rights (i) to receive notice of an Underwritten Demand or Piggyback Registration as provided for in this Article II or (ii) to participate in any such Underwritten Offering or Piggyback Registration. As long as any such waiver remains outstanding and has not been rescinded in writing, the Company agrees not to notify any such Holder of any Underwritten Demand or Piggyback Registration or provide any such Holder with any information relating thereto.

 

Article III
COMPANY PROCEDURES

 

3.1 General Procedures. If the Company is required to effect the Registration of Registrable Securities, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:

 

3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission as soon as practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective, including filing a replacement Registration Statement, if necessary, until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold or are no longer outstanding;

 

 

3.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be requested by the Holders or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus or are no longer outstanding;

 

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3.1.3 prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders;

 

3.1.4 prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request and to keep such registration or qualification in effect for so long as such Registration Statement remains in effect and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;

 

3.1.5 use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;

 

3.1.6 provide a transfer agent or share rights agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;

 

3.1.7 advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of any request by the Commission that the Company amend or supplement such Registration Statement or Prospectus or the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its reasonable best efforts to amend and supplement such Registration Statement or Prospectus or prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;

 

3.1.8 at least five (5) days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel, including, without limitation, providing copies promptly upon receipt of any comment letters from the staff of the Commission with respect to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus;

 

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3.1.9 notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4 hereof;

 

3.1.10 permit a representative of the Holders, the Underwriter(s), if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter(s) to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;

 

3.1.11 obtain a “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Registration, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;

 

3.1.12 on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the Holders, the placement agent or sales agent, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the Holders, placement agent, sales agent, or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the participating Holders;

 

3.1.13 in the event of any Underwritten Offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter of such offering;

 

3.1.14 make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), and which requirement will be deemed to be satisfied if the Company timely files complete and accurate information on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act;

 

3.1.15 if the Registration involves the Registration of Registrable Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $25,000,000, use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering; and

 

3.1.16 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders, in connection with such Registration, including, without limitation, making available senior executives of the Company to participate in any due diligence sessions that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering.

 

3.2 Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.

13

 

 

3.3 Requirements for Participation in Underwritten Offerings. No person or entity may participate in any Underwritten Offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person or entity (i) agrees to sell such person’s or entity’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that no Underwriter shall require any Holder to make any representations, warranties or agreements to or with the Company or the Underwriters, other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Holder and such Holder’s intended method of distribution and any other representation required by law, and if, despite the Company’s commercially reasonable efforts, an Underwriter requires any Holder to make additional representations, warranties or agreements with such Underwriter, such Holder may elect not to participate in such Underwritten Offering (but shall not have any claims against the Company as a result of such election). Any liability of such Holder to any Underwriter or other person or entity under such underwriting agreement shall be limited to an amount equal to the proceeds (net of expenses and underwriting discounts and commissions) that it receives from such Underwritten Offering.

 

3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure. Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until he, she or it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until he, she or it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure or would require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time, but in no event more than thirty (30) days, determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. In the event the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.4.

 

3.5 Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell the Registrable Securities held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), including providing any legal opinions. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

 

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3.6 Limitations of Registration Rights. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the IPO Underwriters and/or their respective designees may not exercise their rights under Sections 2.1 and 2.2 hereunder after five (5) and seven (7) years from the commencement of sales relating to the Company’s initial public offering, respectively, and (ii) the IPO Underwriters and/or their respective designees may not exercise their rights under Section 2.1 more than one time.

 

Article IV
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

 

4.1 Indemnification.

 

4.1.1 The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers, directors and agents and each person or entity who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein. The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each person or entity who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder.

 

4.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors, officers and agents and each person or entity who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the total liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each person or entity who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company.

 

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4.1.3 Any person or entity entitled to indemnification herein shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s or entity’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (plus local counsel) for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

 

4.1.4 The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person or entity of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company and each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s indemnification is unavailable for any reason.

 

4.1.5 If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 hereof from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in subsections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this subsection 4.1.5. No person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 from any person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

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Article V
MISCELLANEOUS

 

5.1 Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery or electronic mail. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third Business Day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery or electronic mail, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed, if to the Company, to: ONE Nuclear Energy, LLC, Attn: Richard Taylor and Kevin Dowd, 700 S. Rosemary Ave, Suite 204, and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address or contact information as set forth in the Company’s books and records. Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.

 

5.2 Assignment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.

 

5.2.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.

 

5.2.2 A Holder may assign or delegate such Holder’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to a Permitted Transferee who agrees to become bound by the transfer restrictions applicable to the assigning or delegating Holder, if any, pursuant to any agreement between such Holder and the Company.

 

5.2.3 This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the permitted assigns of the Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees.

 

5.2.4 This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons or entities that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 5.2 hereof.

 

5.2.5 No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 hereof and (ii) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.

 

5.3 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including executed manually or electronically via DocuSign or other similar services and delivered by portable document format (pdf) transmission) in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced.

 

5.4 Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT (I) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS AMONG NEW YORK RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION AND (II) THE VENUE FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT IN NEW YORK COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

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EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.

 

5.5 Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities at the time in question (which majority interest must include the IPO Underwriters if such amendment or modification affects in any way the rights of the IPO Underwriters hereunder), compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects either the Existing Holders as a group or the New Holders as a group, as the case may be, in a manner that is materially adversely different from the New Holders or the Existing Holders, respectively, shall require the consent of at least a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities held by such Existing Holders or a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities held by the New Holders, as applicable, so affected at the time in question; provided, further, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in his, her or its capacity as a holder of Registrable Securities, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.

 

5.6 Other Registration Rights. The Company represents and warrants that no person or entity, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person or entity. Further, the Company represents and warrants that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail. From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall not, without the approval of the Holders of a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any Registrable Securities that would grant such holder or prospective holder any registration rights more favorable in any material respect than those rights granted pursuant to this Agreement.

 

5.7 Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the date as of which (A) all of the Registrable Securities have been sold pursuant to a Registration Statement (but in no event prior to the applicable period referred to in Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission)) or (B) the Holders of all Registrable Securities are permitted to sell the Registrable Securities under Rule 144 (or any similar provision) under the Securities Act without limitation on the amount of securities sold or the manner of sale. The provisions of Section 3.5, Article IV and Article V shall survive any termination.

 

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5.8 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between the parties as to the matters covered herein and supersedes and replaces any prior understanding, agreement or statement of intent, in each case, written or oral, of any and every nature with respect thereto.

 

5.9 Legend Removal. If a Holder holds Registrable Securities that are eligible to be sold without restriction under Rule 144 under the Securities Act (other than the restriction set forth under Rule 144(i)) or pursuant to an effective Registration Statement, then, at such Holder’s request, accompanied by such additional representations and other documents as the Company shall reasonably request, the Company shall cause the Company’s transfer agent to remove any restrictive legend set forth on the Registrable Securities held by such Holder in connection with any sale of such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144 or the effective Registration Statement, as applicable (including, if required or requested by the Company’s transfer agent, by delivering to the Company’s transfer agent a direction letter and opinion of Company counsel), and the Company shall instruct and cause its transfer agent not to require a medallion guarantee in connection with any permitted transfer of Registrable Securities.

 

5.10 Remedies Cumulative. In the event that the Company fails to observe or perform any covenant or agreement to be observed or performed under this Agreement, the Holders may proceed to protect and enforce their rights by suit in equity or action at law, whether for specific performance of any term contained in this Agreement or for an injunction against the breach of any such term or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Agreement or to enforce any other legal or equitable right, or to take any one or more of such actions, without being required to post a bond. None of the rights, powers or remedies conferred under this Agreement shall be mutually exclusive, and each such right, power or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any other right, power or remedy, whether conferred by this Agreement or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

 

5.11 Waivers and Extensions. Any party to this Agreement may waive any right, breach or default which such party has the right to waive, provided that such waiver will not be effective against the waiving party unless it is in writing, is signed by such party, and specifically refers to this Agreement. Waivers may be made in advance or after the right waived has arisen or the breach or default waived has occurred. Any waiver may be conditional. No waiver of any breach of any agreement or provision herein contained shall be deemed a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach thereof nor of any other agreement or provision herein contained. No waiver or extension of time for performance of any obligations or acts shall be deemed a waiver or extension of the time for performance of any other obligations or acts.

 

[Signature pages follow]

 

19

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:
   
 

[___],

a Delaware Corporation

   
  By:

          

  Name:  
  Title:  

 

  SPONSOR:
 
 

HC VII Sponsor LLC,

a Nevada limited liability company

   
  By:

 

  Name: Daniel J. Hennessy
  Title: Managing Member

 

IPO UNDERWRITERS:
   
  Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC
   
  By:

 

  Name:  
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

  Loop Capital Markets LLC
   
  By:

 

  Name:  
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

  Clear Street LLC
   
  By:

 

  Name:  
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

 

    OTHER EXISTING HOLDERS:

 

     
    Daniel J. Hennessy
     
     
    Thomas D. Hennessy
     
     
    Nicholas Geeza
     
     
    Grant Allen
     
     
    Brian Bonner
     
     
    Anna Brunelle
     
     
    Javier Saade
     
     
    Poonam Sharma

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

 

    NEW HOLDERS:

 

     
    Richard Taylor
     
     
    Kevin Dowd
     
     
    Robert Carilli

 

  BCR-ABL LLC
   
  By:

     

  Name:  
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

 

THIS LOCK-UP AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [●], 2025, by and between (i) Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VII, a Cayman Islands exempted company (including its successor by redomestication and continuance, the “Company”), and (ii) the undersigned (“Holder”). Any capitalized term used but not defined in this Agreement will have the meaning ascribed to such term in the BCA (as defined herein). Company and Holder may be referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”

 

WHEREAS, on October 22, 2025, the Company, ONE Nuclear Energy, LLC (“ONE”), Merger Sub, and certain other persons entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement (the “BCA”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, the Company will redomesticate and continue as a Delaware corporation named [●], and Merger Sub will merge with and into ONE, with the merged company surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”), and with ONE’s equityholders receiving shares (the “Merger Shares”) of the post-redomestication Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Company Common Stock”);

 

WHEREAS, upon the Closing, Holder will be a holder of Company Common Stock; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the BCA, and in view of the valuable consideration to be received by Holder thereunder, the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which, (1) any securities issued upon conversion of the Purchaser Class B Ordinary Shares and (2) the Merger Shares (all such securities, together with any securities paid as dividends or distributions with respect to such securities or into which such securities are exchanged or converted, the “Restricted Securities”) shall become subject to limitations on disposition as set forth herein.

 

1

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above, which are incorporated in this Agreement as if fully set forth below, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

  1. Lock-Up Provisions.

 

(a) Holder hereby agrees not to, during the period commencing on the Closing and ending on the earlier of (x) the six month anniversary of the Closing Date, (y) such date that the reported last sale price of the Company Common Stock equals or exceeds $11.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share dividends, right issuances, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any twenty (20) trading days within any thirty (30) consecutive trading day period commencing after the Closing, and (z) the date after the Closing on which the Company consummates a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction with an unaffiliated third party that results in all of the Company’s shareholders having the right to exchange their common stock of the Company for cash, securities or other property (the “Lock-Up Period”): (i) lend, offer, pledge, hypothecate, encumber, donate, assign, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Securities, (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Restricted Securities, or (iii) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, whether any such transaction described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above is to be settled by delivery of Restricted Securities or other securities, in cash or otherwise (any of the foregoing described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), a “Prohibited Transfer”). The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to the transfer of any or all of the Restricted Securities owned by Holder (I) by gift, will or intestate succession upon the death of Holder, (II) to any Permitted Transferee (as defined below), (III) pursuant to a court order or settlement agreement related to the distribution of assets in connection with the dissolution of marriage or civil union, (IV) with respect to up to five percent (5%) of such Holder’s Merger Shares, pledges in a bona fide transaction to third parties as collateral to secure obligations pursuant to lending or other arrangements between such third parties (or their affiliates or designees) and such Holder and/or its affiliates or any similar arrangement relating to a financing arrangement for the benefit of such Holder or (V) pursuant to any “piggyback” registration rights under the A&R Registration Rights Agreement; provided, however, that in any of cases (I), (II) or (III) it shall be a condition to such transfer that the transferee executes and delivers to the Company an agreement stating that the transferee is receiving and holding the Restricted Securities subject to the provisions of this Agreement applicable to Holder, and there shall be no further transfer of such Restricted Securities except in accordance with this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the term “Permitted Transferee” shall mean: (1) the members of Holder’s immediate family (for purposes of this Agreement, “immediate family” shall mean with respect to any natural person, any of the following: such person’s spouse or domestic partner, the siblings of such person and his or her spouse or domestic partner, and the direct descendants and ascendants (including adopted and step children and parents) of such person and his or her spouses or domestic partners and siblings) or Holder’s affiliates, (2) any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of Holder or affiliates or the immediate family of Holder, (3) if Holder is a trust, to the trustor or beneficiary of such trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust, (4) in the case of an entity, partners, members, managers, investment managers or equityholder of such entity that receive such transfer as a distribution or a dividend, (5) any charitable organization, (6) any transferee to satisfy any U.S. federal, state, or local income tax obligations of a Holder (or its direct or indirect owners) arising from such Holder’s ownership (including prior to and after the Business Combination) of the Restricted Securities or any interests in the Company, in each case solely and to the extent necessary to cover any tax liability as a direct result of such ownership of the Restricted Securities or any interests in the Company, (7) any transferee whereby there is no change in beneficial ownership, and (8) the nominee or custodian of any of the foregoing persons or entities. Holder further agrees to execute such agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto.

 

(b) If any Prohibited Transfer is made or attempted contrary to the provisions of this Agreement, such purported Prohibited Transfer shall be null and void ab initio, and the Company shall refuse to recognize any such purported transferee of the Restricted Securities as one of its equity holders for any purpose. In order to enforce this Section 1, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Restricted Securities of Holder (and Permitted Transferees and assigns thereof) until the end of the Lock-Up Period except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.

 

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(c) During the Lock-Up Period (which the Company shall cause to be promptly removed as soon as possible following the end of the Lock-Up Period), each certificate evidencing any Restricted Securities shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form, in addition to any other applicable legends:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN A LOCK-UP AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF [•], 2025, BY AND AMONG THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES (THE “ISSUER”) AND THE ISSUER’S SECURITY HOLDER NAMED THEREIN, AS AMENDED. A COPY OF SUCH LOCK-UP AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE ISSUER TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.”

 

(d) For the avoidance of any doubt, Holder shall retain all of its rights as a stockholder of the Company during the Lock-Up Period, including the right to vote any Restricted Securities.

 

  2. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns. This Agreement and all obligations of Holder are personal to Holder and may not be transferred or delegated by Holder at any time, except to a Permitted Transferee. The Company may freely assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to any successor entity (whether by merger, consolidation, equity sale, asset sale or otherwise) without obtaining the consent or approval of Holder.

 

(b) Third Parties. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall create any rights in, or be deemed to have been executed for the benefit of, any person or entity that is not a Party or a successor or permitted assign of such a Party.

 

(c) Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. Without prejudice to the ability of any Party to enforce this Agreement in any other proper jurisdiction, each of the Parties irrevocably and unconditionally submits and attorns to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware to determine all issues, whether at law or in equity, arising from this Agreement. To the extent permitted by applicable Law, each Party:

 

  (i) irrevocably waives any objection, including any claim of inconvenient forum, that it may now or in the future have to the venue of any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this agreement in the courts of that State, or that the subject matter of this agreement may not be enforced in those courts;
     
  (ii) irrevocably agrees not to seek, and waives any right to, judicial review by any court that may be called upon to enforce the judgment of the courts referred to in this Section 2 (c), of the substantive merits of any suit, action or proceeding; and

 

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  (iii) to the extent that party has or may acquire any immunity from the jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process, whether through service or notice, attachment before judgment, attachment in aid of execution, execution or otherwise, with respect to itself or its property, irrevocably waives that immunity in connection with its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(d) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THAT FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 2(d).

 

(e) Interpretation. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement. In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires: (i) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (ii) “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding or succeeding such term and shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (iii) the words “herein,” “hereto,” and “hereby” and other words of similar import in this Agreement shall be deemed in each case to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or other subdivision of this Agreement; and (iv) the term “or” means “and/or”. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. Consequently, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

 

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(f) Notices. All notices, consents, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered (i) in person, (ii) by email or other electronic means, with affirmative confirmation of receipt, or (iii) one Business Day after being sent, if sent by reputable, nationally recognized overnight courier service, pre-paid and return receipt requested, in each case to the applicable Party at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

If to the Company, to:

 

ONE Nuclear Energy, LLC

2310 1st Street

Suite 603

Fort Myers, FL 33901  

Attn: Richard Taylor and Kevin Dowd

Email: rtaylor@onenuclearenergy.com;

kdowd@onenuclearenergy.com

 

with a copy to:

 

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

101 Constitution Ave, NW

Suite 900

Washington, DC 20001

Attention: Jon Talcott and Peter Strand

Email: jon.talcott@nelsonmullins.com;

peter.strand@nelsonmullins.com

 

 

 

If to Holder, to: the address set forth below Holder’s name on the signature page to this Agreement.

 

 

 

(g) Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance, and either retroactively or prospectively) only with the written consent of the Company and Holder. No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No waivers of or exceptions to any term, condition, or provision of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such term, condition, or provision. The Company shall not amend or waive any similar lock-up restrictions agreed with any other stockholders of the Company or otherwise release any such stockholder of the Company from such lock-up restrictions, unless the Company extends such amendment, waiver and/or release to Holder. The Company shall provide at least ten (10) business days’ advance written notice to Holder of any such amendment or waiver.

 

(h) Authorization on Behalf of the Company. The Parties acknowledge and agree that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any and all determinations, actions or other authorizations under this Agreement on behalf of the Company, including enforcing the Company’s rights and remedies under this Agreement, or providing any waivers with respect to the provisions hereof, shall solely be made, taken and authorized by the majority of the Company’s disinterested directors (the “Disinterested Directors”). In the event that the Company at any time does not have any Disinterested Directors, so long as Holder has any remaining obligations under this Agreement, the Company will promptly appoint one in connection with this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, in the event that Holder or Holder’s Affiliate serves as a director, officer, employee or other authorized agent of the Company or any of its current or future Affiliates, Holder and/or Holder’s Affiliate shall have no authority, express or implied, to act or make any determination on behalf of the Company or any of its current or future Affiliates in connection with this Agreement or any dispute or Action with respect hereto.

 

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(i) Severability. In case any provision in this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in a jurisdiction, such provision shall be modified or deleted, as to the jurisdiction involved, only to the extent necessary to render the same valid, legal and enforceable, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby nor shall the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision be affected thereby in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties will substitute for any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision a suitable and equitable provision that carries out, so far as may be valid, legal and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision.

 

(j) Specific Performance. Holder acknowledges that its obligations under this Agreement are unique, recognizes and affirms that in the event of a breach of this Agreement by Holder, money damages will be inadequate and Company will have no adequate remedy at law, and agrees that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed by Holder in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, the Company shall be entitled to an injunction or restraining order to prevent breaches of this Agreement by Holder and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, without the requirement to post any bond or other security or to prove that money damages would be inadequate, this being in addition to any other right or remedy to which the Company may be entitled under this Agreement, at law or in equity.

 

(k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the Parties is expressly canceled; provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not affect the rights and obligations of the Parties under the BCA or any Ancillary Document. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall limit any of the rights or remedies of the Company or any of the obligations of Holder under any other agreement between Holder and the Company or any certificate or instrument executed by Holder in favor of the Company, and nothing in any other agreement, certificate or instrument shall limit any of the rights or remedies of the Company or any of the obligations of Holder under this Agreement.

 

(l) Further Assurances. From time to time, at another Party’s request and without further consideration (but at the requesting Party’s reasonable cost and expense), each Party shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take all such further action as may be reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(m) Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may also be executed and delivered electronically, by facsimile signature or by email in portable document format in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or any other form of electronic delivery, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such signature page were an original thereof. This Agreement may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law (e.g., www.docusign.com)) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

(n) Effectiveness. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Holder upon the Holder’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall only become effective upon the Closing. In the event that the BCA is validly terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the consummation of the Merger, this Agreement shall automatically terminate and become null and void, and the Parties shall have no obligations hereunder.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Pages Follow]

 

6

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  Company:
   
  HENNESSY CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORP. VII
                   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

{Additional Signature on the Following Page}

 

{Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement}

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Lock-Up Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

Holder:    
     
Name of Holder:    

 

By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

Number of Shares of Common Stock to be issued:

 

Shares of Common Stock: _____________________________

 

   

 

Address for Notice:

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

Email: _____________________________

 

{Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement}