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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) of THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 4, 2020

 

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Delaware 001-36198 46-2286804
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission File No.) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

5660 New Northside Drive, Third Floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30328

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (770) 857-4700

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class Trading Symbol(s) Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share ICE New York Stock Exchange

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

On September 4, 2020, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ICE”), completed its acquisition (the “Acquisition”) of all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Ellie Mae Intermediate Holdings I, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Ellie Mae”), pursuant to the previously announced Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 6, 2020 (the “Purchase Agreement”), by and among ICE, Ellie Mae and Ellie Mae Parent, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Seller”).

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, ICE paid aggregate consideration of (a) $9.25 billion in cash, a portion of which was used to repay indebtedness and transaction expenses of Ellie Mae, and (b) 18,361,137 newly issued shares of ICE common stock (which had an aggregate value of approximately $1.93 billion based on the 10-day volume-weighted average price of shares of ICE common stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange during the period ended September 2, 2020, which was $105.13 per share), excluding amounts paid for cash held by Ellie Mae and its subsidiaries (together, the “Acquired Companies”) as of the date of the closing of the Acquisition (the “Closing,” and the date of the Closing, the “Closing Date”). The cash consideration paid by ICE is subject to post-Closing adjustments for the amount of indebtedness of, the unpaid transaction expenses incurred by and the amount of cash held by the Acquired Companies as of the Closing Date.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the shares of ICE common stock issued in connection with the Acquisition were issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in reliance on the private offering exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2) thereof. Contemporaneously with the Closing, ICE and the Seller entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 4, 2020 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), that obligates ICE, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, to file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to register under the Securities Act the shares of ICE common stock issued to the Seller promptly, but in any event, no later than five business days following the Closing. The Registration Rights Agreement permits the Seller and certain of its permitted transferees to request up to four underwritten shelf offerings and grants demand registration rights if ICE is not eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3. Other than certain underwritten offerings, if ICE proposes to register any shares of its common stock, whether in a primary or secondary offering, each holder of shares of ICE common stock that is party to the Registration Rights Agreement has the right to request to be included in such registration, subject to customary cutbacks. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, ICE has agreed to pay the fees and expenses associated with registration (excluding discounts and commissions and other selling expenses payable by the selling holders). The Registration Rights Agreement contains customary provisions with respect to registration proceedings, underwritten offerings and indemnity and contribution rights.

 

The foregoing description of the Acquisition, the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Purchase Agreement, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to ICE’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 7, 2020, and is incorporated herein by reference, and the full text of the Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

As described above, pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of the Purchase Agreement, at the Closing, the Seller received shares of ICE common stock as consideration for the Acquisition. Those shares of ICE common stock were issued without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the private offering exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2) thereof. In relying on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2), ICE relied on representations from the Seller that it is an accredited investor as defined under Regulation D promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act and that the Seller is acquiring the securities for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution of such securities in violation of any federal or state securities laws; and the securities will bear a legend restricting their further transfer or sale until they have been registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from registration thereunder is available.

 

The disclosure in Item 2.01 of this Current Report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

 

 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On September 4, 2020, ICE issued a press release (the “Press Release”) announcing the Closing. A copy of the Press Release is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

The information contained in this Item 7.01, including the Press Release, is furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act except as may be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No. Description
   
2.1 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 6, 2020, by and among Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., Ellie Mae Intermediate Holdings I, Inc. and Ellie Mae Parent, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to ICE’s current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 7, 2020).*
   
4.1 Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 4, 2020, by and between Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and Ellie Mae Parent, LP.*
   
99.1 Press release, dated September 4, 2020.
   
104 The cover page from Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL.
   

* Certain exhibits and similar attachments to this agreement have been omitted in accordance with Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted exhibit or other attachment will be furnished supplementally to the SEC upon request.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K may contain “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “may,” “hope,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “could,” “future” or the negative of those terms or other words of similar meaning. You should carefully read forward-looking statements, including statements that contain these words, because they discuss our future expectations or state other “forward-looking” information. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties which change over time. ICE cautions readers that any forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statement.

 

 

 

 

Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the Acquisition, including future financial results, ICE’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are set forth in ICE’s filings with the SEC. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the following: the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction will not be realized; the risk that integration of Ellie Mae’s operations with those of ICE will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected; the challenges of integrating and retaining key employees; the effect of the transaction on ICE’s or the combined company’s respective business relationships, operating results and business generally; the possibility that the anticipated synergies and cost savings of the Acquisition will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period; diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; general competitive, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations; the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on ICE’s business, results of operations and financial condition as well as the broader business environment; actions taken or conditions imposed by the United States and foreign governments or regulatory authorities; and adverse outcomes of pending or threatened litigation or government investigations. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, ICE’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the SEC on February 6, 2020, and ICE’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, as filed with the SEC on July 30, 2020. These filings are available in the Investors section of ICE’s website. ICE cautions you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. Except for any obligations to disclose material information under the federal securities laws, ICE undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Current Report on Form 8-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  INTERCONTINENTAL EXCHANGE, INC.  
       
Date: September 4, 2020 By: /s/ Andrew J. Surdykowski  
    Andrew J. Surdykowski  
    General Counsel  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of September 4, 2020

 

  

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

  Page
Article I REGISTRATION 2
1.1    Demand Registrations 2
1.2    Piggyback Registrations 5
1.3    Shelf Registration Statement 6
1.4    Withdrawal Rights 8
1.5    Holdback Agreements 9
1.6    Registration Procedures 9
1.7    Registration Expenses 15
1.8    Miscellaneous 15
1.9    Registration Indemnification 16
1.10    Target Financial Statements 18
     
Article II DEFINITIONS 18
2.1    Defined Terms 18
2.2    Interpretation 22
     
Article III MISCELLANEOUS 22
3.1    Term 22
3.2   Notices 23
3.3  Amendments and Waivers 23
3.4   Successors and Assigns and Transferees 24
3.5  Severability 24
3.6   Counterparts 24
3.7   Entire Agreement 24
3.8    APPLICABLE LAW; JURISDICTION OF DISPUTES 25
3.9    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 25
3.10   Specific Performance 25
3.11   No Third Party Beneficiaries 26
3.12  No Recourse 26

 

EXHIBITS  
EXHIBIT A Plan of Distribution
EXHIBIT B-1 Form of Joinder for Sponsors
EXHIBIT B-2 Form of Joinder for Holders
EXHIBIT C Permitted Transferees  
     
SCHEDULES  
SCHEDULE A Address for Holders  

 

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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of September 4, 2020 (this “Agreement”), among Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and each of the persons whose name appears on the signature pages hereto or becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 3.4.

 

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 6, 2020 (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”), with Ellie Mae Parent, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Seller”), and Ellie Mae Intermediate Holdings I (“Ellie Mae”) relating to the purchase by the Company from the Seller all of the issued and outstanding Class A Common Stock of Ellie Mae, par value $0.001 per share, and Class B Common Stock of Ellie Mae, par value $0.001 per share, held by the Seller (the “Purchased Shares”);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company shall at the Closing deliver to Seller shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the “Company Common Stock” and any such shares of Company Common Stock delivered to Seller pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, the “Shares”), as consideration for the Purchased Shares ; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to grant registration rights in respect of the Shares and to cooperate with the Holders in connection with sales or other dispositions of the Shares, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

 

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

 

Article I

REGISTRATION

 

1.1              Demand Registrations.

 

(a)               Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, solely during any period when the Company is not eligible under Applicable Law to register Registrable Securities on Form S-3 pursuant to Section 1.3, any Demand Stockholders (“Requesting Stockholders”) shall be entitled to make a number of written requests of the Company (each, a “Demand”) set forth in Section 1.1(c) hereof for registration under the Securities Act of an amount of Registrable Securities then held by such Requesting Stockholders that equals or is greater than the Registrable Amount (a “Demand Registration”).

 

Thereupon the Company will, subject to the terms of this Agreement, use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration as promptly as practicable under the Securities Act of:

 

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(i)                 the Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register by the Requesting Stockholders for disposition in accordance with the intended method of disposition stated in such Demand;

 

(ii)              all other Registrable Securities which the Company has been requested to register pursuant to Section 1.1(b), but subject to Section 1.1(g); and

 

(iii)            all shares of Company Common Stock which the Company may elect to register in connection with any offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 1.1, but subject to Section 1.1(g);

 

all to the extent necessary to permit the disposition (in accordance with the intended methods thereof) of the Registrable Securities and the additional shares of Company Common Stock, if any, to be so registered.

 

(b)               A Demand shall specify (i) the aggregate number of Registrable Securities requested to be registered in such Demand Registration, (ii) the intended method of disposition in connection with such Demand Registration, to the extent then known and (iii) the identity of the Requesting Stockholder(s). Within three (3) Business Days after receipt of a Demand, the Company shall give written notice of such Demand to all Other Holders. The Company shall include in the Demand Registration covered by such Demand all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received a written request for inclusion therein from the Holder thereof within ten (10) days after the Company’s notice required by this paragraph has been given, subject to Section 1.1(g). Each such written request shall comply with the requirements of a Demand as set forth in this Section 1.1(b).

 

(c)               The Requesting Stockholders shall have the right to request only a total of up to three (3) Demand Registrations; provided that no more than one Demand Registration may be made in any four (4)-month period. A Demand Registration shall not be deemed to have been effected and shall not count as a Demand Registration (i) unless a registration statement with respect thereto has become effective and has remained effective for a period of at least one hundred eighty (180) days or such shorter period in which all Registrable Securities included in such Demand Registration have actually been sold thereunder (provided that such period shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period the Holder of Registrable Securities refrains from selling any securities included in such registration statement at the request of the Company or the lead managing underwriter(s) pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement) or (ii) if, after it has become effective, such Demand Registration becomes subject, prior to one hundred eighty (180) days after effectiveness, to any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the Commission or other Governmental Authority, other than by reason of any act or omission by the applicable Selling Stockholders.

 

(d)               Demand Registrations shall be on such appropriate registration form of the Commission as shall be selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Requesting Stockholders.

 

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(e)               The Company shall not be obligated to (i) subject to Section 1.1(c), maintain the effectiveness of a registration statement under the Securities Act filed pursuant to a Demand Registration for a period longer than one hundred eighty (180) days or (ii) effect any Demand Registration (A) within four months of a “firm commitment” Underwritten Offering in which all Demand Stockholders were offered “piggyback” rights pursuant to Section 1.2 (subject to Section 1.2(b)) and at least 90% of the number of Registrable Securities requested by such Requesting Stockholders to be included in such Demand Registration were included and sold or (B) within four months of the completion of any other Demand Registration (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Underwritten Offering pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement).

 

(f)                The Company shall be entitled to postpone (upon written notice to the Requesting Stockholders and any Other Holders whose Registrable Securities are covered by such Demand pursuant to Section 1.1(b)) the filing or the effectiveness of a registration statement for any Demand Registration, or suspend the availability of a registration statement and the prospectus contained therein for sales hereunder, in the event of a Blackout Period until the expiration of the applicable Blackout Period. In the event of a Blackout Period, the Company shall deliver to the Requesting Stockholders requesting registration and any Other Holders whose Registrable Securities are covered by such Demand pursuant to Section 1.1(b) a certificate signed by either the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer or the general counsel of the Company certifying that, in the good faith judgment of the Company, the conditions described in the definition of Blackout Period are met. The Company shall promptly provide written notice to the Requesting Stockholders of the expiration of any Blackout Period.

 

(g)               If, in connection with a Demand Registration or Shelf Offering that involves an Underwritten Offering, the lead managing underwriter(s) advise(s) the Company that, in its (their) opinion, the inclusion of all of the securities sought to be registered in connection with such Demand Registration would adversely affect the success thereof, then the Company shall include in such registration statement only such securities as the Company is advised by such lead managing underwriter(s) can be sold without such adverse effect as follows and in the following order of priority: (i) first pro rata among the Holders (including the Sponsors, as applicable) that have requested to participate in such Demand Registration based on the relative number of Registrable Securities then held by each such Holder (provided that any Registrable Securities thereby allocated to a Holder that exceed such Holder’s request shall be reallocated among the remaining requesting Holders in like manner); (ii) second, securities the Company proposes to sell; and (iii) third, all other securities of the Company duly requested to be included in such registration statement by other persons, pro rata on the basis of the amount of such other securities requested to be included or such other allocation method determined by the Company.

 

(h)               Any time that a Demand Registration or Shelf Offering involves an Underwritten Offering, Requesting Stockholders shall select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) that will serve as managing underwriters (including which such managing underwriters will serve as lead or co-lead) and underwriters with respect to the offering of such Registrable Securities; provided that such investment banker(s) and manager(s) shall be subject to the prior written consent of the Company, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

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1.2              Piggyback Registrations.

 

(a)               Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, whenever the Company proposes to register any Company Common Stock under the Securities Act for its own account or for the account of other persons who are not Demand Stockholders (other than a registration by the Company (i) on Form S-4 or any successor form thereto, (ii) on Form S-8 or any successor form thereto, or (iii) pursuant to Section 1.1) (a “Piggyback Registration”), the Company shall give all Holders prompt written notice thereof (but not less than ten days prior to the filing by the Company with the Commission of any registration statement with respect thereto). Such notice (a “Piggyback Notice”) shall specify the number of shares of Company Common Stock proposed to be registered, the proposed date of filing of such registration statement with the Commission, the proposed means of distribution, the proposed managing underwriter(s) (if any) and a good faith estimate by the Company of the proposed minimum offering price of such shares of Company Common Stock, in each case to the extent then known. Subject to Section 1.2(b), the Company shall include in each such Piggyback Registration all Registrable Securities held by Holders (a “Piggyback Seller”) with respect to which the Company has received written requests (which written requests shall specify the number of Registrable Securities requested to be disposed of by such Piggyback Seller) for inclusion therein within ten (10) days after such Piggyback Notice is received by such Piggyback Seller.

 

(b)               If, in connection with a Piggyback Registration that involves an Underwritten Offering, the lead managing underwriter(s) advises the Company that, in its opinion, the inclusion of all the shares of Company Common Stock sought to be included in such Piggyback Registration by (i) the Company, (ii) other Persons who have sought to have shares of Company Common Stock registered in such Piggyback Registration pursuant to rights to demand (other than pursuant to so-called “piggyback” or other incidental or participation registration rights) such registration (such Persons being “Other Demanding Sellers”), (iii) the Piggyback Sellers and (iv) any other proposed sellers of shares of Company Common Stock (such Persons being “Other Proposed Sellers”), as the case may be, would adversely affect the success thereof, then the Company shall include in the registration statement applicable to such Piggyback Registration only such shares of Company Common Stock as the Company is so advised by such lead managing underwriter(s) can be sold without such an effect, as follows and in the following order of priority:

 

(i)                 if the Piggyback Registration relates to an offering for the Company’s own account, then (A) first, such number of shares of Company Common Stock to be sold by the Company as the Company, in its reasonable judgment and acting in good faith and in accordance with sound financial practice, shall have determined, (B) second, Registrable Securities of Piggyback Sellers, pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities then held by each such Piggyback Seller (provided that any Registrable Securities thereby allocated to a Piggyback Seller that exceed such Piggyback Seller’s request shall be reallocated among the remaining Piggyback Sellers in like manner), (C) third, shares of Company Common Stock sought to be registered by Other Demanding Sellers, pro rata on the basis of the number of shares of Company Common Stock proposed to be sold by such Other Demanding Sellers and (D) fourth, other shares of Company Common Stock proposed to be sold by any Other Proposed Sellers; or

 

(ii)              if the Piggyback Registration relates to an offering other than for the Company’s own account, then (A) first, such number of shares of Company Common Stock sought to be registered by each Other Demanding Seller pro rata in proportion to the number of securities sought to be registered by all such Other Demanding Sellers, (B) second, Registrable Securities of Piggyback Sellers, pro rata based on the number of shares of Registrable Securities then held by each such Piggyback Seller (provided that any Registrable Securities thereby allocated to a Piggyback Seller that exceed such Piggyback Seller’s request shall be reallocated among the remaining Piggyback Sellers in like manner), (C) third, shares of Company Common Stock to be sold by the Company and (D) fourth, other shares of Company Common Stock proposed to be sold by any Other Proposed Sellers.

 

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(c)               For clarity, in connection with any Underwritten Offering under this Section 1.2, the Company shall not be required to include the Registrable Securities of a Piggyback Seller in the Underwritten Offering unless such Piggyback Seller accepts the terms of the underwriting as agreed upon between the Company and the lead managing underwriter(s), which shall be selected by the Company.

 

(d)               If, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any shares of Company Common Stock as set forth in this Section 1.2 and prior to the time the registration statement filed in connection with such Piggyback Registration is declared effective, the Company shall determine for any reason not to register such shares of Company Common Stock, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to the Piggyback Sellers within five (5) Business Days thereof and thereupon shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such particular withdrawn or abandoned Piggyback Registration; provided that Demand Stockholders may continue the registration as a Demand Registration pursuant to the terms of Section 1.1.

 

1.3              Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(a)               If the Company is then a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) or otherwise eligible to offer securities under or file with automatic effectiveness, the Company shall file, as promptly as reasonably practicable following the Closing Date (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be within five (5) Business Days following the Closing Date, assuming each Holder has timely provided the Requested Information pursuant to Section 1.8(a) below), a registration statement on Form S-3 or any successor form thereto (“Form S-3”) providing for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (a “Shelf Registration Statement”) in the form of an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) or any successor form thereto registering all Registrable Securities then held by the Holders and including a plan and method of distribution substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. If the Company is not expected to be a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) immediately following the Closing Date, then, subject to the availability of a registration statement on Form S-3 to the Company, any of the Demand Stockholders may by written notice delivered to the Company (the “Shelf Notice”) require the Company to file as soon as reasonably practicable, and to use reasonable best efforts to cause to be declared effective by the Commission as soon as reasonably practicable after such filing date, a Shelf Registration Statement relating to the offer and sale, from time to time, of an amount of Registrable Securities then held by such Demand Stockholders that equals or is greater than the Registrable Amount and including a plan and method of distribution substantially in the form of Exhibit A. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company may satisfy its obligations with respect to the filing of a Shelf Registration Statement by filing with the Commission and providing the Demand Stockholders with a prospectus supplement under a “universal” or other shelf registration statement of the Company that also registers sales of securities for the account of the Company or other holders (provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Company shall comply with all of its other obligations under this Agreement with respect to a Shelf Registration Statement, including Section 1.3(c)), it being agreed that, if available, the Company shall file such a prospectus supplement in lieu of a new Shelf Registration Statement, unless the Company and the Demand Stockholders otherwise agree.

 

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(b)               Within ten (10) days after receipt of a Shelf Notice pursuant to Section 1.3(a), the Company will deliver written notice thereof to all Other Holders. Each Other Holder may elect to participate with respect to its Registrable Securities in the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with this Agreement and the plan and method of distribution set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement by delivering to the Company a written request to so participate within ten (10) days after the Shelf Notice is received by any such Holder of Registrable Securities.

 

(c)               Subject to Section 1.3(d), the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to keep a Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until the earlier of (i) the date on which all Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold thereunder in accordance with the plan and method of distribution disclosed in the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement, or otherwise cease to be Registrable Securities; and (ii) the date on which this Agreement terminates pursuant to Section 3.1.

 

(d)               Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled, from time to time, by providing written notice to the Holders whose Registrable Securities are registered under the Shelf Registration Statement, to require such Holders to suspend the use of the prospectus for sales of Registrable Securities under the Shelf Registration Statement during any Blackout Period. In the event of a Blackout Period, the Company shall deliver to such Holders a certificate signed by the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer or the general counsel of the Company certifying that, in the good faith judgment of the Company, the conditions described in the definition of Blackout Period are met. After the expiration of any Blackout Period and without any further request from a Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company to the extent necessary shall as promptly as reasonably practicable prepare a post-effective amendment or supplement to the Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus, or any document incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of the Registrable Securities included therein, the prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company shall promptly provide written notice to the Holders whose Registrable Securities are registered under the Shelf Registration Statement of the expiration of any Blackout Period.

 

(e)               At any time that a Shelf Registration Statement is effective, if one or more Demand Stockholders deliver a notice to the Company (a “Take-Down Notice”) stating that such Demand Stockholder(s) intend to sell a Registrable Amount of Registrable Securities on the Shelf Registration Statement in an Underwritten Offering (a “Shelf Offering”), the Company shall promptly, and in a manner reasonably agreed with such Demand Stockholder(s) amend or supplement the Shelf Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to enable such Registrable Securities to be distributed pursuant to the Shelf Offering (taking into account, solely in connection with (x) a Non-Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering that will be completed prior to the one (1) year anniversary of the Closing Date or (y) a Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering, the inclusion of Registrable Securities by any Other Holders pursuant to this Section 1.3). The Demand Stockholders shall have the right to request only a total of four (4) Shelf Offerings pursuant to this Section 1.3(e) and (i) any Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering shall be subject to the provisions of Section 1.1(e)(ii) as if such Underwritten Shelf Offering were a Demand Registration and (ii) the Demand Stockholders cannot effect any Non-Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering within 30 days of any other Underwritten Shelf Offering.

 

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(f)                Except as provided in the immediately succeeding sentence, the right of the Other Holders to offer and sell Registrable Securities registered on a Shelf Registration Statement shall be limited to sales by such Other Holders in transactions satisfying the requirements of Rule 144(f) under the Securities Act. For the avoidance of doubt, no Other Holders will be entitled to participate in Shelf Offerings unless the Demand Stockholders determine otherwise in a written notice delivered to the Company and such Other Holders.

 

(g)               For the avoidance of doubt, any Shelf Offering will be subject to Sections 1.1(g) and (h).

 

1.4              Withdrawal Rights. Any Demand Stockholder having notified or directed the Company to include any or all of its Registrable Securities in a registration statement under the Securities Act shall have the right to withdraw any such notice or direction with respect to any or all of the Registrable Securities designated by it for registration by giving written notice to such effect to the Company prior to the effective date of such registration statement. In the event of any such withdrawal, the Company shall not include such Registrable Securities in the applicable registration and such Registrable Securities shall continue to be Registrable Securities for all purposes of this Agreement (subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement). No such withdrawal shall affect the obligations of the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities not so withdrawn if any other Demand Holder has requested that Registrable Securities be included in such registration; provided, however, that in the case of a Demand Registration, if such withdrawal shall reduce the number of Registrable Securities sought to be included in such registration below the Registrable Amount, then the Company shall as promptly as practicable give each Demand Stockholder seeking to register Registrable Securities notice to such effect and, within ten (10) days following the mailing of such notice, such Demand Stockholders still seeking registration shall, by written notice to the Company, elect to register additional Registrable Securities to satisfy the Registrable Amount or elect that such registration statement not be filed or, if theretofore filed, be withdrawn. During such ten (10) day period, the Company shall not file such registration statement if not theretofore filed or, if such registration statement has been theretofore filed, the Company shall not seek, and shall use reasonable best efforts to prevent, the effectiveness thereof.

 

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1.5              Holdback Agreements.

 

(a)               In connection with any Underwritten Offering in which a Holder participates pursuant to Section 1.2, each such Holder agrees to enter into customary agreements, including such customary carve-outs and limitations as any such Holder may reasonably request, restricting the public sale or distribution of equity securities of the Company (including sales pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act) to the extent required in writing by the lead managing underwriter(s) with respect to an applicable Underwritten Offering during the period commencing on the date of the “pricing” of such Underwritten Offering) and continuing for not more than the lesser of (i) the period to which the Company (subject to customary carve-outs and limitations) is restricted and (ii) sixty (60) days after the date of the “final” prospectus (or “final” prospectus supplement if the Underwritten Offering is made pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement), pursuant to which such Underwritten Offering shall be made, or such shorter period as is required by the lead managing underwriter(s). Any discretionary waiver or termination of the requirements under the foregoing provisions made by the Company or applicable lead managing underwriter(s) shall apply to each Holder on a pro rata basis.

 

(b)               If any Demand Registration involves an Underwritten Offering or in the event of a Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering, the Company will not effect any public sale or distribution of any common equity (or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common equity) (other than a registration statement on Form S-4, Form S-8 or any successor forms thereto) for its own account, within sixty (60) days, after the date of such Underwritten Offering or Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering, as applicable, except as may otherwise be agreed between the Company and the lead managing underwriter(s) of such Underwritten Offering or Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering, as applicable.

 

1.6              Registration Procedures.

 

(a)               If and whenever the Company is required to use reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in Section 1.1, Section 1.2 or Section 1.3, the Company shall as expeditiously as reasonably practicable:

 

(i)                 prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement to effect such registration in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution of such securities and thereafter use reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become and remain effective pursuant to the terms of this Article I; provided, however, that the Company may discontinue any registration of its securities which are not Registrable Securities at any time prior to the effective date of the registration statement relating thereto; provided, further, that before filing such registration statement or any amendments thereto, the Company will furnish to the Holders which are including Registrable Securities in such registration (“Selling Stockholders”), their counsel (which shall be one counsel for all Selling Stockholders, as designed by the Demand Stockholders) and the lead managing underwriter(s) and their counsel, if any, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review and reasonable comment of such counsel, and other documents reasonably requested by such counsel, including any comment letter from the Commission, and, if requested by such counsel, provide such counsel a reasonable opportunity to participate in the preparation of such registration statement and each prospectus included therein. The Company shall not file any such registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto with respect to a Demand Registration to which the Requesting Stockholders, their counsel or the lead managing underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object, in writing, on a timely basis, unless, in the opinion of the Company, such filing is necessary to comply with Applicable Law;

 

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(ii)              prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective pursuant to the terms of this Article I, and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement;

 

(iii)            if requested by the lead managing underwriter(s), if any, or the Demand Stockholders, promptly include in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the lead managing underwriter(s), if any, and such holders may reasonably request in order to permit the intended method of distribution of such securities and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company has received such request; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to take any actions under this Section 1.6(a)(iii) that are not, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, in compliance with Applicable Law;

 

(iv)             furnish to the Selling Stockholders and each underwriter, if any, of the securities being sold by such Selling Stockholders such number of conformed copies of such registration statement and of each amendment and supplement thereto, such number of copies of the prospectus contained in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus) and each free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) (a “Free Writing Prospectus”) utilized in connection therewith and any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as such Selling Stockholders and underwriter, if any, may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Stockholders;

 

(v)               use reasonable best efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the Selling Stockholders, the underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities laws or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as the Selling Stockholders and any underwriter of the securities being sold by such Selling Stockholders shall reasonably request, and to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period such registration statement is required to be kept effective and take any other action which may be necessary or reasonably advisable to enable such Selling Stockholders and underwriters to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Stockholders, except that the Company shall not for any such purpose be required to (A) qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not but for the requirements of this clause (v) be obligated to be so qualified, (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (C) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction;

 

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(vi)             use reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and, if no such securities are so listed, use reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market;

 

(vii)          use reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be reasonably necessary to enable the Selling Stockholder(s) thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

 

(viii)        use reasonable best efforts to provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement from and after a date not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

 

(ix)             in an Underwritten Offering, enter into an underwriting agreement in form, scope and substance as is customary in underwritten offerings and in connection therewith, (A) make representations and warranties to the Holders of such Registrable Securities and the underwriters with respect to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, and the registration statement, prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers in underwritten offerings, and, if true, confirm the same if and when requested, (B) include in the underwriting agreement indemnification provisions and procedures substantially to the effect set forth in Section 1.9 hereof with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said section except as otherwise agreed by the Demand Stockholders and (C) deliver such documents and certificates as are reasonably requested by the Demand Stockholders, their counsel and the lead managing underwriters(s), if any, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties made pursuant to sub-clause (A) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement. The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as and to the extent required thereunder;

 

(x)               use reasonable best efforts to obtain for the Selling Stockholders and underwriter(s) or agent(s) (A) opinions of counsel for the Company, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by the Demand Stockholders and the underwriters or agents and (B) ”comfort” letters and updates thereof (or, in the case of any such Person which does not satisfy the conditions for receipt of a “comfort” letter specified in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72, an “agreed upon procedures” letter) signed by the independent public accountants who have certified the Company’s financial statements and, to the extent required, any other financial statements included in such registration statement, covering the matters customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings;

 

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(xi)             make available for inspection by the Selling Stockholders, any underwriter or agent participating in any disposition pursuant to any registration statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent or representative retained in connection with such offering by such Selling Stockholder, underwriter or agent (collectively, the “Inspectors”), such financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and instruments of the Company (collectively, the “Records”), as shall be reasonably necessary, or as shall otherwise be reasonably requested, to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (and use its reasonable best efforts to cause its auditors) to participate in customary due diligence calls and to supply all information in each case reasonably requested by any such underwriter, agent or Inspector in connection with such registration statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to provide any information under this clause (xi) if (A) the Company believes, after consultation with counsel for the Company, that to do so would cause the Company to forfeit an attorney-client privilege that was applicable to such information or (B) if either (1) the Company has requested and been granted from the Commission confidential treatment of such information contained in any filing with the Commission or documents provided supplementally or otherwise or (2) the Company reasonably determines in good faith that such Records are confidential and so notifies the Inspectors in writing; unless prior to furnishing any such information with respect to clause (1) or (2) such Selling Stockholder requesting such information enters into, and causes each of its Inspectors to enter into, a confidentiality agreement on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to the Company; provided, further, that each Selling Stockholder agrees that it will, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction or by another Governmental Authority, give notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action seeking to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential;

 

(xii)          as promptly as practicable notify in writing the Selling Stockholder and the underwriters, if any, of the following events: (A) the filing of the registration statement, any amendment thereto, the prospectus or any prospectus supplement related thereto or post-effective amendment to the registration statement or any Free Writing Prospectus utilized in connection therewith, and, with respect to the registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective; (B) any request by the Commission or any other U.S. or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to the registration statement or the prospectus or for additional information; (C) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings by any Person for that purpose; (D) the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction or the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose; and (E) subject to the provisions of this Agreement relating to a Blackout Period, upon the happening of any event that makes any statement made in such registration statement or related prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such registration statement, prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the registration statement, it will not 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, and that in the case of the prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and, at the request of any Selling Stockholder, promptly prepare and furnish to such Selling Stockholder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such registration statement or prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

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(xiii)        use reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement, or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction at the earliest reasonable practicable date, except that, subject to the requirements of Section 1.6(a)(v), the Company shall not for any such purpose be required to (A) qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not but for the requirements of this clause (xiii) be obligated to be so qualified, (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (C) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction;

 

(xiv)         cooperate with the Selling Stockholders and the lead managing underwriter(s) to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (which shall not bear any restrictive legends unless required under Applicable Law) representing securities sold under any registration statement, and enable such securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the lead managing underwriter(s) or such Selling Stockholders may request and keep available and make available to the Company’s transfer agent prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement a supply of such certificates;

 

(xv)           cooperate with each of the Selling Stockholders and each underwriter or agent or agent participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA; and

 

(xvi)         have appropriate officers of the Company prepare and make presentations at a reasonable number of “road shows” and before analysts, as the case may be, and other information meetings reasonably organized by the underwriters and otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to cooperate as reasonably requested by the Demand Stockholders and the underwriters in the offering, marketing or selling of the Registrable Securities.

 

(b)               The Company may require each Selling Stockholder and each underwriter, if any, to furnish the Company in writing such information regarding each Selling Stockholder or underwriter and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing to complete or amend the information required by such registration statement.

 

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(c)               Each Selling Stockholder agrees that upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in clauses (B), (C), (D), (E) and (F) of Section 1.6(a)(xii), such Selling Stockholder shall forthwith discontinue such Selling Stockholder’s disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the applicable registration statement and prospectus relating thereto until such Selling Stockholder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 1.6(a)(xii), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such prospectus; provided, however, that the Company shall extend the time periods under Section 1.1(c) with respect to the length of time that the effectiveness of a registration statement must be maintained by the amount of time the Holder is required to discontinue disposition of such securities.

 

(d)               With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and any other rule or regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit a holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration or pursuant to a registration on Form S-3 (or any successor form), the Company shall:

 

(i)                 use reasonable best efforts to make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

 

(ii)              use reasonable best efforts to file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Exchange Act, at any time when the Company is subject to such reporting requirements;

 

(iii)            furnish to any Holder, promptly upon request, a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and of the Exchange Act, a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and such other reports and documents so filed or furnished by the Company with the Commission as such Holder may reasonably request in connection with the sale of Registrable Securities without registration (in each case to the extent not readily publicly available); and

 

(iv)             otherwise provide such Holder with such customary assistance as is reasonably requested.

 

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1.7              Registration Expenses. All fees and expenses incident to the Company’s performance of its obligations under this Article I, including (a) all registration and filing fees, including all fees and expenses of compliance with securities and “blue sky” laws (including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with “blue sky” qualifications of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 1.6(a)(v)) and all fees and expenses associated with filings required to be made with FINRA (including, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” as such term is defined in FINRA Rule 5121), (b) all printing (including expenses of printing certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company and of printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is requested by a Demand Stockholder) and copying expenses, (c) all messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (d) all fees and expenses of the Company’s independent certified public accountants and counsel (including with respect to “comfort” letters and opinions), (e) expenses of the Company incurred in connection with any “road show” and (f) reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of one counsel for all Holders whose Registrable Securities are included in a registration statement, which counsel shall be selected by the Demand Stockholders, shall be borne solely by the Company whether or not any registration statement is filed or becomes effective. In connection with the Company’s performance of its obligations under this Article I, the Company will pay its internal expenses (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties and the expense of any annual audit) and the expenses and fees for listing the securities to be registered on each securities exchange. Each Selling Stockholder shall pay its portion of all underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale of such Selling Stockholder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to any registration.

 

1.8              Miscellaneous.

 

(a)               Not less than five (5) Business Days before the expected filing date of each registration statement pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall notify each Holder of Registrable Securities who has timely provided the requisite notice hereunder entitling such Holder to register Registrable Securities in such registration statement of the information, documents and instruments from such Holder that the Company or any underwriter reasonably requests in connection with such registration statement, including, to the extent applicable, a questionnaire, custody agreement, power of attorney, lock-up letter (not to exceed a 60 day lock-up period) and underwriting agreement (the “Requested Information”), provided that the Seller and the Sponsors shall not be required to sign or deliver a custody agreement or power of attorney. If the Company has not received, on or before the second Business Day before the expected filing date, the Requested Information from such Holder, the Company may file the registration statement without including Registrable Securities of such Holder. The failure to so include in any registration statement the Registrable Securities of a Holder of Registrable Securities (with regard to that registration statement) shall not result in any liability on the part of the Company to such Holder.

 

(b)               The Company shall not grant any demand, piggyback or shelf registration rights, the terms of which are senior to or conflict with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder to any other Person, or enter into any other agreements that conflict with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities under this Agreement (except to the extent contemplated under the definition of “Blackout Period”), without the prior written consent of Demand Stockholders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities then held by all Demand Stockholders.

 

(c)               The Company will cooperate with the Holders and the managing underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates or book entries (which, in either case, shall not bear any restrictive legends) representing Shares to be sold by any Holder pursuant to any registration statement or sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (including delivering such instruction letters, officer’s certificates and/or legal opinions as the Company’s transfer agent may request), and enable such shares to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the selling Holders or managing underwriter(s) may request.

 

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1.9              Registration Indemnification.

 

(a)               The Company agrees, without limitation as to time, to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, each Selling Stockholder and its Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, members, shareholders, employees, managers, partners and agents and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) such Selling Stockholder or such other indemnified Person and the officers, directors, members, shareholders, employees, managers, partners, accountants, attorneys and agents of each such controlling Person, from and against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, expenses (including reasonable expenses of investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) and amounts paid in settlement (collectively, the “Losses”), as incurred, arising out of, caused by, resulting from or relating to any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment 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 (in the case of a prospectus, preliminary prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by any information furnished in writing to the Company by any Selling Stockholder expressly for use therein.

 

(b)              In connection with any registration statement in which a Selling Stockholder is participating, without limitation as to time, each such Selling Stockholder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify the Company, its directors, officers, stockholders, employees, managers, partners and agents, and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company, from and against all Losses, as incurred, arising out of, caused by, resulting from or relating to any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of material fact contained in the registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment 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 (in the case of a prospectus, preliminary prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, in each case solely to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission is made in such registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written information regarding such Selling Stockholder furnished to the Company by such Selling Stockholder expressly for inclusion in such registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Selling Stockholder shall be liable under this Section 1.9(b) for amounts in excess of the net proceeds received by such holder in the offering giving rise to such liability.

 

(c)               Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification; provided, however, the failure to give such notice shall not release the indemnifying party from its obligation, except to the extent that the indemnifying party has been actually and materially prejudiced by such failure to provide such notice on a timely basis.

 

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(d)              In any case in which any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies an indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein, and, to the extent that it may wish, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof and acknowledging the obligations of the indemnifying party with respect to such proceeding, the indemnifying party will not (so long as it shall continue to have the right to defend, contest, litigate and settle the matter in question in accordance with this paragraph) be liable to such indemnified party hereunder for any legal or other expense subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof (unless (i) such indemnified party reasonably objects to such assumption on the grounds that there are defenses available to it which are different from or in addition to the defenses available to such indemnifying party and, as a result, a conflict of interest exists or (ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed within a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and the indemnified party is or would reasonably be expected to be materially prejudiced by such delay, in either of which events the indemnified party shall be promptly reimbursed by the indemnifying party for the reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with retaining one separate legal counsel (for the avoidance of doubt, for all indemnified parties in connection therewith)). For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding any such assumption by an indemnifying party, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such matter and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party except as provided in the previous sentence. An indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of an action or claim effected without its consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). No matter shall be settled by an indemnifying party without the consent of the indemnified party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), unless such settlement (x) includes 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, (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party and (z) is settled solely for cash for which the indemnifying party shall be solely liable.

 

(e)               The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall survive the sale of the Registrable Securities and the termination of this Agreement.

 

(f)               If recovery is not available under the foregoing indemnification provisions for any reason or reasons other than as specified therein, any Person who would otherwise be entitled to indemnification by the terms thereof shall nevertheless be entitled to contribution with respect to any Losses with respect to which such Person would be entitled to such indemnification but for such reason or reasons, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party, on the one hand, and such indemnified party, on the other hand, in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party, the Persons’ relative knowledge and access to information concerning the matter with respect to which the claim was asserted, the opportunity to correct and prevent any statement or omission, and other equitable considerations appropriate under the circumstances. It is hereby agreed that it would not necessarily be equitable if the amount of such contribution were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not found guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Selling Stockholder shall be required to make a contribution in excess of the net proceeds received by such Selling Stockholder from its sale of Registrable Securities in connection with the offering that gave rise to the contribution obligation.

 

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1.10            Target Financial Statements. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if the Company determines that the acquisition of the Target constitutes a “significant acquisition” under the Rule 3-05 of Regulation S-X, then the Company shall not be required to file such registration statement in connection with a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 1.1 or a Shelf Registration or a prospectus supplement in connection with Section 1.3 before it has available for filing with the Commission historical financial statements of Target and pro forma financial statements relating to the acquisition of Target effected by the Stock Purchase Agreement that comply in all material respects with Rule 3-05 and Article 11 of Regulation S-X and Item 9.01 of Form 8-K, if the rules and regulations of the Commission would require the filing of such financial statements with the Commission prior to or with such registration statement, Shelf Registration or prospectus supplement.

 

Article II

 

DEFINITIONS

 

2.1              Defined Terms. Capitalized terms when used in this Agreement have the following meanings:

 

Affiliate” means, (a) any other Person which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person (for the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise), (b) for the avoidance of doubt, if such specified Person is an investment fund, any other investment fund, the primary investment advisor to which is the primary investment advisor to such specified Person or an Affiliate thereof, and (c) if such specified Person is a natural Person, any family member of such natural Person. “Controlled” and “controlling” shall be construed accordingly. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for all purposes of this Agreement, in no event shall an Affiliate of any Sponsor include any “portfolio company” (as such term is customarily used among institutional investors) of any Sponsor.

 

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

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Applicable Law” means, with respect to any Person, any Law applicable to such Person, its assets, properties, operations or business.

 

Beneficial Owner” or “Beneficially Own” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, and a Person’s beneficial ownership of securities shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of such Rule (in each case, irrespective of whether or not such Rule is actually applicable in such circumstance).

 

Blackout Period” means a period of up to 60 days in the event that the Company determines in good faith (after consultation with outside counsel) that the registration or sale of Registrable Securities would (a) reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect or materially adversely interfere with any bona fide material financing of the Company or any bona fide material transaction under consideration by the Company or (b) require disclosure of material information that has not been, and is not otherwise required to be, disclosed to the public, the premature disclosure of which would materially adversely affect the Company, which determination shall be accompanied by a good faith determination by the Company that the prospectus, if used, would make an untrue statement of a material fact or would omit the statement of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, a Blackout Period may not occur more than twice in any period of 12 consecutive months and no more than 60 days in a 180 day period. For the avoidance of doubt, a Blackout Period shall expire when the conditions in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b), as applicable, cease to be true.

 

Business Day” means a day on which banks are generally open for normal business in New York, New York, which day is not a Saturday or a Sunday.

 

Closing” has the meaning set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement.

 

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement.

 

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency administering the Securities Act.

 

Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Company Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Demand” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1(a).

 

Demand Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1(a).

 

Demand Stockholder” means the Seller and any Sponsor that holds Registrable Securities.

 

Ellie Mae” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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Form S-3” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(a).

 

Free Writing Prospectus” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(a)(iv).

 

Governmental Authority” means any court, administrative agency or commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, or applicable exchange or self-regulatory organization, including FINRA.

 

Holder” means the Seller (for so long as it Beneficially Owns any Registrable Securities) and the Sponsors and each other holder of Registrable Securities that is or becomes a party to this Agreement.

 

Inspectors” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(a)(xi).

 

Law” means any federal, state, provincial, local, municipal, foreign, international, multinational or other order, judgment, decree, constitution, law, ordinance, regulation, statute, treaty, code, rule, by-law, writ, injunction, decision, arbitration award, franchise, license, agency requirement, permit or other award of any Governmental Authority, or any policy, guideline, notice or protocol, in each case, to the extent that it has the force of law.

 

Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.9(a).

 

Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering” means any Shelf Offering that is an Underwritten Offering and where the plan of distribution set forth in the applicable Take Down Notice includes a customary “road show” (including an “electronic road show”) or other substantial marketing effort by the Company and the underwriters.

 

Non-Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering” means any Shelf Offering that is an Underwritten Offering but is not a Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering.

 

Other Demanding Sellers” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(b).

 

Other Holder” means each Holder other than the Demand Stockholders.

 

Other Proposed Sellers” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(b).

 

Permitted Transferee” means (a) any Sponsor that executes a joinder hereto in accordance with Section 3.4 and (b) each of the equityholders of the Seller listed on Exhibit C that executes a joinder hereto in accordance with Section 3.4.

 

Person” means any natural person or any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including any Governmental Authority.

 

Piggyback Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a).

 

Piggyback Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a).

 

Piggyback Seller” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a).

 

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Purchased Shares” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Records” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(a)(xi).

 

Registrable Amount” means an amount of Registrable Securities having an aggregate value of at least $75 million (based on the anticipated offering price (as reasonably determined in good faith by the Company)), without regard to any underwriting discount or commission.

 

Registrable Securities” means the Shares and any shares of Company Common Stock received in respect of the Shares in connection with any stock split or subdivision, stock dividend, distribution or similar transaction; provided that any such Shares shall cease to be Registrable Securities upon the earliest of (i) when they are sold by a Holder pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (ii) when they have been sold by a Holder pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, (iii) when they shall have ceased to be outstanding, (iv) in the case of Other Holders only, when they may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act without restriction on the basis of volume limitations and (v) in the case of the Seller and the Sponsors only, on the later of (x) the fifteen (15) month anniversary of the Closing Date and (y) when they can be sold by the Seller or such Sponsors, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act without restriction on the basis of volume limitations.

 

Requested Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.8(a).

 

Requesting Stockholders” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1(a).

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Seller” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Selling Stockholders” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(a)(i).

 

Shares” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Shelf Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(a).

 

Shelf Offering” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(e).

 

Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(a).

 

Sponsors” means Thoma Bravo Fund XIII, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Thoma Bravo Fund XIII-A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Thoma Bravo Executive Fund XIII, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any other investment fund advised or managed by Thoma Bravo, L.P., that becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 3.4.

 

Stock Purchase Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Take-Down Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(e).

 

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Target” means Ellie Mae Intermediate Holdings I, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

Transfer” means any direct or indirect sale, assignment, encumbrance, pledge, hypothecation, disposition, loan or other transfer, or entry into any Agreement with respect to any sale, assignment, encumbrance, pledge, hypothecation, disposition, loan or other transfer, excluding entry into this Agreement and the Stock Purchase Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

Underwritten Offering” means a sale of securities of the Company to an underwriter or underwriters for reoffering to the public.

 

2.2              Interpretation. Whenever used herein, the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”, and the words “hereof” and “herein” and similar words shall be construed as references to this Agreement as a whole and not limited to the particular Article, Section, Annex, Exhibit or Schedule in which the reference appears. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein: (x) to Articles, Sections, Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules mean the Articles, Sections and Annexes of, and Exhibits and Schedules attached to, this Agreement; (y) to an agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof; and (z) to a statute means such statute as amended from time to time and includes any successor legislation thereto and any regulations promulgated thereunder. References to “$” or “dollars” means United States dollars. Any reference in this Agreement to any gender shall include all genders. The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms. The Annexes, and Schedules referred to herein shall be construed with, and as an integral part of, this Agreement to the same extent as if they were set forth verbatim herein. The headings of the Articles and Sections are for convenience of reference only and do not affect the interpretation of any of the provisions hereof. If, and as often as, there is any change in the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock by reason of stock dividends, splits, reverse splits, spin-offs, split-ups, mergers, reclassifications, reorganizations, recapitalizations, combinations or exchanges of shares and the like, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions of this Agreement so as to fairly and equitably preserve, as far as practicable, the rights and obligations set forth herein that continue to be applicable on the date of such change. No rule of construction against the draftsperson shall be applied in connection with the interpretation or enforcement of this Agreement, as this Agreement is the product of negotiation between sophisticated parties advised by counsel.

 

Article III

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

3.1              Term. This Agreement will be effective as of the Closing Date and shall terminate (i) on the earliest of (a) the third anniversary of the Closing Date, and (b) the date when the Holders cease to Beneficially Own any Registrable Securities, or (ii) with respect to any individual Holder, by written notice at any time by such Holder to the Company; provided that in the event of any termination pursuant to this clause (ii), any such Holder shall not sell any Shares during any Blackout Period pending at the time of such termination. Sections 1.9 and Articles II and III shall survive any termination.

 

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3.2              Notices. All notices, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by hand delivery, by prepaid overnight courier (providing written proof of delivery), by confirmed email transmission or by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested and first class postage prepaid), addressed as follows:

 

(a)               If to any Holder, to such Holder at the address indicated on Schedule A hereto, with a concurrent copy to (which shall not be considered notice):

 

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

300 North LaSalle

Chicago, IL 60654

E-mail: theodore.peto@kirkland.com

E-mail: bradley.reed@kirkland.com

E-mail: peter.stach@kirkland.com

Attention: Theodore A. Peto, P.C.

Bradley C. Reed, P.C.

Peter Stach

 

(b)               if to the Company, to:

 

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

5660 New Northside Drive

Atlanta, GA 30328

E-mail: legal-notices@theice.com
Attention: General Counsel

 

with a concurrent copy to (which shall not be considered notice):

 

Shearman & Sterling LLP

599 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

E-mail: rory.ohalloran@shearman.com
E-mail: cody.wright@shearman.com
Attention:

Rory O’Halloran

Cody Wright

 

3.3              Amendments and Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified unless such amendment or modification is in writing and signed by (i) the Company and (ii) the Demand Stockholders. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by Applicable Law.

 

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3.4              Successors and Assigns and Transferees. The Seller may initially assign all or a portion of its rights hereunder to the Sponsors to which Seller has transferred all or any of its Registrable Securities, provided that such Sponsor shall only be admitted as a party hereunder and become a Holder upon its execution and delivery of a joinder agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B-1; whereupon such Person shall be treated as a Sponsor for all intents and purposes of this Agreement, with the same rights, benefits and obligations hereunder as the transferring Holder with respect to the transferred Registrable Securities. Each Demand Stockholder may assign all or a portion of its rights hereunder to any Permitted Transferee of such Demand Stockholder to which such Holder transfers all or any of its Registrable Securities; provided that such transferee shall only be admitted as a party hereunder and become an Other Holder upon its or his or her execution and delivery of a joinder agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B-2; whereupon such Person will be treated as an Other Holder for all purposes of this Agreement; provided, further, that the number of Holders shall at no time exceed 35 in the aggregate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Holder hereunder may transfer Registrable Securities, or its rights, benefits and obligations hereunder, to any Person who is not an “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act), and the Permitted Transferee will provide such customary representations and warranties as may be reasonably required by the Company to that effect. Except as provided in the immediate preceding sentence, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and assigns. Any attempted assignment in violation of this Section 3.4 shall be void.

 

3.5              Severability. It is the intent of the parties that the provisions of this Agreement shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under Applicable Law and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. If any particular provision or portion of this Agreement shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision or portion thereof shall be deemed amended to the minimum extent necessary to render such provision or portion valid and enforceable, and such amendment will apply only with respect to the operation of such provision or portion in the particular jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made.

 

3.6              Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that each party need not sign the same counterpart. Counterparts 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.

 

3.7              Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the documents and the instruments referred to in this Agreement), together with the Stock Purchase Agreement (including the Disclosure Schedule and Exhibits thereto, and together with the other instruments referred to therein), constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

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3.8              APPLICABLE LAW; JURISDICTION OF DISPUTES. THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL LITIGATION, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, SUITS, HEARINGS OR PROCEEDINGS (WHETHER CIVIL, CRIMINAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE AND WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE), DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT OR THE ACTIONS OF THE COMPANY OR ANY HOLDER IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF OR THEREOF, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OR CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY (A) EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (PROVIDED THAT IF JURISDICTION IS NOT THEN AVAILABLE IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURT LOCATED IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER DELAWARE STATE COURT) IN THE EVENT ANY DISPUTE ARISES OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, (B) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO DENY OR DEFEAT SUCH PERSONAL JURISDICTION BY MOTION OR OTHER REQUEST FOR LEAVE FROM ANY SUCH COURT AND (C) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT BRING ANY ACTION RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY COURT OTHER THAN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (PROVIDED THAT IF JURISDICTION IS NOT THEN AVAILABLE IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, SUCH ACTION MAY BE BROUGHT ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURT LOCATED IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER DELAWARE STATE COURT); PROVIDED THAT EACH OF THE PARTIES SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING FOR ENFORCEMENT OF A JUDGMENT ENTERED BY ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURT LOCATED IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY DELAWARE STATE COURT IN ANY OTHER COURT OR JURISDICTION.

 

3.9              WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND EACH HOLDER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE ACTIONS OF THE COMPANY OR ANY HOLDER IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

 

3.10            Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that monetary damages would not be an adequate remedy in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms. It is expressly agreed that the parties hereto shall be entitled to equitable relief, including injunctive relief and specific performance of the terms hereof, this being in addition to any other remedies to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

 

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3.11             No Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer any rights upon any Person other than the parties hereto and each such party’s respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns; provided that the Persons indemnified under Section 1.9 are intended third party beneficiaries of Section 1.9.

 

3.12             No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this Agreement, and notwithstanding the fact that any party hereto may be a partnership or limited liability company, each party hereto, by its acceptance of the benefits of this Agreement, covenants, agrees and acknowledges that no Persons other than the named parties hereto shall have any obligation hereunder and that it has no rights of recovery hereunder against, and no recourse hereunder or in respect of any oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith shall be had against, any former, current or future director, officer, agent, Affiliate, manager, assignee, incorporator, controlling Person, fiduciary, representative or employee of any Sponsor (or any of their heirs, successors or permitted assigns), or against any former, current or future director, officer, agent, employee, Affiliate, manager, assignee, incorporator, controlling Person, fiduciary, representative, general or limited partner, stockholder, manager or member of any of the foregoing Persons, but in each case not including the named parties hereto (each, a “Non-Liable Person”), whether by or through attempted piercing of the corporate veil, by or through a claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) by or on behalf of such party against any Non-Liable Person, by the enforcement of any assignment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any statute, regulation or other Applicable Law or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any Non-Liable Person, as such, for any obligations of the applicable party under this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, in respect of any oral representations made or alleged to have been made in connection herewith or therewith or for any claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) based on, in respect of or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.

 

[The remainder of this page left intentionally blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement by their authorized representatives as of the date first above written.

 

  INTERCONTINENTAL EXCHANGE, INC.
     
By: /s/ David Clifton
    Name: David Clifton
    Title: VP, M&A and Integration

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement by their authorized representatives as of the date first above written.

 

  SELLER
   
  Ellie Mae Parent, LP
   
  By: /s/ Holden Spaht
    Name: Holden Spaht
    Title Vice President and Assistant Secretary

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

The selling securityholders, including their pledgees, donees, transferees, distributees, beneficiaries or other successors in interest, may from time to time offer some or all of the shares of common stock (collectively, “Securities”) covered by this prospectus. To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended and supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution.

 

The selling securityholders will not pay any of the costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration and sale of the Securities covered by this prospectus, but they will pay any and all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes, if any, attributable to sales of the Securities. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common stock covered hereby.

 

The selling securityholders may sell the Securities covered by this prospectus from time to time, and may also decide not to sell all or any of the Securities that they are allowed to sell under this prospectus. The selling securityholders will act independently of us in making decisions regarding the timing, manner and size of each sale. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at privately negotiated prices. Sales may be made by the selling securityholders in one or more types of transactions, which may include:

 

· purchases by underwriters, dealers and agents who may receive compensation in the form of underwriting discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling securityholders and/or the purchasers of the Securities for whom they may act as agent;

 

· one or more block transactions, including transactions in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the Securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction, or in crosses, in which the same broker acts as an agent on both sides of the trade;

 

· ordinary brokerage transactions or transactions in which a broker solicits purchases;

 

· purchases by a broker-dealer or market maker, as principal, and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

· the pledge of Securities for any loan or obligation, including pledges to brokers or dealers who may from time to time effect distributions of Securities;

 

· short sales or transactions to cover short sales relating to the Securities;

 

Exhibit A-1

 

 

· one or more exchanges or over the counter market transactions;

 

· privately negotiated transactions;

 

· the writing of options, whether the options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise;

 

· distributions to creditors of the selling securityholders; and

 

· any combination of the foregoing, or any other available means allowable under applicable law.

 

A selling securityholder may also resell all or a portion of its Securities in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act provided it meets the criteria and conforms to the requirements of Rule 144 and all applicable laws and regulations.

 

The selling securityholders may enter into sale, forward sale and derivative transactions with third parties, or may sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with those sale, forward sale or derivative transactions, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus, including in short sale transactions and by issuing securities that are not covered by this prospectus but are exchangeable for or represent beneficial interests in the common stock. The third parties also may use shares received under those sale, forward sale or derivative arrangements or shares pledged by the selling securityholder or borrowed from the selling securityholders or others to settle such third-party sales or to close out any related open borrowings of common stock. The third parties may deliver this prospectus in connection with any such transactions. Any third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in a supplement or a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part as may be required.

 

In addition, the selling securityholders may engage in hedging transactions with broker-dealers in connection with distributions of Securities or otherwise. In those transactions, broker-dealers may engage in short sales of securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume with selling securityholders. The selling securityholders may also sell securities short and redeliver securities to close out such short positions. The selling securityholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers which require the delivery of securities to the broker-dealer. The broker-dealer may then resell or otherwise transfer such securities pursuant to this prospectus. The selling securityholders also may loan or pledge shares, and the borrower or pledgee may sell or otherwise transfer the Securities so loaned or pledged pursuant to this prospectus. Such borrower or pledgee also may transfer those Securities to investors in our securities or the selling securityholders’ securities or in connection with the offering of other securities not covered by this prospectus.

 

To the extent necessary, the specific terms of the offering of Securities, including the specific Securities to be sold, the names of the selling securityholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any underwriter, broker-dealer or agent, if any, and any applicable compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions paid to underwriters or agents or paid or allowed to dealers will be set forth in a supplement to this prospectus or a post-effective amendment to this registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The selling securityholders may, or may authorize underwriters, dealers and agents to, solicit offers from specified institutions to purchase Securities from the selling securityholders at the public offering price listed in the applicable prospectus supplement. These sales may be made under “delayed delivery contracts” or other purchase contracts that provide for payment and delivery on a specified future date. Any contracts like this will be described in and be subject to the conditions set forth in a supplement to this prospectus or a post-effective amendment to this registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

Exhibit A-2

 

 

Broker-dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions from the selling securityholders. Broker-dealers or agents may also receive compensation from the purchasers of Securities for whom they act as agents or to whom they sell as principals, or both. Compensation as to a particular broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions and will be in amounts to be negotiated in connection with transactions involving securities. In effecting sales, broker-dealers engaged by the selling securityholders may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate in the resales.

 

In connection with sales of Securities covered hereby, the selling securityholders and any underwriter, broker-dealer or agent and any other participating broker-dealer that executes sales for the selling securityholders may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Accordingly, any profits realized by the selling securityholders and any compensation earned by such underwriter, broker-dealer or agent may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. Selling securityholders who are “underwriters” under the Securities Act must deliver this prospectus in the manner required by the Securities Act. This prospectus delivery requirement may be satisfied through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange in accordance with Rule 153 under the Securities Act or satisfied in accordance with Rule 174 under the Securities Act.

 

We and the selling securityholders have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In addition, we or the selling securityholders may agree to indemnify any underwriters, broker-dealers and agents against or contribute to any payments the underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be required to make with respect to, civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters, broker-dealers and agents and their affiliates are permitted to be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us and our affiliates or the selling securityholders or their affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

 

In order to comply with applicable securities laws of some states or countries, the Securities may only be sold in those jurisdictions through registered or licensed brokers or dealers and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, in certain states or countries the Securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or country or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirements is available. In addition, any Securities of a selling securityholder covered by this prospectus that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold in open market transactions under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

 

In connection with an offering of Securities under this prospectus, the underwriters may purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase in an offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities while an offering is in progress.

 

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the underwriters have repurchased securities sold by or for the account of that underwriter in stabilizing or short-covering transactions.

 

These activities by the underwriters may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the Securities offered under this prospectus. As a result, the price of the Securities may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected on the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Stock Exchange or another securities exchange or automated quotation system, or in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

 

Exhibit A-3

 

 

FORM OF JOINDER FOR SPONSORS

 

 

This Joinder Agreement (this “Joinder Agreement”) is made as of the date written below by the undersigned (the “Joining Party”) in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of September 4, 2020 (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., and the Holders party thereto. Capitalized terms used, but not defined, herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

The Joining Party hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Joinder Agreement, the Joining Party shall be deemed to be a party to the Registration Rights Agreement as of the date hereof as a “Sponsor”, and shall have all of the rights and obligations of a “Sponsor” thereunder as if it had executed the Registration Rights Agreement. The Joining Party hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Joinder Agreement as of the date written below.

 

Date: [●]  
   
  [NAME OF JOINING PARTY]
   
  By:          
  Name: [●]
  Title:   [●]
   
  Address for Notices:
   
  [ ●]

 

Exhibit B-1-1

 

 

EXHIBIT B-2

 

FORM OF JOINDER FOR HOLDERS

 

This Joinder Agreement (this “Joinder Agreement”) is made as of the date written below by the undersigned (the “Joining Party”) in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of September 4, 2020 (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., and the Holders party thereto. Capitalized terms used, but not defined, herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

The Joining Party hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Joinder Agreement, the Joining Party shall be deemed to be a party to the Registration Rights Agreement as of the date hereof as a “Permitted Transferee” of a Demand Stockholder thereto, and shall have all of the rights and obligations of an “Other Holder” thereunder as if it had executed the Registration Rights Agreement. The Joining Party hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Joinder Agreement as of the date written below.

 

Date: [●]  
   
  [NAME OF JOINING PARTY]
   
  By:            
  Name: [●]
  Title:   [●]
   
  Address for Notices:
   
  [ ●]

 

Exhibit B-2-1

 

 

Exhibit 99.1 

 

Intercontinental Exchange Completes Acquisition of Ellie Mae from Thoma Bravo

 

ATLANTA, GA and PLEASANTON, CA – September 4, 2020 – Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE), a leading operator of global exchanges and clearing houses and provider of mortgage technology, data and listing services, today announced that it has received regulatory approval and fully completed its $11 billion acquisition of Ellie Mae from leading private equity firm Thoma Bravo.

 

“We are excited to begin the next important chapter in our journey to digitize the residential mortgage industry,” said Jeffrey C. Sprecher, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Intercontinental Exchange. “Ellie Mae’s industry leadership and best-of-breed technology will better enable us to further accelerate the automation of the mortgage origination workflow, which will benefit stakeholders across the production chain, including consumers.”

 

Ellie Mae was founded in 1997 with a mission to automate and digitize the trillion-dollar residential mortgage industry. Through its digital lending platform, Ellie Mae provides technology services to all participants in the mortgage supply chain, including its over 3,000 customers and thousands of partners and investors participating on their open network who provide liquidity to the market. Lenders rely on Ellie Mae to securely manage and facilitate the exchange of data across the ecosystem to enable the origination of mortgages, while maintaining strict adherence to various local, state and federal compliance requirements.

 

Intercontinental Exchange’s efforts to help automate the mortgage workflow began with its majority investment in the Mortgage Electronic Registrations System (MERS) in 2016, which it fully acquired in 2018. The strategy continued with the acquisition of Simplifile in 2019, furthering a focus on digitizing the closing and post-closing process for U.S. mortgages. The core focus of Ellie Mae's technology, expertise and network is in the mortgage origination process, connecting brokers, underwriters and lenders. With all three of these entities, MERS, Simplifile and Ellie Mae working together as part of ICE Mortgage Technology, the expanded platform will, for the first time, bring together all of the key stakeholders from origination to final settlement in one digital mortgage ecosystem.

 

Key Third Quarter 2020 Financial Metrics:

 

Based on a closing date of September 4th, 2020 and an allocation to ICE based on the number of business days following completion, ICE currently expects the Ellie Mae transaction to contribute the following to its third quarter 2020 results:

 

· Revenue of $67 million to $72 million
· Adjusted operating expense1 of $34 million to $36 million
· Interest expense of $11 million to $12 million
· Approximately 5 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, which are expected to result in total weighed average diluted shares outstanding of 551 million to 554 million in the third quarter of 2020.

 

 

1 Adjusted operating expenses excludes the amortization of acquisition-related intangibles related to the Ellie Mae acquisition. At the time of this release, we cannot reasonably estimate the GAAP operating expenses due to the unknown amount of amortization acquisition-related intangibles, which are currently being valued by a third party and are expected to be disclosed when we report our third quarter results.

 

 

 

 

 

About Intercontinental Exchange

 

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company formed in the year 2000 to modernize markets. ICE serves customers by operating the exchanges, clearing houses and information services they rely upon to invest, trade and manage risk across global financial and commodity markets. A leader in market data, ICE Data Services serves the information and connectivity needs across virtually all asset classes. As the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, the company is the premier venue for raising capital in the world, driving economic growth and transforming markets.

 

Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located at http://www.intercontinentalexchange.com/terms-of-use. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading “Key Information Documents (KIDS).”

 

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 -- Statements in this press release regarding Ellie Mae, including expected revenue, expected adjusted operating expense, expected interest expense and expected weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the month and three months ended September 30, 2020, that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the SEC on February 6, 2020.

 

This release includes non-GAAP measures that exclude certain items we do not consider reflective of our cash operations and core business performance. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP measures provides investors with greater transparency and supplemental data relating to our financial condition and results of operations. These adjusted non-GAAP measures should be considered in context with our GAAP results.

 

About Ellie Mae

 

Ellie Mae is the leading cloud-based platform provider for the mortgage finance industry. Ellie Mae’s technology solutions enable lenders to originate more loans, lower origination costs, and reduce the time to close, all while ensuring the highest levels of compliance, quality and efficiency. Visit EllieMae.com or call (877) 355-4332 to learn more.

 

About Thoma Bravo

 

Thoma Bravo is a leading private equity firm focused on the software and technology-enabled services sectors. With a series of funds representing more than $45 billion in capital commitments, Thoma Bravo partners with a company's management team to implement operating best practices, invest in growth initiatives and make accretive acquisitions intended to accelerate revenue and earnings, with the goal of increasing the value of the business. The firm has offices in San Francisco and Chicago. For more information, visit thomabravo.com.

 

 

 

 

ICE Media Contact:
Josh King
Josh.King@theice.com
212-656-2490

 

ICE Investor Contact:
Warren Gardiner
Warren.Gardiner@theice.com
770-835-0114

 

Ellie Mae Media Contact:

Erica Bigley
Erica.Bigley@elliemae.com
925-227-5913

Thoma Bravo Media Contact:

Megan Frank

mfrank@thomabravo.com

212-731-4778